After leaving the fast-food restaurant,
Coulson followed closely behind Renjie, his expression heavy with complicated thoughts.
Since Nick Fury's arrest, S.H.I.E.L.D. had undergone a brutal internal purge.
All of Fury's trusted allies were either detained for investigation, dismissed from their posts, or reassigned to insignificant positions.
Alexander Pierce now held absolute authority—
And this so-called "technical consultant" was the talent he valued most.
Even Coulson, a veteran agent, had effectively become Renjie's subordinate.
A nameless errand runner with barely any presence.
"Coulson, we're departing today," Renjie said calmly.
"Be careful on the road. I'll be moving ahead first."
Using a special encrypted frequency, Renjie contacted Android 18 and Android 16, ordering them to rendezvous and serve as his escort.
This journey would be fraught with danger.
He couldn't afford to take it lightly.
"Isn't this… a bit too fast?" Coulson asked worriedly.
He turned his head and glanced back at Iron Man, who was walking behind them, arms wrapped around a metal case as he exited the restaurant.
This supergenius was Nick Fury's most prized asset.
Given his current condition, it was impossible not to worry.
"You're underestimating him," Renjie replied with a smile, patting Coulson on the shoulder.
"That's Tony Stark we're talking about."
Only—
That remark was also overheard by Tony himself.
"I like that assessment, Jie!" Tony grinned.
"Once I finish the homework my dad left me, I'll head to the Southwest to find you."
"When the time comes, I'll let you witness just how powerful my new armor is."
Tony's familiar roguish smile returned as he waved goodbye.
Geniuses recognized one another.
And that was precisely why Renjie had come in person—to act as his guide.
At least, that was how Tony Stark felt.
He acknowledged Renjie as a friend.
Even if the guy's words occasionally sounded a bit chuuni—
He absolutely had the strength to back that attitude up.
"I'll be looking forward to that day," Renjie replied, smiling over his shoulder.
Activating the Creator Armor, he shot straight into the sky.
From the distance, two blinding streaks of blue light tore through the clouds—
Android 18 and Android 16, racing in at full speed after receiving the order.
The three moved in perfect synchronization, brilliant contrails blazing behind them.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished from Coulson's and Tony's sight.
"Mr. Iron Man…" Coulson muttered in awe,
"Can you fly that fast too?"
"…Uh…"
"At least for now," Tony replied sheepishly, rubbing his face,
"no."
...
The Southwest.
As they neared the target zone, Renjie deliberately slowed his pace along with the androids.
They made no attempt to jam signals.
The moment ground command detected their arrival, a welcoming team was dispatched immediately.
These agents were all seasoned veterans.
Once Alexander Pierce retired—
The next Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was almost certainly going to be this young man.
It was worth noting—
S.H.I.E.L.D. was not an organization belonging to any single nation.
It was jointly established by the United Nations Security Council.
Which meant that any country—so long as it had a qualified candidate—could produce a Director.
Renjie, as a representative of one of the permanent member states, was fully eligible to assume that role.
"You've arrived at least six days ahead of schedule," an agent reported respectfully.
"The temporary base will require another week to complete."
"So… would you like us to arrange accommodations for you?"
As he spoke, the agent couldn't help but stare at the Creator Armor, awe and reverence written plainly on his face.
"Where's the hammer?" Renjie asked flatly.
He had no interest in small talk.
His sole objective—
Was the hammer that had fallen here.
Mjolnir.
Thor's hammer was forged from Uru metal, a divine alloy originating from Asgard.
Its birthplace—
The heart of a dead star.
Renjie wanted it.
But not to become Thor.
His goal was far more audacious—
To dismantle it, and in doing so, draw Odin himself to Earth.
And from Odin's hands—
Acquire even more Uru metal.
By combining it with Aiman Alloy and Vibranium, Renjie intended to forge an armor beyond imagination.
One that rivaled the Infinity Gauntlet itself.
A supreme armor capable of bearing the terrifying power of the Infinity Stones.
The agent smiled knowingly.
To minds like these—scientific prodigies—
Nothing was more tempting than a divine artifact.
He led Renjie and his companions to the impact site.
Inside the massive crater,
Mjolnir lay silently at its center, resting in eternal stillness.
Only those deemed worthy could lift it—
And inherit the power of the God of Thunder.
Encased in the Creator Armor, Renjie gazed quietly at the hammer.
Word of the genius's arrival quickly spread.
Idle agents flooded in, eager to witness what would happen next.
Everyone had tried.
No one had succeeded.
The hammer seemed cursed—
As though no one in this world could lift it.
"Android 16," Renjie ordered calmly,
"bring it to me."
He made no move himself.
This hammer was the creation of Odin, the All-Father.
And Android Android 16—
Was his creation.
Renjie did not belong to this world.
He held no reverence for its gods.
The King of the Nine Realms was not his deity—
Merely an extraterrestrial from a more advanced civilization.
What Renjie wanted to know was simple:
Did he—
And Odin—
Have the right to speak as equals?
Android 16 stepped forward at the command.
He approached the hammer.
Reached out.
Grasped the handle.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone present—
The hammer that no one could lift—
Was raised high above his head.
END OF CHAPTER
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