When Wakanda completed the Mind Stone energy conversion, numerous zombies were simultaneously appearing throughout other parts of the universe.
Zombie Thanos, who had departed Earth, manifested across various cosmic regions, continuously hunting living beings to devour flesh and blood, satisfying his insatiable desires.
Under his actions, the zombie virus began spreading rapidly between star systems. The contagion also mutated according to different life forms during continuous propagation.
Zombies appearing throughout the universe became increasingly massive. The viral plague was like cancer cells, infecting all life—even some of the less powerful Celestials.
"Another Celestial has fallen."
Supreme Celestial Arishem, who had recently returned, suddenly sensed that Celestials from a distant world had perished. However, the few fallen Celestials weren't particularly strong—their power couldn't even forge planets.
"What transpired in that world? They were dismembered!"
The fallen Celestials, especially those incapable of planetary creation, were the most vulnerable to destruction.
These cosmic beings formed the Celestial foundation and served as assistants to each powerful entity.
Now these gods were dismembered alive. Arishem, who could clearly sense each deity's status, easily detected the anomaly.
Even the weakest gods weren't entities that anyone could contend with.
Yet despite such circumstances, the fallen deities were torn apart while living, dying amid wailing and screaming.
Many terrifying forces existed throughout the universe. Even he, as the Supreme Celestial, couldn't ignore dangers brought by those entities.
"One must be cautious when consuming divine essence."
After speaking, Arishem raised his hand, compressing numerous asteroids together to craft a god sculpture only palm-sized.
He wouldn't investigate personally, but this didn't prevent using special methods for reconnaissance. He needed to understand what had occurred in that world.
After injecting consciousness into the divine sculpture, Arishem hurled it toward the world where gods had fallen.
"Go. Bring me information at any cost."
After completing this task, Arishem summoned the god seed—the one Marcus had returned still contained magnificent vitality.
"The seeds he brought back exceed other divine essences. It seems I gained advantage in our exchange."
As he spoke, Arishem dispatched the god seed to a massive metallic planet.
Because the divine seed contained tremendous life force, it no longer required external vitality sources. Soon, the god would break through planetary surface.
This world would become the newborn deity's armor, serving as weapons and equipment during emergence.
Naturally, most of the planet would shatter directly, transforming into countless asteroids floating throughout space.
Universal Plague
In the zombie universe, due to Thanos's actions, several Celestials had also become undead. Their bodies were severely incomplete—before complete zombification, numerous zombies had torn away substantial flesh and blood.
Among zombie Celestials, only Ego, the largest, appeared relatively intact. After all, Ego differed from other gods—his body was a living planet.
Now his form was covered with zombies while he himself had become an undead world, rampaging through the universe.
Under their influence, the cosmic cancer accelerated. Because of his flesh-and-blood craving, Ego unleashed all strength as his living planet began racing between star systems.
Compared to other zombies, Ego's behavior was obviously more terrifying. He didn't care whether fresh meat existed—whenever he observed a planet, he'd open his abyss-like maw and bite savagely.
Planets were merely cradles for newborn gods to him. Destroying them was effortless.
Every bite created gaps in planetary surfaces. Some worlds even erupted with molten magma because of his actions.
Without anyone realizing, universal zombification was accelerating rapidly.
After feeding completely, zombie Thanos seemed to recall something and walked through a portal.
He'd come to seize the Mind Stone, but his purpose differed completely from pre-infection intentions.
Before viral contamination, he'd simply wanted to claim the Mind Stone and eliminate half of universal life.
But now, he desired making more humans reappear so he could feast again.
Fresh flesh and blood were so attractive to zombies that even after gorging himself throughout the cosmos, he couldn't resist wanting to devour Earth's life once more.
Upon returning to Earth, Thanos suddenly sensed familiar power—the scepter he'd given Loki, now used by Wakanda to resist zombies.
"ROAAAAAR!"
Zombie Thanos screamed excitedly. The Mind Stone was before him. Once he obtained it, he could create more humans and consume even more.
As he roared, the Infinity Gauntlet on his arm erupted with tremendous energy. He only lacked the Mind Stone—other gems were already embedded.
The Mind Stone's influence on zombies originally held minimal effect on him. When possessing Infinity Stones, this influence was suppressed to weakest levels. Without careful attention, the Mind Stone's effect on him was undetectable.
As he bellowed, numerous zombies quickly recovered under Infinity Gauntlet influence, with Mind Stone effects completely suppressed.
The next moment, undead resumed attacking defensive barriers while zombie Thanos stood elevated, his bloodthirsty eyes revealing endless brutality.
While zombies assaulted barriers, Shuri within Wakanda worked frantically as alarms echoed throughout the nation.
"Trouble—there's energy offsetting Mind Stone influence. The defensive barrier is being attacked again."
After investigation, Shuri found no problems with the Mind Stone but detected energy similar to the gem, neutralizing its power and reanimating stagnant zombies.
"Everyone prepare for battle!"
Wakanda was already Earth's last sanctuary. If even this location fell, they didn't know where they could retreat.
With orders given, everyone entered combat readiness.
"I'm joining too!"
Wakanda's King, Black Panther T'Challa, announced. Everyone was surprised to discover he'd regained walking ability.
"T'Challa, weren't you..."
"My leg?" T'Challa smiled. "Don't underestimate Wakandan technology. While it can't regenerate limbs, it can rapidly install mechanical replacements stronger than Bucky's arm. Now my combat ability is enhanced!"
The necklace around T'Challa's neck expanded outward as nano-combat suit layers covered his body. In moments, he'd transformed into the superhero Black Panther.
"Thank you for trusting Wakanda. We'll fight until the final moment."
With his declaration, all Wakandan warriors raised spears and animal hide shields.
Though their fighting style appeared primitive, weapons and equipment were sophisticated high-technology products.
"You know, when Steve was young, he often shouted a phrase during team operations," Bucky declared, holding Steve's shield in one hand and a weapon in the other while gazing into the distance.
"Today I'll shout for him—Avengers... ASSEMBLE!"
The moment assembly was called, defensive barriers shattered, revealing massive breaches. Countless zombies broke through gaps, rushing toward everyone.
During the battle, Marcus, positioned on Earth's opposite side, also sensed Infinity Stone power.
"Six Infinity Stones? Has this universe's Thanos already obtained the other five gems?"
The Mind Stone was in Peter's possession—he'd witnessed this personally. Feeling six different stone energies meant Thanos had located all remaining gems.
Glancing at flesh pillars growing wildly around him, Marcus's thoughts shifted as he instantly flew skyward.
Nothing nearby required his attention. The biological landscape would spread outward progressively without his control.
He only needed to reclaim flesh and blood after Earth was completely consumed.
Marcus's aerial speed continuously increased, leaving behind dozens of cloud-like rings following like shadows.
As he flew rapidly, countless mutated maggots fell like rain. These organisms would accelerate Earth's consumption pace while zombies would be completely devoured by new biological terrain.
Marcus's velocity was tremendous. Upon reaching the Infinity Stone concentration point, he was shocked by the scene before him.
"Doesn't Wakanda possess energy weapons? Why are so many warriors wearing animal hides and fighting with spears?"
Marcus was puzzled by Wakandan performance. Compared to them, Peter's group appeared far more effective. Even in close combat, they maximized weapon usage for zombie elimination.
Among them, Peter was becoming a marksman. His web-lines served as excellent auxiliary tools for binding zombies.
In his hands, he wielded zombie Chitauri weaponry, firing rapidly.
Likely due to frequent web-shooting, Peter's accuracy was exceptional—every shot could easily eliminate targets.
Others also attempted counterattacks during zombie assaults. Bucky had almost become Steve's successor, using the shield as his primary weapon. Each throw could eliminate numerous zombies while he shot others during shield flight.
Their elimination efficiency was highest—many undead were destroyed by them. Though their effectiveness exceeded Wakandan performance, they hadn't maximized the nation's advantages.
"A country mastering advanced technology still survives in tribal form. No wonder weapons appeared this way."
After commenting on Wakanda's situation, Marcus focused on zombie Thanos.
"Thanos, when I encountered you recently, you remained a cosmic overlord. In this world, you're also infected."
Though this was his first meeting with this universe's Thanos, he found the contrasting states interesting.
Different experiences across universes had produced different outcomes.
The Avengers universe Thanos was shocked by Marcus's methods, ultimately choosing to leave Earth and continue his population-halving plans elsewhere.
The zombie universe Thanos had long since become undead, with the Infinity Gauntlet proving his current tremendous power.
"Infinity Stones..."
When Kang existed and the Time Variance Authority operated, the TVA possessed countless Infinity Stones. Though their power couldn't function in certain locations, this didn't prevent them from being genuine gems.
"If not for Loki's witnessed scenes, I might feel envious."
Marcus chuckled. Infinity Stone power was indeed impressive, but these artifacts no longer held much significance for him.
He possessed infinite empowerment after Infinity Stone convergence—powerful abilities not inferior to six combined gems.
Moreover, Marcus planned upgrading this empowerment to final enhancement. Then, the effects would prove more potent than genuine Infinity Stones.
"By the way, if Thanos has become a zombie and possesses the Space Stone..."
Looking skyward, Marcus now questioned whether zombie Thanos had entered the broader universe.
If true, this cosmos could be considered completely fallen—better termed a zombie dimension than universe.
"This is truly..."
Previously, his armor might not have achieved promotion, but with zombie virus pervading the universe, the configuration could definitely evolve.
With a sigh, Marcus was enveloped by countless tentacles, transforming into a meteorite falling from the sky.
BOOM!
A massive biological mass struck the ground forcefully, making Earth tremble.
The next moment, the mass exploded as countless tentacles erupted—thousands of appendages pierced all zombies.
Witnessing this scene of universal destruction, Peter's spider-sense screamed warnings.
"Leave here! It's the monster that devours zombies!"
As he shouted, everyone retreated rapidly. None were harmed, but all zombies were eliminated by tentacles.
Everyone quickly withdrew to Wakanda's palace—their final sanctuary.
"Is that the monster you mentioned?"
Observing tentacles frantically devouring zombies, even someone as intelligent as Shuri felt confused.
A massive biological mass falling from the sky not only created tremendous impact but eliminated all local zombies. What purpose did this entity have for them?