- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 24
“Good, it’s just one,” Grant muttered to himself as he scanned the surroundings, feeling a sense of relief. If there had been four or five more like the previous guards, escaping would have been nearly impossible today.
Without wasting any words, Grant launched a ferocious attack, aiming for vital points to incapacitate the burly man as quickly as possible. To his shock, however, the opponent’s skills far exceeded his expectations, effortlessly neutralizing each of his strikes.
“Not bad, no wonder you managed to take down my two subordinates,” Li San remarked as he blocked Grant’s attacks. Stepping forward, he swung his arm with the force of a thunderbolt, slamming into Grant’s chest.
“Bear Strike!” Li San’s technique was directly taught by Leo and was part of the Bear Form from Xingyi Quan’s Twelve Animal Forms. Known for its immense power, a strike from the Bear Form could inflict greater damage than the Dragon or Tiger Forms.
Grant, a top-tier combat specialist, was sent flying by Li San’s strike, coughing up blood. He struggled to his feet, the impact leaving him reeling.
“So strong… I’ve faced many experts, but never someone this formidable,” Grant thought.
“Too bad I’m a spy. My strength isn’t just in hand-to-hand combat!” Realizing he couldn’t win in close quarters, Grant drew his handgun from his waist and aimed it at Li San. Using a firearm in a residential area could have consequences, but he had no other choice now.
“I advise you to put that thing down unless you want a bullet in your head,” Li San said, unfazed, with a mocking expression.
Grant’s face stiffened as he sensed two red laser sights on him, one targeting his head and the other his heart. He slowly lowered his gun, knowing the snipers in the community had him in their sights.
At this point, seven or eight burly men in security uniforms surrounded Grant.
“Take him away!” Li San commanded. The men quickly disarmed Grant and escorted him to a specially prepared interrogation room.
—
Hearing the chime from his bedside phone, Leo opened his eyes slowly and reached for it. “So impatient. Hydra’s agents wasted no time,” he mused, reading Li San’s report. Carefully moving Wanda’s arm and leg off him, he quietly got out of bed and left the room, following two waiting guards to the interrogation room.
“Boss, he’s tough. He hasn’t said anything and insists on talking to you,” Li San reported respectfully.
Leo waved it off and sat in a chair in his pajamas, yawning as he looked at the bruised and battered Grant. “I’m Leo. Who are you, and what were you planning to do by sneaking into the community?”
Grant looked up at Leo, maintaining a calm demeanor despite his injuries. “I’m Grant Ward, an agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. I was here on a secret mission. Your actions have interfered with my task. Release me immediately.”
“What mission? To kill or kidnap me?” Leo raised an eyebrow.
Grant shook his head. “I can’t disclose the details, but it has nothing to do with you. This is a misunderstanding.”
Leo took a gun from Li San and pointed it at Grant’s head. “You can choose not to talk, but your head will soon have a hole in it. Don’t worry, this room is soundproof.”
“Alright, I’ll talk. Although this violates protocol, my target is a man named Paig in Building Eight, sixth floor. He might be a terrorist. I needed to gather intel from his apartment,” Grant said seriously, showing no signs of lying.
This was indeed the official cover mission orchestrated by John Garrett, designed to pass any investigation.
Leo turned to Li San, who replied, “Our investigation shows Paig is just an unemployed small-time crook.”
“That’s just his cover identity,” Grant said dismissively.
Paig was indeed a small-time crook with a few criminal records, but from yesterday, he was designated a terrorist and effectively made to disappear.
Leo nodded, impressed by Hydra’s meticulous planning. “The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, an international organization founded by Captain America’s girlfriend Peggy Carter and Tony Stark’s father, Howard Stark. Oh, you might not know, but Tony and I are good friends. Former director Alexander Pierce, current director Nick Fury. Am I right?”
“How… do you know all this?” Grant’s eyes widened in shock.
Leo was supposed to be just a wealthy businessman from Sokovia, with some shady dealings at most. The elite bodyguards were already surprising enough, but now he seemed well-versed in S.H.I.E.L.D. and even knew Tony Stark.
“I know who you are and who your backers are. You’re not here for any terrorist. But it’s okay, I won’t hold it against you this time. When you go back, tell your boss not to trouble me again, or next time, I won’t be so polite. He’ll die a very painful death!” Leo’s eyes turned cold, his aura so oppressive that Grant almost couldn’t breathe.
“Alright, treat our guest well. Patch him up and let him go. Give him some food for the road; it’s late, he must be hungry. I’m going back to sleep. I have a company to visit tomorrow,” Leo yawned again and left the room.
Grant’s mind was a whirl of confusion, left stunned by Leo’s words.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered as a parting shot.
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