Chapter 212 Welcome to Asgard
Hearing Finney's words, a hint of disappointment flashed across Nick Fury's dark face. However, he hadn't held out much hope anyway, so he nodded and continued,
"What are you going to Asgard for?"
"Personal privacy!"
Finney glanced at Nick Fury and answered casually. He was already being lenient by telling him his itinerary; asking about the details was going too far.
"I need to know the situation!"
Nick Fury, unusually unyielding, stared at Finney seriously and said, "You might represent the entire Earth."
Hearing Nick Fury's words, Finney chuckled and shook his head, replying, "Don't worry, I don't have that much influence right now. It's just a private matter; I'm going to trade something with them."
Although curious about what Finney was trading, Nick Fury ultimately didn't ask. He could tell Finney didn't want to answer.
"Is Hydra really in S.H.I.E.L.D."
Nick Fury brought the topic back to Hydra. He had actually confirmed this before coming to Finney, but there weren't many people he could trust within S.H.I.E.L.D., so he came to discuss it with Finney.
"Yes!"
Finney nodded, looking at Nick Fury and saying, "I can only tell you that if you're really determined to investigate, be very careful, don't die!"
"What do you mean?"
Nick Fury was stunned; Finney's words sent a chill down his spine.
"It means they're dangerous, and if you investigate, you might die!"
S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra are practically inseparable. Unless Nick Fury completely avoids using S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power, it's difficult for him to remain undetected no matter what he does.
Nick Fury's expression was grim. He didn't want to believe Finney, but based on past experience, Finney's words had generally been proven true.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going!"
Finney said, standing up to leave.
He had given the necessary reminders. If Nick Fury nearly died again under these circumstances, like in the original storyline, it would only mean he wasn't cautious enough, or perhaps it was his fate.
As for how Hydra would respond to Nick's investigation, Finney couldn't guess, but he felt assassination was the most likely possibility, given that Project Insight was still nowhere to be found.
Besides, without Nick Fury, Pierce might even be able to regain his position.
Although Finney hoped that S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra would disappear, he didn't want to get involved in their conflict.
He couldn't gain any experience from them; apart from the Winter Soldier, most of Hydra's agents were just elites who weren't even as good as Patton and Natasha.
Fighting them would be like bullying children; the experience would probably be about the same as practicing skills in the snowy mountains.
"When are you coming back at the earliest?"
Nick Fury asked, seeing Finney stand up.
Finney was his biggest asset besides that woman, and that woman was currently far away in some galaxy. If he encountered difficulties, it was more reliable to turn to Finney, who was closer by his side.
"At the earliest, about a month!"
Finney said after thinking for a moment. His trip to Asgard, besides trading star maps, also included learning about the other realms and the state of the universe, so he might stay for a while.
Nick Fury nodded, thinking he should hold off for now and conduct a thorough investigation once Finney returned and his safety was guaranteed. Based on his current understanding, the other party seemed to have been hiding for a long time.
Several days passed after meeting Nick Fury, and the New Year's bells rang. He had successfully survived another dangerous year.
As the New Year passed, Finney began preparing for his trip to Asgard. First, he informed Skye, who was staying with her biological parents.
"You're going on another alien trip?"
Skye was surprised and worried upon receiving Finney's call.
"Yeah, at the earliest a month, at the latest six months. Be careful, and if you encounter any danger, go find the Ancient One."
"Can I come with you?"
Skye immediately asked, her days filled with boredom. Besides practicing her shockwaves, she spent her time hacking online.
"Not this time!"
Finney hesitated for a moment, then refused Skye's request.
Although the trip to Asgard shouldn't be dangerous, he was going as a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj. It wouldn't be appropriate to bring anyone other than Kamar-Taj members, not even Skye, who was his sister.
"Next time, I'll take you to space next time!"
Finney comforted the disgruntled Skye, promising a "next time" before hanging up.
After informing his family and friends, Finney checked the items he had prepared for the star map transaction.
First, he acquired a portion of vibranium from Wakanda. Vibranium is one of the top-tier metals in the universe, and he figured that even if the star map was valuable, it would be enough to exchange for it.
Second, he purchased the most advanced gaming equipment and various games available on the market. Although Asgard was technologically advanced, their entertainment was quite limited.
It was all about banquets. The games Finney bought might not be particularly valuable, but they were at least novel and fun, something Asgard didn't have.
Third, Finney bought some exquisitely crafted, high-end food gift bags to hold his 'Violet Chicken Nuggets Rolls'.
In terms of rarity, the 'Violet Chicken Nuggets Rolls' were actually the most precious, as they were unique in the entire universe.
Finney also prepared other items, such as ornate jewelry and clothing. In short, he prepared everything he could think of.
Therefore, he accumulated a large amount of items to carry, but fortunately, he planned to teleport with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to carry them all himself.
After checking the items and gifts she needed to take, Finney went to the lab and instructed Helen Zhao and Shuri to keep a close eye on the Mind Scepter and to contact Tony Stark if anything went wrong.
Finally, Finney found the Ancient One and told her about her impending departure.
The Ancient One didn't say much, only instructing her to be careful and not to cause trouble for Kamar-Taj.
After confirming that nothing was forgotten, Finney, carrying her bags, summoned the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, sat on its back, activated her Breathing Technique, and grasped the vibranium pendant she had named "White Dragon's Food."
Following the location given to her by the Ancient One, she opened a portal to Asgard.
Compared to the Bifrost, the portal was much faster, traversing an unknown distance in just a few seconds, arriving in Asgard.
However, while the speed was fast, the corresponding energy expenditure was also considerable. Finney had barely caught her breath when she heard a voice in front of her: " Welcome to Asgard, mage of Kamar-Taj!"
(End of Chapter)