"Click."
The faceplate of the Hellfire Armor lifted, revealing a face brimming with smug confidence.
"Well, well, the Four Warriors of Asgard?"
Andrew looked at the armored, battered group before him.
To be honest, he barely remembered these four. In the entire Thor movie series, their combined screen time probably didn't exceed five minutes.
But the sight of Jane Foster sobbing over Thor's lifeless body stirred something in his memory.
"Don't cry, sweetheart. He's not dead. In fact, he's about to make a thunderous comeback."
"What? You mean Thor isn't dead?"
Overcome with relief, Jane cried even harder, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"Of course. But if you keep shaking him like that, I'm afraid he will end up with a concussion."
Andrew shrugged casually.
Looks like I was late… but not too late.
Justice may be delayed, but it always shows up.
If Thor hadn't taken that hit, Odin wouldn't have been moved. And without being moved, Odin wouldn't have restored Thor's power.
As the saying goes: When Heaven chooses someone for greatness, it first tests their mind, exhausts their body, starves them, strips away comfort, and frustrates their plans only then does it forge a hero.
Look across the Marvel Universe: Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, even Captain Marvel none were born superheroes. They became legends only after being tempered by hardship.
The wisdom of the ancients still holds true. A doctrine for the ages.
"Hey! You think you can just come to Earth, beat people up, and leave? What about justice? What about the law?"
An energy beam had already formed in Andrew's hand, aimed squarely at the Destroyer.
Far away in Asgard, Loki watched through the Destroyer's vision and flew into a rage.
So, the tiger's left the mountain, and now the monkeys think they're kings?
Looks like we Asgardians have been quiet too long. A tiny Earthling, no bigger than an ant, dares to show off in front of me?
Fine. Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish.
The Destroyer fired a searing molten beam from its head, but Andrew had anticipated it and darted toward the outskirts of the town.
"Come on, let's take this somewhere more open. Can't stretch my limbs in here."
The Destroyer didn't hesitate and lumbered after him.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
With every thunderous step, it left deep craters in the ground.
At full speed, it was actually beginning to keep pace with Andrew.
"Damn, what powers this thing? It's insanely strong! Feels like it has an infinite energy source."
Looking back at the rapidly approaching behemoth, Andrew knew that speed alone wasn't going to cut it. He suddenly dropped altitude and fired an energy blast straight at the Destroyer.
"Boom!"
The beam struck its armor but barely left a mark only slowing it down slightly.
"Boom!"
The Destroyer retaliated with a molten blast. Curious to gauge its power, Andrew raised both arms and fired twin repulsor blasts to intercept it mid-air.
The collision triggered a massive shockwave, sending dust and debris flying in every direction.
"Warning, warning! Energy levels down to 70%!"
Paul's mechanical voice rang out, and a red alert flashed across Andrew's HUD.
"Boss, is that the giant we saw earlier?" asked the bald man with gold-rimmed glasses, turning to Agent Hill.
Hill was reviewing the latest field report from the town, but she looked up immediately at his words.
Sure enough, out in the open plain a few kilometers away, a massive black figure loomed—and above it, a small, dark silhouette hovered in the air.
"It's Tony Stark! He's here!"
Hill finally felt a weight lift from her chest. On Earth, short of launching nukes, only Iron Man had that kind of solo combat capability.
They had just seen the havoc the black iron monster could wreak. A single strike could crush cars and kill civilians. It was impervious to blades, bullets, flames, or water. Their conventional weapons were useless.
"Boss, I don't think Iron Man is a match for that thing."
Through the binoculars, they watched as Iron Man's energy clashed with the giant, and it was clear that Iron Man was being steadily pushed back.
"Contact the Department of Defense. Request missile support immediately!"
Hill barked the order.
"Beep beep beep ..."
Andrew could feel the heat building in both palms. Sustained energy output was never the armor's strong suit.
Taking a risk, he twisted mid-air and dove downward. Even so, his left arm was grazed by the flames.
"Warning! Outer alloy of the left arm damaged. Repairs required."
Paul's voice chimed again.
"No time for that."
The Destroyer's barrage was relentless, forcing Andrew to climb even higher into the sky.
"I didn't expect this thing to be this tough."
He was starting to regret showing off. He distinctly remembered that in the Thor movie, the Destroyer went down with a single swing of Thor's hammer. So why was it turning into a slugfest with him?
Maybe I should just make a break for it. Once Thor wakes up and gets Mjolnir back, he can wrap this up with one hit.
Ding!Host detected at battlefield between Thor and the Destroyer.Activating Divine Choice System. Please select,
Flee immediately. Reward: Title "Runaway Tony." Speed +1.
Confront the challenge. Reward: One "Tiga Transformation Light Stick." (With this stick, you are Daigu!)
Assist the Destroyer in killing Thor. Reward: Loki's admiration and affection. Loki sees you in a new light and wants to rule the Nine Realms with you.
The long-dormant Divine Choice System suddenly sprang to life, giving Andrew quite the jolt.
After days of indulgence basking in pleasure, surrounded by beauty, he'd almost forgotten he was chosen. Summoned by the system, burdened with a sacred mission to spread love and hope.
But as he scanned the options, his face twitched.
Option one, "Runaway Tony"? He could live with that.
But option three?
Gain Loki's affection?
Why did this system insist on shipping him into bromance arcs?
Was this actually a romance sim masquerading as a mission system?
Was there even a real choice here?
Obviously, Andrew would choose to turn into light and smash the Destroyer!
No, wait...transform! He meant transform!
"I choose option two: face the challenge!"
Congratulations! Host has received one Divine Light Stick.
Andrew suddenly felt a weight in his hand. A small rod, glowing with mysterious energy, materialized in his palm.
(End of Chapter)
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