Chapter 202: Ian’s Karmic Retribution
Neither Gwen, nor Sylvie and Ian who were sprinting madly at the end of time, knew a terrifying truth at this moment—that the artificial intelligence presented as “Jarvis” in the holographic projection, with its mild voice and clear logic, was not Tony Stark’s loyal butler at all.
Behind the mild virtual image was an ultimate intelligence that was cold to the extreme, calculating the end of all things—Ultron.
He deceived Gwen.
He was searching for the so-called “O-A-A”.
And it was definitely not for the hope of restarting the multiverse. The purpose of this intelligent life was unknown to anyone, but it was absolutely contrary to the so-called “hope” understood by humans.
At the same time, Mongu Ian Kent was still riding his self-named 【 Snowman Diaochan 】, slipping away from Time Monster Erios while simultaneously offending players of Kings and League.
He wasn’t afraid either.
After all, those compatriots from his previous life couldn’t poke him across worlds with their fingers, let alone rub a little red heart to give him an electrotherapy package.
“Giddyup! Giddyup! Giddyup!”
Ian Kent, riding on female Loki Sylvie’s back.
His hands wrapped around female Loki’s neck like riding a horse, with a fluorescent stick dismantled from a discarded spacecraft clenched in his mouth, emitting a eerie blue glow.
This wasn’t discrimination or insult.
Ian used the same voice command when riding his cousin aunt, versatile in usage. Sylvie had no time to curse; she was running much faster than sound carried by the Speed Force legs.
The garbage ruins at the end of time had turned into a bizarre, colorful nightmare racetrack.
With Ian on her back, Sylvie’s legs under the forced drive of that pair of “external black furry legs” were so fast they nearly wore through her shoe soles, each step leaving shallow pits on the broken ground.
Due to Ian continuously holding the Frost Treasure Box and using various strange liquids or solids to atomize and release poison, he even turned the Time Monster into colorful black.
The Frost Treasure Box was squeezed by him to unlock new functions, qualifying as the universe’s top atomizer and humidifier.
“No! When will this run end?! We’re already at the end of time!” Female Loki Sylvie had no idea how to evaluate Ian’s urging. Her hair whipped wildly behind her head, the scenery ahead blurring and distorting due to high speed, leaving only frantic flows of color blocks and lines.
Although the high-speed movement didn’t tear female Loki’s body apart, Sylvie still felt terrible; she wasn’t running but being dragged by those two legs in an involuntary death drift.
“Damn it! What the hell is this thing?!”
Sylvie screamed in the wind, trying to control direction, but her legs wouldn’t obey, only barely adjusting balance mid-sprint to dangerously dodge sudden huge debris or collapsing ground. The feeling of completely entrusting her movement to a pair of unknown, self-moving legs was utterly awful!
“Oh, you mean Little Black and Little Fur?” Although Speed Force ran faster than sound, Ian truly had Super Hearing, so he could converse with Sylvie enhanced by Speed Force.
“They’re my pets. Since I let them roam free on the great prairie, they’re usually quite obedient, occasionally a bit lively.” Ian’s tone was as relaxed as introducing his own cats and dogs.
“Pets?!!” Sylvie nearly choked, her brain crashing again. Who raises two living, black-furry long legs as pets?
Even leg fetishists shouldn’t have this kind of fetish! This couldn’t be explained by a brain fart; her entire cranial cavity needed to be sucked in by Erios for purification!
She whipped her head back fiercely, wanting to kill this train-wrecking madman with her glare, but saw an even more stupefying sight—Ian, at some point, used his mimetic hands freed after stowing the Darkness Sword and Gungnir, to pull from his pants pocket a thing bigger than a big truck!
Yes.
Pulled from an ordinary, one-hand-grippable pocket!
Sylvie’s face, defying human anatomy with a magic mid-speed head turn, had eyeballs nearly popping out—this time purely from shock.
Scared by space magic?
Of course not.
But what Ian pulled out was an enormous ballistic missile, painted with danger markings, length comparable to a heavy truck, emanating cold metal sheen and extreme danger!
“Behold my divine might!”
That missile was steadily held high above his head by Ian’s mimetic arms covered in black-red bio-armor, with the tail even faintly spurting unstable energy flames.
As if ready to launch at any moment!
“You… where did you pull this thing from?!!” Sylvie’s voice cracked; she felt the shocks today exceeded her past centuries combined.
No magic aura!
This was what baffled Sylvie.
“Isn’t this common sense? Seen 《Doraemon》? Haven’t you heard… oh, I mean ‘Mother hasn’t seen’, Doraemon also gets nicknamed ‘Dora-Ian’, meaning praise as little Ian.” Ian adjusted the missile’s aim toward the increasingly close Erios behind, whose body color grew weirder from devouring too much colorful poison mist.
His tone carried inexplicable superiority; without giving Sylvie time to digest the outrageous metaphor, Ian abruptly triggered some nonexistent “launch trigger”!
“Away you go!”
Whoosh—!!!
That huge missile dragged a long tail flame, emitting deafening howl, shooting straight at the rampaging Erios!
Sylvie’s pupils shrank!
She thought Ian meant to blast the mountain of piled-up ship and carrier wreckage ahead with the missile, using massive metal fragment rain to temporarily block Erios—though she doubted it’d work—but the next second, her assumption was overturned.
The missile didn’t target obstacles but detonated mid-air right before Erios’ open, abyss-like devouring vortex!!!
Boom rumble rumble—!!!!!
A small but absolutely terrifying mushroom cloud rose!
The shockwave flung dozens of abandoned carriers flying, steel twisting like paper scraps.
The violent shockwave, mixed with destructive heat and light radiation, spread instantly, shoving, melting, vaporizing all surrounding garbage debris!
“No! Nuke? You use a nuke at close range here!?” Sylvie’s voice spiked eight octaves, full of incredulous terror and breaking!
She felt her back as if scorched by a branding iron; the shockwave boosted her speed further!
“Yeah!”
Ian’s voice remained clear amid the explosion roar, even satisfied like an experiment succeeded.
“I bought a bunch of smuggled nukes; if not used, how would the world know I have nukes?” This batch wasn’t expired, meaning Grandfather’s military base wasn’t totally corrupt.
He paused, adding seriously: “Actually not just nukes; I added some extra ‘Ian special radiation package’ inside.”
“Trust me, trusting me is like trusting Jesus; effects are top-notch! Hope it works.” Ian eyed the rising mushroom cloud and spreading smoke.
His gaze slightly worried.
Very worried that the “smoke but no damage” law was still Marvel’s true cosmic truth.
“Extra radiation?!!” Sylvie felt her divine bloodline freezing; nuke radiation alone was terrifying, yet this guy added more?! Even divine bodies had limits!
Not wanting a third boob, Sylvie went all-out. No need for external Speed Force legs; her survival instinct fully ignited!
She screamed, unleashing unprecedented potential, coordinating with the black furry legs for desperate sprint! As if behind wasn’t Time Monster but something dirtier, filthier, more indescribable! Her brain’s self-protection might make her unaware the dirty thing was always on her back.
“You’re insane! Totally insane!”
Sylvie cursed wildly, face pale; seeing Ian pull out tape, she stopped shrill screeching, using all strength to match the Speed Force legs’ strides.
This was true longing to live with force.
The fearless Loki variant now dreaded not running fast enough, caught by spreading fatal radiation dust, turned into new species by Ian’s added radiation.
“Your magic! Your energy! Those can’t deal with that monster!” She roared, voice distorted by speed and fear.
“It’s the end of all things! Everything is just its ingredients!” Female Loki Sylvie nearly broke down, clueless what was in Ian’s head.
“Nonsense! Don’t spout nonsense! I have an identity as super big eater; no one knows better than me about all things as ingredients!” Ian punched Sylvie’s occiput.
As Entropy Lord, he wasn’t spouting nonsense but probing Time Monster Erios using his new-gen Galactus identity.
“Don’t you think this guy resembles Galactus?”
Ian’s actions always had reason; most people’s cognition levels just didn’t match his, so even scratching his butt seemed profound.
Many, especially in Marvel Universe, didn’t know Marvel Universe underwent 8 cosmic births and deaths, each multiverse will being Eternity.
That is, 8 Eternities total.
First-gen Eternity had a resounding name—First Firmament.
It was the eldest and most powerful, most evil among Eternities. It created the Celestials; Celestials wanted free evolution of cosmic life, but First Firmament forced its will. Due to differing ideals, Celestials and First Firmament waged war.
In the war, First Firmament’s body shattered, fragments becoming second-gen Eternity. Thus, each Eternity’s birth continued the previous.
Root still First Firmament.
Each cosmic development was birth-to-death like a human life. In 6th-gen Eternity, sixth Marvel Universe birth, well-known Galactus appeared; then, invincible Uncle Devourer was an ordinary alien.
Named Galan.
Identity scientist.
Hobby universe travel, costlier than Little Red Potato girls’, so naturally single. That era’s single Uncle Devourer civilization was universe’s highest, yet after billions years, reached end stage.
At universe destruction, all matter collapsed to center birthing new multiverse cosmic egg. Deadly rays killed much life on planets around mother star; Galan’s was last living planet.
Also last not sucked into new cosmic egg.
Galan as planetary adventurer.
Traveled cosmos seeking mother planet salvation. Naturally futile. Facing doom, sixth Eternity found him, hoping Galan inherit all powers, fuse everything with mortal Galan.
Made him universe cycle’s sole survivor and witness.
Thus, invincible Star Eater born. At 7th-gen universe birth, Eternity reappeared, plus first Infinity, Oblivion, and Death.
Uncle Devourer with these 4 deities formed Marvel Universe foundation. By debut, Uncle Devourer slightly earlier, eldest generation. Only with physical body, one reason he often fails.
New generation surpasses old.
Of course.
Ian mentioned Uncle Devourer not just to claim himself loyal and upright in this eighth cosmic end, excellent inheritor of second-gen Star Eater duties from Galactus’ brain, but saw Time Monster traits resembling some quality Star Eater gained from ancient Eternity.
As known.
Galactus’ insatiable hunger from cosmic tapeworm in body constantly draining Uncle Devourer’s energy. This cosmic tapeworm was beloved purple sister by comic fans, flavorful Star Eater daughter Galanata.
Known as Devour Sis.
World knows Devour Sis humanoid, not worm form; Ian thought Devour Sis perhaps like current Time Monster Erios.
Yes!
Don’t forget, Galactus’ power likely from First Firmament, so how not speculate First Firmament from Uncle Devourer?
Biology has convergence!
If Uncle Devourer modified by First Firmament power can breed, First Firmament could too; following this invincible logic, Ian suspected Time Monster Erios was First Firmament’s cosmic tapeworm! At worst, some gen inheriting First Firmament power’s Eternity’s cosmic tapeworm!
“If so… situation’s bad.”
Ian’s eyes flickered, watching distant explosion and smoke; as predicted, smoke but no damage—the mushroom cloud and smoke surged like invisible whale sucking water into Erios’ maw, greedily devoured by abyss mouth!
Including Ian’s “special radiation”.
Swallowed whole without remainder.
It emerged from dust and explosion, body slightly swollen from huge energy, color more chaotic.
It even belched… a bizarre sound echoing end of time! Unharmed, undoubtedly.
Energy “eyes” locked dead on Sylvie and Ian, burning with longing Sylvie felt terrifying even without looking back.
“See! Useless!”
Sylvie shouted desperately.
“No problem, Master Ian has many tricks.”
Ian responded confidently.
“Stop! Please!”
Seeing physical and weird dual strikes barely effective, enraging enemy more, Sylvie knew not to let back’s madman continue “performance art”.
Female Loki perhaps influenced by Loki too much; only now remembered she’s Nine Realms top mage, divine power mixing end-of-time chaos energy surging.
“Let me! Stop pulling dangerous toys!” Sylvie barked, releasing gathered power outward!
Buzz—!
Instantly, centered on them, countless green semi-transparent illusion clones surged like tide! Perfectly copying Sylvie carrying Ian, even black furry legs and Ian’s four arms wielding weapons!
This illusion magic, Loki’s specialty besides brawling God of Stories, all parallel Lokis’ ace. Countless “Sylvie and Ian” sprinted every direction, lifelike, stirring ground dust, simulating footsteps and breath.
Loki’s illusion magic essence profoundly deep.
Creator-like.
Instantly disrupting Erios’ senses and lock.
“Shadow clones! Multiple shadow clone technique!”
Ian’s eyes lit up, forgetting crisis, tone full of new continent joy, “This magic’s good! Gotta learn it!”
He not keen on clones for battle or deception; mind jumped different direction.
“As expected, short-sighted Loki; idiom should be Dick-eyed shortsight.” Ian stared at scattering, environment-interacting clones, brain computing fast. He disliked clone style, but this magic special.
Factory employees definitely needed.
After all, environment-interacting clones meant pipeline interaction.
“One employee learning this equals millions! Efficiency! Cost control! Manpower optimization!”
“Full mechanization can’t match my employees! Can’t imagine productivity boost!” Ian thought move Titanic to DC, proclaim universe king. Loki illusion magic, another divine art crafting cosmic industrial Cthulhu!
“No! Teach this magic to world, everyone industrial Cthulhu, I’d be hoisted sky-high as their Azathoth!” Ian’s ultimate goal extract magic power; dared not imagine magic power abundance.
“Damn! What’re you muttering?! Know we’re chased?!” Sylvie still running, mind not as leaping as Ian’s.
In such danger, not anyone could daydream like Ian, even Marvel multiverse’s craziest Lokis.
“Roar roar roar!”
Erios’ massive, shapeshifting body erupted despairing speed again, like boiling colorful dark nebula, crushing obstacles, dead-locking tiny slippery duo ahead, as if end of time held only them.
“Persistent ghost!”
Sylvie spat blood from mouth.
Feeling soul-burning pressure behind, she gritted teeth shouting to back’s Ian, “It got death order from Ultron! To exterminate us!”
“Must go Time Variance Authority, grab reset device, open door to present world, return temporarily evade, then plan against Ultron!” Sylvie’s life experiences made her hate passivity, prefer active choices.
Her only perceived escape.
Racing Erios at end of time would exhaust to death. But back’s Ian seemed different view. Ian’s mimetic compound eyes fixed on Erios.
Sylvie missed Ian swallowing.
“Useless, female Loki.”
Ian shook head, black-red visor reflecting Erios’ chaos glow, “I feel… this big guy’s target clear. Even escaping to present world, it’d tear dimension pursuing. I have… um, present-world evil god friend; he wouldn’t want you bringing this monster to disturb his backyard.”
“Trust me, he’s evil god; anger not just simple.” Fabrication Ian’s habit.
His words Oscar-level fear.
“Then what? Run forever?! To universe heat death?!!” Sylvie roared frustratedly; external black furry legs nearly blurring.
Her spirit nearing limit.
“Run another six hours or so, then problem solved.” Ian checked graffiti watch, gave suggestion.
Six hours exactly his DC universe return time; like not believing previous-life compatriots cross-universe beat him, he didn’t believe Erios could chase to DC.
“Six hours?! Problem solved?!”
Sylvie felt near brain hemorrhage.
Then, Ian like sudden idea, probed: “Hey! Female Loki! Want five major deities-level power? I’m sharing friend, born with love-sharing ability, share my power.”
“Of course, you’d pay price; besides praising me, maybe lower body clench, belly ache… millennia?”
Ian’s tone uncertain.
“Belly ache millennia?!!” Sylvie baffled, thinking his madness worsening, spouting incomprehensible nonsense. She knew Galactus, but doubted Ian had that power, suddenly so generous sharing.
“What nonsense?!!” Distracted by Ian’s outrageous words, upper body slightly offset.
Bang!
Her shoulder solidly smashed thick rusted metal pipe jutting diagonally!
Solid hit! Sylvie grunted, intense pain from scapula, instantly losing balance! Black furry legs couldn’t adjust immediately!
“Whoa!”
“Ouch!”
Both yelped.
With futile-kicking black furry legs, all tumbled wretchedly like rolling gourds across debris-filled ground long distance before stopping.
“Cough cough! Shouldn’t descend now! If I didn’t…” Sylvie dizzy, stars in eyes, bones near falling apart, mouth full soil and rust. But Erios’ roar closed in instantly, death shadow like ice water!
“No! Can’t be eaten!” She shook buzzing head, struggling up, but world spun.
At that moment.
Ian like unharmed, sprang up, crawled back on her, anxiously patting shoulder.
“Run! Run! Female Loki! Don’t daze! It’s coming!”
Ian yelled.
“Huh?” Sylvie’s confusion worsened by weird shouting; shaking head, barely propping body, angrily desperately looked back—Erios’ huge twisted devouring vortex inches away! Inside swirling temporal turbulence and destructive energy!
“Fuck! Don’t wanna be male mom!”
Ian’s voice first tense; seeing Sylvie unmoving, jumped off negligent mount, reminiscing cousin aunt Kara while strapping Speed Force legs on self.
“Cousin aunt best, never bucks.” Ian glanced back, then sprinted, Speed Force one-shot dust.
“Cough cough~”
Female Loki Sylvie choked again by kicked dust.
“Male mom? What male mom?! Explain! Bastard!” Now no mood curse, Time Monster nearing.
Ian long gone.
“Fine fine! No need faster than Erios, just faster than me, right?” Female Loki scalp numb, but didn’t hinder fury.
After all, Ian’s move Loki specialty. Used on her, how not surge extreme annoyance.
“Fuck! Betraying teammate!”
Time infinitely stretched this moment.
Sylvie’s pupils reflected Erios’ overwhelming surging horror body, destructive energy vortex nearly touching nose. Thought abandoned as last shield by mad Ian. Despair, anger, unwillingness surged.
“Even dying, fight to end!”
Pride overrode fear. Raised hands fiercely, remaining divine power and end-of-time chaos energy recklessly gathered, prepping most destructive magic she could muster.
“Come! Eat me! But don’t forget eat that damn kid too!” Sylvie roared; not hero, but only self-allowed war death. Even if attack mere mantis arm to Erios, wouldn’t allow capture, silent void!
As for multiverse survival?
Whoever!
Tired! Ready croak!
Sylvie raised hands, green magic light flashing wildly at fingertips, energy charged!
However, next second.
Expected collision and devouring didn’t happen.
Her prepared assault for naught. Star-annihilating, time-tearing horror, right before including her in doom, massive body physics-defyingly elegantly arced… around her!
Like raging flood bypassing tiny pebble, naturally diverting, not even energy ripple splashing her.
“????”
Sylvie’s charged hands froze mid-air.
Fingertip magic light flickered uncertainly without target; unsure if survivor joy or sudden worthlessness complex.
“??????”
Female Loki’s expression ever more vivid, totally stunned, brain halted, blankly watching Erios’ chaotic shapeshifting body whoosh past sides, hurricane whipping gold hair wild, clothes flapping. Clearly not her target.
Time Monster even… didn’t glance her!
That horror existence, all attention, “gaze”, greed and longing, dead-locked on shadowless fleeing kid.
“Hiss~”
Female Loki’s super brain spun fast, especially adrenaline-boosted, sorting threads in seconds.
Ian Kent!
Only now Sylvie crystal-clear realized—from start, Erios’ target solely Ian! Relentless crazy pursuit, destructive posture not for devouring, but primal, weirder, spine-chilling purpose!
“Male mom…”
Sylvie recalled Ian’s tense words before bolting.
Now reflecting.
Suddenly everything made sense.
Absurd yet only reasonable explanation here lightning-struck Sylvie’s mind, chilling gasp scalp numb.
This timeline-devouring ultimate void ender horror… chased her and weird Ian half end of time, huge commotion, ultimate goal… burrow into Ian’s belly?! Real big tadpole seeking mom?!
This moment.
Sylvie understood Ian’s hasty run.
Wave sleeve.
Not taking her.
