Chapter 195
[Bad news]
[I will stop translating this fanfic. Reason is because I don't even think it is the Marvel or Lord of Mysteries universe, it just get overly... dumb. And the poor storytelling and lack of direction makes it too hard to read... and I don't want to read it.]
[So if someone want to continue it, just use the raw name to find it. I will just post the rest of the chapters I have now. And hope someone continue it.]
[I'm truly sorry for the troubles!]
Having recently fallen into that mysterious "other" museum, Eren now felt a trace of caution toward the New York Museum of Modern Art. He also harbored a newfound wariness about triggering any strange phenomena again.
To avoid invoking more bizarre occurrences here—and to stay out of any unknown danger—Eren spent the rest of the visit:
Holding back his curiosity, locking every ounce of his spiritual energy within himself, and quietly setting up a few escape routes around the museum.
Only after doing all this did he relax slightly, rejoin the main group, and listen silently to Teacher Tony's explanations while touring the museum.
The Museum of Modern Art was built in the summer of 1929.
Between 1929 and 1939, its location changed at least three times, only settling at its current site in 1939.
Of course, over the last sixty or seventy years…
The Museum of Modern Art had been renovated and expanded multiple times.
That may well explain why the outwardly bright and modern structure in the "surface world" differed so starkly in appearance from the ancient-looking, hidden museum in the "inner world."
Wait…
Could it be that the eerie appearance of that hidden museum is actually this place's original form?
After what happened earlier, Eren realized: aside from obvious differences in exterior design, the layout of the surface-world Museum of Modern Art and the inner-world's mysterious version seemed shockingly similar.
But they displayed entirely different collections.
Here in the real world, the walls in the gallery halls were adorned with a multitude of famous paintings and classic works by renowned artists from around the globe.
Yet…
Not a single one of those exhibited paintings appeared in the hidden museum. And, for reasons Eren couldn't quite put his finger on, the exhibits in the surface museum seemed to lack a certain "spark" in comparison to the ones in that secret museum.
It was as though they were missing a special kind of spiritual essence.
Could it be…
Only those "spiritually resonant" works are worthy of being shown in that hidden museum?
The Museum of Modern Art was enormous.
By the time Teacher Tony had led the group through just three of its galleries, over three hours had quietly passed, and it was already 5:00 p.m.
Checking his watch, Teacher Tony opted not to cram in a visit to the other galleries. Instead, he directly announced free time for the next half hour until closing, letting everyone explore whatever exhibits interested them.
Being the youngest teacher in the school, Teacher Tony was likely the one who best understood his students. His announcement instantly garnered their unanimous approval.
If it weren't for the ban on loud noises, more than a hundred students might have cheered his name right there.
After Teacher Tony finished speaking…
Aside from student council members who had to stay to help him with some paperwork, the rest of the group dispersed cheerily in all directions.
And thanks to some rumors spread by Hillary…
Chubby Doug, who had worked hard for hours, still came up empty-handed, trudging dejectedly in Eren's direction.
Seeing Doug approach…
Eren didn't even need psychic insight to guess the boy's foul mood.
With a slight raise of his brows, Eren teased, "Hey, if it isn't Big Doug. Why the long face? Don't tell me you still haven't found a winter formal date."
Hearing Eren's blatant jab…
Doug gritted his teeth. "Who else could I blame but that troublemaking Hillary? If it weren't for her rumor-mongering, I wouldn't be in this mess with no date."
So that's how it is.
Watching Doug's furious expression, Eren fought back a grin. "Well, if the knot was tied by her, maybe you should go talk to Hillary directly."
"No way. I'm not bowing down to that devilish woman."
Doug spoke with unyielding determination, then suddenly turned his attention to Eren.
"Man, Eren, you sure have guts! Flirting with another girl right in front of Gwen, aren't you worried she'll break your… third leg?"
Eren rolled his eyes. "When did I ever flirt with another girl?"
"Don't deny it. I saw you and Hanna just now. Out with it—when did you hook up with her?"
"Cut it out. We're not even friends. I just helped her out, and she offered me a painting in return. We only high-fived to seal the deal. How does that count as hooking up?"
"Heh. She's giving you one of her paintings even though you're not friends? Save that story for Gwen; see if she believes you."
"I believe him."
While Doug was shooting Eren a mocking glare, a sweet voice suddenly chimed in from behind him.
Doug turned around to find Gwen standing right there, smiling calmly.
His jaw practically hit the floor, and he spun back to Eren with an incredulous look that seemed to say:
What the… She believes you? Just how deep did you drug her with your sweet talk?
Ignoring Doug's dumbstruck expression…
Eren looked at Gwen. "All done with student council duties?"
"For a field trip like this, there wasn't much to do aside from taking attendance and helping Teacher Tony maintain order. My part's done."
"If you're free, let's head out then. I got a call from Helen earlier. She said dinner's ready and she's waiting for us."
"Oh!"
Hearing her mom had called Eren again, Gwen hesitated a moment before finally nodding.
With that, Eren and Gwen left the museum together, bidding Doug goodbye as they went.
Watching them exit, Doug—now alone—was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out:
This is so unfair…
After climbing into Eren's Aston Martin…
Gwen shifted in her seat and glanced at him. Her eyes blinked a few times as she asked, "So, will you tell me what exactly you did to help Hanna? As far as I know, though she loves painting, Hanna doesn't usually give her work to anybody."
"I figured you'd be curious eventually."
Amused by Gwen's expression, Eren briefly explained. "It's really nothing. I just covered for her while she snapped a photo of that portrait. She said pictures online lack soul, and only those she takes herself feel real enough for her. Probably why she offered me a painting in return."
"I see."
Gwen listened intently and then nodded, as if deep in thought.
Not long after leaving the museum…
Thanks to Eren's penchant for fast driving…
They soon arrived at Gwen's home.
After getting out and closing the car door, Gwen glanced at her watch, then said to Eren, "We shaved off a few minutes from last time. You're getting better at driving."
"Maybe I just can't wait to taste the delicious dinner Helen's made."
"Alright, I'll be sure to tell Mom you said that."
Gwen laughed lightly and led Eren toward the door.
Following a successful healing session Eren had provided a few days earlier…
Helen's injuries had fully recovered. A thorough check-up afterward confirmed she was indeed fine.
Having long grown tired of staying in the hospital, Helen asked George to handle her discharge paperwork as soon as possible.
Over the past few days…
With her family's support, Helen had undergone some physical therapy and was now able to walk normally again.
And the first thing Helen did after recovering was invite Eren to the house for a big meal.
"Gwen, Eren, you're back…"
Helen opened the door and took in Gwen's simple black dress and Eren's crisp black suit. Her eyes brightened.
They really… look amazing together…
"Don't just stand there. Dinner is almost ready. Come on in!"
"Sure, Mom!"
"Thanks for having me, Helen!"
Once Eren stepped inside, Helen gave each of them a hug in turn. Hugging Eren, she whispered softly in his ear, "Don't be too sad, Eren. He was a hero."
"I know, Helen."
After letting go of Eren, she encouraged them both to come sit at the table.
Good food is often the best way to take one's mind off pain.
It was clear that Helen was aiming for that exact approach with tonight's dinner.
At first, Eren thought the focus of the meal was to celebrate Helen's recovery. But under the concerned and caring eyes of Gwen's family, he soon realized: the real "guest of honor" here was him.
Seeing Helen's compassion, Eren felt both touched and slightly exasperated.
I'm really… not feeling that upset…
...
Chinatown.
Upon returning home…
Eren yanked out his computer's internet cable, going for a physical disconnection, then inserted the silver USB drive that Natasha had returned to him.
Ding!
Once the USB was inserted, a small program popped up on the computer screen, scanning the system environment.
After confirming there was no network connection, a circular emblem featuring a black eagle appeared at the center of the screen.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s logo.
With a click of the mouse…
A folder labeled "Top Secret Files" appeared on the screen.
Opening it…
Eren saw a lineup of folders, each bearing a unique codename followed by one to nine little star symbols.
"So these are all special incidents S.H.I.E.L.D. has encountered in recent months?"
Judging by how each folder had a distinct title—and a varying number of stars—Eren surmised:
Each folder represented a special incident, with the stars denoting difficulty or possibly its level of confidentiality within S.H.I.E.L.D.
He casually opened one folder tagged "Giant Python."
Inside were several photos of colossal snakes, some well over twenty or thirty meters long, defying all common sense.
Some of those giant pythons were alive; others were dead.
Even Eren found the sheer size alarming.
At the end of the photos was an assessment report from S.H.I.E.L.D.:
December 20, 2000In the Amazon basin, several massively sized pythons suddenly went on a rampage, attacking people and boats entering the deeper jungle. Seven or eight ships were sunk, causing over a hundred casualties.The local military intervened and killed two man-eating pythons, but the others escaped further into the Amazon.Investigations and autopsies on the captured pythons indicate that some unknown event deep in the Amazon basin caused these creatures to grow to abnormal proportions.We have yet to find the source of these pythons' mutation and their unprovoked attacks on humans venturing into the deeper reaches of the river…
The Amazon… giant pythons…
Looks like a real-life Anaconda scenario in the making.
Eren closed the file and randomly clicked on another one near the back.
January 26, 2001A massive fog arose suddenly off the coast of Philadelphia…
(End of Chapter)
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