BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gunfire spat flames, and specialized Vibranium bullets mixed with high-frequency taser rounds formed a deadly web in the confined bedroom.
At the same moment, Agent Hill's Vibranium dagger, fueled by all her fury and hatred, struck out like a venomous snake, aiming straight for Frieza's heart.
Had the target been any other creature on this planet, they would have likely perished instantly under such close-range surprise attack.
However, the man sitting on the bed didn't even lift an eyelid.
Clang! Clang! Clang—!
A series of sharp striking sounds rang out, but it wasn't the sound of steel penetrating flesh. Instead, it was like iron nails hitting a diamond.
The bullets, which were powerful enough to pierce armor, were stopped a few centimeters from Frieza's skin by an invisible wall of energy. They twisted and warped helplessly before clattering onto the expensive rug.
As for Hill's death-defying lunge?
Pat.
Frieza casually extended his left index finger, the tip lightly resting against the dagger's point.
It stopped dead.
The Vibranium dagger, reputed to be indestructible, was suspended in mid-air. No matter how much Hill gritted her teeth, veins bulging, she couldn't advance it another fraction of an inch.
"Is this your plan?"
Frieza slightly tilted his head, his scarlet eyes gleaming with amusement and his voice heavy with disappointment.
"How crude, ladies. I thought that, as S.H.I.E.L.D. elites, you might at least bring me a small, eye-opening surprise."
"Perhaps... a sexy dance? Or a glass of spiked red wine?"
"Instead of this, which is barely better than a housecat scratching at me."
"Shut up! You demon!"
Hill's eyes were bloodshot, the color of extreme rage. Staring at the handsome yet wicked face before her, her mind was filled with images from after Nick Fury's death.
"Die! Just die!!"
She released the dagger and desperately used her fists and nails to claw at him. This was a frenzy, the complete abandonment of an agent's cold composure, leaving only the despair of a vengeful daughter.
Frieza didn't get angry at Hill's hysterical display. Instead, the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile that could even be called "appreciative."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho... Excellent, very excellent."
"Compared to those cowards who only tremble, I much prefer the look in your eyes."
"Full of hatred, fury, and that foolish courage of knowing something is impossible yet doing it anyway." Frieza lightly flicked his finger, and Hill was sent flying by an invisible force, slamming hard against the wall.
"Cough, cough..." Hill slid down, wincing in pain, but her gaze remained locked on him.
"If you're willing, I might consider giving you an opportunity." Frieza elegantly adjusted the collar of his sleeping robe. "My Force is in need of a suicide squad captain with a strong desire for revenge like yours. What do you say? Interested?"
"Dream on! I'll drag you to hell with me!" Hill spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.
"What a shame," Frieza shook his head.
And in the instant Hill had focused Frieza's attention...
Natasha and Sharon Carter, who had been hiding on the flank, looking for an opening, finally moved.
They knew physical attacks were useless against this monster. Their only chance lay in the pockets of that suit!
"Sharon! Now!" Natasha shouted, throwing a taser disk to try and obscure Frieza's vision.
Sharon Carter darted forward like a nimble cat, flipping in the air, and lunged for the coat rack beside the bed!
The moment Sharon's fingers touched the suit, she instantly plunged her hand inside and grasped the two Infinity Stones.
She felt a weight in her palm as the two shimmering, strange-looking stones were successfully grabbed!
Did they get them?!
Sharon herself couldn't believe it; this was unbelievably easy!
"Got them! Natasha!" Sharon tightly gripped the Stones, her voice trembling with excitement.
Seeing this, a look of wild joy erupted in Hill's previously despairing eyes, and even the usually calm Black Widow's heart pounded faster.
Those were the Infinity Stones! The most fundamental powers in the universe!
With these, they had the capital to turn the tables!
"Hurry! Sharon! Use the Mind Stone!"
Natasha reacted instantly, yelling, "We can't control the Space Stone! Use the Mind Stone to control him! Just like Loki controlled Barton back then!"
They knew that without specialized equipment, it was hard for an ordinary person to unleash the Stones' power. But the Mind Stone was different; it was inherently highly invasive, and even brief contact might be enough!
Sharon didn't hesitate. She raised the stone, which glowed with a faint yellow light, and focused all her mental energy toward Frieza.
"Stop... right now!!"
WHOOSH—!
The Mind Stone seemed to sense the user's intense will, suddenly radiating a blinding yellow beam directly at Frieza's forehead.
The light seemed to enter his body.
Frieza's normally scarlet eyes were instantly covered by a faint yellow glow. He froze in place, as if under a spell, the smile on his face solidified.
It worked?!
The three women in the room held their breath, their hearts lodged in their throats.
"Stand up straight!" Sharon tentatively gave the command, sweat pouring down her forehead.
She prayed desperately in her heart that the damn Stone would work.
The next second.
To the disbelief of the three women, the arrogant Emperor of the Universe, the demon who treated Earth like a toy, actually slowly, stiffly, straightened up.
Though he wasn't perfectly straight, this was a clear sign he was under control!
"Oh my god... it actually worked..." Hill covered her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Don't stop! Keep strengthening the control!" Natasha shouted. "Make him spin around! Confirm the control!"
Sharon gritted her teeth, the Stone's glow intensifying. "Spin!"
Frieza's rigid body actually began to rotate in place.
One rotation, two rotations.
"Haha... Hahahaha!"
Watching the scene, Hill let out a near-mad laugh. She staggered to her feet, picking up the fallen Vibranium dagger.
"Emperor of the Universe? Invincible power?"
"In front of an Infinity Stone, you are nothing but a pathetic puppet!"
The murderous intent in Hill's eyes surged. She strode toward the spinning Frieza, pointing the dagger at his throat.
"This is for Director Fury!"
"Die!!"
The blade sliced through the air, carrying the satisfaction of revenge, and plunged downward.
Closer!
Just one more stab, and the nightmare would end! The Earth would be saved!
However.
Just one-hundredth of a second before the blade's tip touched Frieza's skin.
Snap.
A slender hand securely and precisely grasped Hill's wrist.
All movement ceased in that instant.
Frieza, who was supposedly "controlled" and spinning, abruptly stopped.
The yellow glow in his eyes receded like a tide, revealing his chilling, scarlet gaze once more.
And, his eyes were full of deep amusement.
"Oh dear, oh dear..."
Frieza's voice was steady and mocking. There was no sign of him being controlled.
"Was that spinning maneuver up to standard?"
"I think my acting should earn me a little Earth Oscar, don't you think? Oh-ho-ho-ho..."
In that moment, the temperature in the room seemed to drop to absolute zero.
The Stones nearly slipped from Sharon Carter's grasp. She felt like she had fallen into a deep abyss of ice.
It didn't work?
It actually didn't work?!
"H-how is this possible..." Hill's eyes were wide, and fear grew wildly as she stared at the face inches away. "You clearly... clearly fell for the Mind Stone's control..."
"Mind control?"
Frieza chuckled softly, the disdain emanating from his very core.
"Are you truly so ignorant of power?"
"A mere stone, attempting to control an Emperor of the Universe with a combat power of 530,000?"
Frieza slowly leaned closer to Hill's face, the terrifying pressure almost suffocating her.
"In this universe, strength is the absolute truth."
"When combat power reaches a certain level, this kind of low-level mental interference isn't even fit to be my lullaby."
"I merely played along to see your expressions when your so-called 'hope' was crushed."
Frieza lightly squeezed, and a sharp snap came from Hill's wrist. The Vibranium dagger clattered to the floor.
"I must say, your looks of despair..."
Frieza took a deep breath, an expression of sheer ecstasy on his face.
"...are utterly delicious."
\[Ding! Detected extreme despair in Agent Hill! Fear Value +2000!]
\[Ding! Detected mental breakdown in Sharon Carter! Fear Value +1500!]
\[Ding! Detected fear in Black Widow! Fear Value +1500!]
Listening to the system alerts, Frieza smiled contentedly.
He casually waved his hand, and an invisible surge of energy pulled the two Stones from Sharon's grasp, making them float back into his palm.
"Alright, the farce is over."
Frieza tossed Hill onto the floor, then sat back down on the bed, looking at the three beautiful agents who had completely lost the will to fight.
"Since you enjoy breaking into a man's bedroom in the middle of the night so much..."
Frieza rubbed his chin, his eyes lingering on the women's graceful figures, the look in his eyes growing suggestive.
"Then why don't we do something that people should be doing late at night?"
"Loki!"
Frieza called out toward the door.
Loki, who had been trembling outside the door, immediately scurried in: "Ma-Master! I'm here!"
"Bring that... whatchamacallit... Soul Contract."
Frieza pointed to the three women on the floor, his smile utterly wicked.
"Have these three ladies sign it."
"From today onward, my villa is in need of a few maids to serve tea, fetch water, warm the bed, and fold the laundry."
"I assume S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents must be excellent at housework too, right? Oh-ho-ho-ho..."