Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. A rugged black SUV emerged from the wilderness, its tires kicking up clouds of yellow dust as it sped toward town. Hong Fei slowed the vehicle as he entered the main street, pulling to a stop in front of a roadside ice cream shop. He killed the engine and stepped out into the midday heat.
His blue and white sneakers hit the asphalt, matching his white shorts and blue short-sleeved shirt. The clothes clung to his muscular frame, and a faint smile played beneath his black sunglasses. His buzz cut added to his sharp, energetic demeanor. He couldn't help feeling a little smug—his casual style had somehow become the latest trend. The passenger door opened, and Dr. Helen Cho stepped out.
Her long hair caught the breeze as she adjusted her own black sunglasses. She wore a blue shirt and white skirt, paired with sneakers that mirrored Hong Fei's outfit. It was obvious who'd coordinated their looks. She walked over to him, and together they pushed open the shop's door. The cool air inside was a welcome relief from the blazing heat.
Hong Fei took a seat by the window, while Dr. Helen Cho sat across from him after placing their order. She removed her sunglasses, her eyes bright with excitement. "I've always wanted to go on a road trip, but I never had the time. I think this is going to be unforgettable!" Hong Fei grinned. "As long as you're happy. You've been cooped up in the lab too long. It's good to get out."
Dr. Helen Cho smiled. "I know you've got other goals for this trip, but I appreciate you bringing me along. I won't get in your way." "You won't. This trip is safe—and I think it'll be fun, too." They lingered for about twenty minutes, finishing their ice cream in companionable silence. Just as they were about to leave, shouts and howls erupted from outside.
"All men, this is your chance to prove your strength!" "There's a hammer to the east. Anyone who can lift it will be crowned the strongest man in town!" The townsfolk, clearly bored with their usual routine, immediately latched onto the challenge. Curiosity and competitive spirit drove them into action.
A crowd quickly gathered, then dispersed as people climbed into their cars and sped off in the same direction. "Let's go," Hong Fei said, picking up his sunglasses. He and Dr. Helen Cho got back into the SUV and followed the flow of traffic eastward. Fifty kilometers outside town, they reached a hill where dozens of vehicles were parked near a circular impact crater.
People surrounded the crater, cheering loudly for whoever was at its center. Some had laid out mats and were setting up camp, while others hauled crates of beer and ice from their cars. A few had even started barbecuing, adding their voices to the chaotic cheers. Music blared from portable speakers. Hong Fei drove to a high point and parked.
He stepped out and surveyed the scene below, shaking his head at the townsfolk's enthusiasm for any excuse to party. Dr. Helen Cho squinted toward the center of the crater. "Is that… a hammer?" she asked uncertainly. "Yeah," Hong Fei replied. "Ever heard of Norse mythology?" She nodded. "Why bring that up now?"
"Thor was exiled by his father. That's his hammer." Dr. Helen Cho raised an eyebrow. After a moment of silence, she chuckled. "The way you said that, it almost sounded real." Hong Fei smiled and gestured for her to follow him down the slope.
As they approached, they saw that no one in the queue had managed to pull the hammer from the dirt. The townsfolk had gotten creative, preparing to use a pickup truck for the next attempt. They fastened a chain to the hammer's handle, and the driver revved the engine. The wheels spun, the chain pulled taut, and the crowd held its breath.
A loud boom shattered the stalemate as the truck bed detached from the chassis. The vehicle lurched forward a short distance before grinding to a halt. The elderly driver poked his head out, lowering his sunglasses with a quizzical look. "Did it come up?" His question sent the crowd into fits of laughter—everyone except Dr. Helen Cho, that is.
She studied the hammer and the soil beneath it with a scientist's scrutiny, her brow furrowed in deep thought. "Come on, let's take a closer look," Hong Fei said, taking her hand and guiding her forward. "Hey! Brother, give it a pull!" someone shouted. "Yeah, go for it!" another chimed in. "Put some muscle into it!" The crowd egged them on with boisterous laughter.
Every person there had tried their hand at lifting the hammer, and not a single one—man or woman—had succeeded. Now, with newcomers willing to give it a shot, the crowd was eager for fresh entertainment. Dr. Helen Cho didn't rush to act. Instead, she crouched down, examining the soil beneath the hammer with meticulous care. She even scraped off a small sample, holding it up for closer inspection.
She glanced at Hong Fei, who nodded encouragingly. Standing up, she gripped the hammer's handle with both hands and pulled with all her might. It didn't budge an inch. The crowd erupted in laughter. Dr. Helen Cho shook her head, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she whispered to Hong Fei, "I think there might be a larger piece of metal welded underneath."
"A reasonable guess," Hong Fei replied, "but wrong. It's just a standalone hammer."
"Then how can it be so heavy? The density of matter on Earth shouldn't allow for such exaggerated behavior." Hong Fei smiled faintly. "It is Thor's hammer, after all." Still convinced he was joking, Dr. Helen Cho nudged his arm. "Then you try." "I doubt I can do it either," he admitted, though he couldn't resist the urge to try. He was already here, after all.
Passive Skill Card: Weapon Mastery (Green): You can proficiently use any object as a weapon.
Though it was just a green-tier skill card, the description suggested it might be powerful enough to work. Hong Fei stepped forward, using only one hand. If he couldn't lift it with one hand, ten thousand hands wouldn't make a difference.
The crowd jeered as he approached. He equipped the skill card, feeling the passive effect activate as energy began to drain. Gripping the handle, he exhaled softly. With a flick of his wrist, the hammer lifted effortlessly, as if it weighed nothing. The jeers died instantly.
The crowd stared, mouths agape. A beer bottle slipped from someone's hand and shattered on the ground. A skewer of barbecue fell into the sand, forgotten. Only the music played on, oblivious to the stunned silence. As Hong Fei lifted the hammer, his vision shifted dramatically.
He found himself in a vast, dark expanse, illuminated only by the glow of two massive stars. He felt the weight of unseen eyes upon him. Then, just as suddenly, he snapped back to reality. A strange yet familiar power surged through his arm—the Power of Thor.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable even though they didn't fully grasp the significance of what they'd just witnessed. But Hong Fei felt no joy. He quickly returned the hammer to its original spot, realizing his energy reserves were nearly depleted.
From the moment he'd lifted the hammer, his energy had drained faster than water rushing through an open dam—as if the container itself had been shattered. His total energy could summon three tanks. Holding the hammer for three seconds? That was one tank per second. Dr. Helen Cho, caught up in the crowd's enthusiasm, didn't notice his sudden tension.
Her eyes sparkled with surprise as she leaned in from the sidelines. "That's incredible! How did you manage that?"
I grinned. "Must be because I'm pure of heart and righteous to the core!"
The thought hit me—I'd forgotten to divide the volumes properly. Next chapter, I'll fix it. Come Monday, I'll beg my editor to adjust the formatting. This mess is downright painful to look at!
She also asked with surprise and sparkling eyes from the side...