"Thor, has the Power Stone been found?"
Captain America couldn't help but look straight at Thor, fixing him with an intense stare as he asked.
Confirming the whereabouts of the Power Stone was of enormous significance.
"Who found it?"
Tony Stark asked as well. "The Nova Corps, the Ravagers, or Asgard?"
"The Ravagers."
Thor plopped down into his seat in the conference room and answered casually.
In that regard, events were still following the original timeline.
"Don't tell me it was Star-Lord?" Black Widow couldn't help asking.
"Not Star-Lord. Yondu," Thor replied.
That, however, was a change brought about by the quiz system. In the original timeline, Star-Lord had been the one to obtain the Orb. This time, he had missed it entirely.
After all, because of repeatedly participating in the quizzes, Star-Lord's movements had deviated significantly from the original course of events.
Up to now, he hadn't even met Rocket Raccoon, Drax the Destroyer, or the others who were originally part of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
"Even if I didn't find the Orb myself, it's basically the same thing!"
On the screen, Star-Lord appeared via remote projection, striking a smug pose as he spoke to everyone.
"Do you guys even know my status among the Ravagers? Do you know how much Yondu values me? How do you think Yondu got the Orb? I totally let him have it on purpose. Otherwise, I would've found it long ago."
Star-Lord immediately started bragging shamelessly.
Judging by his expression, anyone unfamiliar with his personality might actually believe him.
"To be able to dress up your own incompetence so righteously—Star-Lord, that really is your special talent," Tony Stark mocked him without hesitation.
"And what exactly have you accomplished, Stark?" Star-Lord shot back just as rudely.
"Alright, everyone," Captain America stepped in to smooth things over.
"Now that the Power Stone has been found, it doesn't matter who found it. What matters is that we now have a confirmed lead. That's enough."
"Next, let's discuss how we should proceed."
The group then began discussing their next course of action.
It was an extremely complex issue, and the conference room erupted into intense debate.
They argued back and forth without reaching a conclusion.
In the end, Nick Fury reeled everyone back in and initiated intelligence sharing for this round of the quiz first.
Once the information had been fully shared, and based on the latest intelligence they had, the group resumed discussions on how to respond now that the Power Stone had surfaced.
The meetings went on for more than three full days.
Eventually, they finally reached a consensus.
The Power Stone was Thanos's first target, so they had to secure it themselves.
Their next primary objective was to take the Power Stone from the Ravagers—or more accurately, to steal it.
They had no intention of confronting someone like Yondu head-on.
Silently stealing the Stone was clearly the best option.
Once they had it, the initiative would be in their hands. Whether they chose to set an ambush or use the Stone's power to strike Thanos proactively, they'd have plenty of tactical flexibility.
Stealing the Power Stone from Yondu, frankly speaking, wasn't all that difficult.
Especially for this group of quiz participants, all of whom were now loaded with "cheat-like" advantages.
After some discussion, a concrete plan was quickly formed.
"Alright, then it's settled," Captain America said.
"Star-Lord and Thor, the two of you will be responsible for keeping an eye on Yondu and waiting for the right opportunity."
"The moment that opportunity appears, notify us immediately."
With Captain America's words, the multi-day meeting finally came to an end.
Thor returned to Asgard via the Bifrost. Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury continued handling S.H.I.E.L.D. affairs.
Captain America, meanwhile, temporarily regrouped with Tony Stark and Dr. Banner.
Inside a room at the quiz participants' base, the three of them were examining the technical data for the Hextech Gate, which Captain America had obtained as a reward.
"This is incredible—absolutely incredible! These designs are totally feasible! Tony, look at this. This is a breakthrough for the ages!"
Dr. Banner, wearing his glasses, stared at the holographic projections in front of him, so excited that his eyes practically glowed.
"Exactly!" Tony Stark nodded repeatedly.
"This may look like magic, but it's also technology. It's magic created through technological means!"
"The Hextech Gate was invented by a man named Jayce, in a laboratory," Captain America explained.
"When Jayce was young, he was once saved by someone using traditional magic. That experience obsessed him with magic, and he devoted himself to researching it, trying to recreate what he had witnessed."
"After countless hardships, perseverance paid off—and the Hextech Gate was born."
Captain America's explanation energized both Tony Stark and Dr. Banner.
If the Hextech Gate could be invented by a scientist in a lab, then they could do it too.
When it came to being scientists, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner were both extremely confident.
"Tony," Dr. Banner said seriously, "according to the data, everything here is achievable—except for one thing."
"The Hextech Gem," Tony replied heavily, nodding.
From the technical documents, they could roughly infer what the Hextech Gem was meant to do. But based on their knowledge, nothing on Earth could replicate that function.
"Tony, this gem is probably a magical artifact. I think we'll need Doctor Strange," Banner said after some thought.
"Unfortunately, Doctor Strange is still just Doctor Strange," Tony shrugged.
"No idea when he'll actually become Sorcerer Supreme—at the very least, his hands aren't injured yet."
Through the quizzes, they already knew that Strange's journey to Kamar-Taj began with his attempt to heal his shattered hands.
That's why everyone had been paying close attention to this matter.
Yet after so many quiz rounds, nothing had happened to Strange—until now.
"Cap, can I take these materials back to Stark Tower?" Tony asked eagerly.
"I need my lab. There's nothing here—I need to get back immediately."
"Of course, Stark. They're yours now," Captain America replied readily.
The moment he received the reward, Captain America had already intended to hand it over.
Tony wasted no time. He had JARVIS copy all the data and rushed back to Stark Tower—bringing Dr. Banner with him.
Banner didn't refuse.
He was just as fascinated by the Hextech Gate.
"Master! You're back!"
As soon as they entered, the obedient and lively Eva zipped over to greet Tony and Banner.
"Go play with Vision," Tony waved her off.
Eva greeted Banner politely, then floated away.
"Sir," JARVIS reported, "the anti-gravity armor prototype has been completed."
"That's fantastic news! Show me!" Tony said excitedly.
Whoosh!
Before his words even finished, a suit of armor flew directly in front of Tony and Banner, hovering silently in midair.
It was as if it were standing on invisible glass—utterly motionless.
No energy fluctuations whatsoever.
"Tony, you did it! You really did it!" Banner exclaimed in awe, circling the armor.
"An anti-gravity suit—what an incredible achievement!"
Anti-gravity flight completely abandoned chemical propulsion, ushering in an entirely new era.
Ever since Tony received Eva as a reward, everyone knew he wouldn't sit idle—he was bound to integrate her technology into his armor.
Still, no one expected progress this fast.
Tony Stark really was a genius.
"JARVIS, what are we waiting for? Begin testing immediately!"
"Yes, sir."
After a series of tests, Tony was delighted to find that aside from some minor tweaks, the anti-gravity armor had no major issues.
With just a bit of refinement, it was ready for mass production.
An undeniably good piece of news.
Tony soon put the armor aside and began working with Banner on the Hextech Gem, trying to find a substitute material.
They both knew this was an extremely challenging task, and they plunged into research day and night.
Unfortunately, several months passed with little progress.
…
While Tony and Banner were busy researching the Hextech Gem—
On a winding coastal mountain road, a luxury car sped recklessly forward.
Inside was a man in a designer suit, wearing an expensive watch, hair slicked back, and drenched in elite-brand cologne—clearly a wealthy man.
Handsome, too.
Except his face was just a bit long.
No doubt about it—this was Stephen Strange.
Even after participating in several quiz rounds, Strange's ingrained personality hadn't changed at all. On such a narrow, winding road, he was still speeding recklessly.
Worse yet, he was doing it while on the phone.
Classic case of asking for it.
"…Sure, I could do that. But you could also find someone else—anyone could do it."
"Can you give me something challenging? Don't waste my time."
Strange was clearly dissatisfied after hearing the patient's condition.
"Alright, I have a 68-year-old woman with terminal brainstem glioma."
"Are you trying to ruin my reputation? No."
"There's also a 22-year-old woman with electromagnetic implants in her brain to suppress schizophrenia. She was struck by lightning."
"…Now that sounds interesting. Send it to me… okay, got it."
As he reviewed the file—
Bang!
The car collided with another vehicle and began flipping violently, spinning like a top.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of brutal impacts followed. Strange felt as though his body was being smashed by countless sledgehammers.
After the world spun violently, he lost consciousness.
When Strange opened his eyes again, he found himself in a hospital bed.
"Hey, it's going to be okay. Everything will be alright."
Christine's gentle voice sounded as she sat beside him.
Strange finally noticed his hands—encased in countless braces and supports, a horrifying sight.
"My hands…" he murmured.
"Eleven stainless steel pins driven into the bones, multiple ligament tears, and severe nerve damage. The surgery lasted eleven hours. No one could have done better," Christine explained heavily.
"No… I mean, my hands… so this is how they were injured."
Christine froze.
What?
This reaction wasn't right.
For a surgeon as proud as Strange, hands ruined like this meant the end of his career—yet he was eerily calm.
Had the shock broken him?
"Stephen… are you okay?" Christine asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Strange nodded, deeply conflicted inside.
So… this day finally came.
He couldn't escape the fate of becoming Doctor Strange after all.
Flash!
In the next instant, his vision blurred, and—unsurprisingly—he found himself once again in the quiz space.
"Of all times…"
Strange muttered.
Appearing like this was basically social execution.
Worse still, he'd been transported along with the hospital bed, hands still immobilized—fully preserved in "original condition."
Incredibly considerate… and utterly humiliating.
"Strange, what happened to you?" Scott Lang exclaimed.
"Everyone's standing, and he's lying in bed. Does that count as VIP service?" Tony quipped.
"Mr. Strange, did you get run over by a truck or something?" Peter Parker babbled nervously.
"Strange, are you alright?" Captain America asked seriously.
Finally, someone normal.
"I'm fine," Strange said painfully.
"Just a minor accident. Injuries happen to everyone, so… just ignore it."
"Finally!" Tony exclaimed.
"Strange's hands are injured! Does that mean Doctor Strange is about to be born? Perfect timing!"
Tony's research had stalled badly—he desperately needed a magic consultant.
At that moment—
[A new round of questions is about to begin. All participants, prepare yourselves!]
The screen lit up.
This round's participants included Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Doctor Strange, Scott Lang, and Spider-Man Peter Parker—all veterans except Peter, who was buzzing with excitement.
Soon, the first question appeared.
[Question: Which of the following individuals invented the time–space positioning device, making time travel truly possible?]
A. Tony Stark
B. Bruce Banner
C. Princess Shuri of Wakanda
D. Hank Pym
[Friendly Reminder: Correct answers will receive one NZT-48 pill.
Incorrect answers will randomly lose one personal attribute—knowledge, experience, skills, possessions, etc.]
NZT-48—
from the movie Limitless.
........
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