Thor Awakens (Second Update)

What was the Shengun Bureau’s full name?

The Extraterrestrial Threat Strategic Defense, Offense, and Multidimensional Strategic Cooperation—bluffing? Scratch that—Bureau!

It was primarily responsible for extraterrestrial threats and threats from other dimensions.

Threats from Asgard and the Nine Realms were exactly what the Shengun Bureau should handle, weren’t they?

Upon hearing this, the council members all breathed sighs of relief.

That was right, what was there to fear?

They had Director Wang!

If the sky fell, Director Wang would hold it up!

Hadn’t Director Wang dealt with that hammer? Dealing with Thor and Loki should be…

No problem, right?

"I have already reached a consensus with Kamar-Taj and issued a stern statement and warning to the Nine Realms alongside the Sorcerer Supreme: Earth belongs to Earthlings. Without permission, no one may cross its boundaries!"

Old Wang said, "Of course, the Sorcerer Supreme is a busy woman. Unless Odin acts personally, she will not intervene. Minor figures like Thor and Loki can be handled by me and the Shengun Bureau."

The council members exchanged glances and quickly reached a consensus.

Director Wang’s words were truly domineering. As expected of a man accustomed to using hundreds of millions of dollars for backroom deals!

The British councilwoman, who was particularly familiar with Old Wang, said, "Director Wang, with the Security Council’s authorization, the Shengun Bureau will take full responsibility for handling this matter. S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide as much assistance as possible."

Egghead had originally intended to stay out of it.

Wasn’t Director Wang so damn capable? He could deal with this headache himself. I’m done with it!

But upon hearing the councilwoman’s words, Egghead felt like his balls were aching with rage.

There had been too many troubling matters lately.

The Hand, Hydra, Tony causing trouble every day, Hulk and Abomination Blonsky having only been dealt with yesterday, and now S.H.I.E.L.D. had to assist the Shengun Bureau against the Asgardians. What the hell was wrong with this world?

Egghead’s head felt twice as big.

Assist, assist!

If this went well, the credit would belong to Director Wang.

If it went badly, he would get dragged down too!

He finally understood why the council members had been so energetic and rosy-cheeked lately. They must have made too many backroom deals with Director Wang!

Forget it. This was not something he could solve.

He would have the Avengers Initiative keep an eye on things.

If they really encountered serious trouble…

They would still have to rely on Director Wang!

"The Avengers Initiative will provide assistance," Egghead said sullenly.

"Then thank you, Director Fury… There is one more matter in which we need S.H.I.E.L.D.’s help."

Old Wang smiled. "That hammer is angry. It refuses to move no matter what, and there is nothing I can do. Please send people to evacuate the civilians as soon as possible. Within a day, I hope to see an empty town."

"Alright." Egghead agreed immediately.

This was no joke.

If that earlier storm had fallen on the town, it could have destroyed the entire place outright. Forget people—even rats and flies probably would not have survived.

If Director Wang failed to handle it and the Asgardians truly went to war in the town, who knew how many people would die?

Hmph!

At a critical moment like this, they still had to rely on S.H.I.E.L.D., didn’t they?

With the Shengun Bureau’s tiny staff, it was completely inadequate!

"Ah!"

Old Wang sighed, his face full of melancholy.

"Actually, this matter should not fall under S.H.I.E.L.D.’s responsibility. The Shengun Bureau should bear it alone. Unfortunately, our Shengun Bureau was only just established. We have neither manpower nor money, and we do not even have a proper base yet. Even the construction funds for the two bases at Afterlife and K’un-Lun were sponsored… no, loaned to us by the Azeroth Group. Sigh!"

Old Wang sighed repeatedly, his voice as mournful as could be. "The Shengun Bureau has only 123 members in total. We have less than a hundred thousand in liquid funds, debts exceeding ten billion, and cannot even pay salaries! Sigh!"

Egghead silently cursed, Bullshit. Was ten billion dollars that easy to spend? If the Sky Carrier and Quinjets were included, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters alone was worth more than that. Director Wang, you big con artist!

The five council members looked at one another.

So that was why Director Wang had suddenly changed his tune today.

He was asking for people and money?

The British councilwoman was softhearted and deeply sympathetic. "Ahem. Director Wang, I will urge the relevant departments to implement this. The first allocation will definitely arrive within ten days!"

The other council members offered reassurance and voiced their support.

Only the United States council member, who had not yet had the chance to make a backroom deal with Old Wang, snorted.

"Director Wang, when S.H.I.E.L.D. was first established, it did not even have one hundred million dollars. The Shengun Bureau is already starting at a very high level! The United Nations budget for this year does not include the Shengun Bureau. Being able to allocate two billion is already the result of the council’s efforts. Director Wang, do not make things difficult for us!"

"Don’t misunderstand, don’t misunderstand. The Shengun Bureau is a subordinate institution of the Security Council. How could I make things difficult for you, Councilman?"

Old Wang looked aggrieved. "The Shengun Bureau will certainly do everything in its power to fulfill its duties. We will not ask for anything or complain! I plan to rent vehicles and send all 123 Shengun Bureau members here, ready at any time to sacrifice themselves for Earth’s security and humanity’s peace! But it is too far away, driving is too slow, and we cannot afford to rent a plane. I do not know whether they will make it in time."

Egghead nearly burst out laughing.

Director Wang, that was too much!

If he quit, who was going to deal with the Asgardians?

The United States councilman’s face darkened, and he was about to lose his temper.

The British councilwoman hurriedly soothed him. "Director Wang, there truly is no budget left for today, but next year’s budget will certainly take the Shengun Bureau into consideration. I think it should be raised to the same level as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s."

The other council members hurriedly agreed.

The United States councilman’s face went black. "Everyone, the United Nations budget is limited!"

The councilwoman smiled. "I believe governments around the world will be willing to provide additional support. After all, Earth is facing an almost irresistible extraterrestrial threat. This concerns the lives and safety of every person in the world!"

The Russian councilman suddenly said, "It is time for the United States to pay the membership dues it owes the United Nations!"

Seeing that two colleagues had already started attacking, the French councilman naturally did not want to be left out. "France pays its dues very promptly… I believe other countries do the same."

The final council member smiled and reminded him, "Councilman, the Asgardian invasion occurred in New Mexico, which is United States territory… I wonder what the president thinks about this matter?"

The United States councilman’s face grew even darker.

You people, you’ve gone too far!

Hmph!

Did they think I would be afraid just because they joined forces?

Impossible!

He took a deep breath, then suddenly froze.

Eh? Why does my anonymous Swiss bank account have another hundred million dollars in it?

Do I look like someone who would bow his head for a hundred million dollars?

He silently calmed himself, and his expression instantly cleared. "The Shengun Bureau should receive strong support. I believe the president feels the same way."

The other council members breathed sighs of relief.

That was more like it.

How nice was it for everyone to happily take the money and get things done? Why make things unpleasant?

Although he had joined later and certainly would not receive the same treatment as them, it definitely would not be a small amount.

Seeing the dollars appear in their accounts and counting the string of zeros behind them, everyone’s faces broke into smiles—

Except Egghead.

The Shengun Bureau was now on equal footing with S.H.I.E.L.D.?

"Councilmen, Councilwoman, Director Fury, I have matters to attend to here. I am preparing to have a proper talk with Thor. I will report developments to the council at any time."

Having gotten what he wanted, Old Wang lowered his tone and ended the call.

Jane, Darcy, and Erik were all dumbfounded.

This was a high-level meeting that determined humanity’s survival. Just look at who was attending it!

The director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the director of the Shengun Bureau, and five major figures from the United Nations Security Council.

And Director Wang had held such an important meeting inside a beat-up little car, right in front of the three of them, ordinary civilians?

Could he be any more casual?

And they were casually talking about billions upon billions of dollars. Terrifying.

When big shots talked, they did not even dare breathe too loudly. They were so nervous.

"You are all scientists in the Shengun Bureau’s Science and Technology Department, as well as direct participants in the Thor incident. There is no need to hide this from you," Old Wang explained with a smile.

Erik sighed.

They did not seem to be yet?

Fine.

They had heard such an important meeting. Even if they wanted to leave, they could not, or what if they were silenced?

Director Wang.

He was truly cunning!

The car soon arrived in town.

At the hotel, Old Wang booked three rooms. Jane and Darcy shared one, Erik had one, and he shared one with Thor.

After a whole night of turmoil, everyone was tired. They washed up and went to sleep.

However, only an hour later, there was suddenly a knock on the door.

When he opened it, Jane appeared in pajamas, her hair still damp. She said softly, "I-I can’t sleep… Director Wang, can I talk with you? You know, I’m very interested in myths and legends… We can talk as late as you want…"

"Uh… of course."

Casually tossing the motionless Thor into the bathroom, Old Wang patted the bed. "Please, sit."

The two of them really did talk all night…

Early the next morning.

Jane finally could not endure Old Wang’s boundless energy any longer and fell deeply asleep.

After tucking the blanket around Jane, Old Wang raised an eyebrow and looked toward the bathroom.

After sleeping all night.

Thor had finally awakened.