Chapter 37: Clark and Lois's Path of Investigation
Tony was a man used to planning ahead for a rainy day and lacked a sense of security; previously, Superman and the Mutants had given him a great sense of threat.
Now that this alien race had appeared, that feeling had deepened, making the idea of developing the Iron Legioneven more urgent in his heart.
Thinking of this, Tony no longer hesitated and resolutely walked into the lab to begin his research.
...
New Mexico.
A car sped along the highway; Lois and Clark were on their way to Mjolnir.
"It's all desert around here, it's really boring, Clark."
Lois looked at the endless desert outside with some frustration.
"I think it's fine; just think of it as a trip together."
Clark replied while driving. Neither of them took this news story too seriously; unlike those big breaking stories, reporters usually treated this kind of assignment as a trip to investigate on the side. It was perfect for the two of them to enjoy some time together.
"True, we'll treat it like a vacation. I'm just glad you're here."
Lois and Clark shared a look and laughed softly.
Usually, work at the newspaper was busy, and their time together was compressed to a minimum, let alone traveling together. Now that they had this chance, they could finally have some fun.
Even in a place like New Mexico with nothing much to do, she was happy as long as she could be with Clark.
As they were talking, a location appeared ahead. The outside was packed with cars, and many staff members were going in and out.
"This should be the place."
Clark glanced at the map, then parked the car nearby and led Lois toward the area.
"We'll take some photos on-site first, then interview some witnesses, and that should be about it."
Lois quickly entered work mode and gave Clark the plan.
Clark nodded, and the two soon reached the perimeter.
The area was now blocked off by many fences and temporary structures, making it impossible to see the situation inside. Many people in suits were entering and leaving, looking very busy.
"What are you doing here? Please show your identification."
As soon as they approached, a soldier with a gun stopped them.
"Hello, we are reporters from the newspaper. We're here to gather material on the object that fell."
Clark shielded Lois behind him and spoke while taking out his press card.
He felt a bit suspicious, wondering why the security was so tight.
"Sorry, this area is currently under lockdown. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter. Please turn back."
The soldier shook his head and immediately refused their request.
"We're just taking a few photos; it won't affect their work. Is that not allowed either?"
Lois explained.
"Sorry, no unauthorized personnel are allowed inside. These are my orders. Please leave."
The soldier raised the rifle in his hand, his voice becoming more stern.
Seeing the soldier's firm attitude, Clark and Lois knew it was a lost cause and had to give up.
However, Clark couldn't help but wonder what exactly was inside; judging by this setup, it didn't look like an ordinary event.
As professional reporters with press cards, they were usually allowed into most scenes to take photos. Being refused entry meant this incident was clearly unusual.
"It seems taking photos is out of the question. Let's find some witnesses first to scout out the situation. What do you think?"
Seeing that photography was blocked, Lois planned to take another approach.
"I think that works. Let's head to the nearby town to investigate first,"
Clark nodded and suggested.
The closer the distance, the more people would have seen the event when it happened, so the nearest town was undoubtedly the best choice.
"I was thinking the same thing. Let's go then."
Lois agreed with Clark's idea. Reaching an agreement, the two drove to the nearby town.
It wasn't far, and they arrived quickly.
The town was bustling with people, looking very lively.
"Excuse me, do you know anything about what happened over at the cordoned-off area?"
Lois smiled as she stopped a grey-haired old man.
"You... of course I know."
The old man was initially a bit displeased at being stopped, but seeing a beautiful girl, his attitude immediately improved, and he spoke with quite a bit of pride.
"I was one of the first few people to go over there. You've certainly found the right person."
"So, what was the situation like at the time?"
Hearing this, Clark and Lois exchanged a glance, nodded, and continued asking.
"Somehow a hammer fell there. It's incredibly heavy. A lot of us went over to try and lift it, but no one could budge it. I even tried pulling it with my pickup truck and still couldn't move it. That's about it."
The old man thought for a moment and shared what he knew.
"A very heavy hammer that even a pickup truck couldn't pull... May I ask if you know if anyone else has more information?"
Lois recorded what the old man said and then asked.
"As for others, there's a weather researcher over on the other side of town who might know. The day before the hammer fell, some miraculous weather phenomena appeared in the sky. That researcher stays by the desert edge every day, so they must have seen it."
"Oh right, that researcher is also quite strange. A few days ago, they found a lunatic from somewhere who keeps saying he's some kind of prince or something."
The old man thought of something and added.
"A meteorologist. Okay, thank you for your cooperation."
Lois noted down the information from the old man, thanked him, and turned to leave. As for the 'lunatic,' she just took it as the old man's idle complaining.
Clark didn't have any particular thoughts, but Su Chenginside him was different.
"A lunatic claiming to be a prince?"
Su Cheng was stunned for a moment. This must be Thor.
Knowing the original plot, he realized it immediately.
Thor was a key character for what was coming next; they couldn't avoid contact. He had to get Clark and the others to go and meet him.
Su Cheng made up his mind and immediately sent a mental suggestion into Clark's mind.
"Clark, how about we go investigate that meteorologist next?"
Lois suggested to Clark, who seemed a bit absent-minded.
"Huh? Su... sure."
Clark didn't know why he had immediately thought of the lunatic's business; he shook his head and agreed to Lois's proposal.
The only clue now was the meteorologist, so they could only head that way.
The meteorologist was, of course, Jane. After a few simple inquiries, they got Jane's address and headed there immediately.
Jane's place wasn't far, right on the outer edge of the town. The two walked to the door and knocked.
Opening the door, Jane saw two strangers and asked with some confusion:
"Can I help you with something?"
Chapter 38: Coulson's Visit
"Excuse me, are you Miss Jane, the meteorologist? We are reporters from the Daily Planet, and we'd like to interview you about a few things."
Lois was the first to speak.
"I see. Please, come in."
As a relatively well-known meteorologist, Jane was often interviewed, so she wasn't surprised and invited them inside.
Inside Jane's living room.
"What would you like to interview me about?"
Jane led them to the living room, brought two cups of coffee, and asked.
"Hello, Ms. Jane. We've come here to ask if you know anything about the hammer that fell in the Restricted Zone."
Seeing Jane's friendly attitude, Lois stopped hesitating and asked directly.
"The matter about the fallen hammer?"
Jane was stunned for a moment, immediately thinking of the anomaly she had seen in the desert that night; it must have been the night the hammer fell.
Since the area was cordoned off, it probably wasn't something she should know about. Speaking out might have consequences, so Jane became secretly wary.
Thinking of this, Jane shook her head and denied it.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about."
"Not sure?"
Lois was taken aback, then continued to ask.
"According to our investigation, you should have been monitoring the local weather at night during this period. We heard there was a celestial anomaly on the day the hammer fell. You must have seen it. Why don't you think about it more carefully?"
"I'm sorry, I really didn't see anything."
Jane shook her head expressionlessly, her attitude firm.
Seeing this, both Clark and Lois understood—it wasn't that she didn't know, she just didn't want to say.
But as reporters, they couldn't force her. With this thought, Clark and Lois exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Just then, Dr. Erik, dressed up, came down the stairs with Thor, looking like they were going somewhere.
Seeing the well-dressed and quite handsome Thor, Jane's eyes lit up.
Lois, seeing Jane's reaction, curled her lips. After a brief comparison in her heart, she felt her Clark was still the most handsome.
Thinking of this, Lois couldn't help but give Clark a sweet smile. Although Clark didn't understand the situation, he smiled back.
"Hey, where are you guys going?"
Jane pulled her gaze away from Thor and asked Erik.
"Taking our Prince to experience the taste of authentic tequila."
Erik pointed to Thor beside him, then noticed Clark and Lois and asked curiously.
"And these two are?"
"These are reporters from the Daily Planet. This is Lois, and that is Clark. They're here for an interview."
Jane provided a brief introduction.
"Oh, I see."
"By the way, do you want to join us for a drink?"
Knowing they were reporters, Erik lost interest and turned to invite Jane.
"I'm not going. I'd rather rest for a bit."
Hearing they were going for drinks, Jane lost interest. As a girl, she didn't care much for alcohol.
"Lois, do you two want to go?"
Erik invited Lois again; drinking is always more fun with more people.
"I think I'll pass."
Lois didn't really want to drink with other men.
Su Cheng, inside Clark's body, felt a stir. This was a great opportunity to get close to Thor. He immediately sent a mental suggestion to Clark, prompting him to agree.
"Drinks?"
Clark was about to refuse, but then he thought about how he hadn't gotten any news from Jane. He could try asking Erik instead. People are more likely to tell the truth after drinking; this was undoubtedly a good opportunity.
Thinking of this, Clark nodded and said.
"I'd like to go. Let's go together."
"Great! It would have been too lonely with just the two of us drinking."
Erik was surprised for a moment, then gladly accepted. Although he didn't know Clark well, isn't drinking the best way for men to get closer?
"Clark?"
Lois was a bit confused, but seeing Clark give her a look, she vaguely understood his intention.
"It's fine. If Clark wants to go, let him. Lois, you stay here with me, and we can chat."
Jane thought Lois didn't know where else to go and made a suggestion.
"Oh, alright. Then go ahead, Clark."
Lois agreed.
Clark nodded, then walked out with Erik and Thor.
...
On Coulson's side.
"There was anomalous weather before the hammer appeared. There's a meteorologist in town who has been observing the weather; she should have some information."
Coulson looked at the investigated data before him, deep in thought.
Director Fury was right; approaching from the perspective of witnesses indeed revealed a lot of information. The anomalous weather before the hammer fell was clearly no coincidence and must be related to the hammer. Jane, the meteorologist who had been observing in the desert, obviously knew about that day's events.
Thinking of this, Coulson instructed the agents beside him.
"Get a few people. We're going to check it out."
The agent beside him immediately took the order and soon brought back several agents. Seeing that everyone was there, Coulson nodded and headed toward Jane's house.
Soon, they arrived at Jane's doorstep, and Coulson stepped forward to knock.
"Erik, you guys are back so... Who are you?"
Jane thought it was Erik and the others returning, but she didn't expect to see so many strangers standing outside when she opened the door. She couldn't help but become wary.
"Hello, Miss Jane. We are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. We're here to ask you about some things."
Coulson took out his credentials and explained.
"Oh. What is it about?"
Jane nodded but still didn't move from the doorway, clearly not wanting to let them in.
"Miss Jane, did you observe any anomalies the day before the hammer fell in the Restricted Zone?"
Knowing Jane hadn't let down her guard, Coulson wasn't annoyed but asked the question directly.
"...No, I don't know what you're talking about."
Jane's eyelid twitched, but she quickly adjusted and shook her head with a neutral expression, denying it.
"This matter is very important. I advise you not to lie, Miss Jane."
Although Jane had composed herself quickly, she was clearly too green in front of a professional agent like Coulson.
"I really don't know what you're talking about."
Jane still refused to speak.
"In that case, go in and bring out all of Miss Jane's experimental equipment for inspection."
Seeing Jane still insisted on not speaking, Coulson didn't waste any more words and directly signaled the agents beside him.
The agents immediately took the order and went inside to search.
Jane tried to stop them when she saw this, but she was immediately restrained by a female agent.
"What are you doing?!"
Chapter 39: Thor Drunk Under the Table
Inside the house, Lois hadn't yet figured out what was happening when she saw a group of people rush in and begin a frantic search.
Before long, all of Jane's experimental equipment and data were searched out and laid out outside.
"As expected, it's right here."
Coulson looked at Jane's experimental data from that day; sure enough, it recorded the anomalies in the sky, along with photos.
Coulson had never seen such eerie weather phenomena in photos before; it was certainly not caused by natural factors.
Thinking of this, Coulson said to the agent beside him.
"Move everything here back."
Then he walked to the side, deciding to report the situation here to Nick Fury.
Coulson walked to a secluded spot, took out his communicator, and dialed Nick Fury's number.
"Hello, Coulson, what is it?"
The call connected, and Nick Fury's voice came through from the other side.
"Sir, I've found some information here. When the hammer appeared, there were anomalies with lightning in the sky. This doesn't seem like a coincidence, so I've concluded it's related to a mysterious power."
Coulson stated his judgment with a serious expression. The photos from just now were undoubtedly solid evidence, strengthening his conviction.
"...Is that so? Then it seems we need to increase our vigilance."
Nick Fury was silent for a moment, then said in a serious voice.
"Yes, so I think we should just have Tony come over to prepare for any danger in advance. Otherwise, we might not be able to react in time."
Coulson suggested. Having confirmed it was caused by a mysterious power, the unease in his heart magnified infinitely, and he felt it was necessary to be fully prepared.
"Alright, I understand. Don't worry, I'll notify him immediately. Be careful with your investigation from here on, and report immediately if you encounter any danger."
Nick Fury made his decision and instructed Coulson to act with caution.
"Alright, sir."
After Coulson finished speaking, Nick Fury hung up the phone.
Putting away his communicator, Coulson saw Jane still struggling over there. After a moment's thought, he walked over.
"Miss Jane, I apologize for everything we've done, but please understand that this is all for the safety of the people."
Coulson apologized sincerely, then waved for his subordinates to release Jane before turning to leave.
"These bastards, they really..."
Jane was a bit indignant and was about to go over to argue further.
"Let's wait until Clark and the others get back. There's nothing we can do by going over there."
Lois stopped her and suggested.
Jane thought about it; the two of them being just girls would put them at a disadvantage. She couldn't help but feel a bit resentful toward Thor and the others, but there was nothing she could do. She reluctantly agreed and was pulled back into the room by Lois.
...
Inside the town tavern.
The table was covered with alcohol, and the three of them—Clark and the others—sat around it.
"This is the most famous Tequila in New Mexico. It's got quite a kick, so you'd better be careful."
Erik filled everyone's glasses, then raised his glass in invitation.
"I have never been drunk in Asgard. Mere human alcohol could never get me drunk."
Thor patted his chest, full of confidence. He was an Aesirof Asgard, the heir to the throne, and the future King of Gods; he had never lost when it came to drinking.
"I don't know where Asgard is, but I've never lost either. How about you, Clark?"
Erik also signaled his refusal to back down. Although Thor looked to be in better shape, they were both men; how could he admit defeat now?
Seeing that Clark hadn't spoken, Erik asked him again.
"I don't usually drink much, so I don't know."
Clark spoke truthfully. He really hadn't drunk much, but he didn't mention that with his Superman physique, it was impossible for him to get drunk.
"It's fine, you'll get used to it after a few more drinks."
After Erik spoke, he raised his glass and drained it in one gulp.
Not to be outdone, Thor, sitting opposite him, also drained his glass.
Clark frowned at the sight but followed suit anyway.
Seeing how bold they both were, Erik's eyes lit up, and he refilled the glasses.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the table was unknowingly covered with empty bottles, and Erik had long since passed out.
Without his divine power, Thor also couldn't withstand the effects of the alcohol and collapsed onto the table, mumbling drunken words like 'Father' and 'Why?'
Meanwhile, thanks to the strength of his Man of Steel physique, Clark didn't feel the slightest bit tipsy.
Seeing that both had collapsed, Clark shook his head helplessly. He then picked them up, one in each hand, and walked back toward home without any effort.
Before long, they reached the door. Clark set the two down and rang the doorbell.
"Erik, is that you?"
"Eh? Clark, where are they?"
Jane opened the door and saw Clark at once. Seeing that the other two weren't there, she asked in confusion.
"They're right here."
Clark stepped aside, revealing Thor and Erik lying on the ground behind him.
"Oh! My god, how did Erik get this drunk? And Thor too."
Jane quickly moved aside, letting Clark drag the two of them onto the sofa in the living room.
Jane hurriedly and somewhat anxiously got a towel to wipe Thor's face, not even noticing Erik nearby.
"Clark, what happened to them? And why do you smell so strongly of alcohol too?"
Lois came out and looked thoughtful as she saw Jane taking care of Thor. Then, she quickly walked over to Clarkto check on him.
"They insisted on seeing who could drink more and eventually fell asleep. I'm not drunk, so I just dragged them back."
Clark explained, caught between laughter and tears.
"Ah, you drank that much too? Don't drink like that next time; it's bad for your health."
Even though she knew Clark's body was indifferent to the harm of alcohol, Lois still gave him a caring reminder.
"Okay."
Clark nodded, his eyes gentle.
"Oh, right. A group of people came today and indiscriminately took all of Jane's experimental materials and data. They seemed to be called something like S.H.I.E.L.D."
After a moment of tenderness with Clark, Lois quickly said as something came to mind.
"Yes, those guys are just a bunch of barbarians. They came and snatched everything for no reason, and they even said the hammer that fell from the sky is related to the experimental photos I took."
Jane also thought of Coulson and the others and couldn't help but speak out in anger.
"A hammer fell from the sky!!!"
Hearing this, the half-drunk, half-awake Thor sat up with a start, his intoxication clearing significantly.
He hurriedly grabbed Jane's small hand and asked excitedly.
"What hammer? Where is it? Where is my Mjolnir?"
Jane's face flushed as her hand was held, and she stammered.
"He... he said it's in some kind of Restricted Zone. I think it's the one not far outside of town."
Chapter 40: Thor Tries to Lift Mjolnir
"I... I'm going. I'm going to get it back."
Hearing this, a look of joy appeared on Thor's face, and he immediately stood up unsteadily, about to head out.
He had finally found his Mjolnir; he could reclaim his divine power, and his heart was filled with excitement.
"Be careful. How are you going to go like this?"
Seeing his swaying body, Jane wanted to stop Thor, but she simply didn't have the strength to hold him back.
Clark caught Thor effortlessly and advised:
"Hey, Thor, Jane is right. It's too late today; let's go tomorrow instead."
Thor struggled several times, but Clark's arm remained motionless, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Although he no longer had his divine power, he still possessed a robust human body, yet he couldn't move Clark even an inch with all his strength. What was going on?
"Yes, Clark is right. Going there so late is very dangerous, and those people won't listen to your explanations."
Jane was also a bit anxious. Based on her encounter with those people today, they weren't easy to talk to. If Thor went there so impulsively, he would definitely suffer.
"No, I must go. It's too important to me. As long as I lift it, I can have everything again."
Thor stopped struggling and spoke with great determination.
Seeing him like this, Jane turned her head away, no longer paying attention.
She felt somewhat aggrieved, her eyes gradually moistening. If having that hammer meant having everything, then what was she to him?
Seeing how stubborn Thor was, Clark knew they couldn't stop him. He sighed and let go of Thor.
"Wait for me to come back, and I'll give you everything you want."
Seeing Jane's expression, Thor felt a bit of pity and gave her a promise before turning to leave.
"Lois, I'll go with him and take a look."
Clark signaled to Lois and then followed Thor out. After all, having shared a drink once, they were considered friends, and he didn't feel right letting Thor go there alone.
Lois nodded to Clark, then walked over to the grieving Jane and said:
"Don't cry, Jane. Do you like him?"
"I... I don't!"
Jane's face turned red, and she stammered evasively.
"Clark and I have been in love for a long time, and I was just like you back then."
"Caring about him, worrying about him—he was my whole world. If he was even slightly harsh with me, I'd feel wronged."
Lois recounted her past with Clark, her face full of sweetness.
"That's so nice."
Jane looked at Lois with some envy, then thought of herself and Thor, saying a bit gloomily:
"I've only known Thor for a few days, but I'm still attracted to him. However, I can't see through his attitude, so I don't know what to do."
Hearing this, Lois thought to herself, 'Just as I thought,' and then said:
"Don't worry. Once he goes and fulfills his wish this time, tell him how you feel. It's bound to be a success."
Hearing this, Jane thought for a moment and then nodded firmly. In fact, she already had an answer in her heart; she just hadn't acted on it. Lois's words undoubtedly helped her make up her mind.
"Alright, it's getting late, and you've been tired all day. Go and get some rest."
Lois saw Jane back to her room, then walked to the side and dialed Clark's phone.
...
The Restricted Zone was very close to the town, and Clarkquickly arrived with Thor by car.
As soon as they got out of the car, the two of them saw the Restricted Zone in the distance was tightly sealed off. The only exit was guarded, just as it had been when Clark first saw it.
"With such heavy security, it's too dangerous. Give it up, Thor."
Seeing the tight security, Clark didn't believe Thor could successfully get in. He grabbed Thor and advised him.
"No, I must go in. I am its master; I am the Prince of Asgard."
Thor struggled incessantly, his mouth continuing to spout what Clark considered nonsense.
Just then.
The phone in his pocket rang. Clark grabbed Thor with one hand and answered the call with the other.
"Clark, did you know? Jane likes Thor."
As soon as the call connected, Lois's somewhat excited voice came from the other side.
"Yeah, what about it?"
As someone who had been in a relationship, Clark could naturally see that Jane liked Thor.
"But Thor hasn't gotten that hammer, and his attitude has been unclear. Jane doesn't dare to confess. It makes me feel bad seeing her like this, so I want you to try your best to help Thor fulfill his wish so Jane can confess."
Lois said.
"This... alright, I'll try my best."
Clark hung up the phone, feeling a bit of a headache. But since it was Lois's request, he had no reason to refuse. If it really didn't work out, he would quietly help Thor when he encountered danger.
Thinking of this, Clark loosened his grip and let go of Thor.
Thor was stunned for a moment when Clark suddenly let go, but he didn't think much of it and walked straight toward the entrance of the Restricted Zone.
"What are you doing, you... ah!!!"
The two guards saw Thor rushing straight at them. Before they could react, they were both knocked down by Thor with a single punch each.
After knocking down the two guards, there was no longer any obstacle at the door, and he immediately rushed inside.
Seeing Thor so impulsive, Clark sighed helplessly and followed him.
Even without his divine power, Thor's robust physique and rich combat experience were still very formidable. He fought his way through and soon reached the interior.
"My Mjolnir, I've come to take you back."
As soon as he entered, Thor saw Mjolnir lying in the crater. He immediately ran over in excitement, with Clarkfollowing closely behind.
"Where did this person come from?"
Clint, positioned high up, was somewhat puzzled. With such tight security, how could someone break in?
Despite his confusion, Clint's movements were not slow. He immediately drew an arrow, drew his bow, and aimed.
"This is..."
Coulson in the monitoring room also saw Thor breaking in and immediately frowned.
He remembered the information from the previous investigation: Jane, the meteorologist, had not only captured the anomaly on the night the hammer fell but also brought back a madman who claimed to be a prince and spent all day looking for a hammer.
What if this madman wasn't talking nonsense? What if he really was the owner of the hammer? A sharp light flashed in Coulson's eyes.
Coulson decided to see if Thor could actually lift Mjolnirbefore making a decision.
Just then, he noticed Clint on the monitor preparing to shoot an arrow. He quickly took out his walkie-talkie and said:
"Clint, don't. Let him try first and see if he can lift the hammer."
"Huh?"
Clint looked toward the monitoring room in surprise, not knowing what Coulson was up to. But out of trust and the instinct to follow orders, Clint lowered his bow and arrow.
He also felt a hint of curiosity in his heart. He had tried that hammer himself and couldn't lift it at all. Could the man in front of him really lift it?
Chapter 41: Clark Gains the Power of Thor
In a hidden corner nearby, Loki revealed himself; seeing Clark following behind Thor, Loki frowned.
"Who is that person?" he wondered.
Puzzled or not, in his eyes, Clark was just an ordinary mortal, not worth his attention at all, while Thor was the one who mattered most.
Thinking of this, he focused his full attention on Thor in the field; he was very curious whether his brother could actually lift Mjolnir, and whether someone rejected by their father could regain the Power of Thor.
On Clark's side, he was a bit confused; someone who had been drawing a bow to shoot Thor had inexplicably held back, and there was also someone in the shadows with a strange aura who had been watching this place the whole time; he didn't understand what these people were trying to do.
Meanwhile, Thor walked up to Mjolnir, his face showing the joy of something lost and found; he couldn't help but want to roar, for as long as he picked this up, he could become that God of Thunder once again.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Thor didn't hesitate and placed both hands on Mjolnir.
Ready, he pulled with all his might.
… Mjolnir didn't budge.
Thor couldn't believe it; he used all his strength again and pulled with all his might.
… Still, it didn't budge.
Now Thor was finally certain; his father hadn't lied, and he was no longer worthy of possessing it.
"Father, why, why are you doing this to me!!!"
Knowing the reality, Thor couldn't help it; he cried out, roaring at the sky, his voice full of confusion and grievance.
Coulson, watching from the monitors, was stunned; he hadn't expected this outcome at all and felt annoyed at his own naivety.
Right, how could a madman possibly succeed? But now the trail had gone cold again; so what was the deal with this hammer? Coulson had a headache.
Beside him, Clint also curled his lip, "What is this? He still can't pull it out, can he? And I thought it was something special."
It seems Coulson judged it wrong too, Clint thought with some disdain.
In the corner, Loki laughed, "Brother, you've finally fallen to this state, becoming a mortal."
Loki was extremely happy; since he was young, he felt his father favored his brother, and now that he saw his brother had become a mortal, he couldn't be happier.
Seeing Thor's state, Clark was a bit puzzled and said,
"Isn't it just a hammer? What's there to cry about?"
Clark didn't know why so many people around him were having such intense emotional fluctuations because of this hammer; he felt it was just an ordinary hammer.
"Just a hammer?"
Thor was stunned; he hadn't expected anyone to describe his Mjolnir like that; he immediately couldn't hold back and said,
"What do you mean 'just a hammer'? This is Mjolnir, the Mjolnir; as long as you lift it, you can easily obtain the Power of Thor; it is the symbol of the Prince of Asgard; how could you say that about it?"
In the corner, Loki also curled his lip, feeling disdainful; humans are just humans, still so ignorant, disrespectful, and stupid; he had dreamed of lifting this hammer, and he hadn't expected it to be questioned by an ignorant human.
Clark was made curious by Thor's words; could this really be a very powerful hammer? He immediately walked over to Mjolnir and gripped the handle with both hands.
… Clark pulled hard, and Mjolnir was lifted directly, held in his right hand.
What's so hard about pulling this hammer? It's very light, Clark thought, looking at Mjolnir in his hand with confusion.
The next second.
Dark clouds began to roll in the sky; a bolt of lightning gathered above Clark's head and then struck down directly.
Boom!!!
A deafening thunderclap came; Clark was instantly enveloped by an incomparably thick pillar of lightning, and the power of the lightning instantly filled his body.
"As expected, Clark lifted it."
Su Cheng, inside his body, felt the baptism of the lightning power and was extremely excited; although he knew that Clark was someone qualified to lift the hammer, seeing this scene for real, he still couldn't stop his excitement.
This counted as exposing Clark to everyone; the subsequent impact would be even more beneficial for his own actions; plus, he had obtained the Power of Thor; although not as powerful as Superman's strength, it was still a rare power in the Marvel Universe.
"This... this..."
Thor stared blankly at Clark, who was bathed in lightning, unable to say a complete sentence.
Seeing Clark lift it so easily, his mind went blank.
He couldn't imagine that Clark had actually lifted the hammer; could he really be that righteous and pure?
What should he do now? Did he have to let Clark be the King of Asgard? Was he destined to be a mortal for the rest of his life?
"What!!!"
The lightning shone on Loki's face, leaving him completely stunned; seeing the hammer he had dreamed of lifting held in the hands of a mortal he had previously looked down upon, his eyes were full of disbelief.
He knew what this meant: a mortal was about to become the King of Asgard.
Something that had never happened in tens of thousands of years was actually happening right before his eyes today; who exactly was this mortal? Why did he have the qualifications to lift it? This was a qualification even he didn't have; Loki couldn't understand.
"Actually..."
Coulson, watching the monitors, saw the shocking lightning and widened his eyes; he hadn't expected that it was the ordinary person beside Thor who had lifted the hammer.
They had to know that they had all tried, and it hadn't moved at all; did this person have something special about him?
Also, looking at this, what Thor said earlier—that lifting this hammer would grant the Power of Thor—didn't seem like a lie; had this ordinary person just easily become a superhero? Coulson's eyes flashed; he turned and left the monitoring room, heading toward Clark.
"Who is this guy?"
Clint also stared dumbfounded at Clark, who was shrouded in lightning like the God of Thunder; he didn't understand why that person could lift that hammer so easily.
And looking at this, it couldn't be true that just lifting the hammer would grant that so-called Power of Thor, could it? That was just too absurd.
An ordinary person just lifted a hammer and became a superhero; this made Clint, who had no supernatural powers, feel a bit depressed.
After a while.
The lightning dissipated; Clark, with lightning flashing in his eyes, walked out holding the hammer.
Feeling the power of lightning filling his body, Clark knew that Thor hadn't lied; this hammer really could grant the Power of Thor.
But he didn't want to possess it; Superman's power was far stronger than this; he just wanted to be an ordinary person and didn't want to expose his identity; Clark smiled bitterly; he hadn't expected to be noticed by others because of this; if he had known, he would have been better off not lifting this hammer.
Chapter 42: Tony is Eager to Try
"Hello, I'm Agent Coulson. Are you alright? I'm not sure what happened to you, but could you tell me about it?"
Coulson walked toward Clark with a friendly smile. The man before him could be a future superhero, and Coulsondidn't want to make an enemy of him.
"I'm Clark, a reporter..."
Clark hesitated, unsure if he should tell the truth. Speaking out would mean endless trouble would follow, a situation he wanted to avoid.
"He lifted Mjolnir and gained its recognition. He has already obtained the Power of Thor and the qualification to become the King of Asgard."
Before Clark could speak, Thor, who was beside him, explained dejectedly.
His heart was conflicted. His Power of Thor had been obtained by someone else, and it was Clark, whom he knew. At the same time, he felt a bit lost about his own future.
"I see."
Coulson's eyes flickered, but his expression remained calm. He thought to himself that it was as he suspected; the man before him truly had obtained that Power of Thor and become a superhero.
In that case, this person had to be brought into S.H.I.E.L.D.to ensure he wouldn't be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
Hearing Thor reveal the fact that he had obtained the Power of Thor, Clark felt a bit of a headache. There was no way to deny it now.
"Alright, let's not talk here. Let's go inside and discuss how to handle your situation. After all, with something like this happening, we at S.H.I.E.L.D. can't just ignore it."
Clint also walked over and suggested.
Now that Clark had obtained this power, they couldn't just let him leave easily.
"Yes, Mr. Clark, let's go inside and talk."
Coulson agreed with Clint's idea. Telling Clark directly might cause him resentment, so it was better to take it slow. Besides, he needed to notify Fury first.
Clark nodded at this. Given what had happened, these people wouldn't let him go back easily, and he didn't want to have a conflict with them.
Seeing Clark agree, Coulson immediately turned to lead the way. Clark followed suit, and Thor, still thinking about Mjolnir, followed as he saw Clark leaving.
While the three of them were talking...
...Loki, in the shadows, was filled with rage. It was actually lifted by a mortal! This great power had been obtained by a lowly mortal; it was truly a disgrace.
Lifting the hammer grants the Power of Thor and the qualification for the throne.
That old fellow Odin has truly grown old, making such a decision. Does he intend to let a mortal be king and bring shame to all of Asgard?
No, this mortal cannot remain. He must die, Loki thought.
But this guy has the Power of Thor and is surrounded by so many mortals. He won't be easy to deal with. In a direct confrontation, I might not have the advantage. Loki didn't charge forward recklessly but began to plot.
If I tell this news to Thor's group of foolish friends, they certainly won't stand for it. I can use them, and together with Destroyer, I can definitely eliminate this human once and for all.
Thinking of this, Loki felt the plan was very feasible, and an excited smile appeared on his face.
"Wait for your death, mortal." He gave Clark a sinister look, then his figure blurred and he vanished on the spot.
...
Having Clint lead Clark and Thor inside first, Coulsonwalked to a secluded corner and dialed Nick Fury's number.
"Hello, Coulson. What happened now? Is it about the hammer?"
The call connected, and Nick Fury's somewhat weary voice came through. It seemed a lot had happened lately, leaving him no time to rest.
"Yes, it's about the hammer."
"The hammer... has been lifted."
Coulson paused for a moment before reporting that the hammer had been lifted.
"..."
Nick Fury was silent for a while, clearly quite shocked by the news. After a moment, he regained his composure, took a deep breath, and asked.
"The hammer was lifted? What exactly happened?"
"We investigated information from the night before the hammer appeared and found someone claiming to be the Prince of Asgard related to it. This person happened to come here looking for the hammer, so I let him in to see what would happen."
Coulson said slowly.
"And then? Did that man lift the hammer?"
Fury's voice was a bit urgent.
"No, that man didn't lift the hammer. Instead, an ordinary reporter who came with them lifted it, obtained the Power of Thor, and became a superhuman."
Coulson shook his head in denial and then explained Clark's situation.
"An ordinary reporter???"
Nick Fury's voice was full of astonishment, as if he hadn't expected this outcome at all. He didn't speak for a long time.
"I don't think such a superhuman should be left on his own. We should recruit him. What do you think, boss?"
Coulson shared his thoughts; he was checking to see what Fury's take was.
"...Hmm, you're right. Such power is easily targeted by others. How about this: invite him directly to join the Avengers Initiative, and I'll talk to him again when you get back."
Fury thought for a while and agreed with Coulson. Clearly, they were on the same page, neither wanting such power to be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
"Alright, boss, I understand. I'll do my best to convince him to join us."
After hanging up, Coulson relaxed a bit. With Fury's permission, he felt much more confident. Now he just needed to persuade the reporter inside to agree. With that thought, a friendly smile appeared on Coulson's face as he walked inside.
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters...
"An ordinary person has obtained superhuman power?"
Hanging up, Nick Fury rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
If an ordinary person gaining power isn't handled correctly, it can easily lead to major trouble.
If he joins the Avengers Initiative, it's fine; they can keep him in check. But if he doesn't, not only is it likely his power will be exploited by others, but whether he can control himself and not turn to evil is also an unknown. After all, there are plenty of examples of superhumans acting recklessly. That's just human nature; he can't exactly expect that person to be a man of absolute justice.
He couldn't rely entirely on Coulson's successful persuasion; he needed an insurance policy.
Thinking of this, Nick Fury pondered for a moment, thought of someone, then pulled out his communicator and made a call.
...
In the top-floor laboratory of Stark Industries.
Scattered parts covered the floor, and several half-assembled Iron Man Suits stood around.
Tony sat on the floor with an unfinished Iron Man Suit in front of him, adjusting the internal circuit boards.
"Sir, you have a call from Mr. Nick Fury. Shall I connect it?"
As he worked, Jarvis's voice suddenly came through, interrupting Tony's actions.
Chapter 43: Loki's Conspiracy
"What a pain. What's that old fox Fury looking for me for this time?"
"Connect the call, Jarvis."
Tony irritably took off his gloves and tossed them onto the workbench as he walked out of the laboratory.
"Hey! Tony, I have something for you here."
Jarvis connected the call, and Nick Fury's somewhat impatient voice came through from the other side.
"What is it? It's not about making me go to New Mexicoagain, is it?"
Tony walked over to the sofa outside, lay down, and asked with some impatience.
Fury had mentioned this over and over again until he was sick of hearing it; no doubt it was the same thing this time.
"That's right. This time I want you to head over there directly and help Coulson out."
Nick Fury said.
"You've got to be kidding me. All this for a hammer that won't move? Is it really worth it?"
"According to what you said before, no one can pick it up anyway, so it's just sitting there."
Tony was very reluctant. What he wanted most right now was to properly complete his Iron Legion.
As for everything else, it all had to be put aside, let alone being asked to watch over a hammer that wouldn't budge.
"Tony, listen to me. Just now, that unmovable hammer was lifted by someone!"
"The person who lifted it is an ordinary reporter. Not only did he lift the hammer, but he also gained the Power of Thor from it, becoming a superhuman."
Nick Fury spoke slowly. He had long anticipated that Tonywould throw in the towel, but he believed that once this was revealed, this intensely curious man wouldn't be able to resist going to check it out.
"What!!! You're not joking, are you? That hammer was actually lifted, and it really can grant an ordinary person extraordinary power?"
Tony knew, of course, that Nick Fury wouldn't joke about such things—someone really had picked up a hammer and gained superhuman power.
This made him restless. After all, he was just an ordinary human who became a superhero through his armor.
But now, someone had used such a magical method to go from an ordinary human to a superhuman, making him eager to see it for himself.
"A human who can control lightning just by using a hammer... I'm really curious which of us is stronger..."
At this thought, Tony felt eager to try. Besides meeting the man, he naturally wanted to see how they compared.
To see whether his technology was superior or if that mysterious power was.
"It looks like you've agreed."
Nick Fury's amused voice came through. Just as he expected, Tony wouldn't refuse something like this.
"Uh... I just have a bit of a craving for some authentic tequila."
Tony was unwilling to admit it, but his movements didn't lag as he already began walking toward the laboratory.
"Alright then, Coulson will be waiting for you."
Fury said and hung up the phone.
"Alright, now let's let those guys see the power of my little ones."
Tony pressed a switch, and several Iron Man Suits rose from the ground, emitting a metallic luster.
...
Inside the office of the Restricted Zone.
"How about letting me try one more time?"
Clint pointed at the hammer in Clark's hand with anticipation in his eyes. Seeing Clark pick up the hammer, he was also skeptical and prepared to try again.
"Oh, you've already tried, no need to try again. Not being able to lift it means you are not worthy."
Thor sat dejectedly to the side and said out of the blue.
"Well, you never know."
Clint said, refusing to believe it.
"Then go ahead and try."
Clark didn't mind and handed the hammer over directly.
Looking at the hammer in Clark's hand, Clint rubbed his hands together and gripped it with both hands.
Seeing this, Clark let go.
The next second.
Bang!!!
Clint was pulled straight down to the ground by the hammer.
"This is truly bizarre!!"
Clint rubbed his waist, gave Thor an embarrassed look, and scrambled to his feet.
"Hello everyone. Clint, what are you doing?"
Coulson walked in and gave Clint a strange look.
Clint gave a sheepish smile and didn't answer.
Coulson didn't say much more but spoke to Clark.
"Mr. Clark, I just spoke with our Director about your situation, and we've decided to invite you to join our Avengers Initiative as a superhero. What do you think?"
After saying that, Coulson looked at Clark, and Thor and Clint also looked at Clark.
...
Inside the palace temple of Asgard.
Smash!!!
"That lowly Mortal... how... how is he worthy to lift mjolnir?"
Having returned to Asgard, Loki angrily smashed a cup, then began to think with a sinister gaze.
"That Mortal definitely can't be let off. Now that I have the scepter, I can control Destroyer. I'll tell the news to Thor's group of idiot friends later; they definitely won't go easy on that Mortal down there."
"Although Thor's friends are simple-minded, their combat power isn't weak. With them and Destroyer, it will surely be foolproof."
Just as he was thinking this, Loki happened to see several of Thor's friends walking toward the Bifrost Bridgethrough the window.
"It seems some people can't wait; they must be going to find Thor. Just as I intended." Loki gave a sinister smile, and his figure gradually vanished.
Sif and the other three were on their way to the Bifrost Bridge.
"Sif, what if Heimdall won't let us pass? That old stubborn man won't listen to anyone except the All-Father."
Volstagg asked somewhat impatiently. Heimdall was famously dutiful in Asgard; wanting to pass through the Bifrost Bridge was undoubtedly wishful thinking.
"Then what should we do? Are we just going to watch Thor suffer down there?"
Sif was somewhat agitated. Thor was currently in the Lower Realm and had been stripped of his divine power; who knew what dangers he might face.
"Actually, we can trust Thor. He will definitely be able to take back mjolnir and become King once more; only he is worthy."
Hogun was much calmer. Thor was no ordinary Mortal; even without his divine power, he was a powerful warrior and wouldn't be easily bested.
At these words, Sif hesitated. She also believed in Thor's abilities, and it was indeed difficult to get past Heimdall. Should they really give up?
"Don't think too highly of Mortals' friendliness."
Loki's voice came from the side.
The group looked toward the sound and saw Loki walking over, shaking his head.
"What are you doing here, Loki? I don't think you're here to save Thor."
Sif stared intently at Loki with a sour expression. She knew Loki and Thor didn't get along, so she felt a strong repulsion toward him. The others felt the same and watched Loki warily.
"Quite so, I certainly won't save him."
Seeing their guarded expressions, Loki shrugged and said nonchalantly:
"However, I am also unwilling to see a human become the future King of our Asgard through despicable means!"
Chapter 44: Destroyer Dispatched
"What do you mean?"
Sif's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't understand what Loki was talking about. Thor was the only future king of Asgard; how could it be a human?
"It seems none of you know."
Loki looked as if he had expected this, thinking to himself that the fish had taken the bait. He then explained.
"Thor's Power of Thor in the lower realm was snatched away by a despicable human using underhanded means. Now that mortal has lifted mjolnir, and he will become the future king of Asgard."
"What!!!"
"Impossible!!!"
Sif and the others' expressions changed drastically upon hearing this, filled with disbelief. Their first reaction was that Loki was lying; given his character, it wasn't something he wouldn't do.
"Impossible? Although I have my differences with Thor, I gain nothing by lying to you about such a matter. I simply do not wish to see a lowly mortal sit upon the throne of Asgard."
Loki shook his head and continued speaking with feigned sincerity.
"This... this..."
Sif hesitated. Loki was right; he couldn't possibly lie about such a thing.
"He's right. Thor might really have had his divine power taken away."
Hogun's expression became serious, sensing how troublesome this situation was.
"No, we have to go down and help him. We must get Thor's power back."
Sif believed Loki's words and hurriedly prepared to find Thor.
"Wait, that mortal has obtained Thor's power. It won't be easy for us."
Hogun stopped Sif. They knew the might of the Power of Thor; it was a power only a King of Asgard could possess. They had little chance of winning.
"Then are we just going to leave Thor like this?"
Sif glared at Hogun and continued advancing toward the Bifrost Bridge.
"Don't worry, I will send Destroyer with you."
Loki gestured with the scepter in his hand.
The group looked at each other. Now that everything was prepared, there was indeed nothing to hesitate about. With that thought, they no longer wavered and walked toward the Bifrost Bridge.
Seeing this, Loki let out a successful, devious smirk.
Now that the combatants for the trip were settled, the only thing left was to get that old man Heimdall to open the gate. Thinking of this, Loki squinted at the distant Heimdalland smiled maliciously.
"Halt. Where are you going? Without Odin's command, no one is allowed to use the Bifrost Bridge."
As soon as Sif and the others arrived, the expressionless Heimdall blocked them. From his appearance, he had no intention of letting them down.
"Thor's power has been stolen by a human below. We're going down to help him. Move aside, Heimdall."
The blocked Sif explained very anxiously. She had no time for nonsense with Heimdall; she didn't know what state Thor was in right now.
"Stolen?"
Heimdall was stunned for a moment. How did he not know? He had seen from the Bifrost Bridge that Thor failed to lift Mjolnir. Instead, the hammer was lifted by another mortal who gained the Power of Thor. This was hardly a "theft."
"Exactly. So let us go down. We can't let a human become the King of Asgard, can we, Heimdall?"
Loki also walked over with a meaningful smile. He knew Heimdall also knew the truth, but he believed this gatekeeper, who was fiercely loyal to Odin, wouldn't stand by and watch the throne of Asgard fall into human hands.
"Loki..."
Heimdall understood the moment he saw Loki. Loki must have lied to them, intending to use them for something.
He wanted to refuse, but Loki's subsequent words made him hesitate. As Odin's son, he naturally supported Thor becoming the King of Asgard. Even if it wasn't Thor, it shouldn't be a human.
Thinking this, Heimdall made a silent decision, though his expression remained unchanged as he spoke.
"In that case, only this once. Bring Thor back quickly and don't cause any other trouble."
Saying this, Heimdall gave Loki a warning look and then opened the Bifrost Bridge.
"Great!!!"
Sif and the others were overjoyed to see Heimdall agree and hurriedly stepped onto the Bifrost Bridge.
Loki nodded, thinking that Heimdall had indeed acted as expected. Then, he quickly used the scepter in his hand to summon Destroyer from the temple.
Destroyer instantly appeared by Loki's side, its powerful aura fully evident.
"Kill all the mortals below for me."
Loki whispered the order to Destroyer. Destroyer's eyes immediately lit up, and then the two of them entered the Bifrost Bridge together.
...
In the town on the edge of the Restricted Zone.
A sudden gale blew across the sky, and an aurora flashed from above, landing in the center of the town.
A moment later.
The aurora dissipated.
Sif's group of four and Loki appeared on the ground, and behind them stood the massive Destroyer, its body shimmering with a metallic luster.
Seeing the menacing Destroyer, the townspeople were immediately terrified and fled in all directions, screaming incessantly.
As if sensing something, Destroyer's glowing head began to gather energy, and then it fired a light beam directly toward the crowd.
Bang!!!
A house was instantly turned to ash.
Seeing this, the surrounding crowd became even more panicked, with screams erupting everywhere as they scattered and fled.
Sif frowned at the sight, unsure why Destroyer was attacking humans. However, their primary mission was to find Thor, so she didn't pay it much mind and turned to search for him.
Destroyer, failing to finish them with one strike, did not stop. It walked directly toward the crowd, continuously firing light beams along the way.
For a moment, explosions rang out across the town. The people were completely unable to resist the powerful Destroyer. Screams of agony echoed continuously; the entire town had become a living hell.
...
Inside the office of the Restricted Zone.
"Avengers Initiative?"
Clark was stunned for a moment, clearly not knowing what Coulson's Avengers Initiative was.
"The Avengers Initiative is a project our S.H.I.E.L.D. is preparing to launch. Specifically, it is an organization formed by uniting multiple Super-humans to protect human safety and counter mysterious forces."
Coulson explained; since Clark hadn't directly refused, he felt there was a good chance of recruiting him.
"Clark joining the Avengers?"
Inside his body, Su Cheng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Good grief, he hadn't expected things to develop this way.
However, this was also good. Joining the Avengers was equivalent to exposing Clark to the public. One must know that every hero in the Avengers had faced skepticism from the outside world. When the time came, not only would his identity as Superman be questioned, but his identity as an Avenger would also be scrutinized. Under this double blow, Clark's corruption process would surely be faster.
Thinking of this, Su Cheng decided to have Clark join the Avengers and immediately transmitted a suggestion into Clark's mind.
Chapter 45: Clark Joins the Avengers Initiative
"An organization that protects humanity..."
Clark was stunned for a moment, and then immediately wanted to refuse, but on second thought...
After all that had happened, the identity of Superman was already highly controversial. If he wanted to continue upholding justice, this new identity was undoubtedly the best choice. It would also provide a layer of protection for his Superman persona, preventing others from linking him to Superman.
Moreover, the fact that he had now obtained the Power of Thor was already exposed in the eyes of these people. Even if he refused, they probably wouldn't let the matter rest.
And if people outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. got wind of the news, they would likely come to disturb his life as well. From his current interactions, the people at S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed quite reasonable. Working with them probably wouldn't lead to major issues.
"Don't worry, young man. S.H.I.E.L.D. is an official organization. We won't conduct experiments on you or anything like that."
Seeing Clark hesitate, Clint thought he was worried, like others, about being taken for research by the government, and immediately explained.
At the same time, Clark made his decision and prepared to agree.
*Beep! Beep! Beep!*
Just as Clark was about to speak, the communicator on Coulson's waist rang.
Coulson frowned. Clark was just about to agree, and now there was an interruption.
He glanced at the communicator. It was from a regular agent. They usually wouldn't call him unless it was urgent, so he had to take it.
"Excuse me, Mr. Clark, I need to take this call."
Coulson apologized and then walked out with the communicator.
"Hello, what is it?"
As soon as the call connected, Coulson asked with a frown.
"Agent Coulson, a massive armored machine has appeared near the town closest to the Lockdown zone. It's rampaging and destroying everything. We're short-handed and request backup."
A panicked voice came from the other end, accompanied by the chaotic sounds of explosions and people screaming. The situation seemed severe.
"What?"
Coulson's eyes widened, and his grip on the phone tightened unconsciously. If this wasn't handled properly, there would be massive casualties. He felt a surge of panic.
Taking two deep breaths to calm himself, Coulson replied in a steady voice.
"Hold on a little longer. Do your best to ensure civilian safety. I'll bring people over immediately."
With that, Coulson hung up and hurried back into the office.
"You're back. Good timing, he's made his decision."
Clint pointed to Clark beside him as he saw Coulson enter.
"Yes, Agent Coulson, I agree to join your initiative."
Clark also stood up. He had already decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plan earlier, only to be interrupted by the phone call. Now he finally said it.
"Agreed..."
"Good, Mr. Clark. You won't regret this decision."
Coulson was momentarily taken aback, then said with a smile. He hadn't expected Clark to agree so quickly.
But then he remembered the phone call and his expression changed again. He quickly added.
"A giant robot has appeared in the town and is indiscriminately destroying it. Since you've agreed, you should head over there immediately to deal with it. Otherwise, casualties could be heavy."
"Alright, I'll take them."
Hearing this, Clint's expression changed. He quickly went to gather his equipment. He also knew that if this wasn't handled properly, it could lead to major problems.
"A robot? It must be Destroyer."
Su Cheng inside Clark pondered upon hearing this. According to the original storyline, Loki summoning Destroyer should have happened a bit later. It seemed that Loki must have discovered Clark lifting Mjolnir, causing this event to occur earlier.
If Destroyer was defeated by Clark, Loki would definitely be furious and would surely target Clark. This could be a good opportunity to push Clark towards a darker path, after all, Loki was full of cunning schemes.
Moreover, Destroyer was currently near Lois. Knowing that Lois might be hurt would surely enrage Clark, inevitably escalating the conflict with Loki.
Thinking this, Su Cheng didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately conveyed the thought that Lois might be harmed into Clark's mind.
"The nearest town? A robot attacking indiscriminately?"
Clark's face paled. Lois was still there. Indiscriminate attacks meant she could get hurt!
At this thought, Clark hurriedly stood up. If there weren't others around, he would have flown over immediately.
Seeing Thor still looking despondent beside him, Clarkgrabbed him and said.
"Both Jane and Lois might be in danger over there. We have to go, now."
"Jane!"
Hearing Jane's name, Thor seemed to snap out of it and became anxious as well.
"Let's go. I'll drive you."
Clint had also finished gathering his gear. He grabbed a set of car keys and ran towards the door.
Clark and Thor quickly followed. They got into the car and sped towards the town at full speed.
...
In the town.
Destroyer moved forward, unknowingly reaching the area near Jane's house on the outskirts of town.
Its gaze scanned Jane's house, detecting two people inside. It immediately began charging up an energy blast.
Inside Jane's house.
"Jane, why hasn't Clark come back yet?"
Lois lay sprawled on the sofa, her eyes full of longing.
"He should be back by now. Even if things didn't work out, he should have returned."
Jane also found it strange. She checked the time. He should have been done long ago. Could something have happened?
As they were speaking...
*BOOM!!!!*
A tremendous explosion rang out. The entire house began to shake violently, and the ceiling started to crack.
"What was that!!!"
Lois looked around in panic, unsure what was happening.
"I don't know either, but we need to get out."
Jane shook her head, her face pale, then grabbed Lois's hand and pulled her outside.
*CRASH!!!*
The moment Lois and Jane got outside, the house behind them collapsed with a roar, turning into a pile of rubble and sending up clouds of dust.
"That was close!!!"
They looked at each other, seeing the lingering fear in each other's eyes. Fortunately, they had gotten out quickly, or they would have been buried with the house.
Just then, an energy blast exploded near them. The shockwave sent both women flying, and they landed hard on the ground.
"Jane, are you okay?"
Lois, who had fallen, struggled to get up, brushed some rubble off herself, and quickly asked Jane with concern.
"I'm fine."
Jane coughed a couple of times, feeling a wave of fear. Luckily, they were only knocked down by the shockwave, or they might have been completely obliterated.
Lois suddenly screamed in alarm, pointing frantically into the distance.
"Jane, look! It was that thing that did it."