◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones. or 500 Collections
◇ You can read 90 chapter ahead on P@treon of which 10 are free Chapters. if you're interested: patreon.com/Heroicverse
------------------------------------------------
Thanos's Territory.
Sanctuary.
"Thanos, with all due respect, if your daughter Gamora hadn't betrayed me midway and helped those petty thieves escape, I would have already presented the Cosmic Orb to you by now."
Ronan looked at Thanos, who was seated on a 'stone throne' composed of rocks and small anti-gravity devices, floating in mid-air, and spoke with a hint of displeasure:
"But now, her foolish actions have not only disrupted my original plan, but have also made me a laughingstock among The Accusers of the Kree Empire…"
"For this, you must give me a reasonable explanation!"
Before Thanos could speak, a Commander of the Chitauri Legion standing below sharply reminded Ronan:
"Presumptuous, Kree, before you is the most powerful overlord in the Universe. If you don't want to be killed on the spot, you'd better lower your voice."
However, Ronan ignored him and continued to speak loudly: "Gamora first lost to those useless thieves and barbarians in the process of seizing the Cosmic Orb, and then she was captured and imprisoned by the Nova Corps…"
"And your informant said that she never intended to hand over the Cosmic Orb to me, and had already planned to betray us. Isn't that enough to explain the problem?"
The previous Commander of the Chitauri Legion, seeing that the other party ignored his reminder, interrupted somewhat angrily:
"Ronan, you should understand that my Master Thanos entrusted Gamora to your command, so whatever problems arise are your responsibility."
"If you were truly as good at fighting as you claim, you wouldn't have failed to see whether she was loyal. So… the problem lies with you."
"Also, Master Thanos clearly reminded you before that besides the Cosmic Orb, there was also an easily obtainable Tesseract on Earth. You yourself chose the former as your primary target… But now you're running here to complain like a woman?"
"Tesseract?" Ronan sneered, looking at the Commander of the Chitauri Legion, and said mockingly:
"If it's as easily obtainable as you say, then why don't you send your Chitauri Legion to retrieve it and present it to your Master Thanos?"
"Oh, let me guess, have you been scared witless by the Earthlings?"
"I heard that your main force was wiped out by a ragtag squad on Earth, even without the intervention of 'Annihilator' Carol Danvers… Not to mention, a more powerful Guardian seems to have recently appeared on Earth!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, a good-for-nothing like you even attempts to use the strategy of 'driving a tiger to devour a wolf' against me. It's truly laughable. I don't know how you still have the face to remain by Thanos's side?"
Unlike the idiot in the movie who could be danced to death by Star-Lord, this Ronan was much smarter.
After learning about the Tesseract from Gamora and Nebula, he had already realized that Thanos was deliberately using him to test how deep the Water on Earth was.
It was precisely for this reason that he prioritized the Cosmic Orb as his target.
Because he would not be foolish enough to fall into the 'trap' designed by the other party. Even if he was prepared to go to Earth next, that would only be after he had obtained the Cosmic Orb!
"You're talking nonsense! I'm not afraid of those little bugs on Earth. Last time was just a moment of carelessness!"
The Commander of the Chitauri Legion was immediately triggered and retorted hysterically: "But you haven't achieved anything decent either, have you?"
"In the years since you left the Kree Empire, you've only dared to Carnage unarmed women and children on Planets at the edge of the galaxy…"
However, before he could finish his sentence, Ronan, using the energy field released from his hammer-shaped Universal Weapon, twisted his neck, and his corpse fell straight to the ground.
Nebula, who was watching the show, immediately showed an expression of disbelief. She hadn't expected this Ronan to be so bold as to kill her father's subordinate in front of him.
Did this guy not want to live?
Ronan had also been secretly observing Thanos's every move on the throne. Seeing that Thanos remained indifferent even after his subordinate was killed, his courage gradually grew, and he said righteously:
"Thanos, I am willing to obey your orders, but regarding this incident, I only hope that you can handle it properly and give me a reasonable answer!"
"Boy."
Thanos, who had been indifferent even when his subordinate was killed, now looked at Ronan expressionlessly. With just two words, a powerful oppressive force instantly enveloped Ronan, making him quickly put away his contempt and dare not act presumptuously in the slightest.
"Hmph, such trifles are not worth my attention at all…"
"Just as boring as the political maneuvering you adhere to, and you act as capriciously as an immature child."
"Clearly, it must have been your foolish actions that drove away my favorite daughter, Gamora. She had conquered countless Planets for me before."
"However, since we had an agreement, I will still uphold our previous promise… But the premise is, Kree, you must bring me either the Cosmic Orb or the Tesseract next time."
"If you dare to come empty-handed to see me next time, I will personally tear your body apart and destroy the Kree Empire!!"
Facing the powerful oppressive force displayed by Thanos, Ronan, who had just been incredibly arrogant, immediately lowered his flag and had no choice but to obediently bow his head.
Although Ronan was arrogant, he was not so foolish as to dare to openly defy Thanos.
After all, with his current strength, let alone fighting Thanos one-on-one, he couldn't even defeat any of the Black Order under Thanos's command.
However, temporary submission did not mean Ronan's complete surrender.
He was merely waiting for an opportunity.
And that opportunity to turn the tables was clearly fast approaching!
…
Knowhere.
A colossal Celestial Group head, comparable in size to a small Planet, floated silently in the deep, dark Universe.
And the interior of this head had, over several centuries, gradually developed into a unique nation independent of major Planets.
Hundreds of years ago, The Collector Taneleer Tivan, wandering the Universe, accidentally discovered this head. He then dispatched a large number of workers to mine the rare brain tissue, spinal cord, organic matter, and bones contained within this head.
For the entire Universe, these substances, rich in rare elements and unknown energies, were all extremely scarce and important resources.
They could fetch a good price in any star system or Planet.
However, this illegal mining work was clearly both dangerous and unlawful!
So, most of the workers hired by Tivan were desperadoes wanted by various Planets and organizations.
Over time, Knowhere became a 'lawless' mining colony.
At this moment, in The Collector Tivan's exhibition hall, Karl was leisurely sitting on a chair, sipping an unknown type of alien wine while admiring the dazzling array of so-called 'collections' displayed in various rectangular special glass showcases.
Here were 'dogs' wearing spacesuits and possessing some kind of superpower!
There were also 'duck-men' who looked like ducks but wore suits and ties and could speak human languages!
A golden cocoon!
As well as living Chitauri soldiers, Dark Elves soldiers, and so on…
In short, looking up, the interior of this huge exhibition hall, from top to bottom, was filled with countless animals, objects, remains, and different species that even Karl couldn't name or categorize.
No exaggeration.
Even if all the museum collections on Earth were combined, they probably wouldn't be as comprehensive and diverse as Tivan's!
Across from Karl, a middle-aged man with silver-white short hair, wearing exaggerated 'lens-style' glasses, and a thick gray-white fur coat, was scrutinizing him with greedy and curious eyes.
This man was Taneleer Tivan, known as The Collector in the Universe.
Although his appearance looked like an Earthling of forty or fifty, his true age was at least several thousand years old.
The reason he possessed such a long lifespan was that he was a member of the Cosmic Elders, one of the earliest high-intelligence humanoid alien life forms to be born in the Universe.
Under normal circumstances, their lifespan could reach at least ten thousand years.
And this was precisely the fundamental reason why he was so enthusiastic about collecting alien animals, plants, and all other 'collections'.
Because when one's lifespan is long enough, one must find a pastime and hobby that can maximize the consumption of time and energy, and will not easily 'reach an end'.
Otherwise, he could easily get lost in the river of time, thereby losing the will to live… Or rather, he would truly be bored to death!!
"Esteemed Guardian of Earth, Mr. Karl Merks, I extend my sincerest apologies for my servant Carina's recent rash remarks."
Taneleer Tivan forcibly suppressed the surge of collecting desire in his heart, feigned sincerity, and said to Karl across from him:
"But I never thought that one day I would be able to witness the demeanor of the Sorcerer Supreme with my own eyes. That portal just now was truly astonishing…"
"I'm sure you've already seen that in the most prominent exhibition hall near the main entrance, there's still an empty display space, and I haven't found a suitable exhibit of sufficient weight until now…"
"So, if possible, sir, after your death, please be sure to sell your corpse to me. I can pay now, and the price is entirely up to you!!"
Karl was not angry at this. After taking a small sip of wine, he smiled and said, "I think you misunderstood. I am neither the Sorcerer Supreme nor a work of art… Most importantly, you can't afford me!"
"What? You're not the Sorcerer Supreme?"
Taneleer Tivan gestured exaggeratedly with his hand: "But what about that portal just now?"
"If I'm not mistaken, throughout the entire Universe, only the Arcane Master of Kamar-Taj would be able to open such a portal, right?"
"And you also said you are the Guardian of Earth? Besides the Sorcerer Supreme, I really can't think of anyone else who could be worthy of this powerful title…"
The reason Taneleer Tivan misjudged Karl's true identity was because a few minutes earlier, Karl, who had been denied entry, directly activated the power of the Space Stone to open a portal directly into the exhibition hall.
And when introducing himself, Karl, fearing that revealing his Dimension God identity would scare the other party, modestly presented himself as the 'Guardian of Earth'.
Taneleer Tivan therefore mistakenly believed him to be the Sorcerer Supreme.
"No."
Karl said with great authority: "On Earth, not only the Arcane Masters of Kamar-Taj can open portals, nor is it only the Sorcerer Supreme who deserves the title of 'Guardian of Earth'!"
"I see."
Taneleer Tivan was not disappointed by this; on the contrary, the curiosity in his eyes grew even stronger. "May I ask… Mr. Karl, can you fly? Can you shoot lasers from your eyes or something?"
Karl nodded slightly. Taneleer Tivan's eyes lit up with excitement, and he rubbed his hands together, as if Karl was the ultimate collection he had always dreamed of.
"Mr. Karl, please consider it. As long as you are willing to become my collection… Oh, I apologize, I didn't mean to offend you. What I mean is, after your death, sell your corpse to me as a collection. I'm willing to pay any price!"
It's not that I'm unwilling, it's that you won't live to see that day!
Compete with me in terms of lifespan?
I am a dignified Dimension God. You want me to die? Unless Subspace is completely destroyed, no one will live to see that day!
A cunning smile played on Karl's lips as he looked at The Collector with a half-smile, "Tivan, how about we make a bet?"
"How will we bet?"
"It's simple." Karl said faintly: "I know you are looking for the Cosmic Orb. I bet you will ultimately not get the Cosmic Orb. It will eventually be taken back by those who bring it to you…"
"And the stakes?"
Taneleer Tivan was clearly interested in the proposal, and he asked greedily, "Esteemed Guardian of Earth, what do you want from me?"