Just call me Thor - Chapter 279

Chapter 279: I do it because I want to, not because I need a reason
Mike scrutinized the man before him.

The man was disheveled, resembling a prisoner in a death cell, with long hair falling over his face, casting shadows.

He was also scrutinizing Mike, trying to discern something from him.

“That hammer…”

The man’s gaze fell on the Thunderclap Hammer at Mike’s waist, his expression tightening, “I recognize that weapon.”

Mike’s expression stiffened.

This NPC, who called himself a ‘sinner,’ actually recognized the Thunderclap Hammer?

Mike himself hadn’t figured out the origin of the Thunderclap Hammer.

According to what Shadow Nine had said, when Ares entered the Forest of Truth, the Thunderclap Hammer was already there.

And the Thunderclap Hammer was at least a weapon used by an Ultimate Lord.

There weren’t many known Ultimate Lords among humans. The top powerhouses from the era before Ares were people like Shadow Nine and his peers!

Who was the original owner of the Thunderclap Hammer?

Mike had never found an answer to this question.

“Of course, there’s always the possibility that Shadow Nine lied to me again…”

Mike couldn’t help but roll his eyes inwardly.

Shadow Nine, that old liar, never spoke a word of truth.

Fortunately, as Mike’s strength grew, he encountered more information himself.

The more Shadow Nine’s web of lies unraveled, the more holes appeared.

Mike lifted the Thunderclap Hammer and asked, “Do you know the origin of this weapon?”

“Yes.”

The man didn’t hide anything, saying directly, “This weapon was taken by your first bro. It was on this very floor. Didn’t you know?”

Mike didn’t feel embarrassed at all and nodded, “My first bro prefers that I explore on my own. Don’t stop, keep talking.”

With the Thunderclap Hammer as evidence, the man’s attitude towards Mike clearly improved.

Although this guy didn’t seem very reliable, he was likely a child of destiny.

The man recalled, “Your first bro said he was taking this weapon to give to a friend…”

A friend?

Mike fell silent. Which friend of Morpheus’s did he not know about?

Cedric Blackwell?

But Cedric Blackwell and Ares were both swordsmen; they wouldn’t use a hammer as a weapon.

The man furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then added, “Your first bro mentioned that the friend’s name seemed to include ‘Stoneheart.'”

Huh?

In an instant, Mike felt a chill run down his spine.

This time, it was a real chill!

A name with ‘Stoneheart,’ from Morpheus’s era, who else could it be?

It had to be Maxen’s father!

A somewhat clear timeline slowly unfolded before Mike’s eyes:

Three hundred years ago, Morpheus took the Thunderclap Hammer from the twenty-third floor and gave it to Maxen’s father.

Under the dual influence of supreme power and the demon race invasion, Maxen’s father’s strength skyrocketed, becoming an Ultimate Lord.

Moreover, Maxen’s father was likely one of the earliest Ultimate Lords among humans!

The powerhouses of Morpheus’s generation were like a constellation of stars, with countless protagonist-like figures.

Morpheus, Shadow Nine, Calderon, Maxen’s father, Cedric, Gregory…

Even someone as strong as Cedric Blackwell hadn’t broken through to Ultimate Lord, showing how difficult it was!

Strength, talent, opportunity—all were indispensable!

Every being who broke through to Ultimate Lord was among the top human powerhouses.

As far as Mike knew, besides Morpheus, there were only three Ultimate Lords from that generation:

Shadow Nine, Calderon, and Maxen’s father.

And coincidentally, all three had met unfortunate ends.

Shadow Nine was half-dead, Calderon was worse than dead, and Maxen’s father was missing, his fate unknown.

“So, among these three, Maxen’s father was the first to become an Ultimate Lord and stood at the forefront…”

Mike calculated. The people of Shadow Nine’s generation had always had the strongest at the forefront.

Maxen’s father’s disappearance wasn’t just due to the Archdemon’s machinations. More importantly, Maxen’s father had to accompany Morpheus, defending their homeland so humanity could continue to develop.

“And that’s why the Thunderclap Hammer ended up in the Forest of Truth.”

Understood, everything made sense now.

The Thunderclap Hammer wanted to re-emerge, appearing before Ares, but was rejected.

Maxen repeatedly ventured into the Forest of Truth, trying to take the Thunderclap Hammer, but failed each time.

Besides his inner desire to use a sword, there was another reason: this hammer was his father’s relic…

Mike looked down at the Thunderclap Hammer, feeling the plot thickening.

This hammer had now become his weapon. Was it fate’s arrangement?

As Mike thought this, the Thunderclap Hammer emitted a thunderous sound.

Mike understood.

It wasn’t that he chose the Thunderclap Hammer; the Thunderclap Hammer chose him!

In the Forest of Truth, Mike had taken Morpheus’s cloak instead of the Thunderclap Hammer.

The Thunderclap Hammer was very displeased with this.

This displeasure was clearly conveyed to Apollo.

Which led to Apollo breaking the rules and allowing each person to take two pieces of equipment.

It was as if the Thunderclap Hammer had forced itself into Mike’s hands.

Only by staying with Mike did the Thunderclap Hammer have a chance to challenge the Supreme Demon God again.

Understanding the cause and effect, Mike promised, “Don’t worry. If the day comes when I face the Supreme Demon God, I will use you as my weapon!”

The Thunderclap Hammer emitted another thunderous sound, seeming satisfied, and returned to calm.

With the Thunderclap Hammer matter settled,

Mike looked at the man and continued to inquire about the River Styx.

“Since you have this weapon, you might indeed be able to purify the River Styx…”

In the process of purifying the River Styx, the Thunderclap Hammer was an essential component.

The man hesitated for a moment, then explained,

“This River Styx is just a projection of Hades’s power. I once deceived Thanatos, and this is my punishment.

The monsters within are powerful, and the final boss is one of Hades’s subordinates, with a level exceeding 900…”

From the man’s explanation, Mike learned that

This heart-shaped stone was left by Morpheus to block the pursuers from the River Styx.

Later, Ares came.

Seeing the River Styx behind the stone, Ares slashed with his sword, blocking the pursuers with that single strike.

This added a second layer of protection.

After hearing the man’s description, Mike nodded thoughtfully.

“Alright, I understand the situation. After entering the River Styx, I must eliminate all monsters within 45 minutes to completely purify it, right?”

“Yes.”

With a confirmed response, Mike moved forward.

The strongest monsters were only level 900; Mike had nothing to worry about.

If necessary, he could summon Poseidon. As long as Mike was willing to do something, there were always more solutions than problems!

If all else failed, he could exploit bugs. There was nothing to fear!

“Wait!”

The man called out to Mike, hesitating before deciding to ask, “What you’re doing has no benefit for you. I have nothing to repay you with, and it has no meaning…”

With Morpheus’s stone and Ares’s sword energy suppressing it,

In fact, whether the River Styx was purified or not was no longer important.

The man didn’t understand why Mike was doing this.

If something was meaningless from the start, why do it?

“Reward? Meaning?”

Mike said righteously, “If doing good deeds requires a reward, what kind of good deed is that?! I do it because I want to, not because I need a reason.”

After speaking, Mike added, “Once I purify the River Styx, this stone will be useless, right?”

The man was stunned, unable to keep up with Thor’s pace.

Wasn’t the topic about the River Styx? How did it switch to the stone?

The man nodded, “Yes, it will be useless.”

Morpheus left the stone to block the pursuers from the River Styx.

Once the River Styx was purified, the stone would naturally be useless.

“That’s great.”

Mike said seriously, “Once I purify the River Styx, it wouldn’t be too much to take this stone with me, right?”

The man was bewildered, “You can, but what do you want the stone for?”

To push it around?

Ignoring the man’s reaction, Mike charged forward with determination.

Charge!