"Scream! Keep screaming!"
Arthur slowly approached Ross, who lay on the ground.
No one around dared to intervene. Any movement could result in the guns pointed at them taking their lives. They had become soldiers solely for the generous salary, realizing that they were ill-equipped to handle the current situation. Their best option was to protect their own lives.
"America will not let you get away with this!"
Ross continued to speak despite his battered state. The earlier slap had nearly rendered him unconscious. If it weren't for his years of military training and decent physical fitness, he would have been killed already.
"Do you think you represent America?"
Arthur questioned as he neared Ross, delivering another kick to his lower abdomen.
"Ah!" Ross cried out in pain.
Arthur unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks on him.
"Scream! Keep screaming! Let's see who can save you now! Who do you think you are? Worthless trash, an old dog! Do you believe I care about the United States you speak of? Cross me, and I'll go straight to your president and kill them together!"
Arthur's savage actions left the crowd, who had previously sympathized with him, stunned into silence.
"Come on! Let's see who can save you! Call for help, come on! Come on, you bastard!"
At that moment, a loud noise resonated in the sky as a sleek fighter plane soared overhead and landed gracefully.
Arthur ignored the interruption and continued to pummel Ross.
"Mr. Arthur, please wait a moment!"
The door of the fighter plane swung open, revealing a bald, honest-looking white man. Arthur recognized him instantly—Phil Coulson, Nick Fury's trusted agent from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Do you have something to say? If not, don't get in the way of me dealing with this dog!" Arthur pressed his foot onto Ross, then responded casually.
"Mr. Arthur, greetings! I'm Phil Coulson, an agent of the Strategic Homeland Defense and Logistics Support Agency. I'm here to resolve the misunderstanding between you and General Ross. Could you please release General Ross? He seems to be in critical condition!"
Coulson spoke with a polite and dignified tone.
Arthur couldn't help but think that this person had a talent for dealing with people, as his tone conveyed sincerity.
Though Coulson appeared calm on the surface, he was actually panicking inside. He had been aboard the plane, witnessing Arthur brutally kill the Abomination and then create a massive sphere, tossing the Hulk out of the city. Arthur possessed abilities akin to Superman and Magneto, only stronger—he could control gravity. Coulson had never seen a monster with such an array of superpowers.
Director Nick Fury had even called him, warning to be cautious not to provoke "Superman" as it could lead to catastrophe.
"The Strategic Homeland Defense and Logistics Support Agency? I've never heard of it. What's that?"
Arthur acted as if he were unaware.
"It's a top-secret organization at the national level. It's understandable that you haven't heard of it, but our agency is legitimate. If you don't believe me, you can inquire at-"
"I don't have time for that. You claimed it was a misunderstanding earlier? This old dog had an entire army besieging me, armed with Gatling guns and missiles. Is that what you call a misunderstanding?"
Arthur said with a hint of sarcasm.
"It truly is a misunderstanding. The soldiers and weaponry were deployed to deal with the monster you eliminated. We didn't anticipate your arrival and swift defeat of both monsters, effectively saving New York City!"
"This old dog threatened me just moments ago!"
"That, too, is a misunderstanding. General Ross has always been a just and dutiful general, committed to protecting the people. When he witnessed you battling the monsters, he caused 'minor' collateral damage to the surrounding buildings. His anger blinded him to the circumstances, but he prioritized the people's safety. Those losses were unfortunate but inevitable. Therefore, I ask you to release him,"
Coulson explained, skillfully whitewashing Ross into a virtuous character.
"Enough with the nonsense. Get to the point! If you keep talking rubbish, I won't care, but this old dog won't live much longer!"
Arthur grew impatient and cut to the chase.
Coulson immediately became serious. "Mr. Arthur, we request that you spare General Ross and the soldiers present and hand them over to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"And what do I gain from this?"
Arthur inquired.
"For your actions today, the United States will turn a blind eye and not pursue any charges against you!"
Coulson conveyed the condition set forth by the group of American politicians behind him, even though he felt it sounded foolish.
"Are you joking?"
Arthur regarded Coulson as a fool.
"I'm not joking. Will you agree, Mr. Arthur?"
"I don't agree!"
Arthur replied with a determined expression.
"Since you don't agree, then S.H.I.E.L.D. will take over this matter. My boss wants to personally speak with you!"
Coulson retrieved a peculiar device and pressed a button, causing the surrounding cameras to malfunction. He then pulled out a tablet computer, displaying a black-eyepatch-wearing man.
This person was Nick Fury, the future director of S.H.I.E.L.D., known as "Motherf-."
"Mr. Arthur, greetings! I'm Nick Fury, and I'll be handling the negotiations from here on. I'd like to know how you propose to release General Ross and the soldiers. Feel free to make any reasonable requests, and we'll do our best to accommodate you," Fury stated.
"That's being sincere,"
Arthur nodded in satisfaction, taking a moment to consider his response. He had already formulated an answer.
"Today, I assisted in dealing with those two monsters, preventing more extensive damage. I believe you should offer something in return!"
Arthur motioned as if rubbing his fingers together.
Money? Seeing Arthur's gesture, Nick Fury inwardly sighed in relief. Monetary issues were easily resolvable. He had accumulated a substantial amount of funds through embezzlement over the years, mostly directed toward constructing secret bases. Being in the advanced stages of paranoia, Fury had an urge to build dozens of secret bases.
"I'm not sure how much you need, Mr. Arthur."
"Let's settle for a billion U.S. dollars! It's a fair amount! With that money, I can live a life of luxury,"
Arthur stated nonchalantly. With the assistance of the system, even the Infinity Gems held little value in his eyes. Arthur wasn't ambitious; he simply wanted to live a comfortable aristocratic life, free from responsibilities, indulging in life's pleasures and wasting his days away.
Possessing the ability to charm people, Arthur had achieved what countless emperors had desired throughout history—immortality and boundless power.
"Ahem..."
Nick Fury coughed, startled by Arthur's audacious demand. The sum Arthur mentioned could fund one-tenth of a secret base.
"Mr. Arthur, perhaps you could reconsider-"
"It's only a billion U.S. dollars, and I also require a luxurious residence in Queens. That's all I ask for. If you can't agree, I'll crush this old dog right now,"
Arthur threatened, lifting his foot as if ready to stomp on Ross.
"Wait! We agree to your terms!"
Nick Fury quickly responded.