Chapter 786: 775

Title: Gender Criticism

"Is this where you tell me your master plan?" Nik inquired while looking around. Between two carved pillars, a straight column half the height of the pillar rested with their top lit on green flames. The large hall, probably a throne room from the looks of it, had a form of mystifying ambient lighting due to the hollow whispers that would escape the green flames and the strange color of the flame itself.

Due to Nik's expertise on flames and various kinds of fires with different attributes, he realized that the green flames were similar to hellfire. But these flames weren't magical or mutating in nature. Hellfire had two main attributes. Destruction and magical mutation. Anything affected by a controlled peal of hellfire will transform into a bony, or devilish structure. That is why Nik would turn into a skeletal figure with his entire body lit in hellfire. He had yet to test the hellfire on others though but the situation wouldn't be much different.

On the other hand, the green flames were more attuned to destruction, of course, and affected the metaphysical aspects of life. But to Nik, these flames were a level lower than hellfire. There wasn't a clear distinction but anyone with a mastery of element gets the instincts and the gut feeling to compare various forms of their attributes. For instance, lightning and purity lightning. One destroyed and the other was focused on delivering pain with the concept of healing. That is the reason why Pavakā enjoyed other's torment but wouldn't enjoy seeing someone injured for a long time.

Then there were Virya and Samya. One a spirit of light who used the temperature of the light as the weapon while the goddess would use the ability to construct various shapes of light alongside its heat. In reality, both of them still couldn't get used to the absolute speed that the element of light boasts. And this was the situation when Virya was an element of purity herself. These differences only defined that being an expert of an element meant being an expert of an aspect of an element.

The greater the expertise, the greater the aspects understood and tolerated.

"My plan?" Hela chuckled. "That is right. I am no curious soul like Loki. She... well, I would say that she wasn't loved as a child but that's a lie. Loki is just a depraved being who will continue to crave for more attention until everything is in ruins. So, it raised the question, why would you help her? Do you not fear Asgard's retaliation?"

"Hey, did you ever wonder that Asgard sounds awfully like ass-guard... what are you protecting your asses for? It's your dick that they should protect," Poole hummed curiously.

Spider gaped and looked at her erratic counterpart. "Do you not understand the situation we are in?!" she growled and suddenly, Nik stuffed the both of them into his pocket.

"She's right, you know. Asgard... is a name no parent should give their child or their school lives will be turned to hell, pun intended," Nik smirked.

"Nice," Poole's muffled voice echoed.

"Is this situation humorous?" Hela inquired coldly.

"What are we supposed to do?" Nik replied, "You, Loki, Asgard, Being a Queen, conquering everything there is to, I don't care, Lady of Hell. If you have something to say, is there really a need to inquire about my position?"

"It is," Hela smiled, "Odin's daughter, the woman in green skin that certainly boasts strength greater than any average Asgardian, the woman who can manipulate her mass, not to mention the necromancer. All of them will be considered valuable assets to any kingdom and yet, they collectively follow your will."

"What about us?" Poole peeked her head out, "I understand that me and Spider's dialogues are overlooked but come on! We are relevant!"

Although Spider still didn't understand how the two were being overlooked, she didn't scold Poole, instead, looked towards Hela with an annoyed gaze.

"You two? Beings without soul, body, and power. Slowly, you will dissolve in this world. What else is there to talk about you?" Hela sneered and sat up. Crossing her legs, she looked towards Nik, "If Loki has undermined your opinions. Then join me. You will have the respect you deserve."

"Like hell he deserves any respect," Spider shook her head and sighed.

"Well... I mean, Spider, if you get a gang of powerful heroes that can scare the shit out of Nick Fury just by spending the night... I don't know, at least, I would respect the game," Poole crossed her arms and shook her head.

"You're just a pervert," Spider glanced towards Poole with a mocking smirk.

"Heh... was it me or you who dug her fingers into her phantom yeehaw while Nik was making the main feel better?" Poole called out, making Spider blush.

"You bitch!"

"Don't call me a bitch! I'm you!" Poole and Spider glared at each other from the ends of the two pockets before entering their humble abode once again.

'Is it wrong to think that... Poole and Spider can give me a handjob while staying within the pocket?' Nik pursed his lips.

Not feeling well after ignored yet again, Hela snapped her fingers and the crisp sound of the green flames on every column turned into guttural roars as patched, bony hands materialized out of the flames.

'I did not know that... these flames are awesome,' Nik's eyelids jumped in surprise but that was his only reaction. As long as it wasn't a ghost in white clothe and hair covering its face, nothing could scare him!

'Or I still haven't found more shit that can scare me yet,' Nik sighed.

"So? It's right to assume that you don't have any plans to ally?" Nik inquired and looked on as bodies upon bodies continued to clatter and fall on the ground before they stood up slowly. Gleaming weapons in their hands and their green eyes staring at Nik with hunger.

"I do plan to ally. I just feel insulted by the constant distractions. Hand me those two insects," she commanded while all the corpses clenched their weapons and suddenly grew attentive.

"Or I shall take them by force." Hela smiled coldly.

"This is what happens when you talk shit in hell," Nik flicked both the bulges in his pockets.

"Ouch!" Poole yelped.

"You flicked my face!" Spider grumbled.

---

"What is this?" Janet picked a jar filled with brown powder.

"That's a—" before Morgan could say anything, the three in the hut suddenly disappeared and found themselves in between a horde of grunting, angered, and hungry undeads, "— an experimental... where are we?" Morgan frowned and looked around her. Janet looked at the jar in her hands and then around herself.

"Hey, we're back," Jennifer smiled, "Your hut was creepy, no offense."

"Your mind clearly lacks the necessary knowledge to understand greatness," Morgan replied while she locked gazed with Hela.

"Why are we here?" Janet looked towards Nik with an inquisitive gaze.

"Well, it's embarrassing to say it out loud," Nik smiled wryly, "But the mean lady was threatening me. Of course, I needed you guys to come to protect me."

His words made the three girls roll their eyes before Jennifer suddenly chuckled, "As long as you come running to fight a big and threatening king of hell for us, too."

"Of course," Nik stated somberly, "But if you could defeat the queen of hell, do you even need me for a king? I mean... I could just... relax."

"So you want us to do all the work?" Janet snorted.

"You cannot say that... I do all the work at home," Nik snorted, "At least, balance the situation."

"Can we not talk about this here?" Morgan inquired while Merlin appeared beside her. His hollow eyes staring at Hela, making her eyelids jump in surprise this time. On the other hand, Janet inquired once again, "This is an experiment right? Do you want data?" She grinned.

Morgan seemed to understand Janet's intentions and finally nodded.

"I may have misunderstood you. You have hope."

With a chuckle, Janet threw the jar high. The sudden attack attracted Hela's attention and she instantly commanded her archers to shoot the jar down.

*Phew*

A sharp arrow tore through the sky as the jar burst apart, making the fistful of brown powder spread apart. In fact, the group of glimmering brown sand could be seen from afar and Morgan's eyes gleamed dangerously.

"That's... anticlimactic," Janet was speechless.

"Give it a moment," Morgan smiled confidently.

*Crck*

Nik's ears twitched momentarily.

'Ah... I should stop raising my sense for this,' he made an astute judgment, and suddenly, a high-pitched shriek echoed out of nowhere.

At the first hint of scream, Merlin let out a wave of golden mana as if a large wave of sea which enhanced the shriek and controlled it in concentric waves. The shout grew muffled but dozens of Hela's corpses instantly burst apart without a sound.

'That's like Vertigo's psionic equilibrium. Just an amazingly amplified one,' Nik thought to himself.

"Attack!" Hela growled.

"Protect!" Poole shouted in return!

Meanwhile, Nik thought for a moment. Since he wasn't an active participant in the battle but merely the lesser cause of conflict, he closed his eyes and began thinking of more ways to develop his mastery of Ice.

---

Angela looked around and found herself in some form of a slum. A repulsive stench filled her senses but finally, her body stiffened. She couldn't help but gasp, shocked, while her hold over Xiphos tightened.

Just a few meters away from her stood the most beautiful woman in the world, at least, to her. Short dark hair, and violet eyes. She clearly had a type, whether man or a woman.

The woman seemed as stunned as Angela. Her plump lips parted and her gaze unable to comprehend how... well, understanding that they were in hell, the dark-haired woman had a possible answer as to why Angela was here. But she clearly looked different. She even had her weapon. Xiphos...

But, the woman did not expect Angela to say this—

"I didn't know that you'd still be a woman after dying."

"So you do understand that I'm dead... and that my gender is the least of the troubles..." The woman replied.