124

Chapter 124: Surprise Change

As Hela departed, the Asgardian warriors, including the three renowned warriors, dispersed from the square, leaving only Loki behind. Loki, standing in the direction Hela had gone, looked troubled.

The revelation that Odin had another child, who was not only formidable but also openly scornful, disturbed him deeply.

"Boom—"

Loki struck the bluestone slab before him with his fist, his face contorted with rage. He clenched his fist so tightly that his nails cut into his palm, drawing blood, though he didn't notice.

Hela's taunt, "You're not like him," was meant to mock his timidity in front of others. Yet, for Loki, it carried a deeper sting...

Thor had always made Loki envious and jealous. Now, with Hela's arrival, those feelings intensified.

A disturbing thought began to form in his mind.

Hela's return was swift. Less than half an hour had passed since she left Earth for Asgard and was now back.

"Boom—"

A Bifrost tore through the sky and landed in Greenland on Earth.

Hundreds of giant skeleton soldiers emerged, wielding ice picks. Behind them, Hela commanded imperiously, "Attack!"

The Frost Titans, now skeletons, ruthlessly slaughtered their former kin.

Though Hela had only brought a few hundred skeleton soldiers, the number of living Frost Titans was in the tens of thousands. Despite Hela's efforts, the Frost Titans were rapidly reduced to bones.

Surrounded by the Frost Titans, Hela sneered, raising the Casket of Ancient Winters. She declared, "Observe, you uncivilized savages! This is how the Casket of Ancient Winters is used!"

The deathly energy surged, causing more skeleton soldiers to rise...

In a hidden S.H.I.E.L.D. base in New York, Thor stood holding the Tesseract. Facing him was the ever-polite Phil Coulson.

Coulson, looking anxious, said, "Mr. Thor, you can take the Tesseract, but please return it after use. We are at a critical stage in our research!"

Agent Phil Coulson was known for his intelligence and persuasiveness. Recognizing Thor's might, he readily agreed, understanding that resistance was futile.

"Of course. I will return it within three days. In exchange, I offer you a favor to be called upon at any time in the future," Thor assured.

Although Thor was typically straightforward and ruthless with unreasonable individuals, he had a favorable impression of Coulson. Offering his help in the future seemed preferable to utilizing the Tesseract's power for personal gain.

Thor's only mastered rune magic—resurrection—was nearly effortless for him to use on a mortal.

Suddenly, Thor sensed something and looked out the window.

"What's wrong?" Coulson asked.

Thor did not respond directly, muttering, "Another Bifrost? Who could it be this time?"

The Tesseract glowed, creating a portal. Thor stepped through it, tossing out a piece of paper.

Coulson glanced at it and saw a photo of Captain America, signed by Steve Rogers.

In a flash, Thor appeared where the Bifrost had landed earlier.

"What is happening here... Hela? Why are you here?"

Thor was taken aback. How could Hela be here, engaging the Frost Gaints? What had occurred in his brief absence?

Hela did not reply but continued to oversee the battle between the skeletons and Frost Titans, while adding more soldiers to the fray.

Thor noticed the Casket of Ancient Winters in Hela's possession and his expression turned skeptical: "Wait, did you just return from Asgard?"

Thor was astonished. "In less than half an hour, so much has happened?"

Hela glanced at him with a smile, "Why? Am I not allowed to return home after serving as the commander of the Asgardian army?"

Thor was at a loss for words. He hesitated before asking, "Did you... harm our people?"

Odin was still alive, so Hela should not be killing their people, right?

Hela looked puzzled: "Why would I kill anyone?"

Thor: "???"

Was this really Hela?

But Hela continued, "Compared to the acting king, the people are clearly more favorable towards me. What would be the point of harming them?"

Thor: "...."

Loki, you fool! Hela is far better received than you upon her return!

Without a leader, the Frost Gaints were disorganized, and facing the ever-growing horde of skeletons, they were overwhelmed.

If Thor had been willing to take prisoners, Hela would have had only dead captives. They might have already surrendered by now.

Others in the base also rushed to join the fight.

Given the current situation, it seemed likely that the Frost Gaints would be wiped out by the next day.

However, when events seemed to proceed as expected, something unforeseen occurred.

"Boom..."

A thunderous sound echoed, but it wasn't caused by Thor.

The clear sky abruptly darkened, as if a total eclipse had swallowed all light, plunging the world into shadow. Dark clouds cloaked the sky, muffling the thunder, and even lightning was hidden by the darkness.

An overwhelming sense of dread settled over everyone.

Thor was momentarily stunned but quickly realized that the Tesseract was activated, its energy at maximum output, transporting everyone present away in an instant.

They reappeared in the manor's courtyard.

"What happened? Why can't we see anything?"

Almost everyone exclaimed in confusion.

At the same time, from Kamar-Taj's Sorcerer Supreme Sanctum, a voice of Rage echoed: "Loki!!!"