Chapter Forty-Seven: Nick Fury

With his magic restored and no longer having to worry about the Hand Society, the recent days had been the most comfortable period for Gu Zhongyan since his crossing. The only slight annoyance was Su Yan.

Whether the young boy had begun to grow or it was the result of the demonic power’s transformation, his appetite had recently soared. At one meal, he could consume at least three times the amount of food an adult would eat. The daily saved rations were nowhere near enough for him. Without the backing of the Defender’s League, Gu Zhongyan would hardly be able to support him; in fact, he had considered sending him to Danny’s house these past few days.

With the Hand Society gone, there was no longer any concern for his safety. Yet, because of his fledgling attachment, Su Yan, though trusting of others, never grew genuinely close, which made it difficult for Gu Zhongyan to make that decision.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhongyan couldn’t help but sigh, carrying bundles of kraft paper bags toward the cashier to pay.

“I’ll cover it.”

Just as the cashier confirmed the prices and Gu Zhongyan reached for his wallet, a credit card was handed over before him.

Gu Zhongyan frowned slightly, a hint of confusion on his face as he turned to see who it was.

Somehow, a tall figure had appeared behind him: black leather trench coat, an eyepatch over the left eye, his whole body as dark as a soy-marinated egg, glinting faintly under the supermarket lights.

Nick Fury. Gu Zhongyan’s pupils contracted; he instantly recognized him.

Nick Fury, the King of Agents, known as “Motherf—er Man,” the current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Batman of the Marvel universe. Just as you never truly know how many plans Batman has, you can never predict how many contingencies Nick Fury keeps.

He might not possess earth-shattering combat power like many superheroes, but he was one of the most indispensable figures in the Marvel universe. Without him, the entire universe would lose much of its color.

It seemed the Battle of Liberty Island had made quite an impact, enough to draw out the King of Agents himself.

After a brief surprise at Nick Fury’s sudden appearance, Gu Zhongyan stepped back, as if they really had come together, and naturally allowed the other to pay the bill.

Nick Fury glanced at him, his gaze lingering a moment longer.

After paying, the two walked toward the parking lot, neither too close nor too distant. In a corner sat a black Chevrolet Suburban.

Nick Fury opened the door and got in. Seeing this, Gu Zhongyan followed, climbing in as well.

“52nd Street, 132A, please,” Gu Zhongyan said, as naturally as if he were boarding a cab.

“Don’t you want to ask who I am?” Nick Fury asked.

“You’ll tell me, won’t you?” Gu Zhongyan replied with a confident smile, as if he had no concern whether the man was friend or foe.

Nick Fury raised an eyebrow and looked at him deeply.

“You really don’t look like a high school student. But if you were just an ordinary one, you couldn’t have sent all of New York into such chaos.”

“Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Pleased to meet you, Sean Gu—or should I say, Defender Sean?”

Under Fury’s intense scrutiny, Gu Zhongyan remained composed. “You’re mistaken. I’m not the only high school student who could turn New York upside down.”

He took a sip from a soda he pulled from his paper bag and continued, “S.H.I.E.L.D.—I’ve heard of it. A global organization under the World Security Council. Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—that’s a big deal. What brings you to me?”

Nick Fury didn’t explain, simply handed over the file from the passenger seat.

“Avenger Initiative?”

Gu Zhongyan’s eyebrows rose as he saw the bold letters on the cover. He instinctively glanced at Fury—is this an invitation to join the Avengers?

At that moment, Fury spoke. “You’re not the first superhuman to reveal your abilities, kid. This world is far more complicated than you imagine.”

“I don’t know where your power comes from, but don’t underestimate this world. The Avenger Initiative was conceived to address the mounting dangers we face.”

“I plan to assemble certain individuals with special talents into an elite team to confront these threats. The plan should have launched back in the nineties, but for various reasons, it was shelved.”

“Until your appearance, it was revived.” As he spoke, Fury stared directly at Gu Zhongyan.

“Because of me?” Gu Zhongyan furrowed his brow.

“That’s right.” Fury nodded. “Your performance in the Battle of Liberty Island made governments around the world feel threatened. That’s why the World Security Council approved my Avenger Initiative.”

“After the fight, I started gathering information about you. Initially, I intended to have you join the Avengers. But after learning more about you, I realized you’re not suited for this plan.”

With those words, Fury took the file back from Gu Zhongyan’s hands.

The answer caught Gu Zhongyan off guard. He had assumed the purpose of Fury’s visit was to recruit him into the Avengers—but apparently, it wasn’t.

Though he hadn’t cared much about joining, hearing Fury say he wasn’t suited made him ask, “Why?”

“Because the Avengers exist to safeguard the world—to protect us, to protect Earth and humanity from threats, including but not limited to supernatural forces, aliens, super-criminals, and terrorist organizations.”

“They don’t have to be moral paragons or saints, but they must have the heart to maintain safety and order. And you, unfortunately, lack that.”

“Though you struck down the Hand Society, destroyed the demon, and quelled the chaos in Hell’s Kitchen, at the core, it was all for yourself. Isn’t that right?” Fury’s words were incisive.

Hearing this, Gu Zhongyan paused, gazing at Fury’s certain expression. He had to admit, the King of Agents’ insight was remarkable.

Indeed, from start to finish, everything Gu Zhongyan had done was for his own benefit.

He might stand up for justice in passing, perform some acts of good, but he would never sacrifice himself for the world’s sake.

He wouldn’t, like Captain America, forsake escape and crash a plane into an iceberg; nor like Iron Man, sacrifice himself to snap his fingers; nor like Black Widow, offer her soul for the Soul Stone.

Were he to join the Avengers, when their interests conflicted with his own, he would always choose himself. In that sense, he truly wasn’t suited for the Avengers.