The Ground Was Too Cold, So She Got Heatstroke

Clang! Clang!

Urd's body rose and fell as the longsword in her hand launched a relentless rapid assault. Afterimages of sword light filled the air, scattering icy glints that enveloped Thor from head to toe.

Blooms of blood burst across Thor's body. He had already done everything he could to block, but the difference in speed was far too great. One hammer could not protect his entire body, and before long, he had been reduced to a blood-soaked mess.

According to the arena's rules, victory would be decided as soon as either side fell.

In other words, Thor only needed to lie down on the ground to end this one-sided beating.

But if he really did that, he would not be Thor. Glory filled the arena, and he did not want a miserable ending in disgrace.

In that regard, Thor and Hela were exactly alike.

Loki would not be. If it were him, he would definitely lie down and refuse to get back up as long as nobody beat him to death.

So among the three of them, Russell thought most highly of Loki. A ruler had to endure what ordinary people could not. If he could not bear even this much humiliation, how could he accomplish anything great?

Russell himself could not manage it. He was not cut out to be a ruler, could not learn Loki's patience, and his head was not as hard as Thor's or Hela's. He could not stubbornly fight to the bitter end.

So if he could not win, he ran. If he could not run, he cheated!

Boom!

A muffled thunderclap exploded as Thor swung his hammer in a wide arc at the sword light stabbing toward him like a downpour. The howling pressure blasted apart the stagnant air.

At this point, Thor