Just call me Thor - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Forest of Truth
Over a hundred miles outside the Tower of Truth.

Mike was moving slowly along a forest path, his steps so light they hardly made a sound.

When he reached a fork in the road, the shadow under his feet began to twist. Shadow Nine, unusually, took the initiative to appear.

“Kid, there’s something I need to remind you of.” Shadow Nine’s tone was serious, lacking his usual laziness. “The area you’re about to enter… it’s quite different.”

Hearing Shadow Nine’s warning, Mike looked ahead.

[Ahead: Forest of Truth]

[The most fierce battlefield on Earth, where countless heroic spirits rest]

[Supreme Being Morpheus paid a great price to alter the natural laws of this place]

[The residual wills of deceased human heroes cling to relics, and when a destined one arrives, these wills awaken]

[Conquer the relics, gain the approval of the residual wills, and you may take them with you]

Shadow Nine repeated the same information to Mike.

“If I understand correctly, each person can only take one item, right?”

“Normally, that’s the case.” Shadow Nine patiently explained, “These relics are ordinary in themselves, but thanks to Supreme Being Morpheus’s modifications, they’ve become high-tier equipment, and each person can only take one piece of equipment from here.”

“Also, many residual wills are filled with hatred for demons, and they tend to choose those with high talent and potential.”

Listening to Shadow Nine’s explanation, Mike nodded slowly. If that’s the case, those with high-tier talents face multiple powerful choices. Those with lesser talents might end up with nothing.

“Usually, this kind of exercise is placed at the end of the training summer camp, as a graduation drill.” Shadow Nine remarked, “Looks like the Dawn Plan has been initiated.”

“Dawn Plan?” Mike asked.

“Yes, the Dawn Plan, also known as the darkest plan. The details will be explained to you at the summer camp.”

Shadow Nine brought the conversation back on track, “What I want to emphasize is, because of your special situation, as to what that is, well, you know it yourself.”

Mike’s true identity was something Shadow Nine was well aware of, but since Mike hadn’t acknowledged it himself, Shadow Nine could only pretend to be unaware.

“There will be many pieces of equipment that will choose you, or rather, no equipment will reject you. As for what to choose, that’s up to you.”

Mike asked, “What about the previous two supreme beings?”

“Ares took a sword, Apollo took a Lyre.”

Shadow Nine then transformed back into a mist, sinking into Mike’s Guardian Shadow, leaving behind a message, “I’ll help you cover up any noise from the equipment, don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet, remember to give me that photo after this is done.”

Mike: …

This old guy, still hung up on Supreme Being Morpheus’s embarrassing past.

Having clarified his current situation, Mike took a deep breath and stepped forward.

As Mike crossed a certain line, the Forest of Truth, silent for nearly thirty years, seemed to come alive in an instant. Numerous birds took flight, circling above the forest.

A white cloud slowly descended, covering the sky above the forest as if to hide something. From the east, south, west, and north, shadows lingered in each direction.

When the anomaly in the Forest of Truth manifested, the shadows detected the disturbance immediately and reacted.

Purple mist rose, and a young man in black and purple attire appeared, looking in a certain direction—towards where Mike was.

“He’s here.”

The young man raised his hand, and a number—seven—was marked on his right glove. Shadow Seven!

…

The blue shadow cast on the water’s surface wrinkled, emitting a watery voice. “Isn’t this a bit too early?” Shadow Six!

…

The bamboo forest shook, and a green shadow appeared, emitting a child-like voice. “It’s definitely him, only a potential supreme being entering the Forest of Truth could cause such a disturbance!” Shadow Five!

…

The shade shifted slowly with the sunlight, a hint of green mingling in, the voice tinged with a touch of sadness. “History is always repeating itself….” Shadow Four!

The [Guardian Shadow]’s [Shadow]-level powerhouses, Four, Five, Six, and Seven, appeared simultaneously!

Their only task—to guard the Forest of Truth!

This place was once the frontline battlefield, and if the Abyssal Plane were to counterattack, this would be the primary breach point!

Just four individuals stationed here, forming the only line of defense, intercepting any misguided demon creatures that stray into Earth, showcasing the terrifying strength of these four!

When they appear simultaneously, it means either humanity is at its most critical moment, or as now: a potential supreme being has entered the Forest of Truth!

Shadow Six spoke first, “The one guarding Thor, is it Shadow Eight or Shadow Nine?”

Everyone looked towards Shadow Four, as they had not actively sought out this information.

“It’s Shadow Nine, Shadow Eight is occupied with something in the Abyssal Plane.”

Shadow Seven looked in a certain direction, speaking coldly, “Shall we take a look?”

“You’ll die.”

Shadow Five let out a strange laugh, “Tyr, you’re still too green. Shadow Nine is Shadow Nine because he only wants to be Shadow Nine, not No.1. Do you understand what I mean?”

A flash of cold light flickered through the forest, and Shadow Seven drew a short blade, “We haven’t sparred in a long time, dare you spar with me? I’m thinking of moving up the ranks.”

Shadow Seven snorted, “After all, it took less than ten years to become No. Seven, I’m not very satisfied with that speed.”

Shadow Five laughed again at what seemed like a joke, “Tyr, if you really had the ability, you wouldn’t have become a [Guardian Shadow] now.”

This comment seemed to touch a sore spot for Shadow Seven, and he drew his blade a bit further.

Swipe—

The bamboo forest continued to sway, the green shadow fragmented. “Enough!” Shadow Four, the highest-ranked, strongest, and most senior among them, roared, “Potential supreme being has arrived, you don’t think we’re the only ones who noticed, do you?”

All four looked towards the sky, clear and cloudless except for one white cloud floating there.

They all knew the answer—Supreme Being [Apollo]!

Among the three supreme beings, Apollo was responsible for guarding the Tower of Truth. And the Forest of Truth lay directly beneath the Tower of Truth, visible to Apollo with just a downward glance.

Thor’s arrival could not escape his eyes. This white cloud was Apollo’s will.

“Disperse.” After speaking, a wisp of green mist dissipated, and Shadow Four was the first to leave.

Shadow Seven snorted, sheathing his blade and departing as a purple mist.

Shadow Six, light and quiet in arrival and departure, vanished into the ripples of the water. Only Shadow Five remained.

After the others had left, the bamboo forest shook violently, bamboo leaves falling like rain, leaving only bare bamboo standing.

From among the bamboo, a whisper came, “Tyr… has grown stronger…”

“Truly, the genius who was once hailed as closest to becoming a supreme being ten years ago.” “I’m really looking forward to it, the scene when Tyr meets Thor, will they fight?” The bamboo forest fell silent once more, with no further sound.

…

Forest of Truth.

As Mike stepped into the forest, he immediately heard a familiar voice.

“Mike, over here, I’m here!” Cain stood beside a tree, waving to Mike.

“What’s with the fruit, why are you just standing there?” Mike approached and saw Cain munching on a green fruit.

“I was defeated by a machine, I have to stay here for fifteen minutes.” Cain pulled out a fruit from his pocket and tossed it to Mike, pointing to a nearby tree, “This fruit is from that tree, it boosts Spirit! Good stuff, I’ll help you pick some more in a bit.”

It was quite normal for such rare fruits to be found on the outskirts of the Forest of Truth. Mike looked at the tree and casually said, “Oh, beneath this tree lies the remains of an Abyssal demon race Battle Chief, that’s why the fruit boosts Spirit after eating.”

“What?” Cain stopped chewing, spat out the food residue, and asked in confusion, “Mike, how do you know?”

“It’s written right here.”

“Where, I don’t see it?” Cain scanned the tree but found no explanation. Mike quickly signaled to his shadow, and Shadow Nine immediately knew what to do.

Eventually, one side of the tree displayed lines of text, recounting the story of the tree.

“It really is!” After reading the text on the tree, Cain angrily threw the fruit to the ground, smashing it to pieces. He even snatched Mike’s fruit and smashed it too.

“Pah, even a dog wouldn’t eat this!” Cain took a bottle of water to rinse his mouth, visibly furious.

The demon creature Battle Chief from the Abyssal Plane, after invading Earth, first killed two human Battle Chiefs and was later surrounded and died here, causing huge casualties to humanity. Eventually, it became fertilizer for the trees. For such an entity, Cain could not express his anger in words.

“Cough, Mike, I know this is uncivilized, but cover for me.” Saying this, Cain began to unbuckle his belt.

Mike: ???

Turning away, Mike heard the sound of water behind him.

“I’m done.” Cain had urinated on the tree, and after finishing, even invited Mike, “Do you want to try too? It’s quite relieving!”

“No thanks, that’s unnecessary.” Mike replied seriously, “I’ll save my urine for the demon god.”

Shadow Nine: … You guys chat all you want, but could you move a bit?

The urine is coming towards the shadow.