MARVEL'S MONSTER HUNTER WORLD

A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen, making the three grandfathers—and even the cat outside—restless with hunger. With apple pies, double cheeseburgers, sea bass, fried steak, and other mouthwatering dishes laid out at the table, Tony Stark finally couldn't hold back any longer. He rushed forward, flashing his signature grin.

"Beautiful ladies, may I be the first to try one?"

"Tony, that's very impolite!" Pepper Potts chided, but before she could stop him, Aunt Liya stepped in with a warm smile.

"It's alright, dear. Eat if you're hungry. These dishes certainly aren't just for us ~"

Tony gave an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Aunt Liya, you are truly... enlightened!"

"Alright, everyone, take a seat! Oh, my sweetheart, this one's for you ~" Aunt Liya said, setting aside a small portion of apple pie for the braised egg. Just as everyone got settled—

Jingle Bell!

Aunt Liya's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen, then stood up.

"Ah, finally here," she murmured before stepping out.

"Woo… this is really good," Tony mumbled through a mouthful of burger. Then he turned to Watson. "Hey, do you know who's coming?"

"I have no idea… Maybe another one of Aunt Liya's old friends—wait… what the—"

Even Tony stopped mid-bite, eyes widening.

Aunt Liya walked back in, pulling along a woman whose presence could stop traffic. She had short burgundy hair, piercing cold eyes, and an effortlessly alluring figure. Dressed in a sharp police uniform and fitted trousers, she carried herself like a woman who knew exactly how much power she held.

But what shocked Watson the most was—that face!

That face!

The goddess who had captured the hearts of men across all ages. The woman some called the "Marilyn Monroe of the 21st century."

Scarlett Johansson?!

Watson's mind spun. Before coming to this world, she had been his absolute favorite. From her mesmerizing roles in Lucy and Under the Skin to her breathtaking action sequences—she was legendary!

But wait… no, that wasn't Scarlett Johansson. This was Natasha Romanoff.

The Black Widow.

SHIELD's top agent.

The most dangerous woman in the room, no matter what room she was in.

Watson swallowed hard. Why the hell is she here?!

Was this Nick Fury's doing? Some kind of SHIELD operation? Was she here to test him? Seduce him? Interrogate him?

Before he could even process, Tony spoke up.

"Watson! You never told me you had such a fantastic girlfriend!"

Watson nearly choked. "I don't have a girlfriend!"

"You sure?" Tony smirked. "Because if she's not, I am currently lacking a personal assistant. I wonder if she'd be interested in

Pepper shot Tony a death glare, making him cough and rethink his next words.

The woman in question finally spoke, her voice smooth yet commanding.

"Hi ~ I'm Natalie Wilson, an officer with the Manhattan Police Department."

Even the braised egg perked up, waving a tiny paw in greeting.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't see your little guy ~ You're adorable! What's your name?"

"Ha ha ha," Polk chuckled. "That little troublemaker? His name's Braised Egg! And he's family. Speaking of which, I told you I met a beautiful police officer last time Liya came back!"

"I'm Watson Dialand," Watson finally spoke, trying to keep his composure. "Aunt Liya and Uncle Polk's nephew."

At that, 'Officer Wilson' turned and really looked at him.

Her sharp eyes scanned him, and Watson felt it—a professional assessment, as if she were analyzing a mission target.

So… this is him.

The Fire Knight.

The man who, according to intel, could go toe-to-toe with super soldiers and commanded creatures that defied logic.

She had read his files a dozen times, seen him in SHIELD's intelligence briefings, but this was the first time she was seeing him in person.

And Watson knew exactly what was running through her mind.

Does he suspect me? Does Aunt Liya actually know her, or is she just playing along?

Before the tension could thicken, Tony—completely oblivious to the silent battle of wits happening before him—clapped his hands.

"Hi, I'm Tony Stark! You must have heard of me ~" He winked. "You're a cop? Then I bet you've got some serious skills. I just so happen to be in need of a bodyguard-slash-personal-secretary! Any interest?"

Watson nearly spit out his drink.

Even for Tony, that was fast.

"Of course I know you, Mr. Stark," Natasha—no, Wilson—said smoothly. "But I think your heart might already be set on someone else, isn't it?"

Pepper arched a brow, satisfied.

"And, if I had to choose…" Natasha turned back to Watson, a slow smirk playing on her lips. "I think I'd rather put my faith in our hero. The Flame Knight—the man who saves people from fire and destruction ~"

Watson froze.

Tony raised an eyebrow.

Pepper's eyes darted between them.

Aunt Liya just smiled knowingly.

And Watson?

Watson had a very bad feeling about this.