Driven by Nolan's sheer will, the electro-fiber bundles inside the Hunting Lord armor contracted with sudden, immense power. A fresh surge of energy flooded the suit's systems.
Like a charging bison, he launched an astonishing, ground-shaking charge directly toward the enemy.
Thor, his expression grim and utterly determined, showed no hesitation. He instinctively gripped the worn leather straps of Mjolnir. He spun the hammer so fast that it became a glowing phantom blur, the impossible motion pulling him forcibly from the muddy ground and propelling him in a trajectory toward the Destroyer.
At that moment, the Destroyer, no longer suppressed by the temporary explosion of bolter fire, began its inevitable recovery. It opened its facial armor once more. A scorching light, radiating raw, pure destruction, erupted violently from within its core.
Nolan showed no trace of fear as the beam targeted him. He braced, relying one last time on the Hunting Lord armor's Refractor Field to resist the constant, crushing impact of the terrifying energy.
However, a strained warning buzz from inside the armor instantly alerted Nolan: the Refractor Field would likely not sustain another full-power attack from the Destroyer.
Even so, he did not halt his charge. His running speed increased to its absolute, adrenaline-fueled limit. Nolan's heavy footsteps churned the turbid, muddy water, carving an almost blurry, straight furrow behind him.
At the same time, his calm voice transmitted through the closed metal helmet.
"Thor! Buy me some time! Even the Destroyer cannot withstand the destructive power of this weapon!"
Thor, flying low over the ground, did not verbally respond, but he chose to place his trust entirely in the strange Midgard agent fighting by his side.
His choice was swiftly followed by a sudden, ear-splitting roar. Threads of bright electric light reappeared in Mjolnir's blurred path, and the lightning quickly enveloped his entire figure.
In an instant, winding, twisted lightning bolts fell from the dark, churning clouds again, crashing heavily onto the Destroyer's rune-covered metal body.
The next second, the Destroyer, which had been preparing its lethal energy eruption, was completely interrupted from accumulating power. The huge metal body shook violently under the continuous lightning strikes, momentarily brought to the verge of collapse.
However, a scorched light still managed to burst forth from its face, full of localized destructive energy. This made it impossible for Thor to execute a full dodge. He could only interrupt his summoning of the storm, choosing instead to weather the huge damage from the terrifying energy.
The impact from the scorching beam sent Thor flying backward, a stunned gasp leaving his lips. He fell heavily into the muddy water, his landing carving out a huge, deep pit in the sodden earth.
Boom, boom, boom!
Taking full advantage of that crucial, brief moment when the Destroyer was distracted and suppressed, Nolan, still charging at full sprint, was already close to the opponent's huge metal body.
As the distance between them shortened rapidly, the Hunting Lord armor covering Nolan's body seemed to make a mechanical sound of coiling and twisting energy.
His tall figure suddenly launched a mighty leap from the ground.
He held the huge C'tan Phase Sword tightly in both hands, raising the glowing weapon high above his head for a final, decisive strike.
Immediately afterward, a battle roar, charged with power, penetrated the heavy curtain of rain, resounding all around the desolate area.
"For the EMPEROR!"
At this time, bursts of hot white mist surrounded the Destroyer. The metal rings of its body kept rotating and squirming. It tried to lift one of its thick metal arms to block the incoming attack. Destructive energy also surged menacingly in its open facial armor, looking as if it would burst out in the very next second.
However, the Destroyer had no chance left to fight back.
Accompanied by Nolan's vigorous, downward swing, the C'tan Phase Sword, glowing with terrifying, consuming green light, sliced effortlessly through the opponent's raised metal arm.
Like a hot knife cutting through soft butter, the blade struck the Destroyer directly in the face.
With an incredibly smooth and silent cut, Nolan, still holding the C'tan Phase Sword tightly in both hands, landed heavily back on the ground. Countless muddy water splashed up high around his armored legs.
The next second, the Destroyer ceased its attack, emitting a terrible, distorted sound of collapsing, shredding metal. The thick metal arm, half-covered with the glowing runes, fell heavily into the mud and water with a heavy splash.
Immediately afterward, a clearly visible, terrifying cut spread rapidly downward from its faceplate. It had cleanly penetrated the entire huge metal body, slicing it neatly in two.
Nolan, driving the electro-fiber bundles, shouldered the C'tan Phase Sword, which was still filled with terrifying green light.
Then, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Right behind Nolan, the massive metal body, its internal destructive energy completely extinguished, split along the line of the silent cut. It fell crashing into the nearby muddy water in two enormous, thunderous halves.
Facing the curtain of rain, Nolan suddenly stopped.
He twisted his neck slightly and glanced back at the wreckage.
After confirming that the Destroyer had indeed been permanently scrapped, Nolan's intense killing intent gradually dissipated.
He carried the huge C'tan Phase Sword and walked deliberately in the direction of the injured Thor.
Soon after, Nolan came to the edge of the huge pit carved by Thor's fall.
He looked down at Thor, who was lying in the rain at the bottom of the pit, and asked loudly, "Thor, are you dead?"
Hearing the question, Thor slowly raised his messy blond head. He blinked his blue eyes rapidly. He slightly raised a sturdy arm, which was covered in ugly burn marks, and gave Nolan a universal gesture of appreciation and etiquette used by many warriors.
Instantly, Nolan, still wearing his metal helmet, began to laugh in a deep, low voice.
His laughter became louder and more robust.
It seemed to infect Thor, lying at the bottom of the pit. Thor to tremble slightly from the effort. Even as the flowing rain poured into his grinning mouth, he was unwilling to stop his heartfelt laughter.
The huge fuselage of the Valkyrie landed slowly on the nearby muddy ground. Its roaring engines blew up countless fine raindrops and mist.
Nolan, still wearing his helmet, glanced at the tall, silent figure of David in the cockpit.
He turned his attention back to the wounded and exhausted Thor, asking, "How bad are your injuries?"
Thor, blinked his blue eyes. He wiped the cold rain from his face and grinned broadly.
"I won't die for the time being. Midgardian brother, thank you for your aid. I owe you a life debt. Asgardians will never forget your life-saving grace. I will repay your bravery when I can."
"Thor, you should take care of your family affairs first, especially..." Nolan waved his hand, interrupting Thor's lengthy promise. He stopped talking halfway, a pointed implication hanging in the air.
"I understand..."
Thor nodded slightly, his expression becoming serious and subdued. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "Midgardian brother, although I don't know how you know about Asgard... but you are right. Loki's behavior has utterly crossed the line. Neither the Allfather nor I, as his elder brother, will let him off easily!"
"I should go too. The people of Asgard are still waiting for my return."
Thor, grinning once more, raised his palm and clapped Nolan's armor in a friendly, heavy gesture.
"When I get everything done in Asgard, I'll come and meet you to have a drink... Uh, Midgardian brother, what's your name again?"
"Thor, this is the third time you've asked. I told you my name is Nolan."
Nolan turned his head helplessly, staring at the genuinely embarrassed Thor.
He casually reached up and took off his metal helmet.
He revealed a head of striking gray hair and his intense, cyan wolf-eyes.
The next moment, Thor's blue eyes widened dramatically. His face trembled slightly, and he asked in genuine shock,
"Ah, Midgardian brother... Aren't you human? Are you from Vanaheim? I heard there are tribes of orcs there..."
"...What?"
Nolan, still carrying the C'tan Phase Sword, narrowed his cyan wolf eyes dangerously. He subconsciously showed the sharp fangs in his mouth.
"Look, there are even fangs in your mouth! How can you still be human..."
"Ah, sorry! I was wrong, brother Nolan! Put that damn thing down!"