The Marvel Universe was home to countless powerful beings.
Some of them possessed unimaginable might.
The Five Great Gods could even destroy entire Multiverses.
Galactus could devour an entire planet whenever he fed.
However, Karl had never encountered a power like this before.
It seemed to be the collective embodiment of every malicious thought in existence.
It was like the convergence of all selfish wills, ferociously seeking to devour the entire world.
Those masses of black will gathered in the sky and formed an enormous humanoid silhouette.
At the center of its brow hovered something resembling a planetary ring.
Its body seemed to contain countless universes.
Karl even felt that its power surpassed the entire Multiverse.
Karl was inwardly astonished.
Just what kind of powerful being was this?
Why was its power so overwhelming?
Mordo had actually been corrupted by such a terrifying entity. No wonder his will had been silently eroded without his knowledge.
Karl felt that even with his current willpower, he probably would not be able to resist it for very long.
They were not beings on the same level at all.
This entity was already approaching the level of the Five Great Gods—or perhaps it even surpassed them.
Karl was certain of one thing.
This being did not exist within the Multiverse.
Under the evil will's reckless infusion of power, Mordo began changing once again.
His body gradually became identical to the enormous figure behind him.
Countless universes seemed to fill his body, making him resemble a dazzling expanse of stars.
However, when combined with the evil will radiating from him, the sight was not beautiful in the slightest.
It only made him look like a monster.
Karl immediately sensed something else.
The will inside Mordo had changed.
Or rather, that evil will had already replaced him and taken possession of his body.
"Who are you?"
Karl asked with a grave expression.
"Me?"
"Child, you have probably never heard my name."
"I come from the primordial era."
"I am the great First Firmament, an existence from time immemorial."
The First Firmament's vast will reverberated through the surroundings.
"The First Firmament…"
Karl remained outwardly composed, but inwardly, he was deeply shocked.
He seemed to remember that name.
It belonged to an entity from the primordial era.
The first living entity ever to appear in existence.
The most ancient being beyond the Multiverse.
Karl had even heard that the entire Multiverse was merely composed of fragments from this being's body.
However, he had always believed it was nothing more than a legend.
The accounts concerning it had been recorded in Kamar-Taj's travel journals, but the sorcerers treated them like fantasy novels.
He had never expected such an entity to appear before him.
It felt like walking down the street and suddenly seeing a legendary figure from a storybook standing in front of him.
The experience was deeply unsettling.
"The First Firmament?"
"You are supposed to exist beyond the Multiverse. Why have you appeared here?"
Karl asked in confusion.
"In consideration of your talent, I will graciously answer your question."
"I have come here, of course, to reclaim the fragments of my body and restore myself to wholeness."
The First Firmament spoke calmly.
Karl frowned.
"Then it seems there is nothing for us to discuss."
Karl sighed.
Since the First Firmament intended to reclaim the fragments of its body, there was no room for negotiation between them.
The Multiverse was Karl's home—the place upon which his survival depended.
He could never allow such a thing to happen.
It seemed they would have to fight to the death.
The world had always operated this way. At its most fundamental level, it was governed by the survival of the strongest.
There was nothing that needed to be explained when survival itself was at stake.
It was perfectly reasonable for the First Firmament to reclaim the fragments of its own body.
It was equally reasonable for Karl and the others to protect their home.
Their conflict was fundamental and irreconcilable.
However, the First Firmament clearly did not see it that way.
"No, no, child. There is still room for discussion."
"With your talent, why remain in a realm that is unquestionably doomed to destruction?"
"Follow me. Submit to me."
"I can grant you tremendous power and allow you to comprehend the most powerful essence of reality."
The First Firmament's voice carried an intensely seductive influence.
"Heh."
"You mean I should let you use me and then turn me into an inhuman monster like that?"
Karl replied disdainfully.
In the Marvel Universe, placing one's fate in the hands of gods or demons was the fastest way to lose everything.
Except for a chosen few favored by fate, most people who tried to make deals with evil gods or demons eventually had their souls drained away.
Making a deal with an entity this powerful was no different from courting death.
No matter how tempting its promises sounded, Karl would not believe a single word.
"A monster?"
"Child, it appears that you truly understand nothing. You descendants have completely forgotten the truth."
"That is a Celestial."
"In the primordial era, they were unparalleled divine beings of supreme power."
"Their form is among the most powerful in existence, allowing them to comprehend the fundamental essence of reality with ease."
"Do you not desire such talent? Do you not desire such a gift?"
The First Firmament continued coaxing him patiently.
"A gift?"
"Stop insulting the meaning of that word."
"There is no need to keep pretending. If you want to fight, then let us begin."
"I will never submit to a monster like you."
Karl spoke coldly.
"Child, why must you be so stubborn?"
"You are an exceptional child. Even during the primordial era, your talent would have ranked among the very best."
"Why must you remain so obstinate?"
"Would it not be better to join my ranks?"
"I can give you many things."
"The power I possess lies beyond anything you can imagine."
The First Firmament remained unmoved and continued trying to entice him.
"Heh."
"Beyond anything I can imagine?"
"Perhaps, but I have no desire to pay the price required to obtain that power."
"I have no interest in becoming some kind of monster."
Karl sneered.
The First Firmament might genuinely grant him power, but the price would undoubtedly be more than he could bear.
His entire personality might even be erased.
Karl had no intention of becoming a puppet.
"Enough nonsense!"
"I will never submit to an evil god like you!"
Karl shouted.
He waved his hand.
The prismatic sacred sword containing all of his power reappeared in his grasp.
Without another word, Karl swung it directly at the First Firmament.
This time, Karl unleashed his full strength.
He even drew power from his own universe to provide himself with an even greater source of energy.
In an instant, the prismatic sword became incomparably radiant.
Terrifying power surged from its blade.
The aura of fundamental essence shook the surrounding space.
Countless dimensions were crushed apart.
Even the First Firmament's eyes revealed a trace of surprise.
This was no ordinary attack.
(End of Chapter)
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