The dim afternoon sunlight shone over Old Bridge Town in New Mexico, an unremarkable border town barely visible on any map.
"Professor, thank you for coming all this way. You have to see what I found. I've gathered over a dozen sets of observational data."
"Although I still don't understand what it is, it will definitely be an incredible discovery."
Jane Foster, who had picked up her professor from the entrance to town with her assistant Daisy, excitedly chattered on about her discovery.
The two discussed it enthusiastically.
Beside them, Daisy casually kept her hands in her jacket pockets and boredly kicked a pebble by the road. She had only come here to work as Jane's assistant and earn six college credits.
"Jane, based on your description, that phenomenon sounds too incredible. Like... like something out of mythology."
Selvig, his hair half gray and his stout frame carrying the air of a scholar, frowned as he strode along and listened.
Among his many students, Jane was one of the best. Yet for the past six months, she had wasted all her time and energy on some strange phenomenon.
"Or perhaps... it's just the refraction of light caused by atmospheric activity."
His words came out vaguely. He did not want to crush his student's enthusiasm by telling her that she had spent half a year chasing nothing more than a mirage.
"No, Professor."
But Jane Foster, who possessed an exceptionally keen scientific instinct, wanted to continue arguing.
"Who are you?"
When they reached their private workshop, Daisy froze and asked suspiciously, "What are you doing here?"
Inside the workshop, which was packed with all kinds of observation equipment, a handsome man in a suit sat in a chair. Beside him stood a Black woman in a green gown and gold earrings.