Chapter 98: Hill Agent’s Dedication, Shining Fruit

Ethan Hayes observed Agent Hill before him, listening to her request and sensing the sacrifice behind it. It wasn't just a request—he felt the weight of her confusion about the future, her desire for strength, and her resolve to pursue what she believed in, no matter the cost.

"Why go so far, Hill?" he murmured, a hint of weariness in his voice, a tone that felt beyond his youthful appearance. Before his journey to this world, he'd lived forty years; his young body now sometimes seemed at odds with the maturity that occasionally surfaced.

Agent Hill met his gaze, her resolve steady. "I've come this far. I wouldn't have removed my armor only to put it back on again," she replied, a subtle tension in her expression. Her rise within S.H.I.E.L.D. had been one of duty and sacrifice, a life centered on honor, never lowering herself lightly. And yet, here she was, ready to do whatever was necessary, trusting that the Ice Demon wasn't a mindless villain.

Ethan smiled, leaning back thoughtfully. "In your eyes, am I good or evil?" he asked suddenly.

Hill sipped her wine and responded with a knowing look. "Most people aren't purely good or evil. The world is gray; everyone's driven by motives. The ones I've met, though—they're mostly swayed by self-interest, often at the expense of others."

Ethan nodded. "The adult world runs on profit." He paused, grinning. "But I like to think I'm a good person."

Hill laughed, catching herself quickly. She looked at him with newfound curiosity, her posture tense. This wasn't easy, and he could see her struggle even as she steadied herself.

"Do you not believe me?" he asked, amused.

"It's hard to believe anything these days," she replied. "The world's more chaotic than ever. What we're seeing is just the beginning of a tragedy. You might think S.H.I.E.L.D. is secure, but half the universe could vanish with the snap of a finger if certain forces aren't contained."

Ethan watched her intently. He was familiar with the storylines, with the fate awaiting Earth if Thanos managed to gather all the Infinity Stones. The hint of reverence in Hill's expression was new, though—she was beginning to understand the weight of his words.

"Are you joking?" Hill's brow furrowed as she looked at him seriously.

"You obtained the Tesseract when you revived the captain, right? You know it holds incredible energy, but I bet you don't fully understand its danger," Ethan said, gesturing for her to sit next to him on the sofa. Hesitantly, Hill settled beside him, and he poured her another glass.

"Tell me about it," Hill urged, the curiosity genuine in her tone.

Ethan leaned in. "The Tesseract is just a container. Inside it lies the Space Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones created from the essence of singularities that existed before the Big Bang. Together, they contain the universe's boundless power. And if gathered, they can fulfill any wish."

Hill's eyes widened as she listened, absorbing the enormity of the concept. "So… in the future, someone could gather these stones, snap their fingers, and…?"

"And erase half the universe," Ethan replied, his gaze steady. "But that's the future without me."

Just then, his system, silent for so long, jolted to life:

"Collection of Infinite Gems: For each Infinity Gem collected, a golden blind box will be awarded. Upon collecting all six, the host will also receive ten black blind boxes."

The mission had finally arrived. Ethan thought back to the storylines he knew, realizing that the Space Stone wasn't the only one currently on Earth. The Time Stone was held by the Ancient One, and somewhere beneath the earth in the U.K., the Reality Stone awaited.

Hill looked at him, intrigued yet cautious. "You really believe you can change this?"

Ethan smiled confidently. "Yes, and you'll see for yourself." His gaze softened as he poured her another glass, watching the determination in her eyes.

With a resolve that surprised even herself, Agent Hill took a deep breath and leaned in. The storm finally found its release as the night stretched on. Afterwards, Hill lay on the sofa, a strange sense of satisfaction lingering. She glanced at him, wondering how Natasha Romanoff had ever turned this man down.

After some time, Ethan drifted into a peaceful sleep. Hill quietly dressed, slipping out of the villa and into her car, the taste of the evening still fresh in her mind. This wasn't the last time she'd find herself drawn to him, but she knew better than to use the favor lightly.

"A promise… a wish… does he think he's a god?" she murmured, a faint smile on her lips. As she drove back, an unshakable feeling of satisfaction settled within her.

Once she left, Ethan's eyes opened, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He had expected the aftermath to be awkward, but things had gone more smoothly than anticipated. He was pleased with his ability to subtly influence her emotions, knowing that, over time, the seeds he had planted would blossom.

Turning his attention to the system's notifications, he glanced over his updated stats:

Host: Ethan Hayes

Wealth Value: 86.06675 billion points

Desire Points: 688 million points

Abilities:

• Strength of Mammoth, Dragon Pulse

• Frozen Fruit (Level 3)

• Burning Fruit (Level 3)

• Master of the Mind (Master Level)

• Water Control Magic (Master Level)

• Skills: Baji Phantom Fist (Transformation Realm), Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu (Peak Level)

Blind Boxes Available: Purple (1), Black (1)

Current Missions:

1. Destined Encounter: Achieve a significant bond with a special heroine for rewards.

2. Infinity Gem Collection: Collect each Infinity Gem for a golden blind box, with a grand reward for collecting all six.

The last time he checked his progress, his wealth had grown by over six billion, and his desire points had increased by around eighteen million, a testament to his influence.

Looking at his blind boxes, Ethan grinned. "System, open the purple blind box."

A solid purple box appeared in his hands, carrying the familiar, satisfying weight. As he opened it, a radiant light emerged, slowly condensing into a new devil fruit—the Shining Fruit, golden and vibrant.

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Shining Fruit of the Natural Devil Fruit category."

Ethan couldn't help but smile at his fortune.

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD OF EVERYONE FOR ONLY $7!

LINK: patr eon.com/SenatusPopulus

ALSO CHECK MY OTHER PROJECTS!

Naruto: Masters of Strategy?