Sorcerer?
Linen didn't answer Natasha's question.
That said, the abilities granted to him by the system were indeed quite similar to those of a mage.
Inside the car—
"This is your reward for this time!"
Handing over $30,000, Jessica smiled. "So, how much do you have saved now? You always said you wanted to buy an apartment, right? If it's not enough, I can lend you some."
Taking the cash, Linen replied casually, "Forget it. I can't scam your money after already getting your body—there are principles to these things."
Jessica rolled her eyes, while Linen calmly divided the money into three shares.
Two shares went to Jessica—she was the one who used her contacts to find cases, so she deserved her cut.
The remaining share went to Barbara, who handled logistics and finances. Dealing with the IRS was practically a battle in itself.
After all, the IRS was the largest "legal gang" in America. Finding someone like Barbara, who could always find clever ways to avoid taxes, was a rare treasure.
As a financial officer, Barbara had already saved enough money for a car just from the cases she'd handled since the founding of the Paranormal Investigation Agency.
"Jessica and I will graduate next year!"
Leaning back in her seat and taking her share, Barbara grinned. "I don't plan on slaving away for a company, earning scraps every month."
"Linen, why don't we start our own studio? Besides helping people solve supernatural incidents, we can also develop and sell mystical accessories."
"You know how Americans—and honestly, most of the West—are obsessed with mysterious stuff."
"The profits could be huge. Trust me, with my market sense and business instincts, if you agree, I guarantee that within a year, we could afford several apartments in Manhattan!"
Hearing Barbara's words, Jessica's eyes lit up. "If you're serious about this studio, leave all the legal paperwork to me."
"My dad's the Deputy Mayor of New York. With his connections, setting everything up will be a breeze."
"Besides, I can tap into resources from the upper-class circles. You know how superstitious they are about this kind of thing—they'll pay top dollar for it."
As the two women excitedly discussed their business plan, Linen started the car, smiling to himself.
He trusted Barbara's instincts; her market judgment was always sharp.
As for Jessica's claim that she could access the upper-class circle—he didn't doubt that either. After all, her father really was the Deputy Mayor.
Still, his recent encounter with Natasha had earned him five Creation Points.
Just five more, and he'd be able to "create" another video.
Meanwhile—
A truck drove into New York from Tennessee.
Ivan Vanko pulled over beside a gas station, stretched his back, and went inside to buy some supplies.
Nearby, several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were watching closely.
Inside the store—
"Twenty-three dollars," the cashier said as Ivan placed a pile of items on the counter.
Just as he was about to pay, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
Before he could react, dizziness struck, and he was slammed to the ground.
In an instant, several agents rushed in and restrained him.
The entire operation took less than three seconds—leaving Ivan completely disoriented.
Watching the agents secure Ivan Vanko, Maria Hill casually tossed a dollar on the counter to pay for his items, then stepped outside and opened his truck.
Inside, she found a suit of armor—similar in design to Tony Stark's, but clearly home-built.
Hill picked up her phone. "Director Fury, we've apprehended the target and found the armor."
"Good work," Fury's voice replied. "Bring him in immediately."
"Understood."
Hill hung up and gestured for the agents to load the confused Ivan into the transport vehicle.
At S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, inside Nick Fury's office—
"Hill's team has captured Ivan Vanko and recovered the whip armor we saw in the video."
Putting down his phone, Fury turned to Natasha. "Looks like with this 'Spoiler System,' we can prevent future events—or even stop them before they happen."
"By the way, did you meet with Linen today? What's your impression?"
Natasha shook her head. "Hard to say. The contact was brief. But one thing's clear—Linen is far more powerful than we initially thought."
She handed Fury the recording of Linen's exorcism from the villa.
"I plan to approach him under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s name," she continued. "Our supernatural division still has a lot of unresolved cases. Since Linen needs money and we need solutions, cooperation would benefit both sides. Over time, that's the easiest way to earn his trust."
Fury nodded. "Do it. But… do you think he'll ever agree to join S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"I doubt it," Natasha said with a faint smile. "Even after a short meeting, I could tell—he's not the type who's interested in following orders."
"In that case," Fury said, leaning back in his chair, "have Tony Stark come in. I want him to take a look at the captured Ivan Vanko."
Would you like me to continue with the next chapter—where Tony meets Ivan and the plot around the "Spoiler System" develops further—in this same cinematic, polished Marvel tone?
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