Grey truly had no confidence.
"What if we switch to King Gilgamesh or King Solomon instead?"
Ideally, King Gilgamesh would be perfect—he was a terrifying man capable of slaying a chief god.
"Grey, are you stupid? How can you play a trump card like that in the first match? Just keep watching quietly!"
"Uu~"
Reprimanded, Grey shrank back, nursing her frustration.
"And now, the challenger standing as the first representative of those foolish humans against the gods—this man!"
Another gate opened, and out strode a man whose stature and presence rivaled that of Thor himself.
"The one proclaimed as the unparalleled warrior in human history—Xi Chu's Hegemon, Xiang Yu!!"
Chapter 054: If the Gods Do Not Intervene, He Could Have United All Humanity
In the Battle of Julu, he decimated the Qin Empire's main forces and overthrew the dynasty, founding the kingdom of Western Chu.
At the time, many believed this mighty Hegemon would pacify all the warring states and establish a second unified empire.
Yet history records Xiang Yu as stubborn and reckless, making repeated strategic errors that ultimately led to his entrapment by Liu Bang at Gaixia.
Ashamed to face the people of Jiangdong, Xiang Yu took his own life at the Wu River.
Thus the curtain fell on one of the age's legendary heroes.
But… is that truly the full story?
Later generations praise him for unparalleled martial prowess but question his aptitude for leadership. Is that judgment fair?
Could a man lacking in strategy really have turned the tide at Julu, defeating a forty-thousand-strong army with just twenty thousand men?
Was it merely strength that achieved such a feat?
"It was not!!!"
Heimdall, the narrator of Ragnarok, roared in denial, eyes locked on the parchment in his hand.
This wasn't ordinary parchment—it resembled a papyrus-skinned tablet connected to the Akasha System.
"Xiang Yu only lost because he obeyed an imperial command from the First Emperor to withdraw from that era!!!"
The arena was stunned.
Those unfamiliar with the Hegemon's history looked puzzled. Those who were familiar stood shocked.
"Wait, didn't Xiang Yu's greatest achievement come from overthrowing the Qin dynasty? How could that be because of an order from the First Emperor?"
"Weren't they enemies?"
"This makes it sound like Xiang Yu was just a subordinate!"
"What nonsense is this?"
—
The focus shifted to a corner of the spectators' gallery, where a certain emperor watched—the founder of the Han dynasty, Emperor Gaozu.
"What was said is true. The empire I inherited was one that Xiang Yu surrendered. I never truly defeated him."
He said this with a wry smile.
"No—in truth, the empire was granted to me by that man!"
His expression grew solemn.
Only much later had he learned the truth of Xiang Yu's purpose. Only then did he realize how monumental a burden Xiang Yu bore.
"That man?"
"Your Majesty, who are you referring to?"
"Could it be—"
Nearby officials looked confused, while a few gasped in realization. Those few had been planted by the one in question.
"The Eternal Emperor—the First Emperor of Qin!"
Emperor Gaozu declared.
"In that age when the gods did not interfere, he could have united the world—he could have ruled all of humanity!"
That revelation rippled through the crowd.
"Your Majesty, you—"
"Just keep watching. The First Emperor is surely watching too. I eagerly await his appearance and the surprise it will bring."
It wouldn't just shake humanity—it would rattle the gods themselves.
Surely, the First Emperor had foreseen this showdown. That's why he withdrew from history, retreating from divine sight to prepare.
—
"Oh? If the gods do not interfere, he could rule all humanity?"
Over in the divine seating section, Zeus heard the emperor's declaration and thoughtfully stroked his beard.
"Lord Zeus, we may want to pay attention to the humans from that region."
Beside him, Hermes—dressed in refined elegance—offered a rare warning.
That mythological faction had gone silent for thousands of years after interfering heavily in the mortal world. They'd avoided mingling with other pantheons ever since.
Even the regular millennial summits had been skipped—until this one. And the representative they sent… was a newly risen god? And approved participation so easily?
Suspicious.
That mythology had long held close ties with humanity. Under normal circumstances, they'd never allow such a wager.
For them to consent so readily hinted at some deeper scheme.
And with Emperor Gaozu's words backing the claim… the representative from that region might be far from ordinary.
"Notice it? The stronger the opponent, the more exciting the game. If they get crushed instantly, how boring would that be?"
Zeus chuckled. His grandfatherly face betrayed a savage undertone.
But Xiang Yu, now in the arena, was undoubtedly human.
"That is a mortal, isn't it, Odin?"
Just to confirm.
"Indeed. No trace of divine lineage," replied Odin, chief of Norse mythology, without a flicker of emotion.
He, too, struggled to understand how the Valkyries imagined humans could defeat gods. Win? Slay gods?
Speaking of which… would Brunhilde summon that one?
A dragon slayer. Though Odin himself could erase dragons with a gesture, for a mortal to kill one was still remarkable.
And with Brunhilde's preparations, perhaps she had a sliver of hope.
Of course, Odin knew exactly what she had prepared. He simply chose not to share it.
To him, those preparations might work against lower gods—but against Thor?
Utterly pointless.
Brunhilde likely didn't know Thor's true power.
Let her taste despair. Let her witness what true futility looked like.
Let her watch her chosen warrior torn to pieces. Her sister turned to ash.
This was the end she had chosen for herself.
Odin's lips curled in anticipation. He would savor the moment when the betrayer's hope died.
—
"Wuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
The trumpet of the apocalypse blared!
The first battle of Ragnarok begins!
Chapter 055: A Single Strike Shatters the Thunder Pillar
Thor of Norse mythology.
Just from his overwhelming aura, one could sense his desire—he lived for battle.
Of course, he wasn't a bloodthirsty killer.
He simply craved worthy opponents—foes who could give him a true fight, let him bask in the thrill of life-or-death combat.
At his dramatic entrance, his expression revealed mild surprise. Just that—and no more.
Clearly, he didn't believe his opponent held enough power to offer a satisfying challenge.
And that was understandable.
At the moment, Xiang Yu stood with a purely mortal body.
He had slain demons in this form before—but compared to Thor, those creatures were insignificant.
He twisted his waist, gripping his spear tightly.
In the next instant, all his strength surged from his core, through his arm, into the weapon.
He hurled it.
A flash—fiery orange—ripped through the air and struck its target.
CRACK!
Like porcelain smashing into iron.
The spear, heavy enough to crush a normal man outright, shattered instantly.
"What… what just happened?"
"Did Xiang Yu attack first?"
Most viewers, gods and mortals alike, hadn't followed the action clearly.
They'd only seen Xiang Yu's arm move, light flash, and then—an air shockwave erupted from Thor's position, distorting the aftermath.
The impact's force was immense. Wind exploded outward, tearing toward the nearest stands. Anyone unprepared might have been hurled backward.
"Hah?"
"Was that supposed to tickle Lord Thor?"
Gods sneered.
Human spectators, who had started to cheer, now froze. Their faces darkened with defeat.
"Brunhilde-sister… it's no good. We're way outmatched!" Grey murmured in despair.
It had looked like Xiang Yu's full-power strike.
And yet… his weapon broke. Thor remained still. Uninjured.
Wait—no. Not uninjured.
A minuscule wound had formed. As if accidentally pricked by a needle. A dot of blood.
Hmm?
Grey noticed her sister's face hadn't dimmed with disappointment.
In fact… she looked thrilled.
"What's going on?"
"This is enough to wound Thor. Victory is possible!!"
Brunhilde didn't answer her youngest sister directly. She simply spoke with joy.
But why?
Because Xiang Yu's spear was nothing more than a mundane mortal weapon.