Various Arrangements

"Seth, helping you is no problem, but this time, you must give us enough souls."

Serpent God Set put on a greedy expression and said, "This is the final battle, the last one. If there aren’t enough souls, we won’t act."

Eye Demon’s eyes rolled around as he said, "That’s right. You must give us a huge number of souls. Last time’s wasn’t even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth, though I don’t have teeth."

"No problem."

The Ancient Gods’ greed put Hela at ease. She said, "I’ve prepared several million souls for you. Is that enough?"

"Several million souls?"

The Four Ancient Gods’ eyes lit up at once. Several million Main Universe souls were enough to tempt even them.

Chthon asked, "How do you want us to cooperate? Descend as projections?"

Hela said, "No. I want you to lead an army and attack Earth’s Defense Net."

"Attack Earth’s Defense Net?"

The Four Ancient Gods were stunned. Hela nodded and said, "Yes, attack Earth’s Defense Net. Though it’s sturdy, it can’t withstand the power of you Four Ancient Gods. When that happens, the backup my Master left behind will definitely go over to help.

"Also, the Sorcerer Supreme and Doctor Doom will have to return to Earth to defend it. That will greatly weaken the Frontlines."

"That is a good idea."

After thinking for a moment, Chthon said, "But with your current strength, even if the Sorcerer Supreme isn’t there, can you really defeat those Super Heroes? Those Super Heroes have become extremely powerful, while you’ve grown weaker and weaker."

"Knull is the one getting weaker, not us."

Hela said, "Annihilus and I both have Trump Cards. Also, when the time comes, I’ll summon all the Demon Gods to join the battle. More than a hundred Demon Gods, plus us—the Super Heroes definitely won’t be able to stop us."

Astros reminded her, "Those Demon Gods’ projections were destroyed just half a month ago."

"So what? I’ll give them enough souls to create new projections."

Hela waved her hand. "Chthon, help me gather as many Demon Gods as possible. I believe they won’t refuse Main Universe souls."

After slaughtering so many planets, Hela was now extravagantly wealthy when it came to souls.

"Since you’re so confident, I won’t say anything more. Once the Blood God and Galactus begin their battle, I’ll immediately lead the others to attack Earth’s Defense Net."

Chthon’s eyes flashed as he spoke. Hela nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good. Once it’s done, I’ll give you double the souls."

"Very good."

The Four Ancient Gods smiled together and vanished. Hela’s face was filled with disdain. So-called Ancient Gods were nothing more than this.

Hela ordered, "Annihilus, prepare your trump card. During the final battle, you must kill Quake King."

"I will kill him. In this final battle, either he dies or I do."

Annihilus took a deep breath and solemnly promised. This was not only a battle for the insect race, but also for his dignity.

He was not some shameless creature like Knull.

Knull looked at Hela and asked, "What should I do?"

Hela said, "Knull, when the time comes, lead the Demon Gods into battle."

Knull gritted his teeth. Hela was actually lumping him together with the Demon Gods? He was an Ancient God, an Ancient God who had existed before the universe was born.

"That’s all."

Hela stood and said, "This time, we have no way back. We must win."

"Understood."

Knull and Annihilus nodded at the same time. This was the final battle—the universe where great power belonged to the individual was like this. The outcome of war was decided by a small number of top-tier combatants.

After the meeting ended, Hela found Death and said, "I need some help. I can’t lose this battle. I must make every possible preparation."

"I prepared a super trump card for you."

Death smiled faintly and pointed. A mercenary in a red-and-black uniform appeared out of thin air before Hela.

The mercenary looked curiously at Hela and asked, "Death, baby, why did you bring me here? Did you think two people weren’t enough, so you’re planning for three people to—"

Death’s face darkened, and she slapped the mercenary to death. He instantly became a pile of mangled flesh. Hela stared blankly. What was Death doing? Killing the mercenary for her to see? A moment later, the mercenary reassembled and revived. He looked at Hela and chuckled. "I think I know you. You got impaled to death by something super huge…"

"Death, who is this disgusting creature?"

Hela asked in confusion, stepping back at the same time to avoid being contaminated by him.

Death said, "This is Mercenary Wade. In another world, he has another name: Deadpool."

"Deadpool? Right, I’m Deadpool. Damn, how could I forget my own name? I’m Deadpool, the handsomest, highest-grossing mutant mercenary, Deadpool!"

Wade suddenly regained his memories. He turned toward the void and asked, "Did you miss me? I haven’t appeared in ages. Can’t be helped—I’ve been locked up in Africa this whole time. There was really nothing to do, so I could only kill myself every day to hook up with Death.

"Hehehe, Death really is too beautiful. That skull is simply the most beautiful skull in the world…"

"Death, he fell in love with you without even knowing what you really look like?"

Hela sucked in a breath. This guy was a complete pervert, wasn’t he?

"Do you think I could possibly acknowledge that thing?"

Death’s face was covered in black lines. Only those she acknowledged could see her true appearance, such as the Dragon Soul Clone.

"Death, how can you say that? In so many universes, we’re a loving couple."

Wade shouted unhappily, "We often make out right in front of that simp Thanos. To keep me from seeing you, Thanos even cursed me to never die…"

"Shut up."

Death shouted. Just imagining herself being with this creature made her shudder. Damn it, why did her counterparts in other universes have such terrible taste? They actually liked an avocado?

"Deadpool can’t shut up. Once Deadpool shuts up, his popularity will drop. And once his popularity drops, the comics and merchandise won’t sell."

Wade spread his hands and said, "If the revenue is bad, my solo series will definitely get canceled. Then I might really die.

"Speaking of which, this book is terrible. It won’t let me swear or make dirty jokes. What meaning does Wade have if he can’t swear or make dirty jokes? Also, let me tell you a secret: that’s why that deadbeat author has kept me from appearing."

Hela looked puzzled. "What is he talking about?"

"Don’t mind him. Though he’s extremely disgusting, he can help you deal with the Blood God."

Death said, "There are many people backing him."

Hela was suspicious. "Really?"

Wade said solemnly, "Death, I’m on the side of justice. I won’t help you unless you go on a date with me. Thanos just went to another universe, so no one will come stop us."

"He’s yours now."

Death whispered a few words into Hela’s ear, then quickly vanished. Clearly, she did not want too much contact with Wade—she did not want to be contaminated. She was a cold and aloof goddess, not a goofy goddess.

Wade shouted in heartbreak, "Death, how could you abandon me? You heartless woman."

Hela said coldly, "Obey my orders, or I’ll use Death Slash to cut off that thing below you and make sure it can never be used again."

"What? You vicious woman, how can you do this?"

Wade covered himself and backed away in terror. Hela snorted and could not be bothered to say more. She had the insects take Wade away to rest, while she headed to the underground level of the castle.

There was a massive pool beneath the castle. However, it was not filled with water, but souls—souls packed to the brim.

In the middle of the pool, a giant wolf was sleeping. A trace of tenderness flashed through Hela’s eyes as she murmured, "Fenrir, hurry and complete your transformation. I need you to fight beside me, just like before."

Fenrir had not participated in the previous battle because he was transforming. As an undead creature, he could advance as long as he had enough souls.

In Chthon’s dimension, Knull’s light-and-shadow form lowered his head and pleaded, "Chthon, I need power. For it, I can give up everything."

"Knull, it isn’t that I refuse to give you power. The problem is that you only have a small amount of soul left. If I forcibly give you power, your sanity will be affected."

Chthon said, "Only a powerful soul can control a powerful body. You should understand that."

"I understand, but I don’t care."

Knull said with a firm expression, "I need power for revenge. I need power to reclaim my dignity. Chthon, please help me. Even if I am doomed beyond redemption, I will kill those Super Heroes. I am Knull, an Ancient God who has existed since the beginning of the universe. I cannot allow myself to be humiliated like this."

"As long as you are willing to abandon yourself and abandon your sanity, I am willing to give you power."

Chthon smiled. Black Magic had no shortage of methods for strengthening others.

Knull let out a breath and said, "Thank you."

"Helping you is the same as helping myself."

With a swipe of Chthon’s hand, a coffin filled with Black Qi appeared in the void. Then, he shoved it hard, sending the coffin into the Main Universe.

"This is…"

Knull stared at the sealed body inside the coffin, his face filled with shock. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and flew inside, merging with the sealed body.

As long as he could have revenge, Knull was willing to pay any price.

"Very good. Another chess piece."

Chthon nodded in satisfaction. He gazed into the distant void, his face full of anticipation.

Half a month later, he would descend into the Main Universe and devour countless souls. Then, he would head to the magical plane, kill Vishanti, and advance into a Creator God.

Finally, he would destroy the universe and create a new universe centered on magic. Then, even the Living Tribunal would have to submit beneath his feet.

The age that belonged to Chthon was about to arrive!

"Fear, so much fear!"

In an undersea temple, Great Serpent absorbed all the fear brought by the Cloaked Man and said excitedly, "I now have enough power to break the seal and kill Odin."

The Cloaked Man said, "Don’t rush. Odin isn’t alone. He has many helpers."

Great Serpent’s eyes turned red as he gritted his teeth and said, "I can’t wait any longer. I want to eat Odin’s flesh and drink Odin’s blood right now."

"You sure have an appetite."

The Cloaked Man mocked him, then said, "Don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long. Half a month from now, your niece Hela will launch the final assault. Then, both Odin and Earth will be completely isolated and helpless."

"Half a month from now?"

Great Serpent thought for a moment and said, "Then I’ll wait another half month. When the time comes, I’ll carry Odin’s head into Asgard and complete Ragnarok."

The Cloaked Man said, "Don’t forget your promise to me."

"Don’t worry, I won’t forget."

Great Serpent said, "Once I break the seal, I’ll immediately summon the seven Fear Hammers to descend upon Earth. Then, seven Worthy will be born. With the strength of the Worthy, destroying Earth will be effortless."

"Very good."

The Cloaked Man nodded in satisfaction. Under normal circumstances, the Worthy would be no match for Earth, but on the day of the final battle, Earth would be more vulnerable than ever before.

Galactus, Hela, the insect race, the Four Ancient Gods—how could Earth possibly stop them? Earth must be destroyed.

The Cloaked Man secretly thought, because Earth is what the Blood God cares about most. He is willing to give everything for Earth.

In the mysterious void, Astros told Bald Wang Bert the plans of Chthon and Hela in detail. Wang Bert frowned and said, "Attack Earth’s Defense Net? That is a little troublesome."

"It really is troublesome. If you don’t act, Kamar-Taj will most likely be unable to defend Earth’s Defense Net."

Astros said, "If you act, you won’t be able to keep playing the fool to catch the tiger. Then Chthon and the others won’t descend upon Earth in their true bodies. These Ancient Gods are terrified of death. Without absolute certainty, they will never leave their main dimensions."

Wang Bert sighed. "It would be great if they were all as unafraid of death as you."

"Why do I feel like you’re insulting me?"

Astros looked displeased. She asked, "What are you going to do?"

"If soldiers come, generals will stop them; if water comes, earth will block it. What else can I do?"

Wang Bert shrugged and said, "I’ll defend Earth’s Defense Net. Astros, continue being an undercover agent. Don’t do anything until I tell you to act."

Astros shrugged. "Understood. When the time comes, I’ll hit them hard."

Wang Bert asked, "Astros, among the three Ancient Gods, who are you most confident about dealing with?"

Astros answered, "Chthon…"

Wang Bert was stunned. "Huh? You’re that impressive?"

"Chthon is definitely impossible to defeat. He is the ancestor of Black Magic. Even Vishanti must combine all three members to contend with him."

Astros rolled her eyes and continued, "Eye Demon Shuma and Serpent God Set are about as strong as I am. If I can successfully ambush them, I should be able to defeat them."

The word "should" showed that Astros did not have absolute confidence. That was normal. They were on the same level, with little difference between them. Even a yawn could potentially decide the battle.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Bert said, "’Should’ won’t do. How about this? I’ll give you some intensive training."

Astros said dismissively, "Intensive training? What use would that be? My strength hasn’t improved in thousands of years."

"It isn’t to increase your strength. It’s training specifically against Set."

Wang Bert clapped his hands, and the blood-red, many-headed serpent Seth appeared out of thin air before Astros.

"Seth?"

Astros froze, then asked in astonishment, "Huh, why did you turn red? And when did you become a traitor like me?"

"You’re the traitor, not me." Seth said, "I’m a puppet."

"A puppet?"

Astros was dumbfounded. She asked in shock, "Blood God, you turned Seth into a puppet? No, isn’t Seth still alive?"