Russell had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
Standing in the shadows, he spoke suddenly:
"Excuse me, everyone. Let me interrupt for a moment."
"Does anyone here know illusion magic?"
The sudden voice startled the four Lokis in the cave.
"Who's there?!"
"Someone is here!"
"You idiot! You lured someone in!"
"Shut up! I lured the enemy deeper into our territory!"
"Get lost! Use your brain for once! I'm not going to team up with you tomorrow!"
"Idiot, you'll be dead by then!"
"Fine, I'll kill you first!"
Although Russell was aware of the chaotic and self-destructive tendencies of most Loki, to see it firsthand left him speechless.
They were bickering and fighting among themselves before they could even identify the enemy.
So stereotypical.
Suddenly, one of the Lokis, wearing a baseball cap, was kicked away by another variant. As he prepared to retaliate, he looked up, froze, and exclaimed:
"Look! I found the intruder!"
"Hahaha! It's only one person!"
Russell remained silent, but sighed inwardly.
'I thought I was hiding well...'
He stood in the shadows, but they weren't particularly dark.
The other three Loki stopped fighting and turned their attention to him. After confirming that there was only one of them, they began to laugh uproariously.
"How stupid can you be to come in here alone?"
"It's been ages since we had such an easy catch!"
"See? I told you I would lure the enemy! You didn't believe me, but I'm the smartest one here!"
"Fine, you get the first credit this time!"
"Just remember-Loki wants his organs intact."
Russell was stunned.
"Am I some kind of bait?"
This Loki was blatantly lying without missing a beat.
However, one of the Lokis, squinting suspiciously, noticed something odd.
"Wait... he doesn't have the Viking look. Are you sure he's the one?"
The "Luring Loki" studied Russell carefully before explaining.
"It's him!"
"Look at his wrist! That evil spider totem tattoo - Vikings love tattoos!"
"And his eyes! Brown, like a true Viking!"
The other Lokis nodded in agreement, seemingly convinced by this absurd reasoning.
Even Russell found himself nodding for a moment before shaking his head.
"If I argue any more, they'll convince me that I am a Viking Loki."
Stepping out of the shadows, he interrupted, his tone casual:
"Normally I would be more patient. But today I'm in a hurry. Unfortunately for you, my friend, you'll have to die first."
He raised his right hand, mimicked a pistol with his fingers, and pointed it at the boastful Loki.
The "luring Loki" burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! What a lunatic! Thor must have bashed his head in before throwing him here!"
The other Lokis joined in, their laughter filling the cave.
The "luring Loki" leaned forward, tapping his temple mockingly.
"Come on! Shoot me here. One shot - quick and painless!"
"Emptiness is meaningless, right? I'll thank you later!"
Russell grinned.
"I was going to shoot you in the chest and make you feel the pain, but since you're begging, I'll oblige."
The "luring Loki" laughed harder and stuck out his neck.
"Don't be shy! Hit me here!"
The other Loki's waited eagerly for the performance.
Russell smiled sincerely and said quietly:
"Bang."
The laughter died instantly.
For a second, the cave was silent.
Then the Loki's froze as a mixture of red and white splashed onto their faces and clothes.
The "luring Loki" no longer spoke. His head was gone, and his body collapsed to the ground, still wearing a peaceful smile.
Russell turned to the remaining Loki, his expression innocent.
"Why aren't you laughing? Aren't you happy?"
One of the Loki's stammered, trembling:
"I-I wasn't laughing! You believe me, right?"
Not all Lokis were Frost Giants, and this one doubted his ability to withstand whatever strange weapon had just obliterated his comrade.
As for dodging?
He hadn't even seen what happened before the first Loki's head exploded. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth.
Russell tilted his head.
"I don't believe you."
His finger twitched twice, mimicking gunshots.
"Bang. Bang."
Two more Lokis fell, their lifeless bodies hitting the floor.
The last Loki fell to his knees, shaking.
"Brother-no, great master! I know illusion magic! I'm more useful than those three idiots!"
He desperately remembered that Russell's first question had been about Illusion Magic.
"I can do it!"
Having once served under Thanos, this Loki clung to the hope that his usefulness would spare his life.
Russell's expression changed to one of satisfaction.
"Bang."
The kneeling Loki's hopeful smile froze.
He looked down at the fist-sized hole in his chest, confusion filling his eyes before he slumped forward.
Russell exhaled lightly and blew on his fingertips as if extinguishing smoke.
"Not bad. Didn't waste my time."