"Karl, you just mentioned a magic circle."
Tony suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Did you go learn magic?!"
"I haven't been able to find you for days. Don't even think about lying to me!"
Tony had immediately noticed something unusual when Karl explained the ice cards earlier.
There was a magic circle inside them.
Karl had never been able to create something like that before.
If he had been capable of it earlier, Tony knew Karl would definitely have shared it with them long ago.
After Tony finished speaking, everyone turned to look at Karl.
Magic.
That word alone was enough to shock everyone present.
Karl shrugged slightly.
"Yes."
"I've been studying magic for the past few days."
"There are some things I can't explain right now."
He lifted one of the ice cards.
"The ice cards contain a magic circle."
"That's how they can store my freezing power."
Since Tony had already guessed it, Karl didn't bother denying it.
George Stacy stared at him in disbelief.
"Oh my God…"
"There's actually real magic in this world?"
"This world has gone completely crazy."
Superpowered humans already seemed unbelievable enough.
Now magic was real too.
Tony glared at Karl.
"You bastard!"
"You didn't even take me with you!"
"What kind of brother does that?!"
Tony had always been fascinated by magic ever since Karl told him that the Destroyer armor from Asgard was powered by magic rather than technology.
Karl rolled his eyes.
"At that time you were busy researching your suits."
"And I didn't go there to learn magic."
"I went there for something else."
"The Sorcerer Supreme only offered to teach me magic after we failed to solve the problem."
"I only started learning it halfway through."
Tony's expression suddenly became serious.
"You mean…"
"You discovered something that even you can't solve?"
"And that's why you went to see the Sorcerer Supreme?"
Tony understood how powerful the Sorcerer Supreme was.
Karl had explained the mystic lineage protecting Earth to him before.
If Karl had gone to see the Sorcerer Supreme about something…
Then it was definitely no small matter.
Karl nodded.
"Yes."
"Even I can't solve it."
"And the situation is very complicated."
"I can't tell you about it."
"And even if I did, it would only cause you unnecessary trouble."
Karl deliberately avoided mentioning Tiamut.
Natasha listened silently.
She carefully remembered two key pieces of information:
Karl had learned magic.
And there existed someone called the Sorcerer Supreme.
At the same time, she was secretly shocked.
She had personally witnessed Karl's battle in New Mexico.
The level of destruction in that battle had already felt world-ending.
If there was something that even Karl couldn't solve…
What kind of threat could it be?
Tony exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
"If you need help, just say the word."
Tony didn't ask further questions.
If Karl refused to tell him, then it probably meant Tony simply wasn't strong enough yet.
But that didn't stop him from offering help.
After that, everyone began heading home.
Gwen also decided to return to Queens.
The manor's Rolls-Royce drove Gwen and her parents home.
Natasha stayed with Yelena and didn't leave immediately.
Meanwhile, Karl drove his Lamborghini to take Helen Cho home.
The car stopped in front of her house.
Helen Cho didn't get out immediately.
Instead, she looked at Karl.
"Aren't you going to say anything to me?"
Her voice carried a hint of hesitation.
Truthfully, she herself felt conflicted.
Karl had suddenly entered her life.
And now he occupied far too much of her thoughts.
During the past few days when Karl didn't come to see her, she felt strangely empty.
Karl leaned slightly closer.
"What do you want me to say?"
He smiled faintly.
"What's wrong?"
"Is my sapphire feeling restless?"
He leaned closer to her ear.
"You know… I can hear your heartbeat."
With Karl's superhuman physique, hearing someone's heartbeat was effortless.
Helen Cho avoided his gaze.
She didn't even know what she wanted to say.
She only knew that when Karl didn't appear for several days…
She felt uneasy.
Without realizing it, her heart had already been captured by him.
She just didn't want to admit it.
Otherwise she wouldn't have accepted Speed's invitation earlier.
Nor would she have worn the sapphire necklace Karl had given her.
Suddenly—
Karl grabbed her hand.
Flash!
They disappeared from the car.
The next moment they appeared inside Helen Cho's house.
Karl pulled her close and kissed her.
Helen Cho's eyes widened in shock.
But slowly…
Her resistance faded.
Soon afterward, the sounds of movement echoed from Helen Cho's bedroom.
That night, Helen Cho was completely overwhelmed by Karl's passion.
Her last defenses finally collapsed.
Meanwhile, after Karl disappeared, Speed quietly left the area and returned to its warehouse at the manor.
When it arrived, it discovered several gifts placed at the door.
Each gift had a small note attached.
They were from Tony and the others.
The notes apologized for forgetting about Speed earlier.
Speed looked at the gifts silently.
It didn't really need them.
But it still liked them very much.
The next morning.
Karl slowly opened his eyes.
Helen Cho was still sleeping beside him, holding onto him tightly.
Karl kissed her forehead and smiled slightly.
Last night had been intense.
Helen Cho had stubbornly resisted for a long time.
Only when she could no longer endure did she finally admit that she liked him.
After that, she clung to him and refused to let go.
Suddenly, the system notification appeared.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have gained one sign-in opportunity. Would you like to sign in now?]
"Sign in."
Karl answered silently while glancing at Helen Cho beside him.
[Ding! Sign-in successful!]
[Congratulations. You have received:]
Sagittarius Gold Cloth ×1
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame ×1
• Dog Talisman ×1
• Purification Rune ×1
Sagittarius Gold Cloth
One of the Zodiac Gold Cloths from Saint Seiya.
When worn, it greatly enhances the user's strength and grants the ability to travel through space.
The stronger the user becomes, the stronger the Cloth will be.
Bone Spirit Cold Flame
A special flame from Battle Through the Heavens, ranked 11th among the Heavenly Flames.
It possesses both extreme cold and extreme heat.
The stronger the user becomes, the more powerful the flame grows.
Dog Talisman
One of the Twelve Talismans from Jackie Chan Adventures, belonging to the Fire Demon Shendu.
It grants immortality and limitless vitality.
Purification Rune
A rune from a mysterious world.
When embedded into an object or liquid, it removes all side effects.
Single-use only.
Karl examined the rewards in his system space.
When he saw the golden armor box, his eyes lit up immediately.
If he wore the Sagittarius Gold Cloth now…
His strength would at least reach the early Heavenly Father level.
If the Ruyi Jingu Bang were unsealed as well—
Would he still need to fear Captain Marvel?
He might even be able to stand against Odin himself.
And with the Dog Talisman, Horse Talisman, and the Cross of Resurrection protecting him…
Karl suddenly realized something.
At this moment—
He feared no one.
...
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