"Why is this woman back again? I thought there would be one less competitor, but they just keep increasing."
Maya muttered through gritted teeth. Her resentful expression made Helen Cho chuckle. This woman hadn't shown such a face in a long time. As both a friend and a rival, Helen Cho couldn't help but show an aunt-like smile; she loved watching them fuss, as long as she wasn't dragged into it! Usually, she'd sneak a little taste... cough! Have a 'deep' exchange of feelings with the boss, but nothing else happened, though she secretly looked forward to it.
"She is an Avenger, after all. You've seen those impressive fighting skills. Being able to survive among so many Alien warriors proves her strength isn't weak. But what exactly is she doing here?"
Susan saw through it clearly. Natasha's identity had been spread to the outside world through the recent Battle of New York. The purpose of such an official'superhero' coming to find Artoria was certainly not simple. Was it to recruit Artoria into the Avengers? Through private chats with Artoria, Susan already knew that Artoria's intervention last time was only to save her brother and civilians; she hadn't joined this official superhero group.
So she felt that the reason Natasha came to find Artoria this time was nothing more than recruiting a new Avenger, or, thinking more negatively, it could be a government directive for them to 'monitor' the super-powered individuals. Of course, this was all her speculation; her words couldn't be taken as fact.
"No matter what, I don't approve of a woman like that. She looks like an improper woman."
These words were spoken by Hope. The knife and fork in her hands were almost chopping the steak into minced beef, but her gaze was fixed intently on Natasha's chest. Artoria's despair-inducing breasts were already enough, and the three here were all a bit bigger than her. This woman who had returned, upon careful observation, was actually two cup sizes larger than her. Dammit! These Oppai Aliens are truly infuriating.
"Enough, your steak is about to become dumpling filling, Hope."
While eating a salad, Susan spoke to the jealous Hope, who was envious of the other's good figure. Susan unconsciously puffed out her chest; that mocking bounce made Hope's gaze shift from Natasha to Susan. Susan was truly skilled at drawing aggro, making Hope want to pick up her knife and chop off those eyesore breasts.
"Heh~! I wonder whose 'dear' younger brother has been making quite a splash lately!"
Being mocked like that, Hope's eye twitched, but she had her own means of counter-attacking. She pulled out a newspaper with a photo of Susan's brother, Johnny Stone. Lately, he had been grandly promoting his hero team, while behind Johnny, Reed and Ben—who had turned into the Stone Man—looked away as if they didn't know him, especially that Space suit from the Space trip which Johnny had modified beyond recognition.
Seeing the trump card Hope pulled out, Susan's face turned red then green. This guy was embarrassing himself in public. Doesn't he know what low-key means? That bastard. If she hadn't already joined Artoria's company, she would definitely give this worthless brother a good lesson. Now she could only watch as Hope used her brother's foolishness to provoke her, yet she had no way to respond. So frustrating.
"Gwen, are you eating so little because you're feeling unwell?"
Compared to the clashing Susan and Hope, Helen Cho preferred staying with the low-profile Gwen. Their relationship was quite good now. Seeing Gwen eating so little, she asked with concern. Although Artoria cared about them, she never paid attention to minor details. A girl's mind is complex; sometimes they need a bit of nurturing.
"I'm on a diet! Lately, I feel like my appetite is becoming more like Miss Artoria's, but I don't have her constitution where she can eat anything without getting fat. So I have to restrain myself. It might also be because my exercise has been a bit intense lately."
Regarding Helen Cho's concern, Gwen gave a wry smile and squeezed her shoulder. She wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but she felt like she was getting more and more muscle lately, and her appetite was twice what it used to be. It might be related to her recent crime-fighting. Such intense exercise, although her serum-modified body could handle it, was causing changes in a sense—like muscles all over. This wasn't what she wanted. At the thought of eight-pack abs and developed biceps appearing on her body, Gwen couldn't help but shudder.
"Alright! But don't overdo the fasting, otherwise your body will lack energy and won't be able to cope."
Seeing Gwen's firm attitude, Helen Cho didn't want to push further. After all, she was also a woman, and what woman doesn't love beauty? She sometimes used similar methods herself; although they worked, they were torturous and nearly gave her stomach problems. Women! They can be very crazy for the sake of beauty. She could only remind Gwen not to take it too far.
"Miss Artoria, too many things have happened lately, and I can't tell you everything. But you and your brother are now key figures. Many people in the shadows are targeting you, so please be more careful."
Compared to the women gossiping nearby, Natasha smiled calmly as she watched Artoria swallow palm-sized steaks in one bite. A nearby table was already piled high with empty plates being cleared away by a waiter, yet Artoria's eating speed hadn't slowed down at all.
"I know that, of course. My big brother's situation looks like he's been through a superhuman battle. It seems there are quite a few powered individuals in this world."
Artoria kept herself out of the conversation. She didn't mention that she was the one who brought Tony back and even participated in the post-battle cleanup. Lately, her knack for scavenging had been growing stronger; Artoria even suspected that her Spirit Origin wasn't actually King Arthur, but the Scavenger King. She hid most of the details, unwilling to tell S.H.I.E.L.D. everything. She stuffed a piece of steak into her mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed. Artoria felt as if her stomach were a bottomless pit; no matter how much she ate, she was still hungry.
"It's for the best that you understand this. Actually, the Director intends to have Miss Artoria join us and Hopes you will consider it. After all, your brother has already joined the team."
Natasha looked at her puffed-out cheeks, thinking she looked truly adorable. Natasha subconsciously touched her own lower abdomen; being unable to become a mother was the regret of her life. Now that the recent mission was complete, it was time to consider borrowing Artoria's scientific team. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to first convey Mr. Nick Fury's instructions.
"I understand that."
Artoria nodded at Natasha's words. It seemed the Nick Fury couldn't wait any longer and wanted to use her power to expand the Avengers' strength. However, Artoria was currently a bit reluctant to join. Initially, the Kree's black technology had indeed tempted her, but after that incident, she had obtained quite a bit of Kree technology herself, so S.H.I.E.L.D.'s appeal had diminished, leaving her somewhat hesitant.
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