"I understand," Coulson nodded helplessly.
It seemed that even a supernatural intelligence agency like S.H.I.E.L.D., recognized by the five major nations, had to bow to reality at times!
Not everyone was someone S.H.I.E.L.D. could touch... But then, Coulson asked thoughtfully:
"Director, the Agent you just mentioned who is suitable for contacting Ryan Parker... you don't mean Agent Romanoff, do you?"
"Wasn't she seriously injured while escorting that Iranian nuclear engineer last time? Has she recovered already?"
Nick Fury had no intention of hiding it from his confidant and admitted:
"Correct, the Agent I'm referring to is indeed Natasha. For someone like Ryan Parker, who holds a chaotic stance, Natasha—who was once in a similar position—is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate to contact him..."
"As for the gunshot wound she received from that mysterious Winter Soldier last time, don't worry. Her body was once modified by the Red Room. While she's not as strong as a Super Soldier, her recovery rate is beyond that of an ordinary person. She's mostly recovered by now..."
"It's just that lately, she's been quite sentimental about the fact that she can no longer wear a bikini because of the gunshot wound on her abdomen."
Hearing this, Coulson shook his head. "For a woman, especially a beautiful one, that is indeed quite cruel..."
But soon, Nick Fury's laughter came through again:
"But that was before. It's different now. I just pre-ordered a batch of regeneration serum from Parker Industries' official website. Once the regeneration serum arrives, that scar on her belly won't be a problem anymore!"
Coulson was speechless. "So, Director, you're actually snatching up Parker Industries' regeneration serum yourself? Then why did you have me investigate them..."
Nick Fury said as if it were only natural:
"One thing is one thing. I had you investigate because I wanted to confirm if Ryan Parker's identity is 'venom'."
"As for the regeneration serum, why wouldn't I buy something so good? It's not expensive anyway, and I've pre-ordered the highest-grade stock. When it arrives, I'll give you, Natasha, Clint, and Hill each one to save your lives!"
Hearing Nick Fury's extravagant words, Coulson's eyelid twitched violently. Was S.H.I.E.L.D. really this rich?
regeneration serum at $19,998 a bottle, and he's buying in bulk?
Then why did he work so much every month yet his salary was so low?
Thus, Coulson couldn't help but ask with a hint of employee resentment, "Director, since S.H.I.E.L.D. has plenty of funds now, about the raise I mentioned last time, do you think..."
Before Coulson could finish, Nick Fury immediately interrupted him:
"Hello? Hello? Coulson? I can't seem to hear you. I'm on the Helicarrier during a test flight; the signal might be bad!"
"Anyway, you don't need to worry about Natasha. Get back here quickly. I have another important mission for you. That 'Big Guy' we've been monitoring has shown some movement. I need you to prepare to make contact with him!"
After dropping those last words, Nick Fury hung up immediately, giving Coulson no chance to continue the salary discussion or refuse the mission.
Leaving only Coulson, looking at his disconnected phone, wanting to cry but having no tears:
"Contact the 'Big Guy'? Oh God, I'd rather get shot like Natasha. Making me contact the 'Big Guy' is just too cruel..."
But at S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury's orders were absolute. So, no matter how much he didn't want to, Coulson could only steel himself—despite having no hair on his head—and walk toward his beloved car, 'Lola', with a look of grim determination.
He hoped he wouldn't be smashed into a meat patty by that 'Big Guy' this time... However, as Coulson left, he didn't notice that the shadow on the ceiling of the corner where he had just been suddenly squirmed. Then, a small silver-purple snake actually crawled out of the shadows.
It gave a human-like glance in the direction Coulson had left, then turned into a streak of purple lightning and vanished instantly!
When it reappeared, the small silver-purple snake was already in Ryan's hand, backstage at the Oscorp press conference.
Now that the establishment of Parker Industries had been announced, there wasn't much left for Ryan and the other partners to do. It was basically Dr. Connors' solo show now.
So, the four of them went backstage to sit down, drink tea, and chat, strengthening their bond.
After all, none of their identities—whether public or hidden—were simple. Taking the opportunity to get to know each other better was beneficial for everyone.
For instance, in just this short time, Tony and Kingpin had already reached a cooperation agreement.
Of course, it wasn't about arms; Tony would never sell weapons to the mob.
The cooperation he reached with Kingpin was to install a large arc reactor for Fisk Tower, replacing the ridiculously expensive commercial electricity rates from the New York City municipality.
Not just Kingpin's Fisk Tower; Ryan also planned to have Tony switch the power supply of the Oscorp Tower—which Harry had given him—to a large arc reactor once it was renamed Parker Building.
After all, while the electric eel bio-power system designed by Max was indeed good, it still couldn't match the powerful electrical energy of Tony's arc reactor.
However, Tony's installation of the large reactor and subsequent equipment replacements for Kingpin's Fisk Tower would cost money.
In contrast, the installation and subsequent equipment replacements Tony provided for Parker Industries were completely free.
After all, Tony was also a shareholder in Parker Industries; what sense would it make to charge for installing equipment in his own company?
Just as they finished their business talk during the chat, Tony and Kingpin saw the silver-purple snake suddenly appear in Ryan's hand like lightning, and a flash of surprise crossed their eyes.
Before they could ask, Ryan toyed with the Symbiote snake—which was Riot in disguise—while reading the memory images it had just seen, and explained to the two:
"This thing is called a Symbiote. It's an alien parasitic organism brought back from outer space by the Life Foundation. It can grant its host power far beyond their own, as well as some special abilities, like the lightning you just saw."
Kingpin nodded thoughtfully, more or less understanding.
After all, he was the one who had provided Ryan with the intelligence regarding the Life Foundation's spaceship last time.
He just hadn't expected the Symbiotes brought back by the Life Foundation to be so special. Had he known, he would have taken a hand in it, at least to get one for himself.
As for Tony, he wasn't that interested in Symbiotes. Compared to such eerie alien organisms, he still placed more trust in the mechanical technology he built with his own hands.