Chapter 31:
Mark, now awakened with Stand Steve, felt a gentle warmth spread through his digitized body. "Hmm? What is this feeling?"
Having been digitized for so long, Mark had almost forgotten what it felt like.
He stared skeptically at the green pulp on the ground. "Could this stuff actually be useful?"
After being chewed up, the once vibrant and translucent green pulp had lost its vitality, turning into a sticky, lifeless mess.
Lost in thought, Mark stared at the unappetizing substance.
"Screw it, let's try again!" he declared, steeling his resolve.
With unwavering determination, Steve handed him another string of crystal-clear Essence Berries.
Mark held his breath and swallowed the whole string without chewing, feeling the cool juice slide down his throat.
Instantly, a strange surge of energy coursed through his body, like jumping into a hot spring on a freezing winter night. It washed away all fatigue and brought unparalleled comfort.
Mark couldn't tell if his digitized body had muscles, blood, or cells, but he sensed a joyful presence within him, as if celebrating a rebirth. It was an exhilarating feeling.
But the sensation faded quickly, leaving Mark wanting more.
The experience was definitely worth it, but the addictive nature of the berries was a problem. Despite their disgusting taste, the Essence Berries confirmed Mark's suspicions about their ability to enhance his strength.
Even though he had only consumed one berry, Mark could sense that he had become slightly stronger.
Realizing he was already getting hooked, Mark facepalmed in frustration.
The Minecraft world had an endless supply of Essence Berries, and Mark had brought a whole bunch of bushes with him. But the thought of swallowing those disgusting things in large quantities was hard to stomach.
After a moment of internal struggle, Mark's desire for power won over his taste buds.
With determination, Mark pinched his nose and forced the Essence Berries into his mouth one by one. Strange gulping sounds echoed in the room, even making Mark cringe.
To counter the overwhelming taste, Mark had Steve grab two baked potatoes. He munched on them while observing the changes in his body.
And indeed, after consuming the whole batch of Essence Berries, Mark felt noticeably different. The surge of power within him was undeniable.
He felt incredibly strong, like never before.
"Now, let's test this out," Mark decided after a moment of thought.
With a single thought, he summoned Steve, who immediately placed a cobblestone on the ground.
Without hesitation, Mark threw a lightning-fast punch. The solid rock cracked with a loud bang, forming deep fissures and sending countless shards flying like bullets, shattering the room's partitions.
The loud noise attracted a rush of footsteps from outside.
"What's going on?" Agent Coulson burst in, followed by Hawkeye. They looked around vigilantly, searching for enemies.
A group of agents poured in, confused by the lack of any fight.
"Did that guy attack us?" Coulson asked, bewildered.
Mark rubbed his chin, about to explain. "I know you're anxious, but don't worry for now..."
Coulson, clearly anxious, interrupted, "Did he come for the hammer? How powerful is he? Are you hurt?"
Mark smiled reassuringly. "I'm invincible. Thor hasn't come to steal the hammer yet. This is just a new magic I researched called 'Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist'."
Hawkeye couldn't help but comment, "That doesn't sound much like magic. Sounds more like martial arts."
Mark waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about the details. Anything science can't explain is magic!"
Coulson seemed relieved after hearing Mark's explanation. "I was worried he would swoop down from the sky, grab his hammer, and blast us to ashes with lightning before leaving..."
Mark smirked. "Don't worry, his powers are sealed. He's all talk. He's probably just a bit stronger than an average person. One gunshot could take him down, so you don't have to worry too much."
Coulson speculated, "His powers are sealed in the hammer? He's trying to get it back to restore his divine power?"
"Exactly," Mark confirmed. "He can't even lift the hammer. His dad punished him for being too arrogant. It's like a trial or something. If he can't complete it, he can never get his powers back."
Hawkeye raised a question. "Then why did he come here?"
Mark shrugged. "He doesn't even know about all this. Not everyone can read fortunes, you know. How many people in this world have my level of insight into the mysteries of heaven and earth, yin and yang, and fate?"
Coulson, speechless, was about to respond when an agent rushed over, whispering in his ear about a suspicious vehicle parked on the nearby hillside and asking for instructions.
Coulson looked at Mark. "Well, it seems that guy has finally arrived."