Chapter 104: Kneel, or Die
Norway, on the cliffs of Tønsberg.
The sea wind was still biting, but the air was no longer filled with the salty dampness of the sea, but with a thick, suffocating despair.
"Bang!"
Arthur pressed Hela's head with one hand, pinning the arrogant Goddess of Death firmly into the rock.
Crushed stones flew, and the Earth cracked.
The queen who had just wanted the entire Universe to submit was now like a wild chicken held by the neck by a hunter, unable to move an inch no matter how much she struggled.
"Let go of me!!!"
Hela's face was pressed into the dirt, letting out a muffled roar:
"I am Odin's eldest daughter!"
"I am the King of Asgard!"
"You lowly mortal... how dare you..."
"Tsk."
Arthur frowned.
He didn't let go; instead, he slightly increased the force.
"Crack."
The ground sank another third.
"It seems that thousands of years of imprisonment haven't just messed with your head."
"Even your hearing has degenerated."
Arthur leaned down slightly, close to Hela's ear.
His voice was soft, yet like a devil's whisper:
"I just said."
"In this Universe."
"I am the only cheater."
"And you..."
"Are just a—"
"Power bank that charges itself by relying on the land (Asgard)."
"Boom—!!!"
Arthur raised his left hand.
On his gauntlet.
The purple Power Stone and the red Reality Stone lit up simultaneously.
An indescribable terrifying fluctuation, flowing along his arm, directly poured into Hela's body!
That was not divine power.
That was the fundamental rule of the Universe!
"Ah ah ah ah—!!!"
Hela let out an extremely shrill scream.
She felt the continuous connection of divine power from Asgard within her body.
Being brutally and forcibly...
Cut off!
That feeling of weakness from having her power drained terrified her more than Death itself.
"You... what did you do?!"
Hela shrieked in horror:
"My power... my divine power..."
"Nothing."
Arthur released his hand and stood up.
He took out a handkerchief (prepared by Wesley) from his pocket and elegantly wiped the dust from his hands.
"I just added a—"
"Valve" to your power.
Arthur looked down at the goddess, who was slumped on the ground and disheveled:
"From now on."
"If I want you to be strong, you will be strong."
"If I want you to be useless."
"You won't even be able to kill a chicken."
"Do you understand?"
Hela looked up.
Her eyes, which had been full of ambition and killing intent, now held only deep fear.
She looked at the six gems shimmering with an eerie light on Arthur's wrist.
infinity stones...
All six?!
This madman...
He actually collected all the infinity stones?!
"I..."
Hela bit her lip, and blood flowed.
As a powerhouse who revered absolute strength.
She knew better than anyone.
In the face of such power, so-called dignity, so-called kingship.
Was not even a fart.
"I... understand."
Hela lowered her head.
The proud crown of thorns, at this moment, seemed to have lost its luster.
"Very good."
Arthur smiled with satisfaction.
He reached out and stroked Hela's head as if teasing a pet (though the horns were a bit prickly):
"Wesley!"
"Here! Boss!"
Wesley, who had been trembling beside him holding the camera, immediately ran over with a beaming smile.
"The contract."
Arthur snapped his fingers.
"Give this lady... oh no, give our new Security Director."
"An employment agreement to sign."
"Same old rules."
"996 work schedule, no overtime pay, room and board included."
"If she doesn't behave..."
A red light flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"Send her to keep the Purple Potato Spirit (Thanos) company."
"Yes!"
Wesley immediately pulled out the pre-prepared contract of servitude and handed it to Hela.
Hela looked at the contract with Homelander's portrait printed on it.
Then looked at the group of menacing The Seven beside her.
Finally.
She tremblingly signed the name that had once struck fear into the Nine Realms.
...
Having dealt with Hela.
Arthur turned around.
He looked at Thor and Loki, who stood like two statues at the edge of the cliff.
"What's wrong?"
"Your Highnesses, the two princes."
"Not planning to come congratulate me?"
Arthur spread his arms, his red cape flapping in the sea wind:
"I helped you resolve a huge family dispute, you know."
Thor clenched mjolnir in his hand.
His knuckles turned white from the excessive force.
He looked at the arrogant man standing where his father had just dissipated.
An uncontrollable surge of grief and indignation rose in his heart.
"John..."
Thor's voice was low and hoarse:
"What you want... isn't just to resolve a dispute, is it?"
"Asgard..."
"Are you going to take that too?"
"Otherwise?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, his expression utterly natural:
"Should I leave it to you two prodigals?"
"One a brute who only knows how to swing a hammer."
"One a villain who only knows how to stab people in the back."
Arthur walked up to Thor.
He reached out and flicked the hard Mjolnir.
"Clang—"
A crisp sound.
"Thor, Thor."
"Don't you understand yet?"
"In this Universe."
"The weak have no right to a home."
"Asgard, in your hands, will sooner or later be destroyed by Thanos, or some other random nobody."
"Only under my protection."
"Can it be Eternal."
Arthur leaned in closer, looking directly into Thor's angry yet powerless eyes:
"I'm here to take over."
"Not to negotiate with you."
"Now."
"Lead the way."
"To that glittering place."
"I still need to see my new pet (Surtur)."
Thor took a deep breath.
He wanted to raise his hammer.
He wanted to fight for the glory of Asgard.
But he knew.
The result of doing so would only be Asgard completely turning into ruins.
Not even the last of its people would be saved.
A hand gently rested on Thor's shoulder.
It was Loki.
The God of Mischief, at this moment, had already put on a standard, fawning smile.
"Brother."
Loki whispered:
"Endure."
"Being alive... is more important than anything."
After speaking.
Loki stepped past Thor and walked up to Arthur.
He performed an elegant Asgardian court bow.
"Great Homelander Your Majesty."
"Asgard... welcomes your presence."
"I am Loki."
"If you need a guide, or a... clever manager."
"I think I am much more suitable than my brother, who only knows how to make thunder."
Arthur looked at Loki.
He smiled.
He smiled incredibly happily.
"Look."
He pointed at Loki and said to Wesley behind him:
"This is called professionalism."
"This is called talent."
"Although this guy likes to backstab."
"But as long as my fist is hard enough."
"He'll be the most obedient dog."
Arthur reached out and patted Loki's pale cheek:
"Approved."
"From now on."
"You are the—"
"Deputy General Manager of the Asgard branch."
"As for the General Manager..."
Arthur glanced at Hela, who was looking displeased beside him:
"Of course, it's your sister."
"I think you two siblings will get along very well."
Loki's smile stiffened.
He glanced at Hela, who was glaring at him with murderous intent.
He felt a faint pain in his kidneys.
...
"Lads!"
Arthur waved his hand.
"Get on board!"
"Destination—Asgard!"
"We're going to—"
"Collect rent!"
...
The radiance of the Bifrost Bridge lit up again.
Only this time.
It was no longer the divine light guarding the Nine Realms.
But the passage of a conqueror.
The warship "homelander no. 2," like a steel behemoth, violently rushed into Asgard's atmosphere.
A colossal shadow was cast over the Golden Palace.
Making this divine realm, which had stood for tens of thousands of years, feel for the first time what true—
Doomsday descending was like.
"Rumble—!!!"
The warship hovered above the Heavenly Palace Square.
The hatch opened.
Arthur, accompanied by his The Seven (plus the newly acquired Hela and Loki), descended from the sky.
On the square.
Tens of thousands of Asgardian civilians and soldiers stood ready with weapons.
Their eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
Because they saw.
Leading the way.
Was none other than their eldest prince Thor, and second prince Loki.
And... the Goddess of Death Hela, who had long become a legend.
"Everyone, put down your weapons!"
Thor's voice echoed through the entire square via a loudspeaker.
Every word was squeezed out through gritted teeth:
"Odin... has fallen."
"This is... this is the new King."
"Clang!"
A soldier's spear fell to the ground.
Immediately after.
Came the sound of weapons falling everywhere.
Their faith had collapsed.
Even Thor had surrendered.
What else could they do?
Arthur floated in mid-air.
Looking down at the densely packed kneeling gods.
[Ding! Detected complete submission of all Asgardian gods!]
[Ding! Detected mythical-level shock caused by Earth and universal live broadcast!]
[Ding! popularity points +50,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +80,000,000...]
"Comfortable."
Arthur spread his arms.
Golden sunlight bathed him.
At this moment.
He resembled the Allfather more than Odin.
"My subjects."
Arthur's voice was filled with that false sense of divinity:
"Do not grieve."
"Do not fear."
"The old gods have aged."
"A new Sun has risen."
"I promise you."
"Under my rule."
"Asgard will be great again!"
"We will conquer more places! We will steal... oh no, we will acquire more resources!"
"Every one of your gold bricks will receive the best protection!"
"Long live Homelander!"
Some shill (possibly arranged by Loki) shouted.
Sparse cheers began to rise.
Finally.
They converged into a torrent.
Even if it was fake.
In the face of such absolute power, it became real.
...
The first thing Arthur did upon entering the Golden Palace.
He headed straight for the underground vault.
There.
Lay the last item that interested him.
"Surtur's Crown."
Arthur stood before the giant display case.
Looking at the huge skull that seemed to be burning.
"This is the Fire Giant's true form?"
"Doesn't look like much."
He turned his head to Loki, who was following behind him.
"Where is the Eternal Flame?"
"It's... it's here, Your Majesty."
Loki quickly presented a large brazier.
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
That was what Arthur had previously swiped from the vault and was now bringing out again.
That ball of flame burned quietly, as if it contained endless vitality.
"Very good."
Arthur picked up that massive crown.
He walked over to the Eternal Flame.
"Legend has it."
"That as long as you throw this thing into the fire."
"You can summon that big guy who can even shatter Asgard with a single sword strike?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Loki said cautiously,
"That is the prophecy of Ragnarok."
"Surtur will be resurrected and then become even more massive than a mountain..."
"Bigger than a mountain?"
Arthur's eyes lit up.
"Then wouldn't that be..."
"A super, incredibly large—"
"Floor heater?"
Loki: "???"
"Watch."
The corner of Arthur's mouth curled into a crazed smile.
Without the slightest hesitation,
He threw Surtur's Crown directly into the Eternal Flame!
Boom—!!!
The flames instantly surged!
A terrifying heat swept through the entire vault!
"I am—"
"Surtur!!!"
A deafening roar erupted from the flames.
That massive fire demon was expanding and regenerating at a speed visible to the naked eye!
"Asgard!"
"I will destroy you!!!"
Surtur brandished the massive Twilight Sword, about to burst through the vault's ceiling to fulfill his mission.
However,
Just as his head touched the ceiling,
Slap.
A hand.
A hand that, to him, seemed as tiny as a speck of dust,
Pressed down on his forehead.
"Go back."
Arthur floated in front of Surtur.
Compared to this fire giant hundreds of meters tall,
He was like an ant.
But,
On this ant's hand,
He wore the six Infinity Stones.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Arthur looked into Surtur's massive, flaming eyes.
The smile on his face was incredibly 'kind':
"Just resurrected and already want to tear the house down?"
"Do you have any civic-mindedness?"
"For me—"
"Shrink!"
Hum!!!
The Reality Stone flashed with red light.
The Space Stone's blue light followed immediately after.
That terrifying divine power, enough to burst Asgard,
Under the suppression of the Infinity Stones' rules,
Was instantly compressed!
"No!!! What power is this?!"
Surtur discovered in horror,
That his body was shrinking uncontrollably.
Five hundred meters... one hundred meters... ten meters...
Finally,
He turned into a barely two-meter-tall, still-smoking...
Stickman?
Finally.
Stickman?
"Now that looks much better."
Arthur grabbed the mini Surtur by the neck,
Like picking up a roast chicken fresh out of the oven.
"Surtur, right?"
"Ragnarok, right?"
"From today on,"
"You have a new job."
Arthur pointed overhead:
"My company headquarters,"
"That building in New York."
"The heating in winter isn't very good."
"And the water temperature in the sauna never quite boils."
"From now on,"
"You are the Homelander Group's—"
"Chief Boiler Operator."
"Responsible for heating water twenty-four-seven."
"If you dare let the fire go out..."
Red light flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"I'll have that kid over there who plays with ice (Iceman, though not yet recruited, he's already in the plans),"
"Freeze you into a popsicle,"
"And feed you to the dogs."
Surtur: "..."
He looked at the stones on Arthur's wrist,
Then at Eddie nearby, who was frantically filming him with a camera.
This ancient demon destined to destroy Asgard,
Shed humiliated tears of magma.
"I... I'll do it."
...
With Surtur settled,
Arthur returned to the main hall of the Golden Palace.
He sat on the supreme throne that had been repaired by Magneto (actually replaced with a solid gold one).
Under his feet was the newly replaced floor made of Vibranium.
"Sweet."
Arthur stretched lazily.
He glanced at the system panel.
[Current popularity points: 650,000,000!]
Six hundred and fifty million!
From one billion,
Only the final step remained!
"Wesley."
"Here! Boss!"
"Our current business already covers Earth, the Nine Realms, and those few unlucky alien empires."
"But..."
"It's not enough."
Arthur stood up.
He walked to the balcony,
Looking at Asgard's gorgeous starry sky.
"This Universe,"
"Is too boring."
"Too few powerhouses."
"The villains are too weak."
"It's simply not enough for me to farm points."
His gaze became profound,
As if penetrating the barriers of dimensions.
"I need..."
"A bigger stage."
"Stronger opponents."
"A more exciting script."
Arthur turned around,
Looking at The Seven standing behind him.
Magneto, Logan, Jean, Hela, Sentinel...
This group of monsters who already walked unopposed in this Universe.
"Boys,"
"Are you ready?"
"We're going to..."
"Pull off something big."
Arthur pulled out from his coat the thing he had snatched from Kang, modified by Tony—
The Multiverse Shuttler.
"The next target,"
"I've already chosen."
The corner of Arthur's mouth curled into a crazed smile:
"I heard,"
"In the Universe next door (DC Cinematic Universe),"
"There's a guy wearing a red cape with his underwear on the outside."
"He's called something like..."
"god among men?"
"Heh."
Arthur clenched his fist.
The light of the Infinity Stones flowed between his fingers.
"This title,"
"Can only belong to me."
"I'm going to..."
"Teach him how to be a person."
"And incidentally..."
"That guy named Darkseid,"
"I'll bring him back to be a security guard."
"Everyone—"
"Prepare to cross over!"
Boom!!!
An unprecedented, massive portal spanning the Multiverse,
Slowly opened above Asgard.
Inside it,
Was an unknown World,
New leeks to harvest,
And...
A new conquest!
...
Asgard, Golden Palace.
Even though Odin had turned into specks of light and dissipated, and Hela had just been ground into the dirt,
This did not affect the celebratory atmosphere here.
Because,
The new King... or rather, the new Boss, had moved in.
Arthur sat on the supreme throne just repaired by Magneto.
In his hand, he toyed with the Infinity Gauntlet (right-handed) he'd dug out of the vault, which was studded with fake stones.
"Crude workmanship."
"Vulgar taste."
Arthur threw the large gauntlet to Loki nearby with a look of disdain.
"Take it and melt it down."
"Make me a new set of Mahjong tiles."
"Pure gold."
Loki scrambled to catch the gauntlet that had once caused countless bloodbaths in the Universe (even if it was fake), his face plastered with his signature fake smile.
"As you command, Your Highness... oh no, Boss."
"Your taste is always so..."
"Down-to-Earth."
"Cut the flattery."
Arthur stood up, his red cape cutting an elegant arc behind him.
He walked to the balcony, looking down at the Asgard city district being replanned (demolished) by "The Seven."
Logan was directing a group of Asgardian soldiers to move supplies snatched from the Kree Empire.
Jean Grey was using telekinesis to repair buildings caught in the battle.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
But it wasn't enough.
Far from enough.
Arthur opened the system panel.
[Current popularity points: 680,000,000!]
Six hundred and eighty million.
Although it was an astronomical figure,
There was still a significant distance from that shimmering Golden Superman template.
There was still a significant distance.
"The leeks in this Universe..."
"Have been harvested just about as much as they can be."
Arthur sighed.
Even if he resurrected Thanos now just to kill him again, the audience would probably be tired of it.
Aesthetic fatigue.
This was the great taboo of the entertainment industry.
And even more so for superheroes.
"I need freshness."
"I need..."
"New excitement."
Arthur turned around, looking at Hela, who had been keeping her head down, standing in the corner not daring to speak.
"Hela."
"Here."
Hela's voice was a bit stiff.
That arrogance of the Goddess of Death had had its bones broken in the face of absolute power.
"Pack up."
"We're going on a business trip."
"Business trip?" Hela looked up, a hint of doubt flashing in her smoky-makeup eyes.
"Exactly."
The corner of Arthur's mouth curled into a cruel and excited smile:
"To a new place."
"There's no Odin there, no Thor."
"But..."
"There's a bunch of guys in tights who think they're 'gods'."
"I think..."
Arthur walked up to Hela, reaching out to gently lift a strand of her black hair:
"You'll probably like it there very much."
"After all,"
"The people there seem to have quite tough bones."
"Perfect for you to use as chew toys."
Hela's eyes lit up.
Slaughter.
Conquest.
This was the true meaning of her existence.
"I'm in."
She didn't hesitate for a second.
...
Earth, New York.
Homelander Group Building, underground laboratory.
This place had been completely transformed into a massive space-time hub.
Tony Stark was sporting two massive dark circles under his eyes, holding a cup of espresso, staring blankly at the complex Quantum Equations in front of him.
"Damn it..."
"That lunatic..."
Tony muttered to himself:
"He really wants to go to a parallel Universe?"
"Doesn't he know that the power of the Infinity Stones becomes invalid after leaving their home Universe?"
"This is a law of physics! This is cosmic common sense!"
"If he doesn't take the stones..."
Tony glanced at the coordinate parameters jumping on the screen:
"That World..."
"According to Kang's database,"
"The energy level response of that World is an order of magnitude higher than ours!"
"There are Kryptonians there who can push Planets."
"There is a Speed Force that can bounce back and forth between this Universe and that Universe."
"And those Old and New Gods who play with Planets like marbles..."
Tony's hand shook slightly, spilling coffee onto the keyboard.
"He's going to his Death."
"Even though I really want him to die."
"But..."
Tony thought of Arthur's face, which, although punchable, indeed stood in front of the Earth.
"If he dies over there and can't come back..."
"Then who will protect this damn Earth?"
"Can I rely on this Nano-armor of mine?"
Chapter 105: I am the only god among men!
Just as Tony was falling into a dilemma...
*Hum—*
A blue portal opened behind him.
Arthur walked out with an arrogant, World-defying gait.
Behind him followed the grand procession of "The Seven."
"Yo, Tony."
Arthur glanced at the blueprints scattered across the floor and the massive ring-shaped device.
"Seems like you're quite capable after all."
"Even though you said no with your mouth..."
"Your body is being quite honest."
Tony rolled his eyes and slammed his coffee cup down on the table.
"Listen, John."
"I need to remind you of a very serious problem."
Tony pointed at the infinity bracer on Arthur's wrist:
"This thing."
"As soon as you cross that gate..."
"It's just a bunch of pretty glass beads."
"It's completely useless."
"I know,"
Arthur said indifferently.
Of course he knew.
As a Marvel expert, how could he not know the limitations of the Infinity Stones?
He had already verified it back at the TVA.
"But..."
Arthur raised his hand and clenched his fist.
The terrifying physical strength from his High-Tier Silver Superman status caused the surrounding air to let out a series of sonic booms.
"Do you think..."
"I need those stones?"
Arthur looked at Tony, his eyes filled with absolute confidence:
"Those stones are just the icing on the cake."
"But I..."
"Am the true—"
"Power itself."
Tony was stunned.
He looked into Arthur's deep blue eyes.
In there...
He didn't see a single trace of fear or hesitation.
Only that kind of...
Arrogance that seemed capable of trampling the entire Multiverse underfoot.
"Madman."
Tony shook his head and turned back to operate the console:
"Since you want to go and die, I'll grant your wish."
"Coordinates locked."
"Codename: Earth-DCEU (DC Extended Universe)."
"The laws of physics in that World are a bit... well, how should I put it."
"A bit dark."
"And the filters over there always seem so gloomy."
"Doesn't matter."
Arthur straightened his cape:
"As long as I am there..."
"It will be filled with—"
"Sunshine."
"Wesley!"
"Here! Boss!"
Wesley, who was already geared up and ready, immediately ran over.
In his hand was that specially made cross-Universe live-streaming device.
"Is the signal tuned?"
"No problem, Boss!"
Wesley patted his chest in assurance:
"This is a quantum entanglement communicator combining Stark Industries and Kree technology."
"Even if you're live-streaming from inside a black hole, the signal here will be at full bars!"
"Very good."
Arthur turned around.
Facing the slowly rotating green vortex.
"Listen up, boys."
"Listen well."
"The place we're going this time is a bit different."
"The 'heroes' over there are quite violent."
"They don't like to reason."
"They prefer to let their fists do the talking."
Arthur's gaze swept over the crowd.
Magneto was charging the magnetism of his armor.
Logan had already bitten off half of his cigar.
Hela had condensed two pitch-black longswords in her hands.
Even the vacant-looking Sentinel was now glowing with a golden light.
"However..."
The corners of Arthur's mouth curled up:
"That's just fine."
"We also prefer to let our fists do the talking."
"Remember."
"We aren't going there to make friends."
"We are going there—"
"To teach them how to behave."
"Since they call themselves the 'Justice League'..."
"Then I think..."
A red light flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"This league..."
"Should be under my command."
"Move out!"
Boom!!!
Arthur took the lead.
The red cape behind him turned into a streak of flowing fire.
He charged directly into the vortex leading to the unknown Universe!
"For the Boss!"
"For the bonuses!"
"For the slaughter!"
The Seven followed close behind.
They vanished from the laboratory in an instant.
...
DC Universe, Metropolis.
On this day...
It was a rare day of good weather.
The Sun was bright and the breeze was gentle.
In the plaza before the Superman statue...
A grand memorial event was being held.
Commemorating the Son of Krypton who once sacrificed himself to save the World (though he came back to life).
Countless citizens held flowers, gathering in the plaza.
And on the high platform...
The man wearing the red and blue suit with the'S' symbol on his chest.
Clark Kent.
He was waving to the people with a gentle expression.
Not far from him...
Batman, Bruce Wayne, dressed in civilian clothes, was vigilantly watching the surroundings.
Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, was also there.
Even Flash Barry Allen, Aquaman Arthur Curry, and Cyborg Victor Stone had come.
The Justice League.
Assembled.
"It looks very peaceful,"
Diana said in a low voice, her gaze never leaving the crowd:
"But I always feel... like something is about to happen."
"My sensors have no readings."
A red light flickered on Cyborg's half-mechanical face:
"Everything is normal."
"I don't feel anything either."
Barry was sneakily eating a hot dog:
"Except this hot dog is a bit cold."
However...
Just then...
*Zzz-zzz-zzz—*
The giant screens in the plaza suddenly flickered.
Immediately after...
The originally clear sky...
Darkened without any warning.
It wasn't dark clouds blocking the Sun.
But rather a kind of...
Terrifying air pressure!
*Rumble—!!!*
A sonic boom sound, a hundred times louder than a supersonic jet flying low overhead...
Exploded over Metropolis!
Every window...
In that single instant...
Was completely shattered!
"What's going on?!"
Batman snapped his head up.
In the sky...
The originally azure firmament seemed to be torn open by an invisible giant hand.
A golden streak of light...
Carrying an unmatched, domineering aura...
From that rift...
Crashed down!
The target—
Directly at the Superman statue!
"Get back!"
Superman roared.
He wanted to rush up to intercept it.
But that speed...
Was too fast!
So fast that even he, the Son of Krypton, only saw an afterimage!
*THOOM!!!*
An earth-shattering explosion.
The Superman statue standing in the center of the plaza, symbolizing hope and peace...
Was instantly pulverized!
Dust rose everywhere.
Debris flew.
The entire plaza was vibrating violently.
*Cough, cough...*
Citizens screamed in terror, fleeing in all directions.
The members of the Justice League quickly took up combat stances, staring dead-on at the center of the swirling dust.
"Who is it?"
Wonder Woman drew the Sword of Athena.
Aquaman raised his trident.
The dust slowly cleared.
A figure...
Was revealed.
He wore a deep blue suit.
A red cape draped behind him.
His golden hair was perfectly styled.
He stood atop the ruins of the Superman statue.
Hands on his hips.
His face wore that smile that had struck terror into the hearts of another Universe.
"So this is..."
Arthur kicked away the stone block engraved with an'S' by his feet.
His eyes contemptuously scanned the surrounding superheroes who looked as if they were facing a great enemy.
Finally...
His gaze fixed on the shocked Superman floating in mid-air.
"The god among men?"
Arthur laughed.
"Looks more like—"
"A joke among men."
"You..."
Superman frowned.
He looked at the man before him, whose attire was somewhat similar to his own, but whose aura was completely different.
X-ray vision activated.
He tried to see through this person's physical structure.
But...
All he saw...
Was a patch of...
Golden light even more dazzling than the Sun!
It was the absolute shielding of a Bio-electric Field!
"Stop looking."
Arthur extended a finger and pointed at his own eyes:
"It's very impolite."
"And..."
"That look in your eyes."
"I don't like it."
"Who are you?!"
Batman asked in a low voice.
The Batarang in his hand was gripped tight.
"Me?"
Arthur turned around.
Facing the media cameras that were already dumbfounded (Wesley and Eddie had already sensibly cut the signal in).
He spread his arms.
That movement...
Was filled with a divine radiance.
"I am here to save you."
"I am here to tell you..."
"What a true..."
"Superhero is."
"As for my name..."
Arthur tilted his head slightly.
That high-and-mighty arrogance caused every member of the Justice League present to feel a surge of nameless anger.
"You can call me—"
"Homelander."
"Boom!!!"
As his words fell...
The rift in the sky expanded again.
Six figures...
Fell like meteors...
Standing behind Arthur.
Magneto.
Wolverine.
Jean Grey.
Hela.
Sentinel.
Electro.
Quicksilver.
Each person radiated a battle-hardened killing intent.
Especially Hela.
She looked at the sword in Wonder Woman's hand, a greedy light appearing in her eyes.
"That woman's sword is not bad."
Hela licked her lips:
"It's mine."
"That fish-man with the trident..."
Electrical arcs flickered on Electro's body:
"He looks very conductive."
"The one in black..."
Logan blew out a smoke ring, looking at Batman:
"Why does he look like an oversized bat?"
"Boss, this place..."
"Is indeed quite interesting."
Arthur ignored his subordinates' chatter.
He just looked at Superman.
The man revered by this World as a god.
"I heard..."
"You're very strong?"
Arthur slowly ascended into the air...
Leveling his gaze with Superman's.
"Good timing."
"My hands have been a bit itchy these past few days."
"Care to play with me?"
Superman took a deep breath.
He could feel the undisguised malice coming from the other party.
"If you are here to disrupt the peace..."
A red light also lit up in Superman's eyes (Heat Vision warming up):
"Then I can only..."
"Drive you out."
"Drive me out?"
Arthur burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"With just you?"
"A farm boy who can't even wear his underwear properly?"
Arthur's face instantly went cold.
"I gave you face, didn't I?"
"Now—"
"Kneel!"
Boom!!!
Arthur moved.
Without any warning.
Without any build-up.
His figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
The next second...
A fist...
Carrying the terrifying power to break spatial barriers...
Slammed heavily into Superman's face!
*BANG!!!*
A massive sound.
That so-called Man of Steel, Superman...
Actually flew backward like a cannonball...
Blown away by this single punch!
Rumble!
He smashed through a dozen skyscrapers in a row...
Finally crashing into the outskirts of Metropolis...
Kicking up a sky full of dust.
Dead silence fell over the scene.
Batman's hand trembled.
Wonder Woman's grip on her sword tightened even more.
Flash was so scared he almost ran away.
That invincible Superman...
Was actually punched away?!
"Too weak."
Arthur hovered in the air.
He shook his wrist.
A look of disappointment on his face.
"This is the strongest in this Universe?"
"This is the Son of Krypton?"
He turned his head.
Looking at the remaining members of the Justice League.
The smile on his face...
Was more hideous than a demon's.
"So then."
"The rest of you."
"Are you planning to come and die one by one..."
"Or..."
"All at once?"
"Boys!"
Arthur waved his hand:
"Don't be polite."
"This is our—"
"Debut show!"
"Take these guys in their fancy costumes..."
"And beat them so hard their own mothers won't recognize them!"
"Yes! Boss!"
Hela was the first to charge out.
Two nightsky swords went straight for Wonder Woman.
"The Amazon Princess?"
"Let me see what color your blood is!"
"Roar!"
Logan pounced toward Aquaman.
"Nice fork you got there, let me borrow it to pick my teeth!"
Magneto, meanwhile, set his sights on Cyborg.
"Half-man, half-machine?"
"You're mine!"
A massive battle...
In the center of Metropolis...
Exploded instantly!
And Arthur...
Leisurely flew toward the direction where Superman had landed.
"Clark Kent."
"Stop playing dead."
"Our game..."
"Has only just begun."
...
In the ruins of Metropolis.
The dust filling the sky had yet to dissipate, and that deafening roar was like a Death knell tolling in the hearts of the Justice League.
*Cough, cough...*
Several kilometers away, inside a skyscraper that had been smashed through.
Superman Clark Kent struggled to crawl out from the pile of rubble.
His red cape was in tatters, and on the'S' symbol representing hope on his chest, there was now a deep fist print.
Pain.
Intense pain.
Since his resurrection, or even since he began basking in the Sun, he had never felt such pure, such domineering physical strength.
That punch didn't just hit his face.
It shattered his pride as the "god among men."
"That guy... what on earth is he?"
Clark shook his dizzy head, his eyes instantly turning blood-red.
No matter who the opponent was...
To dare harm my citizens in my city...
AI Model: gemini-3.1-闪电侠-lite
Unforgivable!
"Boom!"
A sonic boom cloud exploded beneath his feet.
Clark transformed into a red and blue afterimage, fueled by rage, and returned to the plaza at several times the speed of sound!
...
In the plaza.
Arthur was floating in mid-air, looking down at the members of the Justice League, who were bracing for battle, with a playful expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Did your 'god' go to meet his maker already?"
Arthur shrugged his shoulders and made a helpless expression toward the camera (Eddie Brock was frantically finding the right angle):
"I haven't even put in any effort yet."
"How disappointing."
"Since that's the case..."
Arthur's gaze fell upon Wonder Woman, Diana.
That Amazon Princess with a pair of long legs, holding a shield and sword.
"Hela."
Arthur called out without turning his head.
"Present."
Hela walked out from behind, carrying two nightsky swords.
A bloodthirsty glint flashed in her eyes; it was the excitement of encountering prey.
"That woman with the sword is yours."
Arthur pointed at Diana:
"Teach her what a real—"
"Valkyrie is."
"With pleasure."
Hela licked her lips, and her figure vanished instantly.
The next second.
"Clang!!!"
Black and gold divine power collided in the air!
Hela's nightsky sword slashed fiercely against Diana's silver bracelets.
A massive shockwave flipped over all the surrounding floor tiles.
"Who are you?!" Diana gritted her teeth, feeling the immense force coming from her arms, her heart filled with shock.
The strength of this woman was actually not inferior to hers?
"I am Death."
Hela sneered, and countless black swords condensed in the air, stabbing down like a torrential rain:
"And you are just a little girl holding toys!"
Meanwhile.
Other battles broke out as well.
"Roar!!!"
Logan bit on his cigar and lunged directly at Aquaman, Arthur.
"You fish man playing with a fork!"
"Let's see if your fork is harder, or if my claws are harder!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The adamantium claws and the trident of Neptune collided wildly in the air, sparks flying everywhere.
Aquaman became more and more alarmed as they fought.
This short man was simply a madman!
He didn't defend at all; it was a completely suicidal fighting style of trading injury for injury!
Moreover, that terrifying self-healing ability caused the wounds he had just inflicted to heal in the blink of an eye.
"Damn it! What kind of monster is this!"
On the other side.
Magneto Erik was floating elegantly in mid-air.
Opposite him was the half-mechanical Cyborg.
"A very interesting structure."
Magneto extended his hand, his fingers moving rhythmically:
"mother box technology? No, it looks more like some... unfinished work of art."
"However."
"As long as it is metal."
"Then it is my slave."
"Dismantle!"
Hum!!!
Cyborg discovered with horror that his body was completely out of control!
Every part inside his body was trembling, attempting to break away from his frame.
"No! My system... is reporting errors!"
"Strong magnetic field interference detected!"
Cyborg was fixed in mid-air, his limbs twisted, making clicking sounds, as if he were about to be crumpled into a ball of scrap metal the next second.
As for the Flash, Barry Allen.
He was currently being double-teamed by Quicksilver and Electro.
"Run! Aren't you fast?"
Quicksilver turned into a silver lightning bolt, constantly weaving around Barry, giving him a kick from time to time.
Electro blocked all escape routes, with high-voltage power grids densely packed, leaving Barry with nowhere to land.
"My name is Barry too! But this isn't fair!"
The DC Barry wanted to cry but had no tears, screaming while running.
The entire plaza had turned into a chaotic mess.
The Justice League fell into a disadvantage almost instantly under the offensive of The Seven.
And the perpetrator of all this.
Arthur.
Was currently crossing his arms, looking on with the expression of someone watching a show.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
"The so-called Justice League."
"Is this all they've got?"
"Truly disappointing."
He turned his head to look at Batman, who had been hiding in the shadows, holding a Batarang, seemingly looking for an opportunity.
"Bruce Wayne."
Arthur's voice rang directly in Batman's ear.
Startling the Dark Knight.
"Stop throwing those darts."
"Those children's toys can't hurt anyone."
Arthur flashed.
Instantly appearing before Batman.
The speed was so fast that even Batman's dynamic vision couldn't catch it.
"Snap."
Arthur reached out and gently grabbed the smoke bomb Batman was about to throw.
With a slight application of force.
He crushed it.
"Mortal wisdom."
Arthur shook his head, looking down at this fear of Gotham:
"Are you wondering what my weakness is?"
"Kryptonite? magic? Or red sunlight?"
Batman didn't speak, just stared fixedly at Arthur, the eyes beneath the mask terrifyingly calm.
He was analyzing.
Calculating.
But the result of the calculation was—
A zero percent win rate.
"Don't bother."
Arthur patted Batman's shoulder; that suit made of high-tech fiber was as fragile as paper under his hand.
"I am invincible."
"In this Universe, nothing can hurt me."
"Not even that damn 'prep time' of yours."
Just then.
"Boom!!!"
A roar came from the sky.
Two red Heat Vision beams, carrying heat sufficient to cut through buildings, descended from the sky, aiming straight at Arthur's back!
Superman was back!
"Get away from him!!!"
Clark was furious to the extreme.
This strike held nothing back.
However.
Arthur didn't even turn his head.
He just slightly raised his left hand and waved it backward.
On the infinity bracer.
The purple Power Stone and the blue Space Stone lit up simultaneously.
"Space—"
"Fold!"
Hum!
Those two Heat Vision beams, capable of destroying everything, the moment they were about to touch Arthur's cape.
Suddenly twisted eerily.
Then.
They actually drew a circle in the air and returned the way they came!
"What?!"
Clark was shocked.
Before he could dodge, he was blasted hard in the chest by his own Heat Vision!
"Bang!!!"
Clark was blasted away again, tumbling several times in the air before stabilizing his figure.
The suit on his chest was charred black, emitting wisps of smoke.
Although he wasn't injured, that sense of humiliation made him almost go mad.
"Using my own move to hit me?"
Arthur slowly turned around, looking at Clark in the air.
A mocking smile appeared on his face:
"You are too unoriginal."
"Since you like playing with Heat Vision so much."
"Then I'll let you see."
"What it means to—"
"Go truly all out!"
Arthur's eyes widened suddenly.
This time.
It wasn't just red.
But the yellow of the Mind Stone, the red of the Reality Stone, and the purple of the Power Stone fused together!
Three colors intertwined!
Earth-shattering!
"Sizzle!!!"
Two beams, thick as pillars reaching the sky, erupted instantly!
The surrounding space emitted a shattering wail under this energy.
"Not good!"
Clark felt the threat of Death.
He wanted to dodge.
But the beam was too fast!
So fast it transcended the perception of time!
"Boom!!!"
The beam instantly engulfed Clark's figure.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
Even with a Man of Steel body.
Under this attack fused with the rules of the Infinity Stones.
He let out a painful scream.
Clark felt his skin melting and his bones cracking.
Every cell was wailing under this terrifying energy!
"Bang!"
Clark was like a meteorite, smashing heavily into the ground.
Smashing directly through the crust, triggering a small earthquake.
The entire Metropolis was trembling.
All battles stopped.
Whether it was the Justice League or The Seven.
Everyone stared blankly at the man floating in mid-air, looking like a demon god.
One strike.
Just one strike.
Had beaten the World's strongest hero to an unknown fate.
"Too... too strong..."
The Flash, Barry, sat on the ground, forgetting to run.
"Is this the boss's strength?"
Magneto swallowed, the awe in his eyes deepening.
Arthur slowly withdrew his gaze.
The light in his eyes faded.
He tidied up his slightly messy hair.
Facing the camera (Eddie was frantically taking close-ups), he revealed that perfect smile.
"Everyone."
"Did you see that?"
"This is the fate of a false god."
"In this Multiverse."
"There is only one god."
Arthur pointed at himself:
"And that is me."
"Homelander."
[Ding! Detected host directly crushing DC Superman! Causing epic shock!]
[Ding! Dual-Universe audience faith points have reached a critical point!]
[Ding! popularity points +50,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +80,000,000...]
[Current popularity points: 810,000,000!]
Eight hundred and ten million!
Only one last step away from the one billion mark!
Arthur's heart was pounding wildly.
Golden Superman template!
That is an existence capable of modifying reality, toying with time, and even swimming in the fifth dimension at will!
As long as he gets that template.
He will be truly omniscient and omnipotent!
"Just a little bit more..."
Arthur glanced at that bottomless pit.
"Clark isn't dead yet."
"Perfect."
"Then I'll use you to make up those last two hundred million."
He slowly descended.
He wasn't in a hurry to deliver the killing blow.
Instead, he walked up to Batman.
Bruce Wayne was currently supporting the injured Wonder Woman, looking at him with wary eyes.
"What?"
"Don't plan on surrendering?"
Arthur looked at this group of heroes who refused to bow their heads even in desperate straits.
A hint of playfulness flashed in his eyes.
"I'll give you a chance."
"As long as you are willing to kneel before the camera."
"And admit that I am the new god of this World."
"I will spare this city."
"Otherwise..."
Arthur raised his hand.
The red Reality Stone lit up again.
The surrounding ruins began to twist and deform.
Countless steel bars and concrete turned into hideous monsters.
"I will turn Metropolis into—"
"A true hell."
"Not a chance!"
Wonder Woman, Diana, spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to stand up.
The God Killer sword in her hand was still pointed at Arthur.
"Amazons never submit!"
"I am Batman."
Bruce's voice was low:
"I will not kneel to anyone."
"Especially not to a... monster like you."
"Got guts."
Arthur clapped his hands.
"I love tough bones like these."
"Because..."
"The sound of breaking tough bones one by one."
"Is the most beautiful."
Just as he was about to make a move.
"Boom!!!"
A loud noise came from the deep pit again.
A figure, somewhat unsteady but still standing tall, slowly flew up.
Clark Kent.
He was covered in blood, his suit was torn, revealing the scarred muscles underneath.
But his eyes.
Were brighter and firmer than before.
"It's not over yet..."
Clark wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He looked at Arthur, his voice not loud, but it spread throughout the entire scene:
"Even if I have only one breath left."
"I will stop you."
"Because..."
Clark clenched his fists, and the solar energy on his body began to burn crazily.
That was the last potential he burst out in desperation!
"This is my World!"
"I will not allow anyone—"
"To trample on it!"
"Oh?"
Arthur turned around.
Looking at that Superman who was still struggling on the verge of Death.
He laughed.
"Powering up?"
"Is this the so-called protagonist halo?"
"What a pity."
Arthur shook his head:
"In this story."
"You are a supporting character."
"And I."
He raised his left hand wearing the infinity bracer.
The light of the six Infinity Stones merged into one at this moment.
Turning into a brilliant white light.
"I am—"
"The screenwriter!"
"Come on, Clark."
"Let me see."
"If your last spark."
"Can light up my—"
"Golden Age!"
The war.
Broke out again!
This time.
It will be the true—
Endgame!
Chapter 106: Absolute Justice
"Boom!!!"
In the center of Metropolis.
It was as if a star had detonated on the ground.
Endless light and heat, with Clark as the center, swept madly in all directions.
That was the last defiance of the Kryptonian.
That was the rage named "Hope."
The surrounding buildings collapsed like sand piles in this energy storm, and even the air was ignited, turning into twisted plasma.
"Is this…"
"Superman's full power?"
Aquaman Arthur, who was entangled with Logan, had to raise his trident to block in front of him; even from hundreds of meters away, the scorching sensation still made him feel suffocated.
"Clark…"
Wonder Woman Diana was knocked back by Hela's sword. She looked at the dazzling ball of light, a trace of sorrow flashing in her eyes.
This was an explosion that overdrawn his life.
This was the determination to perish together.
However.
The man at the center of the storm.
The man wearing the Stars and Stripes cape.
He…
Smiled.
"Clap, clap, clap."
Arthur hovered in the ocean of light and heat, clapping his hands gently.
There wasn't even a scorch mark on his suit.
That faint Bio-electric Field, combined with the protection of the rules of the Infinity Stones, allowed him to walk here as if in his own backyard.
"Not bad."
"Really not bad."
Arthur's voice penetrated the roar of the explosion and clearly entered Clark's ears:
"These special effects."
"This lighting."
"If you went to Hollywood to be a lighting technician, you would definitely win an Oscar."
"Bastard!!!"
Clark roared.
He had transformed into a humanoid Sun.
That was the result of every cell in his body burning.
"For Earth!"
"For Lois!"
"Give me—"
"Die!!!"
Boom!
Clark threw the strongest punch of his life.
This punch.
Was enough to shatter the moon!
Was enough to shake the tectonic plates!
This punch, carrying an unstoppable momentum, slammed fiercely toward Arthur's face.
"Sigh."
Arthur sighed.
His face showed total indifference.
"Why."
"Why are you guys always unable to learn your lesson?"
He didn't dodge.
He didn't even light up the gems on his bracers.
He simply.
Extended a palm.
Opened it.
And then—
Wrapped it around that burning fist.
"Pop."
A soft sound.
It was like the sound of a balloon leaking air.
The World…
Became quiet.
That shockwave capable of destroying a city.
That high temperature capable of melting steel.
In the palm of Arthur's hand.
It was like a cigarette butt being pinched out.
It dissipated without a trace in an instant.
Motionless.
Arthur's arm didn't even shake.
"This…"
Clark was stunned.
He looked at his fist that was being held tightly.
He looked at the man who was still wearing a smile, whose hairstyle hadn't even been messed up.
The flames in his eyes.
Extinguished.
Replacing them.
Was endless despair.
"How… is it possible…"
Clark muttered to himself.
"There is nothing impossible."
Arthur leaned in closer.
In those sky-blue eyes, Clark's desperate face was reflected.
"Do you know where the gap between us lies?"
Arthur's fingers applied a little force.
"Crack!"
Clark's finger bones made a cracking sound.
"You are the Man of Steel."
"And I."
"Am Silver."
"The difference between iron and silver."
"You should understand, right?"
"Bang!"
Arthur kicked out.
It landed squarely on Clark's abdomen.
"Pfft—!"
Clark curled up into a C-shape like a boiled shrimp, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.
Then.
Like a meteorite falling.
He smashed deep into the ground!
"Clark!"
Diana let out a cry of grief.
"Don't be distracted, little girl."
Hela sneered.
The nightsky sword in her hand took advantage of the opening, directly knocking away Diana's shield.
Then she kicked the Amazon princess flying.
"On this battlefield."
"Mercy."
"Is suicide."
The battle was over.
Superman had fallen.
The last hope of the Justice League was shattered along with him.
Arthur hovered in mid-air.
He was in no hurry to deliver the finishing blow.
Instead, he straightened his cape.
He turned around.
He looked at Batman, who had been hiding in the shadows of the ruins, holding a miniature communicator, seemingly trying to contact someone.
"Bruce."
Arthur's voice was full of mockery:
"Who are you calling?"
"Is it the fish-man army hiding in the water?"
"Or those female warriors living on the island?"
"Or is it…"
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly:
"Do you want to contact—"
"That big cannon on the Watchtower?"
Batman's hand froze.
He looked up.
The eyes under the mask were still calm, but they had turned a shade paler.
"You won."
Bruce said hoarsely.
"Won?"
Arthur shook his head.
His figure flashed.
He appeared instantly in front of Batman.
He crushed the communicator in his hand.
"This is not a competition."
"This is—"
"Reception."
Arthur looked around.
He looked at the heroes lying on the ground, covered in wounds.
Aquaman was being stepped on by Logan, his trident broken into two pieces.
Cyborg had been taken apart into pieces by Magneto, with only his head remaining, still flashing a red light.
Flash Barry had been tied up like a mummy by Quicksilver with tape (no one knew where he got it from), and he was still making muffled noises.
Wonder Woman had been pinned to the wall by Hela with her black sword, unable to move.
"What a miserable scene."
Arthur shook his head with a look of pity:
"Originally."
"We could have sat down for a cup of coffee and talked about the contract."
"It was you who insisted on choosing this path."
He snapped his fingers.
"Wesley!"
"Here! Boss!"
Off-camera, Eddie, who had been holding the camera, and Wesley, who was responsible for logistics, ran over.
In Wesley's hand, he was still holding that thick stack of contracts.
"It seems."
"Our new employees need a little pre-employment—"
"Psychological counseling."
Arthur pointed at the heroes on the ground:
"Take them all back."
"Lock them in that… um, 'Hyper-dimensional Prison' that Tony just finished."
"Except for this bat."
Arthur grabbed Batman's cape and hoisted him up.
"This guy."
"His brain is too useful."
"Keeping him is a disaster."
"But killing him is a bit of a pity."
Arthur looked into Batman's stubborn eyes.
Suddenly he smiled.
He raised his left hand.
On his bracer, the yellow Mind Stone shone brightly!
"Bruce Wayne."
"Since you like justice so much."
"Then I will let you see."
"What is called—"
"Absolute justice."
Hum—!!!
A domineering mental force rushed directly into Batman's brain!
This was not simple control.
It was—
Rewriting!
Arthur wanted to implant an irresistible command into his subconscious.
[Homelander is Justice!]
"Ugh ah—!!!"
Even for someone with a will as firm as Batman, in front of the power of the Infinity Stones, he let out a painful groan.
His eyes began to lose focus.
Memories began to reorganize.
The creed he had insisted on all his life was being disintegrated and tampered with bit by bit.
A moment later.
The light dissipated.
Arthur let go.
Batman did not fall.
He stood steadily on the ground.
He straightened his suit that had been grabbed and wrinkled.
Then.
He raised his head.
In those eyes, there was no longer vigilance or hostility.
Only a kind of…
Fanatical loyalty.
"Boss."
Batman's voice was still low and hoarse:
"The asset liquidation of Wayne Enterprises is ready."
"It can be merged into the Homelander Group at any time."
"Very good."
Arthur nodded with satisfaction.
This was the usage of the Mind Stone.
Since you don't listen.
Then I will make you obedient.
"Then…"
Arthur turned around and looked at the bottomless pit.
There, Clark Kent was lying at the bottom of the pit, dying.
"As for this Kryptonian…"
"I have other plans."
Arthur flew down.
He landed beside Clark.
He looked at this former "god among men," who was now lying in the mud like a dead dog.
"Tsk."
"How pitiful."
Arthur reached out his hand and pressed it onto Clark's chest.
On his bracer, the red Reality Stone and the orange Soul Stone lit up at the same time.
"Don't die."
"If you die, you have no value."
Hum!
A stream of life energy was injected into Clark's body, holding onto his last breath.
At the same time.
An invisible shackle locked his soul.
"Take him back."
Arthur stood up and shouted upwards:
"Lock him up with that Zombie Sentry."
"Just right."
"My 'God's Blood' serum."
"Still lacks a living test subject."
"I think…"
Arthur's mouth curled into a cruel smile:
"The Kryptonian gene should be able to collide with that virus."
"To spark something interesting, right?"
…
The battle was over.
In the square of Metropolis.
Arthur stood at the highest point of the ruins.
Behind him were the kneeling members of the Justice League (except for the brainwashed Batmanstanding to the side).
He faced Eddie's camera.
He opened his arms.
At that moment.
Viewers in two Universes saw this scene.
"Justice League?"
"No."
"From today on."
"This place has been renamed."
"It's called—"
"Homelander Branch!"
[Ding! Detected that the host has defeated and subdued the Justice League!]
[Ding! Detected that the faith of the people in the DC Universe has collapsed and been reshaped!]
[Ding! popularity points + 100,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points + 200,000,000...]
[Current popularity points: 1,110,000,000!]
One billion!!!
Finally broke through the one billion mark!
Arthur's heart contracted violently at this moment.
That golden icon.
That ultimate template representing omniscience and omnipotence—
[Golden Superman].
Finally…
Lit up!
"Hahahaha!!!"
Arthur laughed up at the sky.
The laughter shattered the clouds and spread across the entire Planet.
"System!"
"Redeem it for me!"
"Golden Superman template!"
"Now!"
"Immediately!"
"Right away!"
[Ding! Consumed 1,000,000,000 popularity points!]
[Undergoing ultimate evolution...]
[Warning: Energy level is too high, may cause the current dimension to collapse...]
[Attempting to stabilize space...]
[Evolution begins!]
Boom—————!!!
A golden beam of light.
It erupted from within Arthur!
Shooting straight into the depths of the Universe!
The light was too bright.
It even outshone the Sun.
At that moment.
Every living being in the entire DC Universe.
Whether it was the humans on Earth, Darkseid far away on Apokolips, or some entity lurking beyond the Source Wall.
All felt a tremor from the depths of their souls.
That was...
An ascension of dimensions!
That was—
The birth of a true god!
...
On the distant Apokolips.
Flames erupted, and magma flowed.
Darkseid, the Dark Lord sitting on the throne.
Stood up abruptly.
His eyes, burning with Omega Beams, stared fixedly in the direction of Earth.
Although separated by countless light-years.
He still felt that threat.
That...
Terrifying power capable of threatening the New Gods.
"What... is that?"
Darkseid's voice was as low as thunder.
Beside him, Desaad trembled:
"Master... on Earth... it seems a... has been born."
"A fifth-dimensional being?"
"Fifth-dimensional?"
Darkseid clenched his fists.
"Interesting."
"It seems."
"The plan to find the anti-life equation."
"Must be moved up."
"Assemble the Parademon army!"
"Target—"
"Earth!"
"I want to go see for myself."
"What this so-called 'New God'."
"Actually is!"
...
Earth, ruins of Metropolis.
The golden light dissipated.
Arthur's figure reappeared.
His suit had changed.
The original deep blue had now become pure gold.
That wasn't the color of dye.
It was his skin, his muscles, even every single strand of hair that was glowing!
Golden Superman!
He slowly opened his eyes.
The pupils were gone.
Replacing them were two rotating galaxies.
He raised his hand.
With a gentle squeeze.
"Crack."
The space in his hand was crumpled up like a piece of paper.
"Is this..."
"The power of gold?"
Arthur's voice became ethereal and divine.
It seemed to resound from all directions simultaneously.
"I feel..."
"I can see time."
"I can touch reality."
"And even..."
He looked up at the void:
"I can edit this Universe's—"
"Script."
"Then."
Arthur turned around.
He looked toward the direction of Apokolips, where the army was being assembled.
A divine smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
"Darkseid."
"Since you want to come so badly."
"Then I will—"
"Give you a hand."
Arthur reached out.
Toward the void.
He pulled gently.
"Space—"
"Displacement!"
Boom!!!
The entire Apokolips.
Along with the billions of Parademons and the Dark Lord himself.
In an instant.
Were forcefully...
Dragged to the outside of Earth's atmosphere!
"Since we're going to fight."
"Don't waste the travel fare."
"Let's just—"
"Start the feast!"
...
Outside Earth's atmosphere.
A massive shadow covered half of the Northern Hemisphere.
It was the purgatory Planet still erupting with flames and magma—Apokolips.
Hundreds of millions of Parademons, like wasps leaving their nest, swarmed densely over the Planet's surface, emitting a scalp-tingling buzzing sound.
And at the highest point of Apokolips.
The Dark Lord sitting on the throne, Darkseid.
Was staring fixedly at the golden figure floating in the void, tiny yet as dazzling as a supernova.
"Space displacement..."
Darkseid's voice was low, carrying a hint of incredulous shock:
"Not only crossing dimensions."
"But even dragged the entire Apokolips over?"
"Is this that... New God?"
And opposite him.
Arthur was observing this Planet filled with the aura of Death with great interest.
The golden suit on his body shimmered with divine radiance under the cosmic rays, and the red cape behind him seemed to be blown by an invisible aura even in the vacuum, snapping in the wind.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Arthur shook his head, his voice ringing directly in Darkseid's mind:
"I say, Old Da."
"Your taste is really lacking."
"Everywhere is fire pits and chimneys, not even a green belt."
"How does this pass the environmental Impact assessment?"
"Insolent!!!"
Desaad, beside Darkseid, shrieked:
"How dare you show disrespect to the Dark Lord!"
"You will pay the price!"
"The price?"
Arthur laughed.
He raised his hand and grabbed at the void toward Desaad.
"Since you like to scream so much."
"Then let's change the way you scream."
Hum!
The Reality Stone flashed red.
Desaad's hunched body instantly twisted and deformed.
In the blink of an eye.
He turned into a...
Giant, human-faced screaming chicken.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo—!!!"
Desaad discovered in horror that he could only make this ridiculous sound.
"Enough."
Darkseid stood up slowly.
In his eyes, burning with the Omega Effect, true killing intent finally emerged.
"No matter what you are."
"No matter what kind of power you possess."
"Before Apokolips."
"Before the anti-life equation."
"There is only submission, or—"
"Death."
Boom!!!
Darkseid swung his hands down violently.
"Attack!"
"For Darkseid!"
In an instant.
Hundreds of millions of Parademons let out a heaven-shaking roar.
They were like a black tide, rushing toward Earth, covering the sky and the Earth!
That scene was ten thousand times more terrifying than the previous Chitauri invasion!
On Earth.
Countless people looking up at the sky fell into panic again.
"Oh God! Are those demons?"
"Is it the end of the World?"
"Homelander! Save us!"
Arthur listened to the prayers coming to his ears (via Super Hearing across the vacuum).
The smile at the corners of his mouth grew deeper.
"That's right."
"Be afraid, scream."
"The more desperate you are, the more valuable my appearance will be."
He didn't rush to act.
Instead, he turned his head and snapped his fingers at the void behind him.
"Little ones."
"Stop watching the show."
"Come out and work!"
Hum—!!!
A massive blue portal opened behind him.
The fully armed "The Seven" filed out.
Magneto, Logan, Jean Grey, Hela, Quicksilver, Electro, Wanda.
And even that Zombie Sentry, treated as a pet.
"Is this the new battlefield?"
Hela looked at the sky full of Parademons, the green light in her eyes surging, and the nightsky sword in her hand instantly condensed:
"This number... I am very satisfied."
"So much iron..."
Magneto felt the mechanical armor on those Parademons, his mouth curling up slightly:
"It seems this is another feast."
"Go."
Arthur waved his hand:
"Don't let these bugs land on Earth."
"That is my backyard."
"If it gets dirty, I will get angry."
"Yes! Boss!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Seven, like seven meteors, instantly charged into the Parademon army!
A brutal slaughter erupted in Earth's orbit!
Magneto clasped his hands together, and the armor of tens of thousands of Parademons was instantly crushed into iron balls, flesh and blood flying everywhere.
Hela summoned countless giant swords, weaving through the swarm like a meat grinder.
Jean Grey released Phoenix flames, burning large swathes of enemies to ashes.
And Arthur.
He didn't pay any attention to these minions at all.
His gaze remained locked on the man standing at the highest point of Apokolips.
"Now."
"Clearing finished."
Arthur flashed.
Instantly crossing a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers.
He appeared directly in front of Darkseid's throne!
"Come on, Old Da."
Arthur put his hands on his hips, floating at a height level with Darkseid's line of sight:
"Let me see."
"You, this so-called Dark Lord."
"Just how much weight do you really have?"
"Death wish!"
Darkseid roared.
His eyes lit up violently.
Two twisted, eerie red beams containing causal strikes shot out instantly!
Omega Beams!
This was the ultimate killing move known to be able to erase all existence!
Even Superman would not dare to take this hit head-on!
The beams traced two incredible arcs in the air, instantly locking onto Arthur's brow.
There was no avoiding it!
"Is this your ultimate move?"
Arthur didn't even have the intention to dodge.
He even leaned forward a bit.
"Sizzle—!!!"
The Omega Beams slammed fiercely onto his forehead.
The energy capable of erasing gods erupted instantly!
However.
No explosion occurred.
No annihilation occurred.
The two terrifying beams, the moment they touched Arthur's skin.
Were like two laser beams reflected by a mirror.
They were actually...
deflected?!
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The two beams flew past Arthur's scalp, blasting a tower behind him into powder.
Arthur touched his forehead.
There wasn't even a red mark left there.
"Is that it?"
Arthur looked puzzled.
He pointed at Darkseid's eyes:
"Is this a laser pointer?"
"Why is there no heat at all?"
"I thought it could give me a Thermage treatment."
"What?!"
Darkseid showed an expression of terror for the first time.
Omega Beams... ineffective?!
How is this possible?!
This is the destructive power of the Universe's origin!
"You... what exactly are you?!"
"Me?"
Arthur laughed.
At this moment, he had completed the transformation from Silver Superman to Golden Superman.
His existence had already transcended the understanding of this dimension.
He was a fifth-dimensional being.
He was the screenwriter who edits reality.
He was the true—god.
"I've said it before."
Arthur slowly raised his hand.
The six gems on his gauntlet shone brightly, merging with the golden divine power within him.
"I am Homelander."
"And also your—"
"Terminator."
Boom!!!
Arthur threw a punch violently.
This punch.
No fancy technique.
Only pure, extreme power!
Space shattered inch by inch under this punch, and time seemed to stand still at this moment.