Containing Thor's Hammer, Acquiring the Rune "Lightning"

"This plot development feels a bit off," Ethan remarked, observing the Thor's Hammer with curiosity as he led the two women through the crowd.

According to the original storyline, S.H.I.E.L.D. should have responded more quickly. After all, the opening of the Rainbow Bridge would have caused a massive energy reaction that S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't possibly have missed.

Ethan glanced at Natasha, hoping for some insight.

As a top-tier agent who understood the intricacies of their operations, Natasha immediately noticed Ethan's confusion.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. issued new orders to avoid interfering with the Foundation's operations and gave Coulson the chance to take credit," Natasha explained.

Ethan was surprised. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is being that considerate? What about Hydra?"

Natasha, shedding her pretense and showing her true role, suggested, "If possible, I recommend calling Coulson. Having him here would make the Foundation's task much smoother."

This was the first time Natasha had dropped her façade in front of Ethan, and he was pleased with the suggestion.

"Can't you handle it?" Ethan asked.

"I can't. After all… I joined S.H.I.E.L.D. partway through. My current rank as an 8th-level agent is due to my skills, not loyalty," Natasha replied, shaking her head.

Ethan nodded in understanding. It was indeed a miracle for someone like Natasha, who joined later, to become an 8th-level agent in such a specialized organization.

"Then call Coulson and have him take over the containment of SCP-MC-24 - Thor's Hammer."

Ethan agreed with Natasha's suggestion.

Standing before Thor's Hammer, Ethan hesitated. If he tried to contain the hammer now, would Odin become enraged and come down to confront him?

The risk of being hammered was high, but so was the potential reward of gaining Thor's power.

Ultimately, Ethan decided to take the risk.

"Fortune favors the bold," he thought. "I'll only be temporarily containing it. Odin, with his vast domain, shouldn't mind too much, right?"

After a quick mental prayer to the Ancient One, Ethan slowly reached out for Thor's Hammer.

Why pray to the Ancient One? Because, in resisting otherworldly entities, the Ancient One was considered even more reliable than a god.

Remembering that Natasha's variant had once lifted Thor's Hammer in another universe, Ethan stopped his hand and asked Natasha, "Natasha, do you want to try lifting it?"

"Me?" Natasha pointed at herself, surprised.

"Never mind. I'm not interested in something that even a crane can't move. How could I lift it?" Natasha replied, dismissing the idea.

Seeing her refusal, Ethan encouraged her, "Give it a try. There's no harm in it."

Eventually, under Ethan's encouragement, Natasha extended her hand toward Thor's Hammer. She made an effort to lift it, and to her surprise, the hammer shifted slightly.

What did this mean?

It meant Natasha was potentially worthy of lifting Thor's Hammer in this universe, although she wasn't currently eligible. Just like Captain America in the movies, who could only lift the hammer during Endgame.

After several attempts without success, Natasha smiled wryly and said, "See? I told you I couldn't lift it."

"Indeed, you can't lift it right now," Ethan agreed, then extended his own hand toward the hammer's handle.

He exerted a slight force.

The hammer remained unmoved.

"This damned hammer!" Ethan grumbled in frustration.

But he was mentally prepared for this outcome. If someone like him could lift Thor's Hammer, it would be a tremendous insult to Captain America and Natasha.

Ethan was aware of his own limitations. Before his transmigration, he had been a righteous youth who despised gambling and drugs. But after transmigrating, due to a broken system, he had become entangled in gambling on a global scale.

With two of the three vices, it was impossible for him to lift Thor's Hammer. Besides, lifting it required a spirit of guardianship and sacrifice, qualities he lacked.

"So what if I can't lift it? You still have to obey me!" Ethan said, and with that, he contained Thor's Hammer into his containment space.

"Ding~ Congratulations, Host, on successfully containing SCP-MC-24 - Thor's Hammer."

"Ding~ Congratulations, Host, on acquiring the Rune 'Lightning' (This rune grants control over lightning, allows conversion of dark energy into lightning, and provides immunity to lightning attacks from sources with a lower authority than the 'Lightning' rune)."

"Ding~ Congratulations, Host, on gaining the authority to control SCP-MC-24 - Thor's Hammer."

Hearing the system's notifications, Ethan laughed triumphantly.

"Hahaha! I knew it. Thor, your hammer is great, but now it's mine to command!"

Before encountering "Jane," Thor's Hammer was, in Thor's mind, more important than anything else. With this move, Ethan felt like he had achieved ultimate triumph.