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[Frog] Chapter 159: Magneto... Is Dead...
🕑 Added 2024-11-13 14:30:01 +0000 UTC"Are you alright?"
Rogers crouched in front of Mystique, looking at the woman with blue skin in front of him. He knew she must be one of the superhumans—what this era referred to as mutants.
At this moment, Mystique, weakened from taking a punch from Alan and being affected by Magneto's magnetic force, leaned powerlessly against the wall behind her. Seeing this unfamiliar man crouch down and ask about her condition, she would have fought back in the past.
But now, she could only weakly ask, "Who are you?"
Rogers was about to introduce himself when Nick Fury, gasping for air, said, "Captain, she’s one of Magneto’s people. Don’t bother with her for now. Where’s Magneto?"
Nick Fury scanned the room and found nothing suspicious apart from the disarray. "I don't know. When I got here, the living room was empty except for her."
Rogers glanced at Mystique, preparing to recount what happened, when a noise came from another room. Rogers exchanged a glance with Nick Fury. Before Fury could speak, Rogers said, "Stay here; I’ll check inside."
Nick Fury opened his mouth, then said, "Okay, go ahead. I'll interrogate Mystique to find out where Magneto and Emperor went."
Rogers gave Fury a meaningful look and said, "I'll be out quickly."
This brief and routine exchange between Rogers and Fury left Mystique stunned. Who was this blond man? He could give orders to Nick Fury…
She knew that as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury commanded enough authority that even high-ranking U.S. officials were cautious around him. Yet this man in front of her could speak to Fury so freely.
Moreover, Mystique’s mind drew a blank when trying to recall any intel on this man. Magneto’s past plans had included profiling key figures in the U.S. government, but this blond man was entirely unfamiliar to her, deepening her curiosity about his identity. She made sure to commit Rogers' face to memory.
As she watched Rogers’ retreating back, Nick Fury, having caught his breath, finally turned to Mystique and taunted, "Good behavior—this time you didn't shift into my form."
Mystique glared at Fury; it wasn’t that she didn’t want to shift but that she didn’t have the strength to do so now.
Looking at the ever-irritating Nick Fury, Mystique said, "S.H.I.E.L.D.’s information network is fast, I’ll give you that. But unfortunately, you’re too late. Erik has already accomplished his goal and left."
Mystique assumed Fury was only there because of Magneto. Out of her disdain for Fury, she naturally chose to lie.
Fury saw right through her lie and sneered, "You should know I have countless ways to make you tell the truth, each more terrifying than the last."
"You have ten seconds."
"Talk, and you'll die a little easier."
Fury theatrically glanced at his watch and began counting down, "10, 9, 8..."
Hearing Fury’s countdown, Mystique felt a surge of pressure. If it were anyone else making such threats, Mystique would scoff and pay no attention. But Nick Fury was different. He was the head of the largest intelligence organization in the world. Was he likely to be merciful?
There were numerous accounts circulating about Fury's ruthless and brutal nature.
To speak or not to speak?
"5, 4..."
When Fury reached "3" and Mystique still hadn't opened her mouth, he drew his gun from his hip.
He disengaged the safety and aimed the gun at Mystique.
At first, Mystique was not afraid of death, but after enduring Nick Fury's psychological countdown, she felt a twinge of fear as she looked at the gun in front of her. She knew that if she didn't speak, her life would truly be at risk.
Besides, even if she revealed information, she believed Magneto, though beaten back by Emperor, would manage to recover, deal with him, and return victorious.
"1!"
Nick Fury hadn't expected anyone to withstand his psychological tactics. He was known for his fearsome reputation, and this method almost always extracted the information he wanted. But this time, Mystique’s defiance surprised him. She hadn’t said a word…
There was no other choice—Nick Fury wasn't actually planning to kill Mystique. He knew that keeping a mutant alive was much more valuable than killing one, especially one like Mystique, whose abilities were well-suited for espionage.
Just as Fury was about to lower his gun, Mystique, startled by the movement, blurted out, "Don’t shoot, I’ll talk… I’ll talk..."
Nick Fury remained composed despite being puzzled by Mystique's sudden compliance.
"Speak. Where did Magneto go?"
"He was just sent flying by Emperor. Emperor followed him out."
“…And what caused the entire building to shake just now?”
Mystique recounted the events truthfully but omitted the embarrassing detail of being incapacitated by Alan’s punch.
After listening to Mystique's account, Nick Fury cursed inwardly. Despite all their efforts, they were still a step too late. Just as he was about to call Hill to track down Magneto and Emperor's current locations, Rogers returned, accompanied by Anna.
The moment Nick Fury saw Anna, he immediately approached and asked, "Miss Anna, are you alright?"
Anna looked at Nick Fury and the imposing Rogers with some confusion.
"I’m fine, just a bit dizzy."
Nick Fury explained, "You were likely affected by Magneto's magnetic field. You'll be alright soon."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nick Fury, a federal investigator."
“…And this is our captain, Steve Rogers."
Nick Fury rarely revealed his identity to civilians. Though Anna held a high position, she wasn’t yet at the level to recognize him.
Anna glanced at Fury and nodded, "Thank you both."
Nick Fury nodded back, saying, "If you feel unwell, you can rest on the sofa. Captain and I need to question this mutant."
Anna looked at the collapsed Mystique on the floor and, despite her discomfort, moved to the sofa but kept her eyes on Fury and Rogers.
"Did you find anything out?"
Nick Fury shared everything he had learned and added his own analysis.
"Magneto likely intended to control Alan and use his wealth to build his influence. That’s why he came here to kill Anna so Mystique could impersonate her and get close to Alan."
"But what he didn't anticipate was Emperor's sudden appearance…"
Listening to Fury’s analysis, Rogers asked, "Where are they now?"
"I was just about to find out when you came out."
Rogers gave Fury an odd look, as if to say, "Are you blaming me?"
Fury ignored Rogers’ silent question as he answered his now-ringing phone.
A panicked voice came through: "Director… We’ve got a serious problem!"
"Magneto…"
"He's dead…"
Nick Fury's eyes widened in shock.
"What did you say?"
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