"Do you know what you're doing?"
Hela growled, her voice seething with rage.
Superman glanced at her with mild surprise, a trace of amusement playing across his face. His grip on her neck didn't loosen.
"Don't you?" he said calmly, a small smile touching his lips.
"I'm hitting you."
Boom!
The moment the words left his mouth, his eyes blazed red—energy swirling and condensing until it exploded outward.
Heat vision.
Hela's heart pounded wildly. The oppressive force radiating from Superman was unlike anything she had experienced in thousands of years.
No—she had never felt this kind of power.
Not even when she had clashed with Odin before his death had she known such overwhelming fear.
Boom!
Reacting instantly, Hela summoned her divine power, forming a glowing shield in front of her.
The twin beams of heat vision slammed into the shield with tremendous force. Hela was sent flying, her body skidding backward across the palace floor. Her boots tore through the ground, leaving a deep gash in the marble and sending rubble flying as dust filled the air.
At that moment, Thor and Heimdall reached the outside of the main hall—just in time to see Hela being blasted straight toward them, her back to them as she spun through the air.
"Look out!"
Heimdall's senses kicked in. As the all-seeing guardian of Asgard, his reflexes were sharp, though not quite fast enough to stop what came next.
Thor, slightly slower to react, took the full brunt.
Boom!
Hela crashed straight into him, slamming into Thor with crushing force. The two of them were launched off the steps in perfect parabolas, crashing down to the base of the staircase.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Their impact shattered the ground, forming a massive crater over ten meters wide. Fracture lines like spiderwebs spread across the stone as dust and debris scattered. Around them, palace guards stood frozen, eyes wide with shock.
Heimdall recovered quickly and turned to look into the hall.
Was that Wonder Woman?
The thought flickered briefly—but he dismissed it.
No.
He had heard the voices inside clearly.
Wonder Woman was there, but she wasn't the one who acted. The real force behind the attack… was the other man Odin had mentioned to her on Earth.
The true reinforcement Asgard had been waiting for.
The one most capable of ending the Twilight of the Gods.
Superman.
"Ugh…"
Hela pushed herself up from the crater. Her hair whipped wildly despite the still air, and her face twisted in rage and humiliation.
She had just been manhandled—with one hand.
Thrown like a ragdoll by a man she didn't even know.
Not even Odin had made her feel so helpless.
Though she hated him, she had always acknowledged Odin's strength. But this—this was different. As an Asgardian princess, the former executioner, and rightful heir to the throne, she had always carried herself with dominance and pride. Her power had never been questioned.
And yet, here she was—just awakened from her long imprisonment—defeated almost instantly.
It's impossible I got weaker during the seal… right?
For the first time in millennia, Hela began to doubt herself.
"Hela!"
A shout cut through the tension. She turned sharply.
It was Thor.
Bruised, but standing—eyes filled with determination.
"This is Asgard!" he shouted, divine power crackling around him.
"And it's my place!"
He raised his fist, summoning the storm. Thunder rumbled in response.
Thor planted his feet and launched forward like lightning, covering dozens of meters in an instant to reach Hela.
"Oh?"
At the sight, Hela's wandering thoughts vanished completely.
"So it's not that I've grown weaker," she murmured, eyes narrowing.
"It's just that strong opponents have become so rare…"
She made no move to dodge as Thor approached. Instead, she stood calmly and allowed him to throw a punch straight at her face.
"After all these years, Asgard still clings to the same tricks…"
"If this is the best the next king has to offer, then I truly deserve to rule Asgard."
Her voice had barely faded before Thor's fist struck her across the face.
Boom!
A heavy sound echoed through the hall—but Hela didn't flinch. She didn't even take a step back. The blow landed, yet her expression didn't shift in the slightest. She had taken the full brunt of the punch without any sign of pain.
Looking into Thor's stunned eyes, Hela let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"That's it?" she said slowly.
"If this is the power of Odin's heir, then I am deeply disappointed. In all these years, Odin hasn't changed. He still can't choose a worthy successor…"
"If you are truly the one he picked, then I have no doubt—Asgard will fall. Because I will bring it down with my own hands."
Her tone turned sharper.
"You bark about honor, about the glory of kingship… but you're nothing more than a dog who doesn't even know how to wield his own strength."
And with that, the air around Hela exploded with divine energy.
Thor's body stiffened as dread surged through him. He had no time to pull his fist away before he was bent like a ragdoll and hurled through the air like a meteor.
At that moment, Superman stepped out of the palace hall, his cape trailing behind him.
Beside him walked Wonder Woman, both calm and composed as they watched Thor fly across the sky like a shooting star and vanish into the distance.
They said nothing at first—just shared a quiet glance.
"No point giving him a chance," Superman remarked flatly.
They could have intervened. They could have stopped Hela before Thor rushed in.
But they didn't.
Some part of them—perhaps a touch of pride, perhaps a message—had held back.
Without a proper beating, how would Asgard understand the true weight of the threat they faced?
If Superman had stepped in early, resolved everything swiftly, people would've underestimated what they were truly up against.
Some might even have thought they didn't need Superman.
They would've been wrong.
Now, with Thor beaten and humiliated, it was clear: the future king was no match for Hela.
And it was time for Superman to act.
"Hmph."
Hela noticed Superman standing atop the stairs, his calm gaze locked on her.
She scowled.
"I hate being looked at like that," she muttered darkly.
Raising her hand, she summoned a storm of blades.
Thousands of sharp swords materialized in the sky above, covering the heavens in a sea of glittering steel. The entire city of Asgard was cast under a chilling shadow.
The sight made the guards on the palace grounds go pale. They clustered together in fear but didn't dare move. Even the bravest among them couldn't step forward under the pressure of such overwhelming divine power.
Across the city, citizens watched in silent dread.
They knew.
Another catastrophe had come to Asgard.
The scale of Hela's magic, the pressure of her divine power—it could only belong to a figure of unimaginable strength.
"Superman," Heimdall called out, remaining at a cautious distance.
His tone was calm, but the gravity of the situation weighed in his voice.
"I'll send every warrior of the palace to assist you."
But he didn't charge in himself.
He knew the truth.
He wasn't Hela's equal. In this battle, the one Odin trusted, the one Asgard now depended on—was not him.
It was Superman.
Heimdall bowed his head slightly.
"Please."
He placed his faith in the last command Odin had given before his death.
He would believe in Superman.
Apart from this, Heimdall had no other choice.
He couldn't possibly count on Thor, right?
He wasn't surprised to see Thor get beaten down just now.
Thor's impulsive nature was proof enough—he was still not a qualified king.
But as a successor, as long as he didn't die here, everything else could be fixed later.
"Leave it to me."
Superman nodded calmly.
"As for those warriors—have them stay out of the fight. They'll only get in the way and increase casualties."
"Understood."
Heimdall didn't argue. His tone was firm.
"I'll begin evacuating the palace and the entire city immediately. We'll clear the battlefield for you… Just—please stop Hela."
"Go."
Superman gave a small wave of his hand.
Heimdall nodded and quickly withdrew.
At the same time, he summoned the palace guards and sent heralds to the outer city.
All citizens of Asgard were ordered to evacuate immediately—to escape what was certain to become a battle of devastation.
"So…"
Hela watched all of this quietly, unmoved.
"The entire city and palace will be our battlefield."
She didn't lift a hand to stop Heimdall's efforts.
After all, there was only one person she saw as her enemy now—only one she wanted to kill.
Superman.
"Very well."
"No one will interfere…"
"Let's see if your strength is real—or just good luck!"
Without another word, Hela vanished.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Simultaneously, the skies darkened as thousands upon thousands of divine swords materialized in the air, packed so tightly it looked like a steel honeycomb.
They rained down like a divine storm—like a thousand arrows unleashed by an army of gods—hurtling toward Superman, and the Wonder Woman standing beside him.
Wonder Woman didn't move. Her expression remained cold and indifferent, making no attempt to fight.
Superman, on the other hand, stepped forward slightly.
He opened his mouth wide, took in a deep breath—and exhaled.
"Hoo—huhuhu—"
A terrifying hurricane burst from his lungs.
The countless swords rushing toward him were caught midair, swept into chaos by the gale.
They spun wildly, colliding with each other, losing their formation.
Even more astonishing—the wind wasn't just fierce.
It was freezing.
A bone-chilling, supernatural cold radiated from Superman's breath.
Instantly, frost spread across the sky.
Swords froze mid-flight. Even the clouds disturbed by the battle began to solidify into white crystal.
Within seconds, an enormous sheet of ice had formed between Superman and Hela, sealing the airspace between them in a translucent wall of frozen silence.
For a moment, everything paused.
Then—Superman raised a single finger.
He tapped the massive ice wall lightly.
Crack—CRACK!
The ice shattered in an instant.
It broke apart with thunderous force, the frozen swords within crumbling to dust.
Shards of ice—sharpened like cones—whirled toward Hela, raining down like a blizzard of knives.
Hela's face didn't change—but her eyes narrowed.
She felt it now.
Superman was unlike anyone she'd ever faced.
He had no divine power. No spells.
Only that body—an almost unreal body.
A fortress of flesh and power.
She squinted, staring at the tall, broad man before her, glowing like a blazing sun.
"…I see."
The truth hit her.
"You're the one Odin sent…"
Her expression darkened.
"Odin, is this your final move?"
She gave a twisted grin.
"How could I lose to Odin twice?"
"If it weren't for him holding me back, I would've led Asgard to true greatness…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper as the thoughts burned in her mind.
Then—with a flash—Hela raised her hand.
A divine blade formed in her grasp, shimmering with dark energy.
Swish!
She slashed once.
The sword released a shockwave so strong it shattered the falling ice into mist.
Without hesitation, she charged.
She had seen the gap between herself and Superman.
She knew he was stronger.
But that didn't matter.
If you saw a fight you couldn't win and turned away—
How would miracles ever happen in this world?
Countless miracles—aren't they all born from the weak defying what they know they can't win?
"I admire your flame-like fighting spirit... and your unyielding will."
Superman stood tall atop the palace steps, unmoved.
His expression calm.
His posture unchanged since the moment he entered the battle.
This composed stance—it reminded everyone of when Hela first returned to Asgard in all her arrogance.
But now, everything was different.
Yet Hela didn't find the situation laughable.
She didn't falter, didn't hesitate.
She charged Superman with all her might, divine sword raised high, her eyes burning with fury.
Not far away, Heimdall had just finished ordering the guards to lead the citizens into refuge.
He now stood on a high vantage point within the palace, watching the confrontation unfold.
He had faith in Superman—there was something powerful and steady about him—but he still had to consider the worst.
If things truly turned for the worse... he would step in, or at the very least, try to rescue Superman.
Because Superman wasn't just any warrior.
He was fighting for Asgard.
And if he were to fall, it shouldn't be alone—it should be behind Asgard's final shield.
But the longer Heimdall watched the battle, the more his confidence grew.
Victory... felt within reach.
"Superman!"
He shouted, as Hela lunged forward, knowing the clash had reached a pivotal moment.
Down on the battlefield, just a few paces behind Superman, Wonder Woman stood relaxed, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold.
Her gaze followed Hela with amusement, the corners of her mouth curled in subtle mockery.
She knew what was happening here.
Superman wanted the spotlight—he wanted to show off.
She had no reason to interrupt. Let him have his moment.
Her calm, amused presence perfectly mirrored the posture of one man: Anton—still watching the events from Earth.
"Hey... why is my Happy Water gone?"
Anton, lounging with his eyes closed and a handful of potato chips, suddenly reached out and grabbed air.
His eyes snapped open, pupils shrinking as he stared at the empty bottle beside him.
"Betty!" he yelled toward the door.
"Bring me another bottle of Happy Water!"
How could anyone watch a good show without their favorite drink?
Back in Asgard.
At the top of the palace steps.
Superman stood as if he were the peak of the world itself—immovable, untouchable.
He looked down at Hela, the Goddess of Death, and said calmly:
"I admire your flame-like fighting spirit and unyielding will..."
There was a pause.
His tone turned sharp—cold.
"But..."
"That's all it is!"
…
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