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M: TSIA Chapter 42: of the Terrifying Magic Book
🕑 Added 2025-01-03 12:13:37 +0000 UTCCoulson, as if trying to lighten the mood, gave a small smile and asked, "I heard you were in trouble?"
Having been busy all night, Coulson was unaware of what had happened. Melinda glanced at Coulson briefly before answering tersely, "Big trouble!"
Thinking back to the previous events, Melinda felt her heart churn again.
Coulson just chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. "The person who can make you so angry must be quite interesting."
Melinda rolled her eyes at Coulson, then hummed sarcastically, "If you saw it for yourself, I'm sure your opinion would change."
Without much talk, Melinda took her tactical tablet from the table, tapped the screen to open a video, and then handed it to Coulson.
"Our cameras were always active during this mission," Melinda explained, her tone flat yet weary. All their contacts with Lance were always recorded.
Coulson nodded briefly before staring at the tablet screen. The video showed footage of their mission. In the video, a mysterious figure appeared, surrounded by a dark aura that seemed almost real. Coulson's initially relaxed expression turned serious, his brow furrowing. A few seconds later, a sour smile crept onto Coulson's lips. "This is indeed a big problem."
Melinda merely raised an eyebrow without saying anything, letting the footage speak for itself.
They had encountered many individuals with super abilities over the years working at S.H.I.E.L.D., but this one was different. The figure in the video was not only powerful—he seemed unpredictable, even frightening.
Cracks!
The tablet screen suddenly lit up, displaying a familiar bald face with dark skin and sharp eyes.
"Director."
"Director."
Coulson and Melinda immediately straightened their bodies, their expressions turning serious as they greeted Nick Fury.
Nick nodded briefly, his voice firm yet calm. "Coulson, have you seen the footage taken by Melinda?"
"I just finished watching it," Coulson replied.
Nick nodded again, then instructed, "Prepare the file with a black box classified level. Codename: Sorcerer." Nick's eyes swept over the two senior agents with a meaningful gaze. "Coulson, Melinda, for the time being, you both are promoted to Level 8. From now on, you have only one mission: find that man!"
The atmosphere in the room became heavy.
In the S.H.I.E.L.D. hierarchy, staff are divided into ten levels. Level 7 agents like Coulson and Melinda are at a turning point—high enough to access major news that the public cannot know, but not yet reaching the deepest secrets of the organization.
Levels 8 and 9 are a different world. Only experienced veterans usually reach them, and even then, only after more than a decade of service. However, in emergencies, temporary promotions can be granted, as is happening now.
Since Lance's level is set above level 8, Coulson and Melinda, who are responsible for tracking Lance, naturally must adjust to an equivalent level.
"Understood, sir," Coulson and Melinda replied in unison, exchanging glances before neatly agreeing to the order.
They were not surprised.
A person with a mysterious background, extraordinary powers, but breaking the law is the type of target that takes priority for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury's figure on the screen then disappeared, leaving a moment of silence. Coulson looked at Melinda, where he noticed the fatigue evident on his old partner's face.
"You must be very tired dealing with these kids," Coulson said with a faint smile. "Why don't you take a break?"
Melinda glanced at Coulson with a flat expression, then said emotionlessly, "I will naturally rest when I’m dead."
Melinda then immediately turned and walked away, leaving Coulson who could only smile helplessly. "That is indeed your typical answer," Coulson murmured softly.
...
...
...
Mountain Forest, Night.
Lance walked through the dense mountain forest under the cover of the dark night. The shadows of the trees loomed like mysterious figures, and only the sound of the wind occasionally rustling the leaves accompanied his steps.
After leaving the Fox Nightclub, Lance easily slipped out of the sight of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Armed with Lucien's memories, Lance moved through the mountains and valleys until he reached the forest on the outskirts of New York.
Lucien, a notorious fugitive in nine countries, was always cautious. Lucien's secret hideout, as discovered by Lance through Lucien's memories, was located deep within this forest, hidden from anyone's view.
As the night grew later, Lance finally found an old wooden house concealed behind the thick trees.
The house was surrounded by rusty barbed wire. Lance easily climbed over it, entering the quiet yard. The place resembled a long-abandoned retreat. Wild grass grew rampant everywhere, resembling a web that wrapped around every corner.
Lance stared at the house for a moment, recalling Lucien's memories in his mind. Without much hesitation, Lance stepped forward and pushed open the decaying wooden door with a light shove.
Inside the house, it resembled more of a haunted nest than a dwelling. The dark, hard wooden ceiling seemed to hold dark secrets behind it. A small statue clung to the wall, its face almost unrecognizable due to the thick layer of dust covering it.
The table and chairs in the main room had been gnawed by insects and rats, leaving irregular bite marks.
On the empty table, there was a rough porcelain bowl and a long-neglected porridge spoon. The smell of rotting wood mixed with dampness filled the air, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Lance stood in the middle of the room, his eyes sharply observing every corner. This place might seem like a forgotten empty house, but Lance knew better. Behind the silence and decay, there was surely something hidden—something Lance was searching for.
...
...
...
Lance gazed at the narrow shadow outside the window, which resembled a crack in the rocks more than a regular window.
The crack barely allowed any light to enter, adding to the gloomy impression of the long-abandoned wooden house.
Lance then stepped closer to the narrow window, his eyes keenly observing every detail. A small groove beneath the crack caught his attention. Carefully, Lance felt along the groove, then he pulled its mechanism. A soft rumbling sound was heard, and a secret door slowly revealed itself in the dusty floor.
