High in the sky, a Kree fighter hovered. Thor stared, dumbfounded, at the little girl on the ground below. Just moments ago, this girl—who looked no older than a teenager—had killed more than a dozen soldiers with an almost expressionless face.
What shocked him even more was the sight of Mjolnir in her hand.
What the hell? My hammer doesn't want me anymore? First chance it gets, and it runs off with someone else?
The girl was already covered in blood when Thor spotted her, clearly hunted for a long time.
Thor prepared to move. Anyone who could earn Mjolnir's approval was no ordinary person. And besides, this group of soldiers didn't look like any kind of legitimate organization.
Well… Thor also wouldn't admit another thought that crept into his mind. She's… actually kind of cute.
"Shoot! Destroy the uncontrolled weapon!" the squad leader barked.
The surrounding soldiers raised their guns, aiming at the girl.
The little girl clenched the hammer tightly, ready to unleash lightning. If I'm going to die… let's see how many of you I can take with me.
"BOOM—!"
A deafening thunderclap split the sky. The heavens darkened as countless bolts of lightning rained down. There was no gore, no screaming—only violent energy and searing heat. Many soldiers were turned to ash instantly, their bodies carbonized before collapsing to the ground.
From above, a figure in black armor descended, landing with a thunderous crash.
Thor had arrived.
The little girl's body finally gave in, her tense strength releasing all at once. Darkness overtook her, and she fainted.
In a haze, the girl dreamed. She dreamed of picking up a magical hammer, one that granted her endless strength and the power to summon lightning. With it, she broke out of the base, fought through countless blockades, and was finally cornered. Just as death closed in, a mighty figure descended from the sky—black armor gleaming, red cape billowing, wrapped in violet thunder—standing in front of her…
She opened her eyes.
"Hahahaha! Little girl, you're awake?"
The booming voice startled her.
"Not bad! Killing that many people at your age—impressive. Not quite on my level, but close… By the way, what's your name? Hiccup—"
Thor tossed back a bottle of vodka in a single gulp and belched. Midgard might be a primitive world, but it certainly had its treasures—like alcohol. While waiting for the girl to wake up, he had raided a nearby city for an entire crate of vodka. Four hundred pounds of it, and he hadn't spared a drop.
Completely unaware of the girl's growing disgust, Thor grinned proudly, stinking of alcohol.
The overwhelming smell nearly made her faint all over again.
The hero I dreamed of was supposed to be the world's savior. A man in black armor, a red cape, walking with thunder. I guessed the beginning right… but the ending? Never this…
She edged away, her eyes cautious.
"Thank you for saving me. I… my name is Natalia Alianovna Romanova."
What a terrifying uncle… He wouldn't eat me, would he?
Thor froze. Natalia…? Natalia Romanova?
Natasha Romanoff. The Black Widow?
This was Siberia, deep inside Russian territory. So… it really was her?
"Ding! Congratulations, host. You've triggered a Black Widow-related quest: The Home of the Hero.
No technological upgrades. No superhuman enhancements. When everyone else gave up, she alone remained loyal to the Avengers. The Black Widow carries the most tragic past—and the greatest soul. Please select one of the following missions."
Mission 1: Kill the Black Widow.
Reward: Soul Stone.
(In the original timeline, Black Widow sacrificed herself to obtain the Soul Stone. Now, you can achieve the same.)
Mission 2: Return the Black Widow to the Red Room and allow her to complete her graduation ceremony, avoiding disruption of the timeline.
Reward: The Ancient One's Attention.
(Maintaining the timeline earns the Ancient One's interest, and she will invite you to Kamar-Taj in the near future.)
Mission 3: Take the Black Widow back and hand her over to S.H.I.E.L.D. for training.
Reward: The Hidden Divine Power Bracelet.
(A mystical artifact from another realm, indestructible. It deflects blades and bullets, and greatly enhances the wearer's strength. Once equipped, it becomes invisible and cannot be removed by anyone except the wielder.)
Warning! Missions 1 and 2 are extremely dangerous. Selecting either carries a 90% probability of attack by higher-dimensional forces, which may directly cause the collapse—or even destruction—of this universe!