Chapter 278 - 275 | New Templates, Universe Coordinates.
[Main Quest: Six Infinity Stones, the end of the singular universe!]
[Requirements: Collect the Six Infinity Stones. (6/6)]
[Reward: [The Devastator] Card.]
[Status: Completed]
Luke clenched his fists subconsciously, feeling the mighty power of the new card.
The only advantage of coming to this universe was probably that he got the six Infinity Stones ahead of time and completed the quest that could only be realized in the later stage.
[The Devastator], in fact, is not a Superman who exists in a parallel universe.
It came from the dark multiverse from the set next door, Bruce Wayne of Earth-1.
Just like every parallel universe, Superman and Batman always had entanglements. They are sometimes close friends, sometimes deadly enemies, sometimes a wealthy person and a small-time reporter who slept in the same bed.
The same was true of Superman and Batman on Earth-1.
The former darkened for unknown reasons, destroying the Justice League with his own hands and erasing the biggest siren in his heart, Lois Lane.
The latter injected himself with the [Doomsday Virus] —— the super creature that killed Kryptonian people in order to fight against the frenzied Superman.
Thus, the [Devastator] was born.
It possessed Batman's fighting ability and way of thinking, as well as the powerful strength and terrible body of Doomsday. It could also spread viruses and make others become like him.
The only regret, or perhaps imperfection, was that [The Devastator] didn't inherit the characteristics of Doomsday, which was difficult to kill and constantly evolving.
And, as the virus penetrated into the body and completely changed the body, the host would experience a 'decrease in logic'.
Even though Batman claimed to be the 'brain of the Justice League', his IQ dropped rapidly at speed visible to the naked eye after becoming [The Devastator].
Although Luke didn't know why this card appeared in Superman's krypton gift package, it didn't hinder his happy mood in receiving this reward.
The data panel that didn't appear for a long time and hadn't been updated become completely new.
Host: Luke (Luke Cavill)
Loaded Card: Superdemon (uncovered skin), The Devastator (uncovered skin).
Level: LV2
Ability: Nature Extraction (active), Bio Force Field (Active), Flight (Active), Heat Vision (Active), Doomsday Virus (active), Psychic Immunity (passive), Stellar Energy (passive), Logic Decrease (passive), Self-Healing MAX (Passive).
Reputation: 2020626
Achievement: Legendary Man.
"These two skins will probably never be used again."
Luke had never used the Superdemon and Devastator skin, mainly because their appearance was too … ferocious.
One was burning with magic flames, like a taller, stronger evil knight.
One was full of gray and white hard bone spikes, like a high-grade version of the Abomination.
Thinking about it, it was easier to accept Superman's original skin.
"Master Ancient One, we meet again."
After loading the new card, he simply adapted to the upgraded body data. Then, he opened a portal to the New York Sanctum.
The spirit of the Ancient One was seated on a futon, with a brown and red coffee table in front of her.
Without any movement from the other side, the boiling tea turned into a stream of water, slowly floating into her teacup.
"The huge disaster that swept across the universe would have lasted for a long time, but you shortened the time from 5 years to half a month."
The Ancient One smiled.
"I prepared two sets of plans."
Luke picked up the teacup, pretended to blow it twice, and then gulped it down.
"Because of the butterfly effect, the first plan was meaningless —— entering the quantum field with [Pym Particles], then collecting the six stones and doing another snap, which is based on Thanos destroying the Infinity Stones."
"But instead of doing so, he wanted to obliterate the Avengers and rewrite his own dark ending."
"Then I had to improvise and enable the second plan."
To sum up the above passage, it probably means, 'I originally wanted to muddle through the plot, but Thanos took the initiative to deliver his head and equipment.'
The corner of the Ancient One's mouth twitched, digressing, "Luke, although you saved this universe, in a way, you also changed the original course of the future."
"Tony Stark shouldn't have continued to exist."
"And Natasha Romanov."
Luke put the teacup back on the table and pouted, "Isn't this a good thing? The superheroes survived, their families and friends were brought back, and those lost lives were returned to the universe again."
"A happy ending for the whole family! Everyone will love it!"
Because of his appearance and intervention, the wonderful story of the Avengers would continue in this universe.
Iron Man didn't have to pay a terrible price for the snap.
Black widow didn't have to sacrifice herself for the Soul Stone.
Thor didn't become a fat guy either … Well, that was still uncertain.
Seeing his leisurely life of overeating, indulging in carbohydrates and high-calorie food, and playing games on the sofa all day, it looked like the eight-pack abdominal muscles would turn into a one-pack after some time.
"That's true, but sudden, unknown changes often lead to unpredictable results."
The Ancient One mused.
She didn't mean to accuse Luke but was just worried about the future with so many variables because of her professional habits.
"That's what Strange should be considering and worrying about. You're retired, Master Ancient One."
Luke cleared his throat and reminded.
The current Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar Taj was Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange.
In the not-too-distant future, no matter what disaster occurred, it was a problem that the other party had to face and solve.
"Oh, you're right. It's probably because I've been in Sorcerer Supreme's position for a long time. I always look at things from a long-term perspective and see the trajectory of things changing and moving forward, which has made me a very boring person."
The Ancient One laughed at herself.
"I hope Strange can avoid this problem. A serious, rigid, and disciplined Sorcerer Supreme isn't very popular."
Luke nodded approvingly and whispered, "Master Ancient One, I completed the terms of the transaction. In return, shouldn't you also fulfill your promise?"
After chatting for a while, he finally cut to the chase.
"This is what you want."
The Ancient One was not a character who liked to drag things out or act reluctant —— except when it came to dimensional demons.
That's called digging for benefits!
As the Sorcerer Supreme who protected the Earth and maintained order, why couldn't she borrow some power from Cyttorak, Dormammu, and Chthon?
This was to serve mankind better and protect this beautiful planet under their feet.
As to when to pay off the debts?
Sorry.
If they have the ability, they can ask to collect it on their own. Otherwise, let's not talk about it.
Avoiding debts, relying on debts, and owing debts in various ways were all compulsory courses that every Sorcerer Supreme must learn.
"By the way, I must remind you."
When the Ancient One handed the coordinate data of this universe to Luke, she seemed to think of something, adding, "The spatial and temporal transmission across the universe must be modeled and projected correctly. Otherwise, it's likely that … accidents will happen."
"Um, like what?"
Luke looked at the hazy glow on the table, reached in, and pieces of data poured into his mind.
"Getting lost or ending up in the wrong place."
The Ancient One answered.
The former was getting lost in the chaos of time and space.
That was very dangerous.
Complicated timelines and cosmic boxes that exist in parallel and influence each other could cause a person to lose their way and never find their way home.
As for the latter, it was literal.
For example, after leaving Earth-199999, Luke may end up somewhere else if the calculation was wrong.
It's like a 'All-New, All-Different universe' after the big event, Secret Wars, was restarted.
Or a virus outbreak. All the superheroes became cannibal demons in the zombie universe.
There were countless parallel universes like that.
Some were wonderful, and some were terrible.
The Axis won, and Captain Britain was born, leading everyone to launch a rebellion in the Earth-597 universe.
In the matriarchal world, Universe Earth-715, where 90% of the men on the earth were killed…
Natasha Stark, the female version of Iron Man, tied the knot with Captain America on Earth-3490 and successfully realized the dreams of people shipping them together——
Such a strange world.
"I won't let accidents happen."
Luke stood up. He only wanted to return to his own Earth-1024 universe and had no plans to be a wandering traveler.
…