80

Hammer: The Weapon of Kings

Caught off guard, Forseti couldn't find a reason to refuse and could only muster a look of surprise. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

"I haven't finished," Hela raised her hand. "If you accept my father's guarantee, you must join my hunting party during the Hunt Festival."

Forseti was taken aback. "You're also joining the Hunt Festival?"

Hela nodded. "It's not just me; Skadi is also participating. My father wants me to surpass Skadi."

Legally, Cul is Asgard's undisputed king, but public opinion differs. People favor Odin, the Sky God, over Cul, the God of Fear.

Odin, not one to bow to another's rule, reluctantly accepted his brother's ascendancy, though not without secretive power struggles.

This Hunt Festival, Cul's daughter Skadi and Odin's daughter Hela participated, setting the stage for a rivalry between the two brothers and their factions.

It's almost certain the Hunt Festival will be a contest between Skadi and Hela. Others may participate or join the princesses' hunting parties, but winning solo is improbable.

Forseti realized this upon reflection.

Despite his disinterest in the Hunt Festival, he replied, "I am at your service, Your Royal Highness."

Shortly after Hela departed, Forseti resumed planting Thunderbolt Fruit, squatting once more.

"Hey!" a booming voice called out.

Forseti turned to see Skurge's towering figure.

Having not seen Skurge in years, he had grown into a hulking beast, standing nearly two meters tall, muscle and fat bulging.

He resembled a mountain, casting a large shadow over Forseti, still squatting.

Forseti stood, finding he only reached Skurge's chest. "..."

Skurge was excited. "Was that Princess Hela just now? What did she want?"

Forseti remained composed. "She came to see me. Is there a problem?"

Skurge was astonished, then incredulous. "Really?"

Forseti didn't respond. "Have you just returned from Jotunheim?"

Ten years ago, after returning to Asgard, he visited Skurge's home and learned Skurge had been sent to Jotunheim. Skurge had spent over a decade there.

"That's right," Skurge said. "Hey, I'm an official Asgardian warrior now, even a vice-captain, the youngest at our outpost!"

"You've been promoting diet pills lately?"

"You've heard about that too?"

Skurge chuckled. "Kul Tiras Diet Pills. I learned about it from the outpost."

Forseti was surprised. "Outpost?"

Skurge explained, "There's a guy at the outpost who lost a lot of weight after using your diet pills on his trip back to Asgard. Thanks to him, I know you're still alive."

Forseti nodded, then glanced down, patting Skurge's protruding belly. "Looks like you should try my diet pills."

"No," Skurge declined without hesitation.

"Why not?"

"You have no idea how many times this fat has saved me," Skurge said. "Honestly, sometimes it feels more important than muscles and armor."

...

In Asgard's palace...

The Odin family of three dined together.

"Forseti?" Odin asked casually.

Hela nodded. "In Jotunheim, he saved me."

Odin's current wife and Hela's mother, Jord, spoke up. "Wasn't it Ullr who saved you? Who is Forseti? I've never heard of him."

Odin frowned slightly, displeased. He slowed his chewing speed, his mind wandering.

Hela fell silent for a moment. "If not for him, I would have died at Laufey's hands before Uller found me."

Odin turned to Hela. "Is he strong?"

"Well... he's competent," Hela pondered briefly before settling on this assessment. "His light magic is unusual. I believe he'll be a great asset once he joins my hunting party."

Odin smiled. "Very well, my daughter. I trust your judgment. What's his name again? I keep forgetting..."

Hela hesitated. "Forseti."

Odin nodded. "Ah, Forseti. I'll ensure he participates in the Hunt Festival."

At this, Jord interjected. "I heard Cul has recruited a few adept hammer wielders. I don't understand why some people favor hammers."

Odin glanced at her, continuing to eat with bowed head. "The hammer is the weapon of kings—it's wielded by warriors and craftsmen alike, capable of both destruction and creation..."

Jord stared at him. "Are you suggesting Hela should wield a hammer too?"

"Good idea!" Odin seemed suddenly inspired, not meeting her gaze. "If Cul's daughter can handle a hammer, why not mine?"

"Daughter, what do you think? I plan to visit the Dwarf King personally and have him forge the mightiest warhammer for you," he said to Hela.

Hela replied hesitantly. "..."

...

In the realm of experience...

Beneath the thick canopy, twilight cast deeper shadows.

Before Forseti, a wounded silver giant wolf, its teeth bared, growled menacingly: "Roar..."

Forseti, too, was injured, blood staining his face, panting heavily, watching the wolf warily.

This silver giant wolf was Lupo, the fourth-level rare monster and former hunting god's pet in Warcraft, a vicious beast adept at shadow attacks.

The man and wolf had been locked in combat for some time now, at a stalemate.

"Roar!" Lupo leaped forward again.

In Warcraft lore, any attack from Lupo carried a potent shadow power, exceedingly difficult to withstand.

Forseti had faced this challenge multiple times and knew well its strength, choosing not to confront it head-on.

Holy Light Strike!

The Holy Light struck Lupo's side, knocking him back.

But Lupo, with his thick hide and fierce temperament, rolled over without a whimper.

Forseti seized the moment, slamming his warhammer into the ground.

Sword of Justice!

Caught off guard as he rolled over, Lupo was impaled from below by the Sword of Justice, blood splattering.

With a foreleg injured, Lupo's mobility severely limited, quickly losing ground in the fight.

Forseti's assault intensified, relentless. Finally, in his exhaustion, he delivered a crushing blow to Lupo's neck bone with his hammer.

"Boom!"

Lupo's body exploded, a loot page slowly descending.

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