Odinsleep (4/5)

Chapter 269: Odinsleep (45)

Seeing the three of them react like that, Old Wang nearly burst out laughing.

Seriously? You think I’m Thor?

Thor was just tortured half to death by you guys, you know?

This was probably the biggest black mark of his life, one that could haunt him forever.

This was hardly a pleasant misunderstanding, so Old Wang patiently explained:

"First, myths are still just myths. They differ from reality. There aren’t any snakes that big in this world, and even if there were, the people of our motherland would’ve eaten it long ago, bones and all."

"Second, Ragnarok is only a prophecy. It hasn’t happened yet, so Thor is still alive."

"Third, I’m not Thor. The one under your feet is."

Those three explanations did not clear up their confusion. Instead, they became even more bewildered.

Looking at the blond man beneath her feet, Darcy thought, That can’t be right. Thor can’t even withstand a stun gun?

Thor is this weak?

Erik slapped his forehead. Either this guy is crazy, or I am. What Thor? Are we filming a movie?

Jane suddenly thought of something and came to a realization.

If the man under their feet really was Thor…

First, a storm had appeared, and he had fallen to the ground.

Then an even more terrifying storm appeared. The hammer showed up and was defeated by the man in front of them.

So…

"You’re Thor’s enemy?"

Jane looked him up and down. Certain that he did not resemble a snake, she asked in confusion, "Then who exactly are you?"

He could defeat Thor and control storms and lightning.

Could he be…

A god from another mythology, such as the thunder god from Chinese mythology?

Was this a battle between different mythologies, a true war of the gods?

"I am the director of the Extraterrestrial Threat Strategic Defense, Offense, and Multidimensional Strategic Cooperation Bureau. My surname is Wang."

Old Wang pulled out his ID and flashed it with a smile. "If the name is too long, just call us the ‘Shengun Bureau.’ Our emblem is a stick… with golden bands at both ends. Pretty, isn’t it?"

"Why… why should we?" Darcy felt that the man before her was no good.

"Darcy!" Erik hurriedly tugged at Darcy, signaling with his eyes.

Whether this man had defeated Thor or not, whether that ID was real or not, he was not someone they could provoke. They could not beat him.

Just let him take Thor away first.

Then they could call the police afterward. Why confront him head-on?

This was not cowardice.

It was a strategic retreat!

"Believe me, his existence will bring you a great deal of trouble."

Old Wang smiled faintly and winked at Jane.

"He does not belong to science."

"He belongs to mythology."

Jane hesitated.

She was very interested in myths and legends. She wanted to know whether mythology and science were connected, whether that hammer and that storm could be explained scientifically, whether those two pillars of light were wormholes or some other form of spacetime travel.

But for some reason, the man before her made her trust him, even obey him, without realizing it.

Was it because they had met each other’s eyes before and found the right person?

"Can I come with you?"

Jane gathered her courage. "I… I want to…"

"There were no gods in this world to begin with. When a living being becomes powerful enough, a god comes into existence."

Old Wang extended his left hand, his attitude sincere. "Ms. Foster, the Shengun Bureau has just been established, and we are in need of experts in astronomy. If you are willing, the Shengun Bureau would be honored to extend an olive branch to you… You will have your own laboratory, along with at least one hundred million in funding, entirely at your disposal."

Jane’s soul was instantly shaken.

There were no gods in this world to begin with. When a living being became powerful enough, a god came into existence?

So that was how it was?

She hesitated for two seconds, then nodded firmly.

"I’m willing!"

Hearing that, Old Wang felt a little uncomfortable.

This was not a church. There was no need to make such a solemn oath. Could you not look at me with such burning eyes? Skye might come charging over in one second.

You can’t beat her. I’m thinking about your safety.

"This isn’t a place to talk. There’s a small town nearby. Let’s find somewhere to stay first," he said.

Erik finally got the chance to interject and hurriedly asked, "Director… Director Wang, shouldn’t we be going to the Shengun Bureau’s base? Also… the laboratory you mentioned earlier…"

He felt a little embarrassed.

He had suddenly remembered that he knew an agent from S.H.I.E.L.D. A few days ago, the agent had casually mentioned that the United Nations had established a new organization on equal footing with S.H.I.E.L.D., one that had made Director Fury so agitated he could neither eat nor sleep well.

The name was too long, so he had not remembered it.

But now that he thought about it carefully, it seemed to be this Extraterrestrial Threat Strategic Defense… Bureau.

So the man in front of him was probably genuine.

He had actually invited Jane to join, offering to establish a laboratory and provide at least one hundred million in funding?

Though he was one of the world’s top astronomers, he had never actually seen one hundred million. Astronomers were poor, especially old professors like him who devoted themselves to teaching and educating others.

If I had one hundred million, so many projects I’ve never been able to research could finally be studied. Just thinking about it is exciting.

"If you are willing to join, it would be the Shengun Bureau’s honor… and that goes for Darcy Lewis as well."

Old Wang smiled. "You have an old friend at the Shengun Bureau. He is an expert in Gamma Rays… Dr. Bruce Banner."

Erik’s eyes lit up. "Him?"

It was Banner who had first made him aware of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After that conversation, Banner had disappeared.

He was actually still alive? S.H.I.E.L.D. had not captured him; he had joined the Shengun Bureau instead?

"As for why we’re going to a nearby town instead of the Shengun Bureau’s base."

Old Wang smiled and looked up at the sky. "The plot may already be in ruins, but what is meant to come will still come…"

Asgard.

Odin suddenly staggered, then slumped limply to the side and landed on the ground.

His gaze was dim, and divine power surged erratically through him. Clearly, something was wrong.

"Allfather!"

Heimdall immediately stopped watching Earth, his heart skipping a beat. "You are…"

"I am going to sleep, Heimdall."

Odin shifted into a more comfortable position and sighed. "I am old. I do not know whether I will wake from this sleep."

Heimdall fell silent.

Odin truly was old.

He was more powerful than Bor, the previous Allfather, and he had lived longer as well. But there were limits to his lifespan in the end. It was a limitation of their racial genes, and a limitation of Asgard itself. Even Odin could not change it.

His life was nearing its end.

Otherwise, he would not have been so eager to have Thor inherit the throne.

Unfortunately…

Thor was still too young, and he was not suited for the position of King of Asgard. He… was far too immature!

"Strengthen Asgard’s security systems. Keep watch over the Nine Realms."

Odin’s voice grew weaker and weaker. "Be careful in all things."

Heimdall dropped to one knee. "I will protect Asgard and await Thor’s return!"

Odin slowly closed his eyes.

Asgard was protected by magic. It could only be entered or exited through the Bifrost. Without permission, even Ancient One could not enter. It was very safe.

But what had happened with the Frost Giants’ earlier invasion?

Could Asgard have a secret passage that even I do not know about?

I do not have much time left. I only hope Thor can awaken soon and wield Mjolnir once more.

"Mjolnir bears my enchantment. So long as I live, no one in this universe can break it. Only one recognized by Mjolnir can lift it."

Odin murmured softly, "To lift Mjolnir, one must meet several conditions: noble character, a willingness to sacrifice for others, and sufficient strength… Thor, you possess noble character, and you have the greatest strength in Asgard. I believe you have the courage to sacrifice for others, but you have always been strong and never had the opportunity. Now I am giving you that opportunity… Heimdall, watch Thor and Mjolnir!"

"As you command, Allfather."

Heimdall’s golden eyes turned toward Earth, and he suddenly cried out.

Odin struggled to lift his eyelids. "What happened?"

Heimdall’s expression stiffened. "Mjolnir… has been lifted by a mortal!"

Odin froze.

The divine power throughout his body completely spiraled out of control.

His eyelids closed.

Had he fallen asleep?