Amidst the thunderous roars, the inhabitants and merchants of the Void heard a series of angry shouts.
"Forty."
"Forty."
"Forty, you bastard, you will rip me off."
"Forty."
In the largest tavern in the Void, a group of merchants, adventurers, and raiders huddled together, listening to the series of sounds and explosions.
One adventurer suddenly remarked, "That sound feels very special to me. That furious roar has a kind of overwhelming power that makes you want to bow down in worship."
A merchant nodded in agreement. "It is like a customer has arrived, and I cannot help but give him the goods at cost price. No, I feel like I might even give them to him for free."
A raider scratched his face. "This is the business of a king, like our great raider king, Boss Stakar Ogord."
After this raider mentioned Stakar Ogord's name, respect and fear appeared on the faces of the merchants and adventurers.
Stakar Ogord, the infamous leader of the Ravagers, also known as Starhawk, was an original member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
He later fell out with Yondu, leading to the team's disbandment and the formation of the Ravagers as they existed today.
They operate on strict principles, knowing what is permissible and impermissible, and have a large following of loyal followers and admirers.
Stakar Ogord's reputation has spread throughout the universe.
"Are you working for Boss Stakar Ogord."
The Ravager who had spoken earlier shook his head awkwardly. "I would love to."
In fact, most Ravagers would love to join Stakar Ogord's team, but unfortunately, his team is fully staffed, and his strict requirements prevent him from easily recruiting newcomers.
Inside the Collector's lair, everything was in ruins.
The workbench he had just stood on was now a crater, and the surrounding display cases were all reduced to dust.
Nothing was left.
Taneleer Tivan, his body covered in burn marks and half his hair and eyebrows gone, crouched awkwardly on the ground.
Garfield, hovering in mid air before him, scratched his head sheepishly.
Looking at the portion of his collection reduced to ashes by his lightning, the adorable yet principled cat Garfield apologized to the collector, Taneleer Tivan.
"Um, sorry about earlier. I could not control my anger. I will not be so reckless next time."
Next time.
And next time.
I, the collector Taneleer Tivan, was truly blind.
Did I not see the blessing of death on Garfield's forehead.
That was pure death power capable of withering everything and returning to nothingness.
He had lost a bet with Death years ago, losing not only everything but also his own mortality.
His wife, in her long years of immortality, gradually went mad, eventually finding Death and begging it to reclaim her immortality before finally finding peace.
And he, Taneleer Tivan, had become the Collector, continuing to eke out an existence in this world.
"I was wrong, esteemed guest. I should not have had such wicked thoughts. I will bring you what you requested right now."
Garfield sighed and admitted his mistake.
He weighed the Cat Hammer in his paw, wondering if the collector had been driven mad by his hundred plus hammer blows.
He wondered if another hundred or so blows would be enough to bring him around.
"Tivan, are you out of your mind from my hammering. How about I try hammering you over here."
Recalling those hundred plus blows, Tivan's body trembled uncontrollably.
He suddenly raised his hands, begging Garfield for mercy. "No, esteemed guest, I am not sick, I am not crazy, I am just afraid of you."
Garfield replied, "That will not do. Following me makes me seem like a bully. If those hundred plus hammer blows had been outside, an entire fleet would be wiped out. You only suffered minor injuries. Why are you begging for mercy, and why are you not fighting back."
"You are the great benefactor of Death, it is my fault, I beg your forgiveness," Taneleer Tivan said, his heart filled with tears.
He had thought a fat sheep had come, but it turned out to be Death in sheep's clothing.
Over the long years, Taneleer Tivan had become accustomed to the life of the immortal Collector, and now he was somewhat afraid of the terrifying unknown life he would face in the realm of Death after his immortality was taken away.
Garfield could not possibly understand the complexity of Taneleer Tivan's feelings.
He thought that Tivan was giving Death face because he had the blessing of Death, and that Taneleer Tivan was alive because he was under the curse of Death.
He really could not imagine that Taneleer Tivan's heart was so complicated.
"Forgiveness is no excuse, we are friends from now on," Garfield said, lifting the collector Taneleer Tivan with magic, one paw holding a hammer and the other brushing the scorch marks off his face.
He continued, "Now let us get to know each other again. My name is Garfield. Garfield Odinson, the third prince of Asgard."
The news that Asgard had adopted an orange cat as its third prince a few years ago had been leaked through special channels.
This news was only known to the high ranking officials of the vast empires and powerful forces in the universe.
Taneleer Tivan the Collector had only obtained it through his extensive network of connections and intelligence cultivated over countless years.
He never imagined that what they had adopted was not just an orange cat at all, but a special Flerken.
Moreover, Taneleer Tivan had witnessed the carnage when Odin, the king of Asgard, led the Asgardian army to conquer the universe.
Every time he recalled Odin's cruelty, Taneleer Tivan felt an indescribable fear.
He swallowed hard, realizing he had been arrogant and conceited.
Why had he not asked Garfield about his identity.
Why had he not used his power to foresee the consequences of offending Garfield.
Now he regretted it so much.
Fortunately, Garfield had come to buy something from him.
If he were sincere, he could definitely resolve this unexpected conflict perfectly.
"Your Highness, Third Prince, please forgive my mistake. I am willing to offer sufficient compensation to appease your anger."
Taneleer Tivan took out his communicator and operated it for a while.
Soon, several of his subordinates entered, carrying several cabinets.
"Master, these are the things you ordered."
Taneleer Tivan waved for his subordinates to leave and opened each cabinet.
Inside were special materials and some rare items that Garfield needed.
"These are some of the essence contained in the head of this god. Please accept them."
Garfield looked at the messy contents in the cabinets, and his taste buds tingled with a desire to eat.
It seemed his body's instincts were telling him that these things were good.
Garfield stuffed these items into his pockets and said to Taneleer Tivan, "I will shamelessly take these things. Of course, as the third prince of Asgard, I cannot leave behind a bad reputation for bullying others. Here is a special message for you, as compensation for your collection."