Confronting the almighty God-King Odin, Jason projected unwavering confidence and righteous determination. Yet beneath this facade, every muscle fiber remained coiled like tightly wound springs, prepared for instant retreat behind Ancient One should circumstances turn unfavorable.
Odin's singular eye betrayed a glimmer of genuine amusement. "You display remarkable audacity, mortal of Midgard!"
"I appreciate Your Majesty's recognition of my courageous spirit! Does this mean Your divine wisdom will bestow Mjolnir upon such a brave Midgardian warrior as myself?"
Odin's hand paused momentarily before a cold smirk twisted his lips. "If you successfully complete one particular task I have in mind, I will not only present Mjolnir to you without reservation - I shall also provide an additional reward of considerable value!"
Oh ho?
Jason's eyebrows arched with genuine intrigue. What challenge could possibly overwhelm the legendary God-King of Asgard, forcing him to seek mortal assistance? His initial instinct whispered refusal was the wisest course...
Yet Odin continued with his cautionary explanation: "Your intended expedition to Hell may prove far more perilous than your primitive understanding conceives! The majority of every Hell Lord's tremendous power derives directly from their territorial realms. They possess complete awareness of every movement, every trembling breath within their domains. The supremely powerful among them can literally displace entire cities within their territories and resurrect their deceased populations at will.
One unfortunate step within certain dominions, and they will seize control of your consciousness instantaneously!"
Jason's expression darkened with accumulating concern as reality's harsh truth emerged. "Perhaps Your Most Enlightened Majesty possesses wisdom to bypass these formidable barriers?"
"That rests entirely upon your personal choices and commitments."
Without a moment's hesitation: "Then let us immediately discuss the nature of this bargain you've proposed!"
...
Several grueling hours of intense diplomatic negotiation finally produced a binding agreement satisfactory to both parties. Master Ancient One subsequently commenced establishing precise hellish teleportation coordinates directly within Asgard's sacred territory.
The implications were clear - launching interdimensional attacks from Asgard's divine soil would absolutely paint the realm as willing participant in demonic vengeance operations. Jason couldn't begin to fathom what persuasive arguments Ancient One had employed to secure Odin's cooperation for such risky involvement.
Whatever backdoor dealings occurred definitely don't concern me.
When the teleportation array's mystical lights ignited the surrounding air, Jason confidently strode to the designated center point. At this crucial moment, Odin presented the significantly enhanced Beast Horn - crucial component of their elaborate arrangement.
The artifact's Asgardian-blessed modifications proved remarkably extensive. Beyond its ability to facilitate seamless travel between Hell, the Beast Dimension, and Earth itself, it now contained precisely encoded coordinates for seven distinct hellish metropolitan centers. This would enable efficient teleportation between various demonic settlements - invaluable for rapid deployment and equally rapid escapes.
Unfortunately, only five nuclear warheads remained available. Anton and his talented son had concentrated their research efforts exclusively on enhanced armor development, while progress on explosive ordinance remained frustratingly glacial.
Otherwise, I'd happily gift every single city a radioactive surprise...
As the teleportation energy cascade reached critical intensity, supernatural flames enveloped Jason's entire form. His flesh transformed into demonic skeletal structure while retaining human consciousness. Simultaneously, Asgardian divine magic wrapped his transformed body like protective ethereal armor.
In an instant of cosmic displacement, reality shifted dramatically. The golden splendor of Asgard vanished completely, replaced by endless crimson landscapes stretching toward hellish horizons.
Hell itself.
His arrival caused zero disturbances - as smooth and undetectable as falling down a children's playground slide. No spatial ripples. No energy signatures. Perfect stealth penetration accomplished.
Testing the Absolute Zero Dimension's functionality confirmed everything operated exactly as expected. The hellish environment posed no obstacles to his abilities.
Before Jason sprawled a genuine demonic metropolis, its infernal architecture reaching toward blood-red skies. He whistled quietly, appreciating the sheer scale of demonic urban development.
Penetrating the city's perimeter revealed substantial demon populations moving through twisted streets and shadowy alleys. Though their numbers impressed, these denizens paled compared to Earth's massive metropolitan density.
At the city's pulsing center, Jason identified the perfect concealed location - a narrow alley where various demonic structures created ideal cover. From his Absolute Zero Dimension emerged the meticulously modified nuclear warhead.
Timer settings confirmed. Initialization sequence activated.
"Ten... nine... eight... seven..."
Speed remained absolutely paramount against potential discovery. Grasping the enchanted Beast Horn firmly, Jason triggered immediate teleportation.
The precise moment Jason vanished from existence, Mephisto's supernatural senses detected an unexplained disturbance within his central palace stronghold. That familiar energy signature absolutely shouldn't exist within his domain's boundaries. Confusion followed by growing suspicion created several seconds of fatal hesitation.
When Mephisto finally materialized above his capital city, the device's countdown sequence had already terminated.
Pure existential terror overwhelmed Mephisto's ancient consciousness. Operating entirely on millennia-honed survival instincts, his spatial manipulation abilities activated automatically, relocating his form dozens of miles beyond the city's outermost boundaries.
BOOM!
The brilliant nuclear flash challenged even Mephisto's enhanced demonic vision, forcing him to shield his eyes against the overwhelming luminosity. Even the supremely knowledgeable Mephisto stood momentarily paralyzed by unexpected recognition.
Human nuclear technology? Impossible! How did earth weaponry penetrate my supposedly impenetrable realm without triggering any defensive systems? Unthinkable!
Horrific realization struck as massive shockwaves expanded outward from ground zero. His subjects! His city!
Flash-stepping directly into the blast's epicenter, Mephisto summoned every ounce of remaining power. His commanding voice thundered across dimensional planes.
"CEASE YOUR DESTRUCTION!"
Raw hellish energy manifested as solid barrier, colliding with the nuclear shockwave's expanding front. The tremendous opposing forces met in catastrophic impact, rapidly weakening the destructive wave's advancing momentum. Yet this herculean effort extracted tremendous cost - thick black energy erupted from Mephisto's mouth as his overall power aura visibly diminished.
Though the primary shockwave faced neutralization, the insidious radiation continued executing his demon subjects. Their otherworldly forms proved inadequate defense against nuclear contamination.
Rage consumed him entirely. "JASOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!" His dimensional howl echoed through multiple planes of existence. "ABSOLUTE ANNIHILATION AWAITS YOUR WORTHLESS SOUL!"
...
City Number Two materialized around Jason's transported form. Zero delay. No careful positioning analysis. Time remained the critical factor.
Yet sweet notification chimes sang continuously within his consciousness:
[Phenomenal Achievement! First 500 Kill Streak Milestone Reached! Awarded Free Attribute Points: 500!]
[Extraordinary Accomplishment! First 1000 Kill Streak Threshold Crossed! Awarded Free Attribute Points: 1000!]
[Unprecedented Achievement! First 2000 Kill Streak Plateau Attained! Awarded Free Attribute Points: 2000!]
...
Kill streak bonuses accumulated into tens of thousands of attribute enhancement opportunities. Additional gift box promised extra rewards beyond standard measurements.
The notification stream never ceased - nuclear radiation's delayed lethality continued claiming demonic lives exponentially.
Warhead deployment completed. Beast Horn activation. Transit to City Three initiated.
Three heartbeats elapsed...
BOOM!
Another spectacular mushroom cloud blossomed across hellish skies. This undefended metropolitan center revealed substantially higher casualty projections compared to Mephisto's fortified domain.
Jason's original strategic concerns proved completely unfounded. Inter helllord communication networks appeared virtually nonexistent within Hell's political structure.
Though Mephisto definitely registered the second detonation's energy signature, he readily dismissed question from other regional hell lords:
"Chaos? In my domain? Perish the thought! Clearly, your senses are playing tricks on you—or perhaps they're simply not equipped to comprehend perfection."
Only the third nuclear detonation triggered widespread lordly alarm bells across hellish dominions.
...
Above City Number Four, Lucifer - acknowledged as Hell's most formidable demon lord - instantly materialized from thin air. His overwhelming might considerably surpassed even Mephisto's legendary strength.
The precise microsecond Jason initiated the detonation timer, Lucifer experienced reality-shattering crisis sensations flooding his infernal consciousness.
Locking onto Jason's location with effortless precision, Lucifer's voice rang out—silken, cold, and absolute.
"Mortal child, your behavior borders on the absurd. Enlighten me—what exactly do you think you're doing?"
Jason's face split into triumphant grin as he faced the legendary Lightbringer. "Mushroom agriculture, obviously! Cultivating magnificently large, aromatic fungal specimens that'll permanently satiate tens of thousands of your demonic vassals!"
Understanding dawned as Lucifer examined the strange Earthly device, supernatural warning signals intensifying exponentially. Time for theoretical debates had long expired.
Before the archangel could execute preventive measures, impossibly familiar weight appeared within Jason's firm grasp.
Lucifer's cosmic senses recoiled as realization struck. His eyes narrowed, voice curling with both disbelief and contempt.
"Gungnir? The Spear of Heaven? How—how are you linked to that decrepit Asgardian relic? What unfathomable force binds you to that withered king of old?"
"Haha! He serves as my benevolent employer and esteemed benefactor!" Jason replied with obvious satisfaction.
Focusing entirely on the legendary weapon, he whispered confidential instructions. "Target his vulnerable spherical regions specifically!"
Gungnir launched with supernatural velocity. Lucifer's thousands of years of combat experience triggered instantaneous evasive maneuvers.
"...three seconds... two seconds..."
Beast Horn pulsed with energy. Jason's form vanished across dimensional barriers.
Materializing at City Five's outermost perimeter, familiar weight returned instantly - Gungnir reappeared bearing unmistakable crimson stains alongside notably suspicious white fluid residue.
Theological confusion intensifies. Fallen angels supposedly possess no biological gender, correct? What substances could possibly transfer onto the spear?
Absolute Zero Dimension activated, preserving both biological samples for future scientific examination.
The fifth demonic metropolis dominated his visual field, but wisdom overruled immediate temptation. Hell's supreme rulers now comprehended the unprecedented existential threat. Direct infiltration guaranteed certain death. Gungnir's legendary power couldn't compensate for overwhelming strength disparities against multiple fully-prepared Hell Lords simultaneously.
Beast Horn throbbed with dimensional energy. The homeward journey commenced without further delay.
During the final transitional moments between realms, colossal hands grasped desperately at recently-vacated dimensional space. Lucifer's enraged face remained disturbingly visible throughout Jason's departure - sufficient time for his eternally offensive parting gesture of a single raised middle finger.
"SPINELESS MORTAL COWARD!"
Lucifer's voice thundered through realms, shaking the very fabric of reality.
"The ever-blazing Sea of Hellfire awaits you eagerly—ten thousand years of torment etched into every second, your screams to echo through eternity!"
Mephisto's rushed arrival accompanied by two additional prominent Hell Lords interrupted Lucifer's rage-filled monologue. Detecting distinctly alien divine essences completely separate from Jason's established energy patterns, the curious Mephisto inquired with apparent concern.
"Ah, Lucifer... I'm detecting some rather unfamiliar divine energies swirling around your little corner of reality."
Mephisto's voice slithered through the air like velvet smoke, insincere and amused.
"Would you be so kind as to enlighten the rest of us esteemed sovereigns on the source of these... curious disturbances?"
Lucifer's gaze shifted imperceptibly toward his lower abdomen, facial expression hardening noticeably. "Completely unknown entities to my perfect knowledge."
Mephisto remained completely unbothered by this deliberately cold dismissal. Heaven's former glory possessed consistent notorious attitude problems throughout eternal millennia. His perpetual frigid demeanor had long become expected standard operating procedure.
"Esteemed peers," Mephisto began smoothly, his tone the very picture of refined diplomacy, "I happen to possess rather intimate insight into the true identity of our enigmatic assailant. Might I propose we pool our vast and formidable resources... and deliver a most thorough and unforgettable retaliation?"
Lucifer's infernal wings unfurled in a blinding surge of power, stretching across the void like a divine eclipse. His voice rang with cold finality.
"No coalition is required. This matter is mine alone to resolve."
Physical reality itself fractured violently under the fallen angel's tremendous power as dimensional barriers yielded to his departure.
Displaying his usual air of aloof sophistication, Mephisto waved a languid hand and conjured a swirling portal—his own private rift, fashioned for effortless departure.
Behind him, the lesser demon lords scrambled, voices raised in panicked appeal.
"Lord Mephisto! Your tactical brilliance could lead us to victory!"
He paused at the threshold, casting a glance over his shoulder. His smile was slow, cruel, and utterly patronizing.
"You?" he drawled, disdain coating every syllable like venom. "Nameless, second-tier pretenders clinging to delusions of grandeur? Proposing some laughable alliance? Don't embarrass yourselves. This intrusion was clearly a provocation aimed at Lucifer's exalted status—not your irrelevant titles."
Without another word, Mephisto stepped through the portal, the gateway sealing behind him with a final, theatrical snap—like the closing of a judgment book.
...
Asgard received Jason's triumphant dimensional return without incident.
"Master Ancient One, your glorious retribution has been flawlessly executed! Preliminary estimates confirm the utter annihilation of no fewer than 100,000 demon whelps. Let this serve as a definitive deterrent—any further ambition toward sanctified Earth ends now."
Ancient One's characteristically understated eye-roll perfectly matched Jason's excessive enthusiasm.
Odin's singular, piercing eye commanded silence more effectively than any shout. The raucous laughter faded into uneasy stillness under his gaze. After a long, heavy pause, he cleared his throat with deliberate weight.
"Ahem... The fabled Gungnir—does it perhaps intend to return to its rightful owner sometime this era?"
"Oh! Of course!" Jason stammered, quickly composing himself. "Got a little carried away in the moment—forgot my manners."
With visible reluctance, he handed over the divine spear, fingers lingering just a moment too long on its sacred shaft. He watched with thinly veiled envy as Gungnir returned to Odin's grip of its own accord, crossing unimaginable cosmic distances with effortless precision. It was a marvel beyond the reach of any modern invention—a divine convenience that made even the most advanced tech look like cave scribbles.
Beside him, the Ancient One dipped into a graceful bow, each movement radiating refined diplomacy.
"Your Absolute Majesty," she said with calm poise, "our arrangement has been fulfilled to the agreed terms. With your leave, we shall begin our departure."
Odin inclined his head, his voice steeped in timeless authority.
"Do not forget the promises you have made."
Jason responded with a bright grin and a pair of casual finger-guns.
"OK!"
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