Chapter 202

"Two Big Mac combo meals, please."

After placing the order with the restaurant's owner, who also worked as a part-time server, Joker Eren led Thor to a corner table in the fast-food joint.

Once seated, Thor—who now looked noticeably better—turned to Joker Eren and asked,

"Big Mac combo meal? Is this the signature dish of this tavern?"

Joker Eren nodded.

"I overheard people on the way saying that this place's Big Macs are quite good. So, I figured we'd give it a try."

"Is that so? Then I must truly savor it. You have no idea—I feel like I could eat a whole cow!"

Understandable.

Thor hadn't eaten anything for over a day, and with his divine power sealed by Odin, combined with losing two large vials of blood thanks to Joker Eren, his body was in an incredibly weakened state. It would be surprising if he wasn't starving.

Since fast-food joints serve meals quickly, and it wasn't peak dining hours, it only took a few moments before the owner brought out their food.

"Two Big Mac combo meals. Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you!"

The moment the delicious aroma hit Thor's nose, he immediately grabbed the massive burger and started devouring it with large, eager bites.

In no time, Thor had finished everything on his tray.

He then grabbed the icy cold Coca-Cola beside him, took a sip—then his eyes lit up in delight.

"This drink is excellent! I like it!"

Without hesitation, Thor downed the entire glass in one go.

Then, as if following Asgardian customs, he raised his empty glass high and prepared to smash it on the ground.

But just before the glass cup could shatter, Joker Eren twitched his fingers slightly—causing a thin silver thread to coil around the cup, pulling it back midair before it could break.

After setting the cup safely back on the table, Joker Eren said casually,

"Smashing cups isn't really a thing here. In Midgard, unless you're deeply dissatisfied with the chef's cooking, people generally don't do that."

Thor, who had been excited just moments ago, suddenly froze with an awkward expression.

"Ah… My apologies. In Asgardian feasts, smashing a cup is a sign that you want another drink. It is also a form of praise for the chef."

"I know. It's just a difference in customs."

Joker Eren nodded calmly, then added,

"However, if you're going to continue living in Midgard, you should probably start adapting to its ways."

"Living in Midgard? No, I may have angered my father and been exiled here, but once he calms down, I will return to Asgard and explain everything to him…"

"Return?"

"If you can go back, that would certainly be ideal."

Joker Eren's expression flickered subtly as he glanced at Thor.

At that moment, Thor's stomach suddenly let out a loud grumble.

"Hmm… That was quite good. Joker, my friend, can I have another serving? No—make it two more!"

Joker Eren chuckled.

"Of course."

Turning to the counter, he called out,

"Another two Big Mac combo meals for this gentleman. Thanks."

"Thank you!" Thor said sincerely.

For all his recklessness, the Asgardian prince did possess proper etiquette and manners—as long as he wasn't being impulsive.

Since he had just drained two vials of Thor's divine blood, Joker Eren decided to share some basic Midgard customs with him—things that would help Thor navigate life on Earth.

Just as Thor started working through his third meal, three figures passed by the restaurant's window.

One of them, a young woman, suddenly gasped in shock as her eyes fell on Thor, who was busy devouring his food.

"Oh my god! He's here…!"

Hearing the exclamation from outside, Joker Eren smirked at Thor.

"Well, well… The ones who hit you with their car last night are here. Looks like it's my cue to leave."

"Hmm? My friend, are you leaving?"

Thor, still chewing, paused and looked at Joker Eren in surprise.

"Of course. Just like you, I have many things to take care of."

As he spoke, Joker Eren pulled out a stack of cash from his coat and placed it in front of Thor.

"This is Midgard's currency. It should be enough to sustain you here for quite a while."

Midgardian money?

Realizing that he might be stuck here for some time, Thor did not refuse the gesture. Instead, he solemnly nodded and said,

"Thank you, Joker. When my father forgives me, I will host a grand feast for you in Asgard."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

As Jane Foster and her companions pushed open the restaurant door, Joker Eren stood up from his seat.

Then, before Thor's very eyes, he vanished into the restaurant's shadows.

Just as Joker Eren was about to completely disappear, a small piece of paper fluttered from his hand.

"Oh, and one more thing, my friend—I'm sure you'll find this note interesting."

Despite a full-grown man disappearing into thin air, no one else in the restaurant noticed.

Even Jane Foster and her companions, who had just entered, seemed completely unaware of what had just transpired.

Thor, having witnessed it firsthand, couldn't help but murmur to himself,

"Such masterful illusion magic… Is Joker a Midgardian sorcerer?"

Shaking off his surprise, Thor reached out and grabbed the floating note.

But the moment his eyes scanned the contents, his expression changed drastically.

That night.

A heavy storm poured down over Puente Antiguo.

Raindrops pounded against the temporary shelters SHIELD had set up near the crater.

Meanwhile, Joker Eren—who had just returned from Las Cruces, where he resolved some issues with his arms-dealing contacts—was now lounging inside SHIELD's monitoring room.

Sitting atop a desk, he held a bucket of popcorn, watching the live surveillance footage of Thor beating the living hell out of SHIELD agents.

Against Thor's extensive combat experience and his superhuman physique—even while powerless—SHIELD's highly trained agents were nothing more than mall security guards in comparison.

Of course, this was partly because Coulson had ordered his men not to use firearms.

Otherwise, in his current weakened state, Thor would've been turned into Swiss cheese within seconds.

Inside the monitoring room, despite the bizarre sight of a man casually eating popcorn while watching classified surveillance footage, no one seemed to notice him.

It was as if Joker Eren didn't exist at all.

Meanwhile, in the crater's temporary containment area, Thor had just defeated another SHIELD agent—a tall Black operative.

Covered in mud, Thor tore through the plastic sheeting of the makeshift tunnel, finally stepping in front of Mjolnir.

Seeing the hammer before him, a smile of pure joy broke across Thor's face.

"Hey, old friend, I've come to find you!"

Thor reached out for Mjolnir.

At the same time…

Perched high up in a suspended basket, Hawkeye had already drawn his bow, his arrow aimed directly at Thor.

Speaking into his earpiece, he muttered,

"Last chance, sir."

Standing at the exit of the tunnel, Coulson narrowed his eyes and responded in a low voice,

"Wait. I want to see this…"

In the next instant…

Thor's hand clasped the handle of Mjolnir.

All around, Hawkeye, Coulson, and every SHIELD agent held their breath, watching the moment unfold.

Thor tightened his grip.

Then, he pulled.

But, much to his shock, just like everyone else before him, Mjolnir didn't budge an inch.

Thor froze, stunned.

Then, instinctively, he increased his strength.

Seconds passed.

Thor switched from one hand to both hands, veins bulging along his arms.

But no matter how much power he exerted…

Mjolnir remained unmoved.

His expression shifted—from joyful excitement to confidence, then to shock, disbelief, and finally… fear.

BOOM!

A bolt of lightning split the night sky, momentarily illuminating the downpour, casting an eerie glow over Thor's mud-covered, drenched figure.

Thor, still gripping Mjolnir, his neck veins bulging, suddenly threw his head back and let out a furious, heart-wrenching roar filled with anger, frustration, and despair.

"NO!"

His agonized shout echoed through the stormy night.

No one knew how long it lasted.

Finally…

Thor's fingers loosened, and he collapsed onto the wet ground, his eyes vacant.

The pouring rain struck his face, stinging like needles, yet his gaze remained fixed on the sky above.

"Pathetic."

Apart from Joker Eren, no one present could truly understand the depth of Thor's despair.

The hammer he had wielded his entire life, the one his father had given him, had now…

Abandoned him.

And that could only mean one thing—

Odin's decree had stripped him of his right to be the God of Thunder.

Finishing the last piece of popcorn, Joker Eren flipped his wrist, making the now empty bucket disappear.

He smirked.

His gaze pierced through the rain, locking onto a tall figure approaching the temporary SHIELD base surrounding Mjolnir.

The figure was dressed in a sleek tailored suit, a scarf wrapped elegantly around his neck, and holding a black umbrella—Loki.

"Finally, you're here."

Just like Joker Eren…

None of the SHIELD agents seemed to notice Loki emerging from the storm.

Even the base's security cameras failed to register his presence.

Of course…

That didn't apply to Joker Eren.

As if sensing Eren's gaze, Loki paused mid-step.

Then, he slowly turned his head—his sharp emerald eyes meeting Joker Eren's, despite the distance.

After a moment of silence, Loki's eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke,

"You can see me?"

Joker Eren raised an eyebrow.

"Is seeing you supposed to be difficult?"

He then gave Loki a mocking glance and added,

"I must say, you're even weaker than I expected, Trickster God."

Loki's once amused expression instantly darkened.

"Very well, Midgardian. I shall teach you the price of insulting me…"

But before Loki could finish his sentence—

A thin silver thread shot out, weaving into a delicate yet deadly web that rapidly expanded behind Joker Eren.

A second later…

A distorted silhouette flickered into existence behind him.

Loki, who had just been standing meters away, suddenly materialized right behind Eren, forced out of his illusion.

In his hand…

A dagger gleaming with an icy blue aura—its blade razor-sharp, inscribed with countless runes.

Had it not been for Joker Eren's silver-threaded trap, Loki's blade would've already been buried in his lower back.

Given the deadly enchantments on the dagger, even Joker Eren might have found himself in serious trouble if caught off guard.

As the real Loki appeared, the illusory Loki standing several meters away vanished in a flicker of light.

For the first time, Loki's composed mask faltered.

If Joker Eren had spotted him the first time, it could've been chalked up to mere carelessness—perhaps he had been too arrogant, underestimating Midgardians.

But now?

Joker Eren had once again exposed his deception with ease, forcing him out of his illusion before he could even strike.

This wasn't just carelessness—it was a complete failure.

Loki's mind raced.

"How…?"

Before he could process the situation fully, Joker Eren sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Heh. So this is all the so-called 'Trickster God' is capable of?"

(End of Chapter)

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