Fury and Coulson's expressions froze instantly.
"Thor... the one from Norse mythology?" Coulson's voice trembled slightly. He felt his worldview collapsing.
Hermione looked at their inexperienced reactions. Disdainfully curled her lips. "So-called gods are just more powerful aliens. Their technology and power far exceed yours. That's why they're worshipped as deities."
The two sobered up somewhat.
"More than that, I'm curious why Thor's weapon appeared on Earth." Hermione closed the files. Eyes sparkling with excitement.
Coulson listened to Fury's instructions on the phone. After hanging up, he turned to Hermione. Tone respectful.
"Miss Witch, from now on, you have supreme command authority over the temporary base. I'll fully cooperate with your actions. Additionally, we recently captured someone possibly connected to Thor's hammer... But he refuses to talk. Hope you can help take a look."
Hermione's smile playful. "Oh? Is that so? Then take me to see him."
Got in the car. Hadn't driven far when a massive crater appeared abruptly ahead.
Hermione got out. Immediately spotted Sitwell's signature bald head and glasses, plus that fawning smile on his face.
"Little Yi, long time no see." Hermione casually greeted.
"Miss Witch, you're too kind. How's your eating lately? Resting well? Please don't hesitate with any requests."
Sitwell bowed and scraped. Obsequiously rubbed his hands. "With you here, the town's at peace. We have a backbone now!"
Hermione: "..."
On point!
Loyal or traitor, I'll judge myself. Even if Hydra falls later, you'll remain unharmed.
My word!
Hermione then looked toward the crater.
Surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s temporary base. Countless armed guards stationed. The entire crater under S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance.
At the bottom—a short-handled hammer with ancient design lay quietly.
Baldy led Hermione into the crater.
"We've tried every method. Can't move it an inch."
Coulson's tone carried helplessness. More so—awe of the unknown.
Hermione's gaze fell on the hammer.
Square hammerhead carved with mysterious runes. Handle made of some unknown material, wrapped in leather. The entire hammer radiated a heavy, sacred aura.
She reached out. Gripped the handle.
Applied slight force... Didn't budge.
As expected.
Hermione knew—Odin's divine power at work. Only those Mjolnir deemed worthy could lift it.
Suddenly, the magic book in her mind vibrated slightly. Pages flipped. Stopped at a new entry:
[Runic Script]
[Runic Script: Asgardian magic. Can use language to apply various divine power enhancements to objects. Effects vary by user's strength].
Text appeared in the magic book.
Hermione's heart stirred. Seems the book recognized Odin's magic.
Picked up something interesting.
Hermione thoughtful.
Perhaps... use Odin's magic to break his spell?
She gripped the handle again. Channeled her internal magic. Magic surged, gathered in her palm.
She attempted using Runic Script language. Softly chanted. "Release restriction."
Words just fell—sudden change!
On the hammer, previously dim runes suddenly blazed. Terrifying aura surged. A horrifying power erupted from the hammer's body.
This power collided with Hermione's magic. Violently clashed.
"BOOM—"
The previously clear sky instantly filled with dark clouds. Violent winds. Flying sand and rocks. Rolling thunder. As if doomsday descended.
Hermione's face changed. She felt a powerful will through Mjolnir, crushing toward her.
This will—ancient, majestic, irresistible.
She immediately released her grip.
Almost simultaneously, clouds dispersed. Winds ceased. Thunder vanished. Sky restored clarity.
Surrounding S.H.I.E.L.D. agents—mouths agape. Completely clueless what happened. Only instinctively felt fear. Many legs began trembling.
As expected—you old bastard Odin has contingencies. Even during Odinsleep, constantly monitoring everything... Hermione's face displeased.
Coulson stared at Mjolnir. Just now, he clearly saw the hammer's runes light up. Unprecedented situation.
"Miss Witch, this..." He looked at Hermione. Tone carrying doubt.
"This hammer has magical enchantments." Hermione explained. "Just now I tried removing the magic. Triggered its counterattack. That's what caused the phenomenon."
Coulson and Sitwell exchanged glances. Both saw shock in each other's eyes.
Thor's hammer's power—they'd just experienced it. But Miss Witch could actually oppose it!
What did this mean?
Her power on the same level as gods?
"Miss Witch, you... can you lift it?"
Coulson carefully asked. Felt his voice floating.
Hermione shook her head. "Odin's power slightly stronger than mine. I can't break it yet."
Sitwell and Coulson shocked again.
Odin—the legendary All-Father Odin?
What kind of existence is that? They dared not imagine.
Simultaneously, they felt more fortunate the Bureau brought in Hermione... Otherwise, facing this mysterious hammer, they'd still be headless flies.
Sitwell looked at Hermione. Eyes filled with awe.
He recalled earlier—Alexander Pierce's capture plan for Miss Witch. Ended with her thoroughly beating them. Even lost an ear... Reportedly the wound couldn't heal by any means. Finally stopped bleeding through self-mutilation.
Now it seemed—how foolish that action was!
Can I still stay with a Hydra this suicidal? Sitwell's heart wavered.
As high-ranking Hydra, he knew plenty of the organization's death-seeking operations... In his view, the meta had shifted. Yet those people hadn't adapted.
Already playing with superpowers and magic. Pierce still obsessed with guns and cannons.
Take that broken "Project Insight"—actually wanted to target Hulk?
You sure one shot won't result in angry Hulk tearing the Helicarrier to shreds?
Let alone Miss Witch.
He wasn't particularly loyal anyway. Initially joined by mistake. Fortunately his professional skills excellent. Quickly rose to high position.
Now betraying Hydra—Sitwell had zero psychological pressure.
Perhaps should consider the future. Hugging Miss Witch's thigh seems a good choice.
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