As S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents searched Dr. Pym's house, no one noticed that a camera, shrunk by Pym Particles, was aimed directly at them.
"Are S.H.I.E.L.D. already suspicious of me?"
"I wonder how long it will take for that system vulnerability to be discovered."
"If it's discovered, accessing the S.H.I.E.L.D. database again will lead to tracking and position."
"I need to speed up my actions."
"Also, what's the deal with Stark?"
"He survived brain damage, forcing me to expand my attack range to kill him, which exposed my identity."
—
Stark Tower.
"Coulson, what's the investigation status?"
"Dr. Pym is missing, along with his suit."
'It really is you, Dr. Pym. But… why?'
Nick Fury was puzzled as to why Dr. Pym would kill Tony.
Although he and Howard didn't get along, it was just a minor disagreement.
"Sir."
At this moment, Jarvis's voice rang out.
"Detected that a file related to you in S.H.I.E.L.D. was recently illegally browsed. Along with that file, several files in the same 'Avengers' folder were accessed."
"IP tracing led to Dr. Pym's community."
Nick Fury turned to look at Tony, his lips twitching. "So, the S.H.I.E.L.D. database is just a free-for-all for you guys, huh?"
Tony explained, "Don't look at me like that, your S.H.I.E.L.D. firewall system is too rudimentary."
"Hmm."
Nick Fury nodded expressionlessly.
"Are we all on your 'Avengers' list?" Tony suddenly asked.
"Hmm." Nick Fury nodded.
For those present, this didn't need to be hidden.
"Did Dr. Pym assassinate me first because I'm the first on your list?" Stroking his goatee, Tony speculated.
"This damned desire to win."
Nick Fury remained silent. This question was hard to answer and could easily offend people.
However, a glint flashed in Nick Fury's eyes.
What if Tony's guess was correct?
"Remind Clint and Lucas that they might also be on Dr. Pym's assassination list."
"Arrange for more people to stake out Dr. Banner's location."
Although Hank Pym's motive was unclear, knowing his targets made things easier.
Nick Fury wasn't worried about Lucas being assassinated. If Hank Pym really found Lucas, it would be his bad luck.
Hell Dimension.
After a passionate encounter, Mephisto smoked a cigarette. He learned this on Earth, but he forgot which Universe's Earth it was.
With his anger subsided, Mephisto began his machinations.
The pattern of that magic circle...
There's no mistake, it's Vishanti's Kamar-Taj.
This way, it won't be so easy for him to get the soul of that hateful sorcerer (Lucas). No wonder he provoked him with such confidence at the time.
The souls of Kamar-Taj Sorcerers, barring accidents, will all go to the dimension where Vishanti resides after death, instead of being drawn to one of the various Hells.
As for forcibly intercepting them midway, he might have tried it at his peak. But now, trying it would mean death.
Take the soul, and a group of sorcerers would be at his doorstep immediately. If he defeated this group of sorcerers, Vishanti might personally intervene.
He needed to find a way to avoid Vishanti's gaze.
Mephisto stroked his horny chin, his eyes deep in thought.
"Troublesome."
...
"It's troublesome, sorcerer." Lucas said to the Ancient One with a bitter face.
"I didn't expect it to be Mephisto, he's not easy to fool."
"Don't worry, Lucas."
The Ancient One calmly brewed a pot of tea and gestured for Lucas to sit down.
In her years as Sorcerer Supreme, whether it was direct resistance or outsmarting, or devouring completely, she had faced all sorts of Extra-Dimensional Beings. In terms of cunning and caution, none surpassed Mephisto.
In the past, the Ancient One would not easily provoke such an opponent.
But now…
Her gaze turned to Lucas.
She + Lucas + the other Ancient One.
It was basically guaranteed success. It was merely a matter of how much energy they gained.
"Let's just wait for things to unfold, an opportunity will arise."
"Mm." Lucas nodded.
Mephisto was a difficult opponent, there was no rushing it.
"Sorcerer, I'll head back first."
With a single step, Lucas returned to the bookstore.
Under the influence of his psychic abilities, no one found anything unusual about his sudden appearance.
Events were starting to unfold, he had to stay on Earth these few days and couldn't run around anymore, lest something happen and he couldn't be reached.
Lucas had set up several psychic suggestion spells in the bookstore area.
Calm the Mind.
No Loud Noises.
Focus on Reading
Gradually, people discovered that the bookstore's security and atmosphere were exceptionally good, and reading and studying efficiency greatly improved.
Now, the bookstore had significantly more foot traffic than before. Many of them were students of all ages.
Lucas was happy to see this.
On the other side, Hank Pym routinely checked if Lucas was in the bookstore.
Tony was right, he acted according to the list's sequence.
His purpose in assassinating the Avengers was to disrupt S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plan to form the Avengers, thereby retaliating against S.H.I.E.L.D.
Naturally, he started with the important targets.
Coincidentally, Lucas had been staying on Proxima Centauri these past few days, grinding for points.
After a long wait with no results, Hank Pym decided to target Tony first.
"Looks like my luck is pretty good, you came back just after I killed Tony." Hank Pym muttered to himself.
Donning the Ant-Man suit, he shrunk his body and headed towards the bookstore.
Everything went smoothly, until he entered the bookstore.
'Since Janet disappeared and Hope died, I haven't read a book in a long time.'
In Hank Pym's mind, memories of his wife and daughter being alive years ago surfaced.
He sat in a chair, reading a book, while watching his wife tutor their daughter.
What a warm time.
"Grandpa, thank you for helping me with my homework."
"I'm going home now, goodbye."
A voice suddenly pulled Hank Pym back to reality, and he subconsciously replied, "Goodbye, Erin."
"Huh? What was I just doing?" Hank Pym was horrified, frantically turning his head to observe his surroundings.
Suddenly, his gaze met that of a young man. The owner of the gaze was none other than his assassination target—Lucas.
Hank Pym, Pym Particles.
Perhaps, the battlefield with Mephisto could be placed in the Quantum Realm.
Hank Pym couldn't remember how he escaped the bookstore. But he knew he had just danced with death.
He walked aimlessly down the street, even forgot to avoid the cameras.
Fortunately, his whereabouts were concealed. Unfortunately, the one helping him was not human.
Mephisto, dressed as a gentleman, looked at Hank Pym, a smile on his lips.
Although far from perfect, it was still a very good soul. Coupled with his utility, it was another incredibly profitable deal.
Tony Stark, and that damned sorcerer. We'll meet in the Quantum Realm.