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*****
Mephisto stared at Thanos and Faora, and his gaze was anything but friendly.
He had only just lost a significant portion of his power, and now these two individuals had suddenly appeared right in front of him. It was incredibly difficult for him not to let his mind wander toward suspicious conclusions.
However, this was Hell, after all. Even if he had indeed lost a portion of his strength, by borrowing the inherent power of this realm, he was still more than capable of defeating, or perhaps even killing, both of them.
"A certain being informed me that you just lost a portion of your power on Earth," Thanos stated. "It seems to have been related to Mike Kent."
Thanos spoke in a flat, indifferent tone, but to Mephisto's ears, the words sounded incredibly mocking.
But the thing that truly made Mephisto concerned, the thing that he cared a great deal about, was the "being" that Thanos had just mentioned.
Who could that possibly be?
Regardless, just looking at Thanos's face made him feel an inexplicable sense of irritation.
And so, he violently raised his hand, and a bolt of pure, unadulterated magic was hurled directly at Thanos's face.
Thanos simply reached out his hand and batted the magical attack away. His expression remained perfectly calm, showing not the slightest hint of displeasure at Mephisto's provocation.
Mephisto shot a cold glance at Thanos and said, clearly annoyed, "What is it, exactly, that you want from me?"
Although he was thoroughly annoyed by Thanos's presence, seeing the Titan's composed attitude, he decided to give him a chance to speak, to allow him to state the purpose of his visit.
Thanos stated flatly, "We have come this time because we wish to form an alliance with you. Or, to be more accurate, we want to establish a team."
"A team? Haha!"
Mephisto reacted as if he had just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world, asking in a low, mocking voice, "And you think I need such a thing?"
Thanos, remaining perfectly composed, simply nodded his head. "You do."
Mephisto's expression immediately darkened.
But Thanos continued, speaking slowly, "I have died once before. I was killed by Mike Kent and Odin."
Mike Kent and Odin?
Those two are working together?
And in that case, Mike Kent and the Ancient One this time...
A truly shocking thought suddenly emerged in Mephisto's mind.
Could it be possible that those three have formed some kind of organization, something similar to the Avengers?
Seeing Mephisto fall into silent contemplation, the corner of Thanos's mouth quirked up slightly.
"It seems you understand the situation," Thanos said indifferently. "If we do not unite, if we do not join forces, we are simply not their match."
This was a point that even Mephisto himself was forced to admit.
But...
"And on what basis should I trust either of you?"
Mephisto asked the question with a cold, derisive sneer.
As an inherently suspicious devil, he was never willing to easily place his trust in anyone.
The very moment this thought of mistrust appeared in Mephisto's mind, he couldn't stop himself from cursing inwardly.
Damn it all! This one time he had actually trusted that "face of justice," and it had resulted in him suffering a disastrous, heavy loss.
It just proved it. "Justice," and all that nonsense, was nothing more than a hypocritical facade.
"Mike Kent killed me once," Thanos repeated flatly.
Faora took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a thick, undiluted hatred that could not be dispersed. "She killed my remaining kinsmen."
A satisfied smile spread across Mephisto's face.
He was certain they were telling the truth, because the raw hatred visible in their eyes was something that could not deceive him.
If he were to form a team with these two, they could indeed put up a resistance against the team formed by the Mike Kent trio. But it would only be resistance. If they actually wanted to defeat them, or achieve any other significant objective, the three of them were simply not going to be enough.
Mephisto stated, "If it is just the three of us, it will not be enough."
Although it was somewhat demoralizing to say so, it was, in fact, the truth.
Thanos acknowledged this. "I will continue to search for more team members. And you," he added, "also need a period of time to recover your strength."
Mephisto's mouth split into a grin. "Well said. You'd better get to it, then."
"So, does that mean you have agreed?"
Faora asked the question in a cold, flat voice.
"Of course! I have no reason whatsoever not to agree. After all, that person, Mike Kent... is just... utterly disgusting!"
Mephisto's expression looked as if he had just eaten a pile of excrement.
...
Phoenix, Arizona.
Mike and Gwen had visited Phoenix in the future. So, strictly speaking, this was their second time coming here.
But even after so many years, there wasn't much of a difference; the changes to the city were very minor.
Gwen only spent two days playing and exploring here before she completely lost interest.
Consequently, Mike had no choice but to take Gwen to a neighboring city. After staying there for three more days, they returned together to Kentar Star.
Now, after Kentar Star had formally begun establishing diplomatic relations, the number of people coming to the planet out of sheer curiosity had slowly begun to increase.
After all, it was a brand new planet, an entirely new frontier to explore.
One only needed to board a designated Kentar Star spacecraft at one of the fixed locations to travel to the planet.
However, Kentar Star conducted an extremely strict screening process for everyone who wished to enter the planet. Furthermore, there were also strict limitations on the total number of people allowed entry and the permitted duration of their stay.
The father-daughter pair traveled through a portal, arriving on Kentar Star. They materialized in an inconspicuous, out-of-the-way corner of Kent City.
Kent City was the only major metropolis on Kentar Star. It was home to Kentar Star's several million mutant residents, as well as over a million tourists at any given time.
Mutants of all kinds lived here openly and freely. They walked down the main streets with their faces filled with pride, deep satisfaction, and genuine confidence.
This was their nation; they no longer had any need to hide their true selves.
Some mutants stood out on the street, using their non-harmful abilities to put on entertaining performances for the crowds, while others operated all kinds of unique and specialized shops.
This was a sight that one could absolutely never see on Earth.
"The Sweet Dream Shop? When did this place open?"
Gwen, who was walking beside Mike, looked at a particular shop with great curiosity and asked the question in a low voice.
Mike was also taken aback for a moment. He replied, "It's probably a shop opened by a mutant. It's most likely related to their ability."
"Quick! Let's go check it out!"
Gwen excitedly dashed right into the store.
Mike just smiled and shook his head, then followed her in at a much slower pace.
Upon entering the shop, Mike quickly scanned and sized up the interior.
The shop's decor was very fresh and natural. There was even a peculiar, pleasant fragrance in the air that seemed to have a calming effect on the mind.
Quite a few beds were placed around the shop, and at this moment, many of them were occupied by people lying down. A woman dressed in a white sleeveless dress was standing in front of one such bed, her hands gently pressed against the person's temples. She was using her ability to create sweet dreams to provide a service to her customer.
Gwen looked over at the clearly marked price list. When she saw the expensive prices, she was secretly astonished, clicking her tongue.
One thousand Kentar Star Credit Points.
Kentar Star had its own currency, which was simply called "Credit Points."
Gwen did a quick calculation in her head. One thousand credit points... that was just over one thousand dollars.
That's so expensive!
She grumbled this to herself inwardly and was just about to grab her father to leave when the woman who had been attending to her customer turned around and looked directly at them.
She had fair skin and a pair of enchanting, almond-shaped eyes. However, her face was covered in intricate black patterns, giving her an appearance that was both bewitching and somewhat demonic.
The moment she saw Mike, a look of delightful surprise washed over her face.
"Lord Kent!"
She walked quickly toward Mike, still beaming with that pleasant surprise, and said respectfully, "My name is Winnie. It is truly a great honor to be able to meet you."
Mike rarely made public appearances on Kentar Star, but every single person on the planet knew who he was and was familiar with his face.
Mike gave her a polite nod and asked, "What is it that you primarily do here in your shop?"
Hearing his question, Winnie smiled warmly. "Dreams," she said. "Sweet dreams. The kind of sweet dreams that can help people fulfill their otherwise unrealizable wishes."
She paused for a moment, then continued her explanation, "This is my mutant ability. Through physical contact, I can, based on what a person wants to do, or based on their wishes, create an incredibly realistic dream for them."
"Of course," she added, "my ability only plays a guiding role. I don't actually know what people are wishing for, and I have no way of knowing what their dreams are like."
This ability... it must be very popular.
Mike nodded to her again. "That is a wonderful ability."
"Thank you."
Winnie smiled slightly, then asked with a look of anticipation, "Lord Kent, would you perhaps like to experience it?"
"Yes, I do!"
Before Mike even had a chance to speak, Gwen looked over at Winnie with a face full of eager anticipation.
Seeing her reaction, Mike could only smile. "In that case, I'll have to trouble you."
Winnie's face lit up with a happy smile, and she quickly shook her head. "To be able to serve you... it is my honor."
Saying this, she led Mike and Gwen to a private VIP room, had them both lie down on the beds, and after instructing them to relax, she began to use her ability.
"I'll go first!"
Gwen seemed somewhat impatient, her eyes flashing with keen anticipation.
Winnie signaled for Mike to wait a moment, then turned to Gwen. "Please relax completely. My ability is actually quite weak, so if you resist it at all, it won't be able to guide your thoughts and construct a dream for you."
"Okay, got it."
Gwen nodded her head in understanding.
In the very next instant, a wisp of pinkish mist emerged from the woman's fingertips. It drifted over and entered Gwen's nostrils, and Gwen's expression immediately became exceptionally peaceful.
A short moment later, Winnie retracted her hand and let out a light, gentle breath.
"It is done."
She said, turning to Mike.
Mike looked over at Gwen. He saw that her expression was utterly tranquil, and the corners of her mouth were unconsciously curling up into a smile. He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
Judging by this girl's expression, she was probably dreaming about food, money, or maybe some handsome guys.
"Mr. Kent."
Winnie smiled as she walked over to Mike.
Mike just smiled and shook his head. He looked at the still-smiling Gwen and said softly, "Everything I could possibly want, I have already obtained. I have no need to go looking for it in a dream."
Winnie was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but insist, "But I truly wish to serve you just once, Mr. Kent. I really want to do something for you."
Winnie's expression was filled with genuine sincerity.
But Mike still shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Thank you for your kind intentions."
Winnie's face was full of regret, but she quickly recovered and said, "In that case, I will not disturb you any longer, Mr. Kent."
She glanced over at Gwen and added, "The duration of the dream state can be long or short, but it generally will not exceed one hour. You just need to wait for her to wake up on her own."
"Alright."
Mike replied, then sat down on a nearby chair to wait quietly.
Meanwhile, inside Gwen's dream...
This was an eighteen-year-old Gwen. By day, she was a loyal and righteous gang "Big Sister," who also happened to have the status of a billionaire. By night, she became a superhero. But her most prominent identity, above all else, was that of a member of the Kent family.
Under the dim lights, Gwen sat in her family's sharpening room, carefully polishing her weapon. She wore a short shirt, which revealed her fair skin and the intricate black dragon tattoo that covered her entire back.
Schiiing! Schiiing!
The sound of the blade rubbing against the whetstone created a friction sound that Gwen found oddly comforting.
After a moment, she lifted the blade in her hand. Seeing her own face reflected clearly in the sharpened edge, she nodded with satisfaction and carefully set it to the side.
"The Change Gang! I will absolutely never let you off the hook!"
Gwen said this in a cold, hard voice, then immediately grabbed a tub of ice cream that was sitting to the side and took a big bite.
Just at that precise moment, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.
Following the sound, a boy ran into the room. He was much shorter than her, and his facial features were completely blurry, as if they had been covered by a mosaic.
"Sis!"
"I told you, when we're in the gang, you call me Boss!"
Gwen said this fiercely, then took another vicious bite of her ice cream.
The boy stared at the ice cream in Gwen's hand, secretly swallowing a mouthful of saliva, before he hurriedly said, "Boss, the Change Gang is here! They're attacking!"
"What?"
Gwen shot up to her feet in a rage, shouting, "They dare to provoke us! The Money-Grubber Gang!"
She snatched up the freshly sharpened blade, let out a cold sneer directed at the outside, and commanded, "Let's go! Gather the boys! This time, we're going to wipe them out completely!"
"Right!"
The boy responded with a loud shout, but his gaze remained glued to the ice cream in Gwen's hand.
Gwen handed the ice cream to the boy. Her eyes were filled with doting affection, but her words were mocking: "You have no ambition!"
The boy just giggled and said, "With my big sister here to protect me, who needs ambition!"
"You clever little devil!"
Gwen flicked the boy on the forehead, then strode out of the room.
When she emerged, her dozens of gang members were already assembled in front of the headquarters, ready for battle. Leading them at the very front were Peter, Luke, and the other two.
"Boss!"
The four of them greeted Gwen. Gwen just gave a calm, cool nod and said, "Let's go. Take them down!"
She was the first one to charge out, leading the way onto the main street.
At this moment, there wasn't a single other person on the street, but a palpable, murderous aura washed over them.
Just as Gwen led her Money-Grubber Gang out, a swarm of "Money People"—living currency with arms, legs, and heads—charged at them from the other end of the street.
The two sides met. Without a single word of time-wasting nonsense, they immediately clashed and began to fight.
Amidst the flashes of blades and swords, banknotes began to fly everywhere.
Both sides were relentlessly hacking at each other. It didn't matter who was struck down; as soon as one of them fell, they would explode into a large shower of banknotes.
Gwen fought like a madwoman, carving a path of slaughter through the enemy lines. Everywhere she went, it started to rain money.
The Money-Grubber Gang was breaking through their ranks like splitting bamboo. A look of pure joy appeared on Gwen's face.
Watching the "Change Gang" begin to rapidly retreat, Gwen roared, "Quick! Chase after them! We're going to wipe them all out!"
As her words fell, she led her gang members and charged forward. But just as they were about to catch up to those "money-people with legs," a gigantic Money Man, one that was easily several dozen meters tall, suddenly appeared.
It swung its massive hands and long legs, and with just a few swats back and forth, the members of the Money-Grubber Gang were completely scattered.
Seeing that the Money-Grubber Gang was on the verge of defeat, Gwen let out a heavy sigh. "Alas, it seems I have no choice but to bring out my secret weapon."
Immediately, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Little Bro, go! Take him down!"
The moment her voice fell, the little boy, whose face was still like a mosaic, flew out. He instantly knocked the giant Money Man flying, and then two crimson beams of heat vision shot from his eyes, easily finishing the colossal foe off.
In the next second, the giant Money Man exploded, turning into a torrential downpour of money that rained from the sky.
Standing in the middle of the money rain, Gwen laughed with pure happiness.
"Heh, heh, hehehe!"
Back in reality, even though Gwen's eyes were closed and she was fast asleep, she still couldn't stop herself from letting out a series of pleased, gleeful little laughs.
Mike watched Gwen laughing like a fool, his own face a mask of speechlessness.
This silly daughter of mine, what on earth is she dreaming about? Why is she laughing like a complete simpleton?
Mike complained to himself in a low voice, and then proceeded to watch Gwen laugh foolishly for a solid thirty minutes.
Half an hour later, Gwen finally sat up from the bed, rubbing her own aching face. She looked at Mike's utterly speechless expression and asked in confusion, "Dad, did you do something to me? My face feels really sore!"
Mike, his face completely expressionless, simply took out his phone and showed Gwen the video he had just recorded.
Gwen: (...)
(End of this chapter)