"This is the Resonator—Professor Wilson's most important research."
Standing before the circular device, Ronak reached out and gently brushed his hand across it before explaining, "Professor Wilson believed the pineal gland is humanity's dormant sensory organ. If we could activate it, we'd be able to see the hidden world."
"However, the Resonator is broken now. I destroyed it myself."
"Otherwise, I don't know what terrifying things might have come through."
Hearing his explanation, Natasha immediately pressed her intercom, instructing the S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel to come upstairs and repair the Resonator.
After inspecting it, the S.H.I.E.L.D. researchers confirmed it could be fixed, but the repairs would take several hours.
Under Natasha's direction, the team began their work.
Outwardly, Lynn appeared to be simply examining the machine's surface. In truth, he was quietly absorbing the residual Power of Death within it.
When the last trace of that energy was drawn into him, Lynn glanced at his system interface—his Harbinger of Death progress bar had risen from 1% to 2%.
It was a pleasant surprise.
Compared to the faint energy within lingering spirits bound by obsession, pure Power of Death was far more efficient for his growth.
Lynn, who had initially planned to just watch from the sidelines, suddenly became enthusiastic. He even joined the S.H.I.E.L.D. researchers in repairing the resonator himself.
Although he didn't know how to fix it, he could still help by passing tools and assisting where needed.
Once the resonator was repaired and activated, he might be able to absorb an even greater amount of Power of Death.
Noticing Lynn's change from relaxed observer to active participant, Natasha grew curious.
She squatted beside him, her alluring figure perfectly accentuated as she asked, "Why are you suddenly so excited?"
"It's nothing," Lynn replied casually. "I just want to see those so-called creatures from another dimension that Ronak mentioned. Even though I'm an agent of the Manhattan Police Precinct, I'm still curious about strange things like this."
Black Widow clearly didn't believe him, but she didn't press further. Instead, she stood up, walked over to the sofa, and reclined lazily.
Seeing there was nothing left for him to help with, Lynn sighed regretfully, then got up and sat down on the sofa as well.
After a moment's thought, Lynn took a piece of chocolate from his pocket, broke it in half, and handed one piece to Black Widow. "Want some?"
"Thank you."
Accepting the chocolate, Natasha gave a teasing smile. "A man who always carries chocolate? Trying to please the ladies?"
"Not really."
Seeing Steve wave off the offer, Lynn leaned back on the sofa, savoring the sweetness. "Life's already bitter enough. Naturally, I need a little sweetness to balance it out."
"Oh?"
Hearing that, Natasha shifted into a lazy pose. "You're not that old, but you sound pretty philosophical. Did you read that in some book to impress naive girls?"
"Come on, Agent Natasha," Lynn replied with a faint grin. "In a society this open, do you really think there are any naive adult girls left?"
After finishing the chocolate, he buttoned his trench coat and leaned back on the sofa, dozing off.
The researchers busied themselves with repairs, Steve stood guard, Ronak crouched by the wall, and Natasha—though seemingly relaxed—was ready to move at any moment.
Only Lynn's carefree attitude seemed out of place, as if he were here not to investigate, but simply to enjoy the scenery.
By the time the clock struck seven, darkness had already fallen.
The resonator was finally repaired.
Woken by Natasha, Lynn stretched lazily.
"I really envy how relaxed you are," she said.
"Otherwise?" Lynn rolled his shoulders with a shrug. "With S.H.I.E.L.D. here and two superheroes on standby, what do I have to be nervous about?"
"Mr. Ronak, the resonator has been repaired. You can try activating it now."
Standing in front of him, Steve spoke firmly, "If what you've said is true, this could help clear you of both psychiatric confinement and criminal charges."
Hearing Captain America's words, Ronak stepped toward the resonator.
He pressed several buttons in sequence, then turned to the others. "Remember—no matter what you see or what happens next, don't act rashly."
"When the resonator is activated, the creatures from other dimensions we see will also be able to see us... But as long as we don't move, they won't attack."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Seeing this, Ronak took a deep breath and flipped the circuit breaker.
As the resonator began to hum and vibrate, an inexplicable gust of wind swept through the sealed laboratory.
The sudden draft made Natasha and Steve exchange wary glances—Natasha drew her pistol, while Steve gripped his shield, ready for anything.
Lynn, however, kept his gaze fixed on the resonator. As it fully activated, waves of Death Energy surged within it.
Sensing this, Lynn quietly began to absorb the energy without hesitation.
As the Power of Death flowed steadily into his body, the Harbinger of Death progress bar began to soar.
[3%... 4%... 5%... 6%...]
Watching the numbers climb, Lynn's excitement grew.
He couldn't wait to see what new power awaited him once the Harbinger of Death identity was fully awakened.
But before he could think further, a burst of purple light flooded the room, engulfing everyone.
In the next moment, a sharp pain pierced their foreheads—then they saw them.
Dozens of translucent jellyfish and eel-like creatures floated through the air, pulsing faintly with otherworldly light.
Seeing the scene before her, a flicker of shock crossed Natasha's eyes.
She hadn't expected Ronak's words to be true—the resonator had actually revealed creatures from another dimension.
One of the S.H.I.E.L.D. researchers, unable to resist his curiosity, took a cautious step forward and reached out to touch the jellyfish-like forms.
"Don't move!"
Ronak shouted in alarm, but his warning came too late.
The moment the researcher moved, the jellyfish and eels that had been floating peacefully in the air suddenly lunged toward him.
Their sharp, needle-like mouths sank into his body.
The man's agonized scream filled the lab.
Natasha reacted instantly, raising her gun and firing several shots at the creatures—
but the bullets passed straight through their translucent forms without leaving a mark.
Steve leapt forward, interposing his shield and swinging it to drive the entities away, but it was useless.
The things clung to the researcher, feeding, as his piercing screams echoed through the entire laboratory.