Park Jung-chul had been tightly bound to a metal chair. A restraint suit completely immobilized him, making it difficult for him to flex even a single muscle.
As this was the first time America had captured a criminal with mysterious powers, they treated it as a major event. There was 24/7 surveillance, dedicated personnel, and a specialized team recording his physical data. Due to the unfamiliarity with the mysterious powers, and to prevent any possible means of escape, S.H.I.E.L.D. even invited apprentice wizards to assist in monitoring him.
"Director, we have thoroughly investigated him. He is a student named Park Jung-chul from South Korea, currently studying at Cornell University. Our team has conducted covert investigations at Cornell, and Park Jung-chul used to be a very ordinary student with nothing special."
"However, the students and teachers we interviewed told us that he has recently skipped a lot of classes. In the beginning, he used the excuse of being sick, but now he doesn't even bother with excuses. If he doesn't occasionally show up on campus, the students and teachers there are ready to report him to the police, and Cornell University is considering expelling him."
An agent handed a file to Smith. At this moment, Smith was in his office monitoring Park Jung-chul through surveillance cameras, and he received periodic reports from on-site surveillance personnel.
In various literary works, mysterious powers often came with mind-controlling abilities. To guard against the possibility that Park Jung-chul might have the ability to control others, Smith, as the director, did not personally appear. Instead, he monitored the on-site S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel to prevent them from being manipulated.
"Ha, if I had grasped these supernatural powers, I wouldn't go to school either. What's the use of learning in such a case?"
Smith shook his head, smiled, and started reading the file.
He only briefly flipped through its contents. Park Jung-chul's past life seemed too ordinary, with nothing noteworthy.
"In other words, he must have gained extraordinary powers in the last month."
Smith concluded from Park Jung-chul's information.
At this moment, several agents knocked on the door and entered Smith's office. After saluting the S.H.I.E.L.D. director, one of them said with excitement, "Director, we've dug three feet into Park Jung-chul's residence and found a strange book!"
Smith's expression changed upon hearing this. He knew he had found the right person.
"Where is the book? Has anyone read it? Is it dangerous?"
"Reporting. The book is in this box. The agent who found it didn't dare to read it, so we don't know if it's dangerous yet."
Upon hearing the report, Smith hesitated for a moment and then ordered, "Fetch Alex."
"Yes!"
Soon, a young boy of only fourteen entered Smith's office with the agents.
"Mr. Smith, do you need me for something?"
Although young, Alex was mature due to his recent life experiences.
Smith tried to keep his smile gentle and said, "Alex, this is the book we found at Park Jung-chul's house. As a professional, I want to ask you if it's dangerous."
In fact, compared to Alex, Smith would prefer to find Su Wei. She was a bit older than the fourteen-year-old boy, and she seemed more reliable. However, Su Wei was ultimately Chinese, and Smith didn't dare to reveal the mysteries discovered in America in front of her.
Smith raised his hand, and an agent brought in a safe. Before opening the safe, Alex exclaimed, "I sense an evil aura inside!"
Smith's heart skipped a beat, he stopped his subordinates from opening the safe and nervously asked, "Alex, does that mean there's danger inside?"
Alex furrowed his brow and chanted some incantations. He looked at the safe again before hesitating, "My teacher taught us about this aura. It seems to be related to an evil god."
Cthulhu Mythos!!
Upon hearing Alex's words, Smith and the agents exchanged glances, not surprised by the result.
"As long as you don't stare at the thing inside for too long, you won't be tempted."
Alex added.
Upon hearing Alex's words, Smith hesitated for a moment but still ordered the agents to open the box.
As the box opened, everyone leaned in to see what was inside.
It was a book that looked brand new. Unlike proper books, it seemed more like a makeshift version, as if a bunch of papers were stapled together.
Smith and the others frowned; the appearance of the book was different from what they had imagined. They thought it might be an ancient book made of human or goat skin.
At this moment, Alex clarified, "This is a manuscript, probably something Park Jung-chul transcribed from the original. By Merlin! Even the manuscript exudes such an evil aura. I wonder how terrifying the original text must be!"
Alex's words revealed a lot. By calling out to Merlin instead of God, he indicated that the beliefs of wizards had changed. Also, he mentioned it was a manuscript, implying that Park Jung-chul had definitely seen the original text of this book!
"This book is too dangerous. Let's discuss how to examine it later."
Suppressing the temptation in his heart, Smith instructed the agents to close the safe again.
In the past, America might have impulsively opened the book and started studying it at this point. However, after numerous supernatural incidents, some of which were caused by America itself, the country had become much wiser. They dared not underestimate any supernatural items anymore.
This matter was significant, and it would probably require thorough discussion at the White House before deciding how to handle this manuscript.
"Wake up Park Jung-chul. We must find out where the original text of this book is and where he saw it!"
A mere manuscript made a wizard label it as evil, and it could actually create and control creatures like ghouls. Who knew what kind of power the original text held? If the possessor of the original text was still in America, and if they let more people transcribe it, would it cause a proliferation of creatures like ghouls in America?
Smith would never allow that!
S.H.I.E.L.D. quickly took action. Professional interrogators were already in place. Unless someone had undergone special training, no one could hide secrets from these interrogators!
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience