Regarding the situation where Hawkeye was stabbed by Loki but only injured, Tony clearly didn’t think Loki had held back. So, he came up with a highly plausible guess himself.
However, hearing Tony’s words, Thor was left speechless. Although the people of Asgard were indeed extraterrestrial to Earthlings, they were already the closest beings to Earthlings in the Nine Realms.
Their bodies, apart from being much stronger than those of Earthlings, weren’t much different; they also had one heart located in their chests.
In fact, the native species on each of the Nine Realms’ inhabited planets were quite similar, at least in appearance. While Frost Giants and Dark Elves had their distinct characteristics, those were influenced by the specific environments of their respective worlds.
“If Loki really wanted to kill your teammate, even if that stab didn’t hit a vital spot, that person wouldn’t have survived.” Frustrated, Thor looked at Tony and voiced his thoughts.
“Is that so? Then it seems we should be thanking someone— Loki, right? We should be thanking him for going easy?” In response to Thor’s words, Tony retorted without hesitation.
“Alright, alright, Tony. Now isn’t the time for this conversation. We still don’t know what’s happening over there,” Noticing that Thor and Tony were about to escalate the situation, Lin Rui quickly changed the topic.
“What could be happening? Dr. Banner let that big guy out, and what can Loki expect now? He probably got crushed to death long before now.” Unperturbed by Lin Rui’s words, Tony remarked casually.
Buzzing!
“I am a god! You ignorant mortals!…”
Boom!
Just as Tony finished speaking, a powerful surge of magical energy emanated from the direction where Hulk and Loki had fallen. Following that, a loud crash echoed, as if something had collided. Amidst it, Loki’s enraged shout could be heard. Soon after, from the area shrouded in a faint cloud of dust, Lin Rui and the others saw a massive figure moving rapidly.
“Roar! Hulk!!…”
Pū Pū Pū!
Following Hulk’s roar, there came another sound of a heavy object hitting the ground. Alongside this sound, Lin Rui and the others observed Hulk’s gigantic form amidst the dust, seemingly clutching onto something and fiercely smashing it against the ground over and over.
“That… thing that Hulk’s holding… could it be Loki?” Observing the vague scene, Lin Rui’s tone was tinged with curiosity.
Thor: “…”
Thor’s silence confirmed that Lin Rui was right. The figure being ruthlessly slammed into the ground by Hulk, his legs held in a vice-like grip, was none other than Loki.
Evidently, even if it was an illusion, Loki wouldn’t allow someone to treat him this way, after all, it was a matter of dignity. So, the fact that Hulk was repeatedly smashing this person down indicated that it was indeed Loki himself.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After enduring a dozen or so slams onto the ground, an infuriated Hulk finally released his grip in disdain. Subsequently, Loki, who had been thoroughly dazed by the repeated impacts, slipped from Hulk’s grasp and lay in the crater created by the force of the blows.
Presently, Loki had lost the haughty bearing he had earlier; his helmet had disappeared somewhere, and his staff was now buried several meters away in the sand. Several visible scars adorned his face.
Huff!
“Ugh… you… you people…” Apparently not fully grasping what he had just experienced, Loki stared with difficulty and uttered words.
Swoosh, Swoosh, Swoosh!
As Loki finished speaking, a group of figures rapidly approached from all sides, enclosing Loki and blocking the sunlight that had been shining directly on him. With the light blocked from his face, Loki’s gaze gradually shifted forward.
He saw the large figure that had been shaking him like a chicken earlier, standing right in front of him, its expression stern.
Standing beside this large figure were several others, including Captain America, Falcon, who had battled Loki earlier, and Black Widow, who had just disembarked from the Quinjet. However, the positions of Captain America’s group were evidently chosen to maintain some distance from Hulk.
“…” Seeing these Earthlings around him, especially that big guy in front of me, Loki closed his mouth firmly.
Now that Loki’s defenses were shattered and he had been pounded by Hulk, he understood it was wise to remain quiet. Faced with Captain America’s shield, Falcon’s weaponry, and the short blade in Natasha’s hand, Loki thought it best to stay put and not escalate the situation.
“Hmph! Puny God!” Upon witnessing Loki’s surrender, Hulk, standing in front of him, gave a disdainful look and commented.
Hearing Hulk’s words, Loki, pretending to be lifeless, almost jumped up in anger. However, upon considering the other’s strength, Loki suppressed his impulse.
Tap, Tap, Tap~
As Rogers and the others encircled Loki, footsteps sounded from the side. Lin Rui and his group approached. Confirming that Loki had indeed been dazed by Hulk’s pounding, Lin Rui and the others arrived with a sense of satisfaction. Of course, Thor’s emotions were much more complex.
On one hand, given Thor’s relationship with Loki and his history of being tormented by Loki’s pranks since childhood, Thor naturally hoped that Loki would suffer a setback. Yet on the other hand, Thor was Loki’s brother; seeing Loki being bullied by a group of Earthlings was uncomfortable for him.
It was like disciplining their own even if it wasn’t in the best shape— it should be done by family, and if it were Thor, he would’ve given Loki a much harsher lesson. But outsiders couldn’t do that.
Tap~
Approaching Loki, Lin Rui lowered his head to observe the once-arrogant Loki. It was quite satisfying. However, since Loki had been brought down to this state, Lin Rui’s earlier intentions couldn’t be carried out.
Of course, considering Loki’s nature, the likelihood of that plan being executed was slim to begin with. It was more amusing to watch Loki get a taste of his own medicine.
“Jackson, is this guy really from Asgard?” As Lin Rui and the others approached, Rogers looked at the soot-covered Lin Rui and inquired.
This was the first time Lin Rui had openly revealed himself as Phantom Knight to Rogers and the others. Of course, everyone present had a pretty good idea about it, except for Dr. Banner and Falcon.
Upon hearing Rogers inquire about a seemingly random kid, Falcon glanced at Lin Rui in surprise. As for Hulk, he wasn’t particularly interested in these matters now.
……
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