Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Odin: If you're deemed capable, then you are. Even if you're not, you still are!
Taking the initiative often secures the advantage; hesitating subjects you to others' control.
Clark always kept his ancestors' teachings in mind. Thus, at the first sign of his opponent's appearance, he decisively started to question.
To Clark's interrogation, Secretary of State Ross felt only frustration: "I was about to ask you the same thing."
"Now it's my villa that's been destroyed!" Clark pointed at the crater before him, speaking vehemently.
Ross's expression turned sour: "But the FBI lost 16 agents, all of whom were living beings!"
"So, you suspect I'm responsible for this hammer?"
Ross sneered, "Isn't it obvious?"
"I'm amazed at how someone of your intelligence became Secretary of State." Clark stood his ground, "It was just an empty villa. They were watching my house for me. Why would I destroy my own villa along with them?"
"Maybe you have money to burn and didn't want the villa anymore," Ross retorted.
"If I didn't want it, why wouldn't I just leave it here? Why cause such a commotion and trouble for myself?" Clark countered.
Tony, in his Iron Man suit, crossed his arms and watched the spectacle of a Secretary of State and a billionaire bickering with amusement.
Compared to them, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were more focused on their task. As the two heavyweights bickered, Coulson had already led his team down the crater to examine the hammer.
Soon, they encountered a problem.
Despite appearing simple, Coulson and his team couldn't move the hammer an inch, despite exerting all their strength!
Tony, noticing this first, dove down in his Iron Man suit to try and failed to move the hammer with his suit's strength.
This curious discovery finally drew General Ross's attention away from his argument with Clark.
Even Ross, as the Secretary of State, found this unknown artifact intriguing.
More importantly, anything was more meaningful than their current argument, especially dealing with this mysterious object from the heavens.
After Ross and his accompanying troops failed to move the hammer, an entire enhanced squad tried and also failed to make it budge.
Coulson, ever the clever agent, turned his attention to Clark, who, like Tony, was watching with interest. He asked with his usual kindness, "Mr. Clark, you seem to know things we don't. Could you share what you know about this hammer?"
"How did you know I knew anything about the hammer?" Clark raised an eyebrow.
"Because you haven't tried to touch it yet," Coulson stated confidently. "That alone is unusual unless you were certain you couldn't lift it."
Coulson's approach was sincere: "S.H.I.E.L.D. handles all extraterrestrial unknowns. We need your information. This also helps clear your name, a win-win, wouldn't you agree?"
Nodding, Clark wanted to clear up the hammer issue quickly and continue with his plans.
Under everyone's gaze, he began to share his knowledge, "If I'm not mistaken, this hammer is called Mjolnir."
Coulson frowned, "You're not suggesting it comes from Norse mythology?"
"Not all myths are fiction. Some may be witnesses to history, filling in gaps with unknown truths," Clark paused, feeling the topic drifting. He continued, "You can think of the Norse gods as aliens."
"The Frost Giants wanted to conquer Earth, while the Aesir, seeing Earth as their territory, protected it. Their battle in Norse lands is the basis of those myths."
Ross, curious, asked, "So, this hammer is the legendary Mjolnir?"
Clark, not interested in arguing, nodded, "The gods' civilization differs greatly from ours. For instance, Mjolnir, enchanted by Odin, can only be lifted by those deemed worthy, like his son Thor."
As he spoke, Clark bent down, grabbed the hammer's handle, and casually mentioned, "Others, no matter how strong, can't lift it. Not you, not me, not even Hulk... damn!"
As Clark swore, everyone was stunned.
The hammer, declared unmovable except by its destined wielder, was effortlessly lifted by Clark, proving everyone wrong.
Tony Stark and Phil Coulson were impressed, among others.
However, Clark paid no attention to the admiration.
The moment he lifted Mjolnir, a vision of a one-eyed, white-haired old man holding a golden spear appeared in his mind. The man, sitting on a throne, looked at him kindly, "Clark, my rash son needs experience. I hope you can look after him. Odin, as king of Asgard, assures you of a handsome reward."
Clark realized he was noticed by Odin himself and murmured appreciatively, "Delicious!"
Noticing the change in everyone's attitude, Clark awkwardly released the hammer, letting it fall back to the ground, "This was an accident. Do you believe me?"
Ross, now looking sinister, said, "Accident or not, you clearly have a special connection with this hammer. For the agents' peace in heaven, I hope Mr. Clark will accompany me to the FBI for assistance in the investigation."
Once they find an excuse, they relentlessly pursue control, just as they did with Hulk.
Now that Clark lifted Mjolnir, it was too thought-provoking.
If they suspected he summoned the hammer, it wasn't entirely baseless. Odin's betrayal!
With a dry laugh, Clark replied, "Cooperating with the investigation is fine, but going to the FBI is unnecessary. I don't want to waste national resources, so... goodbye!"
With that, Clark soared into the sky. Meanwhile, the American soldiers, under that general's command alongside Ross, fired at him.
Using his cape as a shield, Clark easily deflected all attacks and flew away without retaliating.
Retaliation wasn't an option.
The soldiers, unlike Tony's Iron Man suit, could be easily harmed by Clark's actions.
Though suspected, there was no evidence linking him to the hammer. Escaping now meant he still had a chance to contend with the situation.
But if he fought back and killed, there'd be no explanation.
Being shot at without the ability to retaliate frustrated Clark. If not for knowing he couldn't defeat Odin, who could monitor his actions, he'd have cursed then and there.
The real condition to lift Mjolnir? Not integrity, goodness, bravery, or sacrifice. Just Odin's approval. He decides if you're worthy or not.
Like Clark now.
This was definitely power-playing at its finest!
But Clark's frustrations were far from over.
Just as he flew out of the soldiers' rifle range, sensing an attack, he dodged two pulse blasts from behind.
"Tony!" Clark called out while fleeing. "You should see this isn't my doing. You're not exploiting my vulnerability, are you?"
Expecting a denial, Tony's response was stark, "Exactly, I'm seizing the opportunity! Catching you off-guard is rare, and I must take advantage."
"Never thought you'd stoop so low, Tony Stark!" Clark lamented, "I misjudged you."
"Seeing me clearly now isn't too late," Tony retorted, "Just hand over my parents' killer, and you can go."
Sighing, Clark, now far from the soldiers, stopped abruptly, preparing to confront Tony directly but smoothly dodged his attack.
Facing Iron Man, Clark shook his head, "Tony, remember you're no match for me."
"If you won't back down, I'll dismantle your suit first, then leave."
Tony's confident reply, "Try it."
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