Chapter 102: Almighty Sentry, That Snap! [12k]
Ian remembered the way to the base.
And he didn’t need Gwen’s beat-up bicycle either.
As a multimillionaire from another world, Ian bought the book titled “Things a Rich Person Should Know,” so he knew very well that boys like him needed to be wary of others.
“If Gwen dares to lend me her bicycle today, she’ll dare to ask me to be the new Spider-Man tomorrow… she’s dreaming.” Ian wouldn’t casually give others opportunities to owe him favors.
He needed to guard against any situation where he might be indebted. Filled with the teachings of Zhang Wuji’s mother to transmigrators, Ian arrived at a familiar alley by “bouncing” his way there.
He lifted the sewer cover.
Ian jumped down as if in free fall.
Perhaps due to muscle memory, he instinctively wanted to bounce again in the low, wide sewer. He only realized his mistake after jumping, his head nearly piercing the concrete ceiling.
“Stark Industries’ products have excellent quality, probably more resistant to explosions than airplanes from Curry Country.” Ian stuck his hands firmly into the concrete ceiling above his head.
He saw a thick metal pipe with the Stark Industries logo on it. He wanted to use his fingernails to scratch it off and write “Happy Doomsday,” but found he couldn’t.
Therefore.
The Ancestor’s Identity came online.
A golden light naturally rose in his exasperation.
“Heat rays are more effective~” By the time Ian landed back on the ground, the gold in his eyes slowly faded.
After engraving a few letters on the metal pipe, along with drawing a cheeky stick figure, he confirmed that the metal material used in this place was indeed quite special.
It was absolutely perfect for intercepting missiles.
“Teacher Tony would definitely know the recipe.” Ian ran through the wet sewer, the absence of mice making it look not at all dirty.
Soon.
The familiar steel door appeared.
The base door recognized Ian’s face, and with a “beep,” it lit up green and slowly opened. Inside, there was no one, or rather, no one alive.
The busy researchers were all gone.
It was as if they, along with other soldiers and the Print Men, had gone to research Galactus.
The entire base was very silent.
Only the core of the base remained within its massive host. The holographic projection of Tony Stark stood with his back to the entrance, as if lost in thought, gazing at a display screen.
The display screen wasn’t showing any surveillance footage.
It was a mass of meaningless static.
It was only meaningless static to Ian, like the vast expanse of static one sees on their television when they forget to pay the bill.
“Hi, Teacher Tony, have you eaten?” Ian waved his hand. The water stains on his boots left muddy prints on the floor, which were quickly absorbed by the floor, which seemed to have a self-cleaning function.
Tony’s projection didn’t turn around.
“Do I look like someone who can still eat?” He seemed to have known Ian would come at this time, possibly having calculated the most precise moment.
There was no hint of surprise.
“It’s fine, I brought you some electronic viruses, maybe they’re tasty?” Ian knew that politeness is never a fault. He took out the USB drive he had copied from his home computer.
There was nothing else inside.
Just viruses.
When you need a favor, you should carry suitable gifts.
“…”
Digital Tony caught the tangible gift with his ethereal body. He turned and threw it directly into the trash can, seemingly not liking Ian’s customized present.
However.
This digital god did not correct Ian’s address for him. This made Ian feel that Tony must have liked his gift, and perhaps Tony would rummage through the trash after he left.
Teachers who like to put on airs are all like this.
Ian had already felt the tacit understanding between teacher and student. Just as Ian could taste how good demons were, he also didn’t believe any intelligent life could refuse delicious electronic viruses.
“Teacher, what are you looking at?”
Ian, emboldened, moved closer.
He tried hard to piece together the shape of a desirable gentleman from the static on the screen, but whether it was a problem with his imagination or because Digital Tony had hidden the electronic girl too well, he couldn’t tell.
The diligent boy’s eyes grew strained, and he couldn’t piece anything together.
“This is a recording.”
Digital Tony spoke softly, “A radio wave recording from before the universe collapsed—did you know that as the universe expands, the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation stretches, and its energy gradually decreases?”
“They eventually form the radio waves we are familiar with, and when these radio waves are captured by human instruments, this is what appears on the screen.”
Digital Tony continued slowly in a narrative voice.
“So, is there any secret about aliens hidden in these static points?” It had to be said, Ian was quite influenced by the book “World’s Unexplained Mysteries.”
Tony glanced at him.
“Do you think I would be so bored?”
His tone was helpless.
He felt like Ian was treating him as an illiterate person who hadn’t even gone to college.
“They are not static points; they are the afterglow of the universe’s birth… a kid like you can’t understand its beauty.” Tony’s voice was exceptionally gentle.
It even seemed incomprehensible to others.
But Ian could understand.
After all, he had Super Intelligence.
“So that’s how it is.”
Ian could roughly understand what Tony meant, but he wasn’t interested in such romance. He only knew that his guess was correct; Tony had indeed changed in all aspects after becoming an electronic person.
Even his sexual orientation was affected.
It was more serious than his previous guess that electronic people would fall in love with electronic girls.
Girls?
There were no girls at all anymore! Tony seemed to have transformed from a playboy who only slept with the most beautiful women to someone who now seemed to only desire the most beautiful radio waves!
Yes.
Such a regrettable transformation.
It’s really not advisable for someone to become a digital being.
“I admit the radio waves you’re fixated on are indeed beautiful, and perhaps they have a strong personality that can pique your CEO’s interest, but wouldn’t the corpses of Omni-Man and Sentry be good too?” Ian aggressively and stiffly hinted at Tony, of course remembering what he had come to the base to do.
As Ian winked.
Tony did not pretend not to see.
He withdrew his gaze from the display screen and looked seriously and sternly at the boy beside him. The facial details of the holographic image suddenly became so clear that pores were visible.
“I can let you touch their corpses, but you have to promise me one thing.” It was clear that Digital Tony wanted to negotiate some sort of exchange with Ian.
“Equivalent exchange, that’s reasonable, but don’t try to treat me like Dormammu.” Ian nodded, not surprised, but he still emphasized that Tony shouldn’t go too far.
“For you, this is a very simple matter.”
Tony nodded and spoke softly.
“You want me to snap my fingers for you?” This was something Ian had already guessed. He wasn’t really incapable of thinking; all the previous information allowed him to deduce this.
As expected.
“Yes, you need to help us re-establish the order of the universe. This is our last chance, and we cannot afford any failure, otherwise, we will fall into true abyss and be shattered and lost.”
“Ultimately, we will become part of those tumors that poison other universes.” Tony’s words were packed with information, and he clearly knew many secrets unknown to others.
“You trust me that much?”
Ian’s eyes flickered.
He thought again about the information given to him by Miss Death. Parasitism and fusion were two methods of invasion in the universe, but his feelings these past few days led Ian to suspect he was dealing with a third situation. These people seemed only to want to rebuild their homeland, with no intention of finding a new one.
Perhaps a disguise?
It was unclear.
However, one thing was almost certainly true—for this world’s entities to invade DC, they would never choose the Infinity Gems; those only worked within the Marvel Universe.
“Is there anyone else I can trust?”
Tony, facing Ian’s question, simply responded with a counter-question, “I carry not only souls but also the residual laws of the universe, and they are diminishing little by little.”
“For individuals who are too powerful, my remaining resources are insufficient to support them. You can’t expect me, in this state, to have the right to wield the power of the Infinity Gems, can you?”
This sounded like he was exaggerating his hardship, yet there was an unspeakable helplessness to it.
“Last chance… meaning, you haven’t just tried once, but many times? How many times?” Ian was still pondering the information Tony had revealed earlier.
Hearing this.
Digital Tony did not give a definite answer.
“How many times? I’ll give you a hint, you can guess.” He simply raised his hand, held up an index finger, and made a somewhat out-of-context gesture.
“Huh? Did I become Iron Man?” Ian moved around to the back of the virtual projection. He didn’t see any Sorcerer Supreme cloak behind Digital Tony.
“Only you can do this one thing.”
Digital Tony spoke seriously.
“No, I don’t think I can. You must have already monitored it, right?” Ian seized the opportunity and walked towards the equipment cabinet displaying weapons.
Tony cooperated by opening the cabinet for him.
“Zzzzzz~”
Ian fired dozens of shots at his temples.
You attempted to learn to catch bullets. Although the practical learning failed, you also learned some self-destructive skills. Student Profession Experience Points +1
You attempted to learn to catch bullets. Although the practical learning failed, you also learned some self-destructive skills. Student Profession Experience Points +1
You attempted to learn to catch bullets. Although the practical learning failed, you also learned some self-destructive skills. Student Profession Experience Points +1
…
He still couldn’t successfully catch a laser ammunition.
It was too difficult.
What made Ian feel even worse was that as his physical quality improved, the experience gained from grinding points through this reasonable mechanism decreased, lacking the overwhelming sense of improvement he used to feel.
Of course.
He did gain something this time.
Student Lv. 8 (1/1280)
Ian’s Student profession was upgraded.
Another batch of General Skill Points had accumulated. Honestly, Ian was recently hesitating whether to spend his General Skill Points on Learning or to upgrade his Ian Kent Defense Technique.
Both skills had a conceptual flavor. The former had higher growth returns, while the latter was a noble percentage-based skill. Both were skills that would have a stronger positive impact on Ian once upgraded.
Novice, Basic, Proficient, Elite—these were the differentiations of normal skills that Ian already knew. Novice to Basic required 1 General Skill Point, Basic to Proficient required 2 General Skill Points, and Proficient to Elite required 4. Above Elite, it required a full 8 General Skill Points.
Due to the appearance and upgrade of the Writer profession, Ian had accumulated a total of nine General Skill Points with the recent upgrade of his Student profession.
He had indeed saved enough General Skill Points to upgrade the Learning skill. However, precisely because of the appearance of the Writer profession, Ian felt that if it leveled up a few more times, it might even create a unique skill.
This was just speculation and intuition.
Having no similar experience.
Ian couldn’t make a definitive judgment.
In any case, he was slightly conflicted.
“Zzzzzz~”
Of course, despite his conflict, Ian didn’t stop leveling up. After acquiring another fifty to sixty points of experience, Ian, who had intended to make good use of the resources, was stopped by Tony. Tony directly shut down all weapon systems, and then Ian saw the firearms in his hands turn into toy-like models.
“Don’t be so stingy…”
Ian was slightly regretful.
“As I said, our resources are gradually decreasing,” Tony sighed. “This also means the physical laws I’ve preserved are being depleted.”
“Haven’t you noticed that you can only operate within this city?” His words made Ian pause slightly; the truth was quite contrary to Ian’s original expectations.
“So, outside of Earth, there is no universe anymore?”
Ian’s eyes widened.
He realized that even Earth might no longer be whole.
“It is the universe, but it is also chaotic void. Currently, the existence here is my last bit of effort—but even so, we are already on the countdown to the end.” Tony’s projection flickered. “That we have lasted this long is even thanks to the help provided by your friend, whose corpse you intended to desecrate.”
“Otherwise…” His words were left unfinished, but the meaning was clear: without Sentry’s help, the world would likely have lost its last spark long ago.
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely thank him, nine times.” Ian didn’t know how to respond, so he made a solemn assurance.
Three times meant importance.
Nine times meant triple importance; the flower language was even more grateful than gratitude.
“…”
Tony was silent because he could understand Ian’s logic.
That was why he was so quiet.
And at this moment.
“Click~”
The base door slowly opened, and Gwen entered, escorting a large box. She looked travel-worn and dirty, clearly having just gone through a less-than-pleasant gem recovery mission.
“Gwen! Want some peanuts?”
Ian’s attention was drawn to Gwen’s seemingly timeless leather pants.
With the “swish-swish” sound of a plastic bag, he pulled out a pack of peanuts printed with “Queen Foods.” The golden-brown kernels glistened enticingly under the base’s cold white light.
Gwen’s nose twitched.
She smelled the aroma of natural food.
It was different from the synthetic snacks and foods in the base. Her fingers reacted before her brain, and by the time she snapped back to reality, she had mechanically taken three peanuts.
Gwen’s shell-peeling movements were pathetically clumsy.
“Thank you.”
The moment the peanuts shattered between her teeth, Gwen vaguely saw a cornfield under the sun. She quickly extinguished this weak association and thanked the boy who shared the precious natural food.
This was necessary.
The last encounter made Gwen clearly aware of what would happen if she didn’t thank him.
“It’s fine, you eat more.” Ian stuffed the entire large bag of peanuts in his hand into Gwen’s, making Gwen a bit unaccustomed to his enthusiastic attitude.
“Uh, the last Infinity Gem is being received, Betty is ready.” After a moment of confusion, Gwen reported the outside situation to Digital Tony.
“There won’t be any problems, I’ve arranged everything.”
Digital Tony nodded gently, looking at the snow screen again, “Whether it’s success or failure depends on whether our initial idea was built on a correct path.”
His sigh was somewhat inexplicable.
Gwen walked towards the detection laboratory in the back.
“So, since things sound so urgent, why are there only Betty and Gwen… It’s not that I look down on them, but based on my theory, this kind of thing requires people with real weight, right? Other heavyweights in this world besides you?”
Ian felt that if it were him, even if he could only choose from ordinary people, he would definitely revive the ordinary version of Captain America. After all, Gwen and Betty can at best be considered plot-level NPCs, and they don’t even have the same distinguished NPC status as him, so they don’t seem like they could handle such an event.
“When the multiverse fused, most heroes’ consciousnesses became a jumbled mess, but these two girls… their pure souls are the clearest in my records.”
Tony provided the answer that had been bothering Ian for a long time.
Ian suddenly understood.
“Oh~ I get it! No wonder you liked Peter Parker so much in a universe I remember… Tsk tsk, so that’s why.”
“It seems Peter Parker wasn’t very comfortable being your godson — by the way, does Pepper know you’re into this?” Ian seemed genuinely enlightened.
He didn’t need to hide the fact that he wasn’t from this world and knew many Marvel “stories.” This was normal, as hiding it would be pure self-amusement.
Tony was now Tony the God of All Machines, so he couldn’t possibly not see the strangeness about Ian. After all, Ian was just an independent NPC, and he believed that what happened to an “Overlord-level NPC” wouldn’t happen to him.
Those who know, know.
Despite facing powerful figures described as immensely strong and infinitely wise old monsters, the Dragon Lords could always deceive them with slightly foolish schemes.
After it was all done.
There were even wise men from their own faction who wildly praised such intellect-reducing tactics — all Ian could say was that he had tried it before and was severely beaten by reality, so he chose the method that suited him best.
I don’t keep secrets at all.
How can you spy on my secrets?
To be honest.
This move, combined with the fact Ian had already verified, that his soul and memories couldn’t be seen through by these big shots, meant he could genuinely be a persistent nuisance who wouldn’t be identified as an extra-dimensional demon.
When it comes to self-positioning.
Ian was extremely clear.
How could this not be considered a form of wisdom?
“????”
Tony was now feeling the power emanating from Ian, and he clearly had emotional fluctuations, which didn’t seem like simulated fake emotions at all.
“It’s just that they didn’t fuse completely with other multiverse entities, making them very easy to peel off. You devil, what kind of garbage is in your head!?”
Tony’s projection rippled, and he gestured wildly at Ian. He was genuinely gesturing, and if he couldn’t attack Ian, he would probably have rushed up to fight Ian.
“What’s in my head is, of course, full of super intelligence.”
Ian looked at Tony suspiciously, could he really not see such a simple matter? He began to doubt if Tony was as smart as everyone said.
“Just shut up, don’t insult intelligence.”
Digital Tony looked up at the sky and sighed.
“Heh… Teacher Tony, you seem to have gained a bit more emotion?” Ian didn’t intend to convince Tony to believe him; he keenly noticed some changes in Teacher Tony.
“The time is simply approaching.”
Tony returned to his silent demeanor.
“The corpse you want is over there.”
He seemed unwilling to continue discussing this matter with Ian and pointed towards the room on the left side of the base hall, where a tightly shut door slowly opened.
Cold mist billowed out like dry ice.
Ian walked in.
It was like entering a morgue. In the center of the room, two corpses lay on anti-gravity suspension beds, frost covering their eyelashes, their chests showing no signs of life.
It was Omni-Man and Sentry.
The bodies of both men looked lifelike, as if they had just died, or rather, as if they hadn’t died at all — Ian stepped forward and pinched their noses, waiting for a few minutes.
“Looks like it’s not April Fools’ Day.”
Ian remembered the Marvel time he had seen on the electronic calendar outside earlier.
He always liked to be prepared.
So he listened for their heartbeats again — there was no sound.
“Let me see how to proceed.” Just as Ian was about to look for tools to disembowel the corpses, he found that the considerate Teacher Tony had already made a small incision on the foreheads of both.
It was very small.
Similar to a mosquito bite.
However, a very faint amount of blood had condensed on the foreheads of Omni-Man and Sentry.
It looked as if it had been drawn out.
“Praise Tony the God of All Machines.” Ian glanced at the surveillance camera in front of him, and this situation once again proved that Tony had indeed analyzed a lot of information about Ian.
He might have even calculated how much blood Ian needed to trigger a special mechanism.
As Ian’s hand touched them, the system notification rang again, but it was somewhat unexpected. Omni-Man and Sentry did not unlock new professions; his current unlockable professions still only included Entropy Lord — the bodies of the two superheroes unlocked new system functions.
【Received Intermediate Correction Data.】
【Received Advanced Correction Data.】
【Base information for Savage Tyrant updated.】
【Profession traits are being recorded…】
There was no severe pain.
Nor was there coldness or trembling.
Ian felt a change happen to himself as if he had unlocked a new profession or leveled up, and his physical quality was rapidly increasing.
【Strength: 26—44】
【Constitution: 44.3—60】
【Intelligence: 3.5—4.2】
【Spirit: 21—31】
……
Ian didn’t know what “receiving correction data” meant, he only knew that his physical quality had increased significantly, as if he had learned some super passive skill.
After slowly recovering from his shock.
Ian finally realized the reason.
It was mainly because, in his dazed state, he heard a system prompt.
【Host has successfully recorded new data, Iron Body has been corrected to Perfect God Body, please check.】 This was the information displayed by the system in Ian’s ear.
This was also the reason for the significant increase in Ian’s attribute values.
【Iron Body: Your body’s surface will be greatly strengthened, significantly increasing your Strength and Constitution attributes.】 The original skill exclusive to Savage Tyrant had changed at this moment.
【Perfect God Body: This skill will grow and improve automatically with level, how can mortal flesh bear divine radiance? This perfect body is your ultimate weapon to crush all beings!
Your physical quality has undergone a qualitative leap, capable of effectively resisting any form of physical attack, and also possessing significant resistance to magic, toxins, and mental attacks.
When you fully activate “Perfect God Body,” your body will undergo a complete transformation, entering a new form, reaching a peak state where all numerical values are doubled.】
It must be said.
The Perfect God Body evolved from Iron Body had indeed improved by more than a little. However, looking at the extremely powerful skill effects, Ian didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.
“My hard-earned negative effects!”
The nightmare of a hoarder struck again. Ian watched as the icons of his leveling buffs, such as Slow Poison and Nerve Damage, slowly disappeared, leaving only negative effects like Fel Energy Corruption and Slow Corrosion, which were from a higher source and thus harder to remove.
“How can I level up now?”
While Ian was happy to acquire powerful skills, losing a large number of leveling methods was an undeniable loss for him.
Just as Ian was lamenting that to level up quickly in the future, he might only be able to inflict greater intensity on his body, his eyes suddenly felt itchy, interrupting his melancholy.
The system hadn’t even prompted yet.
Ian had a general idea of what had happened.
【Name: Ian Kent】
【Common Profession: Student Lv8 [56/1280] Writer Lv2 [1/20]】】
【Supernatural Profession: Berserker Lv4 [75/80] Savage Tyrant Lv3 [9/40]】
【World Recognition: Independent NPC】
【Talent Skills: Reverse Blood Furnace, Perfect Divinity】
【Professional Skills: Self-Healing Tide, Perfect God Body, Eternal Day Eye.】
……
The profession information hadn’t changed much.
However.
The skill for Savage Tyrant had changed again. Eye of Blazing Sun had become Eternal Day Eye, which was clearly related to the correction data mentioned by the system.
【Host has successfully recorded new data, Eye of Blazing Sun has been corrected to Eternal Day Eye, please check.】 The system’s prompt was a little delayed, but it arrived.
“Hiss, there are ants crawling inside.” Ian covered his eyes. He didn’t want to make the world suffer like the Uchiha clan, but his eyes were undergoing extremely intense changes.
【Eternal Day Eye: Spirit attribute will affect this skill’s effect together with Constitution attribute. When your eyes become the sun, all things will submit to this eternally burning light and heat!
Your eyes have merged with the law power of the Sun Core, and your pupils have turned into two miniature stars, allowing you to freely control cosmic powers such as light, heat, and plasma.】
There wasn’t a very detailed description, but even this brief description made Ian’s face pale with shock. Were his eyes about to be transformed into two miniature stellar reactors?
This is no longer a question of whether he can take the civil service exam!
Am I a radiation source now?
“And my handsome blue eyes are gone! Damn it! Can I still reset my stats and reallocate skills now!” Ian hurriedly turned his head to look at the glass beside him.
His itchy eyes reflected a striking luster on the glass.
Panicked.
Ian was truly panicked.
“Quick, turn into a super high-definition mirror for me!” Ian directly pulled out a magical book from his pants. Its name had now changed to “Ian’s Beloved Magic Book That He Couldn’t Bear to Eat.” Perhaps sensing Ian’s urgency, the lettering on the book’s cover twisted again.
【Ian’s Magic Mirror User Manual】
It still had the stubbornness of a book, but among the combined elements on the cover, a small round mirror had indeed twisted out. The high-definition mirror surface allowed Ian to clearly see the capillaries on his face. At this moment, Ian’s eyes seemed to be filled with golden light, and his pupils had completely turned molten gold.
Within them, tiny fragments of light seemed to be scattered like stardust.
“Ooh~ it’s a little cool?” Ian, who had been agitated before, immediately calmed down. It didn’t matter if it was a nuclear reactor or not, as long as it didn’t affect his stunning looks, there was no problem.
This was his last resort.
His good deskmate Madison had once taught him this path to success.
“Even so, the system should apologize to me; it didn’t even ask if I was willing to upgrade my skills.” Ian sternly criticized his system pendant in his mind.
However, this did not prevent him from eagerly opening the skill tree for Savage Tyrant at the same time. The profession name had not changed, but the skill tree for this profession had been completely overturned.
First.
There were two dividing lines on the skill tree, dividing the skills into three tiers, each with a different background. The first tier had a shadowy figure with blood-red eyes, laughing maniacally.
It was called Savage Tyrant.
The second tier had a shadowy figure with a blank expression, slaughtering.
It was called Merciless Conqueror.
It required level forty-five to advance, and the description stated that a significant attribute increase would be obtained upon advancement. As for the third tier, which could only be reached at level ninety, there was a shadowy figure with its back to all beings.
It was located at the very top of the entire skill tree.
Named Void God.
It was the ultimate advancement profession for this profession, and the description stated that it would grant unimaginable authority.
“How unimaginable can it be?”
Ian blinked his eyes.
“Did this really turn me into someone playing a game in the real world?”
He couldn’t help but sigh.
His gaze fell on the first tier, the skills belonging to Savage Tyrant. Even though the name remained the same, all the original skills had been replaced.
【Fearful Vision: Actively release mental pressure, causing enemies within range to fall into panic. The effect is weakened on targets with extremely strong willpower. Enemies who have completely lost their will to resist will lose their lives.】
【Combat Intuition: Battle-hardened killing techniques that can instantly analyze enemy weaknesses and employ the most effective kill methods. Your body may react before your brain does.】
【Absolute Aerial: You will gain a bio-electric field for flight. Above the sky, you are the tyrant who dominates all; looking down on all beings is your innate privilege.】
……
Bad news.
The skill Super Flight was gone.
Good news.
Absolute Aerial seemed to come with a little bit of a bio-electric field.
“It can only be used for flight; this must be bio-electric field shipped from Pinduoduo…” Ian felt he should be happy, but his unsettled mood was a little complex.
Just as Ian was staring at the two hero corpses, beginning to offer his ninth expression of gratitude as promised.
“Brother, you’ve been standing here alone for twenty minutes. I saw on the monitor that you kept smiling now and then, and your last smile even reminded me of Hawking.”
Gwen’s voice sounded from the doorway.
Her tone was confused.
“You don’t understand, things didn’t go as planned, but they went wrong in a good direction, so it should be met with a wry smile.” Ian sighed and put his magic book back into the area above his crotch.
“Wry smile…”
Gwen still found some of Ian’s explanations difficult to understand. Besides seeing that kind of smile on Hawking’s face, she had never heard of a “wry smile” in her life.
“Yes, alongside it are the charming smile and the faint smile.” Ian walked forward, took out a bag of still-warm soy milk from the long pocket of his clothes, and handed it over.
Still natural food.
The packaging bag made a tempting “rustling” sound.
How could Gwen resist?
“Goo goo goo~”
Gwen accepted the feeding, but she was also confused about Ian’s attentiveness. “Is there something you need from me? Otherwise, why are you constantly giving me food.”
Warm soy milk slid down her throat.
Gwen tasted a strange flavor, not an evil strange, but more like a mix of multiple beans, with a hint of senna leaf.
Although her sense of taste in this body wasn’t as keen as before, it was still a bit different from ordinary people. At that moment, Gwen had the urge to stop eating.
But the aroma of the natural food made her hesitate.
“I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity,” Ian said sincerely.
Ian said sincerely.
Speaking.
He took out some more sweet potatoes.
This time.
Gwen didn’t dare to take them.
She had already sensed something unusual.
“What curiosity?”
Gwen held a mouthful of soy milk in her mouth, not daring to swallow.
“You always wear the leather pants that Black Widow wears, and I want to see if your butt bulges when you fart.” Ian remained honest, not even letting his gaze linger on Gwen’s backside for more than three seconds.
Very gentlemanly.
“Pfft~”
Gwen directly spat out the soy milk.
Ian dodged in time.
“It seems it does bulge. Bad review. You’re using imitation leather. I checked, good genuine leather doesn’t bulge.” He promptly observed the scientific phenomenon he wanted to observe.
“No! Can’t you care about something truly important?” Gwen’s expression was priceless. She threw away the soy milk in her hand, looking left and right as if searching for something.
“What are you looking for?”
Ian was still curious.
“A needle, and thread.”
Gwen really wished she could find a tool to sew Ian’s mouth shut.
Just then.
“Rumble rumble~”
The base suddenly began to shake violently.
Ian managed to maintain his balance.
However, the unlucky Gwen was sent sitting onto the ground, and because she was in a bulging state, the inferior leather pants finally couldn’t bear the strain with a long releasing sound.
They ripped.
Right at the seat.
“…”
Gwen couldn’t believe what was happening to her. She sat on the ground, afraid to get up, just staring intently ahead, her gaze completely locked onto Ian.
“This has nothing to do with me anymore. I’ll buy you a pair of genuine leather ones tomorrow. Master Ian has money.” Ian cautiously took half a step back, protecting his waistband.
He seemed afraid Gwen would snatch the pants.
At this moment.
The shaking continued.
Dust from the falling ceiling sprinkled down, like a sudden fall of light gray rain.
“Is it time?”
Gwen had no intention of asking for compensation. She looked up at the ceiling, which was slowly unfolding, and the crack was directly above her head.
This made her even more afraid to stand up.
It was too late to sacrifice herself for a new body.
“What time is it?”
Ian’s question went unanswered.
“Tony said you would snap your fingers for us.”
Gwen’s eyes were fixed on Ian, her voice trembling slightly, as if filled with trepidation about what was to come, her eyes holding emotions Ian had never seen before.
“I told him, I might not be able to transfer my will into the Infinity Gems.” Ian remembered his situation; he could interact with this world, but this world found it difficult to interact with him.
“No, you can.”
The sudden voice came from Digital Tony.
“Teacher Tony, where are you?”
Ian turned his head.
The alloy wall peeled away like an eggshell.
The answer was the sudden downpour of skylight.
As blinding sunlight streamed in, Ian realized the entire base was now on the surface. The researchers, soldiers, and engineers who had been working on Uncle Devourer’s body were gathered outside.
The corpse of Galactus stood in the distance behind them. These people stood densely packed on the street, stretching as far as the eye could see, seemingly without end.
Sunlight filtered through the dilapidated buildings, casting dappled light and shadows on the ground. Everyone looked at Ian with a gaze he had never experienced before, similar to the look in Gwen’s eyes earlier.
Hope?
Expectation?
Ian couldn’t be sure.
“You don’t need to transfer your will. The goal to be achieved has already been programmed into this gauntlet… So, all you need to do is snap it.”
Digital Tony stood at the very front of everyone.
Floating in mid-air.
He had even put on a silver armor for himself.
Though it was merely a data shell.
This was perhaps his way of showing solemnity.
A metallic disc rose from the ruins, carrying the Infinity Gauntlet inlaid with various colored gems, all of which shimmered with a mystical glow.
“Then, shall we try?”
Ian walked up to the Infinity Gauntlet.
After all, he had touched Tony’s provided corpse. A person must keep their word.
“But don’t have too much hope for me.”
Ian’s voice was calmer than expected as he reached out and grasped the gauntlet suspended on the disc. The moment the metal touched his palm, he felt an incredibly unfamiliar, immense power.
It actually worked!
The power of the Infinity Gems made Ian feel warm all over!
“Now I’m Thanos.”
Ian exclaimed with wonder.
“No, you are our Savior.” Digital Tony’s voice was unusually warm. The sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden path at Ian’s feet.
“Almighty power is in your hands, only you can create a new world for us. And with this, you can achieve your wishes and become the source of a new power.” Digital Tony was showering him with emotional value. He had even calculated Ian’s intentions for entering the Marvel Universe this time.
“I can become the source of magic with this?”
Ian was somewhat tempted.
“Greater than that.”
Digital Tony replied softly.
“That sounds like some kind of bewitchment.” He looked around, taking in everyone: Betty, Gwen, and that researcher, Dr. Helen Zhao, who didn’t give him snacks.
The gazes of these people.
Ian was familiar with them. He had seen similar looks on the faces of victims looking at Superman when he arrived in time after something terrible happened.
When Superman descended from the sky, his cape billowing in the dust, those trapped, injured, and desperate people looked up at the red and blue figure.
Their eyes burned with almost devout hope.
Like parched land yearning for rain, like searching for starlight in the dark. Ian had never imagined he would be the focus of such fervent, trembling, hot gazes.
“I’ve never been one to trust flattery, but today I will be your Hero.” Ian’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the metal surface of the Infinity Gauntlet.
The subtle glow of the gems flowed through his fingers.
“I choose to believe my own judgment. You are not remnants coveting other worlds, but a group of venerable beings who yearn for salvation and have fought for it until the last moment of their world.”
“To be asked for help by such a resilient group, I am willing to give them a chance. Perhaps this is the influence my Old Man had on me – I can’t let him be too disappointed.”
Ian was unusually serious, his tone calm.
Saying this.
He raised his hand, wearing the Infinity Gauntlet.
“Please.”
Digital Tony gave a slight bow at this moment.
Tens of thousands of people standing amidst the ruins held their breath.
“This time, I am a Saint of Merit.”
Feeling everyone’s gaze on him, including Gwen, who still didn’t dare to get up, Ian felt a surge of complex emotions he had never experienced before.
“All eyes on me.”
“It doesn’t seem so bad.”
He gently rubbed his hand.
“Remember to build me a Gold Toilet… Never mind, you probably won’t remember. Mature Little Boys know to steal gold from Stark’s house to build toilets.”
Ian had returned to his usual personality.
As he finished speaking.
He decisively pressed his thumb.
Then, a sound like shattering glass immediately rang out, its crisp sound exceptionally noticeable in the profound silence.
“Trust me, you are the last Hero, the Creator will be with you at this moment.” Digital Tony’s sincere prayer echoed in Ian’s ears at the end of this world.
He saw everything disappearing. The crowd on the street turned into tiny specks of light, their expressions not even having time to change, frozen in that moment of hope and trust.
All things withered like sand, shattering into firefly-like specks in the backlight. The world was erased like a pencil drawing wiped away by an eraser—high-rises, Star Eater, even the sunlight crumbled into dust and scattered.
Then.
The world returned to silence.
A deathly silent void, and dark nothingness, lasted for about three heartbeats. Until the first car horn pierced the silence, and colors erupted wildly from all directions.
Neon lights flickered a fuchsia glow, the coffee machine on the corner steamed white mist, and a yellow and blue taxi screeched to a halt, kicking up rainbow-like spray. Pedestrians appeared out of thin air like magic cards, housewives with grocery baskets brushed past skateboarding youths, the sound of a spilled popcorn bucket mixed with the strumming of a street musician’s guitar.
The electronic chimes of shop windows and the laughter of children chasing each other washed over the empty streets like a tide. The frozen world, with a snap of the fingers, seemed to have truly gained reinvention and new life.
“Creator, are you there? If so, make a sound.”
Ian stood in the middle of the crosswalk, a ginkgo leaf landing on his shoulder.
“Beep beep beep~”
A horn sounded.
“Damn it, Great Fortune Heavenly Venerable.”
Looking up at the sky, Ian’s mood was still a bit melancholic.
Instantly.
He became completely clear-headed.
I was stuck on this chapter for several hours, and the emotions afterwards weren’t conveyed well, but time ran out. I’m very unsatisfied!! I might revise it later.
