Chapter 12: Lynn: Haha, Now This Is a Surprise!
"This is the resonator. It was Professor Robertson's most important research."
Walking up to the cylindrical instrument, Ronak reached out and gently stroked it, then explained: "Professor Robertson believed the pineal gland is a dormant human sensory organ. If we activate it, we can see the hidden world!"
"But the resonator is broken now. I'm the one who smashed it."
"Otherwise, I didn't know if those terrifying things would get out."
Hearing Ronak's explanation, Natasha pressed her comms, calling for the SHIELD team to come up and repair the resonator.
After an inspection by the SHIELD researchers, they determined the resonator could be repaired, but it would take at least a few hours.
On Natasha's orders, the researchers began trying to fix the resonator.
Lynn, meanwhile, nonchalantly reached out and touched the resonator's exterior, but was actually absorbing the residual death energy inside it.
When the last wisp of death energy was absorbed...
Lynn glanced at his system. The progress bar for [Emissary of Death] had increased from 1% to 2%.
This was definitely a pleasant surprise for Lynn.
Compared to the diluted death energy from spirits with obsessions...
Sure enough, pure death energy was the fastest way to level up.
Lynn, who had originally been in a 'not my problem, just here for the ride' state of mind...
...now suddenly became enthusiastic. He even started "helping" the SHIELD researchers repair the resonator.
He didn't know how to fix it, but he could at least lend a hand and pass tools, right?
Once the resonator was fixed and turned on, maybe he could absorb even more potent death energy.
Seeing Lynn's attitude shift from leisurely to active...
Natasha was very curious.
She crouched next to Lynn, her sexy figure on full display. "Why so excited all of a sudden?"
"It's nothing. I just want to see those 'creatures from another dimension' Ronak mentioned."
"I may be a detective from the Manhattan precinct, but I'm still curious about this weird stuff."
Natasha, of course, didn't believe him, but she didn't press the issue.
Instead, she got up, went to the sofa, and flopped down with a lazy expression.
Seeing that there was really nothing for him to help with...
Lynn got up, somewhat disappointed, and sat on the sofa as well.
He thought for a moment, then pulled a bar of chocolate from his pocket, broke off a piece, and offered it to Natasha. "Want some?"
"Thanks."
Taking the chocolate, Natasha's lips curled into a smirk. "A man who carries chocolate around? Is that for winning over all those pretty ladies?"
"Not really."
After Steve waved off the offer, Lynn leaned back on the sofa, savoring the sweetness. "Life's bitter enough as it is. You've got to balance it out with something sweet."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Natasha shifted into an even lazier position. "Not very old, but already so philosophical. What book did you learn that line from to trick all those inexperienced girls?"
"Oh, come on, Agent Romanoff. In a society this open, you really think any adult woman is 'inexperienced'?"
Finishing the chocolate, Lynn pulled his trench coat closed, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes.
The researchers bustled, Steve stood guard, Ronak squatted by the wall, and Natasha looked relaxed but was ready to jump into a fight at a moment's notice.
Only Lynn's casual attitude seemed completely out of place.
It was like he wasn't here for an investigation, but on vacation to see the sights.
It wasn't until seven o'clock, well after dark...
...that the resonator was finally repaired.
After Natasha woke him, Lynn gave a long stretch.
"I really envy how relaxed you are."
"What else would I be?"
Stretching his muscles, Lynn shrugged. "You've got SHIELD here, plus two superheroes. What's there to be nervous about?"
"Mr. Ronak, the resonator is repaired. You can try starting it now."
Steve stood in front of Ronak and said seriously, "Only if you can prove you're telling the truth can we help you avoid criminal charges and being locked in the hospital."
Hearing Cap's words, Ronak stood before the resonator.
After pressing the buttons in sequence, Ronak turned to Lynn and the others. "Remember: no matter what you see or what happens, don't move."
"When the resonator activates, the creatures we see from the other dimension can also see us."
"But as long as we don't move, they won't attack."
Hearing Ronak's words, the group nodded.
Seeing this, Ronak took a deep breath and threw the main switch.
As the resonator began to vibrate slightly, a wind suddenly kicked up inside the sealed laboratory.
The sudden gust made Natasha and Steve exchange a glance.
One drew her pistol, the other gripped his shield, both ready to fight at the first sign of danger.
Lynn, however, was focused on the resonator. As it activated, death energy began to flood the machine.
Seeing this, Lynn didn't hesitate and began to absorb it.
As the death energy poured into his body...
...the [Emissary of Death] progress bar rose rapidly.
[3%... 4%... 5%... 6%...]
Watching the death energy make the progress bar on his system panel shoot up...
...Lynn was filled with excitement.
He couldn't wait to see what powerful abilities he would get once the [Emissary of Death] identity was activated.
Just as Lynn was reveling in this, a purple light instantly enveloped everyone in the room.
The next second, everyone felt a sharp pain in their foreheads. Then they saw them: translucent jellyfish and eels, floating in the air.
A flash of surprise crossed Natasha's eyes.
She hadn't expected Ronak to be telling the truth.
The resonator really could let people see creatures from another dimension.
One of the SHIELD researchers, seeing the extraordinary creatures, subconsciously walked forward and reached out to touch them.
"Don't move!"
Seeing the researcher's movement, Ronak immediately yelled for him to stop.
But the warning came too late. As the researcher moved, the eels and jellyfish that had been floating peacefully swarmed him.
Their sharp, monster-like mouths bit down on the researcher.
The intense pain made him scream loudly.
Seeing this, Natasha immediately opened fire on the creatures.
But the bullets passed right through them without causing any real damage.
Steve rushed to the researcher's side, sweeping his shield at the creatures biting him.
But it was no use. The researcher's screams echoed through the lab.
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