He slammed the report on his desk, feeling his blood pressure spike to dangerous levels.
These reports, in cold, cruel fashion, were telling him one fact:
They weren't dealing with a "superhero" or "alien" who could be negotiated with, recruited, or threatened.
They were dealing with a genuine god whose moods were unpredictable and who viewed their most advanced technology as toys!
And now came the biggest question.
—How do you handle a true deity who might be in a bad mood because he "didn't get his hot dog"?
Keep distance? Let him wander Earth freely?
—Ridiculous. Who knew if next time he'd freeze the entire Pacific because his "soda didn't have ice"?
Surveil him? Try to control him?
—Fury glanced at the reports about "lamppost guy" and "lighter." He wisely abandoned that stupid idea.
That left only one option.
—Go see him.
—With the highest respect and greatest sincerity, go appease him.
"Hill!" Fury pressed his comm.
"Yes, sir."
"Prepare a car. No—a plane." Fury's voice carried unprecedented exhaustion. "Also, prepare one... no, ten of New York's best hot dogs. Every variety. And mustard sauce—get me an entire case."
"Also," he paused, adding, "Declassify all our research data on the Tesseract and Loki's Scepter to the highest level. Make a copy."
"Sir, you're...?" Hill was confused.
Fury sighed like a farmhand about to deliver tribute to the landlord.
"I'm going to pay the property fees."
...
When Nick Fury saw Cloud again, it was on the top floor of Stark Tower.
The space had been temporarily requisitioned by S.H.I.E.L.D. as "Post-War Reconstruction Command Center" and "Temporary Avengers Base."
Cloud had shamelessly claimed Tony's penthouse suite—the one with the best view and most luxurious furnishings—and was currently lounging in a bathrobe on a beach chair on the outdoor terrace, looking thoroughly displeased.
Beside him, Natasha and Wanda were attentively serving him from either side.
One was peeling grapes.
One was fanning him.
The scene looked exactly like a corrupt feudal emperor enjoying his decadent lifestyle.
Fury approached with Hill and two agents carrying large bags.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Cloud." Fury forced what he believed was his most pleasant smile.
Cloud didn't even lift an eyelid, just grunted through his nose.
That aloof attitude made even Hill, behind Fury, feel a flash of irritation.
But Fury didn't dare show any displeasure.
He waved his hand, having the agents respectfully arrange the ten beautifully packaged hot dogs and the entire case of various mustard sauces on the small table before Cloud.
"This is a small gift we've specially prepared for you." Fury's posture couldn't have been lower. "We heard you didn't get to enjoy New York's specialty cuisine last time, and we deeply regret that. These were personally crafted by a Michelin three-star chef using the finest wagyu beef and artisan bread. We hope they suit your palate."
Cloud finally cracked one eye open and glanced at the obviously expensive hot dogs.
Then he shook his head and closed it again.
"Not hungry."
Three words, light as air, yet they sent a chill down Fury's spine.
Done for.
The deity is angry.
Consequences will be severe.
Fury's brain raced frantically.
He knew ordinary material goods, money, and power meant nothing to this man.
He had to offer something truly interesting.
"Ahem." Fury cleared his throat, deciding to play his trump card. "Mr. Cloud, I know you're interested in certain... special items from this world."
As he spoke, he signaled Hill to hand over a military-grade encrypted tablet.
"To express our gratitude for your enormous contribution to New York and to Earth during this incident—" Fury felt himself blushing as he said this— "S.H.I.E.L.D., along with the World Security Council, has unanimously decided to grant you the highest research access to the Tesseract and Loki's Scepter."
"This contains all our research data since World War II on these two items, energy analysis reports, and related experimental footage."
"We believe that with your wisdom, you'll certainly discover mysteries that we mere mortals cannot comprehend."
Fury's speech was airtight.
It expressed "gratitude," flattered the other party, and tossed this hot potato to him under the guise of "seeking guidance."
Indeed, when Cloud heard "Tesseract" and "Loki's Scepter," his eyes—which had remained closed—finally opened completely.
A glint of genuine interest appeared in them.
He sat up and took the tablet.
His divine sense swept over it briefly.
The layers of encryption on the tablet—set by Earth's top hackers and supposedly "uncrackable"—were completely dismantled in 0.01 seconds.
Massive data streams flooded into his mind.
Spatial folding, dimensional jumping, mental manipulation, consciousness projection...
Countless fragments of "Space" and "Mind" laws were rapidly being analyzed, reorganized, and absorbed within his Sovereign-level divine soul.
On his internal system panel, the law analysis percentage that had stagnated for so long began climbing at a visible rate!
[11%... 13%... 15%...]
"Mm... interesting."
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Cloud's face.
He casually picked up a hot dog from the table and took a bite.
"Taste's... acceptable."
Hearing this evaluation, Fury's suspended heart finally settled back into his chest.
He knew he'd bet correctly.
This unpredictable "deity" had no interest in ruling the world or becoming a tyrant.
What interested him were the deeper mysteries of this universe—the secrets of "laws" and "truth."
And he, Nick Fury, only needed to keep providing this deity with "toys" that interested him.
In exchange for world peace.
This was a "transaction" that came out ahead no matter how you calculated it.
...
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