GUARDIAN OF THE MARVEL REALM

"Get out of here!"

Shen He amplified his voice through the Mirage mecha's speakers, urging civilians to evacuate while maintaining control over the massive machine.

New Yorkers hadn't yet experienced large-scale warfare, and their response time was far slower than what it would become in the future. Many were paralyzed with fear, unsure of how to react.

Crash!

The screech of tires followed by a violent collision echoed through the street. Shen He glanced to the side, spotting several black trucks barreling toward them.

Their rear compartments swung open, revealing an arsenal of mounted Gatling guns and heavy artillery.

Gangsters this well-equipped? In Marvel?

Now was not the time to complain.

Following the system's combat guidance flooding his mind, Shen He activated the Mirage's targeting systems. His palms snapped up, and several ball-shaped hadron cannons fired out, locking onto their targets with pinpoint precision.

The once peaceful street instantly transformed into a battlefield. Fiery explosions sent shrapnel flying, thick smoke filled the air, and the acrid scent of burning metal and gunpowder mixed with the panicked screams of civilians.

Collateral damage is inevitable…

Shen He's playful enthusiasm waned slightly. More gangsters flooded in.

These bastards…

The Mirage's absolute defensive force field could only cover the front due to energy constraints. Worse yet, Shen He was still a novice at piloting. His movements were clumsy, and the gangsters wielded rocket launchers like handguns.

A decision had to be made.

Priority one: Protect civilians. Delay the fight until Qi Mu Kusuo deals with the snipers.

After all, he was the Master. What kind of idiot would leave his Servant behind to charge at the enemy?

"This way! Everyone, run inside!"

Shen He slammed his mech's arm into the glass doors of a nearby high-rise, widening the entrance for civilians to take shelter. The Mirage expanded its pink energy barrier to its limit, blocking a fresh wave of incoming rockets.

Then he spotted it—a missile.

A group of newly arrived enemy trucks carried warheads nearly half a meter in diameter.

Not good. Even if he blocked them, the sheer impact would turn the street into a hellscape.

Before Shen He could react—

Boom!

A blinding white flash streaked through the air. The gangster about to launch the missile was suddenly struck by a precise, high-speed micro-missile.

"What the—?"

A familiar red-and-gold suit descended from above.

Iron Man was back.

"Tony!" Shen He's relief was audible. "I'll handle the civilians—take care of the gangsters!"

"Gangsters?" Tony fired a repulsor blast, blowing up another truck. "You're telling me these guys aren't terrorists? And where the hell did you get that mecha?"

"Sir," Jarvis interjected, "the defensive force field on that unit is unlike any known technology."

Tony's eyes narrowed beneath his helmet. This guy's suit looks cooler than mine.

"Well, well," he muttered. "Jarvis, pull up their insignia."

"The attackers are affiliated with the Brooklyn-based 'Skeleton Gang,' sir."

Tony scoffed. "Wow. Sounds like a rejected name for a kids' horror special."

With Tony joining the fray, Shen He's burden lightened significantly. He had more breathing room to assist civilians, but he remained unaware that countless cameras had already captured his mecha in action. Within minutes, footage of the battle had gone viral across the globe.

Meanwhile, Qi Mu Kusuo finished dealing with his enemies and reappeared beside Shen He, discreetly using his psychic abilities to assist.

"Sir, incoming call—Director Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Jarvis suddenly announced.

"Patch him through."

Tony barely had time to react before Fury's voice, thick with irritation, cut through.

"Tony. Take your new friends to your villa. Now. Unless you want to spend the night in a holding cell."

"Wait, friends?" Tony started to protest, but the line cut off.

"…Did he just hang up on me? Iron Man? Tony Stark?"

Tony grumbled, but nonetheless turned toward the Mirage.

"Hey, big guy. We're leaving. I have some questions about that mecha of yours."

"Let's go, Qi Mu," Shen He agreed, glancing at the setting sun.

If there was one place that could offer some security, it was Stark's mansion. As one of the world's most famous billionaires—and Iron Man himself—not many dared to cross his home turf.

As they took off, Shen He's gaze lingered on the ruined streets below. People searched for lost loved ones amidst the destruction.

This world is cruel.

Ordinary people have no control over their fate.

They exist only to highlight the achievements of heroes.

Stark's Mansion

"This… is your house?"

Shen He's mecha landed on a private helipad overlooking an ultra-modern estate. The villa sprawled across thousands of square meters, complete with an infinity pool, an underground garage, and a helipad.

"To be precise," Tony smirked, removing his helmet, "this is just one of my houses."

Before Shen He could respond, two men in black suits approached.

One was Phil Coulson.

The other was a tall, bald man with a single eye and a signature black trench coat—Nick Fury.

"Gentlemen," Fury's voice was sharp. "Normally, I'd say welcome to America. But right now, I want some damn answers."

He stepped forward, glaring at Shen He.

"You turned a whole street into a battlefield, put your giant mecha on public display, and do you have any idea how many civilians were injured?"

Shen He ignored the hostility and casually slapped the side of his mecha.

A bound and gagged man fell out.

"Here's your answer, Director. A captured Hydra agent. That enough for you?"

Fury's expression froze. "Impossible. Hydra was—"

"—defeated by Captain America decades ago?" Shen He cut in with a smirk. "That's cute. You really think they were wiped out?"

Fury's jaw tightened.

"They've been hiding under your nose for decades. The attack today? Just a small part of it." Shen He folded his arms. "We stumbled upon proof of their existence. That's why they sent an army to wipe us out."

Fury's face darkened.

"…Who the hell are you people?"

Shen He's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Didn't I already tell you?"

He took a step forward, his voice dropping just enough to add weight to his words.

"We're from the Human Security Organization."

"The Chaldea."

He met Fury's single eye.

"And you're not the only ones protecting this world from the shadows."

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