There were many people at the party. The three-story open space looked more like a conference hall, and it was hard to believe it was actually inside a corporate building.
"Hey! Karl!"
"Look who it is—Superman!"
"Karl! Over here, over here!"
…
Whenever someone who knew Karl spotted him, they would wave from a distance and gesture for him to come sit with them.
The atmosphere was extremely lively. Some people were standing, others sitting, drinking and chatting. Occasionally someone would shout, but the noise never managed to draw everyone's attention at once.
However, many people who had never met Karl or Di Wan before couldn't help but look at them with admiration after seeing them.
The audience was wonderful; everyone seemed amazed.
Since no one approached her directly, Di Wan simply held onto Karl's arm. With one glance, people could tell whose companion she was.
Everyone present today was no ordinary person, and this place was essentially the Avengers' base. Most people knew each other, so no one casually struck up conversations.
Karl looked at the people who came to greet him—most were familiar faces. Thor waved at him eagerly. He was wearing a long red coat, his long noodle-like hair loosely tied behind him.
Karl waved back at the others and walked over with Di Wan.
Meanwhile, Tony and Steve went off to find someone to drink and chat with.
When they reached Thor, several older men were standing beside him.
Thor stood up and shook Karl's hand.
"Long time no see. But I'm really looking forward to fighting you."
Karl smiled.
"If you ever get the chance, it doesn't have to be today."
"Hahaha!"
Thor burst out laughing.
"Deal."
Karl noticed that Di Wan had already taken a seat, so he sat down as well. The table in front of them was piled with wine.
Di Wan poured Karl a glass of red wine.
"Why does everyone want to fight Karl?"
Only then did Thor notice Di Wan beside Karl.
"You're truly beautiful. Even in Asgard, I've never seen a woman as beautiful as you."
He took a sip of wine before continuing.
"In Asgard we admire strength. Only brave and skillful combat can show our charm. That's what I pursue."
Di Wan stopped speaking. She suddenly felt she had no idea how to communicate with someone whose muscles seemed to have replaced his brain.
"Let's talk later. I'm going to meet some other old friends first."
Karl stood up, patted Thor on the shoulder, and led Di Wan to the second floor.
On the second floor, Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers were playing billiards. It looked like they had just started.
"Hey! Karl, want to play a few rounds?" Sam called out when he saw him.
Karl walked over with a smile.
"I've never played before."
"It's simple," Sam explained. "Use the cue stick to hit the white ball, and let it strike the ball you want to score with."
After saying that, he took another shot, and a small ball dropped into the pocket.
"I'll just watch you guys play."
He didn't take the cue immediately and chose to watch first.
There was also a bar on the second floor. It was filled with wine, but there were no bartenders. Everyone either poured their own drinks or mixed them themselves, though they could ask friends to help as well.
Di Wan walked to the bar and sat on a tall stool. She sat sideways with her legs slightly crossed, leaning gracefully against the counter—elegant and sexy.
Karl stood beside the pool table, watching the two play.
The party atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant. There were no strict rules—people simply greeted whoever they saw, chatted, and drank.
Maria Hill sat down beside Di Wan.
"How are you?"
Di Wan smiled.
"Pretty good. Traveling with Karl and seeing the outside world."
Hill nodded and took a sip of wine.
"Now that Hydra has been completely eliminated, I'm also thinking about traveling around and seeing more of the world."
She glanced at Karl again.
"He really listens to you."
Di Wan turned her head and looked at Karl with a hint of resentment.
"Listens to me? You don't know—lately I've been following him everywhere, but he's entered a rebellious phase. He's starting to disobey orders."
"Ah!"
Hill covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"Men always go through rebellious phases. The key is how you look at it."
Her casual smile slowly faded.
"But he really cares about you. Back in Washington, in front of the public, he said that if you were hurt, he would destroy the entire universe."
Di Wan looked at Karl, the corner of her lips curling upward slightly.
"And I can't live without him either."
Hill soon left to talk with others. Di Wan stayed where she was, still watching Karl, though her gaze had softened considerably.
The party continued until after ten o'clock. Many people left after drinking too much.
Di Wan and Karl went down to the first floor with the Avengers. Only a few of them remained.
Several people sat on the sofas around the coffee table, drinking wine and chatting casually.
"Aren't you afraid someone might steal that hammer?" Clint Barton said while hugging a pillow, pointing at the hammer on the coffee table.
Thor laughed.
"You're welcome to try."
"As long as you're worthy, you can possess that power, right?" Barton joked while looking at Mjolnir.
"Anyone can give it a try."
Everyone present laughed. Barton stood up.
"Really? If I take it away, you'll lose your weapon."
"As long as you can lift it," Thor replied indifferently.
"This should be interesting," Tony said to Barton. "It's been a tough week for you. If you fail, we won't blame you."
"Haha!"
Everyone laughed again.
Barton looked at Thor.
"You said the same thing before. Though honestly, I don't even like using a hammer."
Thor gestured for him to continue.
Barton grabbed the handle, gritted his teeth.
"Ahh—!"
The hammer didn't move at all.
"I don't know how you do it," Barton said with a laugh as he gave up.
"Like a silent judgment?" Tony Stark teased.
"Come on, Stark, you try it," Barton said, raising his hand to invite him.
Tony stood up confidently.
"I'm never afraid of a challenge."
He pushed hard—but the hammer didn't budge.
Tony casually walked away.
"Wait a second."
Soon he returned wearing one of his Iron Man gauntlets.
…
Everyone tried except Karl and Di Wan. Only Steve Rogers managed to make Mjolnir move slightly.
Thor's expression changed when he saw that, but fortunately Steve stopped trying, which made Thor quietly sigh with relief.
"Hey, Karl, you should try too."
"Yeah, let Thor see the strongest man on Earth."
"Maybe you'll even throw the hammer out of the building!"
Everyone encouraged Karl. They all wanted to see whether he could lift Mjolnir.
Karl looked at Thor.
Thor shrugged as if it didn't matter.
"Go ahead. Try it."
Karl stood up and walked over, stopping in front of the hammer.
Everyone turned their eyes toward him.
Even Thor looked a little nervous.
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