Chapter 320 - 161: The Space Stone, Mjolnir’s Test! (Part 2)

Chapter 320: Chapter 161: The Space Stone, Mjolnir’s Test! (Part 2)

A loose linen shirt was stretched tightly over his beer belly, its hem stained with stale alcohol. His left eye was covered by a black patch, while the exposed right eye was incredibly cloudy, as if shrouded by a thick Norwegian sea fog. The once-burning light of thunder had been reduced to the aimless confusion of a lingering hangover.

Three or four empty beer cans lay scattered at his feet. As the sea breeze blew, a heavy stench of booze emanated from his body. It was as if all his vitality and spirit had been drained, leaving behind only the heavy sorrow of a hero in his twilight years.

Alex walked straight toward him, his gaze as calm as still water.

"Thor Odinson!"

Alex’s voice carried clearly through the sea breeze, devoid of any superfluous pleasantries.

"I have come for the Space Stone."

Thor slowly raised his solitary eye, sweeping his gaze over Alex. He showed no surprise; rather, it seemed he had expected this all along.

He grumbled deep in his throat, bending down to pick up a metal flask by his feet. Unscrewing the cap, he took a fierce gulp. The liquor dripped down the corner of his mouth to his chin, but he couldn’t care less.

A strong scent of ale filled the air. He didn’t answer directly; instead, he simply jutted his chin toward the hammer planted in the sand before him.

The hammer of the Thunder God, Mjolnir.

The silver-gray Uru metal hammerhead gleamed coldly under the gloomy sky. The leather wrapped around its handle was long worn out, revealing the texture beneath.

It was embedded barely half an inch into the sand, yet the surrounding ground was compacted incredibly tight, as if this seemingly light weapon carried the weight of a thousand mountains.

"I saw everything just now!"

Thor’s voice was as hoarse as if his vocal cords had been rubbed with sandpaper. It carried a heavy nasal tone and a weariness that bordered on self-mockery.

Thor parted his lips, revealing a bitter yet somewhat playful smile. He tapped his finger toward the hammer on the ground.

"Asgard is gone, but the rules of the divine race remain. The Space Stone is one of the six Infinity Stones; it’s not something just anyone can take simply because they want it."

He paused, his single eye suddenly narrowing. A sharp, scrutinizing glint pierced through the cloudiness in his pupil.

"You want it? Fine."

He dragged out his words, his gaze locked dead onto Alex.

"Pick it up!"

Alex’s gaze fell upon the handle. He was naturally well-aware of the legends surrounding this hammer.

The enchantment carved by Odin himself.

"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."

This was never a simple test of strength, but a judgment of worthiness. It tested the purity of one’s heart, the nobility of their character, their will to protect, and the heavy burden of a king.

By making this demand now, Thor was displaying a kind of stubborn persistence. It was both a final tribute to Asgard’s lost glory and a trial of Alex’s qualifications.

If he were an evil person, it would be physically impossible for him to lift Mjolnir.

"I only need the Space Stone!"

Alex’s tone remained flat, though it faintly revealed his impatience at being delayed by these rules. He didn’t consider himself a pure or entirely kind-hearted person, making it highly unlikely for him to gain the approval of Mjolnir.

Furthermore, he had to hurry to gather the other Infinity Stones and break Athena’s True Spirit brand. Where would he find the time to waste on a hammer’s trial?

"Rules are rules."

Thor took another swig, splashing more than half of the flask’s contents onto the ground. His tone carried the obstinance of a man who had nothing left to lose.

"This is Asgard’s final dignity..."

..

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