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In the S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance room, the eyes of Spider-Man, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch were bloodshot.
There were more than a hundred monitors in front of them, and they stared intensely, almost without blinking.
As soon as there was an explosion or any anomaly anywhere, they would be the first to arrive at the scene.
But a whole day had passed.
New York, as usual, remained calm, without anything unusual happening.
The uneasiness in their hearts grew, giving them all a strong sense of foreboding.
Suddenly, the sound of mechanical footsteps echoed from outside.
The protective door slowly opened, and Iron Man walked in.
At this time, he was also fully suited up in his armor, prepared for battle at any moment.
Hawkeye's voice came through the communication channel: "Tony, I don't think that guy's showing up today, we've all been played."
Everyone was silent, hoping this was the truth, so the weight of the responsibility could be lifted from their shoulders.
They didn't want to endure the uncertainty any longer.
Everyone waited for Iron Man to speak, anticipating him saying, "Disperse, that guy isn't coming today."
Then they could leave and never have to endure this torture again.
But…
It wasn't that simple.
Tony approached Spider-Man, and his deep voice came through the communication channel, reaching everyone's ears.
"Listen, guys."
"We're dealing with a very cunning terrorist. Do you think someone like him would abandon his plans so easily?"
The tension in everyone's hearts tightened again.
"I know this is hard on everyone, especially dealing with a threat like this."
"But this is our responsibility as Avengers, and we're the kind of people who can't stand by while innocent lives are at risk!"
"We're not like cold, selfish people. This is our strength, but it's also our vulnerability."
"Don't forget, though—it's that same trait that's brought us this far and made us the superheroes everyone needs, right?"
"So, facing the unknown danger—it's our duty as Avengers."
The channel fell into silence once more, and the breathing of everyone seemed to calm again.
Iron Man showed a small sign of relief, but the tension in his own heart didn't ease in the slightest.
Slowly, time ticked toward ten o'clock, leaving only two hours before the day would end.
But still, New York remained calm.
In the southern part of New York, inside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance room, Wolverine lay back in his chair.
The sharp adamantium claws "snikt" out of his skin, only to retract slowly again.
Even someone like him struggled to control his breathing.
"I don't think Tony made the best call, putting the three of us together," he muttered.
"Three beasts who can't control their emotions in one place… something big's bound to happen."
Wolverine glanced at the anxious Dr. Banner and the half-transformed Beast.
At this point, Beast's body had grown over two meters tall, his clothes torn apart, exposing dark blue fur and thick claws.
In a raspy, almost animalistic voice, Beast said, "I think I'm fine, Logan. At least I can control myself."
"But if this guy here loses it, I think the two of us are dead."
He then looked at Dr. Banner, whose original black-and-red skin was starting to turn a faint green.
His slender arms began to bulge as they expanded.
Leaning against the wall, Banner gasped heavily, the sound of his belt cracking as his form grew at least another size.
"Listen to Hawkeye, you can't move a single step from there!" Iron Man's voice over the communication channel was firm and serious.
"There are only two hours left before the day ends!"
"We have to stay sharp—there's a bigger plan behind this delay, I'm sure of it!"
"You can't let your guard down, understood?"
"Everyone, stay where you are and don't move!"
"Based on what we know about this guy, there's no way he's backing out that easily."
"Plus, he's always been the type to plan things out meticulously. If I'm right, he can't face us head-on!"
"So, as long as we stick together in groups, we'll be absolutely safe."
"The best proof is—"
Before he could finish, a sudden "whoosh" echoed through the channel, followed by the sound of glass shattering.
Next came a bestial roar.
"Oh no, no, no, no—"
Wolverine's frantic, panicked voice filled the communication channel.
Then came the unmistakable sounds of a scuffle and heavy breathing.
Wolverine yelled, "Tony, you might want to get down here! Your old pal's about to lose it!"
Iron Man's eyes widened. "Is Banner fully Hulking out?!"
Wolverine glanced at the towering figure of Dr. Banner, now well over two meters tall, his skin darkening to a deep green. "Not yet."
He inched closer, trying to stay calm.
Everyone in the channel let out a collective sigh of relief—dealing with an out-of-control Hulk was the stuff of nightmares.
But before they could fully relax, a loud "bang" rang out, followed by the unmistakable impact of a punch landing solidly on someone's body.
Logan clutched his stomach, stumbling to his feet, his face twisted in pain. He grunted, "If you don't get here soon, it's gonna happen real fast..."
Iron Man's heart sank. Without wasting time, he directed Spider-Man, Quicksilver, and the others, before launching himself toward Wolverine's location.
"Banner!" he shouted upon arrival, bursting through the door.
Inside, he saw a half-Hulked Banner, face-to-face with Beast, both breathing heavily as they squared off. The two monstrous figures were evenly matched in size and intensity.
Wolverine stood nearby, his adamantium claws already extended.
The commotion drew the Hulk's attention.
A gravelly voice rumbled from the enormous green figure: "Tony?"
Slowly, clarity began to return to Hulk's eyes.
Iron Man exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. He stepped forward cautiously. "That's right. You feeling any better, Banner?"
Hulk glanced at his green hand as recognition slowly dawned on him.
"Oh, sorry, Tony, I—"
Hulk started to revert, his massive muscles shrinking back to their normal size.
Iron Man clapped him on the shoulder. "Hang in there, Banner. Just a little longer, and the day'll be over."
Banner nodded, stepping to the side. He buried his face in his hands, breathing deeply to quell the anxiety that still gripped him.
Iron Man gazed out the window into the night sky. It was already 11:20 p.m., and Jackson Chen still hadn't shown.