Nolan's words left Susan feeling uneasy.
She had grown used to having Nolan in her life and couldn't imagine how to continue without him.
Fortunately, Nolan quickly added:
"Even if I don't know exactly when, I'll do my best to come back as soon as possible."
The multiverse was still a mystery. Even now, he couldn't pinpoint two different universes.
But he believed that one day, he would find the coordinates of this world.
When that day came, the multiverse would no longer be a problem.
He could even bring Susan to the main universe. Well, he'd have to be careful not to get noticed.
He didn't want a bloodbath imagine a group of superpowered women fighting, the chaos, the destruction. That would be exciting, but only if they weren't his woman.
Hearing Nolan's confident words, Susan finally calmed a little.
She wasn't the type of woman who couldn't live without a man. Parting wasn't unbearable.
Sometimes, being separated by even one country meant years without seeing each other.
She had long been prepared for that, or she wouldn't have stayed with Nolan.
"You better come back quickly," Susan said softly.
"Of course," Nolan replied.
Night had deepened, and the room grew dark.
Before long, a series of intimate sounds filled the room.
The next morning, Nolan rubbed his lower back.
He wasn't sure if it was because of their impending separation, but the woman had gone absolutely wild the night before.
Even with his superhuman body, it had been a lot to handle.
He couldn't help but think: no wonder she's a superhero.
Though her power wasn't raw strength or endurance, superpowers were fundamentally about developing one's body.
Even if Susan's abilities were force fields and invisibility, her physical condition was far superior to ordinary women.
Add to that the natural disadvantage of men…
Nolan quietly swore to himself:
"One day, I will have a truly superhuman body!"
Right now, at most, he could claim to be a minor Superman, nowhere near the one with the iconic costume.
But that didn't matter.
He had the ambition.
Even without external enhancements, there were many paths to strength.
Even now, his superhuman strength rivaled true superheroes. Was it really so impossible to go further?
At breakfast, Susan brought a cup of hot milk.
"Because of the planet-devourer, New York is heavily damaged. And not just that the entire North America has suffered considerable destruction. Before yesterday, who would have thought there could exist a lifeform that feeds on planets in this universe?"
Her words were accurate.
If it weren't for Silver Phantom, even the White House wouldn't have made any preparations against a planet-devouring threat.
Even with preparations, the actual battle readiness hadn't been fully implemented. In fact, it hadn't even reached half.
Otherwise, what sense would there be in worrying about Earth?
If a planet-devourer fell, the whole Earth would be gone. What environment would matter?
Nolan said:
"Since there's a planet-devourer, other powerful lifeforms could appear. Earth's current preparedness is far from enough. But honestly, such beings are rare in the universe. Earth won't be that unlucky to encounter a second one."
"That's true."
Susan nodded. Some of the heaviness on her face faded.
Earth couldn't be that unlucky, could it?
She sipped her milk, ate bread, and held a freshly printed emergency newspaper.
It was the only public information method left.
Yesterday, the entire northern hemisphere's satellites were destroyed.
NASA had moved surviving southern satellites north, but they could only cover the most critical areas.
After this crisis, it would take at least two or three years for the economy to recover.
Even basic daily life would take months to normalize.
The newspaper focused heavily on superheroes, especially Nolan and Captain Marvel.
It was easy to see that superheroes' status in the public eye would rise dramatically.
This wasn't ideal for national development, but there was no choice.
Now, America and the world needed superheroes, needed saviors.
Susan glanced at him.
"You're a celebrity now. Excited?"
Nolan casually put down the newspaper.
"Celebrity? Wasn't I one before?"
He remained calm, showing no emotion.
"Fame must be backed by strength. And soon, the government will probably send people. After all, I'm too dangerous."
Nolan understood the truth.
With the weapon that destroyed the planet-devourer and the title of savior, even if he tried to rebel, many would follow him blindly.
Even founding an Earth Federation might attract willing followers.
But that wasn't his goal.
This world didn't need that.
Susan thought silently.
After breakfast, they quickly immersed themselves in work.
At this time, no one could afford to relax.
Tony Stark was so busy, he barely had time to chat.
Other superheroes barely slept, dedicating themselves to maintaining order.
While Nolan was busy, Carol Danvers arrived at the Rock Building.
The building was one of the few high-rises in New York relatively intact.
Though calling it a skyscraper was generous, it was famous because of the Rock Technologies name.
With full confidence, Carol walked through the lobby straight upstairs.
"Hello, ma'am. Who are you here to see? Please register first!"
The receptionist tried to stop her.
Carol glanced at her.
"I'm here for Nolan Rock."
"The boss?" The receptionist was surprised but immediately said:
"He's busy. You'll need an appointment to meet him."
Although Captain Marvel was famous now, not everyone had seen the papers, so the receptionist didn't recognize her.
Carol frowned.
An appointment? She hadn't had to deal with that concept in years.
"I'll go myself. Nolan Rock will see me."
Without waiting for an objection, she turned and walked past the receptionist.
"Hey, hey, wait! Security! Security!"
The receptionist called after her.
But for Carol Danvers, this was no obstacle.
Seeing her barreling upstairs, the receptionist could only call the boss and hope she didn't get fired.
Nolan wasn't concerned.
Hearing the receptionist's description, he had already guessed the visitor was Carol.
Given his current authority, no one else would be that reckless.
He thought… did the main universe's Carol Danvers ever do the same thing?
"Huh, running in the family," Nolan chuckled.
But in these two worlds, his status was completely different.
In the main universe, he respected her. Here?
No chance.
Carol dared to cause trouble? Nolan's eyes glinted coldly as he put down his phone.
Soon, Carol reached the office.
Several security guards had already been outmaneuvered.
Seeing the nameplate reading "Nolan Rock," she didn't even knock and walked straight in.
"Nolan Rock," Carol's voice was firm, not friendly.
Years of saving the universe had left her rough around the edges socially.
"Captain Marvel?"
Nolan propped his chin on his hands, remaining seated.
Carol frowned slightly at his lack of movement but quickly regained composure.
"Nick Fury said you were coming to notify me. How did you even know I exist?"
Nolan smiled.
"Is your existence a secret?"
Carol's expression froze.
Her existence wasn't a secret she had nothing to hide.
But over the years, those aware of her presence had assumed she was dead or missing.
Even in the past, her deeds on Earth weren't widely known.
That's why it seemed strange.
Though thinking this, she only said:
"Of course not."
"Good. Then it's normal I know. After all, SHIELD, formerly S.H.I.E.L.D., has leaks everywhere."
Carol didn't dwell on it. Some details were worth analyzing, but she didn't fully understand the situation and trusted only herself.
Even if the planet-devourer battle was won by Nolan's actions, that wasn't her concern. She didn't fear him doing it again.
"Nolan Rock, I came to discuss the future. You should know your presence is dangerous to this world. Everyone wants some commitment from you."
The statement was predictable.
Nolan remained silent, but the mocking glint in his eyes was unmistakable.
"What do you mean?"
Carol frowned.
Nolan looked at her and said softly:
"You think making some promise will put them at ease? I don't know what they want, but I won't give up RockTech or anything I've built.
These are my achievements. My position as savior, my tech everything earned. I can assure you I won't intentionally cause trouble, but no one will believe me. My existence alone is a threat.
So… tell me. What exactly do they want?"
He stood up.
He didn't believe Carol came just for a promise.
Carol arched an eyebrow.
"They want you to hand over the 'Dimensional Flattening' method."
He laughed.
These people really dare to ask.
"You think I'd give it?"
"Probably not."
Carol knew that.
"But at least, they need a safeguard against the Dimensional Flattening weapon. You don't need it to threaten anyone, but no one wants the Earth's fate in one person's hands. They need security. That's a reasonable request."
This was her real reason for coming.
"Yes, reasonable enough," Nolan nodded.
Who wouldn't want more security?
But…
"Why should I give it?"
Nolan stared at Carol.
"You said I don't need Dimensional Flattening to threaten anything, so I won't use it. But why hand over the secret of my ultimate ace? Theoretically, no one can threaten me but there's more than one Earth in the universe."
Carol's face darkened.
She thought it wasn't an unreasonable demand. Nolan agreeing would have been normal.
But his answer surprised her completely.
What now?
Carol couldn't leave Earth without obtaining it.
Though she fought fires across the universe, she was still human.
Nolan was too dangerous. With the Dimensional Flattening tech, he could control Earth. That was unacceptable.
She said firmly:
"Sorry, today… I must take it."
Her aura flared.
Nolan chuckled.
"So after all that talking, it comes to a fight."
His calm face even carried a hint of amusement.
But inside, he was angry.
The main universe's Carol was like this. So was this one.
Superhero? That's your excuse?
I, Nolan Rock, never claimed to be a superhero. I didn't dedicate myself like you do.
Why should I hand over my ace?
Watching the energy radiate from Carol, her blonde hair lifted from the power, Nolan's lips curved.
For some reason, he felt a thrill he wanted to spar with this strongest superhero.
The next second, he opened a portal.
His hand merged with the initial mech unit.
The AT field expanded instantly.
"Want to fight? Fine… hope you won't regret it!"
With that, his right arm slammed toward Carol Danvers.
Boom!
The Rock Technologies building was shattered.
Though it was his own property, he was really angry now.