Aside from the hypnotic tool [Juli's Music Box], the other item from Alexander Pierce's basement—a painting—was something Eren took much more seriously.
It was a beautifully rendered landscape.
Under a sky of blue and clouds of white, a tall, vibrant tree swayed in the breeze. Around it stretched a lush green field. At the edge of the meadow, a few distant figures could be seen playing and chasing one another, but they were so far away that their features and even their genders were indiscernible.
Further beyond, the low-hanging clouds seemed like soft marshmallows ready to tumble out of the sky at any moment.
[Dream Painting: A demon once enamored with the mortal world painted this artwork to commemorate their lost homeland. Anyone who lays eyes on this painting will involuntarily become immersed in its tranquil scenery.]
[Note: Demons are selfish creatures. Even their painted homeland is not something they wish to share.]
[Trait 1: Anyone who gazes upon this painting will be hunted by the fae within. As long as the painting remains intact, the fae can be reborn indefinitely. However, each fae will only appear once per viewer.]
[Trait 2: The fae are merely the beginning. Once defeated, the real horror begins. Those who have seen the painting will be marked with a high demon's curse. When they fall asleep, they'll be dragged into the world within the painting—and plunged into the abyss.]
[Hint: When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. (Of course, if you don't look, it won't see you either.)]
[Containment Method: After defeating the fae, at nightfall, burn the fae's ashes and enter the dreamscape. Their remains will guide you across the abyss to the castle deep within the painting. There, defeat the lingering demonic imprint and the painting will be yours. (PS: After millennia, the imprint has grown weak and faded.)]
Even Eren couldn't help being shocked as he read through the description.
This painting's background was no less astonishing than the Lucky Ring's.
In this world, demons from the Hell dimensions were often even stronger than the gods of certain pantheons.
And the painting's two traits immediately caught Eren's attention.
No wonder Pierce had this hanging right at the entrance to his basement.
With this as a guard, he never had to worry about anyone sneaking in and stealing his secrets.
Without Pierce's guidance, any intruder would've died a mysterious and terrifying death.
Even if they survived the fae's assault, they would eventually be dragged into the abyss in their dreams.
Fortunately, while hypnotizing Pierce, Eren had learned the key to avoiding the painting's curse—keep your eyes shut, and don't look at it.
Had he been careless, even Eren would've fallen victim.
…
Besides these supernatural items—
Eren also gained 2,000 Fate Points when Bucky blew up Pierce.
Though it wasn't a huge amount, it gave Eren's depleted balance a nice little boost.
More importantly, based on information Eren had pulled from Pierce, he discovered a hidden USB drive and an underground asset report in the villa's basement.
In Eren's view—
These two items were even more valuable than any magical artifact.
Because on that USB—
Was a complete list of all HYDRA agents embedded in S.H.I.E.L.D. under Pierce's command.
A full roster.
Names, cover identities, real affiliations—everything.
For normal people, those hidden HYDRA identities were radioactive. If exposed, they could shatter careers and lives.
Due to their secretive operations, Pierce's HYDRA cell was one of the most discreet and compartmentalized in the entire organization.
Most operatives worked under strict need-to-know protocols. Each only knew their recruiter and immediate supervisor, or at most, a few colleagues from past missions.
They all understood one thing: HYDRA's influence within S.H.I.E.L.D. was enormous.
This was how, in Endgame, Cap fooled an entire elevator of HYDRA agents with just three words—"Hail HYDRA."
Because… they truly believed he was one of them.
In all likelihood, no one other than Pierce himself possessed the full list of agents.
Eren stared at the USB drive and the wealth record.
And suddenly—
A bold idea burst into his mind.
"Maybe… just maybe, I could…"
…
While Eren reviewed the spoils of his victory—
In a hidden facility beneath a remote dam—
A severely burned Nick Fury was barely clinging to life, sustained by machines and intravenous medication.
Upon hearing the report from Natasha, Fury barely managed to restrain himself from cursing,
"Motherfu—"
His vitals spiked, triggering a chorus of emergency alarms.
Several doctors quickly injected a sedative, easing him back into unconsciousness.
Maria Hill, standing by his side, exchanged glances with Natasha and Captain America before quietly pulling them out of the makeshift ward.
…
Once outside—
Still reeling from the revelation that Fury was alive, Natasha turned to Hill with a frown.
"What… the hell is going on?"
Steve also spoke up:
"Honestly, I'd like to know too. Before we got here, I was already writing Fury's eulogy and ordering flowers."
Hill held up her hands.
"Don't look at me like that—I only found out a day before you did."
She cast a glance back at Fury's unconscious form, then sighed.
"Originally, he was supposed to explain everything himself… but I guess I'll take over for now."
"I don't know how he survived the helicopter explosion—he never told us. But we do have a suspect for who rigged it."
"I'm sure he's mentioned HYDRA before, right? We believe that the people who targeted him were HYDRA agents embedded inside S.H.I.E.L.D."
"And once Fury was presumed dead, Pierce stepped in as acting director. We suspect he's the real mastermind behind the assassination attempt—and the hidden leader of this HYDRA cell."
"Maybe that's why Fury reacted so strongly when he heard your report, Natasha. Pierce's death might mean our original suspect was wrong all along."
Steve frowned.
"But… why suspect Pierce? Wasn't Fury the one who promoted him?"
"Pierce was a former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a World Security Council minister. If he really was HYDRA, why would he promote Fury? And I heard he personally pushed for the investigation into Fury's death."
That last part was true—Pierce had triggered the explosion personally this time. He never got the chance to deliver cryptic last words like in the original timeline.
So, to keep up appearances, Pierce had done his share of PR—earning Steve's trust in the process.
Hill replied,
"Exactly. Which is why we suspected him even more."
"To install a bomb in the director's helicopter, right under everyone's noses—that kind of operation would've required coordination at the highest level."
"And honestly, in all of S.H.I.E.L.D., only Pierce had that kind of power and access."
"Plus, he gained the most from Fury's death—full control of the agency."
But as she reached the end of her reasoning, Hill gave a wry smile.
"Now it's starting to look like Pierce was actually just a convenient scapegoat. If he was really HYDRA, he wouldn't have died now, of all times."
Natasha, who'd been silent, suddenly said:
"You're right. If he really was HYDRA, why would he get killed so soon after taking control?"
"Besides, NYPD already confirmed it—they found his body. DNA from the remains and his intact feet matched."
"There's no faking it. That confirms he's really dead."
"And if he wasn't HYDRA… why was he assassinated?"
"Two S.H.I.E.L.D. directors dead in a row—and given Pierce's position, not even HYDRA should've had the reach to pull that off. Especially not with a full team of agents protecting him."
"Also, police reports said the agents assigned to guard him were all killed, and several documents in his basement were looted."
"So… what if he actually did uncover something? Something dangerous? And got silenced for it…"
If Eren had been present to hear this—
He'd be laughing so hard his stomach would hurt.
HYDRA killing their own boss to silence him? That's a hell of a theory!
But with the limited intel they had, Natasha's reasoning did seem like the most logical conclusion.
Even Maria Hill couldn't help frowning and thinking it over.
"…It's not impossible. But for now, it's just speculation."
"Fury knows more than any of us. When he wakes up, we'll run all of this by him—see what he says."
Natasha and Steve exchanged looks, then sighed together.
At the moment, it was the best they could do.
…
The next morning.
Eren got up and made himself a hearty breakfast.
To spice things up, he even stopped by the food street downstairs and picked up a variety of local favorites.
Once everything was set—
With the breakfast spread laid out on the table—
Eren glanced at the time, then walked to the front door.
He opened it right as a familiar figure reached for the doorbell.
With a smile, he greeted them:
"Surprise!"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]