Chapter 123: Without Thor, No Team
"Asgard already possesses the Tesseract. Having two Infinity Stones so close together is unwise. Therefore, I believe the Aether should be entrusted to someone capable of keeping it safe."
In the hall, Volstagg voiced his opinion, which was supported by many.
In a way, his argument made sense.
"However, the Aether is extremely dangerous. If another malevolent force, like the Dark Elves, were to acquire it and use its power to grow, it could lead to significant threats," Loki countered immediately.
"That's why we're seeking someone with the capability to guard it, such as Collector Taneleer Tivan from Knowhere."
The debate continued, and it was clear there was a reason for the guest's presence.
"There's no need for further argument." Thor interrupted, picking up the Aether. "Infinity Stones are tempting to many, whether one or two. Even if we send it away, others will attempt to collect it. For example, Thanos, the warlord."
"With the Aether included, there are already four Infinity Stones within the Nine Realms. Regardless of whether the Aether is present or not, Thanos will come for it eventually. Sending it away would only make it easier for him to obtain it. Although the Collector is powerful, he is still no match for Thanos."
Thor's words settled the matter, and no one disputed his points. The Aether and the Tesseract were stored together in the palace's vault.
Though Asgard resembled medieval Europe in appearance, it was actually highly advanced and not the autocratic monarchy people might imagine. Hence, even without Odin's direct involvement, things ran smoothly.
This is why Odin was confident in Thor, who was capable in battle. While Loki's political skills were high, his advantages in Asgard were less pronounced.
However, things had changed recently. Envoys from across the universe were visiting Asgard, and Thor could not engage with each one individually. Eventually, he became so overwhelmed that he chose to delegate the task to Loki.
At this moment, Loki's usefulness became evident...
"My brother, are you really going to leave this mess to me?" Loki stared, astonished, at the stack of reports before him, which covered everything from diplomacy with various planets to Asgard's post-war economic recovery...
"Don't you dream of becoming a king? I'm doing this for your own good, so you can experience the joys of kingship."
"Are you not worried about me causing trouble?"
Thor produced a small device and explained: "This device, when placed around your neck, cannot be removed. Pressing the remote control will deliver a hundred thousand volts of shock. I'll give it to Mother. If you prefer to die, I can install it for you."
It was a nifty gadget Thor had acquired from Grandmaster on Sakaar...
Loki nearly toppled the table...
With all the tedious tasks handed off to Loki, Thor felt relieved.
In this world of high martial prowess, where individual strength can outweigh entire nations, true power is tangible, and might is reality.
So what if you become a king? Without sufficient strength to back it up, even the greatest power can revert to nothing.
Just as in the past, Loki pretended to be Odin, making many moves and gaining several loyalists. Heimdall had been replaced by a bald character named Skurge... As soon as Thor returned, Skurge was reassigned to work as a cleaner.
Honestly, aside from Asgard, Thor's strength was such that, if he appeared on most planets, he could easily secure their submission. He could enjoy the benefits of kingship without the responsibilities—a very appealing situation...
Except, of course, for Earth, which was exceptionally well-protected by powerful beings.
With Asgard's matters settled, Thor shifted his focus back to Earth.
It had been over a month since he left Earth. The human experiments conducted by HYDRA should be nearing completion, right?
At the Avengers Headquarters, formerly the Stark Building, the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. were in discussion.
"Before Thor left, he warned me about the great risks of SOKOVIA's superpowers and advised against rushing into it," Nick Fury said seriously.
"However, it's been over a month. Who knows if he's been delayed by something?"
Stark was somewhat unconvinced. Without Thor, can't the team start without him? Is Iron Man so insignificant?
Everyone glanced at Nebula, who was attending the meeting in place of Jane Foster.
Although Nebula had a special connection with Thor, she generally refrained from discussing him to avoid suspicion.
Nebula hesitated but spoke up: "Half a month ago, His Highness sent me a letter saying that they are preparing for battle against a dark elf from another planet..."
---
Chapter 124: This Is The Most Embarrassing Quicksilver I Have Ever Seen
"Uh, although I really hope that Thor could return, it seems obviously unrealistic at this point."
Stark shrugged. "Thor is currently preoccupied with a major conflict."
Nick Fury hesitated. If Thor was truly caught up in the war, he probably wouldn't be able to come back. Should they let the Avengers handle it first?
Besides, the Avengers weren't under his command, so Stark and the others might act independently.
"If that's the case, we'll sneak into SOKOVIA's territory unnoticed, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents will provide cover for you."
"And then what?"
Nick Fury was momentarily taken aback, then looked at Thor outside the door with surprise.
"Wow, you're back so soon? How's the war going?" Stark joked. "Shall we go and provide support?"
"It's over," Thor replied with a smirk. "My father pierced the core of the planet with gungnir where the Dark Elves resided, destroyed it, and achieved victory."
Thor described the most terrifying event with the simplest words.
"Seriously!" Stark exclaimed. "Don't tell me that's true. Don't lie to me because I don't know much about universe!"
In an unusual moment, Steve didn't remind Stark to stop swearing.
In fact, not just S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, but even Nebula, who had seen much of the universe, widened her eyes in disbelief.
"What's so surprising?" Thor patted her on the head with a light smile. "Thanos once challenged my father for the Space Stone and ended up thoroughly defeated."
Nebula:
"Alright, let's set this issue aside and focus on HYDRA." Steve interrupted. "Since Thor is back, let's go destroy HYDRA in SOKOVIA together. Is that alright?"
"Agreed."
In a forested area on the outskirts of SOKOVIA, an old castle stood surrounded by a large number of armed soldiers patrolling the perimeter.
No one would have guessed that this was HYDRA's final stronghold, and they viewed it as their last hope for a comeback.
In the command room of the base, a bald man watched the screen in front of him with frantic intensity.
The screen showed two rooms.
In one room, a young man was moving around erratically, causing loud noises as he collided with objects.
In the other room, a girl in red with brown hair was manipulating streaks of red light that floated tables and chairs in the air with her gestures.
These two were the only survivors among hundreds of volunteers for HYDRA's human experiments.
"Beep beep..." Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the base.
"This isn't good, Master Strucker, we have an intruder!"
"Who is it?" Strucker asked sharply, still holding onto a glimmer of hope.
"It looks like the Avengers!"
!!!
Strucker's face turned pale, and he quickly made a decision. "Deploy all tanks and vehicles. We must stop them!"
He gritted his teeth and added, "Release the two test subjects. This time, I'll make sure the Avengers can't leave!"
"These soldiers' weapons look familiar!" Stark dodged an energy beam and fired back, whistling. "Since when did HYDRA acquire laser weapons?"
"They didn't just steal the Mind Stone; they also took a significant number of Chitauri weapons leftover from the New York battle," Steve replied grimly. With Pierce, the former director, cooperating internally, it was too easy for HYDRA to exploit S.H.I.E.L.D.
A tank in their path was abruptly overturned by the Hulk, who smashed it with its barrel like a meteor hammer.
A silver blur streaked by.
Hawkeye fired an arrow, but a figure rushed forward and knocked him to the ground.
Barton quickly lowered his bow and drew his dagger, but the opponent vanished before he could react.
He reviewed the intelligence report: "The individual exhibiting super-speed abilities is difficult to see with the naked eye. Approximately twenty years old, with short blond hair and white attire. Other abilities are unknown."
"Understood," Thor said as he continued walking. For others, the HYDRA base might seem like a perilous battleground, but for Thor, it was like walking on flat ground.
"It must be a super-powered individual with super-speed, similar to the Flash from the movies." In this world, aside from the Marvel universe, all movies and comics from Thor's previous life exist.
As soon as Thor finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared before him. Thor, caught off guard, had no time to react.
"Bang—" After a sharp collision, Thor looked down at the young man who had fainted on the ground, feeling speechless.
This was the most humiliating Quicksilver he had ever encountered.
---
Chapter 125: Witch Growth Plan
Quicksilver's speed was indeed so fast that Thor didn't even have time to react.
However, despite his speed, Quicksilver's physical condition was average, and he knocked himself out when he collided with Thor.
After all, Thor now possessed an incredibly durable steel-like body!
"Alright, I've apprehended the Flash."
Suddenly, a burst of psychic energy struck.
"Alert: An abnormal psychic magic attempt detected!"
"Passive Skill—Psychic Barrier activated. Immune!
Note: You can choose to view the illusion content from a third-person perspective."
It was Scarlet Witch's psychic magic! Just as Thor captured Quicksilver, Wanda's power began to take effect.
Seeing the options in the psychic realm, Thor chose "Yes." The terrifying environment created by Wanda often represented the most frightening aspects of one's psyche—some of which had happened in the past, and others that were likely to occur in the future...
In the dim, yellow sky, destruction was everywhere. Fiery flames suddenly erupted, sweeping across the world in an instant.
A giant Flame Giant, towering hundreds of feet tall, raised his massive sword and roared: "I am the end of Asgard!"
Ragnarök!
The illusion abruptly shattered, revealing only Surtur's eruption without any further consequences.
Thor looked up, surprised, at Wanda, who was not far away.
Wanda sneered, waved her hand, and two red magic orbs flew towards her. Although she was unsure how her psychic power was being contested, she had plenty more where that came from.
Thor, well-prepared, quickly conjured a portal and stepped through it, appearing behind Wanda in an instant.
He placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "Little girl, the game is over."
A powerful psychic shockwave surged through her shoulder. Wanda was confident that this impact would at least daze her opponent, allowing her to turn the situation around.
However, Wanda only felt as though she had struck a steel plate, and instead, she felt dizzy and fainted.
Poor Wanda, this was her first real battle, and she had faced a boss-level opponent in her training grounds...
Thor looked at the young woman before him with great interest.
Wanda was still somewhat inexperienced, not fully adept at using her powers, and lacked a protective shield. But if she could mature, Wanda's potential was immense—possibly even surpassing his own.
"Alert! Congratulations to the host for triggering a Wanda-related task—the Witch Growth Plan."
"Mission Description: Wanda possesses the most formidable power in the world—Chaos Magic. However, she has a fragile psyche and struggles to control this power. If she loses control, it could have dire consequences."
"Mission Objective: Train Wanda to fully master and control her power."
"Mission Reward: Active Skill - Infinite Reversal: A skill that reverses alterations made to reality. When reality is modified by external forces, it can be restored to its original state within one hour."
"Note: This skill has no cooldown or cost and can be applied to any modifications, including those done by Infinity Stones."
In theory, Infinite Reversal is a weak skill, seemingly designed more for show than for self-enhancement.
However, in certain circumstances, this skill could be incredibly powerful.
Thor imagined a scene—after countless battles and schemes, old Thanos finally gathered all six Infinity Stones to fulfill his ultimate plan... or rather, snap his fingers...
"I am Destiny." Thanos declared with a smirk.
"I am Thor." Reverse the reality.
"I am Destiny." Thanos repeated, confused.
"I am Thor." Reverse the reality.
"I'm just... damn it!" Thanos snapped his fingers angrily, but after a series of failed snaps, the Infinity Gauntlet exploded...
The look on the Mad Titan's face would undoubtedly be priceless.
…
Training Wanda might take time, but Thor was a patient man. Besides, young Wanda's potential and beauty were truly remarkable!
Wanda slowly awoke, her eyes fluttering open to find Thor's gentle yet unsettling gaze.
"Little girl, don't be afraid. As long as you cooperate, I won't harm you..."
Wanda, with her vivid imagination, instantly conjured numerous terrifying scenarios in her mind.
"Damn it, this isn't good!" Thor, who had initially been joking, saw the fear and despair on Wanda's face and realized he had to act...
The next moment, a piercing female scream echoed through the air.
"Ahhh—!"
---
Chapter 126: Fearful Dreams
Regardless of the world you inhabit, the most common, far-reaching, and indiscriminate attack is the sonic attack.
In the realm of martial arts, there's the roar of the lion; in fantasy worlds, there's the howling of banshees; and in the Marvel universe, there's Wanda's scream...
Wanda, in her uncontrolled state, let out a scream that was not only deafening but also laced with overwhelming psychic power.
Fear spread swiftly. In an instant, a thick red mist emanated from her body, enveloping the entire battlefield.
Aside from Thor, who was protected by a psychic barrier, everyone within a few miles—friend or foe—was engulfed in fear.
Everyone froze momentarily, then stiffened and remained rooted in place. Stark collapsed immediately, and if J.A.R.V.I.S hadn't responded so quickly, he might have ended up like the future War Machine.
Where am I? Natasha looked up at the ominous sky.
She could immediately tell that this was not Earth. Though the atmosphere and water were suitable for human survival, the silence was eerie.
Beside her stood Thor, his dark demeanor peculiar. Opposite them was a monstrous figure with a skeletal face, floating in the air, neither human nor ghost.
"Thor Odinson, son of Odin..."
"Natasha Romanoff, daughter of Ivan..."
A rasping voice came from the Red Skull: "What you seek is near, accompanied by your fear. The Soul Stone is revered among the Infinity Stones. It possesses its own intelligence, and everyone who seeks it must make a sacrifice."
"A sacrifice for what?" Natasha inquired, intrigued.
"A soul, and it must be the soul of someone you love most. To obtain the Soul Stone, you must relinquish your love. This is an eternal bargain. Only through such a sacrifice can one truly appreciate its value."
Natasha was taken aback, then suddenly realized something and looked at Thor with affection: "I didn't expect to understand your heart at the last moment. It turns out your true love is me. In that case, I have no regrets."
She then ran towards the cliff and jumped off...
The illusion shattered, leaving the aftermath unknown. Natasha felt a pang of sadness and rubbed the tears from her eyes, bewildered.
What just happened? Could this be real?
She awoke relatively quickly and surveyed her surroundings. Regardless of their allegiance, everyone had lost consciousness.
In Hawkeye's illusion, he saw himself being beaten by Thor on the helicarrier due to Loki's control...
In Steve's vision, he saw the top of a snowy mountain and Bucky falling into the abyss...
The Hulk saw an enemy resembling a giant purple potato, attacking him with a series of powerful blows. Despite his efforts to resist, the opponent far outmatched him in strength and skill...
Stark found himself standing on a devastated battlefield, his armor in tatters.
He observed numerous superheroes, including familiar faces like Hulk and Thor, as well as many unfamiliar ones.
In his confusion, a voice devoid of emotion spoke directly into his ear: "There are no superpowered beings in this world."
Suddenly, it felt as if the entire world had gone silent.
Around him, Hulk was shrinking, eventually becoming Bruce Banner.
Thor, who had once wielded his battle axe to wreak havoc, fell from the sky as his lightning powers vanished.
Captain America's imposing 6'2" frame shrank to that of a skinny 5'3" boy...
Various unknown superheroes appeared, such as a magician with a golden energy sword, a woman whose body glowed, and a blue-skinned individual controlling an embroidery needle...
In an instant, everyone had become mortal! Only Stark, War Machine, and Falcon remained unaffected, representing the technological superheroes.
"No—"
Stark jolted awake from the nightmare, looked around, and asked, "What happened?"
J.A.R.V.I.S responded: "Sir, a mysterious psychic force spread, causing everyone, including yourself, to fall into an illusion."
"Illusions?" Stark exhaled in relief.
But a thought took root in his mind and lingered.
What if one day superpowers failed? At that point, only technology could safeguard the Earth!
----
Chapter 127: The Root of Hatred
Everyone except Thor was affected, including Wanda herself.
Originally, she wouldn't have been able to harm herself with her own magic, but the psychic attack she unleashed after losing control was blocked by Thor's psychic barrier, causing a backlash.
Baron Strucker was very unfortunate. Had he let Wanda and Quicksilver hold off Thor while he made his escape, he would have had a high chance of getting away.
Instead, he relied on the two siblings and a group of soldiers armed with Chitauri weapons to save him.
When he realized that the siblings couldn't handle Thor and intended to flee, it was too late. Wanda's scream was an indiscriminate attack. As an ordinary person, he was left unconscious longer than the Avengers.
After casually capturing Stark, he flew over to Thor with a self-satisfied look...
Thor gazed at Wanda trembling in his arms and sighed.
Poor girl, she'll likely relive the pain of losing a loved one.
"Don't worry, it's over," Thor said, gently rubbing her head.
Wanda, skilled in psychic magic and highly perceptive, sensed Thor's lack of malice and began to calm down. She looked up at Thor with a mixed expression and suddenly blushed.
"Hey, I got it. Wow, Thor, you have a new love?" Stark's voice came from nearby.
Wanda, who had just regained her composure, became tense again.
That red figure reminded her of a demon from hell, triggering painful memories.
With a scream, Wanda waved her hand instinctively. Stark, still confused, felt his world spinning before he collapsed to the ground.
"Warning! Warning! High energy reaction, unknown entities are attacking you!"
J.A.R.V.I.S's alarm information instantly filled the display screen.
"Okay, let him go for now. We'll discuss this later. I'll make sure he explains himself," Thor said.
He patted Wanda reassuringly, who responded with a hum. The red energy surrounding Stark dissipated, and he regained his freedom.
Strange, why is she suddenly so obedient?
Thor didn't have time to ponder it. Stark complained, "Hey, are you seriously mixing personal feelings with professional matters? It's clear she did something to me, and now you want me to explain?"
Stark's face darkened, his frustration evident. The legendary figure with no sense of humanity seemed to fit this description perfectly.
Thor replied, irritated, "Their parents were killed by a missile manufactured by Stark Industries. Do you think you need an explanation?"
Stark's eyes narrowed: "Is that true?"
"Absolutely true! You bloody-handed executioner, warmonger!" Quicksilver, who had regained consciousness, stood up and cursed Stark.
"Impossible. I shut down the weapon department long ago. Besides, Stark Industries only sold weapons to the U.S. military." Stark's argument was reasonable under normal circumstances.
His high-tech weapons were sold exclusively to the military.
As a patriotic industrialist, the American government allowed him to sell his equipment at high prices but would never tolerate him selling weapons indiscriminately.
Thor interjected: "Obadiah."
Stark was taken aback and immediately confirmed with J.A.R.V.I.S, receiving confirmation.
His expression darkened considerably.
According to J.A.R.V.I.S, Obadiah had been known for selling weapons for profit and had secretly sold arms to many organizations, including the warlord that destroyed Wanda's home.
"I'm sorry. I apologize for your tragedy," Stark said solemnly.
Although the weapons were not directly sold by him, they were still from Stark Industries. Furthermore, had he not been so careless, he might have discovered Obadiah's arms dealing.
Although usually quite proud, Stark's apology was sincere this time.
Wanda fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
"What's the point of your apology? Apologizing won't bring my parents back," Quicksilver said through tears.
Thor suddenly interrupted: "In the Middle Ages, the one who wielded the sword was the one who caused the harm, not the blacksmith.
Moreover, the arms dealer was a traitor to Stark Industries, who was killed by Stark himself a few years ago.
Since becoming Iron Man, Stark has cleaned up many of the terrorists."
"Don't misdirect your vengeance, and don't choose the wrong allies. The terrorists caused your family's suffering, and HYDRA is the root of most of the chaos."
"You are among the fortunate ones in this experiment. Perhaps you're unaware, but at least a thousand people were involved in these experiments, and many of them are now dead."
Thor led them to the basement, where he showed the siblings the aftermath of a failed experiment.
"Ouch—" Overwhelmed by the bloody scene, Wanda vomited on the spot.
---
Chapter 128: Avengers Newcomer
"I know you participated in the experiment. Apart from seeking revenge, you also hope to use your powers to maintain peace. But it's ironic that HYDRA has instigated most of the wars in this world over the years. They aimed to cultivate superpowers solely for their own ends."
Wanda murmured, "So Baron Strucker was using us all along."
Quicksilver was equally silent.
There was no need for further explanation—the fate of the failed experimental subjects was clear. Not only had they lost their lives, but some unfortunate souls who were barely clinging to life had become living experimental subjects, their suffering far worse than death.
Both siblings shuddered at the thought of almost becoming one of them.
No legitimate organization would conduct such experiments—only anti-human groups and rogue factions would engage in such madness.
"So what should we do now?"
Among the many experimental subjects, the siblings were the only survivors. On one hand, their desire for revenge drove them; on the other, the grand vision HYDRA had painted for them was also a motivating factor.
But now, with revenge no longer an option and the real enemy dead, they faced a crisis of purpose. HYDRA was an anti-human organization, and the so-called grand vision was merely brainwashing. The siblings, having lost their purpose, felt a deep sense of confusion.
Fortunately, they encountered the Avengers on their first attempt, preventing any further mistakes.
Thor smiled: "I won't say that with great power comes great responsibility, but I can tell you that if you don't have a goal, you should find one for yourself.
The world's crises are not limited to HYDRA. You must also be aware of the New York battle, right? Aliens have already set their sights on Earth."
"Everyone makes mistakes, and the Avengers are no exception. The key is how we rectify those mistakes. We have extraordinary powers, and how we choose to use them is what matters."
"Certainly, no one dictates how power should be used. At least, I don't believe in such rules.
You can also choose to live as ordinary people, change your nationality, and lead comfortable lives with plenty of wealth.
I think Stark would be more than happy to make amends.
There will be someone to handle the dangerous tasks off Earth."
In reality, Stark's help wasn't necessary for this. Kingpin could easily assist them with a new identity with a single sentence. However, Thor believed it was better for the young siblings to avoid contact with the underworld.
Indeed, while Wanda appeared more mature than her peers due to her hardships, she was actually two years older than Spider-Man, Peter Parker.
Thor waited for their decision.
The formation of the Avengers isn't about recruiting the strongest individuals; every member must join willingly.
"Can I join the Avengers?"
Unexpectedly, it was Wanda who spoke, not the seemingly more detached Quicksilver.
"Oh? Are you ready?" Thor asked with interest.
"No one is ever truly ready at the start. There has to be a beginning," Wanda replied, her gaze fixed on Thor.
Uh, what's this? Why is Wanda looking at me so intensely?
"Very well, you're now an Avenger... Welcome aboard!"
Thor finished speaking and turned to Quicksilver.
"Don't look at me; saving the world is a thrilling endeavor. How could I possibly miss out?"
"I object!" Stark interjected upon learning that Thor intended to include Quicksilver and Wanda in the Avengers.
With a stern expression, he said, "Minors should not be exposed to the dangers of war."
As if you weren't the one who involved fourteen-year-old high school students in a superhero civil war...
Thor glanced at him, knowing that age wasn't the issue. What mattered was that working together would stir Stark's guilt.
"Since the missile exploded in my home, we've been entangled in warfare," Quicksilver said, his dissatisfaction evident.
Stark was momentarily speechless.
Thor came to his aid: "If you genuinely feel guilty, help them obtain battle suits, at the very least bulletproof ones, to ensure their safety."
"I don't need one. Bullets can't catch up to me anyway..."
Before Quicksilver could finish his sentence, Thor suddenly drew a pistol and pointed it at Wanda.
"Bang—bang—bang—"
"What are you doing!"
Thor stood at a distance, and Quicksilver couldn't stop him in time, but he managed to get in front of Wanda.
The anticipated pain didn't come.
"Is this... a blank?" Quicksilver wondered.
"What's the point of just dodging bullets? Even an ordinary gunman could kill you if they find a weak spot."
---
Chapter 129: Project Ultron
"How about lending me the scepter for a few days before I return it? I have some research that requires it."
A few days later, Stark approached Thor with this request.
Thor was currently training Wanda to control her emotions. As the prince of Asgard, mastering emotional control was a fundamental skill.
Upon hearing Stark's request, Thor's eyelids twitched. The Ultron project seemed to be the only reason Stark would need to borrow the scepter for research.
In fact, if Thor had his way, Ultron would never have come into existence. Simply confiscating the Mind Stone would prevent Stark from accessing Ultron.
However, this would mean that Vision would never be created, causing the Avengers to lose a key member. Also, if Thor kept the Mind Stone, it might be of little use to him.
Thor then thought about something else.
While watching movies in his previous life, he had always wondered why Thanos, possessing an Infinite Gem, would so easily let Loki take it and cause chaos on Earth.
Even if Loki succeeded, wouldn't that provoke the Ancient One? Wouldn't the Ancient One risk losing the gems and their forces?
Although according to the rules, the Ancient One wouldn't intervene, Thor doubted that the Ancient One would remain passive if a giant leviathan attacked the hospital where Strange was.
Furthermore, whether it was the Ancient One absorbing dark power or Doctor Strange using the Time Stone to negotiate, it was evident that Kamar-Taj was not strictly rule-bound.
Another puzzling issue was how Vision, one of the Avengers' strongest members, could be severely injured by Corvus Glaive, indicating that the Mind Stone might have been tampered with.
Perhaps the Ultron project's failure was due to a problem with the Mind Stone?
If such a Mind Stone were kept in Asgard's treasury, it would be a ticking time bomb. It would be better for Stark to create Vision, who could serve as a combat force and also help find any flaws in the Mind Stone.
As for Ultron, once he decides to eliminate Stark, he will not relent until he succeeds.
In any case, Ultron's strength is limited. No matter how many robots there are, they will not be insurmountable. After a brief consideration, Thor agreed.
"Alright, you can use it for your research. But let me remind you, avoid conducting human experiments like Baron Strucker did."
Although the likelihood of such an occurrence was slim, Thor mentioned it just in case.
"You want to develop artificial intelligence but haven't shared this with the rest of the team?"
Stark, knowing he couldn't handle the Ultron research alone, quickly enlisted another brilliant scientist—Bruce Banner.
There was another suitable candidate, a doctor named Helen cho, who had even contributed to the future development of armor—nanotechnology. Unfortunately, Thor admired cho greatly, and she had agreed to work in Thor's research center two days ago.
If Cho were involved in the Ultron project, she might inform Thor, leading him to disapprove of the plan and reclaim the scepter prematurely.
Faced with Stark's unrestrained vision, Banner questioned the plan.
"Yes, I haven't informed them."
Stark replied seriously: "Because I don't want to waste time on endless debates.
"We need to armor this world. The Chitauri invasion in New York won't be the last. There will undoubtedly be more alien invasions in the future. The Avengers can't handle them all."
Banner nodded: "Yes, which is why he keeps urging me to make peace with Hulk rather than trying to eliminate him."
Thanks to Thor's reminder, the relationship between Hulk and Banner was more harmonious than in the original timeline. While it couldn't be fully controlled, Hulk would view anyone Banner disliked as an enemy, and Hulk would protect what Banner valued.
"Relying solely on superheroes isn't enough to protect the Earth.
The Earth is vast, but the number of superheroes is limited, and there will always be areas that cannot be covered.
If the Ultron project succeeds, we can use the robotic army to combat the aliens.
By keeping people out of Earth's defenses, Earth will be safer."
Stark continued to persuade Banner.
Banner was somewhat swayed and said hesitantly: "Surrounding the whole world with armor seems rather cold."
"I've seen colder scenarios. This fragile blue planet needs Ultron, and the peace of our time requires it," Stark said earnestly. In his terrifying vision, he saw all superpowers vanish. At that time, humanity would rely solely on the armor.
"Alright, I agree." Moved by Stark's arguments, Banner agreed to join the research.
---
Chapter 130: Distress Signal
"Your Highness Thor, will you be attending this Saturday's gathering?"
Helen Cho, dressed in overalls, asked Thor.
"Definitely. When we're not on a mission to save the world, social events are a great way for us to unwind. How about you? Will you be joining us?"
Helen Cho smiled. "I'm not as free as you guys. However, if it's your invitation, I suppose I'll make some time to attend to avoid any issues."
Two days ago, Helen cho had agreed to join Thor's research center, not only due to her admiration for him but also because Thor had promised to fund her research without hesitation.
The large sum of money she had drawn was already substantial.
Nearby, Natalia observed the scene with a frown and muttered, "Another moth to the flame..."
She then looked at Wanda and joked, "See? Men are like this, always looking at what they don't have. Little sister, you're still young; don't let yourself be deceived."
Wanda's feelings were quite evident. How could she hide them from Natasha, a seasoned agent?
Wanda blinked at Natasha and then smiled, "But sister, don't forget that I can sense your emotions a little, and you seem quite taken in."
Natasha's face turned slightly awkward.
"Alright, Natasha, don't tease Wanda. She's still a child," Thor interjected, having overheard their conversation.
Natasha rolled her eyes and responded with a charming smile, "It's like I'm speaking nonsense. Why are you poaching people from your own team? Don't tell me it's just to attract talent. In my opinion, you're being greedy."
"I'm still greedy for you," Thor said, grabbing her hand.
In front of Wanda, Natasha, trying to maintain her composure, found herself in a rather uncomfortable situation.
She pulled her hand away and changed the subject abruptly, "Alright, let's stop the jokes. I want to ask if the SOKOVIA base was the last HYDRA stronghold. Have we really eradicated them all?"
She was concerned, knowing that HYDRA was notorious for regenerating. S.H.I.E.L.D had learned this lesson the hard way over decades. If HYDRA wasn't completely eradicated, it was bound to resurface.
Moreover, HYDRA's brainwashing techniques were notoriously effective and easy to propagate.
Thor shook his head, "HYDRA, in the traditional sense, no longer exists. If any remain, they are just a few ordinary followers and will gradually fade away."
"Traditional sense?"
"Yes. All the HYDRA that S.H.I.E.L.D encountered were remnants of the Red Skull's faction.
The original HYDRA emerged thousands of years ago as an ancient organization.
They worship a so-called god named Hive. This deity is imprisoned on other planets, and HYDRA has been striving for years to bring him back.
Red Skull's faction was merely their attempt to prepare for the Hive's return and global domination."
Natalia processed this information, "It doesn't sound promising. It seems like just another brainwashing cult. Hive? A god? What kind of god is he? Is he like you?"
Thor couldn't help but laugh and tapped Natalia gently on the forehead, "The gods aren't as mysterious as you might think. If you took Miss Cho and an AK-47 to the Middle Ages, you'd still be revered as a deity by your ancestors.
Of course, you might also be burned as a witch."
Natasha and Wanda smiled, while Helen cho muttered in dissatisfaction, "Why use me as an example..."
"As for his strength... I could take on ten of him," Thor said with a playful boast.
"Hahaha—" Helen cho burst into laughter, and the room was filled with a lighthearted atmosphere.
Just then, Jane Foster rushed in from the door.
"Thor, urgent news from Asgard!"
During their time on Earth, Sif had stayed in Asgard to handle various matters, supervise Loki, and Miss Jane had been managing communications between Thor and Asgard. Heimdall would immediately notify Thor of any critical updates.
"Oh? An urgent message?" Thor asked, puzzled. There hadn't been any major events recently. Could it be that Loki was causing trouble? "If it's just Loki acting up, Sif can handle that."
Thor took the communicator and read the message.
Upon reading it, his expression turned serious.
The message from Heimdall was brief:
"Nidavellir has sent a distress signal to Asgard!"
---
Chapter 131: Rescue the Dwarfs
Who is the top weapons manufacturer in the Marvel universe? Iron Man's Stark Industries? S.H.I.E.L.D. with its advanced air carriers? Wakanda with its cutting-edge technology?
None of these! The top artifact manufacturer in the Marvel universe is Nidavellir, the dwarf planet that serves Asgard!
This place is legendary. The magical weapons they forge are unparalleled, including Odin's Eternal Spear, Mjölnir wielded by Jane Foster, Heimdallr's Guardian Sword, and even the Infinity Gauntlet that controls the six Infinity Stones...
In short, anything produced by the dwarves is a masterpiece!
However, the dwarves themselves are in a difficult situation. Their exquisite weapons are not controlled by their own kin.
The dwarf clan, with their unparalleled forging skills, numbers only around 300, most of whom are not skilled in combat.
If they were not allied with Asgard, they would have been wiped out long ago.
In the original timeline, when the dwarves lost Asgard's protection, Thanos came to Nidavellir and forced the dwarves to create the Infinity Gauntlet.
Thanos, known for his strict adherence to his promises, would usually destroy half the life on any planet he visited. However, when it came to the dwarves, he broke his promise for the first time. Seeing the dwarves' ability to forge the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos considered them too dangerous and slaughtered all the dwarves except King Eitri.
To prevent Eitri from creating any more weapons, Thanos crippled the dwarf king.
This was the tragic fate of the dwarf clan. The principle that "everyone is innocent but guilty" is a universal truth across the cosmos.
As a member of the Nine Realms, Nidavellir is protected by Asgard. Even if Odin is not present, no ordinary force would dare to attack Asgard lightly.
At this moment, the only force daring to invade Nidavellir is...
Thor's mind raced.
"What's the matter?" Natalia asked, noticing his serious demeanor.
"The Nine Realms have been attacked by a powerful enemy. If I'm correct, it's the force behind the Chitauri," Thor said gravely.
As he spoke, he looked around, "Wanda, come with me."
He glanced at Jane and shook his head slightly.
Currently, Jane's strength is comparable to Thor's during his early Hammer God days and is not as effective in high-intensity battles. Moreover, she needs to stay on Earth to prevent the Avengers from being wiped out by Ultron.
Wanda, however, has a high burst capacity and, as a sorceress, is more suited to support roles.
"Miss Helen cho, I apologize, but I may not be able to attend the party on Saturday."
The Bifrost's light enveloped Thor and Wanda, and they disappeared.
"What's going on? Why the sudden departure?" Stark, Steve, and the others rushed over when they heard the commotion, only to find that Thor and Wanda had already left.
"A message came from Asgard that Nidavellir, one of the Nine Realms, is under attack, and His Highness Thor has gone to address the situation," Jane Foster explained quietly. "Moreover, the opponent is formidable. I've never seen Thor so serious."
Nebula, looking pale, added, "It's my father, the most ruthless butcher in the universe. Few can defeat him, and he's one of them. The Chitauri are relying on him."
Stark and the others were stunned.
In Asgard, Loki, Heimdallr, and others met Thor and Wanda upon their arrival.
"Welcome to Asgard!" Heimdallr greeted solemnly.
"Hey, brother, why do you always have different women around you whenever I see you?" Loki remarked with a hint of disbelief, suspecting Thor's frequent trips to Earth were due to some obsession.
Thor didn't have time to address Loki's comment. He turned to Sif and said, "Hold off on any attacks on Nidavellir for now. Gather the army and wait for further instructions. Wanda and I will handle the immediate threat, which might take some time."
Ordinary troops would have limited impact on top-tier adversaries, and Asgardian aircraft would not be able to bombard Nidavellir indiscriminately.
Since Odin was temporarily absent, it was unlikely Thanos would launch a full-scale invasion. It was more probable that only a few powerful individuals were making a surprise attack, making it relatively easy for Odin to retreat if needed.
Sif clasped her hands together. Though confused and worried, as one of the best fighters, she followed Thor's orders without question.
"Is there anything I can do?" Loki asked, seeing the seriousness of the situation.
"Forget it, unless you're ready to take on the one who gave you that staff."
Loki's face paled. "Alright, then I'll stay here in Asgard."
Thor was about to leave when he realized he was empty-handed. He quickly opened a portal and emerged moments later with Gungnir, the Spear of Eternity.
"Heimdallr, send us to Nidavellir!"
As the Bifrost's light began to envelop them, Thor took out an old-fashioned communicator from his pocket and pressed the button to send the signal.
"Sending—"
"Signal connected!"
----
Chapter 132: Hey, Meteor!
Nidavellir, the homeland of the dwarves, is a special neutron star.
For the dwarves, this neutron star serves not only as a forge for crafting magical weapons but also as a source of light and heat for their daily lives.
A multitude of powerful metals surround the neutron star, forming a steel city where the dwarves reside.
Under normal circumstances, as Asgard's premier arsenal, Nidavellir would not be easily provoked. However, the threat before them was clearly an exception.
"Demon, you will face retribution. Asgard will not let you go!" Dwarf King Eitri glared at Thanos and his entourage with fury.
There were only five attackers, but each of them possessed terrifying strength. The dwarves had no chance against them and had all been subdued within half an hour.
"Whether I am a demon or a god, I don't expect everyone to approve of what I do," Thanos said calmly, waving the Overlord Sky Blade in his hand. "Forge the Infinity Gauntlet to hold all six gems, and I will spare half of your clan. Otherwise, your entire race will be erased from the universe."
Nearby, all the dwarves were restrained and sprawled on the ground. Ebony Maw pointed, causing dozens of steel spears to float in the air, aimed at the trembling dwarves below.
"Don't expect anyone to come to your rescue. I despise endless negotiations, so let's be direct. From now on, every hour that passes will see 30 of your people killed. You have about ten hours to complete your task—your forging."
Thanos spoke with chilling intent. Based on his information, Odin was not currently in Asgard, and his whereabouts were unknown.
To Thanos, this was an opportunity to test Asgard's limits.
For this reason, he had brought only the four Black Order generals with him. With their formidable power, they were more than enough to handle the situation and prevent the dwarves from stalling.
"Master, be careful!" Ebony Maw warned as Thanos suddenly displayed a surprising agility for his massive size, rolling to avoid the fiery light descending from the sky. The blinding light forced them to shield their eyes.
"Hey, Deviant Purple Eternal , you really are aging well," Thor's teasing voice came through the Bifrost light. "If you're so afraid of seeing me, I can always come back later. No need to rush."
Thanos lowered his hand from his eyes and saw Thor and Wanda standing before the captured dwarves, holding the holy spear Gungnir.
Wanda raised her hands, red energy flashing as the steel spears in the air twisted into a tangled mess before dropping to the ground.
Thanos ignored Wanda, focusing on Thor and, more specifically, on the spear in Thor's hand.
"Gungnir, what a dear old friend. I doubt you're worthy of it, though."
"Whether or not you deserve it, Gungnir has missed you greatly, especially the feeling of smiting you."
"Silence! The Great Master is not someone you can insult!" Ebony Maw snapped, earning a scornful look from Thor.
"Shut up. How dare a servant talk back? This is the same person who was beaten like a dog by my father and then sneaked into the Nine Realms."
Great? Do you call someone who would annihilate half the life in the universe without cause or enmity great? Oh, it's truly great.
The Titan Star produced such an unworthy descendant like you. It deserves to be reduced to rubble."
The four generals of the Black Order kept silent. Ebony Maw noticed that Thanos's expression had darkened significantly.
The loss of Titan had always been a painful topic for Thanos, a planet destroyed due to resource depletion, leading Thanos down the path of extinction.
Thanos's face twisted with rage and resolve. He had decided that Thor would be kept alive to witness the destruction of Asgard and understand—
You should never provoke someone like me!
"Shall we fight together? Or will it be the same as last time?"
If you can handle it, don't force it. But if you can't, then you must try harder.
"Oh, then I'll make sure you suffer," Thanos sneered, raising the Tyrant Sky Blade and advancing slowly.
The Black Order kept their focus on Wanda. Since Thanos wanted to deal with Thor himself, they had no intention of intervening. They were confident in Thanos's strength.
Their task was to keep an eye on the mysterious sorceress.
Thor gripped Gungnir tightly, prepared for battle.
As the distance between them shrank to less than ten meters, Thor suddenly glanced behind Thanos and whistled.
"Hey, Shooting Star!"
---
Chapter 133: Flaws
Thanos sneered.
In his view, Thor was merely trying to create a distraction for a sneak attack.
The offspring of Odin's family are more cunning than expected.
Just as Thanos was about to act, he suddenly felt an intense energy surge from behind him. His face changed, and he quickly turned around, seeing a massive head growing larger in his sight.
"Boom—"
A golden figure struck Thanos's face with tremendous force, sending him tumbling several times on the ground.
As Thanos struggled to his feet, the golden figure quickly landed on his back, wrapping around his neck, and pinned his right hand holding the weapon to the ground. This happened almost instantly, leaving the Black Order unable to react.
The golden figure was Captain Marvel—Carol Danvers! When Thor headed to Nidavellir, she anticipated a fierce battle and used her communicator to join the fight.
Black Dwarf was the first to act, transforming his massive axe into a chain blade and hurling it at Carol.
With a sharp click, the Spear of Eternity intercepted the chain blade. Thor yanked it sharply, and the Black Dwarf was forced to release the chain.
Ebony Maw extended his fingers to manipulate materials on the ground, but thousands of red lights covered the area, rendering him unable to control anything with his powers. He looked over in shock and saw Wanda sneering, with scarlet energy swirling around her hands.
"Your partner's strength is impressive, but it's not enough..." Thanos struggled to say before forcing Carol away. He leaned back, using his massive body to slam into a steel pillar, which sent Carol crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.
Wanda was alarmed, but Thor reassured her, "Don't worry, she's incredibly tough, even more resilient than the Hulk."
As expected, the ground exploded moments later, and Carol shot up into the sky, her body glowing brightly. She was unharmed, and even her hairstyle remained intact.
"This is the opponent you're up against?" Carol greeted Thor casually.
Thor rolled his eyes, "There are so many people here. Anyway, ugly ones are never good, especially this purple one. But I don't think you'll kill him. He prefers to send his subordinates to fight."
"You can't kill him without me," Carol replied confidently.
Thanos was left speechless. Was this fierce woman even more arrogant than Thor?
Carol, boasting as usual, led the charge with an energy cannon blast to Thanos's face. She then charged and kicked his knee to force him to kneel, followed by a flurry of punches to his head. However...
Then there was no more. Thanos fought back fiercely, grabbing Carol's wrist and spinning her around in a 720-degree whirlwind before launching her several meters away with a powerful swing.
Thor covered his face. Carol's impressive combo nearly made him look out of place, and the result was impressive but short-lived...
Carol could fly, but Thanos couldn't, giving him an advantage in aerial combat...
Sister Surprise, I warned you years ago to focus on physical training, but did you really neglect it?
As Thor complained, his attention sharpened, and he realized a critical issue—
Carol, who had been thrown away, was losing her energy aura!
He remembered seeing a similar scene in a movie and thought it was a minor filming glitch... but it now seemed more serious.
Considering Captain Marvel's superpower form, it was likely that Carol's superpower had temporarily failed at this moment!
Thor recalled that during his fight against Yon Rogg, Carol also had a period where her superpower was limited, which occurred when she fell from a great height.
The common factor was that losing balance affected even her superpower...
What's worse, Thanos, with his rich combat experience, noticed this flaw before Thor did. He raised the Overlord Sky Blade and hurled it with overwhelming force towards Carol, who was being propelled backward. The speed was so great that it ignited the surrounding air.
Normally, Carol could withstand such a blow and wouldn't even need to dodge.
But right now, she was vulnerable.
If Captain Marvel were hit, she would be severely injured, if not killed.
Thor had no time to stop the attack and shouted, "Wanda!"
Wanda instantly understood, releasing her hold on Ebony Maw and extending her hand towards the Tyrant Sky Blade.
Red energy wrapped around the blade, halting it in mid-air. Wanda exerted force, causing the Tyrant Sky Blade to veer off course and fall aside.
----
Chapter 134: Thanos: I Don't Know You At All!
Everything in Thanos's view was shrouded in dark red smoke. He looked solemnly at the woman in red standing before him.
"Butcher, repent for the blood on your hands! In hell, remember my name!" Wanda's voice was low and menacing.
Such a dramatic opening line surely came from Thor's teachings. Wanda clearly knew how to use what she had learned...
Thanos looked confused. "I don't know you at all."
Who is this person? Is she unwell?
"You will know soon enough!" Wanda declared as she launched her attack. She clapped her hands to the ground, and overwhelming red energy surged toward Thanos, causing him to stagger.
Red energy orbs pelted his head. Unlike Captain Marvel's energy cannon, which would have little effect on Thanos's robust physique, Wanda's energy orbs were a different matter altogether.
The dark red energy enveloped Thanos's body, slowly eroding his strength.
Ebony Maw reacted immediately. He manipulated the chain axe left by Black Dwarf, sending it snaking toward Wanda.
Magicians are often quite vulnerable, especially while casting spells. Wanda couldn't even properly shield herself in time.
The axe blade stopped in mid-air as Carol, having regained her energy, seized the other end of the chain axe. She swung it like a meteor , smashing it down on the Black Order.
Having just been struck by Thanos, Carol was furious. This was something she had rarely experienced, and she was not pleased.
Ebony Maw and Corvus Glaive quickly dodged, as the massive axe fell toward Black Dwarf.
As Thanos's primary tank, Black Dwarf had tough skin and formidable defense, second only to Thanos himself. Yet, he dared not engage directly. He was well aware of Carol's strength and prepared to evade.
Suddenly, a golden halo appeared in front of him, and a hand reached out, gently patting his chest.
A gentle touch on the chest? Black Dwarf was perplexed. Was this palm supposed to hurt him?
The chain-blade axe Carol was wielding crashed down with a whistling sound, forcing Black Dwarf to roll away. He felt much lighter but was soon disoriented by the sound of a sharp weapon piercing his body.
Black Dwarf looked at his translucent body in disbelief, seeing another version of himself being pierced by the chain blade.
"Soul magic!" Ebony Maw exclaimed, though his tone was anything but gentle.
Black Dwarf's soul rushed toward his body but passed through it.
Thor, the instigator, sneered. How could the soul magic be so easily deciphered?
"This guy has immense vitality; one blow won't be enough to kill him."
Thor shouted, and Carol, reacting swiftly, swung the chain blade with Black Dwarf's body attached, aiming it at the remaining Black Order generals.
Ebony Maw immediately controlled the platform beneath him to fly away and telekinetically directed a metal spear at Carol. However, his attack couldn't penetrate her defenses and only caused minor disturbances.
In response, Mav summoned several massive iron pillars, which crashed down like Mount Everest.
"Boom——" The iron pillars hit Carol, shattering instantly and covering her.
Black Dwarf's dismembered body fell to the ground, no longer resembling a human.
This being was no longer human, so calling it a beast would be more accurate.
Corvus Glaive raised his double-edged spear and lunged at the debris on the ground.
His weapon, specially crafted with strong penetrating ability, could pierce even the toughest materials, like Vibranium, in one go.
The spearhead was grabbed by Carol amid the wreckage, but she struggled to pull it back.
Unlike Black Dwarf, who was quick to abandon his weapons, Corvus Glaive relied heavily on his spear and rarely relinquished it. He punched back at Carol, their fists colliding with force.
"Boom——" A loud crash echoed as Corvus Glaive was propelled backward like a cannonball. His right arm, which had just engaged, was dislocated with several fractures.
This was not good! Ebony Maw and Proxima Midnight were preparing to intervene, but Thor, wielding Gungnir, positioned himself in their path and repelled them with a sweeping strike.
Thor, using Gungnir as a staff, struck Proxima Midnight on the head.
Thor, even when unarmed, had previously defeated the four generals of the Black Order. Although they had underestimated him, it still demonstrated his superior strength.
Now, Proxima Midnight and Ebony Maw dared not confront Thor directly and quickly maneuvered to avoid him.
Corvus Glaive, spinning in mid-air, saw a fist approaching rapidly.
"Bang——" The fist collided with his cheek, inflicting severe pain.
Moreover, Carol's blow came from above, directly striking Corvus Glaive's head and slamming him into the uncrushable superalloy floor.
"Boom——"
----
Chapter 135: Wanda: I Can't Do It!
A powerful blow like this is not usually a big deal. These days, being sent flying hundreds of meters and demolishing several buildings is not uncommon.
The problem was that Corvus Glaive was pinned against the floor, unable to counteract the force. This punch, strong enough to destroy a battleship, had landed on his head.
The floor couldn't withstand the immense force and caved in under the back of his head. Corvus Glaive's mind spun as he nearly lost consciousness.
"No—" Seeing Carol gathering more energy and preparing to strike harder, Proxima Midnight shouted and threw her sharp spear recklessly.
The spear split into three black rays, shooting towards Carol.
Legend had it that this attack could instantly kill most beings.
But Captain Marvel wasn't one of them. The rays hit her but failed to breach her defenses, only managing to push her back.
Corvus Glaive staggered to his feet, witnessing a scene that nearly brought him to tears.
**Ten seconds earlier**
"Compared to your old lover, you should be more concerned about yourself!" Thor sneered and attacked at proxima with spear. , As the holy spear Gungnir was about to pierce, controlled by Ebony Maw's telekinesis, pierced through the large alloy.
The spear drove towards Proxima Midnight, who was left unarmed.
Proxima Midnight could only slightly deflect the vital point, and the spear of eternity pierced her body, penetrating her pelvis.
Screams erupted as Ebony Maw quickly pulled the alloy block back and slammed it into Proxima Midnight's chest, forcing her to retreat.
With her pelvis pierced and a heavy blow to the chest, Proxima Midnight collapsed and struggled to get up.
Ebony Maw knew that if he had been even a moment too late, Thor would have taken advantage, and things would have gone badly.
In just a few rounds, the once-mighty generals of the Black Order were either killed or severely injured.
Black Dwarf's body hung lifelessly on the chain blade. With his death, his soul also vanished, as only a magician with extraordinary mental power could survive without a body.
Proxima Midnight was out of action.
Corvus Glaive's face was battered and misshapen from the beating, still not returning to normal.
Only one remote magician, Ebony Maw, remained unscathed.
On the other side, Thor and Carol appeared unhurt and seemed ready to fight indefinitely.
A four-on-two battle had become a two-on-two, with Ebony Maw and Corvus Glaive showing signs of panic.
"Long time no see. If I remember correctly, it's been twenty years, right?" Carol landed beside Thor and greeted him.
"No," Thor said darkly, "We met fifteen years ago when you punched me from New Mexico to Norway and nearly killed me."
At that time, he had been sent to Earth. If not for Carol's punch, he wouldn't have ended up in Hela's seal. And if he hadn't been sealed, he wouldn't have been randomly teleported to the second floor of the Sanctuary...
Back then, he had just left Novice Village and immediately entered the boss's lair!
"No! It wasn't me! Stop talking nonsense!!!" Carol denied vehemently.
"You two, stop reminiscing. I'm not managing it…" Wanda's desperate exclamation interrupted.
Wanda was using red energy to restrain Thanos, lifting him into the air in an attempt to suppress him, but it was clearly insufficient.
Theoretically, Wanda, in her Rage state and fueled by the death of her boyfriend, should be the strongest Avenger in history, tearing Thanos apart with her bare hands. She should be much more effective than Thor...
But now, Wanda, lacking her Rage state, had no red eyes and was not fierce at all! It was already remarkable that she managed to restrain Thanos for this long.
The red energy abruptly vanished, and Wanda lost consciousness, collapsing. Thor quickly caught her and set her aside.
Wanda struggled to open her eyes and gave a wry smile. "I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Thor shook his head. "No, you did well. Leave the rest to me."
Carol pouted. "Is this how you always comfort women?"
Thanos fell heavily to the ground, took a breath, and said, "Your magic is indeed formidable, but I still won in the end."
Thor squinted at him. "Yes, you won! You got your minions to initiate your half-baked plan, and the whole universe will be affected by it!"
Carol reminded, "No, it's not halfway there yet. That woman is only half-dead."
"No, the Black Order originally had five generals. I killed the other one seventy years ago when he came to Earth to cause trouble. So, of the five, two companions are dead."
"Wow, that's impressive. So, we're even on a one-on-one match?"
"No, I have one more assist."
---
Chapter 136: Singled Out Thanos
If someone with less self-control were in this situation, facing the mockery from the two, they would likely be infuriated immediately.
Thanos remained expressionless. "Sacrificing for the future of the universe was a decision I made when I embarked on this path. Whether it's them or me, it is all the same. This is fate and also glory."
Thor could sense that Thanos' words weren't just for show. They came from a genuine place.
Violence and killing—everything Thanos did wasn't for personal gain but for the sake of the universe's balance.
His concept of balancing cosmic resources through killing is a revolutionary idea.
At this moment, none of the villains seemed as grand as Thanos.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was an idealist who dared to put his beliefs into practice.
In reality, he merely looked down on the universe's inhabitants from a higher vantage point. Much like how humans have acted towards animals in the name of conservation, theoretically, his ideas aren't too far-fetched.
However, the fact that his plan involves exterminating himself too makes it a serious issue! He can't control events inside the Nine Realms, which is Asgard's domain. What does your cosmic ambition matter when it's affecting the Nine Realms?
When Thanos snapped his fingers, it became a universal issue, and no one could remain indifferent. The conflict between them was irreconcilable.
Thanos clearly wasn't in the mood for a debate. He could only communicate through his actions!
Ebony Maw took action, tearing apart a metal plate with invisible telekinesis, wrapping it around Carol like a constricting serpent.
Carol's strength surged, immediately twisting the metal, but more plates kept coming.
Corvus Glaive didn't advance; he knew that Carol's strength was on par with Thanos'. He raised his weapon to protect Ebony Maw, preventing Carol's energy blasts from hitting him.
With years of cooperation behind them, their tactics were well-established without the need for communication. Their goal was to hold Carol back while Thanos dealt with Thor.
The Overlord Sky Blade came down fiercely. Thor raised Gungnir to block the attack but was immediately struck again.
Thanos used his superior strength and size advantage to employ his butcher slashing blade technique. Although Thor's strength was similar, the accumulated advantage of multiple attacks began to show.
Thor resisted three blows, his arm growing numb. As Thanos raised his blade for a fourth strike, Thor swiftly positioned Gungnir and deflected the attack. He used the momentum to lean sideways, pressing the blade into the ground, and struck Thanos in the chest.
**Soul Astral Activated!**
A translucent soul emerged from Thanos' body, but it returned in less than a second.
It's said that the most difficult decisions require the greatest willpower. Thanos, who sought to decimate the world, had willpower surpassing anyone Thor had ever encountered, even Doctor Strange, who negotiates terms.
As Thanos' soul returned, a golden portal quickly appeared above his head and then weakened rapidly.
Thor adjusted the Sling Ring to close the portal.
"Hmm…" The sound echoed as the light circle tightly encircled Thanos' head, but he remained resilient even to portal cut. And forcefully held it open
Thor continued to cast spells with increased mental power. Thanos let out a pained groan, desperately pulling at the halo above his head.
The standoff didn't last long. Moments later, with a "snap," Thanos tore through the seemingly indestructible portal.
Thor felt a backlash and watched closely as Thanos, now panting heavily, faced him.
He finally understood why Doctor Strange didn't use these two moves against Thanos. Thanos' body was too robust for the portal to breach, and his powerful will nearly made him immune to soul magic.
"Your tricks are impressive, full of flair," Thanos remarked coldly as he removed his helmet and tossed it aside, kicking the Overlord Sky Blade.
Ebony Maw's abilities were the most enigmatic and challenging to deal with within the Black Order. Even if one was stronger, his ability to manipulate objects with his mind made him difficult to confront.
Just as Doctor Strange struggled against the four-gem Thanos, Ebony Maw managed to kill him in a few rounds...
In reality, if Thor hadn't possessed the power of Awakening Thunder, Ebony Maw alone could have been enough to overwhelm him. This was one reason Thor didn't bring Jane Foster along.
Carol faced a similar challenge. Although neither Ebony Maw nor Corvus Glaive could hurt her, their unusual abilities made her extremely uncomfortable. They didn't intend to confront her directly but were solely focused on holding her back.
As she prepared to fly, a metal hand emerged from the ground, grasping her foot and pulling it down, while another metal piece fell on her head.
----
Chapter 137: Changing Injuries
If it had been any other two, or even three, members of the Black Order, Carol could have easily defeated them with a casual strike.
The challenge comes from the nature of their abilities. For Carol, Ebony Maw presents a more significant challenge than Thanos.
In fact, Thor is the most suited to deal with Ebony Maw. His ability to summon lightning without moving makes him highly effective.
No matter how cunning your mind might be, a lightning strike that is several meters thick from the sky will breach any defense with one hit, and two strikes will inflict serious injury.
Three strikes would be fatal...
On the other hand, the cold-blooded swordfighter is far more formidable than the kind-hearted boxer!
The fierce sword of Thanos' attacks raged, and Thor did not hesitate. The lightning exploded, and Gungnir was instantly enveloped in a brilliant light.
The clash of metal resonated continually, ringing in everyone's ears.
What was even more terrifying was the subsequent energy wave. The force of the shockwave caused the body of the Black Dwarf on the ground, the blacksmith's toolbox, and the console to be thrown into the air and explode.
If facing the Hulk, this lightning-enhanced attack could likely defeat him in one blow, but against Thanos, Thor was still at a disadvantage, being suppressed from all sides.
The Overlord's Sky Blade, also known as the Tyrant's Blade, was said to have been forged by dwarves, but after many twists of fate, it ended up in Thanos' hands, where it has remained for countless years.
Although Gungnir is a magical weapon on par with the Overlord's Sky Blade, if not superior, it is not enough on its own.
Additionally, Thor's inherent power is inferior to Thanos'. If Thanos wasn't wary of being deceived by Thor's potential use of dark magic, he would have fought with even greater caution.
Unbeknownst to Thanos, Thor understood both sides.
Seizing an opportunity, Thanos thrust the Overlord Sky Blade at Thor's leg and struck fiercely. He anticipated this blow would severely impair Thor's mobility, simplifying the battle.
"Boom—"
Instead of the expected scene of the blade piercing through flesh, only the sound of metal clashing was heard.
Thor, the Man of Steel! A skill he almost forgot because few could land a direct hit on him. The Overlord Sky Blade, powerful enough to tear through Vibranium, merely left a white scratch on his skin without breaking it.
Thor inferred that with the strength of the Overlord's Blade, it would be challenging to injure him unless it was wielded with full force.
Thanos was visibly shocked. To his knowledge, the Asgardians didn't possess such physical strength.
No, no one in the universe had such physical strength, except...
Like Odin or the woman from earlier, they relied on energy protection, while Thor's strength was purely physical.
Opportunity!
While Thanos was momentarily dazed, Thor quickly grasped Gungnir and aimed it at Thanos' neck.
Thanos instantly retreated to evade the spear's point, but Thor pushed forward, and Gungnir pierced Thanos' chest.
Gungnir only penetrated three inches, which wasn't enough to reach Thanos' heart due to his size.
Thanos roared as the Overlord Sky Blade slammed toward Thor.
Thor was startled, attempting to withdraw the spear, but found he couldn't. The giant blade hurtled towards his face, and Thor could only raise his fists to block the violent strike.
A tremendous explosion sounded as Gungnir was finally pulled free but was propelled far away by the blast.
Thor was thrown backward tens of meters, his arm in severe pain. With no time to assess the injury, he unleashed a thick bolt of lightning at the Tyrant's Blade, which was spinning back towards Thanos, sending it flying.
His weapon had been dropped, and he let the big blade return to Thanos while preparing to strike with his hammer.
He glanced at his arm, noting two bloodstains. Looking up at Thanos, whose chest was now covered in blood, Thor realized the gravity of the situation.
Thanos is ruthless, not just to others but also to himself!
Thor had been unable to withdraw his weapon in a critical moment, and upon seeing the wound on Thanos' chest, he understood that Thanos had used his ribs to block Gungnir and then delivered a thunderous blow.
Thor's arm only sustained a superficial injury, which was better than Thanos' condition, but Thanos had managed to pull back under pressure.
A mistake, Thor sighed. Thanos' attack had an additional purpose beyond inflicting wounds—it was to disarm him.
Under normal conditions, Gungnir could not pierce Thanos' defenses, but it had still caused significant damage.
The shock to the dwarf king Eitri was beyond words.
When he first saw that Asgard's defense relied solely on Thor and Wanda, he had despaired. He believed these two were underestimating their enemies and were merely fodder.
Unexpectedly, both Thor and Wanda, along with the glowing woman who appeared later, displayed extraordinary strength.
When Thanos was pierced by the spear, Eitri briefly thought the battle might be over, but he didn't expect Thanos to be stronger than he had imagined.
----
Chapter 138: Thor's Power Boost, Let's Go!
"No wonder Odin chose you to be king. If you were allowed to grow fully, I fear I would not be your match, and you would become the greatest threat to the balance of the universe."
The Overlord's Sky Blade spun through the air and landed back in Thanos' hand. His voice was cold and emotionless, as if the gaping wound on his chest did not exist.
Thanos remained confident. Although Thor's defense had surprised him, it did not seem insurmountable.
As Thor's injury began to heal visibly, Thanos' eyes narrowed.
This kind of ability, coupled with the remarkable defense previously displayed, was familiar to him. It seemed to be called Super Endurance? Super Recovery?
This ability was very similar to a former powerful being of the Eternals to which Thanos belonged.
The body did not need to sleep or eat and had nearly limitless endurance.
Almost all physical attacks could not inflict damage, and it could resist magical assaults.
It could withstand direct hits from high-caliber weapons, naval artillery, extreme pressures, and temperatures, and might not even need to breathe to survive.
A potent regenerative factor allowed muscle tissue, organs, and bones to heal quickly after injury, and it could use cosmic energy to accelerate cell repair.
The Regenerative Factor possessed by Hyperion also made him immune to all diseases, poisons, pollutants, and radiation.
But none of this mattered now, as that being, who could not even comprehend his own thoughts, had been destroyed along with everyone on Titan, becoming the first step towards realizing Thanos' ideals.
"But all of this will be irrelevant, as you won't survive to see it."
Thor sneered. "You can't defeat me now. Try if you don't believe me..."
Lightning flickered in his eyes as he summoned a massive surge of electricity that struck Thanos, propelling him several meters away. Majestic lightning surrounded Thor, spinning toward Thanos.
Eitri, a dwarf nearby, panicked—Thor was weaponless, yet still so bold? Didn't he see that Thanos held a blade?
Then, in the next instant, his eyes widened as Thor veered through the air, changing direction toward Ebony Maw.
Without Gungnir in his hands, Thor would not have been able to breach Ebony Maw's defenses. Only a fool would engage him directly. The priority was to deal with Ebony Maw first and allow the powerful Captain Marvel to assist...
Eitri had gained some understanding of Thor's strength from the recent battle. While it was indeed impressive, it was not invincible. At the very least, it was not enough to contend directly with the Overlord's Blade.
Corvus Glaive raised his double-bladed spear and lunged.
"Get down with your weapon!" Thor swatted the spear away, grabbed Corvus Glaive by the hair, and hurled him toward Thanos.
Ebony Maw, who had been casting spells rapidly, was caught off guard as Thor rushed him and knocked him away.
Realizing he had been deceived, Thanos quickly pursued Thor.
"Hey, let me try to charge you up." Thor had a flash of insight and placed his hand on Carol's shoulder, continuously channeling electricity into her.
Carol nearly twitched, her body glowing brighter as her hands emitted a continuous wave of light, stronger than ever before, blasting toward Thanos.
"Hoo hoo hoo..." Thanos raised the Overlord's Sky Blade, spinning at high speed to block the light waves, advancing with difficulty.
"One more time!" Carol shouted, and Thor complied, placing his other hand on her shoulder.
Now, the golden light in Carol's eyes had a tinge of blue.
"Haa Buzzz—"
"Boom..."
With a deafening roar, it seemed like the dwarves of Nidavellir had witnessed the birth of a second sun. The blinding light made the entire battlefield dark, as if day had turned to night in an instant, with the bright lights resembling the actual sun.
Where the energies collided, violent explosions created powerful shockwaves. Thanos, Thor, and Carol were all hurled backward.
The explosion's shockwave cleared the smoke and dust, and Thor quickly rushed to Wanda, embracing her and shielding her from the incoming shockwave.
Wanda's physical resilience was not as great as a typical dwarf's, making it difficult to withstand such a shockwave.
Corvus Glaive rolled away from the impact, while Ebony Maw managed to use Black Dwarf's massive corpse as a shield, blocking most of the shockwave.
Wanda slowly opened her eyes, feeling Thor's protective stance. She blushed and pushed away.
"You're awake?"
"Yes," Wanda nodded, "but I'm still a bit dizzy. I'm afraid I can't be of much help. At least that purple guy , I can't control it."
"It's fine. It's enough that you can stand. Just manage your emotions."
Even in her weakened state, Wanda was a significant deterrent, at the very least, a major distraction for Ebony Maw.
----
Chapter 139: Confrontation
After Thor left for Nidavellir, Heimdall kept a close watch on the situation from Asgard.
Sif approached Heimdall with concern. "How is His Highness faring?"
Although Thor had reassured her not to worry, the gravity in his eyes when he departed had not gone unnoticed. With Thor away for over a day, Sif's anxiety was growing.
"His Highness is fine for now; he only sustained minor injuries," Heimdall reported. "The enemies are few and lack an army, but one of them is exceptionally powerful. He is likely the mastermind behind the invasion of Midgard. Only His Majesty would be able to defeat him in Asgard. However, His Highness and the sorceress are both formidable, and they have additional powerful allies to aid them."
Sif was struck by Heimdall's assessment. To face an enemy only slightly inferior to Odin was alarming—Odin was known for his immense power!
Her worry deepened. "No, His Highness cannot confront such a powerful foe alone. We must support him."
Fandral quickly agreed. "That's right. No matter how strong the enemy is, we have faced challenges together before. We should assist, at least to share some of the burden."
Heimdall hesitated. Although he felt that following Thor's plan was the right course of action, Sif and Fandral's arguments had merit.
"Wait!" Loki interrupted, speaking to Heimdall with urgency. "If my brother sends a message, how long will it take for Nidavellir to communicate with Asgard?"
"There should be no delay," Heimdall replied with a piercing glance.
"Then we should adhere to his plan."
"No!" Sif retorted immediately. "If it were an ordinary enemy, this would be acceptable. But the situation is different now; we cannot put His Highness at greater risk!"
Fandral's response was sharp. "Loki, I know you have your issues with your brother, but that doesn't justify letting him face danger alone!" Loki had a troubled past, and the three Asgardian warriors had little trust in him.
"You're being unreasonable!" Loki raised his voice, a rare occurrence for him. "Going now would only make things worse for him!"
"Thor is more than capable of handling you and a hundred more! What can you do to help? You'd only be a burden or a hostage!"
"The enemy hasn't brought an army, so there's no need for our forces to rush to their deaths. If Thor needed help, he would have informed us. His silence means he doesn't want us interfering."
The Asgardian warriors were left speechless.
Heimdall nodded, finally recognizing Loki's point.
Meanwhile, at Nidavellir, the standoff continued.
Thor stood at the center, with Carol on his left and Wanda on his right. Together, they formed a formidable trio, possibly the strongest in history.
Opposite them, the Black Order was arrayed: Ebony Maw and Corvus Glaive in the rear, with Proxima Midnight providing support.
Thanos's expression darkened. It appeared to be a four-on-three battle, but the opponents were exceptionally tough, and his own side had three unreliable members. Killing a few of them would be a significant loss.
Thanos's mouth twitched. If he had known the situation would be so unfavorable, he might have ignored the fight and activated Sanctuary Fleet directly.
The design template for the glove had been destroyed in the aftermath of the battle, making it impossible to recreate. Even if Thanos won temporarily, he would not be able to achieve his goals today. He had to admit that the operation was a failure.
In fact, he was considering retreating. The problem was that with Ebony Maw dead and the Supergiant also having perished at Thor's hands decades ago, his pride was hurt. He could endure criticism from his own ranks, but the dissatisfaction among other subordinates, like those from Chitauri and the vanguards, was a concern.
People's morale was fragmented, and leading the team was becoming increasingly difficult. They followed him because of their own interests, but witnessing his little brother's death at the hands of a second-generation god and some remote planet natives was a blow to their morale.
The atmosphere on Thor's side was equally tense.
The Black Order was a formidable group, and the real issue was Thanos's incredible resilience. Thor and Carol had tried numerous strategies, but none had produced significant results.
Thanos seemed impervious to their attacks. Gungnir, the eternal spear, only managed to cause minor injuries, while the unyielding portal was torn by him with little effect. Despite the damage, Thanos seemed largely unaffected, his decades of battle experience making him more resistant to their efforts.
----
Chapter 140: Odin Appears
The atmosphere grew tense as both sides faced off, prepared for any sudden moves.
Thanos realized that his plan had failed, but he was not willing to retreat without inflicting significant damage. His focus was on Wanda, whose powers were incredibly dangerous. If allowed to fully develop, she could become an even greater threat than Thor or Captain Marvel.
Wanda had initially held him back, leading to Black Dwarf's death and Proxima Midnight's serious injuries. Thor instinctively positioned himself in front of Wanda, knowing that Thanos would likely target her first in any renewed attack.
Thor and Carol lacked the means to decisively defeat Thanos. Wanda was their only hope, provided her mental powers could be fully restored. She needed protection until then.
Unaware of the danger she was in, Wanda was deeply moved by Thor's protective stance and nearly brought to tears.
Suddenly, Thanos attacked with the Tyrant Skyblade, hurling it toward Wanda.
"Get out of the way!" Thor shouted as he pushed Wanda aside and dodged the flying blade.
Carol fired an energy cannon at Thanos. He deflected the energy beam with one hand while catching the blade with the other. Avoiding the attack, he leapt into the air and aimed a strike at Carol.
Ebony Maw conjured spikes from boulders that shot toward Wanda. She activated her powers, enveloping herself in red energy that disintegrated the spikes into dust.
Corvus Glaive, moving in from behind, tried to stab Wanda. Thor grabbed the double-edged spear, kicked Glaive away, and was about to strike when Thanos, having shaken off Captain Marvel, aimed another attack at Wanda. Thor had to turn back to block Thanos's assault.
Thor was growing frustrated. While Thanos was ruthless with his subordinates, Thor couldn't ignore Wanda's safety. The sorceress's vulnerabilities were exposed, and the enemy was clearly targeting her, sensing her weakened state.
"Boom!"
A loud explosion resounded as Bifrost's light illuminated the battlefield. Gungnir, lying nearby, flew into the light.
An ancient voice boomed, "Thanos, you are in a hurry..."
Thanos, caught mid-action, froze in shock. He redirected the Overlord Skyblade to block Ebony Maw and Corvus Glaive, who were about to attack from behind.
Carol, startled, prepared to fire again, but Thor stopped her. "Hold your fire; this is our ally. I don't think we'll be fighting today."
As the light dimmed, Odin emerged, holding Gungnir and radiating divine power. He locked eyes with Thanos with an air of wisdom.
"Thousands of years ago, you were defeated by me in Asgard. Now, as your end approaches, you dare to invade the Nine Realms? I thought the defeat of the dark elves would end the threat, but it seems some are destined to suffer more."
Thanos sneered. "Do you believe you can still defeat me? Your life is waning, and the fall of Svartálfheim is your last stand. Even if you have a few tricks left, you're at your limit, aren't you?"
"Is that so? Then try me," Odin responded, his Destroyer Armor illuminating his form.
"But remember the consequences. You may not have another chance to escape."
Thanos quickly assessed the situation. Odin might not be at his peak, but he still possessed formidable strength. A battle with Odin could be a deadly stalemate, with significant losses on both sides.
Odin's death was inevitable, but Thanos could not afford to lose. Thor and Captain Marvel were formidable opponents, and facing Odin alongside them would be a losing battle. If he fought Odin, the presence of Thor and Captain Marvel would make it a battle he could not afford.
After weighing his options, Thanos decided to retreat. He whispered to Ebony Maw, "Since the mold for the Infinity Gauntlet is destroyed, staying here is pointless. Let's retreat."
Ebony Maw understood and signaled for a small spacecraft to approach.
Thanos gave Odin a cold glare. "I may have lost this battle, but you won't last long. I'm eager to see what becomes of Asgard after you're gone."
He boarded the spacecraft and commanded, "Depart!"
The spacecraft roared into the sky, entering a wormhole and vanishing from sight.
----
Chapter 141: The Declined Captain Marvel
As Thanos departed, Odin turned to the assembled group, his gaze settling on Wanda and Carol with a meaningful nod of satisfaction.
Wanda's cheeks flushed bright red, while Carol's face was marked by a look of exasperation. "What's with that look?" she muttered, frustrated.
Ignoring their reactions, Odin addressed Thor, "Thor, I am very disappointed with your performance. You…"
"Alright, Thanos is gone. Stop pretending," Thor interjected.
"I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Crack—"
As Wanda and Carol were left stunned, a bolt of lightning struck Odin from the sky.
"Why do you always have to show up like this?" Loki, whose body was scorched and hair standing on end, complained with a glum expression.
Wanda and Carol: "!!!"
Thor: "If it really is Father, why did it take so long? You should have intervened sooner! Did Father let Thanos go on purpose back then?"
Loki looked defeated.
"Also, an old villain like Thanos must have seen through it too."
"Then why…"
"Because he was reluctant to fight for a prolonged period. He wasn't sure of his victory and needed to maintain his authority with his subordinates. Black Dwarf's death and Supergiant's defeat would affect his morale significantly. Not all his subordinates are loyal to him."
Carol understood. "So, if you bow to Odin, it'll be easier for those people to accept the situation."
"Yes, Loki was putting on a show, and so was Thanos."
Back in Asgard, Wanda went to rest, leaving Thor and Carol to catch up.
Thor suddenly asked, "It can't possibly take this long to find a home for the Skrulls, right?"
It had been nearly twenty years since Captain Marvel left Earth. After such a long time, was there really no habitable planet?
Carol shook her head. "It's not that simple. Most habitable planets in the universe already have civilizations. I brought the Skrulls to find a home, not to invade others. In the end, we found a planet with harsher conditions and modified it."
Thor was still puzzled. Transforming a planet's environment was difficult for Earth's technology, but the Skrulls possessed some of the most advanced technology in the universe. Shouldn't it have been quicker?
"Actually, a few years ago, it was already possible to settle there. The reason I didn't return was that I discovered something more significant. There are many planets with civilizations that lack protection from powerful beings."
"So, you're the cosmic policeman now. Impressive. But why do I hear that your skills have declined? Shouldn't maintaining peace be a daily task?"
Thor voiced his concerns.
"Ah…" Carol looked a bit embarrassed. "Most of the enemies encountered on those less advanced planets are not very strong. Not even Thanos or his subordinates. Most of them can't withstand a single blow from me…"
Thor nodded in understanding.
Despite the many supervillains encountered on Earth and in Asgard—such as Thanos and Dormammu—the universe wasn't as full of formidable foes as one might think. Troubled planets like Earth and Asgard were exceptions.
A mediocre fighter like Peter Quill, equipped with high-tech weapons, could navigate the galaxy with ease. Similarly, someone like Drax could dominate in the so-called prison of the Nova Corps that held "the most dangerous prisoners."
In fact, most enemies across the universe were at most as powerful as Iron Overlord. Against someone with Carol's strength, they would collapse with a single punch.
Initially, Carol had taken Thor's advice lightly, thinking that fighting lesser enemies would still help her improve, given her responsibility over several galaxies. But she soon found that her own strength had diminished over time, despite her efforts.
This was akin to a national Go champion playing with amateurs all the time; eventually, even their own skills would suffer.
Thor's rapid improvement was largely due to the formidable enemies he faced, like Cursed Warrior, Hela, and Thanos. He had encountered and battled with some of the most dangerous beings across the universe during his time on Sakaar.
…So.