The small village echoed with the thunder of battle.
Outside the house, chaos reigned, shouts, clashes, and the glow of flames raged like a violent storm, unfolding in a wild, untamed dance before Kagura Hitomi's eyes.
"Cortana, begin tactical scan and analysis—"
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing once again that she wasn't on Earth.
Of course, Cortana's battlefield intelligence support was out of the question here.
Thankfully, her android body came equipped with its own analysis capabilities.
All she needed to do was focus her awareness and aim the "Infinite Concept Skill System" within her vision at any target she wanted intel on.
Peering through the window, Kagura activated her scan. A holographic UI appeared, tagging and marking targets in real-time.
[Alien Race Combatant]
[Threat Level: Medium – Hostile – Numbers Unknown]
[High-Temperature Ion Pulse Weapon]
[Threat Level: High – Penetration Probability of "White Moon" Combat Suit: 36%]
[Unknown Alloy Blade – Threat Level: Medium – Penetration Probability: 19%]
The weapons these so-called "bandits" carried varied wildly, but overall, they were manageable.
While these alien raiders of Vanaheim possessed some unfamiliar technology and posed a modest threat to her, it was nothing compared to the level of danger posed by the Chitauri.
"No matter where you go, conflict and violence never seem to disappear," Kagura murmured.
"Violence is an extremely efficient method for ensuring one's survival," replied Sigrid, unfazed. "In any environment, life inevitably evolves toward strategies that involve preying on others. It's only natural."
Kagura glanced at her, intrigued. "Aunt Sigrid, sometimes you sound more like a wise philosopher than a warrior. On Earth, very few fighters would casually drop philosophical takes like yours."
Somewhere across the cosmos, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes sneezed in unison.
"Haha, you flatter me, little one," Sigrid chuckled. "In Asgard, Valkyries are rigorously trained. Our education goes far beyond combat."
"We're expected to study art, literature, and philosophy as well."
"I see," Kagura nodded. "So Asgard isn't just a civilization of muscleheads after all."
"A foolish and ignorant warrior can never become the strongest. Surely even Midgardians understand that much."
"Well... that's debatable," Kagura said with a wry smile.
"But you're right. If a soldier only knows how to follow orders and ignores everything else like knowledge, values, philosophy they'll never be a true warrior."
"They'll just be another brute, like these bandits."
These so-called "bandits" weren't much different from Earth's terrorist cells or rogue militias just thugs who lived off looting and killing without a second thought.
Judging from the sounds outside, the able-bodied villagers were fighting back with all they had, but it was clear they were struggling.
Kagura wanted to help, badly. But she had been entrusted with a task by General Hogun: protect Sigrid and Chisé.
She had to stick to that mission.
She wasn't about to let anything happen to them on her watch.
More than anything, she hated letting people down.
'BOOM… BOOM… BOOM!'
The ground trembled rhythmically.
Looks like these raiders brought something… big.
The tremors grew stronger and more intense, heading directly toward the house where Kagura, Sigrid, and Chisé were hiding.
Her expression grew tense.
Despite their primitive appearance, these "yurts" in Vanaheim were actually quite advanced, equipped with basic shields and defenses.
The outer walls were made from a unique alloy unknown on Earth—tough enough to withstand sustained fire from a 20mm autocannon.
"Don't worry, Miss Kagura," Sigrid said calmly, noticing her anxiety. "As long as we hold the entrance, nothing will get in. These houses are sturdier than they look."
"I hope you're right."
Kagura swallowed nervously and instinctively placed herself between the others and the door, shielding them.
But of course, the moment you say you're safe—that's when the flag is raised.
'CRACK!'
A loud metallic shriek split the air as something pierced through the roof.
"Waaah!" Chisé screamed, diving into Sigrid's arms in terror.
'SCREEEEECH!'
In the next instant, a massive force tore off the top half of the yurt like it was a tin can.
One had to wonder: was Sigrid just being reassuring earlier, or was this yurt actually a knock-off?
"RUAHHHHHHHH!!!"
The roar that followed was deafening, shaking the very furniture inside.
Kagura's eyes locked onto the intruder a towering stone giant.
Literally made of stone.
Standing nearly five meters tall, its body was composed entirely of pale gray rock, devoid of any other materials.
It wore thick armor, wielded a colossal alloy spiked mace, and gleamed under the moonlight with a menacing shine.
"RUAHHHH!!!"
Yep, the roar came from this guy.
"RUA what? Are you a dog or something?" Kagura muttered dryly, adjusting her "White Moon" combat suit into battle mode as she stepped forward. "Who let the kobold in?"
She recognized this type, it was a Kronan Warrior, a race known for their incredible physical strength and skill with high-tech weapons.
Kronans were common across the galaxy, often serving as mercenaries, gladiators, or soldiers.
"ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!"
The stone warrior pounded the ground with his mace, infuriated by Kagura's mockery.
"Alright, alright. I accept your surrender," Kagura said with a smirk. "Nice to see you understand the situation so clearly."
"ROOOAAARRR!!"
That was the last straw. Enraged, the Kronan charged, raising his massive weapon for a crushing blow—