Soft music drifted through the air.
One bartender, dressed in a neat suit, carefully polished a glass.
Another stood behind the counter with his eyes closed, fully focused on mixing a drink.
Clang.
The small bell above the tavern door rang as the wooden doors were pushed open.
A man wearing a cowboy hat stepped inside.
"Hey, Lucas. Looks like I chose the right outfit this time."
Deadshot laughed as he walked up to the bar and tapped the counter.
"Hello. A glass of tequila, please."
He removed his hat and glanced at the round table.
"If there's a specific seat for me, you should probably say it now."
Lucas casually spread his right hand.
"Sit wherever you like—just not in my seat."
Deadshot studied him for a moment, as if trying to read the meaning behind the words.
Then he walked over to the table and took the chair beside Lucas, deliberately leaving one empty seat between them.
"I figured this seat shouldn't be taken lightly," Deadshot said with a laugh as he put his hat back on.
---
Clang~
Soon another figure pushed open the door.
He wore a bright floral shirt and sunglasses.
"Lucas, next time you organize a gathering, can you tell me earlier?" Tony said lazily as he yawned.
"You know I'm a busy man. I was planning to sleep in today."
He sat next to Deadshot and looked around.
"Seriously though, this virtual space you made is impressive."
"Interested in sharing the technology with me?"
"I'm afraid I can't, Tony," Lucas replied apologetically.
"That's not fair," Tony complained.
"You shouldn't be stingy with good technology."
Lucas calmly took a sip of whiskey.
"Then why don't you invent it yourself with that 'greatest brain in the universe' you're always bragging about?"
"Oh come on, Lucas," Tony said, snapping his fingers.
"You know Phastos and I specialize in different fields."
Then he added to the bartender,
"I'll take your finest red wine."
"Sorry," Lucas replied politely, "I wouldn't know which one that is."
---
Clang~
Layla walked in wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, radiating youthful energy.
"Captain, good afternoon."
"Hello, everyone."
She greeted everyone politely and sat two seats away from Lucas.
"Wow," Tony said as he adjusted his sunglasses and looked at her.
"Nice to meet you, beautiful."
Layla smiled sweetly.
"Sorry, uncle. I didn't quite hear what you said."
Tony awkwardly pushed his sunglasses back.
"Oh… nothing. Just saying hello."
---
Clang~
Kara entered next, wearing simple clothes and large-framed glasses.
"Hello, everyone!"
After greeting them, she immediately sat down to Lucas's left.
Tony looked at them mischievously.
"So when are you two getting married?"
"I could arrange a wedding you'll never forget."
"Thank you, Tony," Kara replied with a bright smile.
Clang~
"I think the wedding should be held in Asgard."
"But only for the two of us."
A powerful voice sounded from the doorway.
A tall woman walked in wearing a light green backless evening gown that perfectly displayed her stunning figure.
"Hello, everyone. You may call me Hela."
She sat down gracefully in the seat to Lucas's right, carrying herself with elegance and nobility.
Then she wrapped her arm around Lucas's.
"I believe Lucas and I will be getting married soon."
"When the time comes, I hope all of you will attend."
Oh~
Everyone at the table narrowed their eyes and looked at Lucas as if saying:
"Man… you're living quite the life."
Tony even gave Lucas a look that seemed to say:
"Ah, I'm not alone after all."
Kara narrowed her eyes slightly.
The air suddenly seemed filled with tension.
Hela lifted her chin slightly, not even bothering to look at Kara.
---
Clang!
"I swear I smell gunpowder in the air."
Clark walked in wearing a simple plaid shirt.
After noticing the tense atmosphere, he frowned slightly but calmly pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You're imagining things," Lucas said casually.
"How are Lois and the baby?"
"Thanks to you, both mother and child are healthy," Clark replied with the bright smile typical of someone from the Kent farm.
---
Clang~
Bruce Wayne walked in next—wearing his original black Batman suit.
Everyone stared at him in confusion.
Bruce looked back at them, equally puzzled.
"…You're not wearing your suits?"
"I don't remember saying this was a costume gathering," Lucas said.
"And everyone here already knows you're Bruce Wayne from Gotham."
Bruce sat down silently.
After a moment, he said,
"Sorry. I'm just not used to being without a mask."
Then he added,
"A cup of ginger syrup, please."
"Suit yourself," Lucas replied.
---
Clang~
"Wow! You're all here already?"
Thor's booming voice echoed as he entered laughing loudly.
But the moment he noticed Hela, his voice dropped.
"Oh… sister. You're here too."
"Sit down," Hela said calmly.
Thor immediately found a seat and sat down obediently—like a well-behaved child.
---
Clang.
Nick Fury entered, wearing his eyepatch and carefully scanning the surroundings.
When he saw everyone seated at the table, surprise flickered in his eye.
But he said nothing and quietly took a seat.
---
Soon another clang sounded.
A muscular man wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts walked in.
"Hey, Arthur. Long time no see," Lucas greeted.
"Long time indeed," Arthur replied.
"How's your mother?"
"She's doing well," Arthur said helplessly.
"But a few days ago she went traveling again."
His mother was wonderful in every way—except she had no interest in ruling the kingdom.
She loved traveling too much.
That left Arthur with the burden of learning how to govern Atlantis himself.
Fortunately, he had promoted his brother Orm and was learning statecraft from him.
---
Clang!
Wang entered wearing the robes of a Kamar-Taj sorcerer, looking slightly travel-worn.
"Sorry I'm late. I was investigating that woman."
"It's fine," Lucas waved casually.
"We haven't started yet."
---
Soon after, more people entered the tavern:
Phastos
Lex Luthor
Captain America
One after another they took their seats.
Even the representatives of the five major world powers arrived at the tavern.
---
The gathering had now attracted some of the most powerful and influential figures on Earth.
___
🎉 Shoutout to Acedia, Ammar Jaafreh, Barbu Florin and Moneymancer🎉
A huge thank you to Acedia, Ammar Jaafreh, Barbu Florin and Moneymancer for joining my Patreon and supporting the journey! Your support means a lot and helps keep the chapters coming faster. Welcome to the VIP club! 🙌✨