Chapter 310

Resurrection from the dead had been an ideal humanity had relentlessly pursued since ancient times.

The people of Ancient Egypt, for instance, preserved their pharaohs as incorruptible mummies in the hope that their kings would one day return from the underworld and continue ruling them.

Yet for thousands of years, humanity had placed its hopes for this ideal in mystical Magic, immortals, and occult arts. Since the rise of science, however, such things had been dismissed as ignorant superstition and cast aside like worn-out shoes.

But now, Nick Fury had discovered that this ideal could be achieved through science and technology. At the same time, he had witnessed that Magic was no illusion, so he felt it necessary to consult an authority in the magical world on this matter.

And that authority was naturally Evenson. He only knew one person who could use Magic, so whether Evenson was truly an authority or not, he had to be one. But…

Buddy, did you know how the first generation of Death Knights came about? Did you know how to spread the undead plague? Did you know that the Lich King and the Scourge Legion were the crowning creations of Kil’jaeden, leader of the Eredar Sorcerers?

You would get a better answer asking a necromancer those questions than asking a Sorcerer.

So Evenson’s answer truly caught Nick Fury off guard. He had never expected the response to such a serious matter to be simply that he had no opinion. "That’s it?"

"What else?" Evenson spread his hands, then put on an expression of sudden realization. "Did you think I would sternly rebuke you, saying resurrection defies heaven and violates the natural order? Or was I supposed to applaud and praise you?"

"No, I wouldn’t." Evenson calmly shook his head. "When there are rules, you study and understand them. Once you master the method, you apply it in practice. That’s perfectly ordinary."

So after encountering a monumental opportunity, pouring vast manpower and resources into research, and developing a technology he had thought could shake the world, it was as ordinary as eating and drinking in Evenson’s eyes? Nick Fury’s chest felt as though it had been struck hard with a hammer. You know, the most hurtful kind of showing off was the kind you did without realizing it.

But Evenson had no intention of letting Nick Fury off that easily. He immediately twisted the knife further. "Life and death are merely a law. Since it is a law, it should be mastered!"

Nick Fury took several deep breaths before swallowing back the blood rising in his throat. But on second thought, what Evenson had just said seemed a little… "From the sound of it, you seem to have already mastered this kind of spell?"

"That’s right." Evenson admitted it without hesitation. "I do know such a spell."

"Oh, then it looks like you’ve got work again." Nick Fury stroked his chin.

"Heh heh…" Evenson gave a cold laugh. "Then let me ask you first: is the person you want to resurrect your enemy or your mortal foe?"

"No," Nick Fury said. "He is my subordinate."

"A subordinate…" Evenson asked again, "Then how do you regard this subordinate? Do you merely see him as a tool for completing missions, or do you see him as your comrade?"

"What difference does that make?" Nick Fury asked. Could it be that different spells had to be used depending on the target’s identity?

"If that person is your enemy, or merely a tool, I can help you resurrect him." Evenson said coldly. "But if he is a friend, I will not do so."

What grudge do you have against me?! Nick Fury nearly shouted it aloud. Why would Evenson resurrect his enemies but refuse to do the same for his friends? Was he really that hated?

"Let’s just speak plainly." Evenson glanced at Nick Fury. "You want to resurrect Coulson, don’t you?"

Nick Fury fell silent for a moment, then nodded. Coulson was not only his most capable subordinate, but also a very good friend. So Coulson’s death was an enormous loss, both to S.H.I.E.L.D. and to him personally.

But if this had happened in the past, all he could have done was drape a flag over Coulson’s coffin and, at most, promise to care for his wife. But now that there was a way, why not try to make up for that loss?

"But I will never use my spell to resurrect him!" Evenson declared firmly.

"Why?" Nick Fury abruptly looked up and shot Evenson a glare. At the same time, he anxiously calculated in his heart. Had Coulson somehow offended this kid?

"Don’t misunderstand." Seeing Nick Fury’s hostile expression, Evenson said, "Coulson and I have a good relationship too. But that is precisely why I am unwilling to use my spell to resurrect him."

At that point, Evenson became irritated. Even now, he still had not figured out why the Soul Stone had failed to work back then. Otherwise, there would not be this trouble now.

"Could it be that your spell…" Nick Fury narrowed his eyes. If Evenson refused to use it because they were close, then there was only one possibility. "It has major flaws."

"Mm." Evenson nodded. "The spell I know can be classified as necromancy. It is… a curse."

"A curse?" Nick Fury asked, not understanding.

"If I cast the spell on Coulson," Evenson said with a troubled frown, "I could indeed make him stand up and move again. He could communicate and think normally, and his behavior would not differ from that of an ordinary person. In terms of physical ability, he could even surpass ordinary people. But…"

"But what?" Nick Fury pressed.

"Sigh… But he could only be considered a living corpse, not a living person." Evenson sighed. "He would lose every sensation a normal person has. Fine food would turn to mud and sand in his mouth, fine wine would have no flavor at all, and beautiful women would not be able to solve his… well, you know."

"Yet he would feel hunger forever, but no matter how much he ate or drank, it would never ease. And he would have to soak in formaldehyde regularly, or his body would slowly rot away. But that would not affect his ‘life.’ Heh…" Evenson revealed a chilling smile. "Even if only a skeleton remained, driven by my spell, he would still count as alive."

"But wouldn’t such a life be a curse to him? If he were not a slave to suffering, what would he be?"

"Then, beneath that endless suffering, his mind would become twisted, gradually filling with hatred. He would hate the person who resurrected him, perhaps even every living person."

"What a bone-chilling sight…" Nick Fury stiffly tilted his head. He had indeed wanted to bring Coulson back partly so that Coulson could continue working for him. But resurrecting him in such a horrifying way? Better forget it.

Just imagine it: watching your own body rot while being unable to die. That could turn even a thoroughly decent man into an extremist bent on taking revenge against the world.

"So handle Coulson’s resurrection yourself." Evenson stood up. "If you run into any difficulties, I can offer you some advice. But don’t expect me to do it myself."