First floor hall.
The originally spacious space was now piled high with all sorts of rare treasures. Those were tributes from various civilizations across the Universe.
Thanos and Apocalypse, wearing their signature white and purple combat suits, knelt on one knee, their heads bowed deeply.
Even though they were now overlords who could make the Milky Way Galaxy tremble with a stomp of their feet, in the presence of the figure slowly walking down the stairs, they were still as humble as two rabbits seeing a lion.
"Lord Frieza!"
The two shouted in unison, their voices filled with fanatical worship.
Frieza, wearing a bathrobe and holding a glass of red wine, walked leisurely to the sofa and sat down.
"Speak."
Frieza took a sip of wine, his eyes languid. "How is the Universe cleanup going?"
"And those so-called rebel armies, have they all been dealt with cleanly?"
Thanos raised his head, a proud smile appearing on his purple face.
"Reporting to the Lord Frieza, the one hundred and thirty-seven known advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy have all completed asset liquidation and mergers."
"Among them, twelve civilizations attempted to resist."
Thanos paused, his tone becoming cold and grim. "I have, according to your instructions, completely formatted their home Planets, turning them into cosmic mines."
"As for the others..."
"The royal family of the Shi'ar Empire has signed life contracts and is currently responsible for landscaping work at Planet Frieza 003 (the site of Asgard)."
"The Skrulls have been incorporated into the intelligence department, responsible for monitoring the direction of public opinion across the Universe."
"The Universe as it is now..."
Thanos spread his arms as if embracing the truth. "One cannot even find an unauthorized asteroid."
"All shipping lanes, all resource points, and all life-bearing Planets are under the absolute control of the Frieza Force."
"Very good." Frieza nodded with satisfaction and put down his wine glass.
"Although the methods were a bit crude, I'm very satisfied with the results."
Frieza stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Looking at the world outside that had become completely orderly, yet also deathly still, a hint of boredom flashed in his eyes.
"This Universe no longer has any value worth my action."
"Even the fear points..."
Frieza glanced at the system panel.
Although they were still slowly increasing, that explosive pleasure was gone. It was like a game he had grown tired of playing.
"Since this place has been cleared."
Frieza turned around, the flames of greed reigniting in his crimson eyes.
He looked at Reed in the white lab coat, who had remained silent the whole time.
And Tony, whose face was written with 'I want to die.'
"Then..."
"That gate leading to the multiverse."
"It should be ready by now, shouldn't it?"
"A new field of leeks, I can't wait to go and harvest them."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho..."
—
Frieza Tower, top floor laboratory.
The massive holographic projection device hummed and countless bubble-shaped Universe models slowly floated in the air. Each bubble reflected bizarre and fantastical scenes.
"Lord Frieza, please look."
Reed, hunched over, carefully slid the control panel.
Ever since witnessing Frieza punch a Celestial to oblivion, the former Mister Fantastic had never straightened his back again.
"After filtering out the dead Universes with no signs of life, and the low-level Universes still in the primitive era, there are currently three targets that meet your 'high-value property' standard."
Reed's finger trembled as he clicked on a red bubble.
Buzz!
The image instantly magnified.
It was a world filled with smoke and war.
"Designation Earth-2149, Zombie Universe."
"The superheroes there are all infected with a virus, possess immortality, and are filled with... hunger."
"Tsk."
Frieza sat in the chair, swirling a glass of red wine, his brow furrowed in disdain.
"An unfinished project."
"A bunch of rotten corpses who only know how to eat, they can't help me repair my spaceship, nor can they provide me with high-quality fear (because their brains are all messed up)."
"This kind of foul-smelling place, even if it were given to me for free, I'd find it taking up too much space."
"Next one."
Reed quickly nodded, switching to the next screen.
"Designation Earth-838."
"This Universe is ruled by an organization called the 'Illuminati', with highly advanced technology, and..."
"Too boring."
Frieza yawned, his crimson eyes devoid of any ripple.
"A bunch of self-righteous hypocrites, who take half a day to discuss even a meeting."
"Although there's some profit to be had, this kind of orderly place isn't exciting enough to demolish."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, there's one more."
Reed took a deep breath and clicked on the last coordinate.
Designation: Earth-1610.
The screen showed a scarred New York City.
Though dilapidated, it was full of a wild, thriving vitality.
And in the center of the screen, a group of superheroes in various battle suits stood atop the ruins, cheering excitedly.
Beneath their feet lay the corpse of Kang the Conqueror, clad in purple armor and a blue mask.
"Oh?"
Frieza's eyes lit up slightly.
He put down his wine glass, leaned forward, and observed the figures on the screen with interest.
That Iron Man in the blue battle suit seemed even more irritable than the Tony from his own world.
That fierce-looking Steve, without a helmet, still held half an enemy's arm.
Most importantly, at the back of the crowd, a long-haired man, draped in a yellow cape and radiating golden light, floated.
That aura...
Even across the dimensional barrier, Frieza could feel a familiar, pleasing scent of a strong individual.
"Who is that blondie?"
Frieza extended a finger, pointing at the man in the image.
"Reporting, Lord Frieza."
Tony (revived version) glanced over, his eyes complex as he said, "According to data analysis, that is Robert Reynolds of that Universe, codenamed Sentry."
"Unlike the addict in our world, he in this Universe seems more stable and more powerful."
"Sentry, huh?"
Frieza's smile gradually widened, becoming elegant and cruel.
"Stable is good. The more stable the mind, the more delicious the fear produced when it collapses, isn't that right?"
He glanced again at the still-smoking ruins of that world and at the heroes, tired but with eyes gleaming with the foolish hope of "we won".
"Just finished a tough battle? Currently in the joy and relaxation of victory?"
"Oh dear..."
Frieza stood up, straightening the collar of his pristine white suit.
"Isn't this the best time to make an entrance?"
"This kind of spectacle, falling from the peak of hope into the abyss of despair in an instant..."
"I love to watch it the most."
"This is it."
Frieza waved his hand, making his decision.
"This piece of land, I have taken a liking to it."
"Notify Thanos to bring his fleet, and that bunch of good-for-nothings from the Ginyu Force."
"We're going to give our new neighbors a grand gift."
"Oh ho ho ho..."
***
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