Crack crack crack~
In an instant, black fissures spread across Asgard's sky, weaving a spiderweb-like pattern.
Corrupted Charlie unleashed his full power, heedless of the six demons' magical assaults. Transforming into a dark meteor, he darted through the black web, devouring their demonic energy wherever he passed.
Boom!!
Black mist exploded in the sky, demonic energy surging wildly. Neither raging lightning nor undersea volcanoes could withstand Corrupted Charlie's relentless onslaught, shattered by his unstoppable force.
The Horse Talisman granted him absolute recovery, and the Dog Talisman bestowed immortality. In this invincible state, Corrupted Charlie pierced the apocalyptic aurora, seizing the bat-like Sky Demon in one swift motion.
"What!!"
Hsi Wu, the Sky Demon, thrashed violently. Corrupted Charlie grinned cruelly. "Let me show you what a true villain looks like!"
Ignoring Hsi Wu's claws raking his body, he snapped the demon's wings with brute force.
"No!!"
Hsi Wu screamed in agony. The other demons, horrified, transformed into clouds of demonic energy to intervene.
Rip!
Rumble!!
Zzt zzt~
Instantly, heavy demonic energy crashed down, lightning struck wildly, and claws and fangs attacked in unison. Yet Corrupted Charlie stood unshaken, unfazed by the demons' assault.
Gripping Hsi Wu's wings tightly, he opened his mouth, unleashing a terrifying suction.
Boom!!
As dark energy spread, Corrupted Charlie's mouth became a black hole, drawing in the demonic energy leaking from Hsi Wu's broken wings.
"No! Save me!!"
Hsi Wu's desperate cries were futile as his energy was devoured, his form growing weaker until the last trace of his demonic aura formed a faint Bagua symbol, "Qian," swallowed by Corrupted Charlie.
Buzz~
As Hsi Wu's body turned to ash, Corrupted Charlie, now infused with a second demon's power, radiated an even more terrifying aura.
Rumble!!
Demonic energy surged, an invisible force repelling the attacking demons.
"How is this possible!"
Tso Lan, the Moon Demon, staggered back, incredulous. "He's only absorbed two demons—how can he wield such terrifying power!!"
In response, Corrupted Charlie raised a glowing hand, water and sky demonic energies intertwining, faintly forming the Bagua symbols "Dui" and "Qian." The energies resonated, slowly merging.
Boom~
The fused demonic energy grew even more fearsome. Corrupted Charlie laughed maniacally. "A bunch of backwater nobodies. This power would be wasted on you, so…"
His expression turned vicious.
"Hand it over!"
Boom!!
The fused demonic energy became an irresistible force, enveloping the surrounding demons.
Buzz~
In an instant, the demons froze, their bodies locked in place as their demonic energies flowed out, connecting with the energies in Corrupted Charlie's hands.
As the energies spread, faint Bagua symbols formed above each demon's head:
Moon Demon: Kan! Mountain Demon: Gen! Wind Demon: Xun! Thunder Demon: Zhen! Earth Demon: Kun!
With "Dui" and "Qian" in Corrupted Charlie's hands, only one Bagua symbol was missing.
But it was enough to deal with these demons.
Corrupted Charlie formed hand seals, his strange gestures shocking the demons.
"What?"
"That's…"
"The Eight Immortals!!"
"How is this possible!!"
The demons cried out in disbelief. This was a power exclusive to the Eight Immortals—how could this man wield it!
Embracing his dark side's villainous flair, Corrupted Charlie laughed. "Study hard and improve daily. The Eight Immortals' artifacts that suppress you have this trick. Next life, don't slack off."
With that, his hand seals glowed, spinning a massive Bagua. The symbols above the demons resonated, and the giant Bagua whirled endlessly.
Buzz~
Boom!
A tremendous suction erupted, pulling the demons into the skyward Bagua.
Finally, Corrupted Charlie grinned, swallowing the entire dark Bagua. His demonic energy, aided by the Bagua symbols, fused seamlessly, becoming his own dark power without resistance.
Feeling the invincible strength within, his eyes gleamed with deep, cryptic light.
"Finally, a complete form. Faster than that guy by a mile."
He chuckled, gazing down at Asgard's mainland.
"Hmph, time to rule Asgard. These so-called gods have no reason to exist!"
He dove, a dark meteor crashing toward the Rainbow Bridge.
Boom!!
The massive impact cracked the radiant bridge with spiderweb-like fissures.
What a spectacle!
Corrupted Charlie thought so himself.
After all, he'd mimicked the classic superhero landing.
Rising slowly, he faced the approaching Asgardians, his lips curling into a smug, cool, and explosive grin.
"From now on, Asgard is mine—"
Before he could finish his conquest speech, the Asgardians knelt in gratitude.
"Thank you, invincible Spider-Man, for saving Asgard once again."
"Mr. Spider-Man, may the World Tree bless you."
"Spider-Man, this is for you."
A sweet girl offered Corrupted Charlie an Asgardian flower.
Its faint fragrance hit him, and he froze mid-motion.
Seeing the girl's innocent smile, Corrupted Charlie curbed his villainous grin, scratching the back of his head.
"Uh, this is too much. Haha."
He accepted the flower, turning away with a conflicted look.
Damn it, you're all so warm—I can't even bring myself to destroy you.
This is infuriating! I'm the evil dark side. Sparing the original is bad enough, but now I can't even do bad things? Where's my villain cred?
No way. Even if I don't kill you, I'll at least maim a few to save face in the villain circle.
Resolve hardened, his gaze turned ferocious.
But when he turned and saw the admiration in Lady Sif's eyes, Corrupted Charlie forgot his ferocity.
Per穿越者 tradition, a grand display should lead to a beauty's embrace.
Showing his bad side now would ruin it.
Hold on.
Yeah, hold on.
So, Corrupted Charlie flashed a harmless smile.
"Lady Sif, long time no see. How've you been?" he greeted warmly.
Sif's eyes lit up. "You remember me?"
"Of course."
Corrupted Charlie slid an arm around her waist. "A beautiful woman is always unforgettable."
On the Rainbow Bridge, Asgardians escorted Corrupted Charlie toward the palace.
Odin watched, eyes narrowing. "A power from another universe."
Frigga frowned. "The multiverse?"
"No, a different universe."
Odin took a deep breath. "This event isn't Ragnarok, yet its warning has vanished. It must be because of him."
Frigga beamed. "No Ragnarok means we don't have to leave Thor."
Odin shook his head. "That's not necessarily good."
"But he's awakened his Thunder God power."
"An accident."
Odin glanced at Thor escorting Loki, then at the disheveled Super-Skrull Loki.
He'd given Loki so many chances.
But…
Could he truly not change?
He hesitated, wondering if he should offer one last chance.
Whoosh~
A green gust passed by, and Odin's surroundings changed dramatically.
Before him stood an immense, thriving World Tree.
On a throne at its center sat a crowned man, holding countless multiversal timelines, orderly yet intricate, orbiting the vibrant tree in endless cycles.
Seeing the man, Odin paused, then smiled warmly.
"Loki, I'm glad to see this side of you."
Loki smiled faintly, his eyes filled with nostalgia, tinged with guilt and gratitude.
"May I call you Father?" he asked.
"Of course." Odin nodded.
Loki's smile widened. "Father, don't feel guilty for failing to change Loki. Every multiversal Loki is unique. He doesn't need saving—only he can save himself.
So, Father, let go.
I've seen his future, and yours."
World Tree Loki smiled. "Because Spider-Man reversed time, the timeline shifted unpredictably, allowing me to reach you through it.
I'm doing this to ensure you all live. Don't sacrifice yourselves for Loki or Thor.
I've felt that pain, and so has Thor.
I've done what I can to change what's possible, but the choice is yours."
Odin seemed to understand, his eyes full of reluctance. "Child, you've suffered greatly."
Loki shook his head. "Time no longer binds me."
Odin sighed, scanning the World Tree. "The start of time, and its end. You've paid too much."
Loki smiled. "Father, this is my choice—for the multiverse, and to atone…"
His voice grew faint.
Odin hurriedly said, "You found this world for more than just this."
"Yes."
Loki's voice quickened. "Tell Spider-Man he has one… one… retry…"
"What?"
Odin's face changed. "One what?"
"One…"
Loki's voice faded completely, and the World Tree vanished.
As time twisted, Odin returned to Asgard, shouting instinctively, "Loki!!"
"Father, I'm right here!"
Super-Skrull Loki sneered at the bewildered Odin. "Stop pretending. You've always planned to imprison me, haven't you?"
Odin regained his composure, gazing at Super-Skrull Loki with disappointment.
"He was right. Every Loki is unique, with your own path. This is your choice."
"What?" Super-Skrull Loki didn't understand.
Odin shook his head, turning to Dark Thor. "By Asgard's laws, deal with… your brother."
"What?"
Dark Thor was stunned. "Father, really…?"
"Thor, this is Loki's choice." Odin's tone was stern. "You too are unique. You don't have to follow the path we set."
He patted Thor's shoulder. "From today, you are Asgard's king."
"Me?"
Dark Thor pointed at himself. "So sudden?"
"Yes, just like that." Odin vanished without another word.
Hearing the throne pass to Thor, Super-Skrull Loki roared, unwilling. "No! Asgard is mine! You owe me!!"
"We owe you nothing."
Dark Thor turned, his gaze complex. "From childhood, we've never owed you. You know that, brother."
His words silenced Loki.
Indeed, Asgard owed him nothing.
Odin defeated the Frost Giants but spared him.
War is cruel; Odin could've chosen otherwise.
Survival of the fittest was Loki's creed.
Deception was a strongman's path.
But the Frost Giants lost.
So did he. He had no right to live.
He wanted more, but it was never his.
Yet he wouldn't regret it.
Without fighting, he'd gain nothing.
But Thor could.
It seemed unfair, yet it was the greatest fairness.
In a fleeting moment, he closed his eyes.
Dark Thor shook his head. "I won't kill you."
Super-Skrull Loki opened his eyes. "This is Father's will."
"Perhaps you've misunderstood him again."
Dark Thor released Loki. "I'm giving you one last chance. Leave Asgard and never trouble us again."
"You'll regret this."
Super-Skrull Loki lingered, gazing at the palace.
"One day, I'll return!"
With that, he turned toward the hall's exit.
But before he could step out, dark energy engulfed him.
"Loki!" Dark Thor cried out.
"What are you yelling for?"
Led by Lady Sif, Corrupted Charlie entered the hall, casually crushing the dark energy—and Super-Skrull Loki within it.
He looked at Thor like he was an idiot. "After all this, you still keep him? I don't get why you're so set on screwing yourselves."
"But he's my brother!!" Dark Thor knelt, roaring in anguish.
"Spider-Man, you have no heart!!"
Corrupted Charlie rolled his eyes, pulling Sif close with a grin.
"That's not my problem. He caused me trouble, so I dealt with him. I don't do sappy nonsense.
By the way, saving Asgard comes with a price. I'm taking the lovely Sif on a honeymoon across the Nine Realms!"
Dark Thor: "…"
Seeing Sif's shy blush, he despaired.
The invincible Spider-Man was truly a jerk!
"I'll fight you!!"
"Yo, getting feisty? Tell you what—if you catch me, I'll… heh heh, gotta go. Tell Odin to wire me the cash. Bye~"