Chapter 1309: Interstellar Big Stage (Sixteen)_1

"According to the medical report, the symptoms of your so-called 'inner demons' are actually organ damage, or at least result in organ damage. Therefore, I'm afraid you'll need to recuperate here for a while if you don't want to vomit one of your organs upon your return home."

Shiller stood at Xu Shang-Chi's bedside holding a medical report while the latter, lying in bed, did not look too comfortable. He was sweating profusely; a result of discomfort and the anxiety of Natasha's intimidating presence in the room.

Being face-to-face with Natasha, the beautiful Irish-headed female Agent that many transmigrators fantasized about, Xu Shang-Chi could not even muster the courage to appreciate her beauty.

Natasha was the Soviet Union-trained super agent, the Black Widow. When she was not trying to seduce people in disguise, she only reminded one of certain dark tortures.

Or rather, every Agent in this room was capable of the same feat. Their professional lives had honed them into military daggers with enough lethality to terrify people, reveal their true colors at one glance. Being an agent was all about being able to do this.

Xu Shang-Chi realized that his beautiful fantasies about Marvel World have ended right here in this hospital room.

The reality was that S.H.I.E.L.D. is nothing like how many transmigration works portray it - a place where one could come and go as one pleases - as if it was the backyard of The Avengers and their friends.

This base was a highly dangerous agency base. Being a normal person chosen to participate in the investigation of superpower users is proof of their exceptional capabilities; to have at least reached the peak of what a regular human being could achieve.

A fresh graduate with no formal training in emotional control and psychological manipulation like Xu Shang-Chi had his innermost thoughts completely exposed under the cold, scrutinizing gazes of the agents around him.

Having conveyed Shang-Chi's examination results, Doctor Shiller turned to Natasha. "Madam, I understand you are eager for a result. However, I believe for the time being you can focus on the investigation of the incident. This young man needs a considerable amount of rest - physical healing, mental recovery. Otherwise, I can't guarantee the precision of the results from the inquiry."

Natasha, arms folded, displayed a look of dissatisfaction. She shot a wary glance at Shiller, said, "Fine, Doctor Schiller. If Director Nick trusts you, then we will also trust your judgement. I can give you at most two weeks to assist him in regaining his optimal condition and then provide some useful leads... Let's go."

Xu Shang-Chi saw the subtlety of conflict between Natasha and Shiller - a conflict between security personnel and scientific researchers. Although young, Xu Shang-Chi was not a fool; he knew who he could rely on.

"Doctor, you have to help me!" As soon as Natasha left, Xu Shang-Chi's eyes were fixed on Doctor Schiller. Propping himself up on his bed using his elbows, he stared at Schiller and exclaimed, "They want to interrogate me. I must escape from here!"

"Alright, calm down for a bit." Shiller calmly took a seat on the chair next to him. "Things are not as serious as you think. These agents are just very good at creating a serious atmosphere. But honestly, you are not that important."

"They just want to know the details of your conflict with the police that day to investigate who was trying to smear Skyway Transport Technology."

"The problem is, I don't know any details!" Xu Shang-Chi raised his tone, "By the time I reacted, a bullet was already lodged in the back of my head. When they attacked, I hadn't even transmigrated yet."

"Moreover, weren't there a lot of other people present that day? Why are they only bothering me?" Xu Shang-Chi felt acutely wronged.

"Because you are a superpower user under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction," Shiller shook his head. "The others are under the Federal Bureau of Investigation's jurisdiction. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating you to shift the blame on S.H.I.E.L.D, but it turns out that you do possess a superpower."

"That's why Natasha takes such a strong dislike to you. The FBI's actions forced S.H.I.E.L.D. to join the investigation to not be blamed, further burdening their already overwhelming workload. How could they not resent you?"

Xu Shang-Chi's face drained of color. He looked up at Shiller, who gave a confirming nod. "Yes, the stories you've heard at home about American police and agents committing some inhuman acts are true. Moreover, they could be even more brutal."

"What should I do then?" Xu Shang-Chi was utterly panicked.

He had fantasies about enjoying a carefree life in the world of superheroes after getting a second life - making friends with heroes from The Avengers, training his martial arts, or opening a company to earn money capitalizing on his advanced knowledge, perhaps even experiencing a romantic incident.

But more profoundly grounded was his past life experience of two decades - having never broken the law, with the only time he had sought police assistance was due to his lost mobile phone. He had never witnessed armed police trotting heavily all over town or cruel-looking agents.

The superheroes of Marvel World were, after all, a minority - not all common people revolved around superheroes. Aside from the fantasy-filled heroic stories, American law enforcement methods and standards do not differ much from the America of the normal world Xu Shang-Chi had lived in - highlighted by practices such as entrapment and emptying of bullet chambers.

Each country had its unique national conditions - most Americans were willing or had adapted to this. But for a Chinese who had suddenly parachuted here, this world was just too crazy.

Previously, the identity of Shang-Chi that Xu Shang-Chi took over was working part-time in a restaurant in Chinatown. Although it was located in the U.S., it was filled with familiar faces and had a relatively good security situation. Asian rarely stir up trouble with guns.

Moving from that life to being captured and brought to S.H.I.E.L.D., facing all these ferocious agents - the stark contrast was too much to bear. For an ordinary college student, the slightest panic would be filled with horrifying imaginations of torture interrogation; they would be utterly nonplussed.

"Why am I so unlucky?!" Xu Shang-Chi lamented, "Others transmigrate, some seduce Black Widow, some save Iron Man, why is S.H.I.E.L.D. in this world so powerful?! Weren't there only a few agents in the movie with half of them slacking off?!"

"As you said, that's just a movie." Shiller shook his head and gently spoke, "Why do you think a neophyte college graduate could make Black Widow fall for him at first sight? And where did you get the guts to chase a woman called 'Black Widow'?"

"Saving Iron Man is also nonsense. Even if you didn't save him, Tony Stark would have made it back by himself. Based on his temperament then, he might have only thought you were a nuisance."

Xu Shang-Chi was immediately choked up, because he found what Shiller said was quite sensible.

Watching a movie for leisure without chasing logic is fine, but if realities are brought in, many instances in the transmigrating scenes are preposterous.

Regardless of the types of men Natasha has encountered over the years, even if they are heavenly good-looking, at most it would be a one-night stand. Black Widow's identity determines that she cannot be a reliance for anyone. Agents have always been tools and possess no right to make decisions.

At the very beginning, before Iron Man had his great epiphany, his temperament was detestable and he thought he was the most important in the world. He wouldn't even listen to Little Pepper – who else would he listen to?

At this point, Xu Shang-Chi, clutching onto his last straw, turned to Shiller and asked: "What about Spider-Man? Where is Spider-man? Is he going to just sit and watch such an abuse of power by these agents?"

"Spider-man is very busy," Shiller replied. "Why don't you consider this, adding the heavy burden of being a superhero to your university studies and intern life, do you think you would have the time to keep an eye on all the incidents happening around New York?"

Xu Shang-Chi felt a bit desperate, because he realized he indeed didn't have the time.

During his senior year, he attended makeup classes in the morning to earn credits, took the two-hour commute to his corporate internship in the afternoon, and busy until late midnight before returning. If he has to go out to fight crimes, even sleep would become a luxury, not to mention wandering on the streets.

Since Xu Shang-Chi is now in the Marvel world, he has no choice but to face everything here with a realistic perspective. The fact is, Spider-Man is only one person, and New York has nearly ten million people. He's just one among the ten million – how lucky would he be to bump into Spider-Man?

Just then, he turned to Shiller again, clutching desperately onto the last straw, "How did you get this job? I mean, how did you manage to settle down here?"

Honestly, before realizing this coneundrum, Xu Shang-Chi was somewhat disdainful. After all, he was a young man full of passion, believing that since he had the chance to relive life, he definitely ought to achieve something.

More importantly, which movie fan hasn't dreamt of chasing their favorite movie stars in real life, becoming friends with The Avengers, and reversing their tragic pasts?

Moreover, some transmigrators who have critiqued these superheroes from an objective perspective, can't help but see them as rigid dolls, thinking that they could utilize the character's traits they learned from the movies to get the upper hand, even exceed these superheroes.

So Xu Shang-Chi reasoned, having transmigrated into Marvel and only working as a psychologist was a waste of his second life. If he doesn't do any spectacular feats with the superheroes or even have his own business, how is he different from a dead fish?

But now he realizes, his not-so-strong or controllable superpower can't be his trump card. Aside from his superpower and identity, it's not easy for him to get steady work in this chaotic Marvel world relying solely on his innate abilities.

After all, his previous life's academic qualifications are not recognized here, and as an Asian, he is easily discriminated against. Trapped in the battle between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, he's facing a hell of a start.

Xu Shang-Chi heaved a deep sigh, feeling his fantasized dreams shattered.

Fortunately, he is an educated young man with a high adaptability. He understands his main goal is not to get to know superheroes or become one himself, but to solve his immediate predicament. He is certain, he couldn't withstand being tortured.

Observing Xu Shang-Chi's panicked and dejected expressions, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Shiller's eyes, and then he answered Xu Shang-Chi's question.

"Your previous life was a college student, and I was a psychology professor. Although my credentials and experiences are not recognized, my knowledge remains in my brain."

"And, I am a mature adult with a stable emotional state. I have no interest in role-playing as a superhero. I was merely looking for a stable job where my talents wouldn't go unnoticed."

"Getting back to the point." Shiller leaned back on his chair and asked Xu Shang-Chi, "What did you major in college?"

Seeing the glint in Shiller's eyes, Xu Shang-Chi felt a bad premonition. He stammered, "...Civil...Civil...Civil...Civil...Civil Engineering."

"Very good, which university?"

"Tongji University," he replied.

"Great, how were your grades?"

"Top 5% GPA, all credits completed and interned at the China Railway Second Bureau."

"Excellent, start by getting a postgraduate degree at MIT, and then head into construction work."

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