Forget it, I can't worry about that much. Let's get him over here first…"
Karl couldn't find anyone more suitable than Dr. Samuel Sterns to decipher the Super Soldier Serum.
So, even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he had to try.
Therefore, after briefly comforting Pietro, the God of Pure Love, Karl manipulated Black Widow to send a signal to Nick Fury.
Soon, an encrypted number full of asterisks called back.
"Natasha, what's going on? Have you figured out what that mysterious item is?"
As soon as the call connected, Nick Fury's urgent voice came through.
Karl sneered and said, "Nick Fury, your S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reach is a bit too long, isn't it?!"
"Hmm?"
Nick Fury was clearly stunned. After a few seconds of silence, he tentatively asked, "You are… Karl Mara?"
A cold snort came from the other end of the line, answering his question.
What the heck?
Who do you think you're talking to, kid?
I am the dignified Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
I asked you a question, and you dare to just reply with a "hmph"?
Nick Fury's face immediately darkened.
Normally, whether it was military and political officials or Super Heroes, who wouldn't give him three… no, at least seven points of respect!
You, a mere rookie, are so arrogant?
You really don't take me seriously, do you?
Fine, very good. There will be a day when you regret this, kid.
I'll keep this in mind for now.
Nick Fury suppressed the urge to get angry and said in a deep voice,
"Since you know who I am, you should understand that our S.H.I.E.L.D. represents the United Nations Security Council!"
"So, if you dare to harm Agent Romanoff in the slightest, don't blame me…"
However, before he could finish his threatening words, Karl impatiently interrupted, "What about the Security Council?"
"If you want to use the United Nations to pressure me, you'd better make them pay back the 600 billion they owe Sokovia first!!"
It's just a mere S.H.I.E.L.D., isn't it?
Why are you so dramatic?
Even Ancient One, that bald demon king, wouldn't dare to be so arrogant in front of me! (Manual dog head for safety)
Nick Fury on the other end of the line was instantly dumbfounded.
He never expected the other party to talk about money.
It's just a mere 600 billion!
Although the Security Council certainly can't pay it back, this has absolutely nothing to do with our S.H.I.E.L.D., okay?
I still get my salary and my dirty money!
Seeing that the tough approach wouldn't work, Nick Fury could only suppress his constantly surging blood pressure and calmly said,
"Karl Mara, I think you might have some misunderstanding. Our S.H.I.E.L.D. has no ill intentions towards you.
The reason we sent Agent Romanoff was simply to invite you to join the Avengers."
"And, logically speaking, the Base left by Hydra in Sokovia, as well as all the facilities and equipment inside, should be handed over to our S.H.I.E.L.D. for disposal…"
Nick Fury's words were half-truths.
Although Karl's abilities already met the requirements to join the Avengers,
his ruthless and murderous style made him feel apprehensive.
Or rather, threatened!
Because such people are often unwilling to follow others' orders.
Unless some crucial leverage can be obtained.
And their recent conversation further confirmed his suspicion.
So, Nick Fury has already given up the idea of inviting Karl to join the Avengers and has classified him as a Super Criminal with unstable factors!!
No choice.
In Nick Fury's current eyes, besides his obedient comrades and allies, everyone else is a criminal or a potential criminal.
Karl's lips curled into a mocking arc when he heard this, and he provocatively said, "If you have the guts, send someone to take it!!"
"Also, I'm not interested in being someone else's dog…"
Nick Fury was immediately displeased when he heard this.
Look, just look at how unpleasant this young man's words are.
What do you mean by being someone else's dog?
Are we, S.H.I.E.L.D., someone else?
We are a sacred organization that sheds sweat and blood to protect all of humanity.
So… it's not embarrassing at all to be our dog, okay?!!
Most people aren't even qualified to be our dog if they wanted to.
However, before Nick Fury could speak, he heard Karl continue, "Alright, let's stop the small talk here. Now, let's talk about the transaction!"
"Transaction?"
Nick Fury immediately had a bewildered look on his face!
"Black Widow is in my hands. If you want her to return alive, then exchange her for Samuel Sterns. I know he's in your S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands."
"Besides that, Black Widow deliberately toyed with my brother's feelings to get information, so your S.H.I.E.L.D. will also compensate an additional 10 million for emotional damages."
"If you don't pay, or if you try to pull a trick… then I'll expose all the dirty dealings you've been doing behind the Security Council's back all these years."
Nick Fury's mood at this moment fluctuated wildly like a roller coaster.
Originally, when he heard that Karl wanted to exchange Samuel Sterns, he immediately became suspicious.
He was about to ask what the other party wanted to do.
But then he heard that the other party was also demanding a 10 million U.S. dollar breakup fee?
Good heavens, this is truly something I've never seen before!
You kid, aren't you used to pulling off these scams?
You actually dared to extort us, S.H.I.E.L.D.!
You should go out and ask around, our S.H.I.E.L.D. is like a Pixiu, "only allowed in, not allowed out." When have we ever spit out a single penny?
However.
His toughness lasted less than three seconds.
When Nick Fury heard the last sentence, he was instantly drenched in a cold sweat.
Because he had done too many bad things secretly over the years.
So many that he himself couldn't even remember them all.
Aside from anything else, just the charges of taking dirty money, reporting ghost employees, and using public funds for personal use were enough to get him executed eight hundred times.
And Black Widow, as the executor of most secret missions, knew far too much.
Nick Fury never thought that one day, he would actually be brought down by her!
So, what's there to talk about now?
I will be very firm this time and directly… compromise!!!
"Give me an account, and I'll have someone transfer the money later."
Nick Fury forced back the harsh words that were on the tip of his tongue and said through gritted teeth,
"I'll notify you of the time and place for the hostage exchange later."
With that, he hung up the phone first.
As if that was the only way to find a shred of psychological comfort for himself.
"Things are progressing unexpectedly smoothly, aren't they?"
Karl had originally thought that Nick Fury, that old schemer, wouldn't compromise so easily and would definitely try to string him along for half a day.
Who would have thought… that's it?!
It seems that he had somewhat overestimated Lao Mo's abilities due to the influence of the movies!!!