Russell ignored President Loki as the system's input prompts rang in his ears.
[Entry Plundering has been Completed]
[Frost Bloodline - Low Level]
[Frost Blood...]
[Frost...]
[Viking Bloodline (White)]
A mutated bloodline of Earthmen infected by Odin's power. It grants a strong body - three times the strength of an ordinary human - and a violent personality.
[Frost...]
[Trick - Low Level (White) A basic skill for making plans and conspiracies, though they often contain loopholes. ]
[ Electronic Music Master 🎵 (White) Gives the ability to use various electronic instruments. ]
[Submission]
[Submission]
[Submission]
[Hammer Expert (White) Gives you the ability to use a hammer as a weapon.]
[Playing Dead (Blue) An advanced ability to convincingly fake death.]
[Playing...]
[Low-level combat]
[Deceive...]
---------------
President Loki knelt on the ground, shaking. The longer he stayed there, the more frightened he became.
'Couldn't this boss at least decide my fate faster?'
Each passing second felt like an eternity of torture.
Finally, he couldn't help but look up, only to see a cold, threatening face. He quickly lowered his gaze and silently prayed for Odin's protection.
He felt that this time it might really be the end - not the kind of playful death that Lokis usually survived.
Russell checked the entries.
[Submission...]
[Playing Dead...]
[Frost...]
[Ice...]
He frowned, his voice dripping with contempt.
"I hate Frost Giants."
Not only was it another collection of trash abilities, but there was no trace of illusion magic. None of these Lokis had anything of value.
"Trash among trash."
Just then, a faint voice spoke up:
"Y-yes... I hate Frost Giants too."
Russell looked down to see President Loki looking up at him with a flattering smile.
Russell, debating whether this Loki's submission ability was effective, decided to give him a chance.
"Can you find Lokis who can use Illusion magic for me?"
Russell's strategy today had been to lure out a Loki with Illusion magic abilities, but he couldn't rely on this tactic every day. Overuse would increase the risk of accidents. After all, he still couldn't resist Alioth.
President Loki froze for a moment at the request before nodding frantically, like a chicken pecking at grain.
"Yes! Yes! I can find Lokis who can use Illusion magic!"
As he spoke, a bitter realization hit him.
When he first met this terrifying man, knowing Illusion Magic had been a prerequisite for survival.
'I could've left then!'
His regret was palpable, but now it was too late.
Just then, President Loki saw Russell's eyes change to a molten gold color. It was as if his gaze pierced his very soul.
At that moment, he felt something terrifyingly familiar - almost like the oppressive aura of Odin himself.
The weight of it made him tremble even more.
"I swear I'm not lying!" he stammered. "I can't find Lokis directly, but I know this plain and this city well. I can search effectively!"
Russell's molten gold pupils disappeared, but the oppressive aura remained.
"Then why is your team so small? Shouldn't it be larger?"
President Loki hesitated before answering awkwardly.
"Not all Lokis agree to participate."
"And... we don't win every time. At our peak, I had over twenty Loki under me, but battles dwindle the numbers. This current group has only recently been formed."
He looked even more embarrassed as he continued.
"Usually, I evaluate the targets first. For example, Viking Loki thought we had an easy target this time, so we came here."
"Of course, my assessments aren't always correct. If we are in real danger, I run."
He winced as he said it.
If this were a normal situation, I would have fled long ago.
But this time, the big guy was too terrifying, and the rest of the Loki saw the danger, too. Their instinctive response? Betrayal and flight.
Ironically, his slower reaction might have saved him. Those who fled quickly were already reduced to ashes.
Russell's gaze pinned him down like a physical weight.
"You have one day. If you can't find a Loki with Illusion magic..."
He let the words hang ominously before finishing, "Believe me, turning to ashes would be a merciful end."
President Loki nodded so fervently that his head might have fallen off.
Night had fallen.
Russell had no immediate plans to act. He leaned back in his chair and asked casually:
"You look like Loki from the Sacred Timeline. Were you raised in Asgard?"
"Why don't you know Illusion magic? Didn't Frigga teach you?"
President Loki's face flushed with embarrassment as he explained.
"In my timeline, Asgard didn't have that kind of magic.
"As a child, I was too playful, and as I grew older, I wasn't interested in magic."
"When I realized I'd never sit on the Allfather's throne, I went to Earth and ran for president."
His tone grew indignant as he added:
"I even became Mayor of New York! But then the TVA showed up!"
"Those despicable agents didn't even give me a chance to explain before they prune me!"
"I'm a good man, damn it!"
Russell gave him a sideways glance, unimpressed.
"Sure, you're a good person, just like the TVA crowned me Lord of Time."
He closed his eyes, signaling that the conversation was over.
'Let's see what this Loki can do tomorrow. Hopefully he proves useful.'