Chapter 123: Breaking with the Gods, Unleashing Fenrir!
In the grand temple.
The spectators watched the screen with delight as Loki, spurred on by their planted agitators, descended into the abyss and severed ties with the gods.
During the war against the giants, this traitor had dealt them a devastating blow.
"Hah! He really cut ties?"
"But this fool claims he'll kill every god present?"
"What arrogance."
They sneered among themselves.
However, Loki's next move left them somewhat bewildered.
Though they didn't understand what Loki was doing, noticing Odin's reaction made some gods tense up.
Odin, who had always been composed, was now showing signs of panic—proof that whatever Loki was about to do was no small matter.
When Loki said he would send everyone present to their deaths, it likely wasn't an empty threat. He must have had some real leverage to make such a bold claim.
So, what would happen if one of those chains broke?
"W-what's going on? Why is Lord Odin so nervous?"
Even Ares, the God of War from Greek mythology, couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Truth be told, he didn't hold any prejudice against Loki for being a giant.
Besides, many gods present could trace their lineage back to the giants in one way or another.
"That chain—could it be—?!"
Hermes beside him also paled, as if he had realized something.
"What about the chain?" Ares couldn't help but ask.
It was Lord Adamas who responded, his expression grave.
This was truly bad. If that chain was broken, it meant that thing was no longer restrained.
"Gleipnir? What's that?"
Göll learned the name of the chain from her sister but didn't know its origin or purpose.
Yet, seeing Brunhilde's unprecedented tension, it was clear something major was happening.
"Gleipnir is the chain used to bind a terrifying monster!"
Brunhilde's voice was low, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
It seemed Loki intended to unleash that monster—this was going to be a real headache.
"A terrifying monster?"
Göndul murmured before her eyes widened in realization. She parted her lips slightly.
"Could it be... that giant wolf—Fenrir?!"
Her voice was sharp and trembling.
"Fenrir?!"
Göll's voice rose in alarm.
No way.
This monster was said to have devoured countless giants during the war, making it a significant asset to the Norse pantheon.
But don't mistake the beast for being benevolent—it simply found the giants a satisfying meal.
After the war ended, Fenrir began eyeing the gods.
At first, it could restrain itself, but its wild instincts grew stronger, and it started secretly devouring gods, growing ever more powerful.
Thus, the gods had no choice but to deal with it.
Kill it?
But it had contributed greatly in the war against the giants, and outright slaughter seemed ungrateful.
Though Brunhilde said it wasn't about gratitude—it was simply too wasteful to kill such a weapon, especially if another war with the giants broke out.
Moreover, the wolf belonged to Loki, and out of respect for his contributions, they chose to imprison it instead.
Yet, several specially crafted chains failed to hold it. Finally, using six rare materials—a cat's footfall, a woman's beard, a mountain's roots, a fish's breath, a bear's sinew, and a bird's spit—they forged the cursed chain Gleipnir, successfully binding Fenrir.
"So you've released Fenrir? Then, Lord Odin, what will you do now?"
Brunhilde's eyes also gleamed with an eerie light as she gazed at the chief god Odin.
His panic might not have been solely due to the chaos Fenrir could unleash upon breaking free—perhaps he was also troubled by a certain prophecy.
This prophecy was considered forbidden even within Norse mythology, a tale few dared to whisper.
It was said that Loki would one day betray the gods, bringing upon them the true Ragnarök.
His monstrous wolf, Fenrir, would devour countless deities and was prophesied to be the death of Odin himself.
Now, it seemed the prophecy was unfolding.
"What—what is this aura?!"
"What has Loki done?"
"Something feels terribly wrong!"
Even the oblivious divine spectators began to stir with unease.
From Loki—or rather, from the dark fissure splitting his body—emanated a presence so chilling it made the gods shudder. It felt like the natural enemy of divinity, causing some to tremble uncontrollably.
"ROOOOOOOOAR—!"
A deafening roar erupted from the fissure, as if rising from the depths of hell itself.
"That—that voice, could it be—?!"
"No way!"
"It's that thing, that monster!!!"
Those who recognized it paled instantly.
They had witnessed its horror before—a beast that feasted on gods, its meals drenched in unspeakable gore.
Now, panic truly set in.
"Wait, what on earth—"
Before the confused gods could demand answers, the transformation on the arena silenced them.
A claw suddenly wrenched itself out from the dark chasm in Loki's chest.
Considering the fissure was nearly forty centimeters long, the claw alone nearly filled it entirely—hinting at the monstrous size of its owner.
The next instant, the claw tore violently outward, splitting Loki cleanly in two!
He was bisected!
Yet, horrifyingly, no blood gushed from the wound, nor were any organs visible—only an abyssal darkness.
Even more unsettling, the two halves of Loki remained alive, twitching grotesquely.
From within one half, the claw continued to force its way out, inch by inch.
The dark maw was being forced open continuously, stretching Loki's body like a rubber band, grotesquely contorted in a horrifying manner.
But what was even more terrifying was the monster emerging from within—a giant wolf!
At this point, even the most oblivious gods understood what this creature was.
"It's—it's—it's Fenrir!!!"
Panic spread like wildfire among the gods!