Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Miserable Loki!

Germany, Stuttgart.

Having successfully secured the scientist’s retinal scan, Loki did not hesitate to don his Asgardian armor, his antlered helm gleaming as he unleashed beams of light, reducing the fleeing guests to clouds of dust. His rampage was every bit befitting the title of Loki, the God of Mischief.

He strode leisurely out of the hall, and at the sight of the approaching police cars, Loki swung his scepter with a casual flick—one strike and the vehicles exploded and tumbled, gouging a scorched black trail across the pavement before coming to rest a mere ten centimeters from his feet.

A wicked smile curled at the corner of Loki’s lips as he brought the scepter down with a sudden crash.

“Kneel!”

The scepter amplified Loki’s voice until it thundered above the tumult of the street.

That resplendent armor, that godlike bearing, and the display of terrifying might compelled the panic-stricken crowd to halt involuntarily, falling to one knee upon the ground. Or rather, it was the oppressive presence of Asgardian divinity that forced them to submit.

“Isn’t this so much simpler?” Loki mocked with delight. “Weren’t you born for this?”

“This is a truth you humans have never spoken aloud. The lure of freedom has robbed you of happiness in your lives…”

Loki spoke in measured tones, expounding his warped philosophy.

All the while, the scepter in his hand betrayed not the slightest magical fluctuation; it was as if every word he uttered sprang from his truest beliefs.

Faster even than S.H.I.E.L.D., Haoyun arrived, concealing his armor and kneeling quietly among the crowd. He was curious—what was Loki’s true aim in orchestrating this scene in the original story? Was he seeking to subjugate ordinary humans? To found a cult of the Mad God?

But now, it seemed Loki was simply indulging himself. More than anything, he wanted to be a king, to prove himself superior to his brother Thor—even if only for a moment.

“But not to the likes of you!”

At the very center of the crowd, an old man struggled shakily to his feet, his voice trembling with defiance.

“I am unique.”

Loki barely restrained the urge to blast him with a laser, attempting instead to assert his own uniqueness with words.

But the old man, having stepped forth, had clearly set his life aside.

“There have been many men as shameless as you.”

Loki’s eye twitched. To be challenged by a mere mortal—an old man who could barely stand—how could an Asgardian god’s pride endure it?

He raised his scepter, intent on teaching the old man a lesson.

Haoyun’s electric sensors fanned out. Damn it, where was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Quinjet? He had to save the old man. He reminded Haoyun of Uncle Ben—perhaps he could never be the saint the old man spoke of, but he would always respect such people. That was why so many protagonists, regardless of their alignment, would always try to save Ben Parker upon arriving in the Marvel world.

“Look at this old man—he shall be your example!”

Without mercy, Loki unleashed a laser beam—this time, there was no Captain America’s shield to intercept it, but a white shield of light materialized, protecting the old man.

Haoyun rose quietly, his tower shield melting away and merging back into his suit.

“Loki, this is Earth, not Asgard!”

“Oh? And who’s this? Some youngster barely come of age?” Loki sneered, shifting his scepter to aim at Haoyun. “You couldn’t even defeat a single set of Asgardian armor, yet you dare oppose a god?”

“A set of armor?” Haoyun chuckled. “Loki, you’re too young. You don’t even understand your own Asgardian power, yet you dare stir up trouble on Earth? I must admit, you’re bolder than I imagined!”

With that, Haoyun could not be bothered to argue further. Under the control of his electric powers, the nanobots swarmed from his suit, forming a black chain that whipped toward Loki.

Loki held his ground, his scepter firing high-energy lasers that forced Haoyun back.

At that moment, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Quinjet finally arrived overhead. Captain America leapt from the hatch, and as Loki’s attention was diverted by Haoyun, the Avenger crashed down from above, slamming his shield squarely into Loki’s face.

Haoyun couldn’t help but click his tongue—what a hit! Loki’s features were practically rearranged. So brutal!

“Damn you, soldier!” Loki was clearly incensed by the assault. He flipped to his feet, slamming his scepter down and multiplying into a host of illusory doubles, all firing lasers at once.

Unfortunately for him, though Loki’s illusion magic was exceptional, against Captain America—a man who could fight any foe to a standstill and seemed to run on cheat codes—there was no easy victory to be found. Pure reflex allowed the Captain to locate the real laser’s trajectory, blocking with his shield and sending the shot ricocheting back at Loki, knocking him back over a meter and dispelling every phantom.

“Damn you, soldier!”

Humiliated twice in quick succession, Loki’s fury boiled over. He charged Captain America, scepter swinging, and the two engaged at close quarters—fist against shield, blow for blow. Loki’s divine strength gave him the edge, but the Captain’s fighting prowess ensured he held his own. Each strike landed with bone-jarring force; the battle was relentless.

After only a few exchanges, dark circles ringed Captain America’s eyes, while Loki’s face was mottled with fresh bruises. They were fighting in earnest now.

“Loki, put down your weapon and surrender immediately…”

From above, Natasha piloted the Quinjet, opening its weapons bay and issuing a stern warning.

“Get lost!” Loki roared, seizing an opening to kick Captain America aside and fire another laser skyward. Fortunately, Natasha’s reflexes were sharp; she maneuvered the Quinjet aside just in time, sparing the expensive aircraft from destruction.

At a distance, Haoyun could bear it no longer. How much longer would this fight drag on? He had dinner with his mother Angel that evening!

Clicks and whirrs sounded as his armor transformed, a three-meter-long electromagnetic cannon materializing on his arm. Now, bolstered by his Asgardian physique, Haoyun used only half his strength, yet the electromagnetic force within the barrel already surpassed what he’d used against the Destroyer by fivefold.

Arcs of electricity crackled along his arm and the cannon, the sheer power warping and damaging the debris around him.

“Loki, surrender now, or I will attack!” Haoyun issued his final warning, aiming the cannon squarely at Loki.

Seizing the moment of Loki’s shock, Captain America slammed his shield into Loki’s face once more, then gave him a sly kick to the abdomen before retreating to Haoyun’s side.

Haoyun’s lips twitched. Never again would he believe Captain America was simply a straightforward man! No one survived the meat grinder of World War II on strength alone. The honorable soldier died on the front lines—the cunning one endured.

“I surrender.”

Loki, sprawled on the ground, allowed the light of his armor to fade and obediently raised his hands in defeat. The marks of Captain America’s shield were still fresh on his face—even his proud, high-bridged nose seemed a little flattened.