"This is simply crossing the line!"

  A man in a plaid suit slammed the table in indignation, the deafening sound echoing through the conference room.

  "Calm down, my friend. There's always a way to fix the problem."

  The one-eyed man sitting beside him spoke in a steady tone, tapping his cane with rough fingertips.

  "Calm down?" the man in the plaid suit shouted. "How can I be calm? Have you seen my daughter? She's bedridden because people have almost forgotten her!"

  "I know, I know." The one-eyed man sighed helplessly. "My wife has lost her former radiance; her blonde hair no longer shines."

  "This isn't my fault. I didn't do anything this time."

  A tall man in a casual shirt and shorts, standing next to the one-eyed man, flicked his long black hair and raised an eyebrow.

  "I didn't say it was you, Loki." The one-eyed man gave him a weary look. "But it's still quite inappropriate for you to show up at this meeting dressed like that."

  Loki raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I mean, you're the one who suddenly asked me to come here." He made his signature mocking expression.

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  The seven elders seated around the round table exchanged uneasy glances, their brows furrowed. Their attendants, standing silently behind them, looked just as confused.

  "You all know why I called this meeting," the one-eyed man said, his gaze settling on his attendant. "After all, you know I don't usually bring you here."

  Loki rolled his eyes like an impatient teenager. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he muttered. "It's about my talented daughter, isn't it? By Ymir, Odin, when will you finally let me go? I already promised she won't be one of the factors that brings on Ragnarok."

  Odin narrowed his single eye. "For a god of mischief, your promises are hardly reassuring." He turned slightly, tapping the end of his cane against the floor.

  "I have no intention of harming your daughter," he continued, stroking his snow-white beard. "But I do need her help."

  "What?"

  "Our strength isn't what it used to be—and I believe everyone here understands that." Odin's gaze swept across the entire room. "It's shameful to admit, but to survive, we must rely on those humans."

  "Wait—you mean you want my daughter to die in your place? Do you even know how powerful that guy is?"

  "Of course I know..." Odin sighed deeply. "But it's the only way, my dear friend."

  Loki's lips tightened; his fists hung limply at his sides. He knew he couldn't change anything—after all, his physical body was still bound inside that cave, venom dripping endlessly onto his skin.

  "I want each of you to send one representative to form an organization that will fight against them," Odin said, turning toward the man in the plaid suit. "Zeus?"

  Zeus brushed off his jacket, nodded, and whispered something to the young man standing beside him. The young man arched an eyebrow, then smiled with charm and confidence.

  "No problem, Father. I think I know exactly who you're looking for."

  Hermes adjusted his winged cap and gave a knowing smile to the Norse god of mischief.

  "Very well," Odin said quietly. "Then it's the messenger's task to begin."