Two figures ascended the spiraling staircase, making their way to the observation deck. Though they had yet to reach the top, the cacophony of the arena's countless spectators already echoed in their ears.
The roars of the crowd were dominated by the voices of the gods, who arrogantly boasted about how they would humiliate humanity. Their taunts were directed at the other group of spectators—humans from various eras of history. The voices of the humans were nearly drowned out, not because they were fewer in number, but because the gods' voices were amplified to a deafening degree—both metaphorically and literally.
Most of the human spectators were pessimistic about the upcoming battle between humanity and the gods—the so-called Ragnarok. To them, the idea of humans challenging the gods was nothing short of suicidal. It was a futile struggle, a desperate last stand.
Some were even more despondent, wishing the battle wouldn't happen at all. They believed that stepping onto the battlefield would only bring further humiliation to humanity.
"Sister Brynhildr, do you really think he can do it?"
Grey, trailing behind her elder sister, couldn't hide her anxiety.
The man they had chosen was undoubtedly a legendary figure in human history, said to be even stronger than Lü Bu. But was he truly capable of facing a god? Brynhildr had mentioned that the first representative of the gods would likely be Thor, the Thunder God. Could he really win against such a being?
Thor was renowned as the strongest in Norse mythology—second only to Odin himself. His power was on par with that of a chief god.
"Whether he can or not, we'll see in the battle," Brynhildr replied calmly, though her mind was preoccupied with another question: Why had the Emperor sent this man as his representative? Did it mean the Emperor himself had no intention of participating?
"I see…" Grey didn't press further. She could sense her sister's unease and didn't want to provoke her.
As they approached the exit, the cacophony of the gods' voices grew louder, their words filled with malice. Grey couldn't help but shrink back, intimidated by their cruelty.
When they finally stepped out onto the observation deck, Grey was greeted by the sight of an enormous coliseum. Some of the gods noticed Brynhildr's arrival and glared at her with venomous eyes, as if they wanted to devour her.
"Brynhildr, watch as the humans you've chosen are crushed to dust!"
"How laughable! A demigod like you dares to pit humans against us? Are you trying to humiliate them before their extinction?"
"I can't wait to see the look on your face when your humans are slaughtered!"
"Will you cry, I wonder?"
The gods' mockery was relentless. Then, a particularly loud voice rang out:
"If you do cry, you can always come to my arms, little Brynhildr. I'll comfort you~"
Grey couldn't help but feel disgusted. The speaker was none other than Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, who was now leering at Brynhildr and blowing kisses in her direction.
"Ugh, what a perverted old man," Grey muttered under her breath, though she dared not say it aloud.
But Brynhildr had no such reservations.
"Old man, stop staring. It's disgusting."
The arena fell silent for a moment.
The announcer of the Ragnarok battles, Heimdall, stood at the center of the coliseum, his voice booming across the arena.
"After eons of waiting, the final trumpet has sounded! The battle between gods and humans begins now! The rules are simple: one side must die for the battle to conclude."
The gods erupted into cheers, eager to witness the violence about to unfold. Meanwhile, the humans grew even more despondent.
"It's about to begin, Sister Brynhildr," Grey said, swallowing hard. The first battle was about to be announced.
"For the gods' side, the first combatant is—" Heimdall paused for dramatic effect before gesturing toward one of the gates. A terrifying aura emanated from within, accompanied by crackling electricity.
The gate opened, revealing the figure of Thor, the Thunder God.
"The one who lives for battle and dies for battle! The wielder of the hammer that can shatter the earth! The mightiest warrior of the Norse pantheon—Thor!"
The coliseum erupted into cheers as Thor stepped into the arena, his hammer, Mjölnir, crackling with lightning. His presence alone was overwhelming, causing even some of the gods to lower their heads in fear.
On the human side, despair deepened. The first battle was against Thor? How could they possibly win?
"Sister, are you sure about this? Can he really win?" Grey asked, her voice trembling.
"Shouldn't we have sent Gilgamesh or Solomon instead?"
Brynhildr glared at her.
"Are you an idiot? We can't reveal our trump cards in the first round. Just watch."
Grey shrunk back, chastised.
"And now, the challenger representing humanity—" Heimdall announced, gesturing toward the opposite gate. A figure emerged, his presence no less imposing than Thor's.
"The man known as the greatest warrior in human history—Xiang Yu, the Conqueror of Chu!"
The battle began with a thunderous clash. Thor's hammer collided with Xiang Yu's spear, sending shockwaves through the arena. The sheer force of their blows caused the ground to crack and the air to tremble.
Despite the overwhelming power of Thor, Xiang Yu held his ground. His movements were precise, his strikes calculated. He was not merely fighting for survival—he was fighting to prove that humanity could stand against the gods.
As the battle raged on, the humans began to feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Xiang Yu could indeed challenge a god.
But then, Thor raised his hammer high, summoning a massive bolt of lightning that struck the arena with devastating force. The light was blinding, the sound deafening.
When the dust settled, Xiang Yu stood unscathed. He had deflected the lightning with a single strike of his spear.
The coliseum fell silent.
As the battle continued, Xiang Yu's body began to change. His skin peeled away, revealing a mechanical exoskeleton beneath. He was no ordinary human—he was a mechanical warrior, a creation of the Emperor himself.
The gods were stunned. How could a human—or rather, a machine—stand against a god?
But Xiang Yu was not done. With a roar, he unleashed his full power, his mechanical body transforming into a weapon of unparalleled destruction.
The final clash between Thor and Xiang Yu shook the very foundations of the coliseum. When the dust settled, only one figure remained standing.
The coliseum was silent as the spectators processed what they had just witnessed. The battle had ended in a draw, with both Thor and Xiang Yu collapsing from their injuries.
But the message was clear: humanity was not to be underestimated.
As Brynhildr and Grey watched from the observation deck, they knew that this was only the beginning. The true battle for humanity's survival had just begun.
The coliseum was in chaos. The gods, who had once mocked humanity, now stared in stunned silence at the mechanical monstrosity that stood before them. Xiang Yu—or rather, the mechanical warrior that had once been Xiang Yu—was a sight to behold. His body, now fully revealed as a fusion of man and machine, radiated an aura of destruction.
Thor, the Thunder God, wiped blood from his mouth and grinned. "Not bad, human. You've forced me to use my full power. Let's see how long you can last."
The two warriors clashed again, their blows shaking the very fabric of reality. The coliseum, reinforced by divine magic, began to crack under the strain of their battle.
As the battle reached its climax, Xiang Yu's mechanical body began to overheat. Sparks flew from his joints, and his movements slowed. Thor, sensing weakness, pressed his advantage.
But Xiang Yu was not done yet. With a final burst of energy, he unleashed a devastating attack, striking Thor with enough force to send the Thunder God flying across the arena.
The coliseum fell silent once more as both warriors collapsed, their bodies broken and battered. The battle had ended in a draw, but the message was clear: humanity could stand against the gods.
The coliseum was in chaos. The gods, who had once mocked humanity, now stared in stunned silence at the mechanical monstrosity that stood before them. Xiang Yu—or rather, the mechanical warrior that had once been Xiang Yu—was a sight to behold. His body, now fully revealed as a fusion of man and machine, radiated an aura of destruction.
Thor, the Thunder God, wiped blood from his mouth and grinned. "Not bad, human. You've forced me to use my full power. Let's see how long you can last."
The two warriors clashed again, their blows shaking the very fabric of reality. The coliseum, reinforced by divine magic, began to crack under the strain of their battle.
As the dust settled, the gods and humans alike began to process what they had just witnessed. The battle had ended in a draw, with both Thor and Xiang Yu collapsing from their injuries.
But the message was clear: humanity was not to be underestimated.
As Brynhildr and Grey watched from the observation deck, they knew that this was only the beginning. The true battle for humanity's survival had just begun.
The coliseum was in chaos. The gods, who had once mocked humanity, now stared in stunned silence at the mechanical monstrosity that stood before them. Xiang Yu—or rather, the mechanical warrior that had once been Xiang Yu—was a sight to behold. His body, now fully revealed as a fusion of man and machine, radiated an aura of destruction.
Thor, the Thunder God, wiped blood from his mouth and grinned. "Not bad, human. You've forced me to use my full power. Let's see how long you can last."
The two warriors clashed again, their blows shaking the very fabric of reality. The coliseum, reinforced by divine magic, began to crack under the strain of their battle.
The coliseum was silent as the spectators processed what they had just witnessed. The battle had ended in a draw, with both Thor and Xiang Yu collapsing from their injuries.
But the message was clear: humanity was not to be underestimated.
As Brynhildr and Grey watched from the observation deck, they knew that this was only the beginning. The true battle for humanity's survival had just begun.
The coliseum was in chaos. The gods, who had once mocked humanity, now stared in stunned silence at the mechanical monstrosity that stood before them. Xiang Yu—or rather, the mechanical warrior that had once been Xiang Yu—was a sight to behold. His body, now fully revealed as a fusion of man and machine, radiated an aura of destruction.
Thor, the Thunder God, wiped blood from his mouth and grinned. "Not bad, human. You've forced me to use my full power. Let's see how long you can last."
The two warriors clashed again, their blows shaking the very fabric of reality. The coliseum, reinforced by divine magic, began to crack under the strain of their battle.
The coliseum buzzed with anticipation as the second round of Ragnarok was about to begin. The gods, still reeling from their unexpected loss in the first round, were determined to reclaim their dominance. The humans, emboldened by their victory, stood ready to prove that their triumph was no fluke.
The announcer, Heimdall, raised his hand to silence the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, gods and mortals alike, the second round of Ragnarok is about to commence! The stakes are higher than ever, and the battle will be fiercer than before. Let us witness the clash of titans once more!"
The gates on the gods' side creaked open, and a figure emerged, shrouded in darkness. The air grew heavy, and the temperature dropped as the figure stepped into the light. It was Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, a demon of unparalleled malevolence.
"For the gods' side, we have Beelzebub, the embodiment of decay and corruption! A being feared even by the gods themselves!"
Heimdall announced, his voice trembling slightly.
The humans gasped. Beelzebub was a name synonymous with terror, a demon who had brought ruin to countless worlds. His presence alone was enough to instill fear in the hearts of even the bravest warriors.
On the human side, the gates opened to reveal a figure cloaked in white. His presence was calm and serene, a stark contrast to the malevolence of Beelzebub. It was Solomon, the wise king of legend, known for his mastery over demons and magic.
"And for humanity, we have Solomon, the King of Wisdom! A man who tamed the forces of hell itself!" Heimdall declared, his voice filled with awe.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps. Solomon's reputation preceded him, and many wondered if he could truly stand against the might of Beelzebub.
The battle began with a deafening roar as Beelzebub unleashed a wave of dark energy, corrupting everything in its path. The ground beneath him cracked and withered, and the air grew thick with the stench of decay.
Solomon raised his hand, and a barrier of light appeared, shielding him from the onslaught. The dark energy collided with the barrier, creating a shockwave that shook the coliseum.
"You cannot hope to defeat me, Solomon," Beelzebub sneered. "Your light is but a flicker in the face of my darkness."
Solomon smiled calmly. "Light, no matter how small, can pierce even the deepest darkness. And today, I will prove that humanity's light is stronger than your corruption."
With a wave of his hand, Solomon summoned a legion of spirits—the 72 Demons he had bound to his will. They appeared in a flash of light, their forms both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Beelzebub's eyes narrowed. "You dare summon these creatures against me? They are but insects compared to my power!"
The demons roared in unison, their voices shaking the very foundations of the coliseum. They charged at Beelzebub, their claws and fangs bared.
The battle was fierce, with Beelzebub's dark energy clashing against the combined might of Solomon and his demons. The coliseum trembled under the force of their attacks, and the spectators watched in awe and terror.
As the battle raged on, Solomon began to chant an ancient incantation. The air around him shimmered as a massive magic circle appeared beneath his feet. The circle glowed with a brilliant light, and the demons surrounding him began to merge into a single, colossal entity.
"What is this?" Beelzebub growled, his voice filled with unease.
"This is the Great Demon King, a being born from the combined power of the 72 Demons," Solomon explained.
"It is the embodiment of their strength and my will."
The Great Demon King roared, its massive form towering over Beelzebub. With a single strike, it sent the Lord of the Flies flying across the arena, crashing into the walls with a deafening impact.
Beelzebub struggled to rise, his body battered and broken. He glared at Solomon, his eyes filled with hatred. "You may have defeated me, Solomon, but this is far from over. The forces of hell will never bow to humanity!"
Solomon's expression grew solemn. "Perhaps not. But today, humanity has proven that it can stand against the gods and demons alike. And that is a victory in itself."
With a final wave of his hand, Solomon dismissed the Great Demon King, and the 72 Demons returned to the abyss. The portal closed, and the coliseum fell silent.
The second round of Ragnarok had ended in a decisive victory for humanity. Solomon had proven that even the mightiest of demons could be controlled and used to fight for humanity's survival. The gods, who had once been so confident, now found themselves questioning their own power.
As the dust settled, the gods and humans alike began to prepare for the next round. The stakes were higher than ever, and the battles to come would determine the fate of both heaven and earth.
But for now, humanity could celebrate its second victory. And in the shadows, the forces of darkness began to stir, plotting their next move in the great game of Ragnarok.
In the depths of the underworld, a figure stirred. It was Loki, the trickster god, who had been watching the battles with keen interest. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he plotted his next move.
"The humans are stronger than we anticipated," Loki muttered to himself. "But they are still no match for the true power of the gods. It's time to tip the scales in our favor."
With a wave of his hand, Loki summoned a portal, and from it emerged a figure cloaked in shadows. It was Fenrir, the monstrous wolf destined to bring about the end of the world.
"Fenrir, my old friend," Loki said with a grin. "It's time for you to join the fray. Let's see how the humans fare against the harbinger of Ragnarok itself."
Fenrir growled, his eyes glowing with malevolence. The stage was set for the next battle, and the fate of humanity hung in the balance.
The coliseum was once again filled with tension as the third round of Ragnarok began. The gods, desperate to reclaim their dominance, had chosen Fenrir as their champion. The humans, still riding high on their previous victories, prepared to face this new threat.
The gates opened, and Fenrir emerged, his massive form casting a shadow over the arena. His growl sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors.
"For the gods' side, we have Fenrir, the monstrous wolf destined to bring about the end of the world!" Heimdall announced, his voice filled with dread.
On the human side, the gates opened to reveal a figure clad in golden armor. It was Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, a man whose legend transcended time itself.
"And for humanity, we have Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes! A man who sought immortality and conquered the heavens!" Heimdall declared, his voice filled with awe.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps. Gilgamesh's reputation was unparalleled, and many wondered if he could truly stand against the might of Fenrir.
The battle began with a deafening roar as Fenrir charged at Gilgamesh, his massive jaws snapping shut with enough force to shatter mountains. Gilgamesh raised his hand, and a golden portal appeared, from which emerged countless weapons of legend.
"You dare challenge me, beast?" Gilgamesh sneered. "I am the King of Heroes, and you are but a rabid dog!"
The weapons flew at Fenrir, striking him with incredible force. But the monstrous wolf was relentless, his body healing almost instantly from every wound.
The battle was fierce, with Gilgamesh's weapons clashing against Fenrir's raw power. The coliseum trembled under the force of their attacks, and the spectators watched in awe and terror.
As the battle reached its climax, Gilgamesh summoned his ultimate weapon—the Gate of Babylon. The portal opened, and from it emerged Ea, the sword that could rend the fabric of reality itself.
"This ends now, Fenrir," Gilgamesh declared. "Behold the power of the King of Heroes!"
With a single strike, Gilgamesh unleashed the full power of Ea, tearing through Fenrir's body and obliterating him in a flash of light. The coliseum fell silent as the dust settled, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
The third round of Ragnarok had ended in a decisive victory for humanity. Gilgamesh had proven that even the mightiest of beasts could be defeated by the strength and will of humanity. The gods, who had once been so confident, now found themselves questioning their own power.
As the dust settled, the gods and humans alike began to prepare for the next round. The stakes were higher than ever, and the battles to come would determine the fate of both heaven and earth.
But for now, humanity could celebrate its third victory. And in the shadows, the forces of darkness began to stir, plotting their next move in the great game of Ragnarok.