Rows of walls and guardrails were smashed along the way, and in an instant, the entire arena collapsed into rubble.
With Hulk's massive body, the area bearing the impact was greatly increased. Amid the ruins, Hulk was crushed beneath the debris.
"What? No."
This scene clearly caught Grandmaster off guard.
"Uh…"
Loki covered his forehead, shielding his face, not daring to look at what would happen next.
…
Likewise, Valkyrie, seated high above, took a swig from her wine bottle while watching Hulk fly backward, feeling a twinge of sympathy for him.
On the arena floor, Thor looked at the Hulk he had just knocked down. Holding the hammer in one hand, he slowly approached the ruins.
Amid the debris, Hulk clutched his aching head and slowly stood up. The rocks piled on his body slid off with crackling sounds.
"Hey, big guy,"
"The sun's going down soon."
As Thor spoke, he cautiously moved closer, stretching out one hand as if to take Hulk's massive hand.
Hulk seemed moved by Thor's actions and extended his own hand in response.
"Yes, yes, that's right,"
"The sun is about to set."
Under everyone's gaze, Thor slowly placed his palm into Hulk's.
"I swear I'll never hurt you again,"
"No one will ever hurt you."
After speaking, a gentle, almost motherly smile appeared on Thor's face.
However, that smile looked particularly awkward to Blaine. It was nothing like the unruly Thor from before—the fearless and reckless one.
Back when Thor first came to Earth, he caused chaos at S.H.I.E.L.D. over Mjolnir, dragged his teammates into Blaine's house in Queens, and even dared to challenge the Hand.
But now, it seemed that the man tempered by Odin had lost that edge. He had become far more restrained and steady.
Perhaps Odin, knowing his time was running out, was eager for Thor to inherit the throne, lead Asgard, and become ruler of the Nine Realms. That might be why he cast Thor down to Earth for tempering.
Why Earth? Blaine guessed it was because Odin's wife—Thor's mother—was the Earth goddess.
Still, that smile… not to mention how unsettling it was. Even though Thor's heart was pure, Blaine found it unbearably awkward.
"Looks like Thor's about to be in trouble."
As soon as Blaine finished speaking, a cry of alarm rose from the arena.
Looking down, Hulk stared at Thor's gentle smile, then suddenly grabbed Thor's arm and hauled himself upright.
Then he smashed Thor into the ground—left, right—like tossing around a sandbag.
Boom! Boom! Boom…
Boom! Boom! Boom…
Boom! Boom! Boom…
In an instant, several massive craters appeared in the arena floor.
…
After a few brutal swings, Hulk hurled Thor away once more.
Ho ho ho ho…
Hulk puffed out his chest and roared at the audience, as if showing off his achievement.
"Oh shit,"
"Awesome,"
"That's the feeling,"
"Hey, I'm totally in love with this game!!!"
In the observation deck, Loki suddenly sprang to his feet, shouting at Hulk while simultaneously flattering Grandmaster. He was in an exceptionally good mood, the words "I'm so cool" practically written all over his face.
Seeing this, Blaine smiled knowingly.
Just moments ago, Loki had looked like he wanted nothing more than to leave Sakaar. Why was he suddenly jumping around and cheering? The reason traced back to Blaine's first involvement in the Avengers' battle.
At that time, while Thor was away from Asgard, Loki had usurped the throne and ascended as king, then allied with the Chitauri to prepare an invasion of Earth—only to be kicked out by Blaine and the Avengers.
During that time, Loki also fought Hulk. Blaine still remembered that scene vividly.
Loki said, "We have an army of Chitauri." Tony replied, "We have a Hulk."
Then Hulk knocked Loki to the ground with a single punch.
"Enough,"
"You wretched, lowly beings,"
"I am a god,"
"I tell you,"
"I will not be bullied by ants—"
Before Loki could finish, Hulk grabbed his leg with one hand—just like he was doing to Thor now.
"Puny god."
Blaine could still recall Hulk's words clearly. Loki lay on the ground afterward, arms folded over his chest, wearing an innocent and pitiful expression that was oddly adorable—the aftermath of being smashed senseless.
Looking at Thor now, it was the same posture Loki had worn back then. Truly brothers—loving and hating, scheming against each other, and being slammed around by the same person, all with identical expressions.
Especially now, Loki's gloating look practically screamed, "So you've got your day too."
That kid Loki really amused Blaine.
Turning his gaze back to the arena, Thor had already gotten back up and was once again grappling with Hulk.
This time, however, Thor was no longer holding back. He dodged Hulk's attacks, found the opening, and smashed Hulk's knee with a heavy blow. In the next instant, he slipped behind Hulk and struck his spine again.
After dozens of exchanges, not only was the giant axe in Hulk's hand battered, but Hulk himself was beginning to lose all sense of direction. Even Grandmaster started rubbing his legs anxiously.
"Oh, damn it,"
"Banner, I know you're in there,"
"I'm going to get you out."
With that, Thor slammed Hulk to the ground again with a powerful hammer strike.
Hulk's temper had always been stubborn. The more pain he felt, the angrier he became—and the stronger he grew.
With a thunderous roar, he charged again like a berserker.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Do you know how embarrassing this is for me?"
"I even told everyone we're friends."
Thor fought while shouting, and after several more exchanges, he still held the advantage.
"This is the true glory of the God of the North."
Blaine could no longer sit still. He hadn't come all this way just to watch wrestling. This trip had a purpose. If it weren't for Thor's awakening power, Blaine would have already blown the entire arena apart.
"Banner, come out!"
Suddenly, Thor mimicked Hulk's roar and swung the hammer straight at Hulk's head.
Clang—
Unexpectedly, Hulk caught the hammer. At the same time, the other hand he had kept clenched tightly slammed forward.
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