Marvel: AS A PRINCE IN ASGARD

[The system has detected the host attempting to recruit Tony Stark. Choose an action!]

[Option 1: Eliminate Iron Man]

• Reward: Instantly acquire all knowledge of the Iron Man armors from Mark I to the Mark L (Nano Suit). Gain +1 Physical Resistance.

[Option 2: Force Iron Man to Join]

• Reward: The scientific research division under the host's command experiences a massive breakthrough. Gain +1 Physical Resistance.

[Option 3: Persuade Iron Man to Join]

• Reward: The research progress of the host's team will randomly improve. Gain +1 Physical Resistance.

The system's choices surfaced in Ragna 's mind the moment he set his sights on Tony Stark. Yet, he hesitated.

The first option was tempting—instant mastery of Stark's technology, from the rudimentary Mark I built in a cave to the advanced Mark L Nano Armor, along with access to Stark's resource allocation strategies. This would allow Ragna to mass-produce formidable mid-to-low-tier combat units.

However, there was a flaw—Stark's technology had a ceiling. While revolutionary by Earth's standards, it wasn't something Ragna couldn't surpass with his divine power and existing resources. His forces already outmatched most terrestrial technology, making the first option a waste of potential.

That left the second and third options.

Forcing Stark's allegiance would be effortless. A single blink from the Sun God could subjugate even the most defiant minds. Stark would have no choice. His research team would skyrocket in efficiency, achieving in weeks what might otherwise take years.

But there was an inherent danger in coercing a genius. A forced scientist is a dangerous one. Unmotivated, Stark could introduce deliberate flaws, sabotage projects, or feign incompetence. And with experimental resources as valuable as Vibranium, Arc Reactor cores, and experimental alloys from the Kree, any misstep could mean the difference between victory and catastrophe.

Ragna clicked his tongue in mild annoyance. Persuasion was the better path.

With an air of nonchalance, he offered Stark an enticing deal.

"Eternal health and longevity for you and your loved ones? Perhaps something even more valuable? Name your price."

Stark's eyes flickered with intrigue, but he leaned back, shaking his head.

"Pepper and I are still young. Maybe when we're old, we'll reconsider."

His words carried confidence, but there was hesitation—a sign of inner conflict. His palladium poisoning had long been cured, and he had no immediate reason to change his life course. Working under a so-called god was too much of a gamble, even if the benefits were tempting.

Ragna exhaled through his nose. "Alright."

Before he could escalate the conversation, a sudden intrusion broke the tension.

A group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents stormed into the room, led by a one-eyed, bald man in a long trench coat. The legendary Nick Fury.

The sight of him made Ragna chuckle.

Fury's arrival wasn't surprising, but the subtle irregularities in his bio-energy readings were. Expanding his divine perception, Ragna sifted through the thousands of natural human biological signals in the vicinity—then found something highly unusual.

An anomaly. Something distinctly non-human.

As Fury spoke, Valina—Ragna 's fierce and unpredictable lieutenant—instinctively raised her left hand, preparing to attack. Her right still clutched a bottle of Asgardian mead, reluctant to waste good alcohol on a fight.

Ragna intercepted her, gripping her wrist lightly, signaling for restraint. This was about to get interesting.

Fury's gaze locked onto Stark.

"Mr. Stark, looks like you've got yourself into some trouble."

Tony scoffed. "If it weren't for you, I'd have a lot less of it."

Fury waved for his agents to lower their weapons, his eye never leaving Ragna . His voice, though calm, carried an undercurrent of both wariness and fascination.

"Sir, I'll have to ask you to explain why you've broken into a private residence in the middle of the night. Also, I'd like to know exactly who you are—and why you're here."

Ragna 's lips curled into an amused smirk.

"I'm here to recruit Tony Stark. As for who I am?" He shrugged. "You already have footage of me."

Fury's expression hardened. He wasn't easily rattled, but this time, he was.

Ragna and Valina had previously raided a Kree war cruiser—a vessel packed with Skrull refugees—to seize the Tesseract. He had made no effort to hide his presence during that attack, meaning S.H.I.E.L.D. had clear surveillance footage of him in action.

Fury's silence spoke volumes. When he finally spoke, his voice was carefully measured.

"It's really you."

Then, shifting gears, he said, "The Tesseract has always been Earth's treasure. I'd advise you to return it."

Ragna laughed outright.

"Oh? Since when was the Tesseract Earth's treasure? And when, exactly, did you gain the authority to speak for the entire planet?"

Fury's jaw tensed, but Ragna wasn't finished.

"Let me guess—without the Tesseract as an energy core, your off-world initiatives have crumbled. No faster-than-light travel, no light-speed engine, no leverage over the Kree. You're effectively trapped here, reduced to playing watchdog on this tiny rock."

Ragna 's voice turned mocking.

"Tell me, how long has it been since you've had proper access to real galactic intelligence? You're a bunch of stranded refugees, aren't you?"

Fury remained still, unreadable, but Ragna knew his words had landed.

Then, the real twist came.

Ragna 's divine energy scanned Fury again. There was no deception in his body language—he truly had no clue what Ragna was implying.

That meant only one thing.

"Interesting," Ragna murmured. He had suspected it, but now he was certain—this wasn't Nick Fury.

This was a Skrull impostor.

His presence explained everything—the anomalies in his biological responses, the minute irregularities in his heartbeat, the inconsistencies in his neuro-electric activity.

Ragna 's aura flared, pressing down on the room. The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents collapsed to the floor, unconscious, unable to withstand his divine pressure.

The fake Fury staggered but remained standing, gritting his teeth against the force. His disguise flickered momentarily, but he held form.

Ragna 's eyes gleamed. "So… no access to the Skrull Empire's core technology tree, huh? A shame."

The Skrull struggled to breathe. "I… don't know what you're talking about."

Ragna smirked. "That's disappointing."

With a dismissive shake of his head, he turned back to Stark. "Mr. Stark, I have a feeling you'll reconsider my offer soon. After all…" His eyes flickered with knowing amusement. "For the sake of the world, you might not have much of a choice."

Tony swallowed but said nothing.

Ragna took one last glance at the Skrull-disguised Fury, then grabbed Valina by the wrist.

With a flash of golden light, they vanished into 

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