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The originally cramped room now seemed even more crowded.
Overhead, an old fan of indeterminate age creaked as it struggled to turn. Its constant drone was vexing, and in the suddenly oppressive atmosphere, it became exceptionally jarring.
Tony sat on the chair, expressionless, staring at the three of them.
His thoughtful gaze, however, put them under great pressure—or to be precise, put Zatanna and Constantine under immense pressure. As for Raven, her eyes had lit up the moment Tony appeared. Wide-eyed, she stared intently at Tony.
On her internal list, Tony was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
But Tony had no interest in going with her to the Agalas Sanctuary right now; that would be a suicide mission.
Beads of sweat formed on Constantine's forehead. Every time he met Tony's half-smiling gaze, he felt the pressure mounting. With a cough, Constantine adopted the posture of a shameless scoundrel, about to find a seat, but he was frozen in place by the sudden surge of killing intent in Tony's eyes.
"Ah, Sorcerer Supreme, what brings you to a small place like Gotham City...?" Constantine chuckled drily.
"I'm here to settle a score with a certain bastard. I wonder who it was that led a clone of Mephisto to me last time, then decisively ran away when I needed them. Pretty fast, too, almost on par with a Speedster."
Tony tapped the table intermittently, a cold sneer on his face.
He still hadn't settled that score. Last time, that bastard Constantine had drawn a magic circle for Mephisto, teleporting several hundred demons over, which had been a real handful for Tony.
"You're the Sorcerer Supreme? The Sorcerer Supreme who enslaved Dormammu and drove out Mephisto?" Zatanna, who had been holding back for a long time, suddenly shrieked, her eyes filled with adoration. "I've heard my father talk about you. You did what the Ancient One wanted to do but couldn't, protecting Earth and countless lives."
Tony nodded impassively. Although he had used quite a few tricks in the process, he had indeed accomplished it, risking his life every step of the way. He deserved this adoration.
In fact, Zatanna was not an isolated case. Many people on Earth worshiped him. His fame had even resounded throughout the universe, deterring many who harbored ill intentions.
Even now, many extraterrestrials couldn't figure out exactly how strong Tony was. Many speculated that he was stronger than the Ancient One, because he had achieved what she had not, and because of this, they didn't dare to act rashly.
For instance, the Kryptonians, Thanos, and the Green Lantern Corps all remained wary of the small planet called Earth.
The unknown was the most terrifying thing.
Furthermore, the few who knew that Tony held several Infinity Stones in his hands were even more hesitant to approach.
"So cool~ Can you teach me magic?" Zatanna's eyes were full of little stars; her dark pupils seemed to hold the constellations themselves.
"No. You have your own Family Magic Inheritance. You are not one of Kamar-Taj's people," Tony refused without hesitation.
Zatanna? What did she have to do with him? Even at Kamar-Taj, he wasn't responsible for teaching; Mordo was primarily responsible.
Tony only showed up to teach occasionally. A Demigod's skill level was more than enough to instruct a group of rookies.
But his main reason for coming to Gotham City this time was Raven, the one who had been standing obediently to the side.
"You're Raven? Trigon's daughter?" Tony sighed.
Raven nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, looking at Tony with expectant eyes. "You'll help me, right?"
"Ridiculous. Why should Earth's Sorcerer Supreme help you?" Zatanna said, looking displeased.
"Don't say that. the Agalas Sanctuary has helped me before..." Tony rubbed his brow. He had always remembered that debt of gratitude.
During the siege against Dormammu, the Agalas Sanctuary had crossed dimensions to help, and their powerful legion of over ten thousand sorcerers had left a deep impression on Tony.
Although it was the Ancient One who had invited them, the debt had indeed fallen on Tony's shoulders. He was willing to acknowledge it and find a way to repay it.
It's just, this matter with Trigon...
Difficult, too difficult...
That's a Level Eight enemy, a Multiverse-level being. How could he fight it? Or rather, how could he fight it and ensure he lasted even a few more seconds?
Just thinking about it, the terrifying pressure that inexplicably spanned across the Multiverse was enough to make him breathless.
It was a suffocating despair. He looked around; the vast, boundless universe felt as if it were filled with frigid seawater. Tony was like a non-swimmer submerged within it, surrounded by darkness no matter which way he swam.
He had no doubt that Trigon had already located this universe and was on his way.
A being like that, even if it did nothing, its terrifying energy and consciousness aggregate could distort every region it occupied. Time, Space, soul—everything would be twisted. The entire universe would undergo a horrific mutation. The chaos of constants and parameters would directly lead to the inversion and collapse of fundamental physics, ultimately forming a black hole that would devour the universe.
Trigon was the source of that black hole.
Throughout the ages, the Multiverse had been destroyed and rebooted countless times. Almost every single time, it was caused by the actions of a being at least at Level Eight for one reason or another. Not once had the Multiverse been destroyed and rebooted because it had reached the end of its own lifespan.
Behind every destruction and rebirth, the shadows of beings like Trigon loomed.
In the face of a being like Trigon, billions of lives were less than nothing.
It was simpler than reaping wheat—periodically harvesting a crop, waiting for the next one to grow, and then harvesting again.
If Trigon came to this universe, they either had to find a way to expel him, or even kill him. Otherwise, everyone was doomed.
Unless some other powerful being intervened, but the chances of that were too low. Who would be willing to needlessly offend Trigon? Just for one universe?
Give me a break. There are countless universes in the Multiverse; massive numbers of them are born and die at every moment. It wasn't worth antagonizing Trigon over the survival of this single universe.
Even in the Sphere of the Gods, not many would be willing to offend a peculiar entity like Trigon.
Hearing that Tony hadn't refused, Raven's small face lit up like an innocent flower. She quickly asked, "Then come back with me to the Agalas Sanctuary! The sorcerers there will be very happy too."
Tony gave a wry smile and waved his hand. "I will find a way to deal with that father of yours, but absolutely not right now. I still have some important matters to attend to..."
Inwardly, Tony sighed once more. This foolish girl, she doesn't know anything at all...
It was hard to imagine that this naive little girl would one day be captured by Trigon and eventually become the terrifying queen who shook Hell to its core—Trigon's most ferocious mad dog and number one general.
If Tony didn't interfere, that would indeed be Raven's fate: to become a Queen of Hell, a mass murderer who destroyed universes on a whim, her hands drenched in blood.
Tony glanced at the bewildered Zatanna, and then at Constantine, whose face had suddenly turned pale after deep thought.
Zatanna was too young; it was normal for her not to have access to information about Trigon. But Constantine was different. This guy was the Hell Detective; dealing with demons was a part of his daily life.
"Th-that... that name..." Constantine trembled slightly, sweat pouring down his face, which was drained of all color.
He looked at Tony. After their eyes met for a moment, Tony averted his gaze meaningfully.
A sliver of hope suddenly rose in Constantine's heart. This Sorcerer Supreme, who could always create miracles, would have a way, right? But he was quickly discouraged. The enemy was Trigon... a Multiverse-level being, the aggregate of all sinful power...
Tony fell silent, lost in thought. Three stones quietly slipped out from his wide sleeves. He held the three stones, clutching them in his hand. At this moment, only these things could offer him a sliver of warmth.
They also gave him a tiny, insignificant bit of confidence, a little bit of power to protect the people he wanted to protect...
But this was far from enough, far from enough!
To even be qualified to face Trigon, three Infinity Stones were utterly useless.
(end of chapter)
Overhead, an old fan of indeterminate age creaked as it struggled to turn. Its constant drone was vexing, and in the suddenly oppressive atmosphere, it became exceptionally jarring.
Tony sat on the chair, expressionless, staring at the three of them.
His thoughtful gaze, however, put them under great pressure—or to be precise, put Zatanna and Constantine under immense pressure. As for Raven, her eyes had lit up the moment Tony appeared. Wide-eyed, she stared intently at Tony.
On her internal list, Tony was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
But Tony had no interest in going with her to the Agalas Sanctuary right now; that would be a suicide mission.
Beads of sweat formed on Constantine's forehead. Every time he met Tony's half-smiling gaze, he felt the pressure mounting. With a cough, Constantine adopted the posture of a shameless scoundrel, about to find a seat, but he was frozen in place by the sudden surge of killing intent in Tony's eyes.
"Ah, Sorcerer Supreme, what brings you to a small place like Gotham City...?" Constantine chuckled drily.
"I'm here to settle a score with a certain bastard. I wonder who it was that led a clone of Mephisto to me last time, then decisively ran away when I needed them. Pretty fast, too, almost on par with a Speedster."
Tony tapped the table intermittently, a cold sneer on his face.
He still hadn't settled that score. Last time, that bastard Constantine had drawn a magic circle for Mephisto, teleporting several hundred demons over, which had been a real handful for Tony.
"You're the Sorcerer Supreme? The Sorcerer Supreme who enslaved Dormammu and drove out Mephisto?" Zatanna, who had been holding back for a long time, suddenly shrieked, her eyes filled with adoration. "I've heard my father talk about you. You did what the Ancient One wanted to do but couldn't, protecting Earth and countless lives."
Tony nodded impassively. Although he had used quite a few tricks in the process, he had indeed accomplished it, risking his life every step of the way. He deserved this adoration.
In fact, Zatanna was not an isolated case. Many people on Earth worshiped him. His fame had even resounded throughout the universe, deterring many who harbored ill intentions.
Even now, many extraterrestrials couldn't figure out exactly how strong Tony was. Many speculated that he was stronger than the Ancient One, because he had achieved what she had not, and because of this, they didn't dare to act rashly.
For instance, the Kryptonians, Thanos, and the Green Lantern Corps all remained wary of the small planet called Earth.
The unknown was the most terrifying thing.
Furthermore, the few who knew that Tony held several Infinity Stones in his hands were even more hesitant to approach.
"So cool~ Can you teach me magic?" Zatanna's eyes were full of little stars; her dark pupils seemed to hold the constellations themselves.
"No. You have your own Family Magic Inheritance. You are not one of Kamar-Taj's people," Tony refused without hesitation.
Zatanna? What did she have to do with him? Even at Kamar-Taj, he wasn't responsible for teaching; Mordo was primarily responsible.
Tony only showed up to teach occasionally. A Demigod's skill level was more than enough to instruct a group of rookies.
But his main reason for coming to Gotham City this time was Raven, the one who had been standing obediently to the side.
"You're Raven? Trigon's daughter?" Tony sighed.
Raven nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, looking at Tony with expectant eyes. "You'll help me, right?"
"Ridiculous. Why should Earth's Sorcerer Supreme help you?" Zatanna said, looking displeased.
"Don't say that. the Agalas Sanctuary has helped me before..." Tony rubbed his brow. He had always remembered that debt of gratitude.
During the siege against Dormammu, the Agalas Sanctuary had crossed dimensions to help, and their powerful legion of over ten thousand sorcerers had left a deep impression on Tony.
Although it was the Ancient One who had invited them, the debt had indeed fallen on Tony's shoulders. He was willing to acknowledge it and find a way to repay it.
It's just, this matter with Trigon...
Difficult, too difficult...
That's a Level Eight enemy, a Multiverse-level being. How could he fight it? Or rather, how could he fight it and ensure he lasted even a few more seconds?
Just thinking about it, the terrifying pressure that inexplicably spanned across the Multiverse was enough to make him breathless.
It was a suffocating despair. He looked around; the vast, boundless universe felt as if it were filled with frigid seawater. Tony was like a non-swimmer submerged within it, surrounded by darkness no matter which way he swam.
He had no doubt that Trigon had already located this universe and was on his way.
A being like that, even if it did nothing, its terrifying energy and consciousness aggregate could distort every region it occupied. Time, Space, soul—everything would be twisted. The entire universe would undergo a horrific mutation. The chaos of constants and parameters would directly lead to the inversion and collapse of fundamental physics, ultimately forming a black hole that would devour the universe.
Trigon was the source of that black hole.
Throughout the ages, the Multiverse had been destroyed and rebooted countless times. Almost every single time, it was caused by the actions of a being at least at Level Eight for one reason or another. Not once had the Multiverse been destroyed and rebooted because it had reached the end of its own lifespan.
Behind every destruction and rebirth, the shadows of beings like Trigon loomed.
In the face of a being like Trigon, billions of lives were less than nothing.
It was simpler than reaping wheat—periodically harvesting a crop, waiting for the next one to grow, and then harvesting again.
If Trigon came to this universe, they either had to find a way to expel him, or even kill him. Otherwise, everyone was doomed.
Unless some other powerful being intervened, but the chances of that were too low. Who would be willing to needlessly offend Trigon? Just for one universe?
Give me a break. There are countless universes in the Multiverse; massive numbers of them are born and die at every moment. It wasn't worth antagonizing Trigon over the survival of this single universe.
Even in the Sphere of the Gods, not many would be willing to offend a peculiar entity like Trigon.
Hearing that Tony hadn't refused, Raven's small face lit up like an innocent flower. She quickly asked, "Then come back with me to the Agalas Sanctuary! The sorcerers there will be very happy too."
Tony gave a wry smile and waved his hand. "I will find a way to deal with that father of yours, but absolutely not right now. I still have some important matters to attend to..."
Inwardly, Tony sighed once more. This foolish girl, she doesn't know anything at all...
It was hard to imagine that this naive little girl would one day be captured by Trigon and eventually become the terrifying queen who shook Hell to its core—Trigon's most ferocious mad dog and number one general.
If Tony didn't interfere, that would indeed be Raven's fate: to become a Queen of Hell, a mass murderer who destroyed universes on a whim, her hands drenched in blood.
Tony glanced at the bewildered Zatanna, and then at Constantine, whose face had suddenly turned pale after deep thought.
Zatanna was too young; it was normal for her not to have access to information about Trigon. But Constantine was different. This guy was the Hell Detective; dealing with demons was a part of his daily life.
"Th-that... that name..." Constantine trembled slightly, sweat pouring down his face, which was drained of all color.
He looked at Tony. After their eyes met for a moment, Tony averted his gaze meaningfully.
A sliver of hope suddenly rose in Constantine's heart. This Sorcerer Supreme, who could always create miracles, would have a way, right? But he was quickly discouraged. The enemy was Trigon... a Multiverse-level being, the aggregate of all sinful power...
Tony fell silent, lost in thought. Three stones quietly slipped out from his wide sleeves. He held the three stones, clutching them in his hand. At this moment, only these things could offer him a sliver of warmth.
They also gave him a tiny, insignificant bit of confidence, a little bit of power to protect the people he wanted to protect...
But this was far from enough, far from enough!
To even be qualified to face Trigon, three Infinity Stones were utterly useless.
(end of chapter)
