The fist wrapped in golden flame met Galactus's planet-sized jaw in intimate contact.
Time stretched infinitely within that microsecond.
The stellar fire burning in Galactus's eyes suddenly died, pupils dilating to the limit.
It was the first and last emotion he felt in his long life.
Fear.
"No… this can't—"
His dying words didn't even finish.
RUMBLE—
An indescribable surge of terrifying kinetic energy instantly pierced Galactus's colossal head.
Galactus's head, along with his iconic purple helmet—disintegrated, vaporized, annihilated in the golden torrent of energy.
Next came his torso and limbs.
The ancient cosmic being who had stood in the cosmos for eons, devouring countless civilizations, under a single golden punch from Frieza, exploded into the most brilliant cosmic dust.
The light illuminated the entire Nine Realms.
Even humans on the distant Earth could see a new, fleeting sun in the sky.
"Tch."
Frieza hovered amid the rain of energy particles, flicking his hand in disgust. Not a speck of dust clung to that golden palm.
"So much for the Devourer of Worlds."
"Looks impressive, but turns out he was just full of hot air."
Frieza shook his head, disappointment written across his face.
"Too fragile."
"Not even qualified to be my punching bag."
[Ding! Cosmic deity fallen! Universe trembling!]
[Fear points +5 Trillion!]
Reading the notification, Frieza curled his lip in disdain. "That's all he was worth."
He turned and descended slowly, the golden glow fading back into his pristine, elegant final form.
Below, atop the ruins of Asgard.
Thanos knelt, his purple face drained of color, his fierce eyes glassy. He stared at the small figure drifting down from the sky, face full of worship.
One punch.
Only one punch had erased that cosmic deity?
"So this is boss's power?"
Thanos gulped, feeling his worldview ground into dust.
He used to think six Infinity Stones meant invincibility.
Now?
Too small a dream—way too small.
Before this man, the Infinity Stones were just pretty marbles.
"What's wrong?"
Frieza landed, frowning at his dumbstruck subordinates.
"All mute?"
"Or did my magnificent form leave you speechless?"
"Lord Frieza is invincible!"
Thanos reacted first, smashing his forehead to the ground so hard the ground shook.
"Peerless in the Universe! Supreme cosmic ruler!"
Apocalypse, Erik, Loki and the rest followed, kowtowing and shouting long live. Their thunderous voices couldn't hide the tremor in their tones.
Watching his underlings grovel and shiver, Frieza's eyes flickered with a weariness he barely let show.
He sighed inwardly, 'Too weak.'
'Trash, every one of them.'
Frieza recalled the Frieza Force from Dragon Ball.
The Ginyu Force members had power levels of only a few hundred thousand. Before the current him, they weren't even dust.
But—
In that Universe, they'd still beaten Vegeta and Gohan to a pulp.
That pressure!
That cruelty befitting claws of the Emperor of the universe!
Compare that to the clowns in front of him:
Thanos, so-called overlord of the Universe, struggling against Hela.
Apocalypse, progenitor of Mutants, pounded into the dirt by Hulk.
And Loki…
Aside from performing that cringe-worthy dance, what else can he do?
Frieza shook his head.
'This batch of employees is garbage.'
'If real powerhouses show up, must I personally wipe their backsides every time?'
'Then why keep these useless fools?'
'To serve as cheerleaders?'
Frieza's gaze pierced the void toward more distant dimensions.
He knew, this cinematic Universe (MCU) was beginner area—no challenge, no thrill, only boring rent-collecting and spectator sport.
'Looks like…'
Frieza rubbed his chin, a glint in his eye.
'After fully digesting this turf, it'll be time to tour higher-level worlds.'
'Like that so-called prime comic Universe (616)?'
Word was it held even more monstrous Sentrys, true gods, and even the being called the Beyonder.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho…"
'The real-estate prices there must be higher.'
The thought cheered him slightly.
He collected himself and looked back at Thanos, still kneeling.
"Thanos."
"I am here!" Thanos tensed, pressing his head lower.
"I am weary." Frieza stretched, yawning.
"I'm giving you one month." He raised a finger.
"One month."
"Rebuild these Nine Realms into my domain."
"Tear down these ruined palaces and erect the most luxurious resort in accordance with my aesthetics."
"And trim that World Tree, string it with fairy lights. I want the biggest ornamental tree in the cosmos."
"Understand?"
"Yes! Understood! Mission guaranteed!" Thanos answered loudly.
"Meanwhile…"
Frieza turned, gaze toward another sector of the star map—a red nebula.
The Kree Empire.
"I can't idle either. With the Nine Realms secured, it's time to visit the neighbors."
"Apocalypse! Loki!"
"Here!"
The two scrambled to their feet.
"Go, mobilize the army."
"Drag out those five thousand warships that haven't been blown up yet. I will personally lead the expedition."
"Target—Hala!"
"Let those blue-skinned fools learn what a true emperor of the universe is."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho…"
Watching Frieza's departing back, Thanos slowly lifted his head. In his eyes, besides awe, now shone a feeling called gratitude.
Thank goodness he'd knelt quickly back then. Otherwise, the one who'd just become fireworks might have been him.
"Move it! Stop gawking!"
Thanos rose, reverting to his ruthless-Commander self, roaring at the soldiers.
"Didn't you hear Lord Frieza's order?"
"One month! Fail and I'll toss you into a black hole myself—no need for Lord Frieza to lift a finger!"
"For the Frieza Force!"
"GET TO WORK!!!"