Asgard does not have a god specifically recognized as the deity of the sun, nor is there an officially titled "Sun King." Among the common folk, no deity holds the name of the sun either. This is largely because the symbolism of the sun is considered too elevated and sacred—a celestial attribute often reserved for the All-Father himself. Odin's divine title, "Skyfather," encompasses such dominion, making it unclaimable by any ordinary Asgardian.
Thus, when Luo Wei made mention of the sun, it was merely to impress, to maintain an aura of power and mystery.
He pointed directly at Shilut, repeating himself in a cold and resolute tone, "Put that child down, or I guarantee you won't leave here alive."
Chief Kronan clenched his jaw, eyes flashing with conflicting emotions. He hesitated for a long moment before letting out a derisive snort. "Hmph. Judging by your appearance, I'd say you just woke up from a long stasis. If I'm right, then you should be very weak right now."
Luo Wei narrowed his gaze. "On the contrary, I am stronger now than I've ever been. If it weren't for the child in your grasp, you'd already be rubble underfoot."
Chief Kronan fell silent, visibly measuring his words before replying, "We don't mean to harm the child, but he is clearly of our kind. We must bring him back to our people."
"Harm?" Luo Wei growled, gesturing toward Shilut's severed arms. "Do you call this no harm?"
Previously, Luo Wei hadn't involved Shilut in combat. He didn't even know if the child had mastered the Kronan skill of throwing energy-charged stones. But seeing the stumps where Shilut's arms should be filled him with dread. He feared permanent damage.
Chief Kronan waved dismissively. "His limbs will regenerate. It's not real damage. If anything, what about our warriors—those injured or killed by him?"
"He wouldn't attack unless provoked! You intruded into my sanctum and brought this upon yourselves!" Luo Wei spat. "And that child—he's not Kronan. I made him. He's my creation."
"If he were one of you, he'd be able to regenerate and sustain himself by consuming rocks. Is that the case?"
Chief Kronan glanced at the wizened Kronan elder beside him. The elder stepped forward with an imploring tone. "This child is vital to our people. We must take him. But we swear, we will not harm him. We will nourish him, care for him, provide shelter."
Kronan's chief added, this time with a growl of menace, "This is our final offer. Refuse, and we fight! Even if we can't beat you, we can ensure he dies with us!"
Luo Wei clenched his fists. For a moment, a storm brewed in his eyes. Then he slowly exhaled, the fire in him dampened by reason. "Fine. I won't allow him to be hurt… But where exactly are you taking him? Is it still within Vanaheim? Or are you heading to Jotunheim?"
Chief Kronan paused, puzzled. "Jotunheim? What would we be doing in that frozen realm?"
Luo Wei's expression shifted. "So, the frost giant isn't with you?"
"Frost giant?!" Chief Kronan instinctively turned toward the door.
It was the opportunity Luo Wei needed. Swift as a flash, his right hand moved. Holy energy surged through his arm, golden light entwined with searing flame.
Holy Light Strike!
The confined space of the stone hut gave him the advantage. Before Chief Kronan could even react, Luo Wei's hand chopped down like a blade, empowered by divine energy.
Crack!
A sickening sound of bone shattering echoed. Luo Wei's hand strike nearly severed Kronan's wrist, loosening his grip on Shilut.
In the same motion, Luo Wei reached out and caught Shilut with his left arm, spun around, and delivered a flying kick.
Boom!
The chief was hurled back, crashing into several of his warriors. Chaos erupted in the confined chamber.
"Buzz!" Shilut buzzed excitedly in Luo Wei's grasp, his stone-like features expressing joy.
Luo Wei grinned and nodded. "Stay right here. Don't move."
"Buzz!"
With Shilut safe behind him, Luo Wei reached into his dimensional sanctuary and pulled out Verigan's Fist, his enchanted warhammer. Though once built for his previous stature, it now seemed smaller and lighter in his hands, due to the changes his body had undergone after awakening.
It now served as a perfect one-handed weapon.
He stepped forward, eyes narrowing at the injured chief. "It's time you paid the price."
Flames surged along the warhammer's head. Though it already bore enchantments of fire, what now ignited was no mere magic—it was divine fire, the very essence of the godly flame power that had awakened within Luo Wei.
Was this… divine power?
He could feel it coursing through his veins—fiery, intense, boundless.
The Kronan soldiers, though shocked and frightened, still had numbers. They formed ranks and prepared to charge.
Luo Wei stepped back into the corner of the hut, placing himself in a defensible position. The cramped conditions meant only a few could attack at a time.
A fatal mistake for the Kronans.
Judgment!
Holy Light Strike!
These two divine techniques of the Paladin clashed through the stone room. Within moments, the tight skirmish turned into a slaughter. Half the Kronan soldiers fell, their stone bodies shattered by divine fire and light.
Fear overtook the survivors. Chief Kronan, wounded and limping, shouted a retreat. They turned and fled.
The corpses of their kin blocked the room's only exit. Luo Wei wasted no time. He raised Verigan's Fist and slammed it to the ground.
Sword of Justice!
Sword of Justice!
Twin streaks of divine fire and light tore through the fleeing Kronans. The first beam pierced Chief Kronan's legs. The second struck his groin, annihilating him on the spot. He collapsed, crumbled, and returned to dust.
The few remaining soldiers had already escaped the hut's perimeter. Luo Wei didn't bother chasing them.
He stood by the doorway, lifting his face to the fresh air outside. Then he opened his arms.
Flames erupted from his entire body, wrapping him in a cloak of divine fire.
He closed his eyes, meditating in the searing heat, reveling in the power coursing through him. His entire body pulsed with flame, divine and consuming.
Divine fire.
This was no ordinary elemental magic. It was something deeper—true divine essence, capable of devastating even gods.
Divine power wasn't merely destructive; it was also empowering. It could manifest magical energy akin to mana, enhance one's strength, and enable sacred techniques such as divine blessings. Though Luo Wei's divine power was still only at the first tier, he could feel its potential—a path toward becoming a true god among gods.
He bathed in the sacred fire, completely unharmed, his skin tingling with warmth and vigor. The flames obeyed him, fed him, nurtured him.
Then… he felt a breeze.
A cold breeze.
Luo Wei looked down slowly, then his eyes widened with a rare flash of embarrassment.
His divine fire had burned away his underwear.
"…Damn."
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