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Chapter: "Do You Like It?"

Observing the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Carl swiftly made a decision and turned to run.

After all, he was a fugitive, carrying the conspicuous Peerless Blade and the Mind Scepter; S.H.I.E.L.D. would never let him escape.

"Stop!" Coulson shouted, leading his team in pursuit.

With both parties at a distance, Carl headed for a nearby sports car, prompting them to open fire.

"Bang bang bang!"

Carl transformed into steel, blocking the bullets, and continued his desperate sprint toward the car.

Seeing this, Coulson retrieved a component resembling a silencer, assembled it on his pistol, and fired again.

"Bang!" Instead of a bullet, a thin laser shot out and pierced Carl's thigh, causing him to cry out in pain and stumble to the ground.

"What's this?" One agent inspected Coulson's modified pistol with curiosity.

Coulson removed the component, revealing a dropped bullet. "An experimental device that converts bullet energy into a laser. Seems to work."

"I want one too!"

"Business first." Coulson approached Carl.

Gasping, Carl heard footsteps closing in. Gritting his teeth, he violently swung the Peerless Blade at Coulson.

Coulson, prepared as a seasoned S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, gripped the blade's hilt.

Carl's strength overwhelmed Coulson, nearly slashing his face.

Looking at the deadly blade, Coulson broke into a cold sweat.

His intuition screamed that this blade could slice through him like a tomato.

Other agents rushed in, aiding Coulson in restraining Carl.

Coulson grabbed Carl from behind while others secured his limbs.

"Still want to run?" A tall black agent wrested the Peerless Blade from Carl.

In that moment, Carl, desperate, felt a surge of ruthlessness!

Even in death, he'd never be captured!

Transforming into steel, Carl seized the blade and fatally stabbed the black agent who had taken it, before breaking free and fleeing to a nearby car with the Mind Scepter.

Despite severe injuries, blood pouring from his mouth and nose, Carl accelerated away.

But with his unusual resilience and survival instinct, Carl pushed the car to its limit, enduring the pain, until he collapsed on the steering wheel, unconscious.

The sports car veered out of control, crashing into a roadside rock and flipping over.

As if by fate, a black car arrived minutes after the crash.

Several men in black, led by a middle-aged man with a monocle, approached the wreck and immediately spotted the Mind Scepter.

The man picked up the scepter, eyes gleaming with excitement at its blue light.

After a moment, he turned and asked, "Is he dead?"

"Not yet, Baron Strucker," his subordinate replied. "What shall we do with him?"

"Bring him along."

"Yes."

The men carried Carl to their car. Strucker, satisfied with the scepter, chuckled, "A fruitful trip, haha!"

"Hail Hydra!" He raised the scepter, a fanatical believer.

The others echoed: "Hail Hydra!"

...

In a tense operating room.

Coulson lay motionless on the operating table, surrounded by doctors in hushed conversation.

Hours passed.

"How is he?" Nick Fury asked, his voice grave, hand on his forehead.

Coulson, a valued subordinate and friend, lay in critical condition.

The doctor shook his head. "We've done all we can, but it's touch and go. He might not make it through the night."

Nick Fury fell silent.

After a moment, he exhaled deeply. "Use GH325."

"It's experimental. There are risks..." The doctor hesitated.

"He has to live," Nick Fury insisted.

The doctor nodded reluctantly.

...

On a balcony in the Golden Palace, Odin, Thor, and his son stood overlooking Asgard's night view.

They discussed Thor's experiences on Earth.

Despite his thousand-year life span, Donald Black's brief human life left a profound impact on Thor.

Thor returned more composed after his time on Earth. He now considered consequences before acting, less impulsive and competitive.

Odin was pleased but couldn't help remarking, "Son, you've been wasteful for a thousand years."

Thor grinned awkwardly.

Indeed, his millennium-long life seemed frivolous compared to his recent experiences.

Born courageous and protected by Odin, Thor had faced little adversity. His actions rarely had consequences, and he was carefree by nature.

In contrast, Donald Black, an orphan and once bullied, learned to weigh consequences carefully.

Returning to Asgard, Thor felt transformed.

Thoughts of Donald's insights—Thor being somewhat naive—haunted him.

Then it dawned on him: He was Thor.

"Father, there's something important," Thor said shyly. "I...I love someone on Earth."

"Jane Foster?"

Surprised, Thor hadn't expected Odin to know.

"Forseti and Heimdall informed me," Odin said casually.

Thor nodded, continuing, "I want to bring Jane to Asgard."

Odin frowned. "You want to marry her?"

"Yes," Thor admitted.

"She's mortal. Do you understand?" Odin pointed out. "When you're barely a percent into your life, she'll be old."

"I know, but I love her," Thor insisted.

"Do you, indeed?"

...