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*****
Coulson was just as shocked, but he had mentally prepared himself in advance—so he recovered fairly quickly.
When it came to Mike, anything was possible.
After going through incident after incident, he had come to accept this as truth.
He patted Blade on the shoulder, and when Blade turned his defiant face toward him, Coulson gave him a faint smile. "So… do you believe in miracles now?"
Blade nodded. "At this point, if you told me he was a god, I'd believe you."
Damn it, that is a god, right?
The two exchanged a look, their eyes full of awe and wonder.
Then, turning their gazes back, they saw the 'god' in question crouching down, seemingly saying something to Deacon Fes.
Money? Trying to buy his life?
Both of them froze.
Wait… this "god" knows how to do business like that?
Their faces darkened slightly.
Blade couldn't help but speak up. "If you let him go, that's as good as unleashing a disaster!"
This guy was cruel by nature—and he had murdered Blade's mother. Killing Deacon Fes was one of Blade's life goals.
Deacon's expression froze. He quickly said, "No, I won't! I'll go into hiding, disappear completely! I'll even go vegetarian starting today!"
"Bullshit!"
Blade angrily raised his gun and aimed it at Deacon's head. But just as he was about to pull the trigger, Mike turned to him with an annoyed look. "He's my prey. We're negotiating a deal."
As he said that, Mike winked at him.
Blade was taken aback for a second, his expression turning strange. He snorted coldly and didn't say another word.
Mike turned back to Deacon and said impatiently, "Transfer the money."
He handed Deacon his phone.
Deacon took the phone, gripping it tightly. "I'll send the money, but you have to let me go," he said. Then, looking at Mike and Blade, he added boldly, "And you both have to promise not to lay a hand on me."
As for the bald man who hadn't said a word this whole time? He was just a regular human. No threat at all.
Coulson blinked, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Did he just get completely ignored?
Seriously?
Mike paused a moment, then nodded. "Fine."
Blade's face darkened, but recalling Mike's wink from earlier, he restrained his impulse for now.
Still, he swore to himself: if Mike really let this guy walk, he'd take his shot—no matter the consequences, even if it meant being taken out by Mike himself.
Deacon looked at Mike and, realizing the man wasn't bluffing, breathed a sigh of relief.
Mike's really going to let me go just for money?
Someone with power like his—could he really need money?
No… it must be that damned morality of his holding him back.
Then… could money actually sway him?
Thoughts spun in Deacon's mind. He forced a flattering smile. "If it's money you want, I could work for you. I could bring in more—way more—if you let me stay by your side."
Mike raised a brow.
Quick on the uptake, huh? But…
Mike shook his head. "Cut the crap, or I'll change my mind."
Deacon's heart sank, though he kept grinning ingratiatingly.
He had zero room to negotiate. The gap between them was simply too massive.
Still, if he could just make it out of here alive… he'd make Mike regret this.
Money? Who cares about money?
If all his wealth could buy him even a one-percent chance of survival, he'd stake it all in a heartbeat.
So, clutching Mike's phone, he prepared to make the call—until Mike raised a hand.
"Hold on," Mike said.
He took his phone back and turned to Coulson. "You have a burner on you, right?"
Coulson nodded and handed over a disposable phone he carried.
Mike passed it to Deacon. "Now—call."
"You're quite the cautious one."
Deacon Fes was groveling so low he might as well be trying to bury himself underground.
"Cut the crap," Mike said impatiently.
Deacon quickly made the call.
As the line connected and he listened to his manager trying to talk him out of it with long-winded concerns, a storm of fury brewed inside him.
Idiot!
"Stop spewing nonsense! I said make the transfer—do it!"
He cursed lowly, then turned to Mike with a flattering smile. "Sir, the account number?"
Mike turned to look at Coulson.
Coulson looked utterly speechless, but still rattled off a long string of digits quickly and efficiently.
A few minutes later, Coulson confirmed that a massive sum had landed in the account.
Mike stood up and looked down at the prone Deacon Fes. "You can go now."
A spark of joy lit up Deacon's heart, but his body tensed with extreme caution.
If Mike went back on his word, he wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell.
Blade's hand went to the hilt of his sword. Deacon flinched—but saw Mike reach out and stop Blade.
Deacon gave Mike a grateful smile, bowed deeply, and slowly backed away. Then, he suddenly turned and sprinted toward the edge of the rooftop—leaping off without hesitation.
Blade roared in anger, while to Deacon, the wind in his face felt like the sweetest melody in the world.
He actually let me go!
He landed on the ground and took off running with all he had, giddy with disbelief and relief.
Blade was practically screaming. "You can't let him go!"
Mike turned to Blade with a faint smile. "I gave him my word. Neither you nor I will touch him. I won't break that promise."
"You—!"
"So I'm leaving it to Coulson."
He looked over at Coulson.
Coulson blinked. "Me?"
I'm not even close to being his match!
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Where's your S.H.I.E.L.D. backup? They should be nearby, right?"
Coulson scratched his head awkwardly. "When the police showed up to wrap things up, and it seemed like everything was under control, I… dismissed them."
Mike facepalmed, visibly exasperated. Blade looked like he was about to explode.
Then Mike reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. "Looks like it's all on you now, Coulson."
"Me?"
"Relax. I'll give you the power you need to take him down."
He waved the card in his hand.
Name: Bulbasaur
Description: A small Pokémon with Grass and Poison types. It carries a seed on its back.
Note: I'm not a garlic-shelled turtle!
This was one of the many joke cards Mike had created just for fun. He had no intention of using them himself.
But moments like this? Perfect opportunity.
The card shimmered, then dissolved into specks of light. A phantom image appeared behind Coulson—a toad-like creature with a garlic-shaped bulb on its back.
The illusion only lasted a moment before shooting into Coulson's body in a burst of glowing light.
A rush of power surged through him. Coulson could feel something… different.
Behind Mike, a finger pointed dramatically. "Go! Garlic-shelled turtle! The enemy's getting away!"
"…Huh?" Coulson froze for a second.
Did I just get trolled?
But seeing Deacon Fes fleeing into the distance, he took a deep breath—and gave chase.
Vine Whip!
Two green vines burst out from his back, lashing forward and anchoring to the rooftop edge. Coulson swung down with the vines, landed with precision, and bolted after Deacon.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Deacon turned around—and his jaw dropped.
Coulson was closing in fast, vines whipping behind him like green blades.
What the hell?! Wasn't he just a regular guy?!
(End of Chapter)