I put monsters and super powers in America

Atlas Graham sat in this prison-like room.

His expensive dark suit, hand-made by a top tailor from Savile Row, was now wrinkled from the constant running around and the sudden arrest. But he remained upright, his eyes, always as deep as a hawk's, calmly facing the glaring light of the table lamp opposite him, as if the light did not make him feel uncomfortable at all.

Just half an hour ago, when he was riding in his bulletproof Maybach and preparing to go from his hotel to a private club where he had an appointment with local "friends", three black Chevrolet SUVs with government license plates, with an irrefutable and tough attitude unique to the state violence machine, blocked his car at an intersection from different directions.

A dozen elite agents wearing black tactical vests and armed with SIG P320 pistols jumped out of the car. Without further ado, they presented a special permit jointly stamped by the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Law authorizing them to conduct an "urgent investigation."

Then, Atlas was "politely" "invited" to this damn place.

Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged man named Marcus Thorne.

Agent Thorne is the top elite within the Department of Homeland Security, and his resume is enough to make any criminal shudder.

He's pursued terrorist leaders in the CIA's Middle East division, battled the most brutal drug cartels on the Mexican border, and personally sent several deeply entrenched Mafia families to federal prison. His mind, like a highly efficient computer, can pinpoint flaws in even the most complex of clues. His interrogation techniques, a brutal art, use the calmest language to gradually destroy his adversaries' psychological defenses.

This time, his target is Atlas Graham, a man who, in his opinion, is more dangerous and more troublesome than any terrorist or mafia godfather.

Over the past few months, Thorne and his team have deployed nearly every technical investigative tool available to the Department of Homeland Security. Like the most patient hunters, they have sifted through vast troves of data and intelligence, finally detecting a common thread among seemingly unrelated incidents.

"Lightning King" Louis caused a big commotion in downtown New York, and a media outlet controlled by Atlas was the first to release exclusive "inside footage"; the Sioux saber-toothed tigers in South Dakota rebelled, and Atlas's private plane happened to land at a nearby private airport less than twelve hours before the incident; and this time, in the "Leviathan" incident in Hawaii, Atlas appeared directly near the scene, and the vigilantes followed him!

Although there is no direct evidence to prove that these events are related to him, this coincidence is too damn coincidental!

After eliminating countless possibilities, a bold and almost absurd inference emerged in Thorne's mind - Atlas Graham, the wealthy capitalist tycoon, is likely the real mastermind behind all the "vigilantes" and some "monster incidents"!

"I think, Mr. Graham, we've wasted enough time."

Thorne placed a thick stack of documents on the metal tabletop, neither lightly nor heavily, and pushed it towards Atlas. It contained some processed photos, flight records, and analytical charts showing the flow of funds.

"Your private jet routes, the unusual capital flows of your investment companies, and your 'unusual' interactions with the father of the fugitive murderer Luif Mangione..."

Thorne's voice was calm and steady, each word like a precisely fired bullet. "I know none of this can directly convict you. However, under the special authorization granted to us by the Patriot Act, we have sufficient reason to detain you here for a considerable period of time until we have figured out everything. Three months, six months, or even longer... I guarantee that your legal team won't even be able to enter the door of this building."

"Damn it... these government lackeys, how much do they really know?"

Atlas' pupils shrank imperceptibly. His hands, usually as calm as an ancient well, unconsciously clenched slightly beneath the table, his fingertips turning pale from the pressure.

Of course he was not afraid of being detained. With the influence of the Graham family, he had plenty of ways to make these little troubles disappear.

But... what he feared was time.

He repeatedly warned Louis and Aaron that they must keep a low profile and avoid direct conflict with the state apparatus until they were fully grown.

"If I disappear for too long, what will those two guys, especially Louisfer's impulsive personality, do after they find out through some channels that I was 'secretly arrested' by Homeland Security?"

"Will they, in a fit of rage, storm the federal building? Or, worse still, be lured into some kind of trap by those old foxes in the White House and eventually captured?"

When he thought that "Anduriel", the organization he had founded with his own hands, which carried all his ideals and hopes, might be destroyed because of his absence, a cold tide called "panic" finally broke through his solid psychological defenses, instantly drowning all his calmness and composure!

At the same time, prompts appeared in the master dragon's mind at the right time.

[+100 Willpower, shock and panic from Atlas.]

"What could have frightened that old fox Atlas?!"

"This must be a big deal!"

Sure enough, Louis came running in hurriedly, yelling that Atlas had been taken away by Homeland Security.

"hiss……"

"The federal lackeys of Homeland Security are not easy to deal with..."

"Although he might not be treated badly given his status, if he can't handle the constant nagging and even accidentally reveals something, it would still be very troublesome for me."

"That's perfect, let me show him this newly acquired skill."

"System, give 'Bewitching People' to Mr. Atlas immediately."

……

In the interrogation room, just when Atlas was extremely upset and almost unable to maintain his expression, an indescribable warm current, as if coming from the depths of his soul, emerged from the void without warning and instantly spread to every part of his body.

"Ok?"

He was slightly startled.

What does this feel like? It's like... something in my throat has been gently touched.

But he didn't have time to think about it, because Agent Thorne on the opposite side had launched a new round of offensive.

"Mr. Graham, let's talk about your relationship with Louis Mangione." Thorne leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes like a scalpel, trying to cut into Atlas's heart. "Don't tell me that you just knew his father. We have evidence that you have been funding a team of private detectives dedicated to tracking Louis' whereabouts for quite a long time. Tell me, what exactly do you want to do with him?"

Atlas' heart skipped a beat.

But he still forced himself to remain calm and almost subconsciously repeated the standard answer that he had already said no less than ten times and had prepared long ago.

"I said, I only know his father, we have no relationship other than that."

The moment he finished speaking, he himself didn't even notice that his voice seemed to... have undergone a subtle change.

It was still deep and powerful, filled with the confidence and composure unique to the elite. But between the rise and fall of each syllable, it seemed to be infused with a strange "magic" - a strange power that could directly bypass human logical thinking and act on the deepest part of the subconscious, full of suggestive and persuasive power.

Across from him, the expression on Agent Thorne's face froze.

He opened his mouth, and the series of questions he had prepared that were full of traps and oppression were now like a fishbone stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say anything.

His eyes, always as sharp as an eagle, were now slightly out of focus. The pale light of the interrogation room was reflected in his pupils, and he looked a little... confused.

"Strange...what was I thinking about just now?"

"Why should I doubt him? Didn't he make it clear? He just knew Louise's father. That's normal, isn't it? The upper class circle is so small, who doesn't have some connections with who?"

"He had watched Louis grow up since he was a child. When he learned that Louis was still alive, it was only natural for him to hire people to find and protect him."

"No! No!"

Another voice, a voice that represented his decades of professionalism and iron will, was shouting wildly in his mind!

"Wake up! Marcus! What are you doing?! Think about the evidence in your hands! Those inexplicable coincidences! The clues you spent months and months digging out! Are they all fake?! There's definitely something wrong with this man!"

Two completely opposite cognitions, like two raging bulls, were colliding and biting each other wildly in his brain!

Reason told him that the man in front of him was the number one suspect who was more dangerous than any terrorist, and everything he planned was enough to subvert the security of the entire country!

But his senses, his intuition, his subconscious mind, which was influenced by the invisible power in Atlas' voice, was frantically sending him another signal -

"Believe him! Everything he says is true! He's a good man! A highly respected entrepreneur who cares about public welfare! All that so-called evidence can be explained by its own reasons! The direction of our investigation was wrong from the beginning!"

This unprecedented sense of cognitive tearing made Thorne feel dizzy and nauseous.

He felt that his brain was like a computer that had been injected with two conflicting instructions. It was overloaded and calculating crazily, and it could... blue screen and crash at any time.

His fingers began to tap uncontrollably and impatiently on the cold metal tabletop, without any rhythm or control.

Looking at the distraught look of the agent opposite him, a subtle hint of confusion flashed across Atlas' eyes, which even he himself could not understand.

But he was Atlas Graham after all.

He immediately captured this fleeting opportunity.

He didn't know why the other party suddenly became like this, but this did not prevent him from repeating his unintentional words in a more affirmative and unquestionable tone.

This time, he even took the initiative to steer the topic in another direction that seemed unrelated but perfectly explained all his "suspicious behaviors."

"I said, I only know his father, we have no relationship other than that."

"I have nothing to do with those so-called 'vigilantes,' except... I want to use their name to make a little money."

The corner of Atlas' mouth curled up into a smile that was unique to businessmen, full of shrewdness and greed.

"As you all know, supernatural events are the biggest traffic trend right now. 'Thor,' 'Fire Lord,' 'Queen,' 'Dominate,' 'Snow Tiger'... these names are worth more than any Hollywood star right now. I just registered a few related trademarks and domain names in advance. If they ever want to make a figurine or a movie, they'll have to pay me a licensing fee, right?"

"Oh, by the way, I've even had my team apply for exclusive copyright for the footage of your Pentagon fighting that Leviathan. If any film company wants to remake it, they'll have to get past me first."

This time, the invisible force became even more powerful and more corrosive as he spoke confidently and fluently!

Agent Thorne's eyes, which had been struggling and flickering, completely and utterly lost all their luster.

His tense body slowly relaxed, and the expression of contradiction and pain on his face was gradually replaced by a calmness that seemed to come from a sense of relief and enlightenment.

The suspicion, vigilance, and relentless professional instinct of a top agent in his eyes all vanished at this moment.

"So... that's how it is..."

"I understand... I understand completely..."

"He's just a...profit-driven businessman."

"He's flying around just pursuing business interests. Yes, the information shows that he invested in a water plant in South Dakota, and the President also has a stake. His wife and mother are also from the Sioux tribe."

"A businessman going out to invest, or a wanderer returning home, can't that be right?"

"I was wrong... We were wrong from the very beginning..."

He looked at Atlas, and there was even a hint of...apology in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Graham, it seems we made a mistake."

When Marcus apologized to Atlas, the strategist couldn't believe his ears!

67. How can you calculate everything?

"This skill is really powerful..."

The onomatopoeia talent derived from the cunning Troodon in Gaia's dream was upgraded to a new ability that was even more terrifying and more in line with Atlas' identity after being reduced in dimension.

[Bewitching - Elementary]: Uses voice to influence and distort the will of non-transcendents. Your words imbue them with irresistible persuasiveness, subconsciously causing the listener to construct a closed-loop logic around you and accept your words as unquestionable truth. This effect is less pronounced on those with exceptional willpower or those trained in counter-interrogation. It is significantly less effective against those who have also been gifted with transcendental powers by the host.

"I hope this thing can bring some surprises to that old fox."

The dragon master pondered this silently, then wondered who to ask for help so his new abilities could be put to good use. Should it be "Goddess Ding Dong" or "Raven 12345"?

Just when he was wondering whether he should seek the blessing of the Holy Father and Holy Daughter...

[+100 Willpower, confusion, doubt, and surprise from Atlas]

"Huh? It took effect so quickly? It seems those federal lackeys don't have much willpower."

……

Inside the interrogation room, the cold air seemed to freeze.

Agent Marcus Thorne's face, which always operated like a precision instrument, was now filled with... a sense of relief and sudden realization that the answer to the problem had been found.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Graham, it seems we made a mistake."

Agent Thorne actually stood up from his chair on his own initiative and gave Atlas a smile that was full of apology and... a bit of flattery.

"You know, that's the nature of our work. Sometimes, 'too coincidental' clues inevitably lead to... unnecessary misunderstandings for reputable citizens like you." His tone became unusually gentle, even a bit flattering, as if the aggressive top agent who had just tried to use psychological tactics to undermine his opponent was not him at all. "Don't worry, when I return, I will immediately submit a detailed report to my superiors to clarify all the facts. I promise that this 'little misunderstanding' will not affect your reputation in the slightest."

Although Atlas' heart was in turmoil, he still maintained a calm smile on his face.

"It's okay," he said softly, but it seemed to carry a soothing magic that made Agent Thorne nod repeatedly, his eyes full of conviction. "I understand your work. It's all for national security. I don't mind."

"You are so... generous!" Agent Thorne thanked Atlas profusely and personally opened the heavy metal door of the interrogation room for him. His respectful attitude was as if he was escorting a Capitol Hill bigwig who came to inspect the work.

Atlas smiled, slowly straightened his wrinkled suit collar, then walked out the door.

When he reached the door, he saw a tall guard who was in charge of the place, leaning against the wall in boredom.

Atlas pulled a five-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the guard.

"Hey, young man, this is something you just dropped in the house. I just happened to pick it up and am giving it back to you."

The guard was stunned at first and subconsciously touched his pocket.

He had been guarding the door all day and hadn't even entered the interrogation room. How could he have dropped money in there?

But when he raised his head and met Atlas's deep blue eyes with a gentle smile, and heard those words that seemed to be a matter of course, all the doubts in his mind disappeared in an instant.

A brand new "memory" was implanted in his mind - "Oh, yes, I remember now! When Agent Marcus went in just now, I seemed to have followed him in to deliver a cup of coffee, and when he came out, the change in his pocket was gone! It turned out that I had dropped it in there! This gentleman is such a good man!"

"Oh! Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" The guard took the five dollars, a very sincere smile of gratitude appeared on his face, and he thanked him repeatedly.

Looking at the guard's convinced expression, Atlas' eyes narrowed imperceptibly, and a meaningful arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"It seems that I have indeed... gained some extraordinary power."

After Atlas' figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor, Agent Marcus immediately returned to the temporary command center.

Without hesitation, he picked up the intercom and issued a series of new instructions in an unquestionable tone.

"Remove! All surveillance, tracking, and perimeter surveillance targeting Mr. Atlas Graham, immediately remove! I repeat, remove all!"

"Damn it! We've been investigating for so long, and it turns out he's just a profit-driven businessman. He's an innocent citizen! We can't afford to mess with his background! Transfer all resources back to tracking down those 'vigilantes'! Especially that Luif Mangione! Do you understand?!"

"If we displease Mr. Graham, we'll be in big trouble!"