Since he had come all this way, Russell had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
Standing in the shadows, he suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet commanding:
"Sorry to interrupt, everyone."
"Does anyone here know illusion magic?"
The sudden voice startled the four Lokis in the cave, and chaos immediately erupted.
"Who's there?"
"Someone's here!"
"You idiot! You brought someone right to us!"
"Shut up! I was luring the enemy deeper into our territory!"
"Deeper? Into this dump? You're brainless! I'm not fighting with you tomorrow!"
"Then I'll kill you now!"
The Lokis turned on each other instantly, bickering and shouting.
Russell sighed. While he knew most Lokis were chaotic and self-centered, this level of dysfunction was almost cartoonish.
One Loki, wearing a baseball cap, was suddenly kicked aside by another variant. He scrambled back to his feet, ready to retaliate, but paused when his eyes caught movement.
Pointing at the shadowed figure, he exclaimed, "Look! An intruder! Haha, just one guy!"
Russell glanced at himself in the shadows, unimpressed.
I thought I hid well. Guess not.
The other three Lokis stopped their fighting and turned to look. Upon realizing there was indeed just one person in the shadows, they burst out laughing.
"Are you serious? A lone Loki walking into our den?"
"It's been ages since someone came to us voluntarily!"
"I told you I was baiting them in! See? I'm the smartest one here!"
"Fine, fine. You get the first crack at him. But don't forget to take his organs; I want the liver!"
Russell raised an eyebrow.
Am I supposed to be a stand-in for someone? These guys lie with such confidence it's almost impressive.
Then, the Loki in the baseball cap squinted and muttered, "Wait a second… he doesn't look Viking enough. Are you sure you've got the right guy?"
The "luring" Loki examined Russell again and nodded firmly.
"It's him! See that tattoo on his wrist? Evil spider totem—it's a Viking thing! And those brown eyes—classic Viking!"
The other Lokis nodded in agreement.
Russell chuckled. If they keep this up, even I'll start believing I'm Viking Loki.
He stepped out of the shadows, interrupting their discussion.
"Usually, I'm a patient man," he said, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.
"But unfortunately for you, patience isn't on the menu today."
Raising his right hand, he mimed a gun with his fingers and pointed at the loudest Loki.
The "luring" Loki laughed dismissively.
"Really? This guy's a lunatic! Thor must've smashed his head in before he got here!"
The other Lokis joined in, the cave filling with their laughter.
"Go on!" the luring Loki said, tapping his temple mockingly. "Take your shot right here! Make it quick and painless!"
Russell tilted his head thoughtfully.
"I was planning to aim for your chest so you'd feel some pain," he said.
"But since you asked so nicely, I'll oblige."
The luring Loki laughed even harder and leaned forward, pointing at his forehead again.
"Right here! Don't hold back!"
The other Lokis waited eagerly for the show.
Russell smirked, his voice calm as he whispered, "Bang."
The laughter stopped instantly.
The luring Loki's head vanished in a spray of red and white. His body collapsed to the ground, still smiling, but now lifeless.
The remaining Lokis stood frozen, their faces splattered with blood. None of them spoke.
Russell lowered his hand, his expression serene as he pointed at another Loki.
"Why aren't you laughing? Weren't you enjoying yourself?"
The second Loki's voice trembled as he stammered, "I-I wasn't laughing! I swear!"
Russell's smile widened. "I don't believe you."
Two rapid "bangs" later, and two more Lokis dropped lifeless to the ground.
The last Loki, wide-eyed and trembling, fell to his knees.
"Brother—no, Great Master! I know illusion magic! I swear, I'm more useful than these fools!"
He recalled Russell's earlier question and clung to it like a lifeline.
"I can prove it! Just give me a chance!"
Russell's expression softened, as if he were genuinely considering the plea. The kneeling Loki breathed a sigh of relief, convinced he'd survived.
Then, Russell's smile turned cold.
"Bang."
The last Loki looked down, confused, at the charred hole in his chest before collapsing with a bewildered expression.
Russell blew on his finger, as though cooling the barrel of a gun.
"Not bad," he muttered to himself. "Didn't waste my time after all."
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Added 'All the Powers Russell has Till Ch 45' Auxiliary chapter do check it out.