The two energy beams Tony fired failed to cause even a ripple in front of Hela.
The Goddess of Death didn't even bat an eyelid.
She just stood there quietly.
The death aura surrounding her devoured the Repulsor Cannon's energy completely.
"Is that all?"
Hela finally spoke, her voice full of laziness and disdain.
She gently raised her hand.
In the void, several dark green spikes condensed out of thin air.
They were made of the purest divine death power, with a terrifying ghostly glow flowing on their surfaces.
"Whoosh!"
The speed at which the spikes tore through the air was so fast that Tony's sensors didn't even have time to issue a warning.
The Mark VII's proud titanium alloy armor was as fragile as paper in front of Hela's death power weapons.
"Pfft!"
The outer casing of the arc reactor on his chest was directly pierced.
Immediately after, more spikes surged from all directions, instantly riddling the armor with holes.
Inside the cockpit, alarms blared, and the screen was full of static.
"Warning! Power system 70% damaged!"
"Chest plate ruptured! Energy leak!"
"Jarvis, analyze..."
Tony's words were cut short as a massive force came from the armor.
He was like a kicked soda can, smashing from mid-air to the ground.
And on the hard asphalt road, he left a long trail of sparks.
"Boom!"
Finally, he crashed into a luxury store's display window before stopping.
Glass shattered everywhere, and expensive mannequin props were scattered.
Tony felt like his bones were falling apart.
He struggled to stand up.
But the armor's power system was completely paralyzed, with only the life support system barely functioning.
Hela's figure appeared before him.
She didn't run; she merely strolled over leisurely, her posture elegant.
She looked down at the disheveled Tin Can at her feet, her gaze like a queen inspecting an insect.
She lifted her foot, clad in an exquisite battle boot, and stepped on the ruptured opening of Tony's chest armor.
The metal groaned under the unbearable pressure.
"Toys should know their place," Hela said condescendingly.
Hela said condescendingly.
Tony was so crushed he could barely breathe, his vision blurring.
Her power was beyond his comprehension.
Jarvis was frantically analyzing, but the only conclusion was: unable to contend.
So, Tony Stark extended his still-movable hand and embraced Hela's leg that was stepping on his chest.
This action made Hela pause for a moment.
"Oh, Goddess!"
Tony's voice came from inside his helmet, with a touch of exaggerated theatrics.
"Please forgive my blindness!"
"I have never seen such a perfect being as you, combining beauty and power!"
Hela raised an eyebrow, and the pressure from her foot lightened slightly.
"My attack just now was not a provocation; it was me presenting you with the grandest fireworks!"
Tony continued to flatter.
"It's the only way a Mortal like me can think of to show respect to a deity!"
"Your figure is more brilliant than the Cygnus Nebula!"
"Your eyes are more dazzling than a supernova explosion!"
"Oh, and these battle boots of yours! What material are they made of? Hell Lizard skin?"
"They fit so perfectly, perfectly outlining your unparalleled leg lines! They are simply a cosmic fashion item!"
"With all due respect, while your current attire is already perfect, you're still missing a servant."
"What do you think of me? I'm very rich, my skills are decent, I've even been praised by Playboy magazine for satisfying women, and not only that, I'm also very good at livening up the atmosphere!"
As Tony spoke, he gently rubbed Hela's battle boot with his iron-gloved hand.
"Just say the word, and Stark Industries is yours!"
"The entire Solar System will be the most insignificant corner of your backyard!"
This series of shameless flattery made Hela fall silent.
---
At the same time, in the depths of the distant Universe.
Thanos sat on his throne, his massive body exuding an oppressive aura.
He frowned, looking at the coordinates representing Nidavellir on the star map.
There was no sound there.
The scouts sent to monitor the Dwarf race had not sent back any news for over seventy-two hours.
This was not normal.
Although his main energy was still focused on the scoundrel named Star-Lord, who had stolen the Cosmic Orb.
But Nidavellir, this chess piece, was equally crucial.
Odin was dead, and the Nine Realms were in chaos.
This was supposed to be his best opportunity to collect the Infinity Stones and achieve his grand plan of universal balance.
The forging of the Infinity Gauntlet was an indispensable part of this plan.
"Ebony Maw."
Thanos's deep voice echoed on the empty bridge.
A tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows and respectfully knelt.
"My Master."
"Send someone to Nidavellir; the scouts there haven't reported back for a day."
Thanos's tone was devoid of emotion.
"The scouts have lost contact. I want to know what happened there."
"Your will, Master."
Ebony Maw responded humbly.
"Send Corvus Glaive."
Thanos added.
"Bring a Outriders squad. If those Dwarves have any improper ideas... you know what to do."
"Yes, Master."
Ebony Maw acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Soon, a black warship shaped like a blade detached from the Titan Battleship and leaped into the deep Universe.
Inside the warship, Corvus Glaive wiped his battle-blade, which housed his soul, his eyes glinting with bloodlust.
Beside him, Proxima Midnight stood silently, ready for battle at any moment.
The jump point opened and closed.
When the black warship appeared in Nidavellir's outer space, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
The ring World had completely extinguished.
The stellar core that had provided energy to the Dwarf race for thousands of years was now dim and lifeless.
Throughout Nidavellir, not a single sound of hammering could be heard, nor a flicker of fire.
All was silent, like a ghost realm.
"What happened?"
Corvus Glaive frowned, feeling that things had exceeded expectations.
"Let's go down and see."
He and Proxima Midnight led a squad of Outriderss down to the cold metal continent.
Then, they saw that solitary figure.
The Dwarf King Eitri sat before the extinguished forge, like a statue.
"Dwarf King."
Corvus Glaive spoke coldly.
"Where are your people? Where are our scouts?"
Eitri slowly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with hatred and contempt.
"Get out of my World, you dog of Thanos."
Corvus Glaive smiled.
"It seems you made the wrong choice."
He raised his battle-blade, pointing it at Eitri.
"Capture him; Master needs to know what happened."
However, just as the Outriderss were about to step forward, Eitri suddenly stood up!
His mountain-like physique erupted with astonishing momentum.
"Want to capture me?"
Eitri let out a mournful roar of indignation.
"Then let me show you the wrath of the Dwarf King!"
He didn't use a hammer but charged at Corvus Glaive with bare fists!
As the leader of his race, Eitri possessed a physique no less robust than an Asgardian's.
And thousands of years of accumulated combat experience.
He knew he was no match for this apostle before him, but he would use his own way to defend the last dignity of the Dwarves!
"Spirited."
Corvus Glaive motioned for his subordinates to retreat and met the charge.
"Boom!"
The giant's and the general's fists collided, unleashing a dull, thunderous sound.
The powerful Impact created ripples on the surrounding metal ground.
Eitri's strength was incredibly fierce, but Corvus Glaive's technique was more lethal.
Each swing of his battle-blade came from a tricky angle, leaving deep, bone-visible wounds on Eitri.
Eitri was fighting with his life, abandoning all defense, only seeking to severely wound his opponent.
But the disparity in strength was ultimately difficult to bridge.
"Pfft!"
Corvus Glaive found an opening.
The battle-blade in his hand plunged fiercely into Eitri's shoulder, pinning him to the ground.
"It's over, old man."
Corvus Glaive sneered, preparing to finish him off.
Just then!
At this moment!
The space above Nidavellir was suddenly torn open by a gentle golden light.
Golden warships, emblazoned with the Asgardian emblem, streamed out of the spatial portal!
The Asgardian Captain on the lead warship saw Eitri pinned to the ground, and his face changed dramatically.
"It's Thanos's army!"
Without hesitation, he immediately issued an order.
"All units, attack! Protect the Dwarf King!"
"For Asgard!"
In an instant, countless Asgardian Warriors descended from the sky.
They clashed with the Outriderss.
Golden divine power collided with dark energy, and the shouts of battle shook the heavens.
The Asgardian Captain charged ahead, rushing towards Corvus Glaive to relieve the heavily wounded Eitri.
Corvus Glaive was forced to abandon Eitri and fought with the Captain.
He looked at the increasing number of Asgardian warships, his brows tightly furrowed.
The intelligence was wrong; Asgard actually dared to intervene after losing Odin!
This was merely a reconnaissance mission; the forces he brought were not enough to contend with an Asgardian fleet.
"Retreat!"
Corvus Glaive reluctantly gave the order.
He forced back the Asgardian Captain with a thrust, then quickly returned to his warship with his remaining subordinates and hastily initiated a jump to escape.
The battle ended quickly.
The Asgardian Captain helped up the severely wounded Eitri.
"Master, are you alright?"
Eitri looked at his homeland, ravaged by war, and tears of regret flowed from his eyes.
"I... I'm sorry..."
Supported by two Warriors, he staggered towards the rescue ship.
Before leaving, he took one last look at the land he had protected for a thousand years, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Nidavellir, in his hands, was ultimately... extinguished.