"What do you think is the meaning of life?"
"The impulses of the body are merely temporary chemical reactions. Our souls should pursue a higher level of tranquility."
"The universe is vast, and the mysteries of magic are unfathomably deep. That is where we should dedicate our energy."
Tony Stark stepped out of the portal with a blank expression, eyes filled with a look that had seen through the illusions of the world.
Russell was beaming with excitement, squinting slightly.
Damn, this guy really knows how to act tough after partying!
He snorted and looked at Tony, speaking coldly:
"Don't forget—you still owe me 18,160,000 Nova Coins."
The great Sorcerer Supreme had blown through all his exchanged currency within five minutes.
Then he borrowed from Russell—and continued spending like a madman.
The ever-kind Mr. Russell only charged a modest 2% interest, which was much more reasonable than any loan you'd find in the Void.
Tony remained calm, smiled and nodded, then looked at the first ray of sunshine rising over New York. He raised a hand to hide the tears in his eyes...
Damn it!
Can someone explain what the hell a "quantum massage" is?
Alien ghost girls?!
Did the Red Giant Health Spa really open inside a star?!
What even is a "Flame Cat-Ear Girl"?
And how the hell can those two things even combine?!
And the White Dwarf Roasted Star Beast meat—is that alloy or flesh? Won't it just melt into goop?!
"Earth Core Element Wine"—you sure that's not just a cup of molten lava?!
88 Galaxy Starlight, 30,000-Year-Aged Wine... Can I sue for fraud?!
This stuff has got to be expired! Probably since the year 170!
But the most outrageous thing...
Why is there a charge for "Strip Dance of Earth Humans" on the bill?!
You can watch that in New York for 50 bucks!!
This absolutely ridiculous receipt was seven meters long.
What the actual hell!!!
Damn you, Collector!
Why do you have so many insane charges, and why are they all so expensive?!
18,160,000 Nova Coins... that's over 72 billion USD when converted into rare Earth mineral equivalents!
When Tony had just emerged from that dark little room and saw the length—and contents—of the bill, his spirit, which had just barely recovered from a multiverse journey, nearly collapsed again.
This had to be Ikonn's Illusion Magic—someone had messed with reality duplication!
Too bad Tony had no idea what the Ikonn Illusion even was.
Russell had sneakily used the Time Stone, spending over and over again!
Tony couldn't hold it in anymore and cried.
Sure, he was the second-largest shareholder of Stark Industries.
But… this wasn't the god-tier version of the timeline. Stark Industries wasn't that rich here.
If this keeps up, all his dividends from the last fifteen years would be wiped out!
It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!!!
Just then, a concerned voice came from beside him:
"What's wrong, Tony? Didn't have enough fun last night? Or are you just feeling down?"
Tony wiped away his tears using a small magic spell, turned his head, and smiled naturally:
"Fun? Of course I had fun. Three Adora girls cost me a full hundred Nova Coins. How could I not be happy?"
Russell scratched his head innocently:
"I thought you were upset because you didn't have to greet the gods today, so you'd be resting."
Tony instantly perked up:
"No, no! I'm feeling great!"
"If you don't believe me, toss me a sword—I swear I'll dodge it!"
Russell chuckled lightly:
"No need to try so hard... Just head back to Kamar-Taj and wait for them. Let's not have our guests arrive and find us missing."
At last, Tony fulfilled the promise he made the first time they met.
He was genuinely in a good mood—completely refreshed.
Tony nodded eagerly:
"They'll be here at noon. You can get ready or rest a bit first."
"The spatial fluctuations might be pretty intense. You'd better notify S.H.I.E.L.D., or Fury might not sleep for three days straight."
Russell circled around the concealed Kamar-Taj.
He thought about it for a moment—yeah, Nick Fury's paranoia could easily go that far.
Considering the boiled egg incident in the other timeline, Russell decided to show some mercy...
So, he handed Wong, who was currently stationed at the New York Sanctum, a hundred Nova Coins in supreme credit as a reward.
Wong took a cab.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Nick Fury stared at the middle-aged, slightly chubby man in front of him with a confused expression.
"Excuse me, did you say you're the magician sent by Mr. Russell?"
He couldn't help but think—This guy doesn't look like a magician at all. He looks more like a cook!
The man smelled strongly of green onions, ginger, and garlic.
If he hadn't been able to clearly mention the name "Russell," Fury would've already had eight agents pin him to the ground in the elevator.
The man nodded seriously.
"Yes, the Venerable One sent me here."
"I've still got beef bones simmering in the pot, so I won't waste your time. Let me get straight to the point."
You really are a cook… Nick Fury thought grimly, but said solemnly:
"Please go ahead."
The man—Wong, from Kamar-Taj—scratched his head. It was his first time meeting someone so formal, so he straightened his posture and explained:
"This matter doesn't concern reality directly. It's just that there might be a bit of noise when it happens. If you notice anything unusual, don't panic—it's all under control."
Nick Fury's interest was piqued.
Wong continued:
"Today at noon—12:00 Nepal time—the gods of the Asgardian pantheon, the Olympian pantheon, and the Theban pantheon will descend."
Nick Fury's expression shifted instantly.
"Gods!?"
"What are they coming here for? Are they planning to rule the human world again?"
He hadn't yet recovered from Norse mythology becoming real—and now Greek and Egyptian gods too?!
Are they trying to copy Asgard's lead by coming to Earth now? But how many Thors can the world handle?
These so-called gods, based on the myths they left behind, weren't exactly benevolent. Most of them enslaved or manipulated humans!
But just then, the "chef"—no, the magician—shook his head and corrected:
"That's not the case. If they had such intentions, Kamar-Taj would be the first to oppose them. They were banished by the Sorcerer Supreme long ago. Even Thor once violated the rules—but he's not a bad person."
"The only reason the other pantheons' gods were allowed to descend this time… is because they're coming to meet the Venerable One—oh, I mean, Lord Russell, as you called him."
"You can think of this as the gods offering a tribute to the new King of the Gods."
Nick Fury was stunned.
He already knew Russell was powerful. Not only had he defeated multiple hammer-wielders within a single minute, but he had almost shattered the land a hundred kilometers north of the Ten Rings base.
But still…
The gods' tribute… the King of the Gods…?
It sounded too unbelievable.
Yet at that moment, Fury felt a tremor deep in his soul. His entire worldview was being shaken.
He could almost see it—the magnificent scene that hadn't occurred since the dawn of history.
Well, he couldn't picture the exact scale of it, but he knew one thing—it would be earth-shattering.
Sitting up straight, Fury put on his most respectful expression and asked sincerely:
"Magician… Wong, right? Don't worry. S.H.I.E.L.D. won't interfere or log any activity."
Wong looked a bit embarrassed.
Nick Fury added:
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has its own food supply. From now on, you can come by anytime for free food—it's all organic."
Wong didn't reply. Instead, he opened a glowing portal and ran back through it.
When he'd arrived earlier, he came quietly. But this time, as he returned to Kamar-Taj, the atmosphere felt different.
A few minutes later, as Nick Fury sat nervously, Wong stepped back out of the portal with a cheerful expression.
"Alright! But the Sorcerer Supreme said it can only be you."
"No problem at all!"
Nick Fury nearly leapt to his feet, more excited than he'd been in years.
A tribute from the gods!
He was about to witness a true miracle.
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