GUARDIAN OF THE MARVEL REALM

"I have an idea."

Tony instinctively reached for his waist, only to remember that he was in his armor and had no business cards on him. "Well, I don't know if you two are interested in working for Stark Industries. The pay will definitely satisfy you. A genius CEO like me could always use some outstanding bodyguards."

Shen He shrugged. "If I ever go broke, I'll think about it."

If he hadn't obtained the Slave Summoning System or summoned Qimu Kusuo, working at Stark Industries might have been a solid backup plan.

But his vision was no longer that of an ordinary person.

After all, there was a certain thrill in traversing a world where he knew the plot and characters in advance. A sense of superiority, even.

"Well, you know where to find me. Just watch TV." Tony lowered his faceplate.

Two people with unusual abilities—interesting, but since they couldn't solve his palladium poisoning problem and didn't want to work for him, there wasn't much more to discuss.

As he activated his thrusters, Shen He suddenly stopped him.

"Can you call Agent Coulson for us? I know you have his number."

Tony hesitated for a fraction of a second.

"…No problem."

With that, he soared into the sky.

Shen He turned to Qimu Kusuo. "We'll wait here. Let S.H.I.E.L.D. handle Hydra. In the meantime, I need to sort out an identity, rent a high-end apartment, and grind some dungeons…"

This was his plan.

His cheat system didn't require him to get involved in the plot. Even low-level draws could give him U.S. dollars, meaning he didn't need a job.

And if he pulled a cooking-related skill card, he could just live a laid-back life. No need for excessive grinding.

"…This system will have events, right?"

"Even if you ask me, I wouldn't know," Qimu Kusuo replied flatly. "But you are adjusting fast."

"To being in another world?" Shen He pointed to his head. "Maybe it's because I never truly believed fantasy was just fiction. Today didn't feel surreal to me—it just made sense. And when things make sense, I adapt."

"How adults cope…" Qimu Kusuo murmured, pensive.

—!

A sharp sound rang out.

"What was that?!"

Shen He turned—and his breath caught.

A golden bullet had stopped midair, mere inches from the back of his head.

Without his spiritual protection, he'd be dead.

"…A sniper."

Qimu Kusuo's eyes shifted into a crosshair-like focus as he activated Clairvoyance.

"Wait," Shen He grabbed his arm before he could teleport. "They might have accomplices."

As if on cue—

Two more shots rang out.

From different angles.

"Get to cover!"

The two of them dashed to a corner of the rooftop, pressing against the concrete barrier. It was a blind spot, offering protection from multiple angles.

"They have numbers," Qimu Kusuo reported. "At least a dozen snipers, close to a hundred enemies. Heavy weapons, too."

Not like the lone assassin earlier. This was a full-scale assault.

"They're gangsters, not professional killers."

Shen He frowned. "I've been here less than a day. Why am I already getting mob hits? Other travelers don't deal with this nonsense…"

If this kept up, he wouldn't die from an enemy attack—he'd die of sheer annoyance.

"…Wait." Qimu Kusuo pointed at the unconscious Hydra assassin lying beside them. "One of the bullets was aimed at him."

Shen He's eyes widened.

"Of course!"

Everything clicked into place.

According to the original timeline, Hydra was still lurking in the shadows. The earlier car accident? Probably a test.

But then Qimu Kusuo captured an agent.

If Nick Fury found out Hydra was still active—a group that was supposed to be dead—he'd launch an investigation.

So the real target? The Hydra assassin.

Kill him.

Erase the evidence.

Stop S.H.I.E.L.D. from discovering the truth.

"…Should we hand him over?"

Qimu Kusuo had already read Shen He's thoughts through Telepathy.

"Of course not."

Shen He opened his system inventory, his gaze locking onto one particular weapon.

A rare four-star draw—second only to Qimu Kusuo himself.

Mirage Tower.

From Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Lelouch's strongest personal Knightmare Frame.

Equipped with the Druid System and Absolute Defense Domain, it boasted near-impenetrable shielding and formidable flight capabilities.

"If we deploy this, it'll draw attention," Qimu Kusuo warned.

"We're already drowning in problems, Qimu." Shen He's mind was clear. "I'm not some passive bystander. If I show my strength, I can find allies—and make enemies think twice before targeting us."

"…For the sake of a peaceful life?"

"Exactly."

Qimu Kusuo sighed.

He hated attention. Hated standing out. All he wanted was a quiet life.

But a promise was a promise.

—Whoosh!

A rocket screamed through the air, heading straight for their position.

Boom!

The explosion sent debris flying—but through the smoke, a massive machine burst into the sky.

Sleek black armor. Gold-plated joints. A towering frame with a streamlined design.

Only one word could describe it:

Cool.

"HAHAHAHA! MECHA REALLY IS A MAN'S ROMANCE!"

Shen He roared with laughter as he climbed into the cockpit.

The moment he touched the controls, instinct flooded his mind—basic piloting skills, downloaded straight from the system.

Not perfect, but enough.

Mirage Tower wasn't built for speed. It was designed for defense.

And firepower.

"What the hell is that?!"

"Something's falling—!"

"RUN!"

Below, civilians screamed as the explosion sent chunks of concrete plummeting toward them.

Even a small piece, falling from this height, could be lethal.

But—

"Absolute Defense Field—ACTIVATE!"

Shen He crossed the mecha's arms, triggering a glowing pink barrier.

The debris bounced harmlessly off the shield.

For a moment, the entire street was silent.

Then—

"What the hell are we dealing with?!"

The gangsters panicked.

The hunters had just become the hunted.

Shen He grinned inside the cockpit.

"Time for a counterattack."