The people in the pub were stunned into silence. Though the wind had been howling outside for some time, no one could have imagined it would strike with such force, tearing the building apart as if it were made of paper.
As the structure lost its support, chaos erupted inside. The patrons were tossed into the air, their screams rising above the roar of the wind as they experienced the terrifying sensation of a roller coaster gone mad. Furniture, bottles, and bodies whirled together in a dizzying storm. For a few heartbeats, it was impossible to tell up from down, and the world seemed to tilt on its axis.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the wind ceased. Silence fell, broken only by the groans of those who had landed hard on the ground. The pub was reduced to rubble, the roof and walls scattered across the desert like so much debris.
Standing at the edge of the devastation, Su Zhan lowered his hands, a faint smile on his lips. Behind him, May watched with a mixture of awe and caution. She had seen his power before, but witnessing it up close was always a shock.
Su Zhan glanced back at her, his expression calm. "Now, everything is much simpler," he said, his voice carrying easily over the settling dust.
May waited until he had finished, then stepped out from behind him, her movements wary but purposeful. She surveyed the wreckage, her eyes searching for any sign of their quarry.
By now, the rest of the pub's patrons had either fled or been knocked unconscious. Only one woman remained standing in the midst of the chaos. She looked disheveled, her hair wild from the wind, her green Asgardian dress clinging to her frame. The skirt had been blown high, revealing long, pale legs that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.
Lorelei quickly pressed her skirt down, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. She glanced toward May and Su Zhan, recognition flickering in her eyes.
She knew him.
Memories flashed through her mind: the chaos of escaping Xiangong's prison, the sight of Su Zhan singlehandedly destroying the dark elf warships, and the rumors that he had wiped out the entire dark elf force. He was a force of nature, a true powerhouse. Lorelei had not expected to encounter him here. Her first instinct was to run. Even the mighty dark elves had been no match for him—what chance did she have?
But another thought took root, one that made her pause. This was an opportunity.
If she could control him, she would gain an ally beyond compare.
If she could not control him, perhaps she could follow him. A king like this could offer shelter, protection, and the chance to achieve anything she desired.
After all, strength and kingship were embodied in men. And as a man, no one could resist her charm. She was Lorelei, the banshee of Asgard, and every man was vulnerable to her voice.
With a deep breath, Lorelei composed herself and stepped forward, her movements graceful and deliberate.
"Don't move," May called out, her voice sharp. Even as a woman, she had to admit Lorelei was breathtakingly beautiful. The more striking Lorelei appeared, the more cautious May became. She raised her gun, aiming it directly at the Asgardian enchantress.
Lorelei glanced at May with a faint, dismissive smile, then turned her attention to Su Zhan.
"Hmph."
May fired, but Lorelei slipped aside with effortless grace. May rushed forward, determined to subdue her, and the two women clashed in a blur of movement.
Su Zhan watched, genuinely impressed. May's fighting skills were formidable, but Lorelei's physical strength was on another level. Though not particularly tall—perhaps one meter sixty-six or sixty-seven—her legs were long, shapely, and almost impossibly pale. Her beauty was undeniable, and for a moment, Su Zhan found his gaze lingering.
May landed a solid punch to Lorelei's side, but Lorelei responded with a sudden surge of strength, sending May stumbling backward several steps.
"Humans," Lorelei scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. She turned to Su Zhan, her expression shifting from contempt to a sultry, enchanting smile.
"I know you, Su Zhan—the man who destroyed the dark elves," Lorelei said as she approached, her voice as smooth as silk.
Su Zhan met her gaze, his own expression unreadable. "Although I would like to get to know you, I know exactly who you are. It would be wise for you to stop right there." His tone was light, but the threat beneath it made Lorelei's smile falter.
"Are you afraid of me? That's not the mindset of a true king," Lorelei replied, shaking her head as if disappointed.
Her words, her look, carried a strange weight—a feeling that disappointing her was almost a sin. She was every inch the bewitching banshee.
Su Zhan found himself wondering what her sister, the sorceress Amora, might be like. Did she possess the same intoxicating charm?
"Fear isn't the issue. I simply don't want to hurt you," Su Zhan said, his smile gentle but firm.
"If I hurt you, would you be willing?" Lorelei pouted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she gazed at him.
Su Zhan shrugged. "You can't confuse me with words alone. Maybe, if you got close enough for physical contact, you'd have a chance. But that won't be easy, so you'd better stop."
"Is that so? I don't think you're truly willing to hurt me," Lorelei replied, her voice growing softer as she advanced.
"Why bother?" Su Zhan shook his head and waved his hand.
The gesture was simple, but Lorelei was caught off guard. She had not expected him to act so decisively. Was he really immune to her?
A gust of wind swept through the ruins, and Lorelei closed her eyes, bracing for pain or to be thrown aside. But the wind was gentle, almost playful. She felt no danger, no force. As she opened her eyes, ready to speak, her face darkened.
It was not mercy that had stayed Su Zhan's hand, but something else entirely.
Though she was unharmed, her skirt had been blown up, exposing her lower body to him. He was toying with her, humiliating her.
"This is just a warning. Next time, I won't be so gentle," Su Zhan said, his tone calm as he raised his hand. The air grew hot, the flames flickering at his fingertips.
Lorelei hesitated. She could not be certain Su Zhan would hold back if provoked. She needed an opportunity to get close, to try her power on him. Thinking quickly, she smiled and said, "Are you here to capture me? I'll go with you, but I have a condition!"
"I don't think you're in any position to bargain," Su Zhan replied, his voice cold.
Lorelei smiled, undeterred. "I've been on Earth for a while. I know about your War League. Since you've formed your own team, don't you need a helper like me? My ability is unique. I can be very useful to you. As long as you don't let the people of Asgard take me back, I'm willing to help you. Besides, your team doesn't need to worry about me charming anyone—what harm could I possibly cause?"
May, standing nearby, kept her weapon trained on Lorelei, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Su Zhan considered her offer, weighing the risks and possibilities. Lorelei's power was dangerous, but having her as an ally could be even more valuable—if she could be trusted.
The wind had revealed more than just a skirt that day. It had exposed ambition, cunning, and the delicate balance between power and desire.