Returning the Book, Pierce’s Scheme

The American Government was deeply troubled by this incident. To prevent the scientific establishment from being shaken, they spent several days finally coming up with an explanation.

The ones invading Earth this time were still the same aliens from before. Unwilling to accept defeat, they had used a Space Station and a Cosmic Storm to open a Quantum Teleportation portal and send a giant bioengineered beast to Earth.

The beast carried a biochemical virus, which was why the people of New York had lost control. Fortunately, the Super Heroes had joined forces and killed the bioengineered beast.

As for why major cities had been attacked, it was because the aliens wanted to draw humanity’s attention away and prevent them from discovering their plot.

In short, the aliens were behind everything.

As soon as that explanation came out, the whole world erupted. Did they take everyone for idiots? A biochemical virus? If it really had been one, New York City would have been locked down long ago.

Dissatisfied citizens joined the protests one after another, making them even larger than before.

The authorities turned a deaf ear to the protests. Whether you believed it or not, they believed it anyway.

"If The Beast knew it had been turned into a bioengineered beast, it would probably be so mad it came back to life, then died of anger again."

Wang Bert looked at the news spokesman spouting nonsense and could not help shaking his head. At that moment, Lilith said, "Blood God, someone has applied to the New York City government to establish the Dragon God Cult. A lot of people are responding to it."

"People are not stupid. A resurgence of faith is inevitable. The Vatican is probably overjoyed."

Wang Bert thought for a moment and said, "Have Osborn Corporation take the lead in setting up the Dragon God Cult. Just make a token effort. I have no interest in becoming a god."

"Is being a god not good?" Lilith asked. "A lot of people want to become gods."

"What difference is there between me and a god now?"

Wang Bert shrugged. Just then, President Ellis called. He first offered his routine thanks, then asked, "Mr. Wang, will something like this keep happening?"

"Not in the short term, probably."

Wang Bert said, "As for the long term, no one can say for sure."

"Sigh, America really has no end of disasters."

President Ellis sighed, then said tentatively, "By the way, Blood God, Kamar-Taj was a great help this time. I would like to thank them in person."

"They are not people of the secular world and do not concern themselves with secular affairs."

Wang Bert said, "President Ellis, it would be best not to disturb them."

"What a pity."

President Ellis gave an awkward laugh and hung up. Wang Bert shook his head. Humanity was getting restless again. If he was not mistaken, Project Insight would begin very soon.

Just then, a figure emerged from the darkness in the corner. Wang Bert said irritably, "Can’t you use the front door? Why do you always have to sneak in?"

Elektra, carrying a large bag, replied, "I’m an assassin. Have you ever seen an assassin use the front door?"

"Yes. Mercury, the Blood Clan’s top assassin, walks through Osborn Tower’s front entrance every day."

Elektra was speechless. She tossed the large bag onto Wang Bert’s desk and said, "This is the Darkhold you wanted. Also, I killed all those demons. Not one was left alive."

Wang Bert did not answer, because all his attention was fixed on the package. He tore it open at top speed, then stroked the Darkhold’s cold cover with a blissful expression, as if he had finally found his home.

Vampires had been born from the Darkhold.

Should I open it and take a look?

Wang Bert hesitated. Just then, the words on the Darkhold’s cover suddenly lit with a faint glow, and Wang Bert seemed to hear someone calling for him to open the book.

"Open it, and you can become a god. Open it, and you can have everything you desire."

The voice was like a devil’s whisper. Wang Bert could not help reaching for the edge of the Darkhold. Then, he suddenly snapped awake, snorted coldly, and slapped his palm against the Darkhold.

Wang Bert let out a breath and said, "Lilith, bring the equipment. Seal the Darkhold."

"Really seal it?"

Lilith and Elektra were both a little surprised. Wang Bert leaned back in his chair and said, "How many people who possessed the Darkhold ever met a good end? Even Doom nearly died. Besides, what good thing would actively try to seduce me?"

"It seems that whether it’s people or books, they shouldn’t be too proactive."

Lilith shook her head, took out a Vibranium device, and sealed the Darkhold inside Vibranium.

"What a waste."

Elektra said, "Master, can you give me some Vibranium? I want to reforge my iron ruler."

"Some?"

Elektra hurriedly said, "Just a little is enough."

Wang Bert waved his hand. "You’re my personal bodyguard. How could a little be enough? I’ll give you ten kilograms of Vibranium. Forge it yourself."

"Ten kilograms?"

Elektra was stunned. That was worth over a hundred million dollars. More importantly, Vibranium was not something you could buy even if you had money.

This new master was truly extravagant.

Should I tell her that I’m the king of Wakanda?

Wang Bert smiled slightly and took out his phone to call Wong. Soon, a portal appeared.

Wong looked at the book wrapped in Vibranium on the desk and asked in surprise, "Is this the Darkhold?"

"Yes. Help me take it to Master Ancient One. If possible, have him place a spell on the book so no one can secretly read it."

Wang Bert said, "By the way, Wong, how is the reconstruction of the New York Sanctum going? Do you need my help?"

"No, it’s nearly finished."

Wong picked up the Darkhold and said, "Using magic to construct a building is fast. The real trouble is rebuilding the Magic Array. That takes a great deal of time and effort."

"I can’t help you with that."

Wang Bert asked, "By the way, how is Doom?"

Wong’s expression became a little strange at that. He said, "Doom has been accepted as Master Ancient One’s disciple."

"What?"

Wang Bert stared in disbelief. Doctor Doom had become Ancient One’s apprentice? The plot had gone wildly off course, had it not? And Master Ancient One, had he become a little too uninhibited?

"Kamar-Taj has many people who do not understand it either. After all, Doom was the one who blew up the New York Sanctum."

Wong sighed. "But no one can change the Master’s decision."

"Master must have his reasons!"

Wang Bert shook his head and said, "Wong, I’ll come visit you when I have time."

"You’re welcome anytime. I’ll treat you well when you come."

Wong nodded and left through the portal.

"If Doom became Master Ancient One’s disciple, then what about Dr. Strange?"

Wang Bert rubbed his chin. Just then, James called to report, "Blood God, Stephen Strange, whom you asked us to keep a close eye on, was in a car accident. He is seriously injured, and both his hands are mangled."

Wang Bert was even more astonished. This was too much of a coincidence. He had just thought of Dr. Strange, and Dr. Strange had gotten into trouble. Moreover, the accident had happened several years earlier than in the movie!

Could Master Ancient One have arranged this?

Wang Bert thought for a moment, then instructed, "Keep watching him. Don’t do anything else."

For some reason, a line of poetry suddenly came to Wang Bert’s mind: "Clouds rise by the stream as the sun sinks behind the pavilion; mountain rain is coming, and the wind fills the tower."

At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Alexander Pierce was holding a meeting with the five members of the World Security Council.

Councilor Malik praised, "S.H.I.E.L.D. did well this time. You saved many cities."

"It was our duty."

Pierce said humbly, "Councilors, cleaning up afterward is far from enough. We should stop these things before they happen. I ask that you allocate enough funding to restart Project Insight."

One councilor asked, "Can your Helicarrier stop an Extraterrestrial Demon God?"

"Of course not, but we cannot keep relying on the Blood God and Kamar-Taj forever, can we?"

Pierce said, "We know almost nothing about Kamar-Taj, and the Blood God is, after all, a member of the Blood Clan."

"That argument sounds awfully familiar."

A female councilor sneered. "Now I remember. Nick Fury says it all the time."

"That Nick Fury who embezzled two-thirds of our funds?"

The previous councilor said, "Hasn’t he been executed yet? Compared with the Blood God, I think he is far less trustworthy."

Pierce’s expression darkened. These people were clearly using Nick Fury to criticize him by implication. It seemed the rumors were true. Those above wanted him removed as well.

With two-thirds of the funds embezzled, sacrificing one Director would not be enough to calm the Council’s fury.

Seeing this, Councilor Malik hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Let’s build one Helicarrier first and see. At the very least, it can handle ordinary monsters."

The councilors exchanged glances and nodded. "Fine, but we will send commissioners to supervise the use of the funds."

Pierce took a deep breath. "All right."

After that, all the councilors except Councilor Malik went offline. Pierce activated the anti-surveillance system and asked, "Are you planning to remove me?"

"I will delay it as much as I can. I can probably hold them off for around half a year."

Councilor Malik said, "It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but you and Nick Fury really embezzled too much."

"How was I supposed to know Nick Fury was embezzling too? And so much of it? I thought I was the only one taking money."

Pierce was helpless as well. He said, "One Helicarrier is not enough. We need at least three. Cover for me, and I’ll pay for their construction myself. They’re already more than half built anyway."

"Paying out of your own pocket for the government?"

Councilor Malik was speechless. Were you really a villain?

"Pierce, there’s no need to be in such a hurry. I think we should bring back the god first."

Councilor Malik advised, "With Wakanda’s help, Osborn Corporation will be able to build a spaceship within a few years."

"There is no time. I need to complete Project Insight before I am removed."

Pierce said firmly. He had no interest in that so-called god at all—Hydra had factions too.

Councilor Malik sighed. "With the Blood God and Kamar-Taj around, can Project Insight really succeed?"

"I have a way to deal with the Blood God. As for Kamar-Taj, they will not care who rules this world."

Pierce said, "Don’t worry. I will leave Osborn Corporation alone."

"In that case, I won’t say anything more. I’ll cover for you, but you will have to solve the funding problem yourself."

Councilor Malik left those words behind and went offline. Pierce snorted, then picked up the phone and called another Hydra leader, Baron Strucker. "Once Project Insight begins, I will give you the Mind Scepter, but you need to provide me with some funding first.

Not now. Hill is watching closely. I can only give it to you after Project Insight is complete. Don’t worry. If I said I would give it to you, I will."

After receiving a definite answer, Pierce nodded in satisfaction. Then, he began contacting others. "Baroness, I want to borrow some money from you… Once I succeed, I will repay you tenfold."

"Banker, I have an investment that guarantees enormous returns…"

"Chief, my plan is about to begin. As long as you put up a little money, you can become the ruler of this world!"

Pierce spent a full hour on the phone before stopping. Beneath his exhaustion was intense joy. He had gathered enough money.

"Once Project Insight begins, this world will receive its greatest gift: order, Hydra’s order."

Pierce wore a fanatical expression. After thinking for a moment, he headed to a secret base. There, the bald Lizard Doctor was standing before a cultivation tank, admiring his masterpiece. He had succeeded, just as he had before.

That was right. Lizard Doctor had joined Hydra, which was why S.H.I.E.L.D. and the police had never been able to find him.

"Doctor, we do not have much time."

Pierce asked Lizard Doctor, "Have you completed those experiments?"

"Most of them."

Lizard Doctor said, "Only the one in front of me is still lacking a little. However, I have already solved the hardest part. In another month, I will have him completely finished."

"That’s wonderful."

Pierce was overjoyed. Looking at the figure in the cultivation tank, he could not help asking, "Can your experiments really deal with the Blood God?"

"Of course they can. Otherwise, why would I be researching them?"

Lizard Doctor said irritably, "I prepared two Trump Cards for the Blood God. Either one is enough to kill him."

Thinking of something, Lizard Doctor added, "The condition is that it cannot be in New York. I cannot think of a way to deal with that divine dragon."

"That’s fine. Don’t worry, we will lure the Blood God out of New York when the time comes."

Pierce nodded in satisfaction. Without the Blood God, who else could stop Hydra from ruling the world?

A week later, Spider-Man was patrolling Brooklyn when he suddenly received a message from the police. "Spider-Man, a Thing has appeared on Cranberry Street. We need your help."

"I’m on my way. But a Thing? Is that just a figure of speech?"

Spider-Man immediately swung toward Cranberry Street. When he reached the scene, he was stunned, because the troublemaker really was a Thing—a person made entirely of stone, wearing pants and a cape.

The Thing was currently shouting something beneath an apartment building. Spider-Man stepped forward and asked loudly, "Hey, buddy, are you from Earth or an alien?"

"Get lost. This has nothing to do with you."

The Thing turned around and cursed angrily. Spider-Man said, "That won’t do. You damaged the pavement and frightened the people nearby. If possible, I would like you to come with me to the police station."

At that moment, a woman ran out onto an apartment balcony and screamed in terror, "Spider-Man, save me! I don’t know that monster down there."

The Thing hurriedly shouted, "Honey, I’m Ben! Don’t you recognize me? I’m your fiancé, Ben!"

The woman cursed, "My Ben isn’t a monster. Get the hell out of here."

The Thing was both heartbroken and furious. He wanted to rush into the apartment and explain things to his fiancée, but Spider-Man quickly shot a web and trapped him.