Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

Han Yu rolled down the window and asked Johnny, who was driving ahead, "What's this? You know about her too?"

"I know all too well!" Johnny replied, his tone carrying an unexpected hint of admiration.

"Why don't you tell us about it, then?" Han Yu grinned. Judging by Johnny's tone, it seemed that Hela hadn't been idle during her time in Hel.

"In this realm, everyone knows not to mess with Mephisto. But there's one other figure you don't dare provoke—the so-called Goddess of Death, Hela," Johnny said.

"Well, looks like she's doing quite well for herself," Han Yu teased.

"More than well," Johnny replied, shaking his head. While driving, he called back to the others in the carriage, "Her father is Odin, the All-Father, and her power comes from Asgard. As long as Asgard exists, her strength is inexhaustible. Though she's no longer there, her current power is likely just a third of what it used to be, but even that is enough for her to dominate in Hel."

As Johnny continued, a faint chuckle crept into his voice. "That old devil Mephisto has tried more than once to court Hela, hoping to win her over."

That revelation took Han Yu by surprise. "Mephisto? He's interested in that sort of thing?"

He didn't elaborate, but both Johnny and Loki immediately caught on to what he meant. Galacta, on the other hand, blinked in mild confusion. With her vast knowledge, it wasn't that she didn't understand—it was just that her train of thought hadn't quite connected the dots.

Han Yu, Johnny, and Loki began an implicit, teasing discussion, while Galacta stood there metaphorically scratching her head, oblivious.

Johnny laughed heartily and said, "No, not like that. He believes that if he and Hela... well, combined forces, their child would be the most powerful demon god in existence. So, the guy's been pestering her endlessly."

Han Yu shook his head with an amused smile. "As if Hela would ever agree to that. She's not going to let herself be treated like some sort of breeding tool. But with Hela's current weakened state, I'm surprised he hasn't forced the issue."

Johnny snorted. "He wouldn't dare. Sure, Mephisto's the big bad ruler of Hel, and yes, Hela's technically an exile. But Odin didn't kill her—that alone shows she still has his backing. She's Odin's eldest daughter, after all."

"Mephisto may rule Hel, but he's not about to pick a fight with Odin. In a direct conflict, Odin could annihilate this place with a single blow of the Bifrost. Mephisto might escape, but the hellscape would be reduced to rubble, and no one would lose more than Mephisto himself."

Johnny's sharp critique of Mephisto was merciless. He had no subordinate relationship with the demon, and his personality wouldn't allow him to bow and scrape. Even if he couldn't defeat Mephisto in a fight, a little verbal sparring was fair game.

Han Yu chuckled, finding the gossip about these higher-level beings more entertaining than any mortal drama. These were figures whose mere footsteps could shake the Earth, and trading stories about them was endlessly fascinating.

"What are you all talking about? The more I listen, the less I understand," Galacta pouted. Feeling left out didn't sit well with her.

"Sorry, sorry. Don't worry about it, kid," Han Yu said with a laugh, gently patting Galacta's head.

"Yeah, yeah. Kids shouldn't—" Loki, seizing the opportunity, tried to take advantage of their apparent age difference. He raised his hand to pat Galacta's head as well, but before he could finish the motion, her gaze turned sharp as a blade. In a swift move, she grabbed Loki's wrist, twisting it and pinning him against the carriage window.

Han Yu shouted in amazement, "That's incredible!"

Galacta's sweet, melodic voice now carried an icy undertone as she said, "They take care of my food and drink, so calling me 'kid' is fine. But what, exactly, were you planning to do just now?"

Her words were like honeyed venom to Loki, who immediately begged for mercy. "I was wrong! I was wrong, big sister! It was just a joke—no need to take it so seriously!"

Loki could feel Galacta's grip tightening by the second. Although he doubted she would actually do him serious harm, he wasn't entirely sure she wouldn't leave him with a minor injury.

Having suffered repeated defeats at Galacta's hands, Loki decided it was better not to provoke her. She was far too fierce.

"Hmph." Galacta finally released Loki, dusted off her hands, and scooted closer to Han Yu, making it clear she had no intention of staying near Loki.

Loki rubbed his sore shoulder, glaring at Galacta, who was now happily chatting with Han Yu by his side. For a rare moment, Loki felt a pang of envy toward Han Yu. Such great charisma. When will I ever have beautiful and powerful women flocking around me like that? he mused silently.

For the remainder of the ride, Han Yu continued chatting with Johnny, mostly about Mephisto's gossip.

Johnny, clearly enjoying himself, spilled every bit of insider knowledge he had.

A terrifying, mysterious demon lord of hell had somehow turned into a celebrity drowning in juicy scandals in their conversation. If the setting were different, Han Yu would have gladly grabbed a beer and some snacks to settle in for more of Johnny's tales.

They talked for nearly half an hour, during which time the vehicle slowed down. Long before they reached their destination, they could already see a massive, ancient Western castle looming ahead. It sprawled across the land like a primordial beast, its dark and ominous atmosphere making it clear this was no place for ordinary people.

As the vehicle approached the castle gates, two men in black clothing stood guard, one on each side of the entrance. Their gaunt faces and crimson-tinted skin gave them an eerie, inhuman appearance.

When they saw the vehicle, both men raised their hands to block its passage.

Recognizing Johnny, one of the guards appeared surprised and rasped, "Johnny, why aren't you staying on Earth where you belong? What are you doing here?"

"I'm just the guide. Someone wants to see Mephisto," Johnny replied with a shrug.

"Huh?"

The two guards peered past Johnny and were visibly startled to see a train car hitched to his motorcycle.

"Who's in there?" the other guard asked.

"It's... Oh, right! What are your names again? I never asked!" Johnny suddenly realized he didn't know Han Yu's name.

"I'm Han Yu, she's Galacta, and you already know Loki," Han Yu's voice came from within the carriage.

Hearing this, Johnny nodded to himself, then turned back to the guards. "You heard that, didn't you? These are two powerful beings even I can't handle. They're determined to see Mephisto, and I can't stop them. If you think you can, go ahead and try."

The guards had encountered Johnny a few times before. As the infamous Ghost Rider, a man wielding the Spirit of Vengeance, he was not someone they took lightly. Hellfire wasn't a force anyone could afford to ignore.

"You may pass," one of the guards said, opening the gates to let them through.

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