Capítulo 183: C179
Ordinary people would probably faint on the spot if the Hulk glared at them like this.
Leon, however, didn't take it seriously at all and even stared back. The frightened Hulk shrank back, lowered his head in an aggrieved manner, and quietly ate his food.
Though Hulk is filled with rage most of the time, he instinctively resorts to violence only when he feels extremely insecure. Violence is his way of ensuring psychological safety.
But now, with a large group of friends, Hulk has no reason to act out. Moreover, his beastly instincts detect an unprecedented sense of danger emanating from Leon. Hulk is no fool—he knows better than to provoke the big boss.
"Is this the hell you're talking about, the one I'm thinking of?" Natasha asked, her captivating eyes fixed on Leon.
"Uh-huh. Don't you all know about that place called Hell? I even exchanged greetings with the Demon Lord Mephisto himself."
"Although I said hello, my impression of that meeting wasn't exactly great," Pietro muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
On that fateful trip to Texas, Pietro had met some fascinating companions before running into Mephisto. That encounter turned into an earth-shattering battle he would never forget. Mephisto's immense power still haunted his memories, as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.
If not for Leon, he had no idea how they would've survived that terrifying ordeal.
And now, Leon wanted to lead them back to Hell.
"Let's be clear: Hell is chaotic, but beneath all that chaos lies the perfect place for you at this stage," Leon explained with calm confidence.
"Aha. So, we're going to war with a bunch of demons now? Sounds... thrilling. Thanks a lot, Boss Leon," Sergei remarked with a mix of helplessness and sarcasm. He knew better than to defy Leon's will but still couldn't resist a little complaint.
That said, deep down, Sergei was genuinely excited. For someone like him, who thrived on fighting and the pursuit of strength, the prospect of confronting mysterious and powerful demons was exhilarating.
"You're welcome. Trust me, you'll love this trip," Leon said, laughing unreservedly.
Hell seems mysterious at first glance, but in reality, Leon had already uncovered much of its secrets. Using the coordinates Mephisto had given him and the advanced scanning capabilities of the Sky Blade, he had mapped nearly the entire hell dimension. Except for a few areas shielded by mysterious powers, most of Hell wasn't much different from the rest of the universe.
Hell had its own forces, factions, battles, mercenaries, and even taverns issuing tasks. Some tourist areas even had... less reputable establishments. It was both simple and complex, a paradox in its structure.
But one thing was universally clear about Hell: power ruled. Without sufficient strength, you'd be devoured—literally. On the other hand, those with great power could enjoy privileges and opportunities that were unparalleled, even in Hell.
"That's why," Leon said, addressing the group, "before the journey to Hell begins, you all need to strengthen yourselves. Oh, and by the way—Wanda isn't coming with us."
"What?! How am I supposed to survive without Wanda?!" Pietro wailed dramatically.
He wasn't alone; Sergei and the others joined in, loudly voicing their dissatisfaction.
Leon, however, remained unmoved.
As if. Taking Wanda to Hell in her current state would only spell disaster. With her chaos magic and soul so uniquely attuned to otherworldly energies, she'd undoubtedly draw the attention of some of Hell's most powerful demons. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Leon had firmly decided to leave her out of this expedition.
When Wanda heard the news, she felt a pang of disappointment. But as her gaze swept over the group of men loudly bemoaning her absence, a mischievous smile played on her lips.
"Well," she said sweetly, her tone dripping with mock innocence, "I hope I won't have to collect your bodies when this is over."
Her words sent chills through the group. As expected, they all shivered in fear, much to Wanda's delight. She burst into laughter, her melodic voice filling the air.
The beach was alive with laughter, banter, and a sense of camaraderie. After the barbecue and hours of mingling, the group finally disbanded. Sergei, Pietro, and the others, fueled by a sudden sense of urgency, hurried off to prepare for intense training. They knew they had little time to grow stronger before venturing into Hell.
Meanwhile, Leon stood alone on the island's cliff, gazing at the setting sun. The fiery hues of dusk painted the horizon, their reflection dancing in his eyes. Dressed casually in a shirt and shorts, he seemed to be waiting for something—or someone.
He didn't have to wait long.
As the sun dipped below the sea's edge, the world seemed to pause. A vast and overwhelming power filled the air, making the very atmosphere tremble. Time slowed to a crawl—hundreds, perhaps thousands, of times slower than usual.
Yet Leon stood unaffected, fully aware in this altered reality. Slowly, he turned to look behind him.
At some point, an old man had appeared. He was clad in regal attire unlike anything from Earth, his right eye shielded by a golden eyepatch. His white hair glistened in the fading sunlight, and his ruddy face radiated both dignity and an intimidating, unshakable authority. The man carried a spear—ornate and exquisite—in his right hand.
"Just as the Ancient One foretold," the old man said, his deep voice carrying a weight that seemed to echo across dimensions. "Your presence has irreversibly altered the course of this universe's future. Tell me, child, who are you?"
"Odin, King of the Gods," Leon greeted, his tone even.
He didn't elaborate further, but his eyes flickered subtly. A profound, vast power—indescribable yet commanding—suddenly surged from within him, restoring the slowed flow of time to normal.
Odin's single golden eye gleamed with a flash of lightning as he sensed this mysterious and potent force.
A faint smile crossed the All-Father's calm and confident face.
"You are truly remarkable. Even I cannot perceive the full extent of what supports you," Odin said, his voice deep and resonant. "It is unlike any greatness I've encountered before—something entirely different, something... mysterious."
Odin took a step forward, his regal stride carrying him to the cliff's edge. He gazed out over the vast, unending ocean, its surface shimmering in the dying light of dusk.
Leon turned as well, moving to stand beside the All-Father. With a small, wry smile, he said, "Should I feel honored?"
"No," Odin replied, shaking his head faintly. "Perhaps it is I who should feel honored. Yet it is a shame—I lack the time to uncover the mystery behind you."
Odin's voice, deep as thunder, carried the weight of his divine majesty. Yet beneath it, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of weariness.
"Or perhaps," Odin mused, "you are the mystery yourself."
Leon chuckled softly, his expression enigmatic. "Who knows?" he replied, neither confirming nor denying the thought.
The two gods stood side by side in contemplative silence, watching as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. The world grew dimmer, the last vestiges of light fading into the vast sea.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Odin broke the silence.
...
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