How Are You Again?

Xandar, home of the renowned Nova Corps.

As a massive force capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Kree Empire, the Nova Corps was also the source of Xandar’s confidence.

Even the mighty Kree Empire could not easily crack the hard bone that was Xandar. No one knew how many times its border troops had clashed with the Nova Corps, and every time, they had returned empty-handed.

Beckett’s purpose in coming here was to meet someone on Xandar under the orders of his adoptive father, Thanos.

A drifter said to roam the entire universe—Jack Jones.

According to the information Thanos possessed, this drifter Jack likely held information concerning the Soul Stone.

With Thanos tied up in complicated affairs and unable to leave, Beckett, as his most trusted adopted son, naturally went to Xandar in his stead.

To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Beckett did not bring the Chitauri forces into Xandar’s alert zone. Under The Other’s command, the massive interstellar fleet hid in space, quietly awaiting Beckett’s next order.

To avoid being caught in the war between the Kree Empire and Xandar, The Other had specifically chosen an exceptionally quiet location.

Under The Other’s control, the Chitauri soldiers all entered hibernation mode and vanished along with their warships. The Other himself accompanied Beckett aboard a spacecraft, landing openly on Xandar.

"Meow!"

The Energy Devouring Beast perched on Beckett’s shoulder could barely hide its excitement. Its tail swayed as its pink paws repeatedly patted Beckett’s cheek, amber eyes brimming with curiosity about Xandar.

This futuristic city was far better than the Dark Order or Chitauri Prime.

It was not a cat that looked down on the poor and fawned over the rich, but living in an environment like this was ultimately better for its physical and mental health.

"Here is your parking token."

The Other conscientiously took the token handed over by the spacecraft port attendant. Gripping the scepter embedded with the Mind Stone, he jogged after Beckett.

"Woz, Jack’s location."

After walking out of the spacecraft port, the bustling crowd made Beckett issue the command instinctively.

"Yes, Your Highness Beckett."

A crimson point suddenly appeared on the azure display. The calculated distance made Beckett frown unconsciously.

That far?

"Your Highness Beckett, Xandar has strict flight-control regulations. Woz recommends taking Xandar’s dedicated transportation to the shop of the mysterious merchant Jack."

"Jack may possess information about the Soul Stone. It would be unwise to expose him."

Perhaps knowing Beckett’s temperament, Woz immediately added the Soul Stone restriction after making his suggestion.

If an impulsive move caused Jack, who might know the Soul Stone’s whereabouts, to be taken away by others interested in the Infinity Stones, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Especially since Xandar possessed an exceptionally powerful force—the Nova Corps.

If the Nova Corps, which had long been locked in confrontation with the Kree Empire, also set its sights on the wandering merchant Jack because of Beckett’s unusual actions, there would clearly be plenty of trouble.

"Your Highness Beckett, I have already arranged everything." As Beckett’s longtime sycophant, The Other immediately understood and had everything handled perfectly.

"Let’s go."

Beckett had long grown accustomed to The Other’s attentive service, and his heart remained completely unmoved.

Just as Thanos had been gratified to see, Beckett, having just finished writing his self-criticism, had learned to respect mystery and the unknown. He was no longer as recklessly arrogant as before.

Seated in a hovercar, Beckett watched the shifting scenery outside in silence. The Other handled everything.

"You are Jack Jones?"

On Xandar, Hela followed the map her mother Frigga had given her to Jack’s residence. She frowned as she looked at the burly middle-aged man before her.

Blue tight-fitting pants that emphasized his bloated figure, a black jacket, a salt-and-pepper beard that highlighted his age… and that gleaming bald head.

Looking at the man’s now-rounded cheeks, Hela could not help taking out the portrait Frigga had given her again.

It had been painted by an Asgardian court artist based on Frigga’s description.

The man in the portrait was well-proportioned and tall, with charming, deep-set features, flowing black center-parted hair, and an extremely fashionable outfit.

No matter how Hela looked at it, she could not connect the dashing man in the portrait with the potbellied, balding middle-aged man before her.

"You are Odin’s daughter?"

Jack Jones, who was eating, lifted his eyelids and took in Hela’s appearance. He set down his bowl, chewed the meat in his mouth, and rose casually from his seat. From a counter beside the dining table, he took out five chips and lined them up before Hela.

"These are evidence of Frost Giant King Laufey colluding with certain high-ranking people on Xandar."

"They are still negotiating their cooperation."

As he spoke, Jack Jones began picking his teeth and pressed one hand down on the five chips.

"?" Hela frowned, her hand poised to take the chips.

"I am not running a charity, daughter of Odin." Jack Jones sneered.

"This information is not free."

Hela narrowed her eyes as the power of Death Divinity surged within her. Jack Jones, still picking his teeth, showed no fear. He sat broadly in his chair and toyed with the bracelet around his left wrist.

A silver bracelet bearing a diamond-shaped emblem.

"You have a new visitor!"

"You have a new visitor!"

"You have…"

The notification device at the door made Jack Jones spit out his toothpick. One hand rubbing his gleaming bald head, he opened the door with a thought.

Beckett, dressed in a loose black Battle Suit, appeared in Hela’s eyes with an orange cat lying on his shoulder and The Other following close behind.

"Why is it you again?"

"Why are you everywhere?"

Before Jack Jones, the owner of this place, could speak, Hela and Beckett, who had known each other for some time, spoke to each other first.

Both sounded impatient. Jack Jones grinned, amused. "You two—"

"Shut up." ×2

Beckett and Hela’s simultaneous rebuke instantly wiped the smile off Jack Jones’s face.

???