Chapter 144: Future Avengers

It is well known that early Thor was essentially a hammer god.

Without his beloved Mjolnir, the “Strongest Avenger” Thor was instantly thrown into disarray, ignoring the looming enemy and immediately turning his gaze to search for the Thunder Hammer.

Black Dwarf would not miss this perfect opportunity.

He grinned wickedly, swinging his heavy hammer down with full force toward Thor’s head.

At that moment, a figure appeared instantly before him, wreathed in lightning, gripping the Thunder Hammer, and smashing upward with all his might into Black Dwarf’s chin.

“Thud!”

A muffled crash rang out, searing pain surged from his chin.

Black Dwarf’s vision went black; his massive body shot backward in a perfect arc, flying out of Stark Tower and plummeting toward the district below.

Hearing the metallic clang, Lin Yu’s eyes lit up.

“That sound, that weight, that feel…”

“Definitely a good hammer!”

He stood before Thor, gazing at the hammer in his hand with clear admiration.

Loki and Thor stared blankly at Lin Yu, still stunned by the scene before them.

When he finally recovered, Thor tugged at his lips and forced a smile to mask his shock:

“Uh… sir, that’s my hammer.”

Lin Yu glanced at him oddly and nodded. “I know.”

Thor: “...”

If you know, then why won’t you give it back?

Don’t you have any manners?!

Thor’s face darkened; he was about to change his tone and speak firmly when suddenly a familiar, steady voice reached him.

“Proceed with caution!”

“Thor, you must be cautious!”

Thor froze slightly, unable to help asking: “Heimdall?”

In Asgard, on the Rainbow Bridge control panel, Heimdall, sword in hand, startled and hurriedly replied: “Don’t speak to me—just listen!”

“...?”

Thor looked utterly confused, not understanding Heimdall’s meaning.

Heimdall spoke gravely: “The man before you is no ordinary being. Treat Him with utmost caution—do not neglect the propriety befitting Asgard’s crown prince!”

Hearing this, Thor was stunned, realizing the gravity of the situation.

“As for why, you should already understand.”

Heimdall continued gravely: “Mjolnir bears Odin’s divine enchantment. Only those who have earned the Thunder Hammer’s approval—or who possess power surpassing even the All-Father’s spell—can lift it.”

“Which do you think this man is?”

Obviously, though he had only just met him, Thor was certain: this mysterious strongman who had stolen his hammer had no right to lift Mjolnir!

So it must be the second possibility...

Thor’s heart sank; his gaze toward Lin Yu grew solemn.

Heimdall went on: “Odin once said that Asgard and the Aesir were revered as gods because of our strength and kindness—but in truth, we are merely beings of great power. In this vast universe, only those born as cosmic deities are true gods.”

“So you think I’m a cosmic deity?”

A slightly playful voice suddenly cut through their world-spanning conversation.

Thor’s expression froze; he instinctively looked up to see Lin Yu smirking: “Ever since earlier, I’ve sensed someone watching us. So you’re Asgard’s gatekeeper, Heimdall?”

“...”

Heimdall’s heart tightened; he spoke gravely: “Your Grace jests. Before you, I am not worthy to be called a god. But you—born a cosmic deity—why have you come to Earth? Has the Sorcerer Supreme been informed?”

“Oh?”

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, intrigued: “You can’t see through Kamar-Taj?”

Heimdall frowned slightly: “Of course not. Kamar-Taj is protected by spells cast by generations of Sorcerer Supremes—even I cannot peer inside.”

“No wonder.”

Lin Yu nodded, smiling: “If you could see through it, you wouldn’t have asked that question.”

Heimdall mused: “You’re on good terms with the Sorcerer Supreme?”

Lin Yu replied seriously: “We’re close friends.”

Then he’s aligned with cosmic order!

Heimdall exhaled in relief and smiled: “If you’re the Sorcerer Supreme’s friend, then you’re also a friend of Asgard.”

Seeing Heimdall extend goodwill, Lin Yu smiled.

“You said that.”

Lin Yu grinned: “I recall Asgardians are famed for hospitality. You wouldn’t refuse a friend’s visit, would you?”

“...”

Heimdall’s smile froze, then he turned serious: “Naturally. With your status, if you come to the Golden Palace, Odin himself will welcome you.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll definitely visit the Golden Palace when I have time. But right now~”

Lin Yu smiled faintly: “Sorry, Earth is closed for business.”

Before he finished speaking, Heimdall’s vision went black—he lost sight of Earth entirely.

What kind of technique is this?!

His heart sank; after a moment’s thought, he drew his sword, stepped down from the control panel, and prepared to report this unknown cosmic deity to Odin.

Meanwhile, in New York, Earth, Thor realized he had lost contact with Heimdall and was stunned.

“You… what did you do?”

“Nothing much. Just blocked Heimdall’s perception.”

Lin Yu casually explained, then tossed Mjolnir back to Thor and smiled: “Since Asgard has accepted me as a friend, I shouldn’t overdo it.”

“Here’s your hammer. You two brothers go bond properly—I’ll leave you to it…”

Before he finished speaking, Lin Yu vanished instantly, leaving only Loki and Thor inside Stark Tower.

In the silent, still air, Thor glanced at Mjolnir in his hand, then at Loki’s stiff expression nearby. He grinned, and walked toward his younger brother…

Moments later, dark clouds gathered above Stark Tower, lightning crackled and thunder rolled.

Amid the continuous thunder, faint cries and groans could be heard.

It seemed the Hammer God had finally let loose his pent-up rage—and was now going all out on his little brother…

Lin Yu hovered high above, glancing casually at Stark Tower, then turned his gaze downward, curious:

“Interesting… Is this really the movie universe?”

Following his gaze, several familiar figures moved stealthily through a ruined alleyway: Captain America in his star-spangled uniform, a slightly smaller Hulk, and Iron Man in gold-and-red armor.

From appearance alone, they were unquestionably the real Avengers.

But strangely, just across the next street, another, far more violent Hulk roamed.

And Iron Man’s armor was not the Mark VI or Mark VII from the Battle of New York—it was the Mark 50 nanotech armor!

All signs indicated these were not the Avengers of this timeline, but future Avengers who had traveled back in time after the Snap to collect the Infinity Stones.

Lin Yu had spotted them the moment his awareness covered the entire city.

That was why he returned Mjolnir to Thor instead of keeping it to study.

After all, Mjolnir would always exist—but these future Avengers would eventually return to their own time. Lin Yu couldn’t afford to miss them.

After a moment’s thought, he vanished from sight and landed beside them.

At this moment, Captain America had already assigned the plan. Bruce Banner, having reconciled with Hulk, tore off his shirt, gritted his teeth, and lifted a wrecked car, imitating his past self by smashing randomly while heading toward the New York Sanctum.

“Huff—”

Just then, a Chitauri light anti-gravity vehicle flew overhead.

Captain America reacted instantly, hurling his vibranium shield to kill the Chitauri soldier aboard, then rushed to the crashed vehicle, pulled it upright, and whispered:

“Remember: split up, get the Stones, regroup immediately—don’t do anything unnecessary!”

“Understood!”

Scott Lang, shrunk to miniature size, stood on Tony’s shoulder and gave Captain America an OK sign.

Tony Stark, his face visibly aged, frowned suddenly, grabbing Captain America’s arm and whispering:

“Wait.”

“Are you sure you’re going alone to retrieve the Mind Stone?”

“Lin Lie may not yet be the Sword God, but he’s still no match for you. Taking the Mind Stone from him won’t be easy.”

Oh?

Lin Lie is involved too?

Lin Yu’s interest stirred; he listened intently.

Captain America whispered: “Lin Lie is indeed hard to handle—that’s why I have to go…”

“Not necessarily!”

Tony insisted: “Don’t forget—in the future, Lin Lie and I were closest. I built his first lightsaber. I understand his abilities and personality better than you.”

Captain America shook his head: “You said ‘in the future.’ Here and now, we have no relationship with him. If any Avenger can make him lower his guard, it’s only me.”

Tony frowned: “You’re that certain?”

Captain America hesitated, then whispered: “He once told me—he used to watch my comics as a kid. He was a fan…”

“Puh—”

A sudden burst of laughter echoed through the alley, startling the three avengers deep in discussion.

Captain America immediately raised his shield, eyes sharp toward the source of the sound.

Tony’s face instantly vanished beneath his mask, his arms lifting as the nanotech armor surged like liquid, reshaping into two futuristic energy cannons, their muzzles glowing with restrained blue light.

“Who’s there?!”

“Show yourself!”

As Tony and Captain America shouted, Lin Yu materialized out of thin air, smiling at them all.

“Sorry, sorry—I heard someone’s dirty secret and couldn’t keep a straight face. Scared you all, didn’t I?”

Tony froze, then glanced at Captain America beside him, his tone low: “If I’m not mistaken, you’re a sorcerer from Kamar-Taj?”

“I don’t know your connection to Strange—but attack!”

Before he finished speaking, the shrunken Ant-Man, who had crept silently to Lin Yu’s feet, leapt up, aiming to tackle him.

But before he could reach, bolts of blue-white lightning materialized out of nowhere, striking him with a jolt; he convulsed, smoked black, and crashed to the ground.

Tony’s silent switch to sonic cannons failed to stun Lin Yu—instead, they struck an invisible barrier and deflected, sending Captain America, who charged in, flying sideways.

Lin Yu stood unharmed, glancing at Captain America as he rose from the ground, and smiled: “Looks like you don’t know me…”

(End of Chapter)