# Chapter 11: Ancient One
Queens, New York - Lin Chen's Warehouse Base
The morning sun filtered through the windows of Lin Chen's warehouse. He had woken early, as had become his habit since acquiring enhanced abilities that reduced his need for sleep. Daisy was still passed out on the couch in the corner of their operations center, surrounded by soft glow of multiple computer monitors.
Lin Chen was in the small kitchen area preparing a late breakfast when he heard the knock on the main entrance door—three measured, professional knocks that immediately put him on alert.
His enhanced perception told him there were two people outside. Both had controlled heartbeats and breathing patterns that suggested military or intelligence training. One male, one female.
Lin Chen walked toward the door with deliberately casual movements, though his mind was racing through possibilities.
When he opened the door, he found himself face to face with a tall Black man wearing a long coat and an eye patch over his left eye. Behind him stood a woman with striking red hair, athletic build, and alert posture.
Lin Chen recognized them from his knowledge: Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff.
"Hello, Mr. Chen," the man said. "My name is Nick Fury. This is Agent Natasha Romanoff. We need to talk. It's an emergency."
Lin Chen's eyes widened with calculated surprise. "I'm sorry, who? I think you have the wrong person."
"May we come inside?" Fury asked, though his tone suggested it wasn't really a question.
Lin Chen hesitated, then stepped aside.
In the corner, Daisy had woken at the sound of voices. Her eyes went wide when she saw the visitors.
"Relax, Ms. Johnson," Fury said. "We're not here to cause problems."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lin Chen said carefully.
"The masked vigilante operating in Hell's Kitchen," Natasha said. "Superhuman strength, bulletproof skin, enhanced speed. The hero who rescued hostages from the Chase Manhattan bank."
"That could be anyone," Lin Chen replied.
"But it's you," Fury stated. "We've been monitoring enhanced individuals. Your digital footprint was well-hidden, but satellite surveillance doesn't lie."
Lin Chen exchanged a glance with Daisy, then dropped the pretense. "What do you want?"
"To make you an offer," Fury replied. "We represent the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. We deal with threats of an unusual nature."
"That's a mouthful," Lin Chen observed.
"Most people call us S.H.I.E.L.D.," Fury said. "Right now, we need your help with something urgent."
Natasha showed him a photograph. "Tony Stark. Kidnapped five weeks ago in Afghanistan by a terrorist organization."
Lin Chen studied the image. "I saw the news."
"He's alive," Fury stated. "We need someone who can extract him. Someone powrrful,
Someone expendable if things go wrong."
"And why would I risk my life for this?"
"What you want?" Fury asked curiosity.
"One hundred and fifty million" Lin Chen thoughtfully.
"No! I can only give you One hundred million dollars," Fury replied. "Completely clean and legal."
Lin Chen kept his expression neutral. "I have conditions. The money gets transferred before I leave. All of it."
After negotiation, they agreed. "And after this is done, S.H.I.E.L.D. stops monitoring me unless I'm actively threatening civilians."
Fury extended his hand. "Deal."
---
Thirty Minutes Later
After Fury and Natasha left, Lin Chen turned to Daisy. "I need you to track Obadiah Stane while I'm gone. Monitor his communications and movements."
"You think he's involved?" Daisy asked.
"Just keep watching," Lin Chen said.
---
Six Hours Later - Afghanistan Mission
Kunar Province, Afghanistan - 0230 Hours Local Time
Lin Chen landed in the desert, his physique absorbing the impact of the HALO jump with ease,sprinted toward the cave complex, speed—nearly 67 mph—allowing him to cover more then 5 kilometers in under three minutes, when he arrived at that place, his enhanced perception picking up every distant heartbeat, every whispered command from the patrols.
Daisy's voice crackled through his earpiece. "Boss, I'm tracking thirty-five heat signatures. Most are near the main entrance."
"Copy," Lin Chen replied, his mental acuity—nine times sharper than a human's—already cross-referencing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence with Daisy's real-time data, forming a precise mental map of the camp. He scaled the mountainside above the entrance, his fingers crushing rock like chalk, his strength rendering the climb as effortless as walking.
[Voilance warning] you can skip "" part.
"Time to go to work," he muttered.
He leaped from the cliff, dropping 20 meters and landing with a concussive boom that sent a shockwave through the camp, toppling three guards like ragdolls. His durability shrugged off the impact, his body unscathed as he rose.
"The nearby terrorist scrambled for his AK-47, eyes wide with panic, but Lin Chen's speed made him a blur. He closed the gap in a fraction of a second, his fist—backed by tons of force—slamming into the man's torso. The guard's ribcage collapsed inward with a sickening crunch, blood erupting from his mouth as his body cartwheeled into a supply crate, splintering wood and scattering ammunition.
The camp exploded into chaos. Six terrorists near a truck opened fire, their rifles spitting bullets that flattened against Lin Chen's skin, his durability rendering them as harmless as pebbles. He charged, his speed outpacing their aim, and grabbed the nearest shooter by the neck. His strength snapped the man's spine with a casual twist, vertebrae popping like firecrackers as the body went limp. Another swung a machete, the blade skittering off Lin Chen's arm, leaving no harm, only cut his shirt.
Lin Chen retaliated with a backhand, his power caving in the man's skull, brain matter splattering across the sand in a gruesome arc.
Two terrorists manned a mounted machine gun, its barrel roaring. The heavy rounds stung like wasp bites but couldn't penetrate Lin Chen's skin.
He ripped the gun from its tripod, his strength bending the metal like tinfoil, and swung it like a club. The impact caught one terrorist in the chest, crushing his sternum and sending him crashing through a tent, his body a mangled heap of broken bones.
The second tried to flee, but Lin Chen's speed caught him, a single punch to the back shattering his spine and sending him face-first into the dirt, blood pooling around his motionless form.
An RPG streaked through the air, exploding nearby in a shower of fire and shrapnel. The fragments embedded harmlessly in Lin Chen's skin, his durability unfazed as he advanced through the blast. He seized a fuel drum, hurling it with his immense strength into a cluster of four terrorists. The drum detonated on impact, engulfing them in flames, their screams cut short as charred flesh and bone scattered across the camp.
A sniper on a ridge fired, the high-caliber round grazing Lin Chen's temple, drawing a thin line of blood that sealed shut in seconds. His enhanced perception pinpointed the shooter's position instantly.
He leaped 15 meters in a single bound, landing beside the sniper, who fumbled for a pistol. Lin Chen's hand closed around the man's head, crushing it like a grapefruit, blood and gray matter oozing between his fingers as the body slumped.
Within minutes, the exterior camp was a slaughterhouse—bodies strewn in grotesque piles, the sand soaked with blood, the air thick with the stench of death and smoke.
Lin Chen's mental sharpness tracked every remaining threat, ensuring no one escaped.
He moved into the cave deeper, his perception turning the dark, twisting tunnels into a clear battlefield. A squad of seven terrorists ambushed him from a side passage, their submachine guns blazing in the confined space.
Bullets ricocheted off the walls, but Lin Chen's durability absorbed the onslaught. He surged forward, grabbing the lead shooter's arm and yanking it off at the shoulder, blood spraying as the man collapsed, screaming. Lin Chen used the severed limb to club the next terrorist, caving in his chest with a wet snap, lungs punctured by shattered ribs.
Two others fired point-blank, their bullets useless against his skin.
Lin Chen's speed let him dodge a grenade toss, and he caught the explosive mid-air, crushing it in his fist before it could detonate. He slammed one terrorist's head into the wall, the skull bursting like a melon, blood painting the stone. The other tried to stab him, but Lin Chen's strength snapped the knife-wielder's wrist, then drove a knee into his gut, rupturing organs in a gush of crimson.
The final two barricaded themselves behind a metal door, firing through a slit. Lin Chen's strength tore the barrier free, crushing one terrorist against the wall, his body reduced to a pulpy smear. The last one detonated a suicide vest, but Lin Chen's speed let him hurl the man into a side tunnel just as it exploded, the blast collapsing the passage and burying any reinforcements.
Blood dripped from his hands, but Lin Chen's durability kept him untouched by the carnage. "
His mental acuity guided him unerringly to the final chamber, where he reached the heavy iron door.
Inside the makeshift workshop, two men stared at him in shock.
Tony Stark—recognizable despite his gaunt appearance and makeshift arc reactor glowing in his chest—stood frozen beside a half-constructed suit of armor.
Next to him was an older man with no hair and glasses who Lin Chen recognized: Ho Yinsen, the person who had saved Tony's life and become his friend during captivity.
"Who—how did you—" Tony stammered, his brilliant mind struggling to process how an ordinary-looking man had just torn through a reinforced door with his bare hands.
"No time for explanations," Lin Chen said. "My name is Lin Chen. I'm here to get you out."
"How did you even get here?" Tony demanded, his natural skepticism overriding his shock. "There are forty armed terrorists between here and freedom!"
"There were forty," Lin Chen corrected. "All of them are dead now."
Yinsen stepped forward cautiously. "Are you American military?"
"I'm independent," Lin Chen replied. "But I was hired to extract both of you. Can you walk?"When they emerged from the caves, Tony stopped in his tracks.
The terrorist camp was devastated—vehicles overturned, weapons scattered, and dead bodies lying everywhere.
"You did all this?" Tony asked in disbelief. "By yourself?"
"Yes," Lin Chen replied, tapping his earpiece.
Three military helicopters appeared over the ridge, their searchlights illuminating the camp.
"That's our ride," Lin Chen said. "Let's go home."
---
Twelve Hours Later - Los Angeles International Airport
Tony Stark walked down the ramp into California sunshine. Lin Chen remained in the background until Tony gestured for him to come forward.
"This is the man who saved our lives. Lin Chen—independent security consultant."
Pepper Potts quickly moved to handle the press. "Mr. Stark needs medical attention."
"Actually," Tony interrupted, "I need a cheeseburger."
Lin Chen's phone buzzed. $500 million deposited. His eyes widened—that wasn't right.
Tony caught his expression. "That's from me. Consider it a bonus plus advance payment for shares transfer. One percent of Stark Industries."
"Five hundred million dollars?" Lin Chen asked.
"You saved my life and Yinsen's. That's worth more than money. Besides, I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other."
---
Stark Mansion, Malibu - That Evening
"Welcome home, sir," JARVIS's voice emanated from hidden speakers.
"JARVIS, process a stock transfer. One percent of my personal Stark Industries shares to Lin Chen."
Pepper protested, but Tony was firm. "He saved my life, Pep. It's done."
After some conversation, Tony handed Lin Chen keys to a red sports car. "Consider it a welcome gift."
As Lin Chen prepared to leave, Tony said, "Hey, seriously—thank you. For bringing Yinsen out too."
"I have to go back," Lin Chen replied.
---
Driving Back to New York
As Lin Chen drove, Daisy called. "Boss! Six hundred thirty million total! We're rich!"
"Did you find anything on Obadiah Stane?"
"Yeah. Multiple encrypted communications with the Kunar Province. Financial transfers to Swiss banks known for terrorist transactions. He arranged the whole thing."
"Keep monitoring. When Stane makes his move, we'll be ready."
---
Queens, New York
Two Days Later
Lin Chen was finishing his morning exercise, when reality itself fractured around him.
The warehouse walls shifted into impossible geometric patterns. The floor became translucent. He was no longer in his warehouse—he was in the Mirror Dimension.
[DETECTED! Mirror Dimension Manipulation (Master Level). DO YOU WANT TO PICK UP?]
[Y/N]
Lin Chen mentally selected YES.
[DING! Mirror Dimension Manipulation (Master Level) ACQUIRED]
Complete mastery flooded his mind instantly—hand gestures, mental focus, dimensional mathematics—all of it as if he'd practiced for centuries.
A figure materialized. A woman with shaved head, wearing yellow mystical robes. Her eyes held ancient wisdom.
The Ancient One.
"Lin Chen," she said, her voice resonating through dimensions. "We need to talk."
Lin Chen kept his expression neutral, showing no sign of what had just occurred. She showed no indication of detecting anything.
"You're the Ancient One," Lin Chen said. "Master guardian of earth."
"I see you know of me," she replied, walking as the Mirror Dimension shifted. "Interesting. Just as it's interesting that you possess knowledge of events yet to occur."
She waved her hand, showing surveillance footage of his activities. "I've watched you since the Abomination incident. Your power grows impossibly fast. Most troubling—you've become a blind spot in time's flow."
"What does that mean?"
"When I observe your future, I see only chaos. Thousands of diverging timelines. Your existence fractures causality."
She looked at him directly. "What are you?"
Lin Chen chose his words carefully. "I'm from another reality. Or another timeline. I have knowledge of events because I've seen them before. My abilities... you already know."
The Ancient One studied him. "A temporal anomaly. I could eliminate you here. The Mirror Dimension is my domain."
She raised a hand. "But I will not. Despite uncertainty, I sense no malice. Your actions protect innocents."
She waved her hand, creating a glowing portal ringed with golden sparks, showing a Himalayan temple.
[DETECTED! Portal/Sling Ring Magic (Master Level). DO YOU WANT TO PICK UP?]
[Y/N]
YES.
[DING! Portal/Sling Ring Magic (Master Level) ACQUIRED]
Portal creation knowledge integrated instantly—visualization techniques, spatial manipulation, centuries of refinement. Yet the Ancient One remained completely unaware.
[DING! Mental Power +26]
Lin Chen felt his consciousness expand.
The Ancient One dismissed the portal. "I will allow you to continue your path. Despite the danger, you may be necessary for what's coming. Someone outside causality who can adapt impossibly fast."
"Why let me go?"
"Because the future I cannot see may require someone like you." She prepared to leave. "But I will watch. If you threaten innocents, I will act."
"I understand. Thank you."
She opened a portal. "Be careful with any abilities you may have observed. They are powerful but dangerous."
She stepped through and vanished.
[HOST STATUS - UPDATED]
├── Strength: 203.4 tons
├── Physique: 2147.6
├── Agility: 29.67
├── Mental Power: 35.7
└── Special Abilities: Superior Regenerative Healing Factor, Combat Intelligence, Thunderclap, Seismic Manipulation, Enhanced Senses, Super Perception, Rage Enhancement, Various Combat Styles (Master Level), Mirror Dimension Manipulation (Master Level), Portal/Sling Ring Magic (Master Level)
Daisy burst in moments later. "Boss! What happened? All sensors went crazy!"
"Just had an unexpected visitor," Lin Chen said vaguely. "Nothing to worry about."
"Boss, are you okay? You seem different."
"I'm fine," Lin Chen assured her. "Just tired from the Afghanistan trip."
His phone rang—Tony Stark.
"Mr. Stark," Lin Chen answered.
---
Maybe you find some mistakes please don't critique just tell me I will try to correct.