Nick Fury stared at the message sent by "Ghost" with a grave expression.
What bothered him at that moment wasn't just the betrayal itself, but the fact that he hadn't received any prior report warning of it.
A superhuman like that defecting from S.H.I.E.L.D, and yet... no intel? No red flags?
The problem that had just been revealed was far deeper than he had expected.
Despite the rising tension within him, Nick Fury managed to suppress his emotions and calmly continued watching the conversation:
Nick Fury: "Why did you betray S.H.I.E.L.D? Don't you realize that without our tech and support, you won't last long?"
Ghost: "No need to worry. I've found a better organization. My new superior far outclasses yours, and all my health problems were solved the moment I joined them."
Nick Fury's features shifted, and a growing sense of danger surged within him.
Nick Fury: "Your new superior… don't tell me it's the Master of the Celestial Dome?"
Ghost: "Looks like you're not so dumb after all. In fact, I should thank you. If you hadn't sent me on that mission a few days ago, I'd have never met my current boss."
Nick Fury stopped reading, his face pale—like he'd just been slapped with the truth.
"A mission?"
"Didn't Ghost retire years ago?"
As he thought back on it, a chill crept over his body despite the air-conditioned room. That's when he realized:
The real threat wasn't out there—it was inside... right at the heart of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury exited the chat channel calmly, but he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling.
Suddenly—CRACK!
The door burst open. He quickly turned toward the sound, hand reaching under the desk for his gun.
He was beginning to suspect everyone in the organization. Trust no longer existed. Every agent now looked like a potential spy.
Nick Fury (coldly): "Hill? Didn't I ask you to knock before coming in?"
Hill (flatly): "Next time, definitely."
She stepped forward and placed a document on his desk.
Hill: "This is the intel we gathered on the Master of the Celestial Dome. Using testimony from former neighbors and AI analysis, we've managed to get an accurate visual profile."
Nick glanced at the file and muttered sarcastically:
"This is what you people call intelligence? This man's appeared multiple times in Marvel's Ranking List. Everyone knows his face. You don't need this much effort. Ask any teenager, and they'll tell you."
He tried to control his anger and began flipping through the pages.
As he read, frustration seeped in:
"Even the analysts in our intel division lack basic intelligence. We're not just facing infiltration... we're facing a full-blown IQ crisis."
Then, turning to Hill:
"Have you been keeping up with Marvel's List recently? That bastard showed up several times—along with a few members of the Celestial Dome."
Hill: "…"
In truth, she'd been too busy with the Isaac LeClerc file to pay attention to Marvel's Ranking List lately.
Nick continued sharply:
"I think you should start investigating the idiots in the Intelligence Division. I don't know how such brainless people managed to sneak into S.H.I.E.L.D."
But Hill wasn't shaken by his scolding. She replied calmly:
Hill: "As far as I know, I'm not in charge of recruiting intel agents. You and Director Pierce are responsible for that. Don't forget—I'm just the Deputy Director. I have no authority to purge staff."
Nick Fury: "???"
Am I the fool here?
...Wait a minute.
Nick narrowed his eyes as a grim thought crossed his mind.
"Pierce…"
He murmured the name to himself.
If anyone had the power and cunning to orchestrate a stealth infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. at this level... it could only be Pierce.
Temporarily pushing aside his suspicions, he said calmly:
Nick Fury: "Let's set that matter aside for now. Issue an urgent order… I want Isaac tracked across the globe."
Hill: "Understood."
The next morning, just as Isaac was heading out for breakfast, his face appeared on giant city screens—on global wanted posters.
Isaac (shocked): "Huh? Did I just become the world's number one enemy?!"
The poster on the screen read:
Name: Isaac LeClerc
Crimes:
· Crimes against humanity
· Crimes against peace
· Crimes against interstellar friendship
· Founding an illegal armed organization
· Harboring dangerous extraterrestrial entities
· Assassination of a head of state
Bounty: 1 billion Dollar $
His expression changed. He asked the system nervously:
Isaac: "Hey, system… don't tell me this thing's gone global?"
System: "Yes. Anywhere with a signal and display screen… your wanted poster is there.
Congratulations—you are now Planet Earth's Number One Most Wanted."