In the vast Marvel Universe, countless superheroes captivate audiences with their unique personalities and iconic images. Among them, Phil Coulson stands out as an ordinary individual who earned the admiration of formidable heroes like Iron Man and Thor, and garnered deep respect from Captain America and Black Widow. In the primary timeline of "The Avengers," Coulson's death served as a catalyst, inspiring the fragmented team to unite and secure victory in the Battle of New York.
Reflecting on Coulson's character, one might say:
"Noble qualities, a broad mind, extraordinary wisdom, and spiritual strength... It seems that Coulson embodies each of these traits! I even forgot that he was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; it's said that attributing leadership qualities to him is no exaggeration!"
Kausi found himself momentarily lost in thought but soon regained his composure.
During his prolonged stay in the basement, Kausi contemplated his future path. Integrating into the world of superheroes seemed essential, making the first step crucial. After careful consideration, he concluded that S.H.I.E.L.D. would be a suitable starting point.
However, given Kausi's disposition, he had no intention of becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent like Hawkeye or Black Widow. Firstly, he couldn't tolerate Nick Fury's tendency to overwork his agents; secondly, he refused to be manipulated like a puppet; and thirdly, he valued his freedom.
"I traversed dimensions to enjoy life and its beauties, not to endure a relentless work schedule in another realm!"
Therefore, Kausi aimed to present himself as harmless yet valuable, positioning himself as a free agent. In this role, he could assist S.H.I.E.L.D. when necessary but enjoy leisure when not. To achieve this, he planned to make S.H.I.E.L.D. believe they had him "under control" and even considered subtly enhancing a few agents he favored.
Although there were minor setbacks during this process, Coulson emerged as a promising candidate—at least he wasn't like certain directors who always had a backup plan to deceive others.
"What a pity, Coulson..."
Kausi mused that if Coulson possessed any tribal lineage, he might have reached the level of a chieftain in a few decades.
But Coulson couldn't halt time; he didn't have the luxury of prolonged study.
Recalling his days in the basement, Kausi couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness.
The basement's space wasn't entirely sealed but operated at an unusually slow pace. Evidence of this was the wooden chair, which had burned down to mere embers by the time he left.
With time nearly at a standstill, Kausi didn't need to worry about basic needs or aging, but mental fatigue was inevitable. Whenever he felt drowsy, he'd simply lie down and sleep.
There was no distinction between day and night, only an endless sea of books for company.
Fortunately, these days of maddening solitude weren't overly long. After mastering the art of communicating with the elements, Kausi could, through meditation, journey to the realms of earth, fire, water, and wind in his soul form. There, powerful elemental spirits occasionally appeared.
These pure beings were eager to converse with an extraterrestrial life form. As Kausi's affinity with the elements grew, more spirits approached him, eager to hear tales of other worlds.
Meditation, study, sleep—this cycle repeated endlessly. Over an immeasurable span, Kausi mastered most of the three major shamanic systems, reaching the pinnacle of skill proficiency.
However, as the saying goes, "Maximum level is the beginning of the game." Even at his peak, he could only contend with fourth-tier superheroes like Black Widow, Hawkeye, War Machine, and Falcon. Considering his diverse shamanic abilities, he could hold his own against third-tier heroes like Black Panther and Blade.
Against second-tier heroes such as Groot, Loki with his scepter, or the Hulk in a calm state, Kausi could manage a brief stalemate before considering retreat.
As for top-tier beings like the enraged Hulk, Odin, or the Ancient One, Kausi felt he'd need several more decades of practice before he could challenge them.
Fortunately, the vast knowledge base provided him with further guidance: "Sacred Code of Concentration," "Sacred Contract of Physique," "Sacred Contract of Tenacity"... With sufficient practice, he could achieve nearly limitless enhancement.
But Kausi felt it was time to venture out.
He needed practical experience to refine his skills and deepen his understanding. More importantly, he sensed his sanity was fraying...
So, he returned to the surface, managed the shabby hotel, and planned to lead a normal life.
Sadly, destitute individuals preferred park benches over his rustic establishment. Thus, his regular income remained zero for over a month.
Thankfully, there were always gangsters, thieves, and hoodlums.
They brought countless benefits: their audacity added excitement to the hotel; their meager funds sustained its operations; their resistance provided Kausi with opportunities to hone his skills; and their bodies and souls became fuel for the ever-burning brazier in the hall—a flame he now recognized as the fire of the soul.
"Congratulations!"
Kausi adjusted his strategy, looking approvingly at Coulson. "Phil, if you're willing to pursue the truth on this path, I'm willing to be your guide!"
"I... can I really...?" Coul