Chapter 58: Cracks Emerge
Pick up the ear. I said pick up the ear!
From a distant rooftop, watching Pierce bend down to retrieve his fallen ear, a voice line suddenly flashed through Hermione's mind.
Past life memories attacking her.
After tonight's ambush, Hermione had to do something. Otherwise, wouldn't deter them—would only embolden them to send more people.
After this, HYDRA would behave until they found a way to counter witches. Wouldn't dare trouble her again.
Even though she was keeping HYDRA around for now—hadn't decided what to do with them... but they'd stepped on her head. Not retaliating would be unacceptable.
Hence tonight's door-kicking visit.
Being able to eliminate everyone they sent wasn't scary. Being able to precisely locate their boss—that was what terrified them most.
In any organization, leaders were more valuable than foot soldiers. Also more afraid of dying.
Next day.
The Triskelion. Nick Fury met with Pierce.
Though they worked in the same building, different floors.
Fury was busy. Rarely visited him.
"What brings you here?" Seeing Fury arrive, Pierce asked with a smile.
Noticing the bandage on his ear, Fury spoke first. "Heard you got hurt last night. Came to check on you."
Pierce feigned casualness. "Minor thing. Accidentally fell at home, got cut. Bandaged up—fine now."
Saying this, he turned. Face slightly grim.
After Hermione severed his ear yesterday, he'd immediately gone to the hospital to reattach it.
But no matter what doctors tried, the wound wouldn't stop bleeding. No method worked.
Pierce realized—Hermione's magic was at work. Preventing the wound from healing.
Finally had to grit his teeth, cut away another layer of flesh. Cover the old wound with a new surface. Cauterize it. Only then stopped the bleeding.
But forget reattaching the ear.
From now on, he'd endure strange looks.
Fury said nothing. Noncommittal.
After a long pause, suddenly asked, "Last night, three blocks away—incident. Heard about it?"
"Scene was completely destroyed. Bodies and drone wreckage everywhere... Strange thing is, though there was gunfire, only one side's people died."
Pierce stared out the window. Motionless.
"Heard about it. Probably hostile operatives who entered the city. Got eliminated."
Fury continued, "What operatives can clear an entire block and make all nearby surveillance malfunction? This is D.C."
Pierce took a deep breath. Too lazy to keep deflecting. "Just say what you want."
Fury nodded.
"Miss Witch's relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. finally improved. Why'd you move against her?"
Seeing the scene last night, he'd already guessed Hermione was responsible... Though equally shocked by her strength—easily eliminating dozens of armed personnel... but what angered him more was that someone in S.H.I.E.L.D. had acted against Hermione behind his back!
Only one organization could pull this off here—S.H.I.E.L.D.!
When Fury tried to find who gave the order, heard Pierce mysteriously got injured at home. Lost an ear.
Made him realize instantly.
Seeing his reaction now—the guess was probably right!
Pierce was also angered by Fury's attitude. He'd personally promoted him. Now being questioned!
"Then I'll tell you. Because she's a threat. She and the mysterious wizarding world both are! And S.H.I.E.L.D. exists to eliminate threats to the world!"
Pierce said firmly.
Seemingly surprised by Pierce's attitude, Fury frowned. "Hermione's power is remarkable. We need her. Only through her can we truly understand what we've never encountered."
"Besides, I don't think she's a threat to the world. Most importantly, her identity's complicated. Possibly significant background in the wizarding world. Shouldn't act rashly."
Pierce asked, "Do you know she can mind-control people?"
Fury's eyes widened.
Never heard that.
"Don't tell me..."
Pierce nodded. "Correct. She used it on me. You can't imagine how terrifying it is—having your will completely controlled by someone else. No agent can resist this method! Maybe you're being controlled right now without knowing!"
"Why do you think she hid this ability from you?"
Fury thought for a moment. Still shook his head.
"Even so, that's no reason for you to move against her directly. I believe if she hadn't been provoked, she wouldn't have done this."
Pierce said flatly, "You're right. So I'm not handling this anymore. Wizard matters—you're in charge. Just don't restrict information so tightly. Don't forget I also have clearance. Have the right to know what's happening in S.H.I.E.L.D."
Watching Pierce's performance, Fury felt something was off. Couldn't pinpoint it.
But... I never recorded Hermione's intel in the database. How did Pierce know...
Several familiar faces suddenly flashed through his mind.
Seeing Fury leave, Pierce also sighed in relief.
He knew Fury would come asking. So pretended to feel threatened. Hoped to keep Fury from suspecting other directions.
After all, this really wasn't like something he would normally do. Fury surely knew that too.
Nick Fury... the witch...
Pierce was starting to find the former troublesome.
Must accelerate the project... Fury's clearly slipping from control. Time to prepare...
Returning to the Harry Potter world, holidays not yet over, Hermione rarely spent time with her original body's parents.
After all, still Hermione's biological parents. Though felt a bit strange for her as a transmigrator—couldn't say she disliked them.
Either way, these two were good people. Genuinely treated Hermione well.
After a few days together, got used to it.
"Can't use magic. Hands are so itchy..."
Hermione lay on her bedroom bed. Waved her wand listlessly.
The Ministry placed monitoring charms on underage students' wands. Prohibited students from using magic outside school. In the Marvel world she could practice freely. Here, temporarily had to be careful.
Plus this world's non-magical technology was genuinely limited. Especially late 20th century.
In the Marvel world she could access advanced systems. Here—only basic entertainment.
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