Twelve hours after the conclusion of the Queens incident.
The night was as dark as ink, and a drizzling autumn rain began to wash over the streets of New York, also cleansing the unknown secrets hidden within those subterranean waterways. Raindrops tapped against the glass, refracting a hazy, iridescent glow under the neon lights of the bustling metropolis.
But in this World, there are always places that neither sunlight nor rain can penetrate.
---
S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters, Strategic Command Center.
Within the vast, circular space, only data streams silently traversed between screens. Nick Fury stood alone in the Darkness, his single eye fixed unwaveringly on the face of an Eastern youth displayed on the central screen, as if trying to pierce through the very soul behind that assembly of pixels.
Lin Huai.
"Hill, report." Fury's voice was low and raspy, echoing slightly in the empty command center.
"Sir, the conclusion is as problematic as Coulson's field report." Maria Hill's figure appeared on the communication screen, her background a similarly busy Data Analysis Room. "The event's core, that Stark Industries Engineering Robot, released a burst of intense light energy. It was very peculiar, more akin to the energy of an arc reactor being completely and unreservedly discharged all at once through some sort of lensing technology. Our analysts believe this violates the known laws of energy conservation."
Fury's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, emitting a soft, regular sound. "The key isn't Stark, it's that boy. Technological malfunctions can be predicted, but human nature cannot."
"Yes, sir." Hill immediately pulled up another file. "Background check: Target Lin Huai, American-born Chinese, parents are first-generation immigrants, deceased. Has a complete educational record, graduated from Columbia University with a degree in History, clean resume. However, approximately three weeks ago, his life trajectory and behavioral model underwent a complete 180-degree reversal. He severed contact with all his friends, then appeared under the Brooklyn Bridge as the 'One-Dollar Fortune Teller.' His behavioral patterns are completely different from his past records."
Hill's tone became exceptionally serious. "We verified all the 'clients' we could find, including some tourists treating it as fun and some desperate homeless individuals. The conclusion is—his divination accuracy rate reached a staggering 100%."
Fury's single eye narrowed slightly. A Fortune Teller with 100% accuracy in predicting the future. This meant the World's most top-tier encrypted communications would be transparent before him, the most meticulous strategic deployments would seem like child's play in his eyes. This in itself posed a greater threat than any off-the-charts energy reading.
"Place this individual on the Level 8 Watch List." Fury's voice was devoid of emotion—this was an extremely high internal security clearance. "Officially open a case. Codename—'Fortune Teller.'"
"Notify Natasha, her vacation in Budapest is over. Her next assignment is to find a way to get close to this boy."
"Affirmative, sir."
---
At the same time, Stark Industries, CEO's Office.
After Tony Stark's disappearance, Obadiah Stane had occupied this space as the interim CEO. Behind the expensive Mahogany Desk was a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the night view of all Manhattan.
At this moment, the face of this kindly "Uncle Obie" was colder than the autumn rain outside the window.
His private investigator had just sent an urgent report—Tony had actually established close contact with that street Fortune Teller under the Brooklyn Bridge who was gaining fame for claiming "100% accuracy."
Furthermore, the Queens incident was resolved by Tony's own hand, with the Fortune Teller's involvement!
Obadiah's panic didn't stem from any specific prophecy, but from the fact that an unpredictable, damn variable had been thrown into his meticulously crafted plans! He had spent his entire life calculating; what he hated most were incalculable pieces.
He could not tolerate his fate being swayed by the "randomness" of some street charlatan!
No, he had to find out exactly what Tony knew!
He picked up the phone, dialed Tony's number, and instantly switched his expression back to that of a kind, amiable elder.
"Tony, my boy, I heard you made quite a splash in Queens today?"
In the Workshop, Tony looked at the caller ID, gripping the phone tightly enough for his knuckles to turn white, then relaxed his hand, letting the tension leave his muscles.
Ever since Lin Huai had proven himself, Tony had been trying to investigate the truth behind his kidnapping, spurred by the prophecy: [Obadiah is your enemy. He wants the 'heart' in your chest]. But he couldn't tear off the mask yet. The Mark II wasn't perfected; he still had to wait.
"Just a little application of technology, Obie." Tony's voice sounded as arrogantly and wearily self-assured as ever, perfectly masking the murderous intent within. "Helped CDC sort out a bit of trouble. Don't worry, it's good for the company's stock price."
"I never worry about that. I worry about you." Obadiah probed subtly. "Stay away from those strange street characters. Your safety is the most important thing."
"Oh, you mean Lin? He's not strange; he's a very interesting 'investment consultant.'" Tony deliberately used the excited tone of someone who had found a new toy. To Obadiah's ears, it was just his usual flippancy. "Relax, Obie, he's useful. I know what I'm doing."
Investment consultant... Obadiah felt as if an icy hand had clenched around his heart.
Tony's tone was normal—arrogant, frivolous, without a hint of suspicion. But he already trusted that charlatan so much!
This was even more terrifying than if Tony had directly confronted him! It meant that damn variable was silently changing Tony!
After hanging up, the smile vanished instantly from Obadiah's face, replaced by a look of cornered ferocity.
He couldn't wait any longer! He must have his own armor and power source!
He grabbed another Encrypted Phone and dialed the head of his secret laboratory.
"Listen! There's an uncontrollable situation on Tony's end! I don't care what methods you use, accelerate the reverse-engineering progress! I originally gave you three months; now I only give you three weeks!"
---
Meanwhile, in Queens, at the newly opened Divination House.
Lin Huai was carefully wiping a Glass Bottle on the table with a soft Chamois Cloth. Inside the bottle, the black ashes formed from the burning of hermes script emitted a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of spirituality under the dim lamplight.
The Encrypted Phone on the table rang, its tone somewhat abrupt in the quiet room.
"Well done, kid." Tony's voice came through, sounding in a good mood. "Your performance was brilliant; I'm very satisfied. Now, let's talk about your payment."
"My 'hardware' is almost ready. Stark Industries' most advanced Deep-Sea Submersible is ready to depart at any moment; it can kiss the Bermuda Triangle's ass. But, my engineers tell me that just having the vessel isn't enough."
Tony shifted gears, his tone carrying a hint of the teasing banter only understood between clever people.
"That thing you divined, called the 'Ancient Ballad of Homecoming'... doesn't sound like an MP3 I can find in my database. Give me its 'frequency.' Only when software and hardware combine can our 'Deep Sea Fishing' truly begin."
"With pleasure, Mr. Stark." Lin Huai replied calmly.
Hanging up the phone, he let out a long sigh of relief, the tension in his nerves finally easing.
The first main ingredient to become a Sequence 9 [Seer] was finally within reach. All this risk-taking had been worth it.