Early the next morning, the sky was densely covered with dark clouds, and a continuous light drizzle was falling.
The upper reaches of the Potomac River in Washington D.C., New York, had rapid currents, with churning waves constantly pouring downstream into the Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
In the center of the lake was a miniature artificial island, upon which stood the uniquely designed Triskelion building.
This was the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, also known as the global headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D.
At this moment.
Inside the conference room on the 61st floor of the Triskelion.
Nick Fury's mood was just as terrible as the weather outside.
He was reporting the detailed events of yesterday's Battle of New York to the representatives of the five major nations of the World Security Council.
The anthropomorphic holographic projections of the five Council representatives sat around the conference table, questioning him with severe tones:
"Director Fury, has S.H.I.E.L.D. found the mastermind behind yesterday's alien invasion?"
Nick Fury replied expressionlessly, "Of course. However, he is not from Earth. Loki has now been taken back to Asgard by Thor..."
His tone was extremely cold because it was these five Council representatives who had bypassed him yesterday and issued the order to launch a nuclear missile.
Every time Nick Fury thought about it, his liver ached.
Everything was really almost destroyed by these five pig-headed teammates!
"You're just going to easily let the war criminal responsible for tens of thousands of civilian casualties go?"
"I simply didn't stop Thor from taking Loki away. But considering you almost killed millions of humans, I don't think you have the right to criticize me!"
The Council representatives fell silent for a moment.
"Then what about the Tesseract?"
Just as Nick Fury was about to reply, his gaze suddenly shifted to the conference room door behind him.
He sped up his speech and replied, "The Tesseract was also taken back to Asgard by Thor. That kind of treasure is not something humanity should covet."
"Right now, I have to go clean up the mess left by this war. I'll provide a detailed written report in a few days."
[Online meeting ended]
The five Council representatives obviously wanted to ask more questions, but Nick Fury disconnected directly, leaving their holographic projections with no choice but to vanish unwillingly.
"Agent Hill, how are Stark's injuries?"
A Level 9 S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Hill, dressed in a black combat suit, replied while hurriedly walking into the conference room:
"His injuries are not severe. Aside from some memory confusion caused by a mild concussion, everything else is fine."
"After treatment, he has regained consciousness, but his psychological state seems to have some issues."
"The medical staff reported that he stared at the ceiling all night without sleeping, shouting about wanting to be discharged early so he could go home and research upgrades for the Iron Man armor."
"According to the psychiatrist's preliminary diagnosis, Stark is likely suffering from mild anxiety."
Nick Fury's face grew solemn upon hearing this. Iron Man was currently an important combat asset for the Avengers; absolutely nothing could happen to him.
"Have the psychiatrist figure out a way to calm him down."
Hill nodded. "I will."
Nick Fury then asked, "By the way, regarding that 'unapproachable' villa, have the scientists we sent figured anything out?"
Hill shook her head, "I'm sorry, we currently lack the ability to use science to analyze magic."
Although Nick Fury had anticipated this, his face still showed slight disappointment.
"Do your best and leave the rest to fate. Send a few more scientists; hopefully, they can research a way to crack it."
"Otherwise, if we can't even get close to the enemy, how are we supposed to fight these so-called sorcerers?"
Agent Hill's face showed a hint of emotion.
"This world is becoming more and more chaotic. Gods, sorcerers, aliens—all sorts of monsters and freaks are popping up."
"Sometimes, I can hardly imagine how we're supposed to fight these... freaks?"
Hill couldn't think of a better adjective either.
She could only use 'freaks' to describe the sorcerer who had easily defeated three Avengers yesterday.
Nick Fury said with a grave expression, "We need more manpower, and not just to fill the vacancies of field agents."
"We need powerful members like Dr. Banner or Stark to join the Avengers."
Hill asked curiously, "Director, are you planning to recruit the street-level heroes in New York?"
Nick Fury cast a sideways glance at Agent Hill: "Do you have a better suggestion?"
Hill thought for a moment and said, "I'm not good at being a persuader. Let's leave this task to Sharon Carter."
Nick Fury nodded slowly, "Agent 13? That's a good suggestion. By the way, do you have anything else?"
Agent Hill handed over the document in her hand.
"This is the list of 132 field department personnel initially confirmed dead. We need your signature to approve the issuance of death benefits."
Nick Fury frowned as he read through the casualty list.
"A full 132 elite agents blown to bits with nothing left. This has to be the first time in all these years that S.H.I.E.L.D. has suffered such massive casualties in such a short time."
Agent Hill remained silent, a flash of pity showing in her eyes as well.
While signing the document, Nick Fury asked, "Are there any good prospects in the latest batch from the agent training camp?"
Agent Hill thought for a second: "There's an Asian rookie named Jimmy Woo who isn't bad."
Nick Fury returned the signed document to Hill and instructed, "Then let's test this rookie's courage. Send him to Europe to talk with the vampire higher-ups."
"Those disgusting vampires actually took advantage of the chaos caused by the alien invasion to secretly commit massacres in remote border towns in Europe."
"We have to send someone to warn the vampires before it causes a larger impact."
Agent Hill took the document, indicating she understood.
"I believe this rookie won't disappoint."
Nick Fury waved his hand, signaling Agent Hill that she could go back to work.
Just as this trusted subordinate walked out of the conference room, Nick Fury hadn't even had the chance to stand up.
"Knock, knock!"
An exhausted-looking Natasha knocked on the door and walked briskly into the conference room.
"I hope you bring me good news, the lucky Agent Romanoff."
Nick Fury leaned back into his chair, looking at the only lucky survivor from the collapsed pile of rubble.
Natasha placed a file on the conference table.
"Sir, this is all the information I've gathered about those two sorcerers. You can read it at your leisure... Yawn~"
After finishing her sentence, she let out a huge yawn.
Seeing that Natasha was severely sleep-deprived, Nick Fury waved his hand, "Go back and rest first. I'll read this file later."
Hearing this, Natasha turned and left without hesitation.
She hadn't closed her eyes for two days and two nights. First, she was busy dealing with an unprecedented alien invasion war.
Then she had to go rescue Captain America.
After barely surviving by the skin of her teeth, she still had to clean up the chaotic mess all over New York.
After two busy days, Natasha wished she could just drop dead asleep.
Now that she was finally relieved of duty, she walked straight out of the conference room without looking back.