Chapter 30 – Treasure
After giving Gamora and the others a brief glance, Tivan shifted his gaze back to Blake.
For some reason, the stare of this young human was placing an unbearable pressure on him…
But how could that be?
Throughout his entire existence, the only times the Collector Tivan had ever felt true oppression were when he stood before the physical manifestations of the Four Cosmic Entities—Eternity, Oblivion, Infinity, and Death themselves.
With a confusion he couldn't put into words, Tivan studied Blake carefully and asked, "Didn't we already agree? Bring me the Cosmic Orb, and I will give you four billion Galactic Credits."
Blake shook his head lightly and replied in a calm, even voice, "That was the deal you made with Gamora. But now, the Cosmic Orb is my spoils of battle. Allow me to tell you the price being offered by other parties."
"Ronan the Accuser of the Kree Empire is offering 8.6 billion through the Hunter's Guild bounty system. Meanwhile, their sworn enemy, the Nova Corps of Xandar, is offering fifteen billion Galactic Credits."
"So tell me, Tivan the Collector… what can you offer?"
Tivan's brow immediately furrowed. He fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a serious tone.
"I do not possess that much liquid capital. However, my collection of artifacts is unmatched across the entire universe. How about this… you may enter my vault and choose any three items you wish in exchange for the Cosmic Orb."
Blake turned his head toward Gamora and asked through their mental link, "Have you contacted Ronan yet?"
Gamora gave a small nod without saying a word.
"Alright. Let's take a look around first," Blake said as he stepped forward with the others, following Tivan into the depths of his treasure vault.
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"This armor is pretty good. It can keep you alive in open space, and its defensive strength can withstand battleship-grade cannon fire. Peter, this one's for you. Put it on."
"Hm… Crystal of Sylva. When soaked in liquid, it produces a mysterious solution with an extremely high concentration that can accelerate plant growth. Groot, this is for you. Hold onto it. Don't lose it."
"A pair of daggers forged by the gods themselves… blessed directly by divine beings? Supposedly unmatched in sharpness and impossible to destroy. Well, there's clearly some marketing exaggeration here, but the quality looks solid. Gamora, these are yours. Take them."
"A basic textbook from a Level 9 Galactic Civilization that went extinct fifteen thousand years ago—the Milky Way Galactic Civilization. As the brains of the team, Rocket… this one's for you."
"Huh? What's this?" Blake muttered in surprise as he noticed a mass of black liquid writhing inside a glass container.
Yes. It was a symbiote—one of the same living species as Venom.
Blake cast a glance at Drax the Destroyer. But Drax immediately raised both hands and shook his head firmly, rejecting the "gift" without hesitation.
Well, even if a symbiote wouldn't significantly boost Drax's power… it would look pretty cool, wouldn't it?
If Drax could hear Blake's thoughts, he would probably fire back,
"If you think it's so cool, why don't you wear it yourself?"
After wandering around a bit longer, Blake finally found something suitable for Drax.
A pair of gauntlets that could absorb incoming energy attacks while steadily amplifying the user's physical strength at the same time.
Watching Blake shop around like he was browsing an online marketplace, constantly adding items to his invisible "cart," Tivan finally couldn't hold back anymore.
With a stern expression, he stepped in front of Blake and snapped, "Enough!"
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Tivan continued, "You have already selected five items from my collection. I will not argue over the two extras… even though their combined value far exceeds fifteen billion Galactic Credits. Now, can you please hand over the Cosmic Orb?"
But Blake only smiled casually. He reached down and picked up a golden-furred dog wearing a tiny space helmet that was wandering nearby, then said,
"Can't do that."
At that exact moment, a thunderous impact echoed through the air, followed by a violent tremor that shook the floor beneath their feet.
The massive fleet of Ronan the Accuser, representing the Kree Empire, had arrived.
"The Kree now control everything outside. I'll take care of them for you," Blake said calmly. "Consider the treasures we're taking as payment for our protection services here."
Without waiting for Tivan's response, Blake led the group straight out.
Tivan could only stare at their retreating backs, his eyes burning with rage and resentment.
All his life, he had been the one who tricked others. This was the first time someone had played him instead.
Yet, remembering the overwhelming mental pressure he felt when facing Blake—and the man's unshakable calm…
Tivan didn't dare act recklessly.
He could only watch as this band of thieves walked away with his treasures… and even his dog.
After hesitating for a moment, Tivan finally decided to follow them outside.
The Kree fleet was already here. This was a perfect chance to see just how strong that man truly was.
If Blake really was someone he couldn't afford to confront, then he would yield.
But if Blake was merely putting on a show…
Then Tivan would make sure he understood that toying with the Collector came with consequences.
— — —
As the Kree forces flooded the sky like a dense, black storm cloud, and Tivan followed behind them with a hateful, lingering glare…
Gamora swallowed hard, her nerves on edge.
"There are so many of them… and Loki isn't with them," Blake muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.
Hearing that, Peter Quill—who had already been on the verge of panic—shouted, "Blake, there are way too many Kree warships! How about we just run? We can get revenge for Drax another time!"
Rocket and the others also looked at Blake with hopeful eyes.
But Blake only smiled and said calmly,
"You've misunderstood. What I mean is… I don't want to kill that many people. Even if the Kree don't have the best reputation in the universe, it doesn't mean every single one of them deserves to die."
"Alright. A little trouble is fine."
The moment those words left his mouth, an overwhelming aura erupted from Blake's body—so immense it felt like it could tear apart the heavens and the earth.
He brought his palms together. In an instant, a brilliant blue sphere of energy flared to life between his hands…
"Kamehameha!!"
In mere seconds, the energy wave condensed to its peak, then blasted skyward with devastating force.
The unmatched torrent of power shot through space like a blazing meteor…
And a few moments later, a bright star that had once shone beautifully in the void above—
Vanished.
Gone without a single trace.
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