S.H.I.E.L.D. agents continued to scour the area around the ruins for any useful clues, conducting a comprehensive excavation and exploration of the interior.
After gaining a detailed understanding of the situation on-site, Coulson returned to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion headquarters with the Kuuga belt to report to Director Nick Fury.
"You've seen it in person. What exactly is going on? What's your take on the incident at that prehistoric site?" Nick Fury asked, flipping through the files on his desk and glancing up at Coulson.
Coulson frowned slightly, weighing his words before speaking. "Director, you should have seen the video by now, right?"
Nick Fury nodded. "A video recorded by an expedition team can only serve as a reference, after all. Besides, the true appearance of the creature that attacked them never appeared from start to finish. There is no definitive record of who did it or by what means the team members were killed. We can't make hasty judgments based on a video of unverified authenticity. That's why I sent you to see it for yourself. According to our technicians' calculations, that site is over ten thousand years old. Is it really possible for someone to live for ten thousand years?"
Coulson had a strange expression on his face. "It's not impossible. After all, didn't Thor from Norse mythology appear alive and well before us not long ago?"
Fury nodded thoughtfully. "So your view is that the contents of these ruins were left behind by an alien civilization, similar to Thor."
"Whether they are aliens or not, I don't know. But judging from the scene, that unknown entity that killed the entire expedition team definitely possesses some kind of formidable power. Like the Norse God of Thunder who descended in New Mexico, it wields a force we temporarily cannot comprehend," Coulson said firmly.
"And you brought back the belt from the guy in the stone coffin who supposedly lived for ten thousand years?" A sharp glint flashed in Fury's eye.
Coulson nodded. "It has been sent to the research department for testing, analysis, and study."
"Do you think the technicians in the research department can figure out the secrets of the belt you brought back?" Fury asked suddenly with an ambiguous tone.
To be honest, many unusual supernatural events have occurred recently, bringing forth special items and phenomena that were difficult to explain with existing technology. Gaia Memories, Bugster Virus game cartridges, Mjolnir—not a single one of these things had been truly or thoroughly deciphered by S.H.I.E.L.D. technicians.
Fury had a strong intuition that this strange belt might belong to the same category: an item beyond the reach of current scientific analysis.
"Perhaps we should let Tony Stark have a look at it?" Coulson suggested in a low voice, trying to gauge Fury's reaction.
Nick shook his head. "That's not what I meant."
Deep down, he felt that the Kuuga belt, like the other indecipherable items, might require someone with a special aptitude to unleash its power. However, Fury didn't voice this suspicion. He glanced at Coulson, who looked like he had more to say, and frowned. "Is there anything else?"
Coulson gave a sheepish smile. "Director, where is the Captain right now?"
Fury replied casually, "He's in the training room exercising. He slept in the ice for nearly seventy years; the world is completely different now that he's awake. He needs time to adapt to a society that has undergone earth-shattering changes."
"I think you're right, Director. The Captain needs a guide to introduce him to the world seventy years later and help him integrate quickly," Coulson said with a deadpan, serious face.
Fury looked at Coulson with amusement, well aware of his subordinate's hero-worship of Captain America. "So, you want to be that guide?"
Coulson nodded eagerly. "Helping the Captain adapt to this new world is a very important task. As a senior S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, I believe I should step up at this time."
Fury pretended to consider it, giving Coulson a glimmer of hope, before flatly refusing: "I don't think that's necessary. The Captain is a warrior of iron will. Once he sets his mind to it, adapting won't be difficult for him. You are a senior agent; I have many more important things for you to do."
Coulson's smile froze. Suppressing his inner grumbling, he kept his face calm and prepared to leave the office.
Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared.
Coulson knew something major was happening, but he had never heard this specific alarm before. He looked at Nick Fury in confusion.
"That alarm... we have an enemy intrusion at headquarters!" Fury said, his face darkening.
Since the founding of S.H.I.E.L.D., such a thing had never happened. Although Fury was already in the process of moving trusted departments and personnel to the Helicarrier to escape external interference and oversight, the Triskelion was still the nominal headquarters. Being attacked in broad daylight was a blatant slap in the face to S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Director, a monster has broken into the headquarters building! Many agents are injured. Requesting deployment of the Special Emergency Response Team," the security department's communication came through immediately.
Fury watched the incoming video feed: a humanoid monster with various spider-like characteristics was effortlessly taking down S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, ignoring their gunfire. He immediately issued orders for the tactical teams to provide backup.
The monster breaking into S.H.I.E.L.D. was the Spider Gurongi, who had followed the scent of the Kuuga belt. After Daguva's revival, he had awakened the rest of the Gurongi tribe to restart the Gegel game. The tribe had arrived in the densely populated metropolis of New York.
The Spider Gurongi sensed Kuuga's presence, but because the aura was very weak, he saw an opportunity. He broke into the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters intending to defeat Kuuga.
In the Gegel, the Gurongi can pass the game by killing enough humans according to the rules. Doing so allows them to change their belts, rise in rank within the tribe, and gain greater power.
Kuuga, however, is a special entity in the Gurongi game—a target existing outside the standard rules. While not a required target, successfully defeating Kuuga would grant a massive amount of "points," significantly increasing the probability and speed of passing the game.
Sensing the faint, intermittent aura of the Kuuga belt, the Spider Gurongi believed Kuuga was in a weakened state and wanted to strike. This was driven both by a deep hatred for the Kuuga who had sealed him in the past and the desire to secure his progress in the game.
In the training room, Steve Rogers heard the alarm echoing through the headquarters. He curiously asked an agent about the situation. Learning that the headquarters was under attack, he immediately prepared to head out and help.