"What the hell is Thor doing?"
"He ran to the core!"
"Hey! Is that a place where people can stay?"
"However, Thor is not a normal being; no, he is a god!"
"Such a big project, in order to build a weapon, you can imagine how strong it is!"
"They're using the power of a neutron star to forge a weapon!"
"This is a one-in-a-million chance. Nothing can go wrong!"
"By the way, can someone explain what a neutron star actually is?"
In the Administration.
Hawking stared at Thor, who was standing before the core device, and his expression was unemotional as he said, "A neutron star is a stellar remnant formed at the end of a massive star's evolution. It is the densest known type of star besides a black hole and one of the possible endpoints following a supernova explosion through gravitational collapse. It forms when a star is not massive enough to become a black hole but still collapses under its own gravity at the end of its life, so its density is many times greater than that of any material found on Earth."
Another holographic projection appeared as Odom said, "It is estimated that the central temperature of a newborn neutron star reaches about a trillion Kelvin. Let's compare it with the Sun for perspective. The Sun's surface temperature is less than 6,000 degrees Celsius, while its core reaches around 15 million degrees, and Thor is standing almost right beside the neutron star's core. I don't even know what to say anymore."
Johan's eyes lit up as a surge of excitement seemed to emerge from his aged body. Filled with hope, he said, "With the power of a neutron star behind it, I'm afraid even Thanos wouldn't be able to withstand a weapon forged like this!"
Tonio was not nearly as optimistic. "But can Thor endure it? He'll be taking the full force of that stellar heat."
The excitement in everyone's hearts faded slightly as everyone fixed their eyes on the screen.
Thor stood within the massive circular mechanism while behind him was the gigantic stellar core. Even through the screen, they could almost feel the unbearable heat. He knew very well... What was about to happen.
Closing his eyes slightly, Thor murmured, "Allfathers, give me strength!"
Eitri shouted, "You understand, boy? You're about to take the full force of a star.. It'll kill you"
But Thor had already made his decision. "Only if I die."
Eitri said, "Yes. That's what killing you means."
And there was nothing more he could say.
Thor gripped the two handles inside the circular mechanism with both hands. He had to pull them apart... and keep them open. Taking a deep breath, the muscles in his arms bulged. With tremendous force, he pulled the massive lever. The sealed stellar core behind him slowly split apart, and blinding light with unimaginable heat burst through the opening.
Thor squeezed his eyes shut, and his teeth clenched. With a thunderous roar, he pulled with every ounce of strength he possessed.
Countless viewers folded their hands in prayer as they hoped Thor could hold on.
The enormous mechanism behind him continued opening. Then, an earth-shaking roar erupted, and an indescribable torrent of light and heat engulfed the entire area. Thor was almost instantly burned alive. Under the overwhelming force, his body collapsed. But using every part of himself, he continued pulling the lever as far as possible.
Boom! A deafening explosion echoed, and a beam of light burst from the stellar core. The condensed energy instantly pierced through Thor's body, then it shot into the massive ring-shaped channel ahead.
The entire structure trembled, and the scorching beam struck the furnace with perfect accuracy. The terrifying heat activated the entire forge as one translucent conduit after another lit up like glowing veins.
Yet Thor still refused to let go. The moment he released it, the stellar core would close again. If that happened, the final forging process would fail.
The entire forge roared to life, and towering flames erupted beneath the furnace.
Eitri was stunned as he had never expected Thor to actually succeed. A look of astonishment crossed his face before he rushed toward the rear of the forge. He shouted, "Hold it! Hold it, Thor!"
After only a short time under the beam, Thor's skin had already begun to split apart. Even so... Everyone on Terra was left speechless. As the neutron star beam continued to blaze, everyone had almost fallen silent as they stared nervously at the furnace.
Eitri rushed over. Peering into the furnace, he saw the massive chunks of metal melting rapidly. But as the metal melted, Thor's skin and muscles gradually carbonized. He was already on the verge of death. The unimaginable heat and pressure... Even an Asgardian could barely endure them.
Soon, the metal had completely melted. Although the Dwarf King's hands had been severed, he used his shoulders to rotate the waterwheel mechanism beside the furnace, and the furnace tilted. The blazing molten metal flowed along its channel, pouring into the mold of the Stormbreaker.
At that very moment, Thor completely lost consciousness, and his hands loosened. The beam blasted him away, sending him flying into space. Rocket immediately piloted the spacecraft toward him. But Thor had been launched too fast, so he failed to catch him. Instead, Thor slammed heavily onto the platform. His entire body was charred, with sparks still crackling across it.
Seeing this, many viewers watching covered their mouths, and tears welled up in their eyes.
"Thor... he's endured far too much."
"It's unbelievable. He survived direct exposure to a neutron star for that long."
"If it were me, I'd have been vaporized instantly."
"This... is Thor!"
"He withstood the power of an entire star!"
"I suddenly remembered Captain Rogers pulling that plane with his bare hands. Compared to Thor, it seems insignificant."
"Thor pulling that lever while resisting a neutron star... that's unbelievably cool!"
"A real man!"
"Have you noticed? Thor never complains. He simply gives everything he has."
"Reborn through fire!"
"A true god among gods!"
"Thor is a real god at this moment!"
At the Training Grounds.
Ren and the others felt their body go cool. The power of a neutron star... Even for exceptional people like them, they would die instantly.
"But Thor actually endured it for so long." Ren sighed in amazement. "Thor isn't just physically powerful. More importantly... his willpower is unmatched."
Ren said solemnly, "Without such incredible determination... no one could have lasted this long."
Speaking of willpower, Ren couldn't help recalling one of the previous training methods. Perhaps... they really should start trying it.
Louis said emotionally, "For the sake of the universe, Thor willingly endured this unimaginable pressure, even risking his own life. Only Tony could compare with him."
Norland Base.
The shock in Guerino's mind had long since turned into numbness. He originally wanted to witness how powerful a neutron star forge truly was. Instead, he witnessed an even more unbelievable scene.
"Thor is the kind of man who always steps forward when it matters! A neutron star... Just thinking about it is terrifying." A scene flashed through his mind, and he thought about activating the artificial sun. Then... he imagined standing beside it, and a shiver immediately ran through his body.
Human Potential Organization.
Kayden and Ashton rubbed their brows. They had already lost count of how many times they had been shocked today.
Kayden smiled bitterly. "It feels ridiculous, Mr. Ashton. I was actually thinking about researching the source of Thor's power. But strength and durability capable of resisting a neutron star... That's simply beyond anything we could ever hope to achieve."
Ashton nodded with a bitter smile. "Yeah... It's an entirely different level. Let's continue researching the Extremis Virus."
Kayden nodded. "Yes. Progress has been excellent. If everything goes well, we should be able to begin plant experiments in less than a year."
Ashton's eyes brightened. That was good news. At least despite all the setbacks, they had gathered many of Terra's greatest experts and resources, and finally achieved meaningful progress.
"But Thor can no longer keep the stellar core device open. Has Stormbreaker been successfully forged?"
Stormbreaker was the most important piece, as it represented humanity's one-in-ten-million chance of defeating Thanos.
On the screen.
Rocket ran to Thor's side and, shaking Thor, said, "Thor! Say something. Come on"
Thor's whole body looked like charred coal as his breathing became weaker and weaker.
"Thor, you okay?" Rocket kept calling.
Eitri shoved the closed mold onto the ground. Because he had no hands, he could only force it open in the roughest way possible. He smashed the mold apart with his massive steel fists.
Rocket said in panic, "I think he's dying."
Eitri continued smashing the mold. "He needs the axe!"
On the ground, after the mold was broken apart, the two glowing red components quietly lay on the floor. One was the axe blade, and the other was the hammerhead. But nothing was connecting the two pieces, so they were like two completely independent objects.
Eitri became anxious. "Where's the handle? Tree, help me find the handle!"
The viewers looked at the incomplete battle axe, and everyone felt as though they had been struck by Captain America's shield.
"This... isn't the complete weapon?"
"There's no axe handle?"
"Thor risked his life for this, and this is the result?"
"Can't they just find any handle and attach it?"
"This is our only hope! Without the Axe, Thanos can't be defeated!"
"Out of the millions of futures Strange saw, this is the only hope!"
"What a pity... Is there really no hope left?"
"No! The future Strange saw was based on what was happening now. That means there should still be a turning point for the Axe!"
"That actually makes sense... but where's the handle?"
"Holy crap! Look!"
"I've got goosebumps all over!"
Countless people stared at the screen.
While Eitri frantically searched for the missing handle, Groot, who had been playing his game, quietly put it down. He glanced at the unconscious Thor, then slowly walked toward the two axe components.
Under the shocked gazes of billions of viewers...
His left arm suddenly extended into thick branches. The branches rapidly wrapped around both halves of the weapon, and a loud burst echoed. Groot grimaced in pain, but he continued holding everything together. Countless branches twisted together, binding the two halves into one.
Groot cried out, then he raised the completed axe high. The next moment, his right hand transformed into a blade. With one decisive swing, he chopped off his own left arm, and half of his arm fell away, but the Stormbreaker had finally become whole.
Stormbreaker, its handle formed from Groot's sacrificed arm, landed on the floor.
It also landed heavily in the hearts of viewers watching as an indescribable emotion surged through everyone.
"Groot... I thought he was just a little alien who liked playing games."
"The temperature of that axe is unbelievably high, and he wasn't afraid."
"My eyes are getting watery."
"It's funny. I never expected to be taught a lesson by a tree."
"The redemption arc of an internet-addicted teenager."
"He lifted the Stormbreaker!"
"This really is a king's weapon, and Groot can wield it? Could he also be royalty?"
"The Stormbreaker is finally complete!"
"After so many twists and turns... finally!"
"I knew it! Since this is the future Strange saw, it had to succeed!"
On the screen.
The moment the Stormbreaker was completely forged, a bolt of lightning suddenly leaped across its surface. At the same instant, Thor's fingers twitched. The still-glowing Stormbreaker slowly floated into the air, and bolts of thunder one after another erupted from it. At Thor's fingertips, the power of lightning became stronger and stronger.
The viewers watching finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just as the Dwarf had said, only the Stormbreaker could save Thor.
The chat exploded with praise, and the Stormbreaker had become everyone's hope.
At the Administration.
Seeing the Storm Axe finally completed, the Director and everyone else also relaxed.
Tonio let out a long breath. "There were really enough twists and turns. I thought Thor and the Stormbreaker were both finished."
Darwin pointed at Groot. "I'm afraid this plant-based alien isn't simple. The Stormbreaker temperature is unimaginably high, yet the branches from his arm didn't burn. They only smoked slightly. I suspect his physical strength isn't much weaker than Thor's."
Everyone was surprised as they really hadn't noticed that detail. If not for Darwin's background in biology, they probably never would have.
Johan suddenly said, "I saw someone mention in the chat that Groot can also lift the Stormbreaker. Does that mean he's a king too? Could Groot hold an extremely high status among his people? Perhaps it's because of his bloodline?"
Johan smiled. "Sorry for using such a mysterious term."
Darwin nodded. "That's actually very likely. Superior bloodlines exist throughout the natural world."
The Director stood before the blackboard. Looking at the Infinity Stones written across it, along with all the notes behind them, he appeared deep in thought.
"Director, now that the Stormbreaker has been forged, there's no need to worry so much." Tonio smiled. "Thor will definitely defeat Thanos."
The Director smiled. "I'm not worried about whether Thor can kill Thanos. I'm worried about whether he does it before all Infinity Stones are collected... or after. Those are two completely different outcomes."
Everyone froze after hearing that, but the Director waved his hand. "Thanos isn't much stronger yet. I estimate another major battle will take place on Earth."
Xiaotian raised his eyebrows. "You mean the two aliens who escaped earlier? I remember they said they'd return to retrieve the Soul Stone."
The Director nodded. "That's right. The next time they come, they'll be much better prepared. And if Thanos obtains the Mind Stone... huh?"
The Director looked back at the screen, and the other experts followed his gaze.
The screen flickered.
A dark and desolate planet appeared. On the ground, a blue ripple spread outward as Thanos and Gamora appeared.
Thanos looked toward the towering mountain ahead. Its peak was shrouded in darkness, and the sky itself seemed stained with blood. The entire place radiated an atmosphere of cruelty and death.
Thanos said calmly, "The stone had better be up there. For your sister's sake."
The two climbed toward the summit, and when they reached the top, a black-robed figure wrapped in swirling mist appeared. It floated like a spirit, without visible limbs.
A metallic scraping voice echoed from beneath the hood. "Welcome, Thanos, son of Alars. Gamora, daughter of Thanos."
Thanos asked, "You know us?"
The spectral figure replied, "It is my curse to know all who journey here."
Thanos asked directly, "Where is the Soul Stone?"
The cloaked figure answered slowly, "You should know... it extracts a terrible price."
Thanos replied calmly, "I am prepared."
The ghostly figure revealed his face and a crimson skull. "We all think that at first."
Its teeth moved slowly. "We are all wrong."
The Red Skull led the two of them to the edge of a cliff, and two towering black stone monuments stood there.
Thanos asked, "How is it you know this place so well?"
The Red Skull's voice remained slow and hoarse. "A lifetime ago, I, too, sought the stones. I even held one in my hand. But it cast me out, banished me here. Guiding others to a treasure I cannot possess."
The Red Skull looked into the endless abyss. "What you seek lies in front of you. As does what you fear."
Gamora still had no idea what was about to happen. Looking into the bottomless chasm, she asked, "What's this?"
The Red Skull replied, "The price. Soul holds a special place among the Infinity Stones. You might say it has a certain wisdom."
Thanos asked, "Tell me what it needs."
The Red Skull answered, "To ensure that whoever possesses it... understands its power... the stone demands a sacrifice."
Thanos frowned. "Of what?"
The Red Skull slowly looked at him. "In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. A soul... for a soul."
Thanos stared sharply at the Red Skull. For the first time, surprise appeared on his face.
The audience watching was equally stunned. But soon, many of them burst into laughter.
"Someone like Thanos actually has a loved one?"
"Amazing! I never expected the Soul Stone to work like this!"
"That expression on Thanos' face is priceless!"
However, their surprise was quickly shattered by the next captured scene.