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[Superman] Chapter 136: A Chance for the Few to Escape
🕑 Added 2024-05-26 17:57:58 +0000 UTCHe felt the terrifying energy stirring in the Battle Realm.
Peter hurriedly traveled through the cosmic void and arrived outside the Battle Realm universe.
"I've really come at the right time, the battle between them is going on at a critical moment."
Peering through the universe's barriers, Peter clearly saw everything unfolding inside the combat universe. However, he didn't rush in. Instead, he watched the clash with keen interest.
"Is that massive suit of armor from 'Pacific Rim' or what?"
Almost instantly, Peter's attention was drawn to the colossal, god-like suit of armor, towering several hundred meters high. If he didn't know he was still in the Marvel Universe, he might have thought he had stumbled into the world of 'Pacific Rim.'
"Moreover, the pilot of this battle armor is actually Tony from another universe."
Seeing that the pilot was Tony from an alternate universe, Peter couldn't help but marvel. Truly, Tony was a being who could rival gods with a mortal's body.
At this moment, Tony, clad in the Godslayer Armor, was indeed extraordinarily powerful.
While Peter knew that Tony wasn't strong enough to kill a true multiversal deity, he could certainly hold his own against a cosmic entity like Thor Odinson.
Especially now, with the collective energy of everyone focused on him, Tony could effortlessly shatter the universe's barriers, having long surpassed the confines of a single universe.
"It's just a bit of a pity that this mysterious fellow on the opposite side of them seems to be even more powerful."
Without the intervention of the enigmatic figure who created the combat universe, this tiny pocket universe would have been easily destroyed by Tony in the Godslayer Armor.
However, with the mysterious figure's support, the universe's barriers had become more resilient than even those of a true universe, making them exceptionally difficult to break.
Despite the combined forces of everyone present, they still couldn't maintain a stable cosmic passageway to escape this universe successfully.
"However, this fellow is indeed capable of finding so many universe-level powerhouses and concentrating them together in the middle of an infinite universe."
Under Peter's observation, dozens of powerful beings from various universes were still battling within the combat universe. Among them were familiar heroes like Captain America, Tony, and Thor, who possessed power far surpassing their counterparts in ordinary universes. There were also many Peter had never seen before, such as Jean Grey with the Phoenix Force and the Sentry, who was said to possess the power of a million exploding suns. He could only guess their identities based on their appearances.
Some figures were so obscure that Peter couldn't identify them at all.
"It's a pity. Even though these individuals are the absolute powerhouses in their respective universes, they still can't defeat that mysterious figure."
"Not even together."
In less than a minute of Peter's observation, the tide of battle within the combat universe had shifted dramatically.
Despite the united effort of many powerhouses to channel all their energy into the Godslayer Armor, enabling Tony to wield power beyond a cosmic level, it wasn't enough. The transformed power, though mighty, wasn't genuinely transcendent.
Moreover, their opponent wasn't just any ordinary being but a true multiversal-level entity capable of creating pocket universes and even destroying entire single universes with sheer force.
......
At this moment, within the combat universe:
As the Transcended Celestial's figure merged into the star chart, the barrier enveloping the entire combat universe grew even stronger. Despite everyone's relentless efforts to channel their energy into the Godslayer Armor, it was futile.
The immense energy burst through, creating a massive black hole in the combat universe's barrier, but it was swiftly repaired under the star chart's influence.
Every time the barrier was breached, it would heal within seconds, becoming even more resilient and harder to break each time, requiring even greater energy to penetrate.
"No, we can't keep going like this. That guy is clearly waiting for our energy to deplete, ready to deliver a crushing blow."
Down below, many had already become extremely weak from constantly channeling their energy into the Godslayer Armor.
Captain America, feeling his own energy waning, continued to persist but realized that this strategy was futile. The mysterious figure was steadily draining their strength.
If they continued this way, they wouldn’t just fail to break the barrier; they would end up completely powerless and at the mercy of their foe.
"What should we do? The passage we manage to break lasts only a few seconds, not enough for all of us to get through."
Even knowing this, they had no other options. The temporary breach only lasted a few seconds before it was repaired, allowing just a few to escape.
More crucially, if some escaped, those remaining would lose all hope of escaping this universe.
"Do we have to sacrifice most of us to save a few?"
At this moment, everyone faced a critical decision. Should they send a few out while the rest stayed behind, or should they keep trying to create a passage wide enough for everyone? Ideally, they wanted the second option, but as their energy dwindled, it became clear they couldn't create a passage wide enough for all.
"We need to decide quickly, or we'll all be trapped here."
Up above, Tony continued to unleash energy, trying to create a larger passage in the universe's barrier. He heard the others' concerns and grew anxious.
"Damn it, looks like we have no choice. It's better for some to escape than for all of us to be stuck here!"
Finally, Captain America accepted the reality and prepared for their last-ditch effort.
"Tony, get ready. We're going to pour all our remaining energy into your armor."
"Remember, you need to release all the power at once to create a larger passage."
After a brief moment of thought, Captain America decided to gather everyone's remaining strength for one last gamble. If they could hold the passage open a bit longer, a few more might escape.
"Understood, Cap. Don't worry!"
Tony responded without hesitation to Captain America's plan.
"As for the rest of you, pour every bit of energy you have left into the armor, but keep enough to escape this universe."
Captain America instructed the others.
"Got it, Cap..."
They replied without hesitation, but their true thoughts remained hidden. Not everyone here was a selfless superhero.
They knew the next passage wouldn't be wide enough for everyone, and conserving a bit of energy might increase their chances of escape.
However, if everyone thought this way, the next passage might not even be as large as the previous one.
...
“Good luck to everyone from here on out!”
Everyone present was acutely aware of the situation, and Captain America was no exception. Despite the varying intentions among the group, he remained steadfast in his resolve, without harboring any resentment towards others.
He had already made up his mind: he would release all of his energy, even if it meant losing his only chance to escape.
With this thought, Captain America began channeling his energy without holding back. A vast amount of energy gathered in his hands, emitting a blinding golden light like the sun, illuminating everyone present.
The golden glow seemed to inspire the others, their gazes becoming resolute. Some, like Captain America, began to release all their energy without reservation, sacrificing their escape for the chance to save others.
Crackle!
The immense energy coalesced in the air, forming a vibrant pillar of multicolored light, like a beautiful rainbow suspended in the sky. It surged into the enormous armor above.
In an instant, the previously dim Godslayer Armor was revitalized, shining brilliantly like a god exuding divine might, standing tall in the void.
The colossal figure slowly turned, gazing down at the people below, absorbing their final reserves of energy.
Boom!
Captain America, having released all his energy, was the first to collapse, lacking the strength to even stand, dropping to one knee and supporting himself with his hand on the ground. Soon, others followed suit, completely depleting their energy and collapsing similarly.
Of course, some feigned weakness while actually conserving enough energy to make a desperate escape through the soon-to-be-opened passage.
Gradually, everyone's remaining energy was funneled into the Godslayer Armor above. A few could no longer stand, while most retained a bit of strength for the escape. This was understandable, given the circumstances.
“Tony, it's up to you now!”
Captain America, having regained a bit of strength, struggled to stand and addressed Tony, who was emanating a powerful aura above.
“Don’t worry, Cap. I won’t let you down!”
Tony acknowledged the sacrifices made by Captain America and the others, understanding that some had given their all to increase the chances of others escaping.
His gaze hardened with determination. Despite their short acquaintance, Tony was prepared to make sacrifices for his comrades.
As his resolve solidified, the Godslayer Armor began to radiate an intense light, energy surging across its surface, concentrating in its right hand.
Crackle!
All the energy focused into the armor’s right hand, a golden beam suddenly erupted, but it didn’t shoot out like previous energy blasts.
Instead, it condensed into a controlled energy sword, held firmly by the armor.
“Now!”
With a roar, Tony wielded the energy sword, slicing through the void in front of everyone. The brilliant sword cleaved the space, leaving a visible rift in its wake.
This was no illusion but a massive, tangible fissure leading to the void beyond the universe. A violent energy storm erupted from within the universe, rushing towards the void outside, akin to a plane suddenly depressurizing at high altitude.
Simultaneously, those on the ground, fueled by their remaining energy, rushed towards the rift.
In that moment, like fish leaping over the dragon gate, passing through the rift would bring them new life.
…
"A bunch of ants, you won't escape my grasp."
As everyone rushed toward the rift, the Transcended Celestial, hidden within the cosmic star map that enveloped the entire universe, wore a cold expression. He had anticipated everything and had already devised a countermeasure.
In the next moment, the dazzling star map rapidly moved to cover the cosmic rift. Powerful energy quickly began to mend the tear created by the Godslayer Armor.
In a brief instant, the rift, originally several hundred meters long, was reduced to just a hundred meters.
Moreover, the edges of the rift were gradually closing in towards the center, seemingly about to seal completely.
"I am Iron Man!"
Faced with the rapidly closing rift, Tony, who was closest and had the best chance of escaping, did not seize the opportunity to flee.
Instead, he instantly unleashed all his remaining power. The Godslayer Armor's massive hands reached into the rift, grabbing the edges and forcefully pulling them apart.
"Yes! I finally made it out!"
Tony, sacrificing his own chance to escape, managed to pry the closing rift open again.
This allowed one figure to dart through the gap and be the first to escape this peculiar universe.
"Ah!"
The moment they exited the universe, they felt a powerful force pulling them. In a state of disbelief, they were swiftly drawn through the endless void, suddenly falling into the reality of another universe.
"I... I'm back?"
When their consciousness returned, they realized they were back in their original universe.
Beyond the endless cosmic void, a nameless, all-encompassing figure slowly curled its fingers and flicked forcefully at another person who had just escaped the cosmic rift.
...
(End of Chapter)
