Chapter 254: Because They’re All Monsters

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Tony walked into the McCoy household, strode over to Maria, placed his hand on her shoulder, and gently massaged it as he said, "Mom, it's time to wrap this up. It's been four hours."

Maria stretched her limbs and said in surprise, "It's been that long already?"

Time had flown by so quickly—she hadn't even noticed.

She glanced at her cards, eyes flickering with thought, then abruptly pushed them forward and declared, "It's over, I'm done!"

Peggy Carter protested anxiously, "Come on! I was about to win!"

Steve gently placed a hand on Peggy's, saying, "Let's call it. Game over."

Peggy's protest most likely meant she was on the verge of losing.

He shot a glance at the small basket beside Mike's feet and looked at it with envy.

If he hadn't won Peggy's share of the pot earlier, Mike's basket would be even fuller.

Tony greeted Steve with a nod.

Thanks to the card games Maria and Peggy often played together, Tony and Steve were acquainted, but due to their clashing personalities, they weren't close—just familiar.

"You all brought me quite a bit of money today. I told you I didn't want to play, but you insisted," Mike said with a helpless smile, his face full of playful mockery. "And once again, you proved how bad you are."

As he spoke, he glanced at Peggy and Maria, shaking his head and letting out a series of mocking "tsk tsk" sounds.

Peggy and Maria stared daggers at him, teeth clenched.

They were furious—not only had they lost money, but the winner had the nerve to rub it in.

Seeing their expressions, Mike nodded to himself in satisfaction.

He had to aggravate them a bit.

This way, they wouldn't challenge him to another game until they felt they'd improved their skills.

He picked up the basket and handed it to Clark, saying, "Put this away—it's their grocery money for today."

After every game, Peggy and the others would stay for dinner. It had become a tradition.

Clark accepted it with a smile. Looking down at the cash, he chuckled happily and headed upstairs.

Steve watched the scene with envy.

Ever since he was thawed, he hadn't had a proper job. If it weren't for Nick Fury arranging decades' worth of back pay, he might still be relying on Peggy for support.

But judging by how fast Peggy was losing money, even that back pay might not be enough...

Steve scratched his head, a bit troubled.

Speaking of jobs, Nick Fury had approached him several times, inviting him to join something called the Avengers Initiative...

This trip he was on with Peggy wasn't just to help her take a break from mahjong and enjoy some time alone together. It was also to dodge Nick Fury.

When Nick had first mentioned the Avengers Initiative, Steve had been intrigued, but he hadn't yet decided whether to join and didn't know how to respond.

Now, thinking it over, maybe joining wasn't such a bad idea after all.

What was the salary again...?

Don't get the wrong idea—it wasn't about the money.

Steve let out a low hum and looked at Tony. "Nick Fury reached out to me again today. He said he invited you too."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, third time."

Peggy and Maria exchanged curious glances.

They had no idea what this invitation was about.

Mike's eyes glinted slightly—he already had a good idea of what they were discussing.

The Avengers Initiative.

He'd read that file long ago.

Fury had invited him first, but he'd turned it down, saying he was just a farmer.

Fury's expression back then had been priceless.

Now, it looked like Fury had finally set his sights on these two.

Tony raised an eyebrow and asked Steve, "So, what's your decision?"

Steve looked at Tony, noticed the glint in his eyes, and smiled. "You agreed to it?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah."

Bringing people like them together as a team to handle threats no individual could face alone—there was nothing wrong with that idea.

Take the Stark Expo situation, for instance. If he hadn't run into the McCoys at the time, things could've ended badly. But with a team, dealing with such crises would be much easier.

Steve hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Did you sign the documents?"

Tony shook his head. "Just gave a verbal agreement."

"Then... how about we have him come over now and settle it together?"

Steve suggested.

Tony turned to Mike and asked, "Is that alright, Uncle Mike?"

Mike smiled and said, "You want to discuss something that important here?"

Tony's expression turned serious. "Your place is the safest."

Hearing that, the others nodded in agreement.

Mike shrugged and said, "Whatever—I'm off to start dinner."

He rose and headed for the kitchen. Pausing at the living-room doorway, he turned back and asked, "Want me to bring him over?"

Steve and Tony both nodded.

Mike pulled out his phone and dialed Nick Fury. As he spoke, a shimmering card materialized between his fingers. The moment the card vanished, a swirling portal opened before them.

Nick Fury, clad in his black trench coat, stepped through. Surprised, Gwen watched as Mike snapped his fingers and closed the portal behind Fury.

"You two carry on," Mike said, nodding toward Fury before heading into the kitchen.

Gwen bounded after him like a curious kitten. "Dad, what was that? One second it was dark air, the next that black-faced man just appeared!"

"That was a portal," Mike replied.

"A portal?"

Gwen's eyes lit up. "So I don't have to take the school bus anymore?"

"No bus needed."

"That's awesome—"

"—you'll walk."

"Hmph!" Gwen snorted and dashed upstairs. Her brother had just collected a bunch of money, and she wanted to see if she could finagle some allowance.

By the time Mike had the hotpot ready, Tony, Steve, and Fury had finished their discussion and all three had signed the Avengers Initiative agreement.

With the plan officially launched—and Mike's home as its birthplace—the hotpot dinner turned into a celebratory feast.

Watching them dip ingredients into the simmering broth while debating strategy, Mike sighed. Anyone else would think they were simply judging the flavor of the soup.

True, the whole process had been rather hasty—but there was no doubt: the Avengers Initiative was now underway.

Suddenly, Nick Fury looked up at Mike and Clark and asked, "You two want to join?"

Mike raised an eyebrow and glanced at Clark.

Clark calmly pushed up his glasses and smiled, "Not planning on it for now."

"Why not?" Steve asked curiously.

Fury's voice dropped to a whisper: "Because you two are both monsters."

(End of Chapter)