"What… what do you want from me!?"
Loki's voice cracked as he stumbled back, realizing too late that the man standing before him wasn't alone. Beside Ryuuto were three women—Katie Dee, Gwen, and Susan—each of them radiating the kind of presence that made even gods uneasy. A cold shiver crept down Loki's spine. He raised both hands protectively across his chest, eyes darting between them like a cornered animal.
Ryuuto smiled. It wasn't kind. "What do you think we're going to do?"
He stepped forward, each stride heavy with pressure. The air itself seemed to bend around him. Loki's confidence evaporated. Sweat trickled down his temple.
"Loki," Ryuuto said, his tone mock-cheerful. "It's been a while, hasn't it? You should've called ahead. I could've arranged a proper welcome—Iron Man, Wolverine, maybe even a parade."
"N-no, that's unnecessary!" Loki stammered, forcing a pitiful grin. Inside, he was screaming. Meeting this monster the moment he arrived on Earth? The Norns truly hated him.
He needed to escape—fast.
Loki quietly folded the list in his hand and began inching backward.
"Leaving already?" Ryuuto tilted his head, grin sharpening. "Don't rush off. It's been ages since we talked."
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Dozens—no, hundreds—of Ryuutos burst into existence, surrounding the area in a crimson blur. Loki's heart sank.
"Or maybe," Ryuuto said, voice echoing from all directions, "you're hiding something from me? Does it have to do with Thor, that golden-haired idiot?"
Katie Dee tugged at Ryuuto's sleeve, eyeing Loki up and down. "Who's this guy? He looks sketchy as hell."
"Agreed," Gwen said flatly.
Susan crossed her arms. "Ryuuto, want me to pin him down? Make him talk?"
Loki's lip twitched. The humans were too calm—too amused. He clenched his jaw, shaking with rage.
"Enough!" he roared. His glamour flickered, and the air around him warped. Gripping his sword tight, he bared his teeth. "You think I'm some weakling you can toy with? I'll show you the wrath of a god!"
Ryuuto snorted. "Then show me."
In one smooth motion, his blade flashed—and pierced straight through Loki's chest. But instead of blood, the wound rippled like liquid. The sword passed through harmlessly.
"Tch." Ryuuto's smirk widened. "As expected. Always the trickster."
He blurred forward, hands weaving signs. "Don't let him slip away!"
"Got it!" Gwen, Katie, and Susan moved like a coordinated squad, forming a perimeter.
Hundreds of clones rushed Loki, each one striking in perfect sync. The air cracked with every blow.
"Hmph! Fools! You dare provoke me!?"
Loki roared, slashing wildly. His sword split into a storm of afterimages, slicing through clone after clone until explosions of chakra smoke filled the air.
"Ha! Ryuuto, you're all flash and no substance!" Loki laughed madly, his confidence surging. "Come out, coward! I'll split your skull in two!"
"As you wish."
A whisper at his back.
Before Loki could turn, Ryuuto's decapitating blade was already descending.
"Try me, mortal!" Loki swung his sword upward, fury twisting his face.
Their blades met—then Loki froze.
Pain lanced through his wrist. His weapon refused to move.
"What—!?"
A single line of webbing glistened under the sunlight, binding his arm tight.
Gwen's voice echoed from behind. "Sorry, Trickster. Playtime's over."