Within the skull of this ancient celestial, advanced mechanical mining equipment abounds. The Levian Group, established by the Collector, governs and manages everything here, primarily mining organic matter, bones, brain tissue, spinal fluid, and other rare resources from the celestial's remains.
A celestial being that once created worlds is now reduced to this state after death is a melancholy sight.
It's akin to the lion on the African savannah, once a predator at the top of the food chain, its sharp claws feared by all creatures. Yet upon death, its body becomes covered in scavenging flies and mosquitoes.
This type of pity lingered in Star-Lord's mind.
Moments later, the Milano docked at the spaceport.
With curious eyes, the group followed Gamora into the city beneath the mining area.
If the capital of the Nova Empire represents order, where everything is organised and above board, this place is the lawless land, a haven for desperados. Streets filled with fierce-looking individuals from various races, shouting and cursing, can be heard everywhere, and even fights break out; generally, it doesn't look like a place for good people.
Here, the wealthy can enjoy a top-tier life.
But without money, one might be worse off than the roaches in the sewers. Along the way, Star-Lord saw many children in dirty, tattered clothes, their faces pale and malnourished.
"No matter where poverty is inescapable."
Star-Lord looked at the children huddled in dark corners with a heavy heart and sighed.
"If you're going to be charitable, go elsewhere," Rocket snorted coldly. "And watch your wallet while you're at it. We're not interstellar nobles. Even if we see it, we can't change it."
Helping one person is manageable, but not so many.
And this is just what they see. In unseen places, there are undoubtedly more such people.
The group's mood turned sombre as they followed Gamora into a casino.
"The buyer is here?" Star-Lord picked up his spirits and asked. "We're not going to trade in a place like this, are we?"
"No, the Collector is quite distinguished," Gamora shook her head. "And he has many enemies, so we're to wait for his representative to verify the goods before they take us to meet him."
"I get it; rich folks are scared of dying."
Rocket spread his hands and shook his head, "I don't care how powerful this guy is; I just want the money. After we get paid, we can go our separate ways and hope never to see you jerks again."
"That line should come from me, you damn raccoon!" Star-Lord retorted, annoyed that the raccoon had once made him waste forty thousand on a useless prosthetic limb just to see someone hop around.
Drax, however, didn't seem too pleased.
Although his thought processes were straightforward, he understood that just Gamora alone wouldn't be enough to entice Ronan of the Kree Empire. The Orb of the Universe was indispensable.
As the group got absorbed in gambling, Drax finally made up his mind.
He relayed the coordinates to Ronan, emphatically stating what he wanted—the Orb of the Universe and Gamora were both here.
After quietly arranging this, Drax returned to the gambling table, quietly awaiting his enemy's arrival.
As the group idly gambled to pass the time, a red-skinned alien woman appeared, bowing respectfully and gesturing for them to follow: "Miss Gamora, my master wishes to meet you."
Star-Lord and the others exchanged glances, feeling what was expected had finally arrived.
Suppressing their excitement about the forthcoming riches, Star-Lord gave a cautious look and led the way behind the alien maid into a special elevator within the casino.
As they emerged from the elevator into the Collector's private domain, they were shocked by the sight before them.
Live creatures, each encased in transparent glass displays ranging from tiny insects to ferocious beasts, even extinct species' fossils and lost civilisations' treasures, filled the space.
"This is... like a universal museum!"
Even Star-Lord, who grew up in the Ravagers' mercenary corps, couldn't help but genuinely admire what he saw.
"Hehe, indeed, some call my master's collection that," the alien maid spoke formally. "These items, even by universal standards, are considered top rarities, seldom seen by outsiders."
As they ventured deeper into the collection,
"Allow me to introduce myself," the maid stopped and turned elegantly, bowing slightly. "Tanaleer Tivan, the Collector."
Star-Lord and his companions looked towards the man behind the maid. He was dressed in an extravagantly plush coat, with snow-white hair stylishly swept back and lips that appeared almost split at the centre.
Upon being introduced, the Collector lazily bowed his head slightly, peering over his glasses at them with an indescribably arrogant air.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Gamora."
The Collector slowly approached, took Gamora's hand gently, and kissed it. "At last, the real person. I've heard much about you."
"Save it, Tivan."
Gamora's expression remained stoic as she briskly withdrew her hand. "We have what you want. Can we start the transaction now?"
However, the Collector's gaze had shifted toward Groot, his eyes sparkling with surprise. "What... what is that?"
"Hey, old man, mind your manners!" Rocket bristled at the casual reference. "It's not a 'what,' it's 'who.' His name is Groot, and he's my friend!"
"Oh, cool, your jets; I meant no offence."
The Collector stepped closer, his demeanour turning playful. "While a Floral Colossus is indeed precious enough to arouse my desire to collect, what truly intrigues me... are those two blades your friend carries."
"Floral Colossus?" Rocket noted the species label.
"Yes, from Planet X," the Collector approached Groot, examining the swords closely. "Though, as I understand it, that species is extinct due to their violence and warfare. Your friend seems unique."
"No wonder no one knows; they're extinct." Rocket sighed, and then curiosity sparked anew. "Wait, you mean those swords are, in your eyes, more special and rare than Groot?"
Everyone present, except Drax, was sharp enough to understand.
Those ordinary-looking weapons had caught the obsessive Collector's interest over an extinct species' last survivor, which indicated that those blades were even more precious than Groot!
"Hmm... could I purchase them from you?"
The Collector's eyes gleamed with excitement, reluctantly looking away from Groot. "I could offer you an extra billion to acquire those blades. What do you say?"
A billion?
Their eyes widened, hearts nearly stopping at the thought.