"Thor!"
Sif's voice instantly pierced through the noisy background.
After a brief moment of losing her composure, the Valkyrie immediately reverted to her warrior self.
Wielding her sword and shield, she strode over with the Three Warriors.
Only when her gaze finally confirmed that Thor was safe and sound, even more radiant than when he left, did genuine joy flow from her deep blue eyes.
"My friends! How did you get here?"
Thor's face also broke into a wide smile upon seeing his companions, with whom he had shared life and death.
He opened his arms and gave each of them a firm hug, temporarily casting the brain-racking new Midgardian concept of "Deity Comprehensive Accidental Insurance" to the back of his mind.
"We're here to take you home!"
Fandral elegantly tossed his golden long hair, a confident curve playing on his lips.
"And to see which clueless fool dared to lay a hand on you in Midgard."
His sharp gaze swept across the scene, passing over the suit-clad mortals.
It passed over the half-destroyed iron creation, finally settling on the smoking Destroyer parts, which were no longer recognizable.
His expression instantly froze.
Meanwhile, Volstagg's attention was completely captured by something else.
His nose twitched twice.
His gaze precisely locked onto the energy bars, emanating a sweet, high-calorie aroma, that Agents were distributing near the quinjet not far away.
Amidst this moment of reunion and surprise.
William's eyes lit up when he saw these four new, strikingly different Asgardians.
It was the light of Columbus discovering the New World.
It was the light of an Alchemist turning lead into gold.
It was the light of a hungry shark smelling blood.
New business opportunities!
And high-net-worth clients coming in a group!
He immediately straightened his back, subconsciously tidying his suit, which had already been reduced to rags.
Although the gesture seemed utterly comical at the moment, the expression on his face was flawless.
He walked over with steady steps.
"Welcome to North Brother Island, esteemed guests from Asgard."
William spoke in a tone he might use to greet a Saudi prince at an international business forum.
Sif and the Three Warriors' conversation abruptly ceased.
Four scrutinizing gazes, imbued with the unique oppressive aura of Deities, simultaneously fell upon this suddenly appearing mortal.
"I am the island's owner, William Rodriguez."
He nodded slightly, introducing himself.
"And also, the CEO of Rodriguez Risk Management Group."
He completely ignored the confusion and wariness in their eyes, continuing in his magnetic voice.
"On behalf of this island and the Group's board of directors, I extend our warmest welcome to your inter-dimensional visit."
"However, before you begin your tour, I'd like to offer a friendly, professional risk advisory."
He extended a finger, first pointing to the charred Destroyer wreckage, then to the bottomless giant pit, over twenty meters in diameter.
"Inter-dimensional travel, especially undeclared emergency landings, carries extremely high and unpredictable risks. Just like what happened earlier."
"To ensure your subsequent journey in Midgard is pleasant, safe, and worry-free, I strongly recommend you seriously consider our company's latest flagship product—the 'Interstellar Traveler Short-term Accidental Insurance'."
"Fair price, comprehensive coverage. Its scope of coverage includes, but is not limited to: acclimatization issues, jet lag, malicious attacks by local indigenous creatures—like that big guy who just turned back into human form over there—and various emergencies such as being invited for tea by local official agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D. for illegal entry."
Sif: "..."
Fandral: "..."
Hogun: "..."
Volstagg licked his lips, finally unable to resist speaking: "...Um, does this 'insurance' of yours cover meals?"
Thor covered his face with one hand, feeling his divine power and princely dignity being thrown into the glaciers of Jotunheim to feed Frost Giants with every word William uttered.
He quickly stepped forward, attempting to interrupt this preposterous sales pitch.
"William, my friend, they are Asgard's bravest warriors, they don't..."
"Warriors need insurance even more!"
William interrupted him righteously, his gaze burning as he looked at Sif.
"Madam, I see your sword and shield are extraordinary, extremely sharp."
"Swords are blind, and magic is merciless!"
"What if, in battle, an energy beam you parried accidentally deflects, destroying a local resident's home, or worse, accidentally injuring your teammates behind you? What then?"
"We have 'Divine Weapon Third-Party Liability Insurance' to pay for all your accidental operations!"
He then turned to Fandral.
"Sir, you are dashing and exceptionally charismatic. The women of Midgard are passionate and uninhibited; should you get entangled in any complex romantic disputes here, we also have corresponding 'Special Relationship Handling Protocols'."
"Providing services including, but not limited to, legal consultation, reputation management, and safe house services when necessary!"
Finally.
His gaze fell on Volstagg.
"As for this brave warrior,"
William's smile grew even more sincere.
"We can even tailor an 'Unlimited All-You-Can-Eat Accidental Insurance' for you! Ensuring that even if you get an upset stomach, you'll receive the highest standard of gastrointestinal medical compensation in Midgard!"
The Warriors of Asgard were utterly shocked into speechlessness by this mortal's unheard-of sales pitch.
They had fought across the Nine Realms, seen battles with swords, and seen magic duels, but they had never seen combat conducted in this manner.
It was even more incomprehensible than Heimdall's gaze.
On the other side, Coulson finally concluded his arduous negotiation with Tony.
He walked over, looking exhausted.
In the past half hour, he felt he had aged ten years, more mentally and physically drained than all his field missions combined over the past decade.
"William."
Coulson's voice was hoarse and dry.
William immediately shifted his attention from these potential "new clients" back to the "sugar daddy" in front of him.
The expression on his face instantly switched from enthusiastic sales to serious business.
"We've settled."
Coulson said, word by word, each carrying the pain of torn blood and budget.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. agrees to pay you a one-time sum of 150 million U.S. dollars, under the name of 'Special Strategic Asset Seizure', as an 'Environmental Restoration and Ecological Reconstruction Fund'."
"At the same time, S.H.I.E.L.D. will sign a three-year 'Supernatural Disaster Priority Consultant Agreement' with your company, with an annual consulting fee of five million U.S. dollars."
"In exchange,"
Coulson's gaze swept over the Uru metal fragments.
"These remnants, and all data and video materials derived from this incident, will belong to S.H.I.E.L.D. You, and all your employees, must sign the highest level of confidentiality agreement."
Upon hearing this, the people of the Heavenly Palace looked at Thor.
Seeing that the Prince was indifferent to the Destroyer remnants, they said nothing.
William's brain was working at high speed.
150 million U.S. dollars in cash, immediately credited.
Plus a stable contract of five million per year, lasting three years.
Although this was a significant difference from his initial exorbitant demand of 300 million, after deducting the actual cost of rebuilding the island, his net profit was enough for him not to have to sell another insurance policy for the next ten years.
No, he still needed to get stronger!
This wave wasn't just a huge profit.
It was overflowing with profit, so much that even the basin was replaced with pure gold!
"Deal!"
William extended his hand without hesitation, firmly shaking Coulson's.
"Pleasure working with you, Coulson. I knew S.H.I.E.L.D. is an efficient, pragmatic, and reasonable organization."
Coulson withdrew his hand expressionlessly.
He was not pleased at all.
With the biggest financial issue resolved, William was in such a good mood that he almost started humming.
He looked at Thor and his companions, who were preparing to leave via the Bifrost Bridge, and felt he couldn't miss this last opportunity.
He pulled out a brand new card from his pocket—he had "borrowed" this blank access card from a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent's pocket during the chaos.
Then he "borrowed" a pen from another Agent's jacket pocket, quickly scribbling his name and a string of numbers.
"Mr. Thor!"
William chased after him, solemnly pressing the "business card" into Thor's hand.
"This is my private contact information. You, and your friends, if you ever come to Earth again, or even if you encounter any 'risks' in Asgard that you can't solve yourselves, you can contact me anytime."
"For inter-dimensional business, first-time customers, I'll give you a 20% discount!"
Thor looked down at the sloppily written card in his hand, then looked up at this mortal, covered in mud, with a tattered suit, but whose eyes burned with a certain fire.
He suddenly felt that this Midgardian, in his own way, also possessed a powerful, awe-inspiring, indomitable soul.
It was the courage to quote prices even to a god.
"Son of Rodriguez."
Thor solemnly put away the simple business card, a truly heartfelt smile, tinged with respect, appearing on his face.
"You are an interesting warrior. I will mention your 'insurance' to my father, Odin Borson, All-Father."
With that, he no longer hesitated, turned, and led his companions striding into the range of the The Coming Pillar of Light.
"Heimdall, open the gate!"
With his loud cry.
The rainbow light beam tore through the clouds and descended, precisely enveloping them.
The light swallowed everything.
The next second, the light beam shot up into the sky, disappearing into Midgard's heavens.
William stood still, facing the salty sea breeze, and smiled contentedly at the sky that had returned to its gloomy state.
The battle was over.
And his business had just begun.
-------------------------------
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