006. I Heard You're Lucky?

S.H.I.E.L.D., formally known as the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, was a top-secret organization in the country. It had some of the world's brightest technical minds. If their best couldn't crack this combination lock, yet a complete outsider could—then there were only two possibilities:

The guy was smarter than he let on.He somehow knew the password.

If he knew the password, it meant one thing: he was working against S.H.I.E.L.D. But why, then, would he open the door for them? It didn't add up—unless there was a bigger scheme at play.

So far, though, Jiang Chen had given Black Widow no reason to suspect foul play. Yet, her instincts, honed from years of espionage, told her to stay alert. Something about this guy felt... off.

Her gaze sharpened. "Who are you? Superhuman? Mutant? What's your real purpose?"

Jiang Chen held up his hands in defense, flashing his most innocent expression. "Honestly, I'm just a regular guy who got lucky."

A snort of derision came through the communicator. "Lucky? If someone can open that lock just by luck, then that's one hell of a miracle. I suggest he buy a lottery ticket. He'd probably become the richest man in the world."

Black Widow's frown deepened. The concept of luck didn't sit well with her. No one was just that lucky. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that Jiang Chen was genuinely sincere. Despite his obvious absurdity, there was no malice in his body language, his words, or his demeanor.

If he's telling the truth, then he could be a useful ally, she mused. But if he's lying...

One thing was clear: this guy was far too unpredictable to leave unchecked. She'd have to bring him in—better to let Director Fury sort out the psychological warfare. No one outmatches Fury in that game.

Just then, the technician's voice crackled over the comms again: "Captain, this laser grid is powered by high-voltage energy. The intensity is enough to slice through anyone in seconds. Worse, it reacts to movement."

Black Widow clenched her jaw. "How long will it take to disable it?"

"About a minute, maybe less."

She looked at the laser-laden tunnel with growing frustration. Then, a wicked grin curled on her lips as her gaze shifted toward Jiang Chen.

"You said you were lucky, right?" she teased. "Why don't you go first?"

Jiang Chen's heart sank. What? Did I just get volunteered as the guinea pig?

Staring at the maze of crisscrossing lasers, his mind filled with images from horror films—Resident Evil, Cube, and countless others where lasers sliced people to bits. His scalp tingled.

"Umm... If I step on that, won't I be shredded to pieces?" Jiang Chen asked hesitantly.

Black Widow nodded nonchalantly. "Pretty much."

Jiang Chen blinked. "Who designs these things? That's just... twisted."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of Black Widow's lips. Laser cutting device? She was mildly entertained by his ridiculousness.

But then, as quickly as it appeared, her amusement faded. "Your time's running out. You've got thirty seconds."

Jiang Chen hesitated, unsure if she was bluffing. "Wait, wait. Can't we—"

"If you don't move," Black Widow interrupted, her voice icy, "I'll activate your electric shock bracelet."

In truth, Black Widow wasn't planning to send Jiang Chen through the deadly tunnel. She just wanted to see how he would react. If he was as lucky as he claimed, maybe he'd surprise her. Besides, it wasn't every day she encountered someone this enigmatic—and entertaining.

Jiang Chen glanced at her, realizing she wasn't joking. He let out a long sigh and took a cautious step toward the lasers.

Alright, he thought. Let's see how far this luck can take me.

Black Widow leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching with a bemused expression. He won't make it through by luck alone, she thought, certain of it.