Chapter 27: Resurrection

In the VIP room, Thor lounged as several attendants massaged his shoulders. The Grandmaster had thoughtfully selected attendants who fit Thor's aesthetic preferences, and they seemed more than willing to provide "extra" services if he wished. However, Thor held himself with some restraint—especially under the vigilant stare of a young, very judgmental Nebula.

"When are we leaving?" Nebula asked, crossing her arms impatiently.

Thor didn't answer right away, distracted by a new notification in his task bar.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for triggering the Grandmaster's exclusive mission: Power and Glory—nothing captures a man's spirit better than a glorious duel!"

Mission Objective: Win 300 consecutive battles in Sakaar's arena. Mission Reward: Active Skill—Resurrection.

"Resurrection: Revive a target that has been dead for less than 30 hours. Cooldown: one year."

Note: Cannot resurrect those killed by the Infinity Stones, nor those who died naturally.

The fewer words, the greater the reward. A simple resurrection skill, though limited, was perhaps the most valuable ability Thor had received so far. Unlike the Time Stone, which had severe limitations based on the user's strength, this skill didn't require any extraordinary effort. Ancient One had used the Time Stone to turn back time on a street full of deceased civilians but couldn't extend her own life. Here, Thor could circumvent those limits, though it was a once-per-year ability.

Thor realized that winning 300 consecutive battles would be a long-term task. It seemed he'd be staying on Sakaar for a while.

He turned to Nebula, "Any place you'd like to go?"

She shook her head. Her homeland had been destroyed years ago in her resistance to Thanos' genocidal policies. The only reason she was still by Thor's side was her uncertainty about her future.

Thor smiled. "Then let's stay here for a bit. For most, this place is a nightmare. But for people like us, a chaotic world like Sakaar has its perks, don't you think?"

Nebula nodded. Just last night, two drunks had tried to start a fight with her after their failed attempts to flirt. She'd promptly dispatched them, feeding their remains to the fish. When the law enforcement arrived and realized she was associated with Thor, they'd practically tripped over themselves to apologize. It had been a satisfying experience, unlike on more orderly planets, where she'd likely be facing a mountain of paperwork and penalties.

With the massive winnings from her initial bet on Thor, Nebula returned with over 100 million cosmic credits. They used part of it to buy a spacious mansion near the arena as a temporary base.

Sadly, such favorable betting odds wouldn't come around again.

Three days later, Thor fought his second match, dispatching his opponent with a single strike of lightning.

A week after that, he entered his third match. This time, he faced a heavily armored fighter wielding a massive shield. With a surge of power, Thor drove his sword through his opponent's armor and shield, straight to the heart.

The mysterious "Mr. Pikachu" quickly gained fame across Sakaar. Not only had he broken the champion's winning streak, but his electrifying abilities and dramatic style drew crowds by the thousands. For weeks, the arena was packed to capacity, and tickets sold out within minutes.

Boom!

Without looking back at the explosion behind him, Thor casually sheathed his weapon and walked toward the exit amid thunderous applause and cheers.

"Pikachu is my god!"

"I want to have your babies!"

Thor glanced back, catching sight of the latest fan proclaiming her devotion—a tall, alien woman with a human figure and the head of a bull. He paled slightly and quickened his pace, eager to avoid any further "admiration."

As he passed the Grandmaster's office, he heard a familiar voice call out, "Scrapper 142, got a job for you."

Thor paused, watching as a tough, weathered woman with a muscular build and a lingering scent of alcohol approached.

Scrapper 142? Thor thought, a faint smirk forming on his lips. The last of the Valkyries…

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