"Here is a hundred dollars. Don't say I didn't take care of you." Alex Ray took a green Note out of his wallet with a reluctant expression.
Pietro, standing beside him, looked at Alex speechlessly. Anyone unfamiliar might think Alex had pulled out ten thousand dollars. Besides, ten thousand dollars wasn't much for Alex.
"One hundred dollars should be enough for you to eat several meals and cover your expenses for a few days. If you can't find a job, don't mention my name—I won't help you!" Alex said to Loki, glancing at the bill with a hint of pity.
You have to understand, Alex was the only one who ever took money from others; no one had ever taken money from him. Reluctantly, for Thor's sake, Alex pulled out that hundred-dollar bill.
If Thor knew his face was worth only a hundred dollars, he might regret it. He'd be better off finding Tony Stark—he might be more generous.
Alex didn't think he was stingy. After all, in this free country, a hundred dollars could almost cover three or four days of food. If you ate a plate of fried rice for each meal, plus taxes and tips, it'd last three days.
Even traditional burgers could stretch for four or five days; if you cooked at home, even longer.
If Pietro couldn't find a job in ten days, he'd have to become a homeless person in Hell's Kitchen and survive on free meals.
That's right—because of Loki's pleading and Thor's intervention, Alex finally softened and decided to keep Loki, the so-called "Dad-killing Dad" of the Marvel Universe.
But he definitely didn't care about Loki. After all, Loki no longer had any divine power—he was just a normal person now.
An ordinary Loki couldn't cause trouble in Hell's Kitchen. Maybe without his powers, Loki wouldn't even survive there.
Alex thought imprisoning Loki like in the movies was pointless. In Asgard's prison, Loki had food and drink delivered daily. But in Hell's Kitchen, there was no such luxury. Whether he ate well or not depended on Loki himself.
Based on Alex's understanding of Loki, that arrogant, conceited attitude would get him beaten by Hell's Kitchen's street toughs in no time. If Loki wanted to live comfortably, he'd have to change his personality.
Hell's Kitchen teaches lessons to anyone who talks too much.
Thinking this, Alex gave a sly smile to Loki, who hadn't yet realized his predicament.
Loki's usual nonchalant expression stiffened when he met Alex's knowing smile.
He felt an inexplicable chill, like falling into an icy abyss, and shivered involuntarily.
Originally, Loki believed that because of his ties to Thor and Odin, Hell's Kitchen wouldn't dare harm him. Even if exiled here, it was just a different kind of vacation. After all, Odin was the King of Asgard, and he had to maintain decorum with his people and others.
To Loki, this exile was temporary and would pass quickly. As for his sealed powers, he didn't care. Even powerless, he was still a god—untouchable by mortals.
But now, he realized staying in Hell's Kitchen was a bad idea.
Still, he clung to his godly pride, believing Hell's Kitchen was honored by his presence.
"Why would this god need this so-called money? Shouldn't a god be able to eat whatever he wants?" Loki sneered, oblivious to his actual situation.
"Alright, Loki, you're always so clever, right? How come you can't see your reality? Or is your 'cleverness' only good for schemes and tricks? If you were really smart, you wouldn't have fallen this far," Alex shot back.
Loki bristled at Alex's words. He stood abruptly and glared, "How dare you humiliate me like this!"
Then his eyes darkened with thought.
He seemed to be reflecting, then quickly put on a fake smile and spoke sincerely, "I'm sorry. I realize my mistakes. I shouldn't have acted out of line. I lied to Thor. I coveted the throne. Most of all, I shouldn't have tried to invade Earth.
For my brother Thor's sake, Lord of Hell's Kitchen Alex Ray, please give me a chance—a chance to start anew."
Loki's sincere gaze sought to move Alex.
If Alex didn't know Loki's nature, he might have been fooled.
This kid was surely scheming again, but Alex wasn't worried. With his allies around, whenever Loki tried something, someone else would take care of it first.
Alex pocketed the hundred-dollar bill, then pulled out two twenties and tossed them to Loki.
Without letting Loki explain, Alex opened a portal behind him. It led to the Lower Hell's Kitchen district—the most chaotic neighborhood and the border between Hell's Kitchen and Brooklyn, outside Alex's main territory.
Many gangsters Alex had exiled from Hell's Kitchen were forced to settle there, causing widespread turmoil.
Alex gave Loki a firm kick into the portal and watched him vanish with a satisfied smile.
Loki's arrival was just a minor incident. Today, the main event was the system upgrade.
Loki's figure suddenly appeared on a grimy street in downtown Hell's Kitchen. He collapsed messily, grimacing from the fall.
He rose quickly, dusted himself off with practiced grace, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.
"Wait, Alex Ray! I will have my revenge! Even without my powers, I will turn Hell's Kitchen upside down!" Loki declared confidently.
As Loki pondered his vengeance, the air around him grew tense.
A group of fierce, tattooed thugs closed in. Their eyes gleamed with greed and menace.
Loki knew exactly what they wanted, but he showed no fear. Despite losing his divine powers, his combat skills and street fighting experience remained intact. He swiftly drew a dagger from his robe, gripping it tightly, ready for battle.
"Hey, dressed like that, you gotta be loaded! Hand over all your cash!" a burly, tattooed man shouted.
"This boy's got fine skin and looks good enough to keep! Don't worry, follow me, I'll protect you," another thug sneered with greedy eyes.
At their words, a fierce light sparked in Loki's eyes.
A god must not be insulted.
He took a deep breath and lunged at one thug, dagger flashing cold.
The gangsters, enraged that this delicate-looking guy attacked first, shouted and charged at him to teach him a lesson.
...
Alex didn't expect Loki to get attacked so soon, but even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.
After all, he had more important things to focus on.
At that moment, he was staring at the system interface.
Ding!
System Upgrade Complete!
Congratulations, host! You have unlocked the exclusive skill: [I Treat Myself!]
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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