Chapter 78 78: The Destroyer Descends
"Thor, do you believe me now?"
Qin Xiao's words pulled Thor back to reality.
"Even if what you say is true, I will never accept a deal from a demon like you."
Thor had his own principles.
"It doesn't matter. When the Destroyer arrives, let's see if you can still hold on to that… resolve."
Qin Xiao didn't care in the slightest.
He was getting more and more skilled at persuading people.
"The Destroyer? That's impossible—"
Buzz—
Buzz—
Just as Thor was in disbelief, a violent surge of energy erupted across the sky.
The Bifrost had opened once again.
Moments later, a massive suit of metal armor strode into the town.
Beams of destructive energy blasted everything in its path.
Wherever it passed, devastation followed.
Qin Xiao even spotted the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents stationed at the outskirts—being the first to be attacked.
Nick Fury, Coulson, and their team were fleeing in panic.
This thing was far beyond their level.
Thor clenched his fists as he stared at the Destroyer.
"Loki… how could you do this?! These are warriors who fought alongside you for centuries, and you sent the Destroyer after them?!"
The Destroyer!
An armor forged by Odin to contend with the Celestials.
Wearing it, Odin could stand against them—if only briefly.
Even so, it was an ultimate weapon.
The guardian of Asgard's treasury.
Now, it had appeared on Earth.
Which meant Loki truly intended to kill them.
At that moment, Thor was utterly disappointed in Loki.
"You all go. We'll hold it off."
The Warriors Three and Sif prepared to cover Thor's escape.
The four of them charged toward the Destroyer.
They had to buy time.
"My friends, I'm just a mortal now. Staying here will only hold you back.
But I can help evacuate the others.
Jane—you should leave."
For once, Thor was thinking clearly.
He knew his limits and didn't want to drag them down.
"No… there's no one left to evacuate. That… Demon Envoy already scared most people away."
Jane Foster's expression twitched.
She didn't dare say "Demon Envoy" too loudly.
"Thor, have you reconsidered? The Rumble-Rumble Fruit can restore your power over lightning."
Qin Xiao seized the moment and took out the Devil Fruit.
"No! I will never compromise with a demon!"
"Alright."
Qin Xiao didn't get angry.
He simply watched the four Asgardians engage the Destroyer.
Boom—!
The moment they approached, Volstagg was swatted away.
His massive body smashed into a car.
The Destroyer's attention shifted to him.
Its faceplate opened, glowing with terrifying energy.
At that instant, Lady Sif descended from above.
Her spear pierced straight through the Destroyer's body.
The glowing faceplate dimmed instantly.
"Nice!"
Thor cheered, a grin spreading across his face.
"See that? My companions are reliable! You won't tempt me!"
He even mocked Qin Xiao.
"Oh? Is that so? Then… why is the Destroyer moving again?"
Crack—
Crack—
Crack—
The Destroyer's body twisted violently.
In an instant, its faceplate rotated to face Sif.
Buzz—
Boom—!
A blazing energy beam shot skyward.
If Sif hadn't dodged in time, she would have been gravely injured.
"Tsk. The Destroyer really is terrifying."
Now it was Qin Xiao's turn to marvel.
In just one exchange, the Asgardians realized how frightening it truly was.
Before, it had always been on their side.
Now, as its enemies, they finally understood the difference.
Thor watched his friends being overwhelmed, helplessness flooding his chest.
If only he still had his power…
The Destroyer pressed the attack relentlessly.
The Warriors Three and Sif were forced into a desperate retreat.
Injured. Cornered.
Even Qin Xiao's expression grew serious.
Had he underestimated this?
If Thor didn't awaken in time…
they might all die here.
"Logan—help them."
Both Logan and Thor froze for a moment.
But Logan didn't hesitate.
He charged forward.
His body transformed into a mass of Adamantium.
Blades protruded like a living weapon.
"RAAAH—!"
As the Destroyer aimed at Sif, Logan's claws struck.
Clang—!
Slash—!
Adamantium collided with the armor.
His claws pierced in—but only barely.
He couldn't cut through it like usual.
The Destroyer's armor was too strong.
But the impact still staggered it.
The energy beam shifted off target.
Boom—!
Logan attacked again and again.
But it didn't matter.
The Destroyer didn't care.
Its faceplate opened—BOOM—!
A beam slammed into Logan.
He crashed to the ground like a lump of iron.
Then—The Destroyer stepped on him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Metal clashed violently.
But soon, the Destroyer changed tactics.
Its faceplate opened again.
A sustained beam engulfed Logan.
ZZZZT—His exposed flesh began to burn.
Even his Adamantium claws glowed red.
Qin Xiao's expression changed.
He threw the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to Thor.
"Eat it or not—it's your choice. As long as you don't care whether your people live or die."
Then—He shot forward like a cannon.
The Destroyer was stronger than expected.
He couldn't just watch anymore.
Otherwise, Logan would be crushed.
BOOM—!
The Bomb-Bomb Fruit propelled him forward.
As he approached, blades erupted from his body—the power of the Chop-Chop Fruit.
And every blade—Adamantium.
BANG!
He slammed into the Destroyer like a living missile.
And detonated.
Even the Destroyer's armor dented inward.
It was blasted backward.
Logan was freed.
"Damn… that thing's strong…"
Logan looked at his scorched body, shaken.
If not for his Adamantium skeleton, he'd be severely injured.
The Warriors Three and Sif stared in shock.
These two—The so-called Demon Envoy and his companion—were overpowering the Destroyer.
They couldn't even fight it head-on.
But these two could knock it flying—twice.
Even survive direct hits.
Monsters.
They retreated to Thor.
"Thor, we need to leave!"
"We're no match! They're holding it off—this is our chance!"
Thor looked at the Devil Fruit in his hand.
Then at Qin Xiao, still fighting.
Rage burned in his chest.
"Leave? And then what?
Loki sent the Destroyer today—what about tomorrow?
If we don't stop him, we'll never have peace!"
He shook his head.
"But you have no power now—"
"No."
Thor's eyes hardened.
"If I don't stop Loki, there may be no future at all.
Demon Envoy… you'd better not be lying.
Father… when you awaken, help me remove this demon's contract."
Then—He made his choice.
Crunch—"—UGH!!"
The taste nearly made him vomit.
He forced it down.
And then—Crackle—
Lightning erupted across his body.
"Loki…
Just you wait."