[Starting as a Class 5 Mutant] Chapter 372/373 (Patreon)

The black-clad men standing by Xu Wenwu radiated confidence.

With the power of the Ten Rings, they believed their leader could defeat even Thor, a member of the Avengers. Their confidence stemmed from years of victories won by Xu Wenwu and their unwavering faith in the Rings' might.

Before Hela could speak, Fandral, standing next to Thor, stepped forward and addressed Xu Wenwu. "Hand over the Ten Rings. Such a weapon is not meant for a mere mortal like you."

Hela and the others immediately grasped the Asgardians' true purpose.

A flicker of mockery flashed in Hela's eyes as she remarked dryly, "So, you've come for the Ten Rings."

The black-clad men behind Xu Wenwu exchanged angry glances and muttered amongst themselves.

"I thought they were here for something important, but they're after the leader's Ten Rings?"

"It's no surprise. The Rings are so powerful that even Asgardians would covet them."

"And calling us mere mortals unworthy—what a joke. They just want to steal the Rings!"

Hearing these comments, Fandral frowned.

Xu Wenwu smirked. "If you want the Ten Rings, defeat me first!"

He assumed a combat stance, and the ten golden bracelets on his arms lit up with a dazzling blue glow.

"I must admit, I'm curious," Xu Wenwu said, his gaze fixed on Thor. "Let's see what kind of monster Hela's little brother truly is."

With a confident grin, he added, "Soon, I'll show Hela that her so-called monstrous brother, who can destroy everything, is nothing to me."

Without hesitation, Xu Wenwu made the first move.

With a flick of his right hand, five rings shot forward.

The Warriors Three tensed as the rings hurtled toward them with incredible speed, their impact rippling through the air.

Fandral swung his sword, intercepting two of the rings.

Bang!

The force of the impact sent a shudder through his weapon, forcing him back two steps.

As one of the Warriors Three, even Fandral couldn't hide his shock at the Rings' power.

"Be careful, Thor! These things are powerful!" he shouted, glancing back just in time to see Thor flung backward by the other three rings.

Crash!

Thor hit the ground with a resounding thud, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

"Thor!"
"Your Highness!"

Sif and the others cried out in alarm.

The five rings returned to Xu Wenwu's arms as he turned to Hela with a mocking smile. "Your brother isn't as impressive as you made him out to be."

The black-clad men burst into laughter, their initial skepticism replaced by amusement.

"This Hela really loves to exaggerate. What monster? What destroyer of worlds? Hilarious!"

"Thor can't even stand up to our leader. What a joke!"

Gritting his teeth, Thor stood and muttered angrily, "If my hammer wasn't destroyed, you wouldn't be acting so smug."

Electricity crackled around him as his eyes turned a glowing blue-white. Lightning arced across his body, startling Sif and the others.

"What's this?"
"Has he awakened his divine power?"

A triumphant smile spread across Thor's face. "Now, let's continue!"

Electrified and brimming with power, Thor charged at Xu Wenwu.

Startled, Xu Wenwu instinctively launched five rings from his right arm.

Whoosh!

Thor raised his hand, summoning bolts of lightning to intercept the incoming rings.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The rings' momentum faltered, and Thor easily swatted them aside. They spun back to Xu Wenwu's arms.

The sight left everyone stunned—Xu Wenwu, the Warriors Three, the black-clad men, and even Hela.

Thor's strength, even without Mjolnir, was astonishing.

Realizing this, Xu Wenwu's confidence wavered slightly. No wonder Hela had described her brother as a monster capable of destruction.

"Still, he's no match for me!" Xu Wenwu declared, extending both arms as all ten rings flew forward.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Under his command, the rings attacked Thor relentlessly. Even with his newfound power, Thor struggled without his hammer.

Bang!

A ring struck Thor square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground once more.

The black-clad men cheered, their leader's dominance reaffirmed.

"Leader, you're incredible! Thor is no match for you!"
"Hela must've been joking when she called him a monster. He's nothing compared to our leader!"
"With the Ten Rings, no one can defeat you!"

As they praised Xu Wenwu, he directed the rings for another attack.

Fandral and the others leaped into action, engaging Xu Wenwu to buy Thor time.

Clang! Clang!

Even the Ten Rings couldn't overwhelm the combined efforts of Valkyrie and the Warriors Three. Xu Wenwu's attacks were deflected repeatedly.

Seeing this, the black-clad men charged into the fray to assist their leader.

Despite their initial dismissal of the grunts, the Asgardians found themselves struggling due to the Rings' interference.

Meanwhile, Thor rose to his feet, lightning surging around him. He charged into the black-clad men, scattering them like leaves in a storm.

"Ahhh!"
"Help!"

With Thor's reentry into the fight, the tide began to turn.

Xu Wenwu, now facing an electrified Thor and five other Asgardians, no longer looked so confident.

(End of Chapter)

Hela, standing a dozen meters away, was about to rush forward to assist Xu Wenwu when the woman in the straw hat stopped her.

"Hela, wait," the woman said.

Hela turned to her, puzzled.

"Take these before you go." The woman handed her a set of armor, a shield, and a spear. "These are crafted from the remains of a mysterious creature. They can resist mystical powers," she explained briefly.

Hela nodded her thanks, hurriedly donned the armor, and picked up the shield and spear. Once equipped, she charged into the fray.

Her arrival elicited mixed reactions.

"Hela?" Xu Wenwu smiled faintly.

Valkyrie's eyes glinted coldly, while Fandral and the others frowned.

Though wary of Hela, they relaxed somewhat, knowing she had lost her godly powers.

"Hela, surely you don't think you still have your old strength?" Valkyrie taunted, sword in hand.

"Why don't you find out?" Hela retorted with a smirk.

Their clash began.

As they fought, both Hela and Valkyrie found themselves surprised.

Hela was amazed at how effective her new equipment was, while Valkyrie was shocked at Hela's fighting prowess despite her loss of divine power.

Though Valkyrie was already weakened from her earlier fight with the Ten Rings and bore a few injuries, she hadn't expected Hela to fight her to a standstill—or even gain an edge.

Hela's movements carried a strange power, a newfound skill that seemed to overwhelm Valkyrie.

As their battle raged, Xu Wenwu and his men felt the pressure lessen without Valkyrie's presence, stabilizing the situation.

After more than a minute of stalemate, a heavy thud drew everyone's attention.

Turning to look, they saw Hela standing with her shield and spear, while Valkyrie lay on the ground.

"You've lost," Hela declared, her spear pointed at Valkyrie's throat.

"Valkyrie!" Thor and the others exclaimed in disbelief.

The idea that Valkyrie, a warrior of legend, could lose to a now-mortal Hela was unthinkable.

Faced with Hela's notorious ruthlessness, they feared the worst.

Valkyrie herself remained calm, meeting Hela's gaze. "Go on, finish it," she said.

Her thoughts drifted to the fallen Valkyries who had died at Hela's hands. Was she about to join them?

But to everyone's surprise, Hela remained calm and said, "This fight is over. Take your people and return to Asgard. Do not invade this place again."

She withdrew her spear.

The words stunned everyone—Thor, Valkyrie, Heimdall watching from afar, and even Odin, observing in secret.

Hela had chosen mercy?

No one was more shocked than Valkyrie herself.

Springing into action, Valkyrie knocked Hela over and pinned her to the ground, her hand tightening around Hela's throat.

"When did the ruthless Goddess of Death become so sentimental?" she sneered.

"Hela!" Xu Wenwu cried, preparing to send the Ten Rings to assist.

Before he could act, Valkyrie's sword rested against Hela's neck, forcing him to hesitate.

Hela coughed lightly and said, "I've just realized a few things."

"Like my father once said, gods who disregard life have no right to rule over death."

The area fell silent.

Thor and the others were stunned, unable to believe the words coming from Hela's mouth.

"Life?" Valkyrie scoffed. "I don't believe you. Repent in Hel!"

She raised her sword to strike, but before she could, a black crown emitting a faint white glow flew in from the distance.

In a flash, it landed on Hela's head, releasing a massive column of platinum-white light that enveloped her and sent Valkyrie flying.

The dazzling beam left everyone stunned.

When the light faded, Hela floated in the air, transformed.

Her black-green battle attire was replaced by radiant white armor, and she exuded a divine and untouchable presence.

"What's happening?"

"What has she become?"

Thor and the others were shocked.

Even Hela was taken aback, glancing at herself in wonder.

She could feel it—she was no longer the Goddess of Death. She had become something else entirely.

A goddess of freedom, hope, or perhaps justice?

The aura surrounding her was so overwhelming that Thor and the others found it hard to breathe.

In the next instant, shining weapons appeared, descending like a storm and pinning her opponents in place.

The display left everyone in awe.

Hela descended gracefully, her expression calm. "It's over. Return to Asgard."

Thor, even with his awakened power, felt a wave of despair. There was no doubt—they were utterly outmatched.

Even Xu Wenwu, equipped with the Ten Rings, felt the futility of resistance.

Just as everyone thought the battle had ended, a golden portal appeared in the sky.

Through it floated a figure clad in white, their expression serene as they surveyed the scene.

Everyone stared in astonishment.

"Who is he?" Xu Wenwu asked in surprise.

Hela's expression turned grave, a rare sight given her newfound strength.

"He's my brother," she replied solemnly.

"What? Your brother?" Xu Wenwu was dumbfounded. "I thought your brother was Thor!"

(End of Chapter)

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