Chapter 66: Second Round — A Demon as the God's Champion?
Gray, who had just begun to feel joy, was once again shrouded in unease.
"Let's go, Gray."
"Huh? Go where?"
Her mind was muddled by fear of Odin. She couldn't process Brynhildr's words.
The gods had lost the first match. That meant the second would be a heavy-hitter—likely a chief deity.
Which meant Brynhildr would need to deploy one of her trump cards—the kings.
But then again… how was she supposed to treat that guy's body? The one who had transformed into a humanoid divine weapon and defeated Thor?
Even Brynhildr was troubled. Who could repair a construct capable of slaying a god?
And when she finally saw him again, his condition was worse than she'd imagined.
If he were truly a product of human technology, he would've broken down long ago.
Fortunately, he claimed to possess self-repair capabilities. That was a relief.
"Brynhildr, did you truly propose Ragnarok to save humanity?"
Xiang Yu's voice cut through the air, his aura pressing down like a storm. Brynhildr felt a chill crawl down her spine.
What was this?
Why was Xiang Yu suddenly questioning her motives? His tone suggested suspicion—that she had ulterior motives for initiating Ragnarok.
His killing intent was palpable.
"For humanity!"
She answered immediately, her expression unwavering.
Xiang Yu stared deeply into her eyes.
"I understand."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Brynhildr didn't notice the card in his hand.
On it was the image of a fallen figure.
In a colossal temple, a voice echoed from the throne at its peak.
"This Ragnarok… how fascinating. It seems to be working in our favor."
If possible, they hoped humanity would slay more chief gods—Zeus, Odin, and the like.
Ideally, both sides would destroy each other.
"For the next match, I intend to send one of my own."
"Oh? What's the plan?"
The being seated on the throne—massive as a mountain—asked with interest.
"I plan to…"
The god with the most wings leaned forward and shared his strategy with the primordial giant before him.
Meanwhile, Bai Yue—currently existing in the past—was unaware of the full scope of the crisis hidden within Ragnarok.
His modern self, however, knew more. And was preparing.
The information he had came from his future self, who had sent messages and tools into this realm.
Ragnarok could be used strategically—to lure hidden forces out of the shadows and into the light.
His modern self was preparing to enter this divine battlefield—a space that served as the central hub connecting all pantheons.
As for why he had questioned Brynhildr earlier—it was to test her.
Had she initiated Ragnarok for humanity's sake? Or was it a ploy to distract the gods and allow dark forces to move freely?
From what he could tell, she truly knew nothing. Her motives were pure.
But her actions had inadvertently created the perfect opportunity for those lurking in the shadows.
With the gods focused on Ragnarok, their defenses had weakened. The shadows could now stretch further.
According to intel from his future self, they had already clashed with these forces in the timeline to come.
And the enemy's base seemed to exist in a space similar to his own World Tree domain—making it nearly impossible to locate.
He glanced at the card in his hand.
Time to test someone.
Was this person one of them?
A man in a black cloak, with a single eye, radiated an aura that made nearby gods tremble.
None dared meet his gaze, fearing they might be caught in his wrath.
After all, his son had just died in the arena.
Who knew if this supreme god would unleash his fury on them?
Only when Odin's figure disappeared down the corridor did the other gods finally exhale.
"Hmm?"
Odin had just returned to his private chamber when his expression darkened.
An uninvited guest stood before his door.
In the next instant, black energy erupted from Odin's body, devouring everything in its path.
The room was swallowed by darkness.
A muffled cry of pain echoed.
Then the darkness receded, and the room returned to normal—except for the presence of the intruder.
"I didn't expect a traitor like you to show your face before me. You must have a death wish."
Odin's voice was ice.
His hand clamped around the intruder's throat. Bones creaked under the pressure.
"W-Wait! I'm not lying!"
The man gasped, struggling to speak.
But Odin didn't care. His grip tightened. The intruder's body began to go limp, eyes rolling back.
"Hmph."
Just as the man teetered on the edge of death, Odin released him.
"Cough… cough…"
The intruder gasped for air, coughing violently.
"That person… truly has a way to revive Lord Thor."
He had said it once before—while swallowed by darkness. Any later, and he would've died.
"What's the price?"
Odin's voice was flat, but his gaze was suffocating.
"All that's required… is for you to let him fight in the second round."
This demon's identity was no simple matter. His power was sufficient to stand in the arena.
But due to his nature, the gods had avoided using him—unless absolutely necessary.
Now, those people wanted him to fight.
Clearly, there was a scheme at play.
Which meant this man had betrayed the heavens.
"Get out."
Odin didn't accept.
But he didn't refuse either.
In a way, that was already an answer.
"Master… will you agree?"
"Who can we trust?"
Odin's two ravens spoke in worried tones.
But their master gave no reply.
No matter the choice, the consequences could be dire.
Yet if he chose nothing… Thor would be lost forever.
In the Akashic chamber—
Brynhildr bit her thumb, torn over who to send into the second round.
The gods would surely deploy a powerhouse.
She needed a trump card.
Which of the three kings should she choose?
Or… should she pick someone else?
Wait—what about him?
The human closest to godhood.
"Sister… are you choosing him?"
Gray stared at the virtual panel in shock.
If it was him, they might truly win.
He was a human created in the image of God, once living in Eden.
But after defying divine will and eating the forbidden fruit, he and his wife were cast out.
Yes—he was Adam.
"We have no choice. It's time."
Before discovering the three kings, Brynhildr had already designated Adam as her hidden ace.
Now was the moment to summon him.
Adam didn't need a divine weapon.
He already possessed god-slaying power.
He had once slain the serpent god who deceived him and Eve—instantly.
And if he fused with a Valkyrie's divine weapon, even a chief god could fall.
Brynhildr reached out to confirm the summon—
But a hand suddenly grabbed hers.
She gasped.
Someone had appeared beside her—without warning.
Who?
Her pupils contracted.
A virtual panel faded beside her—another candidate.
The one who had grabbed her hand was that person.
He had stepped out on his own.
A trump card.
A living legend.
"If possible… let me fight this round."
Chapter 67: The God's Champion
He was known as the Cursed God.
Afflicted by the terrifying curse of Satan, he was doomed to eternal solitude.
Any god who came near him—who formed any bond—would suffer misfortune.
Their hearts would be devoured.
Their lives stolen.
No one dared approach him.
No one befriended him.
Until one day—
Three people appeared.
They knew his name.
They knew the rumors.
And yet—they reached out.
They believed the curse was superstition.
They offered him friendship.
They welcomed him into their circle.
For the first time—
He was no longer alone.
He had found companions.