Dead Beyond Death (500 Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter)

Oaks would not be openly involved in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s affairs.

But whether Steve’s acting was convincing did not really matter.

Basically, as long as he put on a stern face, he could handle anything.

And a stern face was what this old soldier did best.

Still, as he watched Nick Fury being cut open in the operating room, he had to muster every ounce of strength to keep his expression from giving him away.

Natasha and Agent Hill, standing nearby, merely assumed he was furious beyond measure—

That fit Captain America’s image rather well.

At 1:03 a.m., Nick Fury was officially pronounced dead.

Oaks had acted personally, using the Way of Life-Death Balance to seal away Nick Fury’s vitality. Even the most advanced instruments could not detect it, and even his bodily tissues had begun to lose activity.

Naturally, unless Oaks allowed it, no other method could wake him again.

At S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Trident Headquarters, Agent Sitwell was reporting Nick Fury’s death to Pierce.

Though it was deep into the night, Pierce, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, showed no sign of fatigue.

The office lights were on. He gazed calmly at the deep darkness beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows and took a deep breath.

"Is the news reliable?"

"The attending physicians opened Nick Fury’s chest. They confirmed that his heart had stopped beating."

Sitwell wore a solemn expression.

"I don’t think any miracle could happen under those circumstances."

"Oh? Then do you think a miracle might have happened if our former environmental consultant had been there?"

Pierce sneered coldly. Sitwell immediately pictured the Druid, Oaks, president of the Benevolence Society—the man who had displayed healing powers in New York that could practically be called divine miracles, and who had instantly saved Coulson after his heart was pierced.

"Dr. Oaks did not appear at Nick Fury’s emergency treatment scene."

Sitwell nodded with certainty.

"I confirmed his location the moment it happened. The records show that Dr. Oaks went to Asgard with Lady Sif earlier, and there has been no record of abnormal Bifrost energy since then. He has not returned to Earth."

"What about his potions?"

Pierce’s expression did not change. The Recovery Serum Oaks had developed was practically miraculous.

"That serum is extremely scarce, but Agent Sharon had a vial. She used it to administer first aid to Nick Fury immediately."

Sitwell smiled somewhat smugly.

"However, we had long prepared for such a situation. The Winter Soldier’s bullets were poisoned…

As expected, the Recovery Serum only healed some of his external wounds. It could not save his life."

"Has it been confirmed repeatedly?"

Pierce still did not let down his guard. He had received news from another Hydra leader that left him with very complicated feelings.

Peggy Carter, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s founders—there was almost no doubt that she had regained her youthful appearance!

Anyone could tell without thinking that such an unbelievable feat had something to do with that detestable Druid!

Then it was not impossible for him to accomplish other things as well.

"It has been confirmed, sir."

A look of admiration appeared on Sitwell’s face. Only such a cautious leader could lead them to glory!

"After confirming that Nick Fury’s heart had stopped, the physicians continued monitoring it for an entire hour…

But they did not detect even the faintest heartbeat."

"…That truly is most unfortunate."

Only now did Pierce finally reveal a faint smile.

"God did not bless him. Or rather, God is on our side."

"Yes, sir." Sitwell gave him a deep bow. "God is on your side."

After a moment of silence, profound regret appeared on Pierce’s face.

"It still was not perfect.

Originally, he could have served as a sacrifice for our return, offered to the great new world. He could have gone without even sensing death’s arrival…

That would have been my special courtesy to this old friend, and to my daughter’s benefactor.

But now it was too hasty, too early. It made our entrance seem somewhat crude."

"Sir, Nick Fury existed for this very moment. Perhaps his early exit is not a bad thing for us."

Sitwell adjusted his glasses, his expression solemn.

Perhaps because Nick Fury had put him under too much pressure in the past, hearing this news made him feel as though a serf had finally risen to sing—

The man renowned for his caution had unknowingly taken on the bearing of a victor.

"Every additional minute he remained alive was filled with uncertainty."

Pierce glanced at his trusted subordinate with mild surprise, then curled his lips and nodded slightly.

"It is not wrong for you to see it that way.

But Nick Fury is still Nick Fury. Even in death, he has left us quite a mess to deal with."

"…Captain Rogers?"

Sitwell’s expression turned grave.

"Captain Rogers did not catch up with the Winter Soldier, but the Winter Soldier has not returned to base either…

There were not many signs of battle at the scene. Perhaps something delayed him?"

"Delayed? Over fifty years, the Winter Soldier carried out more than twenty critical assassination missions without ever failing…"

Pierce snorted. Turning away from the floor-to-ceiling windows, he slipped one hand into his pocket and began pacing slowly through the office.

"The Winter Soldier’s identity has deep ties to Captain Rogers…

Now, it seems those ties may have caused some problems for the Winter Soldier, whose mental state was already unstable."

Hearing Pierce say this, Sitwell grew somewhat alarmed.

"You mean he may lose control?"

"Not likely. Have some faith in our brainwashing techniques."

Pierce gave Sitwell a faint glance, making his heart tighten.

"Yes, sir. I will intensify the search for the Winter Soldier immediately. His characteristics are obvious; it will not take much time."

"No. Do not devote too much effort to him for now."

To Sitwell’s surprise, Pierce waved a hand.

"As the last person Nick saw, if he left behind anything or any clue, Captain Rogers is the only possibility.

We must focus our efforts on finding out as soon as possible!"

Pierce turned around, his gaze blazing as he stared at Sitwell.

"The change in your demeanor has come too early… rein it in. The same goes for the others.

Seal off the news. Order the special operations team to ‘escort’ the Captain here. I want to speak with him personally.

If possible, I still hope there will be as little trouble as possible before the helicarriers take off.

But if Captain Rogers refuses to cooperate, we will have sufficient reason to make him ‘betray’ S.H.I.E.L.D…

By then, even if he truly knows something, we can use extreme measures to ensure he cannot speak!"

Cold sweat seeped across Sitwell’s forehead. He took a deep breath and became the old Sitwell again.

"As you wish, sir!"