As her words fell, a terrifying suction force erupted.
Thor felt the energy within his body begin to drain rapidly.
His expression changed in shock. He struggled with everything he had, desperately trying to break free from her grip—but it was utterly futile.
The more he struggled, the worse it became. The once-mighty power of thunder within him poured out like a breached dam, completely beyond his control, flowing straight into Hela's hand.
"I am the goddess who governs death in Asgard," Hela said coldly.
"Whether living or dead, all fall under my dominion."
"So you, born of Asgard, can naturally serve as my source of power."
Thor cried out in horror, "No… that's impossible!"
Hela smiled darkly.
"You think that just because our power sources are different, I can't use yours?"
"Tsk, that used to be true."
"But during the thousands of years I was sealed away, I studied countless Asgardian secret arts—
and even created new ones of my own."
"Eventually, I developed a method to absorb most forms of energy and convert them into my own."
"And power that originates from Asgard, like yours?"
"That's even easier for me to use."
"I really should thank you, my dear little brother. If you hadn't come, I wouldn't have found such a perfect energy source."
Lucas, standing to the side, watched quietly—showing no intention of intervening.
After all, when he proposed bringing Thor here, he had already anticipated a scene like this.
Moments later, Hela casually flung her arm.
Thor—now drained of most of his energy—was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground nearby.
"Next," Hela said, turning slowly, "it's your turn."
Her once-tattered robes had completely restored themselves.
Even her previously dry, dull hair now gleamed with luster, smooth and flowing.
Her presence was utterly different from before—stronger, sharper, more oppressive.
"Although you are my brother," she continued coldly, glancing at the fallen Thor,
"I don't have much affection for siblings."
"And I've always believed in eliminating future threats."
Gripping her sword, Hela looked down at Thor and said calmly,
"So die. Don't worry—Odin will join you soon enough."
She vanished in a flash.
In the next instant, she appeared before Thor, her sword thrusting straight toward his chest—aimed directly at his heart.
But before the blade could reach him—
A fist moved faster.
Boom!
A brutal punch smashed into Hela's face.
The sheer force distorted the air itself, sending visible ripples outward.
Hela was blown away, tumbling through the air before slamming into the ground and carving a trench more than ten meters long before finally stopping.
"Ah… that felt amazing."
Lucas clenched his fists in front of him, excitement flashing across his face.
"It's been a long time since I threw a punch that satisfying."
He looked at Hela as she slowly stood up, shock written across her face.
"Didn't you wonder why I came to the Realm of the Dead with Thor?"
"It's because only here can I fight without restraint—without worrying about destroying everything around me."
"I've been holding back for far too long. It was unbearable."
As he spoke, a terrifying aura exploded from Lucas's body.
Flame-like energy surged violently around him, the pressure whipping the air into expanding rings that spread outward in all directions.
Cracks began forming beneath his feet as the aura continued to climb.
And this was Hel—the Realm of the Dead—where the material density and hardness far exceeded that of Earth.
"What… are you?" Hela demanded, staring at him as his presence skyrocketed.
"Me?" Lucas grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.
"I'm just an ordinary Saiyan from Earth."
He calmly removed his upper clothing and tossed it toward Thor, who had just been jolted awake by the overwhelming pressure.
Lucas's exposed physique was flawless—every muscle line sharp and powerful, each part of his body radiating overwhelming strength.
Hela's eyes narrowed, deep wariness surfacing within them.
She had conquered the Nine Realms without defeat.
She had annihilated the Valkyrie army alone.
There were few sights she had not seen.
Yet aside from Odin in his prime, she had never encountered anyone whose presence felt this oppressive.
Lucas might not match Odin at his absolute peak—but he had already reached a level where he could stand as her equal.
"Why must you help Odin?" Hela asked slowly.
"He's already old and fading. Why not work with me instead?"
"Together, we could suppress the Nine Realms… and then conquer the universe."
Hela was no fool like Thor.
She and Lucas had no direct conflict of interest.
Trying to draw him into her camp was the most rational move.
"Enough talk," Lucas said, rolling his neck.
"I didn't come to Hel to cooperate with you."
"I came because this is one of the few places where I can finally fight properly."
"You're a decent opponent—at least I don't have to worry about killing you by accident."
Hela's eye twitched slightly.
She was not known for her patience, and after being provoked repeatedly, she abandoned all restraint.
Raising both hands, she brushed back her hair.
A helmet adorned with twisting, jagged horns formed instantly upon her head.
With another motion, two long swords appeared in her hands, glowing with eerie green light.
"If you insist on seeking death," she said coldly,
"then i will grant it!"
Whoosh!
Hela vanished, transforming into a streak of green lightning that shot straight toward Lucas.
"Perfect!"
Lucas laughed loudly. His aura flared violently as he drove a straight punch forward.
A massive burst of energy erupted from his fist, roaring toward the charging Hela.
Just before the beam struck, five swords snapped into position before her, forming a rapidly spinning, cone-shaped barrier.
Buzz—
The energy blast slammed into the rotating cone and was shredded apart, scattering violently in all directions.
"I am Hela," she roared,
"the Goddess of Death of Asgard!"
The spinning sword-cone carried her forward without slowing, closing the distance to Lucas in an instant.
Lucas sneered.
"So what if you're Asgard's death goddess?"
His right hand clenched into a fist and slammed straight into the tip of the rotating cone.
Clang!
A deafening shockwave exploded outward, visible ripples tearing through the air and even ripping loose dust from the hyper-dense ground of Hel.
The five swords shattered apart instantly under the impact.
And then—
Lucas's other hand shot forward, reaching straight for Hela.