__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hestia: "No rush. You can decide later."
Esdeath: "Judging by their avatars, those two girls are pretty cute."
Misaka Mikoto: "My rank in the group just dropped by one!"
Shinobu Kocho: "You're actually admitting that?"
Misaka Mikoto: "Because Wanda's are huge! I can't compete. Ugh, this is so annoying!"
Alex: "Can you not focus on that right now?"
While they were still bickering, a new announcement popped up in the chat.
[Group Announcement: Member Scarlet Witch — Wanda has released a World Quest!]
[Quest Objective: Save the Marvel Universe and kill Thanos!]
[Reward: 3000 points upon completion!]
The reward wasn't particularly impressive.
But if they could obtain the treasures hidden within the Marvel Universe, the benefits would be enormous.
Maybe the others didn't realize it.
But Alex definitely did.
Hestia: "Didn't expect her to post a quest the moment she joined."
Luo Hao: "It must be urgent. This one's probably tricky."
Misaka Mikoto: "Big sis, can you explain what this Thanos guy can do?"
Wanda: "Simply put, he has the power to destroy the universe."
Esdeath: "Destroy the entire universe?!"
Kamisato Ayaka: "Someone actually wields power that terrifying?"
Wanda: "We didn't believe it at first either. But the situation is really dire now."
Brunhilde: "Interesting. Too bad I'm busy lately."
Roxy: "With only this much information, it's hard to decide."
Tsunade: "Still, I have a feeling someone will take it."
[Group Announcement: Member Alex has accepted the quest! The quest is now temporarily locked!]
Alex: "This is the only way to bring more people into the Familia."
Hestia: "Alex, I seriously love you to death!!"
Shinobu: "..."
Alex temporarily closed the chat.
He let out a long breath and muttered to himself, "Once I settle things here, I can head out."
Dealing with Thanos would take time.
And acquiring Wanda's and Doctor Strange's magic would take even more.
This mission was bound to last longer than the previous ones.
Knock knock knock.
Before Alex could even stand up, someone was already knocking on his door.
He walked over and opened it.
Standing there was a petite girl with an impressively full chest.
Hestia.
"What's up?" Alex asked.
Hestia spoke immediately. "You're going to that Marvel world, right? Can you take me with you?"
"If you grant me quest permissions too, we can go together."
"It's been so boring staying in Orario lately."
Of course, she had her own little scheme.
If she stayed by Alex's side, she'd have more chances.
She couldn't let those other little vixens take all the benefits while she, his 'superior,' ended up with nothing.
"Next time."
"I'm not sure about this mission yet. I'll go check things out first."
"If it's too complicated, I might abandon it."
Alex didn't tell her the truth.
Even if he planned to bring them later, he would only do so after mastering all the magic and power for himself.
Besides.
One more person meant one more variable.
There was no need.
A trace of disappointment flashed across Hestia's face.
But she quickly thought of something and asked again, "So… you're not bringing anyone else either, right?"
"No. Don't worry."
"When I'm out on missions, let them stay here."
"If there are any suitable abilities in the Familia, you can pass them on to them."
Alex answered calmly.
After all, he planned to establish his own divine faction someday.
And sooner or later, he would leave the Hestia Familia. Might as well get as much out of it as he could while he still could.
"That's good!"
Hestia's smile returned as she left happily.
As for Alex, he decided to start the mission right away.
But first, he needed to inform Wanda.
…
Inside the chat.
Alex: "@Wanda, I'm heading over."
Wanda: "Thank you so much. How many of you are coming?"
Alex: "Just me."
Wanda: "Is… that enough?"
Esdeath: "Relax. Our leader has already become a god. His power is terrifying."
Yue: "A Demon God, to be precise. Basically the God of Magic."
Hestia: "@Wanda Don't worry, little sister. If Alex makes a move, it'll be fine."
Erza: "He's already solved problems in several worlds. You're in good hands."
Wanda: "I see… Then I'll leave it to you!"
Alex: "No problem."
After the chat ended, Alex raised his hand and tapped the quest interface.
The moment he confirmed it—
The mission activated.
Teleportation began.
Destination: The Marvel World.
…
Far away in Africa, inside the main Wakandan palace.
Shuri was operating a series of highly precise instruments, trying to extract the Mind Stone embedded in the center of Vision's forehead.
It was an incredibly complex procedure.
One mistake, and everything would fail.
More importantly—
Reality wouldn't give Shuri much time.
Thanos' alien army had already begun their invasion.
Wakanda's energy shield wouldn't hold for long before being completely breached.
'Is that chat group even real?'
'Will someone actually come to help me?'
Wanda gripped her phone tightly, her face pale with tension.
She had no other options left.
Otherwise, she never would have made such a desperate choice.
Buzz—
At that moment, a dazzling light burst into existence inside the lab.
The sudden change made Wanda and Shuri turn sharply toward the source of the light at the same time, both instinctively taking up defensive stances.
"..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________