Walking out of the interrogation room, Natasha let out a soft sigh.
The first hurdle was finally cleared.
She subconsciously touched her lips, where the scorching breath of a certain man seemed to linger.
She was playing an incredibly dangerous game.
On one side was S.H.I.E.L.D., to which she had been loyal for half her life, and on the other was the man who could give her the power she craved, and even soothe the scars deep within her soul.
She felt like she was walking a tightrope, with an abyss thousands of feet deep beneath her.
But for some reason, instead of fear, a thrill and… anticipation she had never felt before arose in her heart.
Perhaps, this was the true destiny for someone like her.
Meanwhile.
Asgard, Heavenly Palace.
On the Bifrost Bridge connecting the Nine Realms, the Guardian Heimdall's golden eyes, which could see all things, once again turned towards Midgard (Earth).
Just now, he had once again seen that strange golden light.
It was clearer and brighter than last time, and it even vaguely split into two streams: one domineering and purely masculine, the other… eerie and ever-changing.
The two streams of light intertwined, producing an energy fluctuation that even made him feel a tremor in his heart.
This power did not belong to Odin's divine power, nor to any system in Asgard, nor was it like any energy he had seen in the Universe.
It was more like a… source.
A primordial power related to life and creation.
Heimdall's expression, for the first time, became extremely solemn.
He believed that this matter must be reported to the All-Father.
He took a step, leaving his post which he had guarded for a thousand years, and strode towards the Golden Palace.
In the magnificent Odin's Temple.
Odin, King of the Gods, sat on his throne, holding the Eternal Spear gungnir, deep in slumber to restore his gradually weakening divine power.
"Father." Heimdall's voice echoed in the spacious hall.
Odin's tightly closed single eye slowly opened.
In that eye, the birth and death of the stars and the Universe seemed to be contained.
"Heimdall, what has caused you to leave your post?" Odin's voice was ancient and majestic.
"Reporting, Father, I have discovered an abnormal energy on Midgard." Heimdall knelt on one knee, respectfully reporting.
"Is it the Dark Elves? Or the Frost Giant of Jotunheim?"
"Neither."
Heimdall shook his head,
"It is a power I have never seen before, pure and full of the aura of life. It seems to be able to… strengthen living beings."
"Strengthen?"
A flicker of interest crossed Odin's single eye.
"Yes, I saw with my own eyes that this power allowed a Midgard female warrior to gain strength far beyond her own limits in a short period of time."
Heimdall transmitted the scene he had observed, Natasha in the S.H.I.E.L.D. training room, to Odin through divine power.
Odin's single eye gazed at the footage.
After a moment, he slowly spoke.
"Interesting. This method of strengthening does not rely on external objects or magic spells."
His gaze seemed to pierce through endless space, landing on Earth, on that most prosperous office building in Manhattan.
"Has the source of this power been found?"
"The source seems to be a Mortal man from Midgard.
But my sight cannot fully penetrate him.
He seems to be shrouded in a mist, isolating all prying eyes."
Heimdall answered truthfully.
A Mortal whom even Heimdall could not see through?
True surprise finally appeared in Odin's single eye.
He pondered for a long time.
Too many secrets are hidden in the Universe. Even he would not claim to comprehend everything.
This mysterious existence that suddenly appeared on Midgard made him smell a trace of uncertainty.
"What has Thor been doing lately?" Odin suddenly asked.
"Your Highness Thor… is probably still celebrating victory with his Mortal friends on Midgard."
Heimdall's tone was somewhat helpless.
"Let him play."
Odin waved his hand,
"Send a team of Valkyrie to Midgard, under the guise of protecting Jane Foster, to be stationed there permanently."
"Father's meaning is…"
"To observe."
Odin's single eye once again looked towards Earth, his gaze profound.
"Observe that interesting Mortal, and all the people around him who have been 'blessed' by that power."
"I want to know whether this gift from Midgard is a blessing, or… the prelude to another Ragnarok."
The All-Father's voice echoed in the great hall for a long time.
Lynt, far away on Earth, was leisurely drinking coffee, contemplating how to design a cool and practical uniform for his security department.
He had no idea that he had already been targeted by the most powerful ruler of the Nine Realms.
A game from different dimensions had already quietly laid its first piece on the chessboard.
Early the next morning, Lynt stepped into the doors of "Apex Amplification" company, feeling refreshed.
The air was filled with a strange mixed scent—expensive incense, freshly ground coffee, and… a faint hint of sulfur and the primitive musk of a wild Beast.
The spacious and bright office area presented a magical sight.
Toad Man was sprawled in front of an Italian coffee machine worth tens of thousands, extending his long tongue.
He tried to lick the coffee dripping from the spout, but yelped "ribbit" and recoiled as the steam scalded him.
Sabretooth Victor, meanwhile, was using the expensive Italian leather sofa as a scratching post.
The scraping sounds made the new receptionist, Betty, turn pale, with half of her resignation letter already written.
Red Devil Azazel was deeply interested in the automatic glass doors, teleporting in and out again and again.
He was having a blast, his scarlet tail wagging excitedly, like a husky who had discovered a new toy.
Magneto Erik was the only one who seemed relatively normal. He was dressed in a well-tailored dark suit.
Standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the bustling traffic of Manhattan, his leadership aura surprisingly matched this modern commercial empire backdrop.
"Good morning, colleagues."
Lynt, with a standard CEO smile, clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention.
"I'm delighted to see everyone so energetic. As it's your first day on the job, I've prepared welcome gifts and our first team-building activity for you."
He snapped his fingers, and Raven emerged from the storage room, pushing a rack laden with clothes.
Today, Raven had changed into a well-tailored women's suit skirt, which hugged her breathtaking curves. Her golden hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore rimless glasses, exuding the ascetic aura of an elite director.
Only Lynt could see the flame in her ice-blue eyes that only he could ignite.
In just those few seconds of eye contact, Raven had already planned how to deal with Lynt that evening.
Seeing the fire in Mystique's eyes, Lynt habitually tightened his pants.