**SHIELD.**
Nick Fury hurried to the top floor of the building.
Though he was the director, there was still the Security Council chairperson above him with more authority.
He wasn't as free as one might think.
Upon entering the office, Pierce said nothing, projecting the image from his laptop onto the screen.
It showed the HYDRA base engulfed in flames, with faint outlines visible.
"What is this...?" Fury hesitated, unable to recall this base from memory.
Pierce, unfazed, replied:
"This is a SHIELD secret base, primarily for researching superhuman experiments."
He paused, letting Fury react, then added:
"Under my direct supervision."
Lies often contain some truth. Besides the hidden HYDRA elements, everything else about this base was SHIELD's.
He wasn't afraid of an investigation.
Fury frowned, unconcerned about human experiments but shocked that someone dared attack a SHIELD base globally. The scale suggested a significant force!
"Any leads?"
Fury's tone was stern, SHIELD's authority was unquestionable!
He expected no clues but was surprised when Pierce nodded:
"Not only do we have leads, but we also found the culprits."
Fury was puzzled by "culprits," usually referring to individuals.
Then the screen changed.
From the restrained paralyzing bullets to 'ghostly' green gas to bullets melting into iron and shadows killing their masters, the footage showed it all.
The blonde man in the footage, holding a pretty girl's hand, strolled through the base like his backyard, slaughtering everyone with incomprehensible powers!
Even his gaze towards the camera showed no effort to hide.
Whether mocking or ignoring wasn't clear.
Finally, the base erupted in flames, completely engulfing it!
That was his power too!
A Quinjet later found the base reduced to glass-like crystals from melted sand, with nothing left.
Pierce, looking worried, asked again:
"You monitor superhuman events globally; do you have any information on him?"
He knew Fury had hidden resources, possibly with relevant info.
Fury scowled:
"None... but a high-energy event occurred in Hong Kong just now."
"Civilians captured footage of a terrifying sky rift, which closed minutes later."
"The times are close; there might be a connection."
Pierce nodded, giving instructions to investigate thoroughly before dismissing Fury.
He knew Fury had plenty to deal with now!
This was shifting risks and compensating for losses.
SHIELD agents would search for clues and face the superhuman danger.
Meanwhile, HYDRA would develop in the shadows.
Fury rushed to his office with the footage but immediately got a call from Coulson.
A mature, middle-aged man's voice came through:
"Director, Natasha, and I have completed the initial investigation."
"I have good and bad news; which do you want first?"
Fury felt a foreboding sense, replying:
"Start with the good news."
Coulson immediately responded:
"The good news is the footage sent to SHIELD is real."
"I checked several sources; no signs of special effects, comparing different angles confirms no forgery."
Fury frowned:
"How is that good news!"
"Trust me, Director, it really is."
Coulson continued somberly:
"Besides the online footage, no one in Hong Kong acknowledges the sky rift. They claim it was a sunny day."
"Even our stationed agents say the same, all passing lie detectors."
"Everyone's memories seem altered."
Fury fell silent.
He couldn't comprehend what could achieve this.
He glanced at the USB video again, thinking of the exaggerated scenes more than movie effects, feeling the world seemed unfamiliar.
Not the one he knew.
"I understand."
"Keep investigating, stay safe."
After instructing, Fury left SHIELD headquarters urgently.
Half an hour later, he reached a safe house.
Entering, he saw a fat man playing games, rudely threatening teammates online.
Fury sighed, removing the man's headset.
Thor, displeased, turned:
"What do you want, Cyclops?"
"We agreed I'd help with myth details every Friday; today isn't Friday."
"I refuse overtime!"
Fury thumped beer and mayo on the table.
"You're a good man, Fury."
Thor bit open a beer, gulped it down, and wiped his mouth:
"What now?"
Fury played a video on his phone, handing it over:
"Do you know this person or their powers?"
If even this man had no clues, Fury was at a loss.
Days ago, a mysterious metal hammer fell in New Mexico, immovable by anyone.
The man had fought through dozens of agents, claiming to be Thor and that it was Mjolnir.
Though he couldn't lift it, subsequent investigations revealed his dense body might not be lying!
Fury didn't believe in gods, seeing him as a powerful alien who visited Earth, leaving legends.
They had since cooperated, Fury providing for his needs, and Thor identifying myth truths, yielding great results.
Recently, Thor sensed divine power on a Pharaoh's jar, indicating mythic creatures active in the world.
SHIELD's search found a supernatural killer in Egypt, acting like a mummy!
So if even Thor couldn't identify the video's power, SHIELD was lost.
Fury, nervously waiting, saw Thor's expression change.
He clearly recognized something.
But then Thor slammed the phone down, looking serious.
Fury's heart tightened, seeing Thor seriously say:
"For helping me, I'll give you advice."
"Let this go, don't investigate or mention it again. Forget it happened!"
"Trust me, this is a warning."
Fury was stunned!
He expected Thor to be surprised, dismissive, or puzzled.
Not this reaction!!!
"Why?" Fury asked, feeling discontent.
With pity, Thor replied:
"Because you're not worthy."
"And neither am I."
Not worthy!? Fury was speechless.
But instead of anger, he felt intense cold and dread!
He couldn't fathom what existence could make this proud 'god' say this.
Silence fell.
Fury pondered using the pager, but Thor's warning made him hesitate.
He also wondered why such a powerful being attacked Pierce's base.
He felt his old friend hadn't told the whole truth.
Lost in thought, Thor's voice broke the silence:
"Find me something dangerous to do, Fury."
"I don't want to sit here gaming anymore."
Fury instantly knew Thor was provoked, though unsure why.
Finally, some good news.
He sighed, then said:
"I'm forming a team, you'll meet them soon."
"If you dislike them, you can beat them up."
---
**Meanwhile.**
In a seaside villa, Tony Stark sneezed while tweaking his suit, almost triggering a micro-explosive.
---
**Divine Realm.**
Countless colorful clouds fell like waterfalls into the world's edge below.
Such breathtaking sights were countless in this world.
Wanda lay on the grass, her upper body lazily resting on Balder's lap.
She had never slept so comfortably, so relaxed, without dreaming.
Watching the fantastical view nearby.
Breathing in the reassuring presence beside her.
She felt the world had never been so beautiful, like time had stopped.
She pretended to sleep again, squinting.
Balder smiled, not revealing her little trick.
From her parents' death, she had endured constant pain, worry, and fear.
This might be her first moment of peace since that day.
So...
Rest a bit more, Wanda.
Balder gently brushed her hair, sharing the tranquility.
Until, who knows when, another voice echoed in his mind.
System upgrade complete.
---