S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
The Triskelion.
Many high-ranking officials were gathered, including Nick Fury, Hill, Coulson, Agent Melinda May, Black Widow, Pierce, Crossbones, and Sylvite.
Nick Fury said, "Since everyone is here, let's begin."
"Yes!"
Maria Hill, who was presiding over the meeting, stepped forward. "Thirty minutes ago, a fierce battle broke out in the National Forest Park. Everyone, please watch the video."
After the lights dimmed, a video began to play.
Because of the shooting angle and the phone's poor quality, the footage was blurry and shaky, but even so, it immediately captured everyone's attention.
"Team A, full fire!"
"Where are the .50-caliber sniper rifles? Fire, fire now!"
Following General Ross's command, the heavy machine guns and large-caliber sniper rifles in the hands of the soldiers opened fire, showering the Hulk with bullets.
But what shocked everyone was that even the .50-caliber bullets couldn't penetrate the Hulk's skin—they barely fazed him.
What kind of monster was this?
Was he really a flesh-and-blood being like a human?
A .50-caliber bullet could blow a hole through a dinosaur with the cavitation effect alone.
Was he a demon that crawled out of hell?
Although everyone had heard of the Hulk two years ago, hearing was one thing; the impact and shock of witnessing him in video form was entirely different.
In the video, the battle continued.
The Hulk roared, charging straight into artillery shells, and with one swing of his arm, he flipped an armored vehicle.
With a single charge, he intercepted a high-speed armored carrier and effortlessly lifted it above his head, then brutally used it as a weapon, smashing another armored vehicle into a "pancake."
He even used a car like a "shot put," throwing it with enough force to tear a long-range assault vehicle in half.
The two sonic cannons fired simultaneously, their powerful output blasting even the formidable Bronski off his feet.
But even this cutting-edge weapon only suppressed the Hulk for ten seconds before he tore it apart.
Gunfire, the Hulk's enraged roars, the cries of wounded soldiers, the explosions of cars and armored vehicles—
The battlefield was engulfed in smoke and fire. The helicopter crash, followed by a massive explosion that lit up the sky, pushed the battle's intensity to its peak.
When they saw the Hulk shielding Betty with his own body, several female Agents were instantly touched. Though rough and savage, the Hulk clearly had a soft side.
A real-life Beauty and the Beast?
Even Natasha, a heroine among heroines, couldn't help but admire Betty deeply.
Not everyone had the courage to fall in love with "Shrek the Monster."
The male Agents, meanwhile, praised the Hulk. Protecting a beautiful woman at the brink of death—now that was a real man.
They even began worrying about the Hulk—
But when the flames faded and the unharmed Hulk appeared, holding Betty gently, they all breathed in relief—then fell silent.
Agents are Agents. Even if they felt a bit emotional, they still approached problems differently from ordinary people.
The video ended abruptly, and the lights brightened again.
Yet no one spoke. Everyone frowned, deep in thought.
S.H.I.E.L.D.—the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division—was created by the International Security Council to deal with unusual incidents.
"Unusual" did not only refer to supernatural events. Attack, defense, logistics—anything threatening national security fell within their jurisdiction.
An event like the Hulk, far beyond public understanding, naturally fell under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s responsibility.
But precisely because of that, everyone was troubled.
The Hulk was immensely strong, tall, fast, capable of enormous leaps, immune to gunfire—and even sonic cannons were nearly useless.
He had no blind spots, no weaknesses. Could they actually handle such a being?
Agents were human, not movie heroes wearing suits, driving flashy supercars, picking up girls, and saving the world in passing.
Infiltration, surveillance, assassination, intelligence gathering—these were their specialties.
In direct combat, none of them believed they could surpass a fully armed military force.
Hill adjusted the projector and continued introducing intelligence on the Hulk:
"The Hulk, real name Bruce Banner, was originally a genius physicist with seven doctorates. Two years ago, a gamma-ray pulse experiment accident occurred… The angrier and more enraged the Hulk becomes, the stronger he grows. His upper limit is currently unknown… His blood is toxic and highly infectious…"
Nick Fury said, "Regarding the capture of the Hulk, speak freely. Any opinions?"
Speak? About what? Speaking now meant taking responsibility!
The HYDRA members all lowered their heads, pretending to be ostriches. Director Pierce's eyes drooped sleepily, as if suffering from sudden senility.
The atmosphere became awkward, and even Nick Fury looked strained.
He glanced at Coulson. As his right-hand man, shouldn't he step up at a moment like this?
Coulson broke into a sweat. With his ability, he wouldn't survive even a single blow from the Hulk.
But that intense gaze from his superior…
After a long silence, Coulson finally spoke. "If only Captain America were here."
Nick Fury: "…"
The Agents: "…"
Captain America had been missing for decades. They understood Coulson admired him, but this was getting ridiculous.
Natasha raised her hand.
"Go ahead," Fury said.
Natasha said, "The Hulk has strong defense, immense strength, and is immune to fire and sound waves. What about tranquilizers or toxins?"
Nick Fury shook his head. "According to General Ross, toxins and tranquilizers have almost no effect on the Hulk."
Natasha continued, "What if we use them before Banner transforms? For example, shoot him with a Barrett from eight hundred meters."
Nick Fury shook his head again. "Banner will transform as long as he feels anger, fear, or pain. Even if you blow his head off as Banner, the intense pain will trigger the transformation instantly. And once transformed, he heals almost immediately."
Everyone: "…"
So he literally had no weaknesses? What was the point of this meeting? They might as well go home and sleep!
Currently, the only known superheroes were Captain America and Iron Man.
Captain America was missing, possibly dead. As for Iron Man—forget it. His suit wouldn't even last two rounds against the Hulk.
Nick Fury had a pounding headache. "We raise troops for a thousand days for a single moment of use." Yet the military had already expressed their dissatisfaction. If they remained helpless against the Hulk, the Council might even question whether S.H.I.E.L.D. should continue existing.
Natasha said thoughtfully, "Director, perhaps we can ask that person. The other side might also have movies about the Hulk…"
Movies?
Many Agents with insufficient clearance looked confused. Those with higher clearance grew thoughtful.
Nick Fury reluctantly nodded. He truly didn't want to involve Rimuru.
A parallel universe was a far bigger headache than a single Hulk.
But now, there was no other choice…
"I'll leave this matter to you. Once it's handled, I'll approve six months of paid leave and a bonus of three million dollars."
"Thank you, Director!" Natasha smiled brilliantly. A subordinate who couldn't share their superior's burdens was not a good subordinate.
She had made the right bet. With this move, the benefits she gained were substantial.
Going to Rimuru for information was far easier and safer than confronting the Hulk head-on.
If it worked, she would profit greatly; if it failed, she lost nothing.
Hearing the generous rewards, everyone was filled with envy and resentment.
More importantly, many were thinking about what "movies" meant—and who "that person" was.
Director Pierce, who moments ago had been feigning senility, suddenly grew alert. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind instantly.
...
Dont forget to donate power stones