Ignoring Johnny, who was completely confused and unable to figure out what was going on, Lucas Reed directly ended the video call.
This time, after acquiring shares of Stark Industries, Lucas had no intention of selling them again.
Even though he knew that before long—once the cold-fusion arc reactor was officially unveiled—the value of those shares would skyrocket by more than ten times.
Many people who lacked deeper understanding believed that Stark Industries' only true asset was the arc reactor.
And to be fair, that assessment was not wrong.
The arc reactor was indeed a revolutionary new energy source, one that touched countless fields and could generate an endless stream of orders—enough to turn Stark Industries into a true giant.
However, that was never what Lucas truly valued.
What he valued was Tony Stark's mind.
Leaving the comics aside, even judging by the films alone—the nanotech armor, self-repairing systems, energy shields—those technologies already held incalculable value.
Some people might not fully understand this, but anyone with real technical insight knew just how terrifying the leap was—from modular metal armor to self-healing nanotechnology.
The technological barrier between the two was unimaginably thick.
That was precisely why Thanos once told Tony Stark that he was cursed by knowledge.
Tony Stark himself was the real treasure.
Although Lucas had an excellent relationship with Luthor, and even planned to bring Phastos into his talent network, one truth remained unchanged:
You never put all your eggs in a single basket.
Individual strength was powerful, but guiding an entire group toward advancement often produced results beyond expectation.
Letting those thoughts settle, Lucas lay back down on the bench.
Although he was neither Clark nor Kara, he still deeply enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon sunlight.
Suddenly—
Boom!
The ground began to shake violently.
Lucas's eyes snapped open.
Almost immediately, his phone rang.
"Lucas! Tiamut is awakening!"
On the video call, Sersi looked visibly anxious.
"Don't panic," Lucas said calmly.
"Have Makkari confirm the exact location of his emergence first. Then the rest of you board the ship and move in."
"Follow the plan we've practiced. Everything is proceeding exactly as expected."
"Stay calm. I'll be watching from the sidelines and will intervene if necessary."
"…Understood!"
Sersi visibly steadied herself.
"Thank you, Lucas!"
She ended the call.
Less than two minutes later, Lucas received a location update.
He glanced at it—but made no move to go there.
At this stage, Ikaris had not betrayed them, unlike what happened in the film. No one would interfere.
Success was inevitable.
That certainty came from the Ancient One's earlier visit, which had already confirmed his suspicions.
Lucas had no intention of appearing on site and risking being directly noticed by Arishem.
The power gap between them was still enormous.
Being the unseen hand behind the scenes suited him just fine.
At that moment, all the prisoners and guards rushed toward the courtyard.
In the past, the inmates would have seized such chaos as an opportunity to riot.
But under Lucas's overwhelming deterrence, every prisoner exited their cell in orderly fashion, lining up and jogging neatly to the courtyard before sitting down.
If not for the prison uniforms and armed guards, any observer might have mistaken the place for a military base.
As for the newly arrived inmates—those who didn't yet understand the situation and tried to cause trouble during the quake—
They were slapped awake by veteran prisoners before the guards even had time to react.
Seeing this, Warden Miranda finally let out a sigh of relief.
Once again, she silently thanked her luck that this "great figure" was stationed here—otherwise, today would have been an absolute nightmare.
About fifteen minutes later, the tremors subsided.
Then Lucas's phone rang again.
"Lucas, we succeeded!"
On the screen, Sersi's face was filled with excitement.
"I knew you would," Lucas said calmly with a smile. "So I'm not surprised."
"Thank you," Sersi said sincerely.
"Thank you for not holding a grudge over our past conflict—thank you for not choosing anger, retaliation, or indifference, and for helping us instead."
Lucas paused for a moment, then said gently, "It was a small matter. But you should cherish the time you have left."
Sersi froze—but quickly understood.
"Thank you for the reminder. I will."
"Don't be too pessimistic," Lucas added.
"Although you defied Arishem, he isn't a narrow-minded existence. There may still be a turning point."
"…I hope so."
Her tone made it clear that she didn't truly believe it.
The call ended.
Lucas looked up at the sky.
What came next would likely be the greatest trial he had faced since arriving in this world.
---
One day later.
While training inside the gravity chamber, Lucas felt a subtle disturbance ripple through space.
It was like a perfectly still surface of water suddenly forming ripples—especially noticeable under intensified gravity.
Without hesitation, Lucas released his Ki, enveloping his entire body, preparing for any sudden development.
The next instant, a translucent barrier—like a glass sphere—formed around him.
"So it really can't be avoided…"
Lucas immediately understood what was happening.
Golden rings appeared around him, wrapping him in light and pulling him straight through the metal walls of the gravity chamber.
In the blink of an eye, he was outside.
The scenery shrank rapidly.
In less than ten seconds, he was silently carried into outer space.
Lucas knew exactly who he was about to face.
His mind entered a state of extreme focus.
Neural signals surged. His muscles trembled faintly. His heartbeat grew heavier and more powerful as his blood flow accelerated.
His body was entering full combat readiness.
Looking around, Lucas noticed several other identical glass-like spheres nearby.
Inside them were Sersi, Ikaris, and the other Eternals.
The empty void of space suddenly lit up.
Six colossal lights emerged.
Then—
A vast crimson figure manifested.
The Supreme Celestial, Arishem, appeared before them.
Towering hundreds of thousands of meters tall, Arishem made Lucas feel like an ant gazing up at an endless skyscraper.
"Sersi. Ikaris."
"You chose to preserve the life of this planet, sacrificing the birth of a Celestial."
"You need not speak."
"I will not destroy you now, nor will I end the life of this world."
"Instead, I will judge—by examining your memories—whether the life on this planet deserves to continue."
At that moment, Lucas spoke.
"Supreme Celestial Arishem, I request a dialogue with you."
"I was already intending to speak with you, human."
_____
T/N:
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