Witnessed by the World

The moment the Chitauri army descended upon Asgard, Skynet began a worldwide live broadcast. Whenever people looked up or turned on their computers or televisions, they could see enormous billboards and scrolling giant screens playing explosive scenes comparable to a Hollywood blockbuster—

The global-scale network intrusion caused a certain degree of panic, followed by deeper reflection and suspicion from people in every field.

An article on extradimensional space by Ms. Jane Foster of Umbrella was dug up. The absurd theory once dismissed as the ravings of a madwoman now seemed as though it might become reality.

The ceaseless tide of Chitauri forces, the Asgardian legions charging into battle one after another—these incredibly realistic images gave people a tremendous shock. Before long, governments around the world issued statements: this was not a promotional trailer for some movie. Everything was truly happening. Beyond the space understood by humanity, a brutal interstellar war was underway.

Earth was not the only civilization in the universe. Humanity, living in its quiet cradle, opened its eyes for the first time and glimpsed the faint outline of the Star Dust Sea.

At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters by the Potomac River, Nick Fury frowned in thought. The existence of Asgard had been exposed to the world, and worse still, there was an unknown alien legion. Judging from the live battle footage, this was undoubtedly a rather unfriendly high-level war. Both sides had displayed technology beyond Earth’s.

For the moment, this made the Black director set aside the terrifying incident of the global network intrusion. Though he had asked Stark and Dr. Richards to investigate, judging by their tones, finding whoever was behind it would likely be difficult.

The purple figure seated upon the floating throne shook the world with his ruthless declaration. Even though most people still did not know Asgard truly existed, Thanos’s words made it easy to imagine that Earth might very well become the next target. Or rather, the curtain of peace had now been lifted, and every nation and every person on this planet had to prepare themselves mentally for war.

For a time, all sorts of information were carried by invisible radio waves across the world. The powerful figures who guided the course of the world, the elite standing atop the pyramid, all launched fierce discussions. Public opinion was also pushed to a fever pitch, and nearly everyone was focused on the war in Asgard.

Those Superheroes, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, or the Mutants… they could not help but wonder: if Earth faced such a crisis, what could they possibly do? An endless torrent of steel, grotesque gigantic metal beasts, and a Cosmic Overlord so powerful it was unimaginable, who had knocked the Norse God King from myth to the ground with a casual wave of his hand.

The strength of Superheroes seemed insufficient to save this world.

On Asgard’s Bifrost, the warriors of the divine realm were steadily retreating. Energy beams crisscrossed the sky, weaving an enormous net of death. Amid the ruins of the cities and palaces behind them, explosions rang out without end as surging flames spread in every direction.

Loki stared dejectedly at Asgard, reduced to shattered walls and rubble, and suddenly felt hollow inside. Was this what he had always pursued?

Odin had fallen gravely wounded. Thor was powerless. Even his mother, Frigga, had been buried beneath the violent tides of energy. The bloody reality reminded the Asgardian Prince that war was cold and cruel; there had never been any warmth in it.

His dream of ruling the Nine Realms now seemed like a ridiculous joke. After Thanos led the Chitauri legion away, what would remain of Asgard?

Loki looked up at the floating throne in the sky with hatred, clenching his fists so hard his nails pierced his skin and drew blood. Around that massive purple figure, an invisible force suddenly erupted, instantly wiping out the nearby Chitauri.

He could not help but wonder: did Asgard still possess someone capable of contending with Thanos?

Dark clouds filled the sky. The Cosmic Overlord sat upon the floating throne, his colossal body towering like a mountain. Invisible mental forces collided and annihilated one another in the void, spilling out fierce gusts like hurricanes.

Thanos truly had not expected that the man who had obtained one of the Stones would possess such formidable strength himself. The red-haired woman earlier had also been worthy of attention, but she could not fully wield her own power. She was more like an immature host, far from displaying her true peak state.

"I thought you were merely a useless fool relying on a Stone."

Their thoughts transmitted back and forth. Thanos grew more serious. That dazzling golden light was like a sun, never falling behind in their mental clash. It even seemed to have strength to spare.

"Hand over the Stone, and I can let you leave alive."

Thanos grinned, intense interest surging in his eyes. It had been a long time since anyone had made him this excited.

"I was thinking the same thing." The teasing voice refused to yield.

A cold, lifeless psychic storm, like a terrifying frigid current capable of freezing the world, slammed fiercely into the golden figure’s blazing aura. The two different forces collided with a thunderous explosion!

The incomparably pure golden flames resembled a rising sea of fire and turbulent air currents, fighting the icy current for every inch of space within the mental world. The massive energies crushed and collided, making the void emit cracking sounds as though it could no longer bear the strain.

Matter was continuously annihilated, and space teetered on the verge of collapse. The two opposing forces, as if planets were crumbling, unleashed powerful shockwaves. Near the floating throne, it was as though an incomparably sharp blast had swept through. The remaining Black Order hurriedly moved aside, while the mindless, cheap cannon fodder among the Chitauri army evaporated into nothingness, like water droplets in flames turning instantly into vapor.

"To think that this barren starfield contains an opponent capable of contending with Lord Thanos. How incredible."

Ebony Maw raised one hand, his black robes fluttering as he swiftly crossed the battlefield on the Bifrost.

Perhaps he should not disturb Lord Thanos’s interest in the hunt, but to ensure they obtained the Infinity Stones without fail, he ought to do something.

Seeing the warriors of the divine realm rushing toward him, Ebony Maw lightly waved his hand. Invisible threads slashed across them, and heads fell one after another as blood spouted from their necks like fountains.

He entered the collapsing Asgardian palace without obstruction, only for a red figure to block his path. Her long hair flowed like flames, the hem of her elegant and luxurious gown rippling. Violent telekinetic force surged forth, crashing into Ebony Maw like a roaring cannonball.

"Don’t cause trouble." Jean raised her chin, a blazing storm brewing in her icy gaze.

Sean’s heart grew faintly hot. Intense battle intent surged within him like a vast, rushing tide, ready to burst from his chest.

The Golden Sentry stood in the void, his brilliant aura like a boundless ocean, radiating searing light. He gazed into the distance. At the other end, upon an ancient and weighty floating throne, the mountain-like purple figure sat high above, his entire body exuding an oppressive presence. His gleaming golden armor shone brightly, like a towering peak that could neither be crossed nor destroyed.

"One Stone is not enough to win you victory, little one."

The deep voice rolled like thunder, crashing into the Sentry’s mind. Thanos’s eyes opened and closed, radiating an icy aura of destruction and death like a massive tsunami.

"I’d like to try."

This Titanian of the Eternal race had eyes filled with violent aggression, but Sean felt no fear. Everything he had done, everything he had worked for—had it not all been in preparation for this moment?

As long as he kicked aside the greatest obstacle blocking his path forward, this world would belong to him from then on.

"I have seen many arrogant people like you. They believed they had reached the pinnacle of power, but every one of them had their heads twisted off by my own hands—you will be no exception."

Thanos delivered his declaration of death as though no one else existed, his tone carrying profound coldness and cruelty.

"Then come." Sean said quietly.

Golden light shot into the heavens like a dazzling bolt of lightning tearing through the gloom, hurtling straight toward the Cosmic Overlord!