Listening to their conversation, Lucian immediately understood the situation.
Jane Foster had already gone in.
The woman had clearly stepped into the most crucial spatial rift and been swept into the unknown gap where the Aether was sealed.
These ordinary researchers certainly had nerve. They dared to wander around the center of the convergence of the Nine Realms without even bringing protective gear. They were already lucky not to have been sliced to pieces by spatial turbulence.
Lucian slowly stepped out of the shadows.
"Who's there?"
Darcy turned around warily, instinctively pointing the portable instrument in her hand toward Lucian.
When she got a clear look at the newcomer, she visibly froze.
A black coat, a tall, straight figure, and that face that had been plastered all over international news headlines and broadcasts of the public trial in Times Square.
"Holy shit..."
The instrument in Darcy's hand nearly slipped out and fell to the ground. Her mouth hung wide open. "Ian, pinch me... I think I just saw the boss of Vought International walk out of a wall."
The intern was so frightened that he took half a step back, stammering, "M-Mr. Lucian?"
Lucian ignored the three people's shock, looking straight past them toward the dark corridor at the back of the factory building, its depths impossible to see.
The spatial fluctuations there were rapidly contracting, like a full stomach preparing to close completely.
"How long has she been missing?" Lucian asked.
Darcy swallowed, so nervous that her tongue stumbled over the words. "A-about five minutes? Mr. Lucian, what brings you here? Did S.H.I.E.L.D. detect the antigravity phenomenon here too?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have time for this sort of thing anymore."
Lucian gave a casual reply and headed deeper into the corridor.
"Wait!" Darcy worked up her courage and followed him