Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

As they passed through the castle gates, the scene inside caught Han Yu and the others by surprise. Compared to the desolate and ruined exterior, the interior was strikingly normal—almost too normal. The atmosphere here was a stark contrast to the ominous surroundings outside.

Outside, the sky was blood-red, but within, the environment was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the fragrance of blooming flowers. It looked no different from a peaceful human world. If one didn't know better, they might think they had stepped back onto Earth.

"Mephisto's got taste. The design's pretty decent—Eastern European style. It's much better than I imagined," Han Yu commented, nodding in approval.

Johnny explained, "Places like this in Hell can only be afforded by the likes of Hela and Mephisto. See all these flowers and plants? Hell doesn't naturally sustain life, and plants are considered life too. Keeping them alive here takes a lot of resources."

Loki, intrigued, looked around curiously. "I always thought the inhabitants of Hell lived in gloomy and terrifying places."

"That's a common misconception among mortals," Johnny chuckled. "People think all of Hell is scary, but in reality, the truly horrifying places are only the punishment zones, like the so-called 'Eighteen Levels of Hell.' Everywhere else is just barren. No one's interested in construction projects once they're in Hell."

He added with a grin, "That's why Hell scares people so much. The beings here value 'freedom' above all else, and no one bothers to improve the environment. Everyone's focused on getting stronger instead."

In Hell, the hierarchy is especially rigid. A powerful soul could dominate hundreds of weaker ones, forcing them into servitude for decades or even centuries.

"Let's go," Johnny said. "The fact that the gatekeepers let us in so easily means Mephisto knows we're here. Otherwise, there's no way they'd have let us pass."

Han Yu wasn't surprised. If the so-called Lord of Hell didn't know they had entered, he might as well give up his title.

They had walked in openly and through the main gates. If Mephisto were truly unaware of their arrival, Han Yu figured he might as well walk out with Hela without any formalities.

Han Yu had chosen this direct approach to avoid antagonizing Mephisto. Though he wasn't afraid of him, any retaliation Mephisto took against the mortal world could inconvenience Han Yu.

After all, with so many players in the game GTA, any mischief Mephisto caused could indirectly harm Han Yu's reputation.

As they approached the castle, a butler-like figure was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing the group, he bowed politely and greeted them. "Mr. Johnny, Mr. Han Yu, welcome. Please, come inside."

The butler's crimson skin, pitch-black eyes, and slightly pointed ears made it clear he was no ordinary being but a demon.

"Hey, Sebastian, long time no see. How have you been?" Johnny greeted him, indicating they were acquainted.

"Thanks to your guidance, I've been doing well," Sebastian replied, his tone polite but confident.

Sebastian was one of Mephisto's most trusted aides. In Hell, his power was significant; if he ever ventured to the mortal realm, he could easily defeat most of the Avengers, barring Thor and the Hulk.

In Hell, not everyone could be called a "demon." Most were simply minions. But someone like Sebastian, with his level of strength, could genuinely bear the title.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Johnny led the group inside. They didn't need to push the doors open themselves—like clockwork, the massive gates swung inward as they approached.

As they entered, Han Yu's gaze was immediately drawn to the grand staircase in the center of the hall. At the top of the stairs stood a man, smiling down at them.

The man appeared to be around thirty, with jet-black hair, a flowing black robe, and crimson skin crisscrossed with irregular patterns. His eyes lacked pupils and irises, glowing a solid white.

Facially, he could be considered decent-looking, but the stark contrast of his eyes and skin tone made him unsettling to behold.

This was the Lord of Hell, the great demon—Mephisto!

"Mr. Han, you've come a long way. Please, come in," Mephisto greeted them with a smile as he stood at the top of the stairs, addressing Han Yu and his group.

"Oh, so you're Mephisto? It's an honor to meet you in person," Han Yu replied, smiling casually.

Without hesitation, Han Yu locked eyes with Mephisto, his calm demeanor and unflinching gaze catching the demon off guard.

Mephisto's eyes possessed a natural power to mesmerize and lead others into an endless abyss. One look was usually enough to ensnare someone's mind, leaving them helpless. Yet Han Yu's gaze remained clear, unaffected.

"Mr. Han, your mental strength is truly impressive. No wonder even Odin acknowledges your superiority," Mephisto remarked, flashing a grin that revealed his pale teeth. "This isn't the best place for a conversation. Let's move to a room where we can talk more comfortably."

The group followed Mephisto to a private room where the butler, Sebastian, was already waiting. He had prepared tea and stood silently with the tray, ready for Mephisto's instructions.

Mephisto took the main seat, picked up a porcelain teacup, and sipped it thoughtfully. "I already know why you're here. You've come to take Hela away, haven't you?"

"Since you're already aware, that saves me some effort. Let's get straight to the point. Name your price. What will it take for you to let her go?" Han Yu replied, crossing his legs and leaning back with a relaxed air.

"Oh, that's an interesting approach," Mephisto chuckled, his fingers tracing the rim of his teacup as his eyes flickered with amusement. "Why should I let her go? It wasn't me who exiled her—it was Odin."

His gaze lingered on the tea leaves swirling in his cup, and for a fleeting moment, his expression showed a subtle but telling reaction to Han Yu's words—a faint, imperceptible smirk.

Hela had indeed been exiled by Odin. In truth, the only thing keeping her bound was Odin's divine power. Once that power dissipated, nothing could imprison her, and she could return to Asgard anytime.

"Let's not beat around the bush," Han Yu said, a knowing smile on his face. "You're fully aware Odin's divine power is gone. That's why you intervened to keep Hela confined here, stopping her from returning to Asgard. Am I right?"

Han Yu's confidence stemmed from his own deductions and his memories of his previous life.

In his past life, when Odin died, Hela immediately appeared on Earth. That clearly indicated that her imprisonment was tied directly to Odin's divine power.

Now that Odin's divine power had long since faded—essentially equivalent to his death—Hela's delayed return to Asgard didn't add up. Han Yu deduced that something must have happened to her in Hell.

After hearing the gossip from Johnny, the Ghost Rider, Han Yu had pieced things together.

Mephisto had taken a fancy to Hela. Realizing that Odin's loss of power posed no threat to him, Mephisto had confined her in Hell for his own purposes.

"This feels oddly like Zhu Bajie forcing a marriage at Gao Village," Han Yu muttered with a wry smile.

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