The true form of the Devourer of Worlds is also an energy being.
Their race, in essence, has no fixed essence at all. These energy entities can shift into any form they choose. To humans, they appear as colossal humanoids. To the insect swarm, they manifest as gigantic insect-like beings. To other creatures, they take yet another shape.
Unless they deliberately assume a particular form—like Galacta choosing to appear human—they are perceived differently by whoever looks at them.
So when Galacta chose to reveal her true form, her body instantly expanded in perfect proportion! Her entire being became a semi-illusory state. But it wasn't purely phantom. As the purple clothing on her body glowed, her ethereal form solidified into a seemingly tangible shape.
It even felt solid to the touch—though in reality, it was nothing but condensed energy.
At this moment, the attire on Galacta's body, just like the armor worn by Galactus, existed solely to give structure to her immense energy form.
"Roar~!"
When Galacta appeared, Godzilla let out a puzzled roar, his gaze fixed solely on her. But as Galacta's form stabilized, Godzilla recognized her at once.
Wasn't this the one he'd met alongside Hela? They had even become friends afterward.
"Roar~"
Godzilla gave a softer roar, a greeting—and a question, asking why she was here.
Galacta's enlarged body was immense, towering beyond measure. Looking down at the now-small Godzilla, she spoke,
"Little guy, I'm here to help you. Your master has been watching long enough. It's time to end this."
"Roar~!?"
Godzilla seemed to ask if she was serious. He turned his head to search for confirmation, then suddenly remembered—it was true. His master had spoken of this earlier.
With that thought, Godzilla nodded, then snapped his head toward the overwhelming swarm of Annihilation Wave in the distance and let out a thunderous roar.
"Roar!"
At them!
"Good!"
Galacta adjusted her purple helmet and raised one hand. In it appeared… something resembling a vacuum cleaner.
No—it really was a vacuum cleaner!
Her massive figure holding that thing looked absurdly strange. Yet she aimed its pitch-black mouth toward the Annihilation Wave and pressed the switch.
"Suck, suck, suck~~~!!!"
An overwhelming suction, like the pull of a black hole, erupted from the vacuum's opening!
Countless Annihilation Wave creatures were dragged in, powerless to resist. The closer they drew, the smaller their bodies shrank—until they vanished completely into the device!
Galacta held the switch down and sucked with abandon. Clearing out one area, she would simply dash to another and repeat the process.
Wherever she went, the swarm disappeared without resistance. It was as if they were being swallowed by an actual black hole.
"What kind of power is that?"
This time, it wasn't just Peni, Cindy, and Mayday asking. Even Gwen couldn't make sense of it.
How could she summon a vacuum cleaner? And what's more, this vacuum was unbelievably powerful—it just snatched up the Annihilation Wave and swallowed them whole. Was it really that convenient?
Wanda studied carefully and speculated,
"It looks like some kind of magical weapon, designed with special functions."
"Yes."
Lorien nodded at her guess and explained,
"It can also be considered a technological weapon. But Galacta has imbued it with new properties using her own power. Think of it as a fusion of ability and technology—that's the mainstream method of combat in this world."
Fusion of ability and technology.
Gwen listened to those words and fell deep into thought.
The Nano Spider Suit—that was exactly what Lorien had just described. Iron Man too, with all his countless technologies.
Now, seeing this with her own eyes, Gwen's mind suddenly cleared.
It was as if a fog-covered road had vanished, leaving behind a shining path of revelation.
In that instant, inspiration struck. She understood the way forward.
Ability and technology. Not one above the other, but advancing side by side, complementing one another.
That must be the true path.
Lorien turned his head, caught the flicker of realization in Gwen's eyes, and smiled.
"Seems like you've figured out quite a bit."
"Mhm!" Gwen nodded earnestly.
"My earlier idea of life technology was too vague, without a clear direction."
"But now I'm certain—we need to develop power technology that complements our abilities!"
"Only then can we carve out a clear path to becoming stronger!"
Hearing this, Lorien nodded.
"There are many ways to grow stronger. The key is finding the one that suits you best."
But in truth, the Marvel Universe is defined by three pillars: abilities, technology, and rules.
Did you think Marvel's great beings don't dabble in technology? No—their tech is a kind of black technology. They invent, invent, and suddenly bring out some incredible treasure.
But this technology doesn't necessarily mean Earth's physics or chemistry.
Why?
Because across the Marvel Universe, physics and mathematics aren't absolute truths. Technology doesn't have to be electronics or machines. It could be energy, psychic force, willpower, exotic materials—anything.
Take the Infinity Gauntlet, for example.
The Infinity Stones had already been scattered by the Living Tribunal, preventing them from being used together. Yet Thanos still managed to forge a Gauntlet that could wield all the Stones at once.
In the comics, he even used it to challenge the Living Tribunal.
Of course, he was instantly crushed. Even a fully powered Infinity Gauntlet was turned into worthless junk at the Tribunal's word.
That's why, in the Marvel Universe, technology, abilities, and rules stand as the three mainstream forces.
And if you can merge them? That's like sticking an abalone to your forehead and sprouting a third eye—if that doesn't make you formidable, what does?
...
Meanwhile, Galacta was still sweeping through the Annihilation Wave with her vacuum cleaner, devouring everything in sight. Wherever she passed, not a single bug remained—clean as if Godzilla had just unleashed another shockwave.
She pushed the vacuum back and forth through the swarm—three times in, three times out! Again, three times in, three times out! And again!
Soon, the insect horde was shrinking at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Hiss~~~"
Hela couldn't help but marvel.
"Galacta can really suck, huh?"
"At this rate, the war will be over in no time."
Lorien looked, thought for a moment, recalled something, then nodded in agreement.
"She really can suck."
Beside him, the Ballerina Twins brought up the data for real-time monitoring.
"Annihilation Wave losses have now exceeded 50%, reaching 55%. At this pace, Miss Galacta will devour them completely within two hours."
Bella added,
"But the exact strength of the Brood Queen is unknown. She may be able to delay things."
Oh, right—the Brood Queen!
At those words, everyone suddenly remembered that such a massive swarm must have a Queen commanding it.
When the swarm's strength is at 100%, the Queen usually just gives orders. At most, she might personally take on elite enemies. Charging at the front herself wouldn't make much difference.
But once the swarm suffers over 50% losses, the Brood Queen is certain to enter the battle.
That's called stemming the tide.
So... where was she?
Everyone looked toward the insect formation.
Even after losing half their numbers, the swarm was still packed tight, shielding an enormous figure at the center.
That was the Brood Queen.
Not because she was weak and needed protection—no. She lay dormant, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash a lightning-fast, devastating strike. That was the most efficient tactic.
But in the Devourer Girl's eyes...
It was laughably amateurish.
Your life energy is leagues higher than everything around you. How could you possibly hide?
To her, it was like sneaking into a cornfield at night with the village widow, thinking no one can see. You might believe you're concealed—but overhead, a thermal drone is watching.
You think you're safe. But to the drone operator, that heat signature just keeps moving back and forth.
To Galacta, the Brood Queen had nowhere to hide.
So the moment she drew close, vacuum in hand, she flew straight at the Queen!
"Hiss~~~!"
Seeing Galacta charging straight at her, the Brood Queen let out a piercing shriek, tearing through her own swarm as she lunged forward to meet her!
The Queen knew full well this battle was already lost. But in the mind of the swarm, there was no such thing as retreat or surrender. There was only fighting until the last insect fell.
Victory or death. Nothing in between.
And so, in the Queen's charge, she carried with her the madness of a final stand.
Either you die, or I perish!
...
At a distance, beside Lorien and just behind him, Hela, Wanda, Gwen, Peni, Cindy, and Mayday all tensed at the sight.
This was the daughter of a cosmic god facing the Brood Queen one-on-one!
"This isn't going to go wrong, is it?" Hela asked, a trace of concern in her voice.
Lorien shook his head helplessly.
"Do you really think so little of Galacta?"
"Huh?" Hela blinked. "That's underestimating her?"
"The moment you doubted, you were already underestimating her."
"..."
It was true. With Galacta's strength, was there even a need to question whether she could handle a Brood Queen?
...
On the battlefield, the two clashed in an instant.
Facing the snarling, ferocious Brood Queen, Galacta's violet lips curved into a smile.
"Hmph~"
She opened her mouth wide.
The next second, a phantom silhouette swelled around her, magnifying her form in an instant.
And then—an enormous, overwhelmingly colossal projection of Galacta manifested in the cosmos.
So massive, it looked as though she was splitting heaven and earth apart.
Her phantom mouth opened wider, descending toward the Brood Queen.
The Queen wasn't even half the size of that phantom mouth.
And in the next moment, under the stunned gazes of the women beside Lorien—
"Ah-woo~!"
The Brood Queen...was swallowed whole by the Devourer Girl!
Just like Kanna from Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, she gulped down the bug in a single bite!