The dining hall of the Raft was quieter now—most of the survivors had already finished their meals and returned to their cabins. Only a handful of tables remained occupied, and ours was one of them. The hum of the underwater engines resonated faintly through the floor, giving the metallic room a strange sense of calm.
Shang-Chi's group sat across from us—Shang-Chi himself, Katy Chen, Death Dealer, and Jimmy Woo. Our side had Shalltear, Blade Knight, Kamala, Yelena, Kate, and me. It was the first time since the chaos outside that everyone seemed… relaxed.
Shang-Chi leaned back slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "I've got to admit, it's weird being this far underwater and still feeling safe," he said, half-smiling.
"Baron Zemo keeps the Raft well-defended," Blade Knight replied, his tone even. "No infected can get this deep. Not without being crushed first."
"That's… comforting," Katy muttered, sipping from a metal cup.
The small talk faded into silence again. The atmosphere felt heavy with something unspoken—the kind of quiet that follows shared trauma. Kamala glanced at me, and I gave her a slight nod. It was time.
She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small metallic object. To most people, it would've looked like a keychain—sleek, compact, and marked with strange glowing lines that shifted like liquid circuitry. She placed it gently on the table.
"This," Kamala said, her voice steady but carrying a weight of responsibility, "is the Transmitter."
Katy leaned forward immediately. "That tiny thing? It looks like something I'd hang on my car keys."
Kamala gave a small, almost nostalgic smile. "Yeah, it doesn't look like much. But it is much bigger, and it is shrunk down by Pym Particles."
"What does it do?" Shang-Chi asked.
"It's designed to send a long-range distress signal across galaxies," Kamala continued, lifting it up by its chain. "If we can activate it properly, it'll reach the Nova Corps relay network—wherever they still are. They might be the only ones with the resources to stop this outbreak before it spreads beyond Earth."
My mission was to save this world and see what that reward system will give, so it doesn't matter what methods; I just need to save it. So if Nova Corps is the way, then I would try it. Otherwise, I don't know another method. That is to use the infinity stone.
Shang-Chi's expression hardened slightly as he looked between her and me. "So that's your mission," he said slowly. "You're trying to contact an alien defense force while the rest of the world is burning."
"Not just trying," I said. "We're going to do it."
Kamala looped the chain around her neck, letting the device rest against her collarbone like a necklace. The faint glow pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Katy exhaled. "Okay, so say you reach them—what then? What if they don't answer?"
"Then we improvise," Shalltear said with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.
She also knows about my plan. Since she is my companion in this world, I keep her updated about important things so she doesn't mess up the plan.
Blade Knight crossed his arms. "To send the transmission, we'll need a ship capable of breaching orbit. That's why our next destination is New Asgard."
Katy blinked. "The one in Norway? Is it still standing?"
"Yes," Blade Knight replied. "And there's a high chance some of their ships have technology to send this signal from this device. If we can find one, we'll use it to reach space."
Across the table, Shang-Chi exchanged a look with Death Dealer and Jimmy Woo. Neither of them said a word. They simply observed — silent soldiers weighing possibilities, maybe even doubts.
Finally, Shang-Chi exhaled slowly and stood. "You've got guts," he said, a faint smile curving his lips. "And maybe… a chance. I've seen people lose hope faster than light fades in the dark. But you all still believe."
Kamala nodded quietly. "We have to."
He glanced at me. "Good luck with your journey."
"Same to you," I said simply.
~~~
(There is a poll going on my Patreon to select the next world; it's a free-for-all. Anyone can participate. So please give vote or comment on which you would like the MC to go.)
(This volume has been over in my patron and Demon Slayer Volume has started. If you are interested join me on Patreon.)
How was the chapter? If you have any advice for me, please comment on it.
I posted 100+ advanced chapters on Patreon, If you want to support me, check it out.
patreon.com/DreamerofUnknown