The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

"Hmm?"

The Serpent, seated upon the sea monster, was initially surprised, then revealed an intrigued expression, drawing the attention of Malekith, who was conversing with him.

"Is something the matter, Your Majesty?"

"This is truly unexpected," the Serpent said, stroking his chin. "One of my hammers shattered? No, more than that."

The Serpent raised his hand, sensing the surrounding environment. After a brief silence, he spoke again.

"The fear I'm drawing has decreased? Unbelievable!"

Despite the unfavorable situation, the Serpent, as the one most directly affected, showed no negative emotions, but rather became intrigued.

"After you relinquished a portion of your power, someone still managed to destroy a Sky Hammer?"

Malekith looked surprised and said, "That is indeed incredible."

"I am the God of Fear," the Serpent said, supporting his head with one hand. "Everything related to me is more or less connected to fear. To shatter them signifies that person possesses the power to overcome fear."

"From this perspective, this person is more like my nemesis than any Asgardian crown prince."

"Shall we help you eliminate him?" Malekith asked, bowing.

The nemesis of fear does not necessarily mean the nemesis of everything. As a powerful magician, Malekith had witnessed many mystical things, some like the Serpent who could only die according to prophecy, and others who were powerful but vulnerable if their weaknesses were discovered.

In the world of magic, everything seemed so illogical, yet could be justified.

"Why would I say no?" The Serpent shrugged and extended his hand behind him.

Loki, who had been standing diagonally behind the Serpent, immediately understood, raising his right hand, upon which a palm-sized red box suddenly appeared—the Ancient Winter Coffin.

Loki had taken this with him when he escaped Odin's vault. Compared to the hesitant Loki, Skadi, who had embraced the Serpent, clearly knew what she needed. As a Frost Giant, she could be described as having wings added to a tiger with the help of the Ancient Winter Coffin.

Originally, Loki had intended to keep this for himself, but the situation was different now. They had more allies, more reinforcements, and one of their reinforcements needed this.

The Serpent took the Ancient Winter Coffin from Loki and extended his hand to Laufey, who had come with Malekith.

"The Frost Giant race's combat power is indeed impressive, but once you leave Jotunheim, your race struggles to unleash its full potential, hence the birth of the Ancient Winter Coffin."

Laufey understood the Serpent's meaning, stepped forward, but did not immediately reach out to take the artifact he had dreamed of. Instead, he asked.

"So, what is the price?"

Laufey seemed simple and honest, but he was not foolish. He knew that even as allies, the Serpent would not be so kind as to give him the Ancient Winter Coffin. The Frost Giants were indeed impressive, but not more so than the Dark Elves, Fire Elementals, or the Undead.

"I need you to help me harvest more fear," the Serpent said with a dangerous smile, his free left hand making a casual gesture toward an empty direction. A hammer with edges and corners immediately emerged from the depths of the sea.

"You want Laufey to submit?" Laufey's expression darkened.

"Rest assured, I will not seize your consciousness. This is just a small assistance from me to my ally."

Laufey clearly did not believe the Serpent's words. After all, controlling him was equivalent to controlling the entire Frost Giant race. He did not want to entrust his entire race to someone else's hands.

The Serpent seemed to see through Laufey's thoughts and continued, "Rest assured, I have no interest in anything outside of Asgard. Besides, if I really wanted to attack your race, do you think you could resist?"

The Serpent shifted to a more relaxed posture, indicating that he did not take either of the two men seriously.

"I could easily have Skadi kill you and then let her rightfully ascend to the Frost Giant throne. Don't forget, she is your flesh and blood, she has the legitimate right to inherit."

Laufey was silent. The Serpent was right. As long as he still coveted benefits, he had no right to bargain with him. The Ancient Winter Coffin was essential for the Frost Giants, and he had to retrieve it for the sake of the entire race.

"I agree," Laufey said, extending his right hand and grasping the Sky Hammer in front of him.

The next second, purple energy enveloped Laufey's entire body. When he reappeared, he had transformed.

The original Laufey was still flesh and blood, but now he could be truly called a Frost Giant. His entire body was composed of ice-like crystals, covered in sharp, angular ice thorns, appearing exceptionally sharp.

Laufey examined his changed appearance. He could feel a constant stream of power surging within him. He was now twice as powerful as he had been in Jotunheim.

"See, it's not that difficult, is it?" The Serpent said with a smile, tossing the Ancient Winter Coffin to Laufey, making the artifact seem quite unimpressive.

Value is defined by the individual; it is a very subjective thing. In Laufey's eyes, the artifact was worth risking his life to obtain, but in the Serpent's eyes, it was not worth mentioning.

Laufey quickly reached out to catch the Ancient Winter Coffin, fearing that the artifact would fall into the sea.

"In that case, Laufey will go and kill the guy who broke one of your hammers first."

Laufey stuffed the Ancient Winter Coffin into his chest. He now not only looked like an ice sculpture, but was also very similar to ice in nature. In this state, he had lost many biological characteristics, and no organs could be seen inside his body.

This allowed him to put many things directly into his body, so he wouldn't have to worry about the artifact being stolen by others.

"Not so fast. Others can do that. I have another matter to entrust to you."

The Serpent smiled wickedly, explaining under Laufey's puzzled expression.

"Besides the Sky Hammer that was shattered, there are seven Sky Hammers left in Midgard. Only one Sky Hammer does not have a wielder yet. I have a feeling that the holder of that Sky Hammer is heading somewhere, but he should encounter some difficulties."

The Serpent flicked his finger, and a purple light instantly entered Laufey's head, so fast that neither Laufey himself nor Malekith next to him reacted.

In an instant, Laufey's brain was flooded with many things he didn't know before, such as the location of the other Sky Hammers and who their wielders were.

"This information could have been known when you held the Sky Hammer, but I guess you would misunderstand that I was controlling you, so I am now notifying you in this way."

"That place is considered the territory of those Da Luo Heaven guys," the Serpent put down his right hand. "It is one of the oldest countries in Midgard. I hope you don't stumble there and disappoint me."