"Alright then!"
Once he was exposed by Zeus, Loki didn't bother keeping up the disguise anymore.
With a thought, the illusion faded, and his true appearance was revealed before Zeus.
"An Odinson?"
Zeus sized Loki up for a moment, thinking it over before recognition dawned. "You're… Loki Odinson?"
"Lord Zeus, I sincerely apologize for disturbing you in this manner."
A trace of apology appeared on Loki's face as he began to speak.
"Wait a moment. I've heard some rumors, and I'm a bit confused. Should I call you Odinson, or Laufeyson?"
At a time like this, Zeus was actually fixated on that.
"Odinson. Without question!"
Loki answered firmly, though his expression darkened slightly.
He knew very well that he was Laufey's son—but in his heart, he had always been Odin's!
"Lord Zeus, listen. I'm truly sorry, but right now we need your help—"
"Hold it."
Zeus interrupted him midway. "Let me make something clear. Yes, Odin and I have known each other for a long time—but that's all it is."
"Do you know what that means?"
"It means I'm not close to Odin. And I'm even less close to you."
"Every god handles their own problems. So whatever trouble you're in, you'll have to deal with it yourself."
The refusal was decisive, leaving no room at all.
Even Loki, normally so eloquent, felt a headache coming on.
"I understand, I really do—and I even agree!"
Loki nodded repeatedly. "But Lord Zeus, this time is different. There's a man who specifically hunts gods. He's called the God Butcher. I'm sure you've heard of him."
Zeus's previously casual expression instantly stiffened.
Gorr the God Butcher—of course he'd heard of him.
More than that, he was deeply wary.
After all, that man wielded the legendary Necrosword.
"So that's your goal?"
"You want my help against the God Butcher? Heh. His business is none of yours."
But quickly, Zeus returned to his lofty, nonchalant demeanor.
"No."
"We've already found other powerful allies. The God Butcher isn't a problem for us."
"So no, I'm not here to ask for help fighting him. I'm only here to borrow your Mirror of Insight."
Loki then briefly explained how Frigga had been taken by the God Butcher.
Seeing how confident Loki looked, Zeus couldn't help but feel curious.
Just who was this so-called ally?
Someone who could give Loki that much confidence?
Loki, the god of tricks and deceit—surely he hadn't been scammed, right?
But Zeus didn't really care. After a moment's idle thought, he rejected them outright.
"No."
"Please, Lord Zeus. I only need to know where my mother is. I won't bring you any trouble, I swear!"
Loki pleaded.
"Still no."
Zeus shook his head decisively. "Not only that—you can't leave either. You'll stay here."
"What? Why? What are you talking about?"
Loki was completely stunned. This was nothing like what he'd imagined.
"You know this place. The God Butcher could learn of it through you."
"That's an unacceptable risk. I won't allow it."
"Guards!"
As he spoke, Zeus suddenly ordered Loki's arrest.
"What the hell kind of god is Zeus?!"
"I was blind before!"
Not far away, Thor was completely dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.
He had worshiped Zeus for years.
And this was what he admired?
Cowardice, plain and simple!
Not lending the Mirror of Insight was one thing—after all, it was Zeus's property.
But imprisoning Loki just because he feared the God Butcher discovering Omnipotence City?
That was beyond absurd.
A complete joke.
"Stop!"
Thor finally couldn't stand it anymore and strode up to Zeus. "Zeus, what are you doing? The mighty, all-powerful Zeus—is he really afraid of the God Butcher?"
"Oh, another Odinson… Yes. I'm afraid."
Zeus admitted it shamelessly. "He wields the Necrosword. He can kill us. So, Thor, you can't leave either. Guards!"
Clang, clang, clang!
Two rows of soldiers in golden armor rushed out at once, surrounding Thor and Loki.
With no other choice, the brothers fought back.
Just like that, what should have been a simple borrowing request spiraled completely out of control.
And at this point—
Alex had no choice but to step in.
Standing on an invisible surfboard, he floated calmly in front of Zeus.
"Wait. You—you're just flesh and blood. You're not even a god!"
Zeus stared at Alex in shock.
He could tell at a glance—this man was human.
And yet, a powerful aura radiated from him.
So… what exactly was this man?
"Whether I'm a god or not isn't important," Alex shrugged casually.
"What matters is that you made the first move."
"Since that's the case, don't blame us for being rude in return."
"Oh?"
Zeus laughed, as if he'd just heard the funniest joke imaginable.
He admitted this human was strong—absurdly strong, beyond anything a normal human should be.
But in the end, he was still just a human.
Daring to act arrogant before a god like him?
Was his brain broken?
"So then… how exactly do you plan to be 'rude'?"
Zeus looked at Alex with mocking disdain, as though staring at an idiot.
"Like this."
Boom!
Before the words even finished, Alex cocked his fist and smashed it straight into Zeus.
Bang!
With a dull, brutal impact, Zeus's body flew backward like a cannonball, crashing through the Golden Temple and sending gods sprawling everywhere.
What… the hell?
Zeus staggered to his feet, utterly stunned, eyes bulging as he stared at Alex in disbelief.
Was this a joke?
How could a mortal possibly be this strong?!
What kind of monster human was this?!
But after the brief shock, Zeus erupted in fury.
He thrust out his hand.
Crackle.
Golden light flashed as the Thunderbolt formed in his grip.
With a violent swing, Zeus hurled it—turning it into a streak of golden lightning that shot straight toward Alex.
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