Reborn with Steve Stand

Chapter 42:

Startled by the system prompt, Fang Mo was uncertain about which new module the system had detected. He wondered whether it was the one that had previously unlocked 80% or an entirely different module. Nonetheless, he knew it must be connected to the two items lying on the ground. Subconsciously, Fang Mo cast a glance downward.

In that brief moment, Loki swiftly conjured an illusion and slipped away without uttering a word.

"..."

Frigga observed the entire scene but chose to feign ignorance, maintaining a panicked expression on her face. After all, Loki was the child she had raised, and as a mother, she desired to shield him from any harm.

However, Fang Mo paid no attention to Loki's departure, understanding that it was a matter for Thor's family to resolve. His focus remained on studying the module the system detected.

With that, Fang Mo planted the Hellish Cleaver into the ground beside him, then bent down to pick up the two artifacts, examining them closely.

"Hmm?"

Frigga, feeling somewhat perplexed, watched as Loki's illusion stood with raised hands while Fang Mo paid it no mind but instead focused intently on studying the Ancient Winter Casket and the Gungnir. Was he excessively confident in his own abilities? Or perhaps he possessed the ability to see through Loki's illusions, much like herself?

After a moment of contemplation, Frigga couldn't resist asking, "Who are you?"

"I am Thor's friend," Fang Mo replied, studying the artifacts in his hands. He smiled kindly at Asgard's Queen and reassured her, "Do not worry. I harbor no ill intentions towards Asgard. I am simply intrigued by these artifacts, and once I have studied them, I will return them to you."

As they conversed, the system prompt resounded once more.

[System Prompt: You have mastered the 'Extreme Cold' attribute of the 'Ancient Winter Casket.' You have obtained 25% new module download permissions.]

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"Hmm?"

Upon hearing the prompt, Fang Mo's face became happy but annoyed.

He felt glad unlocking new modules that held the potential to trigger multiple possibilities. However, he grappled with conflict as he remained clueless about which module the Destroyer had triggered or how to locate the remaining 20% of the new module.

"If only I knew the name of the module," Fang Mo sighed, uncertain how to interact with it to unlock its full potential. The current module granted 25% new module download permissions through its Extreme Cold attribute, leaving the user to guess its true identity.

How on earth was one supposed to figure that out?

"Forget it... I shall act more impulsively in the future and touch whatever catches my eye," Fang Mo declared, taking a deep breath. He then returned the Ancient Winter Casket and the Gungnir to Frigga, stating, "I have finished studying them. Here are your belongings."

"Uh, alright," Frigga hadn't expected Fang Mo to return the items. She appeared somewhat surprised but extended her hand to retrieve the two artifacts. Returning to Odin's side, she resumed her protective stance.

Fang Mo glanced at Frigga.

And, as if sensing something, she met his gaze simultaneously.

To be honest, Fang Mo felt a deep empathy for Thor.

Aside from Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame, who was compelled by the plot to snap his fingers, Thor was perhaps the most memorable character in the entire Marvel movie series for Fang Mo.

After all, he had endured unimaginable hardships.

First, his mother was killed by the Dark Elves, and not long after, his father passed away as well.

Just when his sister finally appeared, she destroyed his beloved Mjolnir upon her arrival, and even gouged out one of his eyes. Eventually, his sister met her own demise.

Even his brother Loki, with whom he had a tumultuous relationship, was strangled to death by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.

Then, after residing in Asgard for nearly a millennium, his home was destroyed, and half of the survivors were slaughtered by Thanos.

Having withstood the scorching heat of millions of degrees and forging the Stormbreaker, a weapon befitting a god king, he failed to hit his target, and Thanos mocked him and succeeded in snapping his fingers, subsequently wiping half of the life in the entire universe.

Consequently, Thor descended into a state of despair and became a mere shadow of his former self, an overweight and less formidable version known as "Lebowski."

In Avengers: Endgame, a version of Thor who could have effortlessly defeated Thanos with all six Infinity Stones found himself on the brink of defeat against a Thanos stripped of any stones.

Ultimately, it was Captain America who lifted Thor's hammer and, in what felt like a betrayal, aided him in the battle. Without this unexpected intervention, Thor might not have survived until the end.

Then, Fang Mo learned that Thor's ex-girlfriend in Thor: Love and Thunder was battling advanced-stage cancer.

Seriously... How much more suffering could Thor endure?

Even Fang Mo found it painful to witness. Couldn't the writers direct their torment towards someone else instead of relentlessly targeting a single individual?

Deep in thought, Fang Mo addressed Frigga, "Um, well, Goddess... I have something to ask you."

"What?" Frigga looked at Fang Mo, her expression filled with confusion.

"Do you desire death?" Fang Mo inquired directly.

"..."

Frigga remained silent but regarded Fang Mo with an expression that implied he was being foolish.

"Ahem, okay, let me rephrase." Fang Mo realized the clumsiness of his question. He touched his forehead and said, "Actually, what I meant to ask was... do you know when or how you will meet your end?"

"Thor's friend, I understand your intention."

Upon hearing this, Frigga smiled faintly. "I was raised by witches, and there are certain things I know. I assume you possess the ability, like the Sorcerer Supreme who guards Midgard, to foresee future events, correct?"

"I know you do not fear death."

Observing Frigga's perceptiveness, Fang Mo didn't beat around the bush and stated, "But honestly, as a mother, isn't it too cruel to die in front of your own child?"

"It is all part of fate."

Frigga shook her head.

"The self-proclaimed ruler ordained by fate was beheaded by your son." Fang Mo shook his head. "Fate cannot harm Thor, but you can."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Frigga fell silent for a moment before speaking, "...You have witnessed the immense suffering that Thor will endure in the future, haven't you?"

"In such matters, I suggest you witness it for yourself."

Fang Mo said this and slowly rose, making his way towards the door. He had conveyed nearly everything he needed to say, and now it rested upon Frigga's own decision.

However, as he passed by Frigga, he retrieved an enchanted golden apple and placed it beside her.

"What is this..."

Frigga looked at the golden apple with a tinge of confusion. She could sense its extraordinary nature. It was a rare item worthy of being safeguarded within the Asgard Treasury.

"This is a gesture of goodwill from me."

Fang Mo waved his hand and continued walking towards the door. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned his head, as if recalling something. "Oh, by the way... could you point me the whereabouts of Asgard's treasury?"

"You see I would like to pay it a visit."