In August, the warm sunshine shone through the transparent glass.
It felt warm on the skin.
But sitting in the coffee shop by the window, Su Che could feel a chill at this moment.
If he hadn't created this dissected analysis of Olivia Temple's "Men" himself,
He might have really thought he had traveled into the world of a vampire movie.
Well, even though he knew what was going on,
It was clear that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s analysis had gone too far.
Especially the anatomical pictures accompanied by a detailed report.
The three-meter-long mouthparts covered with sharp teeth, along with the dissection photos.
And most critically, the remarks in the report:
"It has not yet been determined whether it is highly contagious. To prevent accidents, if it is found to be contagious, the highest level of prevention is recommended. Anyone who has been in contact can be dealt with using physical methods if necessary!"
Well, what did "physical methods" mean?
Simply put, it meant that anyone who had come into contact with Olivia Temple's subordinates,
To prevent infection, the best option was direct elimination.
Closing the report in his hand, Su Che looked at Natasha Romanoff and asked, "Where did you catch this person who was bewitched by the Balrog?"
"Inside a jewelry store on Seventh Street."
Facing Su Che, Natasha Romanoff told him all the known information without any hesitation.
"Unnecessary."
After hearing Natasha Romanoff's news, Su Che said, "Release that poor clerk you locked up last night."
"As for what you're most worried about—those humanoid monsters created by Olivia Temple's bewitchment in the name of evolution—they are actually not contagious."
"It won't be like zombies, where ordinary people get scratched or bitten and turn into zombies themselves."
"The mouthparts covered with sharp teeth in the report are just that type of humanoid monster's weapons."
"Aside from Olivia Temple herself, her other subordinates don't have the ability to bewitch."
Having said that, Su Che paused.
The coffee in his hand felt a bit cold.
He placed it directly on the table.
"Actually, the way Olivia Temple turns people into those humanoid monsters is,"
"On one hand, she uses his spiritual power to create extremely evil scenes in the bewitched person's mind, arousing and infinitely amplifying the evil thoughts in their hearts."
"After these people's minds are controlled and they become so-called believers of Olivia Temple,"
"He places a trace of flowing 'magma' on them—well, let's call it magma for now, as it's very similar, though it's a substance never before seen on Earth."
"After this separated 'magma' is dissolved in water and drunk by his followers,"
"Those believers will 'evolve' into the guys you captured, becoming humanoid monsters."
Returning the report to Natasha Romanoff, Su Che glanced at the cold coffee.
After a moment's thought, he picked it up and took a sip.
It wouldn't do to waste products from his own shop.
"These humanoid monsters only know how to obey Olivia Temple's orders."
"They feel no pain or fear, making them his perfect, disposable tools."
"Weaknesses fatal to ordinary people, like the brain or heart, have no effect on these monsters."
"Their only weakness is the cervical spine. Once the cervical spine is pierced or severed, the monster will lose its vitality."
Hearing Su Che tell her everything,
Natasha Romanoff put away the report and asked seriously, "Su Che, what should we do next?"
"City-wide surveillance!"
Facing Natasha Romanoff's inquiry, Su Che pondered for a moment.
"I don't know what price Olivia Temple paid to cross dimensions into this world,"
"But clearly, compared to before, her strength has been greatly diminished."
"You can tell from the fact there was only one humanoid monster last night."
"Otherwise, based on his abilities, you should have faced hundreds of monsters last night."
Having said that, Su Che fixed his gaze on Natasha Romanoff's eyes: "The humanoid monsters are easy to deal with. As long as their cervical spine is severed, they lose their vitality."
"However, one thing: although Olivia Temple has lost most of his abilities, he is not someone current S.H.I.E.L.D. can defeat."
"Natasha Romanoff, I don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D., but I trust you."
Looking at Natasha Romanoff, Su Che's eyes were filled with trust at this moment.
It was as if his gaze wasn't on the Natasha before him, but on the partner who had faced life and death with him countless times in his memories.
Well, that was the benefit of the system's simulation.
Otherwise, even the most powerful actor, in front of a professional agent like Natasha Romanoff,
Would reveal their flaws.
"If you can't kill Olivia Temple before she fully recovers,"
"Perhaps, this time Earth will face serious trouble."
Facing the look in Su Che's eyes at this moment, Natasha Romanoff, who had already witnessed all sorts of major scenes, felt an inexplicable tremor in her heart.
Although the words were spoken to her,
Natasha Romanoff could feel that this absolute trust, so profound it seemed he would even entrust his life to her, was not meant for her.
But for someone he once knew, that Natasha Romanoff Romanoff!
Flashbacks of what was mentioned in the Black Gold Diary about Su Che's affection for Natasha Romanoff crossed her mind.
She had originally thought she understood enough about the parallel world and the significance of that Natasha Romanoff.
But now it seemed,
She had still underestimated the weight of that feeling!
What on earth did that Natasha Romanoff from the alternate universe do,
To make the man before her have such trust, willing to entrust his very life to her?
Inexplicably, Natasha Romanoff felt a little envious of her parallel-world self in the diary.
Perhaps, this was why, in the Black Gold Diary, her parallel self
Would rather give up her life than fail to bring back the lost ones.
What she had longed for all her life seemed to have truly come true in that parallel world.
Taking a deep breath, she forcibly suppressed the feelings in her heart.
As a professional agent, Natasha Romanoff knew this was not the time for emotions.
It was just that even she didn't notice the slight hoarseness in her voice when she asked Su Che.
Was it sour?
Or bitter?
Who knew!
"If, I mean if,"
Facing Su Che, Natasha Romanoff asked softly, "If the Olivia Temple you mentioned fully recovers,"
"Just how terrifying would she be? And besides monitoring jewelry stores across the city, what other preparations do we need to make?"
As a professional agent, Natasha Romanoff needed to be clear about the enemies she would face.
Even if she really wanted to call Nick Fury right now and tell him to follow Su Che's arrangements!