Cyttorak.
The ruler of the Crimson Cosmos and the source of Juggernaut's power.
The Crimson Cosmos was a timeless mystical dimension beyond conventional space-time. Within his own realm, Cyttorak possessed almost absolute authority, capable of manipulating its laws, matter, space, and mystical energy at will.
That alone made him an extremely dangerous existence.
However, Karl didn't blindly believe every power comparison he remembered from Marvel Comics.
Depending on the story, Cyttorak had been portrayed as an immensely powerful mystical entity capable of contending with beings such as Zom and other ancient magical powers.
But comparing him directly with cosmic entities such as Galactus was difficult.
Above ordinary cosmic beings were the great abstracts—Eternity, Infinity, Death, and Oblivion—entities representing fundamental aspects of existence itself.
Then there were beings like Galactus, who occupied their own unique position within the cosmic hierarchy.
Shuma-Gorath and other extradimensional gods further complicated things.
Marvel's hierarchy had never been perfectly consistent.
Different eras and universes portrayed the same beings differently.
Therefore, Karl only used what he remembered as a reference.
This was a real universe now.
If he blindly relied on comic-book power rankings and got himself killed, he would only have himself to blame.
Karl returned his attention to Juggernaut.
The crimson mystical power pouring from Cain Marko's body continued increasing.
His strength rose with it.
Combined with the Kryptonian warrior genes Karl had previously given him, Juggernaut's power rapidly crossed into the Sub-Skyfather level.
And it was still rising.
Karl narrowed his eyes.
Strangely, he could detect nothing except the enormous energy flowing through Juggernaut.
His mental and soul perception couldn't find any foreign consciousness.
Either Cyttorak wasn't interfering directly...
or Cyttorak's level was so far beyond Karl's perception that he simply couldn't detect him.
That possibility made Karl even more cautious.
His greatest concern was that Cyttorak might suddenly seize control of his avatar.
Karl remembered how Galactus had effortlessly pulled him out of the temporal passage earlier.
He hadn't even been able to resist.
If Cyttorak truly possessed comparable—or even greater—power inside the appropriate circumstances, then failing to detect him wouldn't be surprising.
Vastness continuously monitored Juggernaut's condition.
The slightest abnormality would result in Cain being teleported away from the Skyblade VII immediately.
Thirty minutes passed under the tense atmosphere.
Juggernaut's aura continued growing.
Near-Skyfather.
Skyfather.
Beyond Skyfather.
Finally—
Boom!
The crimson energy around him erupted violently.
Juggernaut broke through.
Single-Universe level!
And the transformation didn't merely affect his energy.
His life force and soul had both been elevated to the same level.
Karl's expression changed slightly.
Juggernaut slowly stood.
His eyes now glowed a deep crimson, and even his hair had taken on a dark-red hue.
An oppressive aura filled the surrounding area.
Karl immediately released his own pressure.
Yan, Black Phoenix, Hela, and Ganata did the same.
Then—
"Uh... Boss?"
Juggernaut blinked.
"Is there anything to eat?"
Everyone stared at him.
Cain scratched his head.
"I was holding Lockjaw's paw and heading toward the dining area when the power inside me suddenly went crazy."
He looked down at himself.
"Huh?"
"I think I got stronger!"
Karl remained silent for several seconds.
Still the same idiot.
"All right, all right."
Karl waved his hand.
"And stop bouncing around."
"At your current strength, one careless jump could punch through the warship."
"Go eat."
"Take Lockjaw with you, control your strength, and watch where you're stepping."
"Oh."
Juggernaut nodded obediently.
He walked toward Lockjaw.
The giant Inhuman teleporting dog had kept its distance during Cain's transformation but now cautiously approached him again.
The pair headed toward the dining area.
Karl watched them leave.
"Vastness."
[Sir.]
"From now on, continuously monitor Juggernaut."
"If anything unusual happens, inform me immediately."
"Also analyze every piece of recorded data from before and during his transformation."
Cain was now a Single-Universe-level powerhouse.
If Cyttorak suddenly seized control of him, even a moment of rampaging aboard the warship could cause catastrophic damage.
Karl didn't believe this unexplained increase in power had happened for no reason.
Cyttorak had suddenly elevated his avatar almost like launching a rocket.
There had to be a reason.
[Understood, Sir.]
[Review complete.]
[Previous records, including those from the Dark Dimension, show no abnormal behavior from Juggernaut.]
Karl nodded slowly.
"Understood."
He turned toward the others.
"You can all return to what you were doing."
Then he specifically looked at Yan, Ganata, Hela, and Black Phoenix.
"You four should continue paying attention to Juggernaut."
"He's Single-Universe level now, and the mystical power inside him originates from Cyttorak."
"A very dangerous ancient entity."
"I don't know why Cyttorak suddenly raised Cain's strength this far, so don't lower your guard."
"Okay!"
The four replied together.
Karl nodded.
Yan, Ganata, Black Phoenix, and Hela exchanged glances before eventually leaving.
Great Wanda also turned around and left in a huff.
Karl didn't remain aboard the warship.
The next moment, he entered the Shadow World.
Soon afterward, he arrived at the castle where the Olympian goddesses lived.
Many goddesses immediately noticed him upon his arrival.
Karl ignored their gazes and walked directly toward the second-floor hall.
He sat down upon the throne.
Not long afterward, Hera, Gaea, Aphrodite, and Persephone entered carrying fruit.
A beautiful rectangular table had already been placed before Karl.
The four goddesses carefully arranged the fruit upon it.
Karl rested his head against one hand.
His attention soon settled upon Hera.
The former Queen of Olympus wore dazzling divine garments.
A delicate golden necklace rested against her chest, perfectly positioned above the mark Karl had previously placed near her collarbone.
The inscription had been further decorated with gold, making Karl's name even more prominent.
Hera wore a creamy-white gown.
Like much Olympian clothing, the back remained open, though a delicate pearl chain now crossed the center of her smooth back.
...
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