Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

Hearing Han Yu's words, Mephisto coughed several times in succession and subtly shifted further away from him.

Hela's tone grew cold and sharp. "What did you just say?"

"He said he's here to take you back to Asgard. Have you been stuck here so long you've gone deaf? Can't hear properly anymore?"

Before Loki could finish his quip, Han Yu grabbed him by the collar and yanked him aside. A flurry of short blades embedded themselves into the spot where Loki had just been standing.

"You're from Asgard?" Hela said darkly, her face clouded. "That old fool Odin still remembers to send someone to see me? How is he not dead yet?"

"Odin is... technically dead now. He's lost all his divine power and is no longer the King of Asgard," Loki said weakly.

Loki found himself marveling at his sister's commanding presence. One wrong word, and she was ready to strike. Yet, despite the danger, his face showed no fear. In fact, he seemed almost thrilled. Having such a decisive and ruthless sister wasn't so bad after all.

Hela's expression faltered momentarily before she said, "What do you mean by that?"

Loki explained the situation with the Reality Stone: how Odin, to save his wife Frigga, willingly gave up the remainder of his divine power in exchange for a chance to bring her back to life.

Hearing this, Hela's sharp, hawk-like gaze locked onto Mephisto. Two blades materialized in her hands and were immediately hurled at him.

"You old bastard! You trapped me here!"

Hela had already sensed Odin's power disappearing. She knew that she should have been able to leave this place, but until Loki's arrival, she hadn't noticed. There was only one explanation: Mephisto had interfered, isolating her from the outside world.

Mephisto deftly dodged the blades, coughing awkwardly as his eyes darted away. "Well, uh... the weather really is quite nice today."

It was the same clumsy excuse Loki had used earlier, and Gannata couldn't help but chuckle. Awkward situations always seem to bring out the most ridiculous reasons.

Han Yu stepped in, holding back an enraged Hela. Given her personality, finding out she'd been trapped despite being free to leave was infuriating. "Right now, the priority is to return to Asgard. Asgard is in danger!"

Hela, startled by someone daring to grab her, paused and asked, "Who are you? I've never seen you before."

Han Yu released his hold and replied, "I'm Han Yu, just a humble shopkeeper. I'm here to help your Asgard."

As he spoke, Han Yu deliberately emphasized the word your, carefully observing Hela's reaction. If she showed any resistance or hostility toward the notion of Asgard as her own, releasing her might prove to be a mistake—she could turn against them later.

However, Hela displayed no such reaction. Instead, she asked, "What do you mean by Asgard being in danger?"

Loki stepped forward to explain the current situation in Asgard. Hela nodded thoughtfully and turned her gaze to him. "And who are you? You seem to know quite a lot about Asgard."

Loki offered a slightly embarrassed smile and said, "I didn't get a chance to introduce myself earlier. I'm Odin's adopted son. My name is Loki."

Hearing this, Han Yu couldn't help but glance at Loki a few times. He'd come a long way; he could now openly acknowledge being Odin's adopted son. In the past, Loki would never have admitted that.

Han Yu suspected that the events surrounding Frigga had brought clarity to Loki—about his feelings for Asgard, Odin, Frigga, and even Thor. Though Loki often claimed disdain for them, deep down, he valued them more than anyone else.

Han Yu knew this because he was a traveler from another world, with memories of the future. In that future, Loki had stood against Thanos and attempted to assassinate him, only to be killed in the process.

Looking back, it had been a foolish act. But it also showed Loki's determination. That time, he truly died. It wasn't like his previous instances of faking his death.

If Loki had managed to fake his death in front of Thanos, his cunning would have been unmatched.

"Odin's adopted son? Interesting. What, couldn't he have one of his own, so he decided to adopt?" Hela quipped bluntly, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Only Hela could speak so openly and mockingly about Odin.

"That's not it! He does have a biological son—Thor. Right now, Thor is holding on in Asgard as best as he can. If you don't return soon, Asgard will be overrun by the Vanir!"

At the mention of Thor, Loki's urgency resurfaced. He thought about Asgard's dire situation and Thor's plight.

Initially, Loki had planned to stay and fight alongside Thor, but his brother had insisted he come to Earth to seek help. If Loki didn't succeed, he wouldn't be able to return to Asgard either.

This was Thor's intention—Earth didn't have a direct way to Asgard without external aid. Thor's insistence reflected his love for his brother. Despite being betrayed countless times, Thor still deeply cared for Loki and wanted him to survive.

Hela crossed her arms and sneered. "Oh? That's amusing. But why should I help you? Don't forget, Odin was the one who locked me up here. If I don't go back to Asgard to take my revenge, that's already merciful enough. Now you want me to help them?"

Loki hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously as anxiety gnawed at him. Hela wasn't wrong. If he were in her position, Loki might also seek revenge upon returning to Asgard. But with Asgard's survival at stake, he couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Though he loved mischief and trickery, it didn't mean he was devoid of emotion. Loki did care for the people of Asgard.

Desperate, Loki turned to Han Yu, silently pleading for help.

Han Yu stepped forward, patting Loki on the shoulder to signal him to step back. After a moment of contemplation, Han Yu said, "Asgard's situation isn't entirely hopeless. Odin once said, 'Asgard is not a place; it's its people.' You've heard that, haven't you?"

Hela snorted and looked away but didn't deny it.

Han Yu continued, "If it were up to me, I'd find a way to evacuate Asgard's people. But I can't guarantee that the realm itself would survive. You know the legend: once Surtur's flaming sword pierces Asgard, it will bring about its destruction."

"My plan is to first relocate the people of Asgard to safety. Then, lure the Vanir, Frost Giants, and Surtur's forces into Asgard. After that, we'd use Surtur's sword to destroy Asgard, triggering the explosion.

"Though Asgard would be destroyed, it would also deal a devastating blow to the enemy forces—crippling their main strength. With their forces decimated, pursuing the surviving Asgardians would become nearly impossible."

As Han Yu finished, Hela's brows furrowed. Her piercing gaze locked onto him as she spoke.

"Are you threatening me?"

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