All eyes were fixed upon the long object strapped to the giant man's back. Even shrouded by a thick layer of cloth, it was imposing enough to command attention. If it were drawn out, what sort of dazzling brilliance would be unleashed?

The scarred giant was none other than Loki, who had previously appeared outside the Vatican. He seemed to have rushed here specifically because of the deaths of his teammates. His own imposing and arrogant demeanor was entirely overshadowed by the weapon on his back.

It was Fang Senyan who recognized him immediately. Before heading to the planet Eplos, Fang Senyan had used his military rank to participate in an auction. That auction had been a veritable clash of the titans, and the Judgment Fang Senyan had kept hidden until the very end was acquired there.

What had left a profound impression on Fang Senyan at that auction was naturally the mid-tier Legendary main story item: the Philosopher's Stone of Nicolas Flamel! Its inherent death-reversal effect bore a striking resemblance to Fang Senyan’s current Sigh of the Death God.

However, even an item as powerful as the Philosopher's Stone had been relegated to second place at that auction, its brilliance entirely overshadowed by another weapon!

That immensely powerful Legendary weapon! The weapon supposedly wielded by the Aesir King, Odin... Gungnir!

Fang Senyan naturally remembered this weapon. Even though it was currently encased in a bag, and even though the aggressive, piercing sharpness it once possessed was now overlaid with a sacred gravitas, Fang Senyan recognized it at first glance.

Yet, looking at this legendary weapon being carried, Fang Senyan couldn't shake a feeling of incongruity. The name Gungnir represented piercing might! Striking across the sky like lightning, piercing the enemy's body and soul like thunder.

But the other aura mixed into the Gungnir now possessed a heavy sense of dominion, an imposing majesty fit for a sovereign!

The combination of these two essences was like forcing a peerless, sharp general—one who could shatter enemy lines—to suddenly become the commander required to hold the central camp. While not entirely absurd, it meant the weapon could never unleash its maximum potential.

Looking at the man before him, Fang Senyan slowly relaxed from his combat readiness and straightened his back, letting out a sigh: "A pity."

The giant glanced at him, asking with interest: "A pity about what?"

Fang Senyan narrowed his eyes and sighed again: "A magnificent Gungnir, yet it houses the Weapon Soul of Rungis’s Spear. Gungnir's trait is penetration—that unwavering resolve to surge forward no matter what blocks the way. But the trait of Rungis’s Spear is a symbol of authority; legend says that anyone holding it commands the submission of all within one hundred and twenty feet, allowing the wielder to dictate the world's fate. Combining the two will only result in Gungnir's lament..."

The giant burst into laughter: "I remember now, you must have been at that auction too. That’s why you recognized my treasure at a glance. You must have bought a weapon then, a gun of dark gold? Since you’ve seen my Gungnir before it took on a Weapon Soul, your words are not surprising. However, the fusion of Gungnir and the Weapon Soul of Rungis’s Spear was revealed to me by the Divine Diviner as the newest weapon most suited for me. Without their combination, how could I have possibly killed Doctor Adrian and still made it here in time?"

At this moment, Fang Senyan saw Jackson Krust move slightly, feeling a slight measure of relief. Hearing Loki’s casual final sentence, he couldn't help but gasp! To kill Doctor Adrian and still arrive here on time sounded simple, but killing Doctor Adrian likely implied an extremely brutal battle; yet, in Loki's mouth, it was dismissed as lightly as spring water, glossed over as if it were a trivial matter.

If Loki wasn't lying, Fang Senyan could almost picture the astonishing scene: a flash of light that nothing could resist, Doctor Adrian pierced, and the assailant gracefully drifting away as vision turned toward him...

And then having to rush here after committing murder... Loki started later than Fang Senyan's group, traveled a greater distance, yet managed to arrive first and wait calmly. Such offensive power, such speed! Was this the formidable ability born from combining Gungnir and the Weapon Soul of Rungis’s Spear?

"He isn't lying, otherwise, if he had no backing, why would he dare stand before our entire team?" Fang Senyan said gravely over the team channel. "This is definitely not someone who enjoys risk-taking or showing off!"

Before Fang Senyan could even ask about the man's purpose, the giant stated it plainly: "I am Loki. Perhaps you’ve heard of me, perhaps not; it doesn't matter. I am here because you recently pulled off something huge. I heard that a guy called Sailor managed to break through the Awakened ranks on the battlefield and fiercely slaughtered ten Awakened ones!"

"Correct," Fang Senyan replied calmly. "So what? The one who told you this must have been one of the stragglers who failed to ambush me."

Loki laughed heartily: "Did you think I came to praise you? You are mistaken. I witnessed your killing spree; it was quite ordinary. The only praiseworthy element was that strange ability that causes infectious diseases. The man you were chasing used every skill he had—blink, jump, zero gravity—but despite temporarily widening the distance, his speed was forcibly curbed by frequent sneezes, colds, and choking coughs. More importantly, I have never seen such a powerful area-of-effect slow ability before!"

As Loki spoke, a blood-red title, Centurion, popped up above his head! Its attributes were clearly visible.

Bronze-Tier Title: Centurion! Requirement: Kill one hundred and fifty Awakened to acquire this title. Effect: All damage inflicted by Contractors below the Awakened rank (including Awakened) upon the owner is reduced by 25%. All damage inflicted by the owner upon Contractors below the Awakened rank (including Awakened) is increased by 25%.

Everyone drew a cold breath. Loki had clearly proven he wasn't boasting! This man before them might well have broken through the shackles of the Awakened, perhaps even reaching the level of the Cardinal Fang Senyan had encountered in the Bloody Invitation.

Fang Senyan looked at Loki: "So, what do you want? You didn't seek me out just to say these few sentences, did you?"

Loki laughed loudly: "Of course not. To be honest, I want to make a trade with you first, and then... utilize you all once!"

The man openly spoke the word "utilize," yet did so with an indescribable frankness, as if being used by him was an honor! Fang Senyan remained composed: "What trade? And how do you plan to use me?"

Loki regarded Fang Senyan with a hint of appreciation: "No wonder that fellow has his eye on you. Following his usual habits, you would certainly be placed on the blacklist. Alright, my trade is this: I want to examine your disease-manufacturing ability attribute. In return, I will hand over the plot character Jackson Krust back to you, and also provide some intelligence on the one who has been hunting you."

Reef suddenly spoke up: "How is that a trade? What if you look at it and refuse to release him?"

Loki roared with laughter, scorn evident in his voice: "Though I, Loki, sometimes resort to unscrupulous means, I have never broken my word! If I harbored any ill will toward you, I wouldn't need to do anything; those three behind me would have already killed Jackson Krust! Compared to the Saint of Darkness, your strength is truly far inferior. Even though that guy, Fu, has made a tactical error and is currently confined to this world, his potential still exceeds your imagination!"

Fang Senyan suddenly stepped forward, eyes narrowed: "Fine, I believe you."

Saying that, he displayed his current disease ability. Loki examined the disease attribute very closely, then roared with laughter again: "So that's how it is. Fu keeping you confined for so long was equivalent to giving you ample opportunity to spread the disease and let it brew, which is what caused those who besieged you to fall critically ill. Coupled with the fact they expended all their energy fighting your team, your subsequent breakout was unstoppable... Tsk tsk, your luck is indeed quite good."

Fang Senyan showed no particular reaction, merely smiling faintly: "Luck is also a part of strength."

Loki said meaningfully: "Do you know why I said your luck was good? Because almost exactly when your battle began, my brothers started troubling Fu's servant! Just as they were about to succeed, Fu intervened—pulling his focus entirely away from you. My brothers naturally encountered danger and perished, and finally, I fought Fu head-on. By the time I was done, your battle had probably concluded long ago! Otherwise, you think you could have managed to kill ten men in succession???"

Towards the end, Loki’s tone carried a note of disdain. Fang Senyan lowered his eyes and said lightly: "If you intend to use us against that fellow named Fu, then you should give us more detailed intelligence, shouldn't you?" (To be continued)RQ