But I do not possess what is called wisdom, I am merely—
“I believe you.”
Jason smiled slightly and patted Wood's shoulder: "From the first moment I saw you, I realized you are different from everyone and every God I have ever met. Your Soul is a Fire that symbolizes hope and warmth; you will bring the best conclusion to everything that has happened so far."
What if my period is Ragnarok?
That is also a Fate humanity must face.
Jason gave a light laugh: "Anyway, just do what you feel is right! As for where Fate ultimately leads, I'm afraid only those hands residing in higher dimensions, who are fond of manipulating and weaving the tapestry of Fate, could know in advance."
You look as if you have already..
Yeah.
Jason nodded noncommittally, a flicker of loneliness passing through his eyes: "All the necessary documents for resignation have been handed over to Louis; you just need to sign your name in the appropriate places."
—I understand.
Wood took a breath and walked out of the Office.
..
“Louis—”
Wood?
Louis, who was primarily engaged in clerical work, paused his data verification, turned his head, looked at Wood in surprise.
Jason told me to come to your place to handle my resignation.
The Boss did indeed mention this matter.
Louis took out a stack of documents and a signing pen, handing them to Wood: "Here, here, here.."
“OK！”
Wood quickly completed the signing as Louis instructed, as he returned the documents to Louis—
Louis, however, had a hesitant and uneasy expression.
Wood, you.. I haven't seen you in a few days, you look—
What happened?
You look like a different person. What I mean is, right now, you exude an aura of absolute resolve, as if you are completely severing all ties with your past self.
Louis weighed his words carefully: "To be honest, you make me feel very uneasy right now. I feel as though you might vanish from this world entirely in the next second."
Impossible—
Wood smiled and said, taking an Ancient Egyptian Amulet that was five thousand years old from his pocket, "This is for you."
“But this is—"
I know this is an antique Relic, I hope you can become its new Master.
Wood gently placed the Relic into Louis's palm.
Wood? You—you wouldn't be.. would you..
Louis's tongue trembled, terrified by his own imagination.
Don't think too much! I resigned so I could go on a vacation to Egypt with the Boss, not for the reason you're thinking!
Oh! Oh!
Louis nodded repeatedly, the unease in his heart lingering like a thick fog that refused to dissipate.
..
..
After completing the resignation paperwork, Wood took the elevator out of the office building. The moment he stepped through the doors, the sound of a gunshot suddenly rang out in his mind!
He turned instinctively, "seeing" that Jason, who should have still been in his Office on the tenth floor, had collapsed and met his Death, a smoking gun gripped in his right hand.
(Why? Why would he—)
This is the last thing I can do for you.
Jason's final thoughts echoed in his mind.
[My abilities are too meager to change anything; even my death can only buy you a little more time—remember, stay away from Raven, especially the massive One-eyed Raven! They are Odin's servants, cunning and vicious! Full of lies!]
(Thank you, Jason..)
Wood answered softly in his heart, pulling a coin from his pocket and clutching it in his hand.
Just as that movement was completed, a One-eyed Raven flew into Wood's field of vision.
(Odin's messenger?)
Wood narrowed his eyes.
Raven landed on the steps in front of Wood, expressing himself with an exceptionally humble tone and posture—
Hello—my God sent me—
Wood ignored Raven and walked straight ahead, clutching the coin in his hand.
Seeing this, Raven flapped his wings and chased after him.
Mister! Mister! Please stop and listen to me! The God I serve wishes to have Dinner with you! The location has been arranged; turning at the next intersection will lead straight to Asgard!
“What did you say?”
Wood suddenly stopped in his tracks, discovering that the air at the corner of the intersection appeared jelly-like, translucent and semi-hazy.
This is—
Please, come in—
Raven paced up to Wood, transforming into a one-eyed man with black hair and black clothing, made an inviting gesture.
The High God Odin is waiting for you inside—
And if I refuse?
Thor might make you understand the price of refusal.
Discarding his previous humility, the man transformed from Raven emphasized coldly.
“..”
Wood thought for a moment, then turned to leave—
I am sorry, you have no right to leave!
A blonde man standing over two meters tall, with muscles so firm he could enter a global bodybuilding competition, blocked Wood's path, gripping a hammer that shimmered with lightning on its surface.
Thor?
I am glad you still remember my name.
Thor shouted in anger, his Voice as loud as thunder.
When I think about how I was written as your long-lost brother in the pop culture known as comics within this shallow country, my heart can't help but surge with disgust! Truly disgusting!
Thor complained, "Why does such a disgusting existence as you exist in this world!"
However, the hammer that grants you the name of Thor was my gift.
Wood mocked Thor.
Hearing this, Thor laughed loudly. "I am sorry, but while my hammer may have some connection to you, it is neither your blessing nor your gift. The hammer chose me, I chose the hammer! As for you—you are nothing but a clown!"
Oh..
It was the answer he expected, yet Wood could not help but let out a sigh. "As expected of Odin's bloodline."
—What did you say?! You want to deny the God King?!
I have never thought of denying Odin's divinity, because no one can deny something that does not exist in the first place.
“——!”
Thor was furious, raising his hammer, about to—
Stop!
Odin's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Thor's rage.
Do not be disrespectful to your Uncle!
“Father!”
Thor shouted unwillingly, "He is not our Uncle! He has no blood relation to us. He has defiled the divinity of Asgard, he will bring about Ragnarok! He—"
He is also an inseparable key to Fate.
Wood spoke coldly, his gaze toward Odin and Thor filled with disdain and mockery.
Speak, why must you insist on drinking with me?
Because—
As long as you release Fenrir, I will cooperate with you.
Wood added.
“The matter of Fenrir—”
Odin replied with an ambiguous attitude, "It is not that we refuse to release Fenrir; it is because Fenrir is tied to Ragnarok, we cannot and dare not take the risk."
Because you cannot and dare not take the risk, so you are cooperating with Cthulhu Power? Do you believe you can attain a higher and more important status in this new era where Cthulhu occupies Earth?
Wood gave a mocking laugh and turned to—
Don't even think about leaving!
Thor blocked Wood's path once again.
I won't allow you to leave!
Are you sure you can stop me?
Wood looked up, casting a contemptuous glance at Thor's face, which was overly developed in the jaw due to an excess of testosterone: "You look like a giant ape that hasn't fully evolved."