Chapter 136: Singled Out Thanos
If someone with less self-control were in this situation, facing the mockery from the two, they would likely be infuriated immediately.
Thanos remained expressionless. "Sacrificing for the future of the universe was a decision I made when I embarked on this path. Whether it's them or me, it is all the same. This is fate and also glory."
Thor could sense that Thanos' words weren't just for show. They came from a genuine place.
Violence and killing—everything Thanos did wasn't for personal gain but for the sake of the universe's balance.
His concept of balancing cosmic resources through killing is a revolutionary idea.
At this moment, none of the villains seemed as grand as Thanos.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was an idealist who dared to put his beliefs into practice.
In reality, he merely looked down on the universe's inhabitants from a higher vantage point. Much like how humans have acted towards animals in the name of conservation, theoretically, his ideas aren't too far-fetched.
However, the fact that his plan involves exterminating himself too makes it a serious issue! He can't control events inside the Nine Realms, which is Asgard's domain. What does your cosmic ambition matter when it's affecting the Nine Realms?
When Thanos snapped his fingers, it became a universal issue, and no one could remain indifferent. The conflict between them was irreconcilable.
Thanos clearly wasn't in the mood for a debate. He could only communicate through his actions!
Ebony Maw took action, tearing apart a metal plate with invisible telekinesis, wrapping it around Carol like a constricting serpent.
Carol's strength surged, immediately twisting the metal, but more plates kept coming.
Corvus Glaive didn't advance; he knew that Carol's strength was on par with Thanos'. He raised his weapon to protect Ebony Maw, preventing Carol's energy blasts from hitting him.
With years of cooperation behind them, their tactics were well-established without the need for communication. Their goal was to hold Carol back while Thanos dealt with Thor.
The Overlord Sky Blade came down fiercely. Thor raised Gungnir to block the attack but was immediately struck again.
Thanos used his superior strength and size advantage to employ his butcher slashing blade technique. Although Thor's strength was similar, the accumulated advantage of multiple attacks began to show.
Thor resisted three blows, his arm growing numb. As Thanos raised his blade for a fourth strike, Thor swiftly positioned Gungnir and deflected the attack. He used the momentum to lean sideways, pressing the blade into the ground, and struck Thanos in the chest.
**Soul Astral Activated!**
A translucent soul emerged from Thanos' body, but it returned in less than a second.
It's said that the most difficult decisions require the greatest willpower. Thanos, who sought to decimate the world, had willpower surpassing anyone Thor had ever encountered, even Doctor Strange, who negotiates terms.
As Thanos' soul returned, a golden portal quickly appeared above his head and then weakened rapidly.
Thor adjusted the Sling Ring to close the portal.
"Hmm…" The sound echoed as the light circle tightly encircled Thanos' head, but he remained resilient even to portal cut. And forcefully held it open
Thor continued to cast spells with increased mental power. Thanos let out a pained groan, desperately pulling at the halo above his head.
The standoff didn't last long. Moments later, with a "snap," Thanos tore through the seemingly indestructible portal.
Thor felt a backlash and watched closely as Thanos, now panting heavily, faced him.
He finally understood why Doctor Strange didn't use these two moves against Thanos. Thanos' body was too robust for the portal to breach, and his powerful will nearly made him immune to soul magic.
"Your tricks are impressive, full of flair," Thanos remarked coldly as he removed his helmet and tossed it aside, kicking the Overlord Sky Blade.
Ebony Maw's abilities were the most enigmatic and challenging to deal with within the Black Order. Even if one was stronger, his ability to manipulate objects with his mind made him difficult to confront.
Just as Doctor Strange struggled against the four-gem Thanos, Ebony Maw managed to kill him in a few rounds...
In reality, if Thor hadn't possessed the power of Awakening Thunder, Ebony Maw alone could have been enough to overwhelm him. This was one reason Thor didn't bring Jane Foster along.
Carol faced a similar challenge. Although neither Ebony Maw nor Corvus Glaive could hurt her, their unusual abilities made her extremely uncomfortable. They didn't intend to confront her directly but were solely focused on holding her back.
As she prepared to fly, a metal hand emerged from the ground, grasping her foot and pulling it down, while another metal piece fell on her head.