Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 381 Even Ghosts Get Shot (Second Update)

Agent Coulson followed Salomon into the Aetheric Boundary. According to Salomon's explanation, when they were at the Aetheric Boundary, they were neither in the Aetheric plane nor the material plane; further ahead, the aurora borealis marked the boundary between the Aetheric Boundary and the deep Aether.

They could make out the blurry outlines of the objects around them, just like on the Airbus, including the figures of the people waiting in the cargo hold. Agent Coulson waved his hand, but found that no one could see them. This place looked like a horror world depicted in a thriller, but Agent Coulson was certain that Stephen King had never seen anything like it.

The mist here seems to hide a pair of cold, blue eyes, making you shiver. Especially since this place truly seems to be a gathering place for all the ghosts in the world.

"It's foggy everywhere." The agent remained calm, attempting a witty remark, "It's a bit like our mission in Salem, except without the stinking monsters."

"If there's a mission like that, I'd still choose you as my teammate." Salomon shook his head and led Agent Coulson through the glass doors of the laboratory. After a slight hesitation, the agent followed the arcane mage. "You might not remember exactly, but your performance in Salem was legendary; after all, you survived. Okay, Coulson, remember what I said. Don't touch that aurora borealis, and don't cross any living things, but just like with Tobias, now we can cross material barriers, and we can see that guy clearly from here."

"I have a feeling you were prepared all along," Agent Coulson said suspiciously, examining the M1911 in his hand. "Is this thing even useful?"

"This pistol is a magical pistol with a handcrafted barrel; it can be of help." Salomon smiled, his deep red robes standing out in the misty world. "A spellcaster must be prepared for all circumstances, Agent Coulson."

When Tobias, dressed in overalls and carrying a wrench, appeared, Agent Coulson finally saw the perpetrator's true face. He looked exactly the same as when he was alive, except his face was filthy, as if he had rolled around somewhere. Tobias paced anxiously near Hannah Hudgens—he had tried to ambush her earlier but had been severely struck by the Little King's Demon Flame Shaping spell. The demon flames formed from positive energy had scorched a part of his body, and this pain, originating from the depths of his soul, made him even more agitated. Now, Tobias dared not appear near any arcane mages, fearing another lash.

He was frantic, letting out nonsensical howls, slamming his red wrench around wildly but failing to touch anything. He looked like a large, angry toddler, his only threat being his size.

Agent Coulson wanted Salomon to give him a chance to contact Tobias, and the arcane mage agreed. It wasn't a big deal; it was just a ghost. Agent Coulson cautiously approached and called out to Tobias, who was consumed by anger.

Tobias was clearly surprised by the appearance of Salomon and Agent Coulson; this was the first time he had seen anyone else here. Then he reacted, raising a wrench and ramming it into them.

Coulson instinctively pulled out the pistol and pulled the trigger.

"Bang!"

The sound of something falling to the ground startled Skye. She quickly turned around to check, but found nothing behind her. After repeatedly confirming that no one was behind her, Skye finally relaxed, patting her chest. She continued to comfort Hannah Hudgens, who was sitting beside her; this always-crying girl always evoked a soft spot in people.

“Agent Coulson has been there for more than five minutes,” Skye said anxiously. “I’m worried he might run into some danger.” She glanced at Simmons, who was equally uneasy. The girl in the science group was racking her brains to come up with a theory that would apply to the ethereal plane, which she thought might be helpful in dealing with similar situations in the future.

The scene that Salomon and Coulson witnessed as they entered the portal deeply disturbed her. Although the view behind the portal was identical to that outside, the two seemed to be walking on an invisible axis, growing smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared into the mist.

"I don't think so," said the young mage casually. "Ghosts aren't much of a problem for him right now. When will Melinda arrive? I still need to bring that girl into the apprentices' protective spell."

"Soon," Skye said. "May is still looking for Agent Ward and his team. They need to fix the plane first..."

"Take her there." The young sorcerer, Wang, led Hannah Hudgens off the plane with his female apprentices. Several arcane apprentices were waiting in the cargo hold. Skye wanted to object, but Wang ignored her. He felt S.H.I.E.L.D.'s actions were too slow; it was better to proceed according to the original plan.

"What's your plan?" Agent Coulson asked.

"A plan? What plan do you need to deal with a ghost?" Salomon grabbed Tobias by the back of his collar, dragging him around on the ground. This was the shortest fight ever; even the thugs Salomon encountered in the alley had lasted longer than Tobias. This was a weak ghost, unable even to possess anyone, capable of nothing but waving a wrench and howling. Tobias certainly hadn't expected that becoming a ghost would result in being shot.

Salomon felt that casting Protect Against Evil on everyone while facing such a ghostly loser was completely unnecessary, and he was unwilling to talk about this somewhat embarrassing matter.

Skye was startled by Tobias's sudden appearance. She was about to punch him when the panicked ghost turned and ran. However, he didn't dare run towards the interior of the plane, but instead ran towards the cargo hold exit. He also didn't dare to re-enter the Aether dimension and utilize his ability to travel between worlds. His appearance triggered a scream from Hannah Hudgens, and then a familiar portal opened at the bottom of the cargo hold stairs, where Salomon and Coulson appeared, calming her agitated state.

Skye felt she'd had a terrible night. First, she was chased all over the place by a space-traveling madman, then she was forced to make an emergency landing and had to endure the cold summer night wind. But no matter what, when she saw Agent Coulson and Salomon walk out of the portal, all her grievances vanished.

"Is this the culprit?" Skye pointed at the burly man surrounded by the arcane apprentices. Tobias dared not go anywhere, let alone approach Hannah Hudgens. He glanced at Salomon standing on the cargo hold steps, a fear that a ghost shouldn't have enveloped him. Salomon, half-illuminated by the light, his face obscured, seemed to be the most terrifying character in this horror story.

“Just as I suspected,” Skye said. “Like everyone else’s impression of Tobias, Coulson, Tobias is the one who caused the explosion. He complained about Hannah Hudgens to get her attention, to be with her. He didn’t want to hurt her; he scared the guy harassing Miss Hudgens at the gas station. He rammed you with a police car because we were going to arrest her!”

"Tobias wants to protect her," Agent Coulson concluded.

"He likes her." Salomon looked disdainful. "Where did this elementary school boy come from? This method is less effective than pulling a girl's ponytail."

"I used to have my ponytail pulled when I was a kid," Simmons said, his eyes wide. "But they called me a nerd."

"Believe me, those boys just like you," Skye said confidently, raising her head. "Men are just that childish."

Seeing that the situation was about to veer into comedy, Agent Coulson quickly coughed twice to steer the conversation back on track. "What are you planning to do?"

"He needs to atone for his sins against Hannah Hudgens," Salomon said. "Then he should be dead, and we'll help him out in this."

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(End of this chapter)