If Alexander had been honest, perhaps this encounter wouldn't have ended in such a bloodbath.
Shen He might have entertained a conversation. After all, Hydra wasn't just an enemy—it was one of the most iconic organizations in Marvel's history.
But now that his suspicions were confirmed, there was nothing left to discuss.
Flames filled the air as the front half of Hydra's convoy vanished under the relentless barrage from the Mirage's close-range artillery.
Shen He activated his absolute defensive field, unleashing every weapon his mecha possessed. Bullets stormed through the battlefield, shredding both vehicles and soldiers alike. The Hadron Cannon under his wrist glowed ominously with each charge, detonating fireballs wherever it struck.
Meanwhile, Violet Evergarden moved with deadly precision. Using the cover of the raging flames, she disappeared into the forest flanking the road, hunting down any Hydra reinforcements.
From the rear of the convoy, Hydra operatives retaliated with machine guns, rocket launchers, and Gatling turrets.
But against Violet's Level 16 combat prowess, it was nothing more than a futile resistance.
Shen He, however, was focused on one man—Alexander Pierce.
"Master—!"
Jeanne's sudden warning made his heart tighten.
But before he could react—
A twisted beam of light pierced straight through the Mirage's absolute defense field!
ALERT!
The cockpit's warning lights flashed red as all remaining energy reserves collapsed.
"E.E.S. (Emergency Ejection System) ACTIVATED!"
Jarvis's voice rang out in Shen He's ears just as the entire cockpit violently ejected, launching him hundreds of meters backward.
The next second—
BOOM!
The Mirage exploded into fragments, turning into a burning cloud of debris.
What the hell was that!?
Shen He kicked open the cockpit hatch, leaping out and sprinting back toward the battlefield.
At Level 24, his speed was monstrous—each step carried him dozens of meters, and in the blink of an eye, he had crossed the battlefield.
"Master?" Jeanne's expression was one of concern as she kept her eyes on the enemy.
"I'm fine," Shen He reassured her, before narrowing his eyes at the strange device in Alexander's hands.
"…084?" He muttered in realization.
Standing amidst the flames, Alexander Pierce was unharmed, his body wrapped in a shimmering defensive force field. In his hands, he held an odd, metallic object—resembling an old camera.
The beam that destroyed the Mirage had come from this.
Shen He immediately recognized it—an artifact from Marvel's lore.
"An 084 weapon…"
This was a classified SHIELD artifact, designated as "084"—a mysterious, alien or supernatural object of immense power.
The one Pierce held was a handheld energy weapon, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of a battle.
"You seem to know everything."
Pierce's face remained composed, even as his subordinates were slaughtered.
"So you were prepared all along…" Shen He exhaled, piecing it together. "One device for defense, another for offense."
He scoffed. "Do you really think that's enough to escape?"
A silver-white liquid began flowing around Shen He's body—glowing and shifting like liquid mercury.
This was Lunar Marrow Essence, a five-star equipment drop he had acquired from his second ten-pull.
Even if the ejection system hadn't activated in time, this artifact alone would have kept him alive.
"For most threats, this level of preparation would be enough," Pierce admitted, even smiling slightly. "After all, when facing someone who knows the future, I have to plan ahead."
His gaze sharpened.
"How about it, Shen He?" he continued. "My offer still stands. Join Hydra, and truly protect mankind from the chaos that awaits. Why fight when we can work toward the same goal?"
The distant sounds of gunfire and explosions were fading.
It was clear—Violet was finishing up the last of Hydra's forces.
"Tch."
Ryougi Shiki gripped her long sword tightly, impatience radiating off her.
"Shen He, how much longer do we have to listen to this garbage?" she muttered, shifting her stance.
Her blood was boiling—her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception saw Alexander for what he was.
A dead man walking.
Shen He smirked. "I'm sick of listening too."
The Lunar Marrow Essence surged, wrapping around Shiki as Shen He whispered—
"Automatoportum (Automatic Defense)."
"…I don't need that," Shiki scoffed, but there was a glint of appreciation in her eyes.
Then—
She vanished.
A red blur sliced through the air.
In the split second before Alexander could react—
SHIIING!
Her blade passed cleanly through his neck.
A perfect, effortless cut.
Blood erupted like a waterfall.
Alexander Pierce—the hidden overlord of Hydra, a mastermind who had shaped the world from the shadows for over half a century—died in an instant.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
He had relied on his force field for protection.
But he didn't understand.
Against the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception… there was no such thing as "defense."
Shen He walked forward, kneeling to pick up the 084 weapon from the ground. His fingers brushed against something around Alexander's neck.
A pendant.
The source of the defensive force field.
Marvel's world was full of mysterious artifacts, and this was just another one.
Behind him, Violet had finished clearing out the last of Hydra's forces.
The battlefield was silent.
Only the sound of crackling flames remained.
"…Finally got rid of that guy," Shen He muttered, slipping the pendant into his pocket. His eyes flickered toward the wreckage of the Mirage.
"This was probably the easiest boss battle I've had so far," he said dryly. "Shame about my Mirage, though."
But he wasn't too concerned.
As his strength increased and Tony's technology advanced, the Mirage was bound to become obsolete sooner or later.
At least it had died in battle, rather than collecting dust in some warehouse.
"Master, I'll check the battlefield…" Jeanne spoke softly.
Shen He frowned. "Something wrong?"
"I… I didn't even get to help in this fight," she admitted, frustration clear in her tone. "Even the only warning I gave wasn't in time…"
Her role was to protect her master. But this time, she had failed.
Shen He didn't notice her self-doubt.
His communicator buzzed—a transmission from Kusuo Saiki and Tony Stark.
"Their battlefield is under control," he noted. "They're moving to assist other locations now."
However—
The Helicarrier battle was going badly.
The enemy's forces were too strong, and even Kusuo's psychic abilities couldn't reach the battlefield in time.
"Tony, go to SHIELD Academy and protect the students," Shen He instructed. "I've killed Hydra's leader, but his forces will retreat, gathering resources as they go. We need those resources too. The Academy's elites could be valuable."
Tony chuckled. "So it's time for me to play the hero, huh?"
"And you?"
Shen He smirked.
"I'm heading for the Helicarrier."
Tony whistled. "You do realize that thing isn't something one person can just take over, right?"
"I know," Shen He replied, eyes gleaming.
"But an Invisible Helicarrier? That's a different story."