This hammer struck Mephisto's skull again with tremendous force. He plummeted swiftly, like an osprey diving for target, crashing into the river depths below.
Jason landed gracefully and directed his attention toward the crimson beacon nearby. Even now, demon soldiers continued emerging from the portal, though their numbers had decreased dramatically compared to the initial assault.
The Avengers team could handle the remaining threats. Yet as long as this beacon persisted, the demonic invasion would never truly end.
Jason raised Mjolnir skyward, and lightning shot toward the heavens. Instantly, massive black storm clouds materialized from nothingness. Legend spoke of the Mother of Cosmic Storms' power sealed within Mjolnir, granting it command over weather itself.
Within moments, dark clouds blanketed the entire Avengers headquarters and surrounding territories.
Mephisto burst from the river's depths, witnessing this awe-inspiring phenomenon. He charged without hesitation, but as he neared Jason—
"BOOM!"
Thunder Armor descended from above, its autonomous combat systems automatically defending its master. The armor's arms raised, activating full-powered sonic emitters.
"RUMBLING CRASH!"
Instantly, powerful sound waves transformed into a devouring beast. Before the armor, affected ground split into a deep ravine extending all the way to the Hudson River. As it reached the water's surface, the river itself fractured into mist.
Mephisto cursed internally. While this assault couldn't truly harm him, it disrupted his attack and forced him to alter his trajectory.
Dark clouds now filled the sky, lightning crackling within their depths. Jason turned to face the approaching Mephisto, whose frustration was evident, and smiled.
He mouthed silently: "Welcome to New York!"
Mjolnir descended instantly, and thunder engulfed the entire battleground. Lightning bolts fell from above, transforming the battlefield into an electrical forest from a distance. The lightning bolts were trunks, and the storm clouds formed the canopy.
Jason felt more at ease than ever before, as if born to inhabit this environment. He even deliberately approached the lightning striking near him, experiencing indescribable euphoria coursing through his body.
Meanwhile, Mephisto could only continue evading the relentless barrage of thunder.
"Mephisto, here I come!"
Jason shouted, the hammer preceding its wielder!
"CRASH!"
Mephisto's rage burned, not from being struck, but because he clearly sensed the Hell Gate nearby trembling under intensive lightning bombardment.
His strength in the mortal realm relied entirely on two Hell Gates providing continuous power. Should either gate be damaged or sealed, his abilities would decrease substantially! After all, this wasn't his domain of Hell!
By this stage of battle, he recognized Asgardian power flowing through his opponent. Moreover, this wasn't ordinary power—it clearly represented one of Asgard's mightiest forces. He'd never anticipated his grand scheme would crumble due to unexpected intervention. Inconceivable!
At that moment, the crimson beacon flickered before suddenly extinguishing. Mephisto felt dread, instantly sensing his strength diminish significantly. Damn it!
Jason also keenly detected this shift. Without hesitation, he charged fiercely, hammering once, twice... During Mephisto's retreat, Jason flashed behind him, securing a firm hold with Mjolnir pressed against his throat.
With focused will, he propelled them both skyward into the storm clouds. Thunder assaulted from every direction! Wind howled and lightning roared. Their location became a brilliant sphere of light.
Mephisto's skin cracked, dried, and peeled away, revealing his true form—a crimson-skinned, horned demon. He howled in rage: "Mortal, how dare you treat a god this way! You shall endure my endless malediction! You will burn in flames and be devoured by carrion! Daily I shall curse your true name!"
Jason whispered in his ear: "Haha, Tony Stark—that's my name. Feel free to try!"
"Bastard..."
Gradually, under relentless thunder bombardment, Mephisto's mortal vessel crumbled to ash.
From endless lava pits of Hell, an enraged roar echoed: "Bastards, this isn't finished yet!"
The instant Mephisto was destroyed, Jason received notification of a king-tier reward!
Opening the loot:
[Congratulations on receiving the reward: Absolute Zero Dimension, the mission has been updated and can be viewed.]
Jason quickly examined his prize—this was a massive portable dimensional space. The "absolute zero" designation indicated that time had no meaning there; everything within remained perfectly static. Anything Jason stored wouldn't deteriorate. Living creatures would likely be "frozen" instantly.
Whether organisms would be alive or dead upon removal remained uncertain. However, Jason theorized they'd survive since time merely paused. Drawing from countless sci-fi films he'd watched, nobody should perish from temporal stasis.
Upon landing, he received troubling news. Minutes earlier, the White House had authorized nuclear strikes against New York. Multiple warheads, high yield.
Every Avenger appeared distressed. They couldn't believe President Freeman would act so ruthlessly. Everyone fought desperately against demons here, yet nuclear missiles were launched in secret. Absolutely shameless!
Storm warned urgently: "That's a Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile. Ten separate warheads, each yielding 500 kilotons! If detonated, New York is finished!"
Wolverine let out a low whistle. "Well, looks like you're all royally screwed. Tough break."
Cyclops glared murderously: "I hope you're vaporized completely without leaving a single hair!"
"Stop fighting!"
Frank Castle, Avengers' deputy leader, commanded. Covered in grime and exhausted, he looked to Jason: "Do you have any solution?"
"Yes!"
Every eye brightened with hope. Jason inhaled deeply, turning toward the sole remaining beacon: "There's only one option!"
He extended his hand, and Thunder Armor flew to his side. He entered.
Wolverine's eyes widened as it hit him—Jason was planning to fly the nuke straight into the Hell portal. A chill shot down his spine. He staggered forward, shouting, "Jason, you're gonna—dammit, you'll die!"
A low voice echoed from within the armor. "Heroes aren't always what they claim to be. In the end, it's the choices we make in the moments that matter. And this... this is my moment to choose."
Others comprehended his meaning, their eyes instantly moistening. Frank straightened proudly, offering a solemn salute.
The armor released massive flame bursts, rising slowly. Jason's voice carried: "Farewell, everyone!"
With those words, he soared upward, leaving only his silhouette.
"He's a genuine hero!" someone proclaimed.
White House.
Freeman stood frozen. Watching satellite footage, he remained utterly stunned. He promptly removed his remaining dress shoe, hurling it at the Pentagon representative.
Previously, military advisors had pressed him to authorize nuclear strikes, but he'd hesitated. Only after Vice President Barden spoke did he command a strategic submarine in the Atlantic to enter combat readiness.
Deep inside, he still wavered, delaying the launch. Only when storm clouds unexpectedly blanketed New York's skies did he finalize his decision.
They couldn't comprehend the phenomenon, and everyone panicked, assuming it signaled another demonic assault. Pentagon generals persistently urged nuclear deployment.
He'd shut his eyes, steeled himself, and commanded: Fire!
However, they never anticipated that shortly after launch, updated satellite imagery revealed the vanished storm coverage! Also gone was the crimson beacon near the Hudson River! This meant another Hell Gate had sealed! The Avengers had hope!
He urgently attempted to abort the Trident missile, but received news that it had entered New York's atmosphere, creating electromagnetic interference disrupting radio communications.
He despaired. Nothing remained but sending wired alerts to the Avengers about the incoming warhead.
Thunder Armor unleashed maximum thrust, rapidly accelerating Jason toward higher altitudes. He soon encountered the massive descending missile.
His Spiritual Eyes swept across it, revealing the entire internal structure. In the warhead assembly, ten independent warheads initiated separation protocols.
Jason positioned himself precisely, reaching out to grasp the casing. Metal tore apart, small electrical flashes appeared, and Jason incinerated all warhead system components.
Reviewing with Spiritual Eyes, the entire combat unit registered as inactive. In essence, the missile became a dud.
Jason exhaled with relief. Come on, no one seriously believed I'd fly into Hell with this missile to save New York, right? Do you take me for that idiot Stark?
Upon hearing the news, Jason's initial impulse was to place the missile directly into his newly acquired [Absolute Zero Dimension]. However, another inspiration struck him.
What if I stage another heroic save for New York? Last time was a savior of million, shouldn't this upgrade to savior of ten of million? When the current mayor mayoral term concludes, I'll campaign immediately. Wouldn't securing New York's mayor position be effortless? Maybe even governor or president!
The sole obstacle was fabricating legitimate documentation.
Carrying the neutralized warhead, Jason plunged rapidly. During this, countless terrified New Yorkers observed the spectacle.
Seeing the approaching missile, their hearts filled with despair. Some even cursed the White House and President Darius Freeman.
"Damn these corrupt politicians, they don't deserve to govern New Yorkers!"
"Curse these scoundrels! Even in Hell, I'll murder these bastards!"
Yet before everyone's astonished gaze, the missile suddenly veered off-course, crashing into Manhattan's gigantic crimson beacon...
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