Probationary Agent

"The defenses at Angel Headquarters aren’t weak. The problem is that everyone at headquarters who possessed Holy Light was wiped out by the Blood Clan."

Hearing Dr. Pym’s words, the priest sighed. "Otherwise, with Angel Headquarters’ magical facilities, even Ant-Man couldn’t have succeeded so easily."

"You have no idea how formidable us Ant-Men are."

Dr. Pym said smugly. At that moment, an alarm rang out from Angel Headquarters. Immediately afterward, a large number of Church Guards rushed out through the gates and chased after Ant-Man.

Dr. Pym asked in shock and anger, "What’s going on? Did you hide something from me?"

"A special spell was placed on the box. Once it leaves the Treasure Vault for more than three minutes, the spell activates and warns the people of the church."

The priest said calmly, "It seems the box is real."

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You people really can’t be trusted."

Dr. Pym cursed and shouted to Scott, "Get into the sewers. Enlarge the ants to stop those guards. I’ll come meet you."

"I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Just like a Hollywood blockbuster, there always has to be a chase scene."

Scott rambled on, "Too bad the one meeting me is an old man instead of some hot beauty from the movies."

"Shut up."

Dr. Pym cursed. Hope was supposed to meet Scott this time, but how could Dr. Pym possibly give them a chance to grow closer? That damned boar could forget about getting his teeth into his precious cabbage.

While driving the shrunken car, Dr. Pym asked the priest unhappily, "How do we shake those guards? They obviously know where the box is."

"That special spell has a tracking function."

The priest smiled. "Don’t worry. As long as I get the box, I can remove the spell."

"Transfer the money to me. And this is the last time we work together."

Dr. Pym gave the priest a glance and spoke coldly. This guy could not be trusted at all.

"I’ll transfer half first."

The priest smiled and used his phone to transfer the money to Dr. Pym.

What followed was a thrilling chase. With Dr. Pym’s assistance, Ant-Man narrowly escaped with his life.

Afterward, the priest boarded a private plane under his guards’ protection, taking the valuable box with him. Scott and Dr. Pym, meanwhile, boarded the small plane Hope had flown over.

Scott took off his helmet, rubbed his hands together, and asked excitedly, "We should celebrate, Dr. Pym. How much are you giving me this time?"

"The mission isn’t over yet. What money are you talking about?"

Dr. Pym replied irritably. He had once somewhat admired Scott, but now, the more he looked at him, the more unpleasant Scott seemed.

"Then we’ll talk about it after the mission is complete."

Scott did not object. Dr. Pym looked at him suspiciously. This guy was being far too agreeable, wasn’t he?

Scott guiltily avoided Dr. Pym’s gaze. Though Dr. Pym was somewhat suspicious, he did not dwell on it. His heart was filled with excitement. He finally had the money to build a Quantum Tunnel.

Over all these years, the reason Dr. Pym had never managed to construct a Quantum Tunnel was simply that he lacked the funds.

Anything related to quantum technology was expensive—at least tens of billions were needed for a Quantum Tunnel. It was practically burning money.

Several hours later, the small plane Dr. Pym had rented landed at New York Airport. Dr. Pym and the other two packed up their things and stepped off the plane.

Just then, a group of S.W.O.R.D. agents suddenly rushed out and surrounded them.

Agent Skye held up an arrest warrant and shouted, "Dr. Pym, you are suspected of stealing the supreme treasure of Angel Church Headquarters. You are hereby under arrest on charges of endangering human security."

Dr. Pym’s expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to use his earpiece to command the ants to resist, Scott suddenly made his move and snatched off his earpiece.

Dr. Pym and Hope were both stunned. Hope asked in disbelief, "Scott, you betrayed us?"

"I wouldn’t exactly call it betrayal."

Scott smiled awkwardly, saluted Skye, and said, "Probationary S.W.O.R.D. agent Scott Lang, reporting to my superior."

Skye returned the salute. As she had people handcuff Dr. Pym and Hope, she praised Scott, "Scott, you completed this mission exceptionally well."

"You’re a S.W.O.R.D. agent?"

Dr. Pym and Hope were both dumbfounded. Dr. Pym shouted, "Impossible. I investigated you thoroughly. All your records were real."

"Those records were indeed real. After I went to prison, a S.W.O.R.D. agent secretly approached me and said that someone high up admired me and wanted to recruit me into S.W.O.R.D."

Scott shrugged. "After asking about S.W.O.R.D.’s salary and insurance, I agreed. After all, people with prison records don’t have an easy time finding jobs. Besides, S.W.O.R.D.’s Director Steve was an idol shared by my daughter and me.

"After that, I got out of prison. S.W.O.R.D. told me to live normally, and not long after, Dr. Pym, you came running over to screw me over.

"Dr. Pym, don’t glare so hard. The reason I lost my job was entirely because of your meddling. You never had good intentions toward me."

Dr. Pym said bitterly, "You actually betrayed humanity to work for a Vampire."

"To be honest, I was initially hesitant about Blood God. So I secretly went to ask my superior."

Scott said, "My superior was great. He directly raised my clearance so I could see Blood God’s files. After reading them, I only asked him one question."

Hope asked, "What question?"

"Could you get Blood God to sign an autograph for me?"

Scott said, "Blood God has saved the world several times and even led the Blood Clan away from evil. He’s a true Super Hero. It’s an honor to work for him."

Skye smiled. "In fact, he’s the Super Heroes’ boss."

Dr. Pym shouted angrily, "He only did all that to rule the world! How can you trust a Vampire?"

"Blood God already rules the world, yet he has never used his power to commit evil or break the law. He’s cleaner than every politician in America."

Skye snorted. "Having Blood God is this world’s good fortune."

The S.W.O.R.D. agents all nodded in agreement. Whether Blood God was a good person or not, they could judge for themselves.

Dr. Pym still wanted to say something, but Skye waved her hand. "Take them back to S.W.O.R.D. Someone wants to see them. Scott, can you still join the operation? We’re about to attack the Holy Light Warriors’ lair."

"No problem. I still have Pym Particles, and I’d be happy to join the operation."

Scott said excitedly, "That way, I can tell my Little Pumpkin—my daughter—that I’m a hero protecting the world."

Hope could not help asking Scott, "Scott, did you get close to me to complete your mission?"

Before Scott could answer, Dr. Pym cursed, "Of course he did. He’s just a despicable thief."

"That’s slander."

Scott said, "Hope, I truly like you. Go to prison without worries. I’ll wait for you. Prison isn’t such a big deal, really. I’ve been there too."

Everyone looked at Scott speechlessly. Just how thick-skinned did someone have to be to say something like that?

"Scott, we’re through."

Hope said hatefully, then turned and followed the agents away. Scott wanted to chase after her, but Skye said, "Get in my car. We’re going to Stark Tower to join Iron Man and the others."

At Stark Tower, everyone was watching the red dot on the screen. Tony had placed a tracker inside that box—a Quantum Tracker that was practically impossible to detect or block.

"So it’s in the mountains to the south."

Tony said excitedly to Strange, "Hurry up and open a portal. Let’s go."

Aside from Tony and Strange, Human Torch, Hawkeye Barton, and other Super Heroes were present. Tony had also prepared several hundred suits of Drone Armor.

They actually dared touch his son. He, Tony Stark, would make them pay.

Strange glanced at the map and said, "I haven’t been to that place. I can only open a portal to this city, then we’ll fly there together."

Tony said unhappily, "Seriously? Bert can open portals even to places he’s never visited."

"If you’re dissatisfied, you can choose to fly there from here."

Strange snorted. Not everyone was Blood God.

"Fine, we’ll make do. We’ll fly there in a moment."

Tony snorted unhappily. "Those who can’t fly can have Drone Armor carry them. Of course, if you have any special preferences, you can have Drone Armor hold you in its arms."

Barton sneered, "Isn’t that your signature pose?"

Before long, Skye arrived with S.W.O.R.D. agents and some Inhumans. Seeing that everyone was present, Tony immediately had Strange open a portal.

As Scott stepped through the portal, he cried excitedly, "Wow, this is incredible! How does it even work?"

"Shut up. Don’t embarrass S.W.O.R.D."

Skye said irritably, "Mr. Stark, you go ahead first. We’ll follow by car. I’ll have an Inhuman cover you. And don’t act ahead of schedule. This time, it’s an extermination operation."

"Our Inhuman Queen is looking more and more impressive."

Tony smiled and led everyone toward the Holy Light Warriors’ lair. Strange was among them as well, his cloak looking extremely stylish. Tony’s eyes were practically green with envy.

Halfway there, the Inhuman Skye had sent activated their ability, concealing everyone in darkness—it was now late at night.

At the Holy Light Warriors’ lair, the priest presented the box, restored to its original size, to the Grand Elder. He said excitedly, "Grand Elder, with this box, we can unseal the Angel Legion. Then we’ll definitely be able to kill that demon."

"If we catch him off guard, there definitely won’t be a problem."

Thinking of something, Moro sighed. "The problem is, once we succeed, neither Blood God nor Kamar-Taj will let us go."

"Moro, death is merely a return to God’s embrace for us. There is no need to take it too seriously."

The Grand Elder accepted the box and smiled. "No matter the price, we must fulfill God’s command. That is the meaning of our existence."

Moro nodded. "Everything for God."

"All right, there’s no time to waste. Let’s take the Sacred Object and unseal the Angel Legion."

As the Grand Elder drew holy patterns on the box with Holy Light, he said, "Only the former pope and I know how to open this box. In other words, I am the only one in the world who can open it."

A moment later, the box shone with dazzling Holy Light. When the light faded, all the patterns on the box had vanished. The Grand Elder smiled. "All right, the seal has been removed."

"What does the Sacred Object look like?"

Moro and the priest stared intently at the box, their eyes full of reverence and curiosity.

"You’ll see it soon."

The Grand Elder smiled and reached out with his right hand to open the box. To his shock, it would not open.

"Maybe it’s been unused for too long and got stuck."

The Grand Elder chuckled and tried to pry the box open with force, but it did not budge. Unwilling to give up, he tried several different positions in succession, but none worked. He exerted so much force that his old face turned red.

Moro said, "Grand Elder, how about letting me try? I’m stronger."

"Take it."

The Grand Elder handed the box to Moro unhappily. To everyone’s astonishment, even when Moro used Angel Power, he still could not open the box.

The Grand Elder noticed something and said coldly, "Split the box open."

The priest hurriedly said, "Grand Elder, this is a Sacred Object."

The Grand Elder shouted, "Something is wrong. Moro, split the box open."

"Fine."

Moro did not waste words. He drew his longsword and gathered Holy Light upon it. Then he tossed the box into the air and slashed down. The box split in two and fell to the ground with two clangs.

Everyone hurriedly looked at the box on the floor and discovered that it was solid. There was nothing inside at all.

"Damn it."

The Grand Elder cursed loudly. Someone had actually fooled them with a solid box. The person behind this was far too vicious. The priest said angrily, "Ant-Man actually dared to deceive us? I’ll go settle the score with them."

"There’s no time to deal with Ant-Man. This is clearly a trap."

The Grand Elder said with an ugly expression, "Tony Stark and the others will be here soon. They may already be here."

"They’re coming soon?"

The priest asked in panic, "Grand Elder, what should we do? Our treasure can only teleport a small number of people. We can’t move everyone."

"What are you panicking for? Danger means opportunity."

The Grand Elder said calmly, "Blood God will not appear this time, because he has to protect Kamar-Taj. That means only Iron Man and the others are coming.

"To wipe us out, Iron Man will surely go all out. That means the guards around Pepper will be greatly reduced."

"Grand Elder, are you saying we attack Pepper?"

Moro’s eyes lit up, but he immediately shook his head. "Iron Man won’t be that careless. With only a few of us, we can’t take Pepper."

"Don’t worry. We have a powerful helper."

The Grand Elder smiled. "Moro, take the Angel Holy Sword and nine Reincarnated Angels to carry out the plan. This time, you must succeed, because there will be no next time.

"The others and I will give everything we have to hold back Iron Man’s army for you."

"Grand Elder, I will definitely kill the Reincarnated Demon."

After hearing the plan, Moro dropped to his knees and shouted. The Grand Elder nodded and used the treasure to send Moro and the others away.

Then, the Grand Elder gathered everyone and shouted, "Blood God’s lackeys will be here soon. Are you afraid?"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Holy Light Warriors shouted, "No!"

The Grand Elder shouted again, "Good. For God, bury every last one of them here."

"For God!"

The Holy Light Warriors roared passionately. They did not fear death, because death would only bring them closer to God.

Soon, everyone in the underground lair sprang into action. They activated every trap and every defense, waiting for Iron Man and the others to come to them.

This time, their goal was to die together with their enemies.