"Oh~ what wind blew you here? Crimson Silver Duke, or should I say… Mr. Corin?"
"Or have you finally thought it through and decided to join my plan?"
Nick Fury looked at Corin in the red formal outfit standing before him and showed a friendly expression.
For Corin to come on his own initiative was undoubtedly good news. His plan was currently lacking a powerful superhero like Corin.
Taking the coffee handed over by Agent Hill, Corin softly thanked her and fell into brief thought.
He had originally planned to slip in quietly, enter the carrier without a sound.
He did not expect to run into Hawkeye, cause quite a commotion, and even alert the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
If Fury had not still been thinking about getting him involved in that plan, his attitude right now probably would not have been this friendly.
But if he wanted to get Tony's father's box, it now seemed that having a proper talk with Director Fury was not a bad option.
Watching Corin deep in thought, Agent Maria Hill at the side had a slight flicker in her eyes.
She had only seen his awe-inspiring performance on television before.
This was her first time interacting with him at such close range. Agent Hill admired the well-crafted formal outfit on Corin and the mask covered in engraved patterns, nodding inwardly.
'No wonder he's the number one most popular man on the superhero rankings. At the very least, his taste passes the bar…'
Leaving aside Agent Hill secretly sizing up Corin.
Corin felt it was better to speak directly. Beating around the bush did not suit his personality.
"Director, I came this time to ask you for something."
"Oh?", Although Nick Fury did not hear the answer he had hoped for, his curiosity was piqued.
What exactly was it that made Corin willing to force his way into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters building to get it?
He quietly watched Corin, waiting for his explanation.
"It's Tony Stark's father's keepsake. A box," Corin stated his purpose frankly.
Director Nick Fury's gaze flickered, puzzled inside.
'Why does Corin want Tony's father's belongings?'
'How does he know it is a box?'
'Is there something here that I don't know?'
In Natasha's previous report, it was mentioned that Tony seemed to be facing a crisis of palladium poisoning.
He had also arranged for an expert team to study Howard Stark's belongings inside and out, yet found nothing. Could it be that Corin knew something?
"What do you want this thing for?", Nick Fury directly voiced the doubt in his mind.
Corin observed Nick Fury's reaction after hearing about the Stark keepsake and found nothing unusual, guessing that they had not discovered its true value yet.
There was no way he could explain it.
"What I want to do with it isn't important. I hope Director Nick can give it to me. At the very least, I can guarantee it will definitely serve its purpose," Corin was full of confidence.
"Joking aside, both Stark father and son were geniuses among geniuses. The riddle Old Stark left behind could only be solved by Young Stark."
"You may have started researching it long ago, but I'm afraid there hasn't been much progress."
Nick Fury rotated his single eye, pondering Corin's words.
He realized that an opportunity had appeared in front of him. An opportunity to negotiate with Corin.
The bargaining chip was the Stark keepsake.
With that thought, Nick Fury made up his mind, "Mr. Silver Duke, I can give you the item, but…"
Hearing the old black man draw out his words with ill intent, Corin inwardly thought that it was exactly as expected.
None of these leaders of major forces were easy to deal with. Once they seized an opportunity, they would definitely put forward their own demands.
Thinking this, Corin spoke up, "Director Fury, I have no intention of joining your plan. If you want me to take action…"
"Same old rules. You have to place an order!"
Nick Fury nodded in understanding and waved his hand.
"Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing. To be honest, aside from you, this matter really isn't suitable for anyone else."
Corin sneered inwardly, 'These old foxes are masters at casually selling dreams and flattering people. Their evaluations carries no reference value at all.'
When Nick finally said what he wanted him to do, Corin suddenly understood.
It turned out this was not a commission from S.H.I.E.L.D., but an order from the military.
General Ross was pushing a secret plan, but a researcher had escaped. His serum sample was extremely important to the military's plan. [T/N: Hulk, is it?]
Nick Fury had once recommended Corin, this exceptionally capable bounty hunter, to General Ross, but Ross did not clearly state his position at the time.
However, not long after their conversation, he sent someone to find Nick Fury.
He said that if the serum sample could be successfully recovered, the military would fund S.H.I.E.L.D. with a research grant.
In other words, the military would not associate with bounty hunters, but S.H.I.E.L.D. was different.
"One hundred million, Mr. Silver Duke. According to the agreement, I officially commission you to complete the serum recovery mission. At the same time, after the mission is completed, not only will I pay the commission, but I will also give you the Stark keepsake you want, in full."
Corin repeatedly digested Nick Fury's words.
Even though he spoke very carefully, General Ross, a military plan, a researcher…
'You might as well just give me Bruce Banner's ID number!'
'Isn't it just that super soldier plan? So secretive.'
This time, the target was actually the Hulk.
If this mission had come earlier, Corin would not even have dared to think about it. After all, Hulk was an almost invincible existence in the Marvel world. [T/N: HULK SMASH!]
But ever since his physical enhancement, even Corin himself did not know where his limits lay. So even if the opponent this time was the Hulk, he had no worries at all.
He even felt a slight sense of anticipation.
Maybe this time he could test his limits.
But even if he was very willing to wrestle with the Green Goliath, he could not show too much eagerness.
These old foxes could read a lot from the smallest clues.
After hesitating for a while, Corin reluctantly agreed.
This made Director Nick Fury very happy.
General Ross was a highly influential figure in the military, and there were even faint signs that he might go further.
'If I can gain his support, my plan will be pushed forward much more smoothly.'
After finalizing some details, leaving Agent Hill's contact information, and declining Nick Fury's enthusiastic invitation to dinner, Corin left the Triskelion.
'Jokes aside, I didn't even have the slightest interest when so many people were willing to spend money just to have dinner with me back then. Let alone you old fox.'
What he did not know was that the one who had contacted Alyssa back then, offering to pay to have dinner with Corin, was also a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
Right now, he was dutifully guarding the entrance at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York branch.
———
[Manhattan Hotel]
When Corin finally lay comfortably on the bed, ready to enjoy a good night's sleep, a familiar figure suddenly darted in through the window. Spider-Man, Peter Parker.
His mask was damaged, exposing half his face. His body was covered in wounds, and after stepping over the windowsill, he collapsed weakly onto the floor.
Corin hurriedly helped Peter up and gently placed him on the sofa.
In his memory, Peter did not seem to have ever been beaten this badly…
'Could it be?'
Just as Corin gradually recalled some Spider-Man plotlines, a question appeared in his mind.
'Among these different versions of Spider-Man, are there overlapping storylines?'
As Corin was thinking about how the original versions managed to stay self-consistent, the little Spider spoke.
"Mr. Silver Duke, I killed someone…"
Corin's attention was caught by Peter's words.
'Did Spider-Man have such an explosive plot? Why do I not remember it clearly?'
He spoke aloud.
"Peter, don't panic. Rest for a bit and take it slow. Don't be afraid, this place is very safe."
Peter grabbed Corin's arm, staring at him with red-rimmed eyes, his lips trembling.
"Sir, I killed my best friend's father!"
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