"What is the Beast?"
Lucas pondered for a moment, then gave his answer, "The Beast is a demon, once a Hell Lord like Mephisto. But for reasons unknown, countless years ago, his Hell was devoured by other Hell Lords, and he became a wandering extra-dimensional being."
"What is a demon?" Nick Fury asked next.
Lucas explained, "Demons are extra-dimensional beings, native to the Hell. They feed on the souls of evil or sinful people."
"Are there many such demons on Earth?" Nick Fury pressed.
"How did the Beast enter Earth?" Tony asked in a deep voice.
Nick Fury and Tony's voices rang out one after another, each asking a question.
Lucas first answered Nick Fury, "Unclear."
Then he turned to look at Tony, implying, "Two hundred years ago, the Ancient One took the lead in establishing three Sanctums to protect Earth, sealing off this dimensional node."
"Unless someone specifically summons them, ordinary extra-dimensional beings cannot enter Earth."
Tony had a flash of insight. "So, when you said the Japan incident wasn't over, you meant…"
Lucas nodded, a little annoyed. "Exactly. After I recuperate for a while, I'll make another trip to Japan to find the mastermind."
From the digestion speed in his spiritual world, it would take one or two days to completely clear the scarlet mist.
"The mastermind?"
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Anyone capable of such a thing must not be an ordinary person. Who do you suspect?"
Lucas smiled. "Is there a possibility that it's not a person?"
Natasha interjected, "Lucas, Stark, can you please stop speaking in riddles? This is S.H.I.E.L.D., not Kamar-Taj."
Lucas gave an awkward smile and explained, "The mastermind is most likely the Japanese pantheon."
"Pantheon? Lucas, are you saying there are gods on Earth?" Coulson couldn't help but exclaim.
Lucas nodded, spreading his hands. "Of course, aren't I one?"
Coulson said helplessly, "Don't joke, Lucas."
He didn't believe in the existence of gods, so naturally, he didn't believe Lucas was a god. Although, some of Lucas's actions were no different from those of a god.
Tony agreed with Lucas, "In the Kamar-Taj archives, I did see records about various Earth pantheons, including the Japanese pantheon.
"The books recorded that the Japanese pantheon has three main gods: Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
"The three respectively govern the sky, the underworld, and the sea, which is quite similar to ancient Greek mythology."
Lucas added, "Coulson, when you went to Kamar-Taj a few days ago, didn't you see two gods?"
Coulson: "?"
Lucas reminded him, "Thor and Loki.
"One tall, cheerful boy, and one thin, gloomy, melancholic young man.
"They are Thor, the God of Thunder, and Loki, the God of Mischief, from the Norse pantheon."
Coulson frowned, then suddenly realized. "I remember now, it was them. However, their temperaments are not quite as you described, Lucas."
"That's not the point."
Tony interrupted the two, asking with a solemn expression, "Lucas, is our target the Japanese pantheon?"
The others also looked at Lucas, their faces grave. Their opponents were figures from mythology, they couldn't help but be serious.
Lucas slowly shook his head. "No."
The others felt a wave of relief. Unbeknownst to them, their backs were already drenched in cold sweat.
How could they, with their limited abilities, play in such a high-stakes game?
"Not us, but me."
Lucas finished the sentence.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "If Tony wants to, he can participate in the battle.
"How are your suit and magic integrated now? If coordinated well, besides the three main gods, few in the Japanese pantheon would be your match."
"Just be careful."
After all, he was a future member of the Sorcerer Supreme Team, it was good for him to get some exposure to mid-level battles early. If he unfortunately died in battle, Lucas could revive him with the Time Stone.
"Lucas, what do you mean?!"
Hearing Lucas's words, the others were a bit displeased.
Was he looking down on their combat power?
Lucas sighed inwardly.
Lies don't hurt people, the truth is a sharp knife.
Learn from Bruce. He just sat there, perfectly calm, showing no signs of being offended.
After a moment of silence, Lucas chose to be more tactful. "This is Kamar-Taj's business, not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s."
Upon hearing this, their expressions improved slightly.
Protecting extra-dimensional security was Kamar-Taj's responsibility, not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s.
Lucas's words were not without reason.
As if!
He was just dismissing the Avengers as weak.
"Lucas, let the Avengers join you. S.H.I.E.L.D. can help Kamar-Taj." Nick Fury said seriously.
He had gone to great lengths to recruit the Avengers and form the Avengers to not just look cute.
Moreover, if their strength was insufficient, they could follow behind Lucas and pick up scraps.
Pick up more tech products and materials that Lucas didn't want. Then, take them back to S.H.I.E.L.D. for research.
Genetic serums, energy weapons—wouldn't their combat power increase then?
Lucas looked at Nick Fury in surprise.
I didn't expect you to be this kind of Director Fury.
At this moment, Tony chimed in, "The Avengers' combat power is quite good, especially Banner. I believe they can definitely help."
"Hmm, alright."
After a moment of hesitation, Lucas agreed to the Avengers' request to cling to him.
Anyway, a few extras wouldn't affect him much.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Let's set the time for 48 hours from now.
"These two days, you guys figure out a way to evacuate the populace on Japan. If a fight really breaks out, the commotion won't be huge, but there will still be a little bit."
Nick Fury readily agreed. "Okay."
Bruce and Tony, being scientists, were more meticulous and asked seriously, "A little bit of commotion? How much is this 'little bit'?"
Lucas casually said, "Don't worry, Earth won't explode. At most, we'll shatter a country."
"Huh?! Are you serious, Lucas? You call that 'a little bit'?"
Lucas retorted, "Otherwise? When I fought the Beast in his dimension, we almost blew up that dimension."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, the Beast's dimension is about ten Solar Systems in size."
The Beast's dimension almost exploded because the Beast actively detonated it, not from the residual effects of their battle. Lucas deliberately exaggerated to give them a heads-up.
He didn't want anyone to come pointing fingers after the battle. Lucas wouldn't tolerate that. His mouth wasn't smooth, but his fists were hard enough.
Everyone's expressions changed, they didn't know if Lucas was telling the truth or lying.
'Regardless of whether Lucas is telling the truth or not, the combat power he displayed is indeed capable of sinking Japan. We need to prepare early to avoid taking the blame later.' Nick Fury thought to himself.
If Japan really sank, S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't shoulder such a massive responsibility.