"Prepare yourselves."
The female voice paused.
The surroundings, which at first shifted slowly enough to perceive, suddenly accelerated into an incomprehensible blur, as if passing through a space-time corridor. Supergiant felt dizzy and disoriented.
Overwhelmed by a loss of control, she screamed—
"Ahhhhh—!!!"
Sakaar.
The Grandmaster's Audience Chamber.
The perspective shifted.
When Supergiant regained her vision, her scream died in her throat. She realized she had never moved at all—she was still locked into a metallic restraint chair.
All around her stood rows upon rows of armored guards holding enforcement staves, packed tightly like spectators at an execution. They stared at her with open amusement.
Only then did Supergiant realize how utterly embarrassing her outburst had been. Mortified, she lowered her head, her blue cheeks tinged with an awkward flush. She didn't dare meet anyone's gaze.
"Hoh~" ×2
Seated opposite her on a lavish couch, the Grandmaster and Leon both leaned forward at the same time, craning their necks.
The Grandmaster found her little "performance" entertaining.
Leon's gaze, by contrast, was one of open appreciation, taking in Supergiant's striking, statuesque figure without any attempt at subtlety.
"Not bad at all~" the Grandmaster remarked approvingly.
He turned to the scavenger who had delivered the captive—a female warrior.
"Is it female?"
"It appears so," the scavenger replied.
This woman was no ordinary bounty hunter. She was Valkyrie—once a member of the Valkyrior, now living in exile on Sakaar under the alias of a scrapper. Her build was powerful and athletic, her features sharp and battle-worn.
Leon's attention lingered on her for a moment.
In another timeline, she would stand beside Thor against Hela, Goddess of Death. On Sakaar, however, she was simply a scavenger collecting prizes for the Grandmaster's games.
An interesting piece on the board.
The Grandmaster turned back to Leon. "What do you think?"
Leon withdrew his gaze and replied casually, "Can you give her to me?"
"Oh?" The Grandmaster grinned. "You like her?"
"Like is a strong word. Let's just say… I'm interested."
Though the Grandmaster had long since outgrown mortal appetites, he understood the implication well enough. Entertainment came in many forms.
"It's possible," he said. "But this prize belongs to the scavenger. Sakaar has rules. You must compensate her to her satisfaction."
Leon nodded. "Fair enough. What do you want?"
Valkyrie studied him. This was the first time she had negotiated directly with someone other than the Grandmaster.
"A proper weapon," she said at last. "Something worthy."
Leon raised a hand. From his System Storage Space, a mass of raw, liquid adamantium emerged, shimmering in midair.
"A blade," she specified. "Heavy. Broad. Like this—"
Her gestures were rough, but Leon understood.
Telekinesis shaped the molten adamantium into form within seconds—a massive, cleaver-like longsword forged in a single seamless piece, broad as a door panel and gleaming silver.
Valkyrie took it and squeezed with all her strength.
It did not so much as dent.
A slow smile crossed her face.
"Thank you."
With a short bow to both Leon and the Grandmaster, she turned and strode out, clearly eager to test her new weapon in the arena.
Once she had gone, the Grandmaster spread his hands.
"She's yours now."
He tossed Leon the controller to the neural obedience disk fastened around Supergiant's neck.
Leon caught it easily and stepped forward, lifting her chin with a finger.
When Supergiant saw his face clearly, her expression changed dramatically.
"Leon Stark?!"
"Oh?" He smiled faintly. "You know me?"
"You are… Homelander," she whispered.
Leon's smile widened slightly.
"You are now my slave," he said calmly. "So why don't you explain yourself to your new master?"
"Impossible!" she snapped. "I serve only one master—the Great Titan—"
"Ah, that reminds me," the Grandmaster interrupted suddenly.
He rose and took his execution staff—the so-called "Pardon" Staff—from Topaz.
Only then did Supergiant notice another captive beside her: an alien man dressed far too elegantly to be a mere slave.
"I—I'm sorry…" the man stammered, trembling. "Please—"
"I'm afraid rules are rules," the Grandmaster said pleasantly. "So… I pardon you."
"Th-thank you—"
The staff's glowing tip brushed lightly against the man's body.
He disintegrated instantly into a puddle of blue liquefied remains, his scream cut short, leaving behind a foul stench.
The Grandmaster handed the staff back to Topaz and resumed his seat.
"Do continue," he said, resting his chin on his hand as if watching a show.
"Oh, and by the way—any disobedient slave on Sakaar receives the same pardon."
He winked at Leon.
Supergiant swallowed.
The sight of the execution had stripped away any lingering defiance.
"You are my only master," she said quickly, lowering her head in submission.
She had once followed Thanos for a single promise—that he would grant her the death she desired. But she had no intention of dying like that.
Leon patted her cheek lightly, smiling.
"That's better."
With a casual squeeze, he crushed the magnetic restraints binding her to the chair, then hoisted her over his shoulder and strode toward the luxurious presidential suite the Grandmaster had prepared for him.
"That's it?" the Grandmaster said in disappointment. "I expected more resistance."
"There are surveillance feeds in the room," Topaz reminded him flatly.
The Grandmaster gasped theatrically. "Topaz, are you trying to get me killed? Remove them immediately. Leon is an honored guest."
"Yes."
Topaz's expression did not change in the slightest.
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