Who would have thought that beneath the surface of [Ragnarök], such dangers lurked?
However, Renji currently lacked sufficient information. From his perspective in the past, he was operating with limited knowledge.
His modern-day counterpart in the outside world likely knew more and was already making preparations.
The reason he knew anything at all was because his future self had relayed information to him—along with a certain object.
The [Ragnarök] battle could be exploited to force the hidden players into action, drawing them out of the shadows and into the light.
Meanwhile, his future self was also preparing—preparing to enter this unique celestial realm where [Ragnarök] was taking place.
This space also served as the central hub connecting the strongholds of all pantheons.
As for why he had questioned the Valkyrie Brunhilde earlier, it was to determine whether she was an enemy.
Was the initiation of the [Ragnarök] war not deliberately orchestrated by her? Not truly for the sake of humanity's future, but to divert the attention of the gods, allowing the lurking darkness to stir.
Now, it seems she genuinely knew nothing, purely initiating [Ragnarök] out of concern for humanity's crisis.
Yet, by sheer coincidence, her actions also provided cover for the forces hidden in the shadows.
With the gods' attention fixed on the [Ragnarök] war, their usual vigilance and defenses slackened, making it easier for those shadows to spread.
From the information revealed by his future self, it appears he had already clashed with them in the subsequent history.
Moreover, their stronghold was suspected to be similar to his own independent World Tree space, making it difficult to locate their base.
Looking at the card in his hand, he decided to test someone—unsure if they were from that side.
A one-eyed man clad in black robes exuded an aura that instilled fear in the surrounding gods.
None dared to meet his gaze, afraid of being caught in the crossfire of his wrath.
After all, his son had just fallen in battle on the arena stage. Who knew if this supreme god might suddenly unleash his fury upon them?
Only when the figure of this Norse supreme god gradually disappeared down the corridor did the gathered gods finally exhale in relief.
"Hmm?"
Odin, having just returned to his resting chamber, frowned slightly.
An uninvited guest stood before his room.
In the next instant, a dark aura erupted from him, corroding everything it touched.
In the blink of an eye, the entire room was swallowed by darkness.
Then, a muffled groan of pain sounded, and the darkness receded as quickly as it had come. The room returned to its original state—save for the presence of the intruder.
"To think you traitors would dare show yourselves before me. Do you have a death wish?"
His voice was icy as his grip tightened around the intruder's throat, the sound of bones creaking audible.
"St—stop! I'm not lying!"
The captive struggled to force out the words.
Yet Odin seemed indifferent, tightening his grip further until the intruder's thrashing body gradually stilled, their eyes rolling back.
"Hmph!"
At the very moment the intruder teetered on the brink of death, Odin released them with a cold snort.
"Cough—cough—cough!"
The intruder coughed violently, gasping for air.
"That... that person truly has a way to resurrect Lord Thor."
They had said the same thing moments earlier when engulfed by darkness—had they been any slower, they would have been killed.
"So, what price must I pay?"
Odin's expression remained impassive, his oppressive gaze causing the intruder to break out in cold sweat.
"All we ask is for Lord Odin to field this participant in the second round."
This demon's identity was no small matter—their strength indeed qualified them for the arena.
But due to their peculiar status and abilities, the gods were reluctant to let them compete under normal circumstances.
For that faction to demand their participation now clearly hinted at a scheme.
Did this mean this one had also betrayed the entire Heavenly Realm?
"Get out!"
Neither agreeing nor refusing, but answering in this way was already giving the other party an answer in a sense.
"Master, are you going to agree?"
"Which side should we trust?"
The two crows voiced their deep concerns, but unfortunately, their master did not respond...
Whichever choice was made, it might plunge their master into a terrible situation.
But if no choice was made, they would truly lose Lord Thor forever.
In the Akashic Records.
Brunhilde, biting her thumb, was deeply conflicted about who to choose for the second round.
For the second round, the gods would undoubtedly send a heavyweight figure, which meant she truly needed to play a trump card.
Which of these three kings should it be?
If not from these three, then who else should she choose?
Ah, perhaps this one—the human closest to the form of a god.
"Sister, are you going to choose him?"
Göll was astonished as she looked at the figure displayed on the virtual panel before her.
If it was him, there was a real chance of victory, for this human was far too extraordinary.
He was the human created by God in His own image, the one who lived in the Garden of Eden.
But for defying God's will and eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, he and his wife were banished from Eden.
Yes, he was Adam.
"Right now, he's the only choice."
Before discovering those three special kings, Brunhilde had already considered Adam as her trump card.
Now was the time for Adam to step onto the stage.
Adam, who didn't even need a divine weapon, already possessed the power to slay gods—2.9 times over. The serpent god who had deceived him and Eve was instantly annihilated by him.
If combined with the forging of a Valkyrie's divine weapon, it might even be possible for him to stand against a Chief God.
So it was decided—Brunhilde was about to tap the panel and summon him.
But at that moment, a hand grasped hers, startling her. Someone had appeared beside her without any warning.
Who was it?
Her pupils contracted as Brunhilde noticed another virtual panel fading away beside her.
The panel displayed another figure, and the one who had grabbed her hand was this very person.
He had come out on his own.
And this person left Brunhilde utterly stunned.
A trump card, an ace—he had taken the initiative to appear.
"If possible, let me take this round."
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