MARVEL'S MONSTER HUNTER WORLD

Watson set Natasha down, letting her touch the dragon's hardened scales as she exhaled a breath of disbelief.

"System, what's the current strength of the horned dragon, in terms of Earth's scale?"

Ding! The horned dragon belongs to the fourth stage of the lower dragon species. After adapting to the universal laws, it is nearly impervious to all but weapons of mass destruction.

Ding! Please locate the world's energy source for rule comparison. This will allow you to update all dragon resistance attributes.

Ding! Divine power and an unidentified energy source have been detected. Peeping attempts have been automatically blocked.

Watson frowned at the system's alert. Divine power and an unidentified force?

Asgard – The Rainbow Bridge

Heimdall withdrew the golden glow from his eyes and responded to Odin through their telepathic link.

"Your Majesty, I have confirmed a dragon's presence in Midgard. However, it is not the legendary behemoth exceeding 100 meters. This one appears young—but it still poses a significant threat. More importantly… I was unable to maintain my vision on it. A force obscured my sight, one that appears to originate from the same source as the dragon itself."

Odin's expression darkened as he processed Heimdall's report.

"The next Twilight of the Gods is approaching… and now, of all times, a dragon resurfaces after millennia?" His brows furrowed. "No mere young dragon could veil itself from Heimdall's sight. We will wait and observe. If it brings harm to Midgard, we will act. Keep watching."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Watson's Thoughts

Watson tilted his head in contemplation. Divine power… only Asgard would take notice of Earth like this.

But that unidentified power… could it be—?

His mind drifted toward the possibility of another observer. Doctor G?

He glanced at the massive dragon beside him, curiosity gnawing at him.

"System, why does Prince Kaku's presence trigger divine attention?"

Ding! Any dragon species at the fourth stage and beyond naturally radiate a unique energy signature. This makes them highly detectable.

Watson recalled the Dragon Evolution Essence he had acquired before.

"What happens if Prince Kaku uses the Evolution Essence to reach a higher stage?"

Ding! Dragons that ascend to the next level undergo a complete transformation in their life structure. Different dragons experience unique evolutions.

Lower Dragons evolve into Wyverns.

High-tier Wyverns can become Pureblood Dragons.

Only dragons that reach the fourth stage and beyond can ascend to True Dragons.

Watson's mind snapped back to something Baron Strak had mentioned earlier—biological analysis of monsters.

"What if someone else gets hold of dragon scales?"

Ding! Any material detached from a dragon's body will lose all biological activity unless in possession of the host. Such materials will be rendered useless, including their genetic properties, elemental resistances, and any traits. Only the host and system-marked personnel can restore their properties.

Watson exhaled, relieved. Good. No chance of Hydra cloning dragons.

His gaze shifted back to Prince Kaku. Should I use the Evolution Essence now?

No… let's hold onto it. Once the Fire Dragon is summoned, I'll decide. It's better to have aerial control.

Escape to the Surface

"Alright, we should go."

Watson wrapped an arm around Natasha, effortlessly pulling her onto the dragon's back.

"Kaku, take us straight up!"

Aoao!

Minutes later, the once-still forest trembled violently.

BOOM!

A massive, horned silhouette erupted from the earth, sending debris flying in all directions.

"Ahhh, finally!" Watson stretched his arms, inhaling the fresh air. "Too dark down there."

His moment of relaxation was cut short by Natasha's deadpan tone.

"Watson… is that my car on the dragon's horn?"

"… Uh."

Watson slowly turned his head and squinted. Sure enough, a crushed car was hanging from one of Kaku's horns

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and dialed Phil Coulson.

Washington, D.C. – S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

Nick Fury leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple as he spoke.

"Coulson, Agent Romanoff has requested repatriation. From now on, you'll be handling the 'monster kid.' That potion we got from him was promising, but the research team can't replicate it. The sample they sent back? Just juice."

Fury sighed, shaking his head. "And now they just raided a Hydra base…"

Riiiiiing!

Coulson glanced at his phone. Fury nodded, allowing him to answer.

"…Sir, they made it out. They want a pickup."

"Go."

Pierce's Office – Hydra Safehouse

SLAM!

Alexander Pierce slammed a folder onto his desk, fury flashing in his eyes.

"The scale samples… they're just minerals?! No cells, no genetic chains! If I didn't know Strak wouldn't dare cross me, I'd assume he sent me fakes!"

Taking a deep breath, Pierce leaned back in his chair.

"…We can't afford to trigger Nick Fury's suspicions now. Strak and his men should keep things small for now." A smirk crept across his lips. "It doesn't matter. Once Project Insight is complete… nobody will escape us."

He grabbed his encrypted phone and dialed.

"Tell Strak we know. And remind him—those scales are worthless. He should stop wasting my time."

Casual Coffee Break… Or Not?

Watson and Natasha sat at a street café, enjoying much-needed coffee after the chaos.

A car rolled up. The familiar hum of a government vehicle made Watson glance toward the entrance just as Phil Coulson stepped inside.

"You didn't bring your classic car?" Watson smirked.

Coulson shook his head. "I'm working. Can't risk a 'work injury.'" Then, he eyed Natasha. "What about your car?"

Natasha shot a glare at Watson. "Coincidentally… also a work injury."

Coulson paused, sensing the tension. Then, his gaze flickered toward the single coffee cup on the table.

Left side: a faint sip mark. Right side: lipstick.

His eyes widened.

"…Wait. You two—?"

Watson grinned. "Disappointed?"

Coulson's face lit up with surprise. "Whoa! Big news. Does anyone else know? Natasha, does Nick—"

Natasha casually leaned back, smirking. "Didn't tell him, but with his paranoia? He's probably already figured it out."

Coulson chuckled. "You're the second person to tell me after Clint. Nick's gonna lose it."

Watson smirked. "And you? What about that cello player of yours? Or… should I say your car, Laura?"

Coulson hesitated before shaking his head with a sheepish grin.

Meanwhile, Watson watched him and suddenly remembered something—

In another timeline, Coulson had died.

…But this time?

Watson clenched his fist.

Not on my watch.