"We've caused unimaginable damage to this land." Storm was also within the protection zone, but her focus was different from that of ordinary people.
Bella had long since noticed that as more and more insects died at the scene, the Death's energy was weakening. This lost energy didn't simply vanish; according to her observations, it should have returned to the natural environment along with the insect corpses.
This canyon might have been an insect paradise before, but after today, it would definitely be a perfect place for a mausoleum! The heavy aura of death here made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
She didn't care about the canyon's ecological problems. After this incident, she would never come here again. Whether it was a place of death or not was of no concern to her.
Bella kept her attention on the Death. From its current form, it wasn't humanoid, nor was it a gaseous, smoky thing. It vaguely resembled a winged creature, but its exact identity was unclear.
She had not only cast invisibility spells but also wrapped herself tightly in a thick blanket, leaving only her two eyes visible to observe the outside world.
Even with such rigorous protection, she was bitten twice by insects, leaving a large purple-red lump on the back of her hand. The pain was so intense that she winced, but she could only grit her teeth and endure.
The battle raged all night long. By dawn the next day, the canyon's vibrant vitality had been completely depleted. Not only could the Indians, but even the Reach people would be unable to survive in this canyon. Even under the sun, ghosts could be seen faintly. Who could endure this?
Death had annihilated all life in the canyon, replacing the original curse with another.
"That guy seems to have disappeared?" Storm asked uncertainly.
No one could answer this question. The survivors and agents were exhausted. Even Bella was exhausted and looked limp.
They all retreated to a nearby town to rest. Bella, feeling no signs of death, lay down on her bed and quickly fell asleep.
Inside the canyon, agents of the so-called FBI, but actually S.H.I.E.L.D., returned.
Victoria Hand was still in charge of the team, but her staff was completely new. This team consisted of far more technicians than combat personnel.
They deployed various high-end-looking instruments, donned protective gear, and launched a sweeping search throughout the canyon.
That afternoon, they discovered a pool of thick, viscous liquid emitting a strong, pungent odor just south of the canyon's center.
The liquid was about one meter in diameter, and no one had touched it. Yet, as if possessing a life of its own, the dark brown liquid continued to wriggle in a different direction.
"Sir, there's another pool of strange liquid two hundred meters to the west."
"Sir, there's another to the northeast."
Victoria Hand had anticipated this. "Collect them in batches, seal them in alloy boxes, and store them. Code them X-1187, X-1188, and X-1189, codenamed Death, and held in the woods cabin."
She then picked up the phone: "Nick Fury, I've completed your mission. Remember your promise." The
voice on the other end of the line said, "Of course, I'll transfer the required investment to your laboratory account before sunset tonight."
Victoria Hand quickly hung up, sighing softly. Life wasn't easy these days!
High school students had their own worries, and she, too, shouldered a heavy burden. For her ideals and herself, she wouldn't allow herself to stop.
But this time, she'd taken most of Bella's credit for herself. Normally, a high school student would be greedy, and who could do anything about it?
But she had a keen eye for people, and she instinctively knew Bella wasn't your average high school student. Even Claire panicked in the most critical moment, and some elite female agents fared far worse. Why was she so calm?
Victoria Hand believed the other party had hidden secrets they didn't know about, and that the embezzlement was forced upon them. But she didn't want to antagonize Bella. She planned to pay her favor later and settle the matter once and for all.
"Ah—" Bella yawned, stretching her waist and abdomen, her skin gleaming brightly in the sunlight.
No death omens, no vampires to harass her—this was real life!
She guessed the Grim Reaper was dead, and even if he wasn't, he wouldn't be able to kill again anytime soon.
The agents were evacuating one after another; they were busy, and without a life-threatening situation, there was no need to stay in this small town.
The survivors also needed to return to Arizona, where they would sue Trans World Airlines for exorbitant damages. They had no way of dealing with demons and monsters, but they were experts at lawsuits, protests, and even winning the sympathy of ordinary people in front of the media. Bella still had some learning to do.
Storm left alone. She had only come here to investigate, commissioned by Professor Charles. Once the matter was resolved, she could leave naturally.
Claire and her brother also said goodbye to Bella. They didn't want to be in the spotlight, and mercenaries couldn't easily make money. Unlike Bella, they were broke, so they simply gave up the compensation. Chris even arranged for Claire to transfer to another school.
"Goodbye, Bella."
"Goodbye, Claire."
Bella was about to leave, but Victoria Hand stopped her and invited her for coffee.
Without her black agent vest, Victoria Hand's usual outfit was much more refined.
A maroon dress, eight-centimeter heels, and wide-rimmed glasses gave her the air of a university professor.
The self-centered elder sister kindly asked, "Bella, which university are you going to?"
College was Bella's next priority, and she had been secretly screening.
Professor John Gray's Bard College was a good choice. Founded in 1860, Bard College is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. But! Tuition was exorbitant! Bella knew it was at least $70,000 a year! Regardless of whether
she had $70,000, even if she did, she wouldn't dare go! Where was that place? It was the New York of the Marvel Universe! A falling brick could hit two superheroes and a super criminal. What a terrifying place! She couldn't go there, even if she died!
She wanted to go to school as far away from New York as possible. Although she didn't agree with it, because of her birthplace, she was basically considered a Westerner.
Easterners and Westerners despised each other, Northerners looked down on Southerners, and people from the Midwest were pitied by everyone. A Westerner like her going to an Eastern city would undoubtedly encounter all sorts of hidden discrimination.
Her options were limited.
"My grades are good enough for Stanford University's history department, but I have too little social experience."
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(End of this chapter)