A Grand and Dazzling Spectacle

"The Sun Chariot? That's Sól's legendary Sun Chariot!"

The moment the Sun Chariot appeared, someone in the conference room murmured in recognition.

As one of the Five Nordic Countries, Iceland had many Christians, but plenty of people still believed in the Norse gods. Compared with an imported faith like Christianity, Icelanders felt a deeper affinity for gods rooted in their own culture.

So when the Sun Chariot appeared, they recognized the famed Divine Artifact of Norse Mythology.

"The two celestial steeds pulling it must be Arvak and Alsvid. Legend says that although the Sun God Sól blazes with light, she doesn't shine directly upon the earth. It's Arvak and Alsvid who carry that radiance across the world."

"Who's driving the Sun Chariot? Is it Sól? If it is, Reykjavik is saved."

The great serpent Jormungandr was terrifying, but Sól was a god. With Arvak and Alsvid beside her, it would be three against one. How could they lose?

"No, that's not Sól. That's the man who barged into our conference room earlier."

The Sun Chariot tore through layer after layer of white cloud as it descended from the heavens. Its dazzling light drew inward, revealing its driver—a man with rugged features, gray-blue eyes, and a thick beard.

"It's him."

In the conference room, Anderson Streicher stared at the man, his emotions in turmoil.

Ever since the man had burst into the conference room and sent Vice President Jacob flying off to who knew where with a wave of his hand, Anderson had imagined him to be extraordinarily powerful.

But seeing him arrive in the Sun Chariot like a god, Anderson realized the man's power exceeded anything he had imagined.

The man gave the reins a slight tug, bringing the two Heavenly Steeds to a halt. Stern-faced, he called out in a voice that rang across all Reykjavik: "Turn away and close your eyes!"

Anderson Streicher immediately squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head.

He had no idea why the man had told them to close their eyes, but obeying seemed wise.

Anderson obeyed. Many others stood frozen where they were.

So when a vast, blazing sun rose and flooded the world with boundless light and heat, its glare left everyone who looked straight at it temporarily blind.

"The... the sun."

"Ah! My eyes..."

"I can't see anything!"

"..."

Across Reykjavik, people clutched their eyes and screamed.

Jiang Hao paid them no mind. He focused all his strength on wielding his authority over the sun, imitating the Eternal Blazing Sun—the fury the Lord of Dawn had once unleashed in another world.

The blazing sun overhead grew ever hotter and brighter. Its light and heat even eclipsed the true sun on the horizon.

Clop, clop!

Flames engulfed the celestial steeds Arvak and Alsvid. Together, they strained forward and hauled the blazing sun down from the heavens.

Where it passed, the wind fell still and the clouds evaporated.

In the ocean, the great serpent Jormungandr seemed to sense its end approaching. It raised its colossal head and roared furiously at the blazing sun, then plunged into the unfathomable depths and fled.

Then the blazing sun struck the ocean.

In the next instant, the waters where the Atlantic Ocean met the Arctic Ocean boiled. Seemingly endless steam rose between sea and sun, only to vanish just as quickly.

The enormous sun struck the still greater serpent, releasing enough energy to empty the sea. A vast hollow burned into the boundless ocean.

ROAR!

Wounded, Loki's son Jormungandr let out a frenzied roar of boundless rage and hatred. Ignoring its injuries, it fled toward deeper waters.

The man driving the Sun Chariot pursued the serpent for a while, but Jormungandr drew farther and farther away. At last, he stopped.

The grand and dazzling spectacle came to a pause!

The Russian Northern Fleet's Kirov Cruiser was patrolling the Atlantic Ocean when orders suddenly arrived from above: change course and head for the North Sea Fishing Grounds.

The intelligence report reached Commander Kudryash at the same time.

After reading it, Kudryash was dumbfounded.

An enormous sea monster?

The great serpent Jormungandr?

Are you sure this report is written in plain language and not some kind of code?

I know every word in it, so why does none of it make sense?

"Open the satellite communications system. I need to contact the base."

Kudryash gave the order from the command room.

The satellite link came online, connecting him to his superior and friend, Fyodorovich. Kudryash put his questions to him directly.

Fyodorovich's expression was grave. "According to the intelligence we've received, Jormungandr does exist. It just left Reykjavik. Our experts believe it will lie low in the North Sea Fishing Grounds. Your mission is to locate it and follow it. Reinforcements will arrive shortly."

"Yes, sir."

Kudryash's expression tightened, and he answered formally.

Fyodorovich's tone eased as he looked at his friend. "Your clearance isn't high enough for certain secrets, and regulations won't let me explain them. Just keep an eye on that serpent. Remember, your mission is to track it, not capture it. The Kirov Cruiser doesn't have the firepower for that."

"Yes, sir. I'll complete the mission."

No sooner had he spoken than the Kirov Cruiser began to rock. Kudryash stumbled several steps before regaining his balance.

"What's happening?" Kudryash demanded.

"The... the serpent!"

The communications officer grabbed onto a fixture, his voice hurried and panicked.

Kudryash's expression changed, and he looked out the window.

His pupils contracted. Reflected in his gray-blue eyes was a monstrous serpent of unimaginable size.

The monster sped through the ocean, its body seeming to split the blue waters in two. Its exposed slit-pupiled eye reflected the Kirov Cruiser, brimming with rage and hatred.

"...Quick! Change course! It's coming straight for us!"

Kudryash's heart lurched, and he shouted the warning.

ROAR!

Jormungandr bellowed in fury and charged without hesitation, slamming headfirst into the Kirov Cruiser.