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Chapter 534: Corruption
By Great Demon Spirit
Somewhere in the universe, a magnificent palace.
"You failed."
Death, clad in a black robe, strolled through the cosmos. Seemingly in high spirits, she commented casually.
It was like she was patting the head of a stray dog she owned.
Thanos said nothing. His face was cold as he sat on the edge of the great hall, gazing silently at the starry sky.
When he awoke from the darkness, he knew he had lost. Yet, he had been resurrected—revived by the woman who had entangled herself with his entire life.
Resurrection meant he still had value to be exploited. Thanos had always understood this, but he could never figure out what Death truly wanted.
Death was barefoot, her appearance still the one Thanos adored. The corners of her cyan lips lifted as she approached him, their eyes meeting face-to-face.
But this time, Thanos remained motionless.
"Now, can you tell me what it is you truly want?" Thanos asked calmly.
It was as if his recent madness had never existed.
Death licked her lips and drew closer, whispering softly into Thanos's ear, "What I want is something you cannot give me."
"I will seize it for you."
"But you failed."
Thanos watched Death quietly.
"I know your potential. You are more powerful than any being I have ever seen, and also more dangerous..."
A gleam flickered in Death's eyes, but upon closer inspection, it was as if countless souls were wailing within them.
Across countless universes, she, who wielded the authority of death, had constantly entangled herself with Thanos. This was not without reason.
As one of the five great cosmic entities, Death was not so bored. If it were merely for a plaything, why would she go to such lengths across the infinite multiverse?
It was almost masochistic.
In innumerable universes, Death clung desperately to Thanos, accompanying his birth, his growth, and his journey to power, gradually guiding him in the direction she wished to see.
Unfortunately, it still ended in failure.
Occasionally, there were more successful test subjects, but none could satisfy Death.
But it couldn't be helped. Thanos was the only special individual she had ever found.
"You possess a powerful adaptability that surpasses all other individuals, Thanos. This is something I have never told you." Death danced around Thanos, and a bright moonlight rose, making her look like a fluttering sprite.
In the past, if she had been willing to do this, Thanos would have been overjoyed. But now, a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes as he watched her quietly.
"Immeasurable potential for growth, a miracle among countless possibilities, and an adaptability so powerful that not even Doomsday can match you."
Death stopped, stood on her tiptoes, and extended her hands, gently lifting Thanos's chin. However, the extreme, icy indifference within her bright pupils was impossible to ignore.
"But I lost. I lost to an enemy who appeared even more terrifying than me," Thanos said.
"That's only how it appears, Thanos. I know your potential," Death said. "Did you know? The Sphere of the Gods has been quite lively recently. A troublesome thing burst in, and even Darkseid was defeated."
"Ancient Doomsday, a man-made weapon. A monster that even the Singular Gods fear."
"But I am not afraid. Though that weapon is powerful and its evolution speed is astonishing, I hold an even greater weapon in my hands—a humanoid mutant that I can control, one with even greater potential for growth."
"That is you, Thanos. I orchestrated your birth and fixed your existence across the entire multiverse, ensuring you would be born in countless universes."
Death spoke gently, like a lover whispering playful sweet nothings.
But Thanos knew it was false. In the past, if Death had spoken to him so tenderly, even knowing it was a lie, he would have chased after her like a madman, casting aside his dignity to beg, even if it meant groveling like a dog.
As long as Death would smile at him and say a few words, it would have been enough.
Until he died in battle as never before, and was resurrected.
"When I was born, my purple skin caused my people to ostracize me. The first time my mother saw me, she grabbed a scalpel to kill me."
Thanos said in a low voice.
"I did that. I was the one who made you special," Death said.
"But I disappointed you. I can't even defeat a single Earthling."
"No, Thanos, you succeeded," Death said softly. "You have powerful adaptability. You can adapt to any weapon. Anything equipped on you, you can always maximize its power. This in itself is the most remarkable potential, a potential that not even a Singular God can match."
"What do you want me to do next?" Thanos asked.
"Go kill Tony," Death said calmly.
"Fine."
Thanos rose and, once again, headed in the direction of Cybertron.
He would do whatever Death told him to do. This was the only meaning left in his life.
It was also what Death hoped to see.
The fierce battle erupted once more. Thanos was smashed into a meat paste by one of Tony's punches.
When he opened his eyes again, Thanos saw Death quietly watching him with a smile. It was the most beautiful smile, more beautiful than anything Thanos had ever seen.
Thanos was silent for a moment, then rose and, once again, headed in the direction of Cybertron.
He didn't ask Death anything more, simply doing silently what she wanted him to do.
Boom!
Once again, Thanos was killed.
When Thanos opened his eyes, he rose in silence and, once again, went to Cybertron.
In the short span of one month, Thanos was killed by Tony three times. With each resurrection, Thanos grew more taciturn. The violent emotions in his eyes faded, replaced by silence.
Each time, Death would stand quietly, her silent gaze following his departing back, seemingly filled with expectation.
That bone-chillingly cold stare made even someone as powerful as Thanos feel a momentary tremor.
The fourth time, Thanos appeared before Tony.
He was met by a cold-faced Tony.
"Waiting for me?"
"I estimated the time. You should be arriving right about now," Tony said indifferently.
"Then let's begin."
Thanos spoke in a low voice, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to eat for his next meal.
But this gave Tony a headache. An enemy who didn't even fear death was the most troublesome kind.
This time, Tony didn't go for the kill. Instead, he suddenly retreated, and a large number of the Kryptonian Legion swarmed forward, looking at Thanos with immense killing intent.
"Although I don't know what Death is planning, my intuition tells me I can't let this continue."
Tony waved his hand and pointed at Thanos. "Kill him!"
Numerous Kryptonian Warriors closed in, firing their heat vision, which struck Thanos fiercely. Then, their commander, Hant, personally entered the fray. With a strange look in his eyes, he ultimately succeeded in dismembering Thanos.
"The fourth time..."
Tony frowned, not bothering to look at the uneasy Hant, and turned back toward Cybertron.
(end of chapter)
By Great Demon Spirit
Somewhere in the universe, a magnificent palace.
"You failed."
Death, clad in a black robe, strolled through the cosmos. Seemingly in high spirits, she commented casually.
It was like she was patting the head of a stray dog she owned.
Thanos said nothing. His face was cold as he sat on the edge of the great hall, gazing silently at the starry sky.
When he awoke from the darkness, he knew he had lost. Yet, he had been resurrected—revived by the woman who had entangled herself with his entire life.
Resurrection meant he still had value to be exploited. Thanos had always understood this, but he could never figure out what Death truly wanted.
Death was barefoot, her appearance still the one Thanos adored. The corners of her cyan lips lifted as she approached him, their eyes meeting face-to-face.
But this time, Thanos remained motionless.
"Now, can you tell me what it is you truly want?" Thanos asked calmly.
It was as if his recent madness had never existed.
Death licked her lips and drew closer, whispering softly into Thanos's ear, "What I want is something you cannot give me."
"I will seize it for you."
"But you failed."
Thanos watched Death quietly.
"I know your potential. You are more powerful than any being I have ever seen, and also more dangerous..."
A gleam flickered in Death's eyes, but upon closer inspection, it was as if countless souls were wailing within them.
Across countless universes, she, who wielded the authority of death, had constantly entangled herself with Thanos. This was not without reason.
As one of the five great cosmic entities, Death was not so bored. If it were merely for a plaything, why would she go to such lengths across the infinite multiverse?
It was almost masochistic.
In innumerable universes, Death clung desperately to Thanos, accompanying his birth, his growth, and his journey to power, gradually guiding him in the direction she wished to see.
Unfortunately, it still ended in failure.
Occasionally, there were more successful test subjects, but none could satisfy Death.
But it couldn't be helped. Thanos was the only special individual she had ever found.
"You possess a powerful adaptability that surpasses all other individuals, Thanos. This is something I have never told you." Death danced around Thanos, and a bright moonlight rose, making her look like a fluttering sprite.
In the past, if she had been willing to do this, Thanos would have been overjoyed. But now, a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes as he watched her quietly.
"Immeasurable potential for growth, a miracle among countless possibilities, and an adaptability so powerful that not even Doomsday can match you."
Death stopped, stood on her tiptoes, and extended her hands, gently lifting Thanos's chin. However, the extreme, icy indifference within her bright pupils was impossible to ignore.
"But I lost. I lost to an enemy who appeared even more terrifying than me," Thanos said.
"That's only how it appears, Thanos. I know your potential," Death said. "Did you know? The Sphere of the Gods has been quite lively recently. A troublesome thing burst in, and even Darkseid was defeated."
"Ancient Doomsday, a man-made weapon. A monster that even the Singular Gods fear."
"But I am not afraid. Though that weapon is powerful and its evolution speed is astonishing, I hold an even greater weapon in my hands—a humanoid mutant that I can control, one with even greater potential for growth."
"That is you, Thanos. I orchestrated your birth and fixed your existence across the entire multiverse, ensuring you would be born in countless universes."
Death spoke gently, like a lover whispering playful sweet nothings.
But Thanos knew it was false. In the past, if Death had spoken to him so tenderly, even knowing it was a lie, he would have chased after her like a madman, casting aside his dignity to beg, even if it meant groveling like a dog.
As long as Death would smile at him and say a few words, it would have been enough.
Until he died in battle as never before, and was resurrected.
"When I was born, my purple skin caused my people to ostracize me. The first time my mother saw me, she grabbed a scalpel to kill me."
Thanos said in a low voice.
"I did that. I was the one who made you special," Death said.
"But I disappointed you. I can't even defeat a single Earthling."
"No, Thanos, you succeeded," Death said softly. "You have powerful adaptability. You can adapt to any weapon. Anything equipped on you, you can always maximize its power. This in itself is the most remarkable potential, a potential that not even a Singular God can match."
"What do you want me to do next?" Thanos asked.
"Go kill Tony," Death said calmly.
"Fine."
Thanos rose and, once again, headed in the direction of Cybertron.
He would do whatever Death told him to do. This was the only meaning left in his life.
It was also what Death hoped to see.
The fierce battle erupted once more. Thanos was smashed into a meat paste by one of Tony's punches.
When he opened his eyes again, Thanos saw Death quietly watching him with a smile. It was the most beautiful smile, more beautiful than anything Thanos had ever seen.
Thanos was silent for a moment, then rose and, once again, headed in the direction of Cybertron.
He didn't ask Death anything more, simply doing silently what she wanted him to do.
Boom!
Once again, Thanos was killed.
When Thanos opened his eyes, he rose in silence and, once again, went to Cybertron.
In the short span of one month, Thanos was killed by Tony three times. With each resurrection, Thanos grew more taciturn. The violent emotions in his eyes faded, replaced by silence.
Each time, Death would stand quietly, her silent gaze following his departing back, seemingly filled with expectation.
That bone-chillingly cold stare made even someone as powerful as Thanos feel a momentary tremor.
The fourth time, Thanos appeared before Tony.
He was met by a cold-faced Tony.
"Waiting for me?"
"I estimated the time. You should be arriving right about now," Tony said indifferently.
"Then let's begin."
Thanos spoke in a low voice, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to eat for his next meal.
But this gave Tony a headache. An enemy who didn't even fear death was the most troublesome kind.
This time, Tony didn't go for the kill. Instead, he suddenly retreated, and a large number of the Kryptonian Legion swarmed forward, looking at Thanos with immense killing intent.
"Although I don't know what Death is planning, my intuition tells me I can't let this continue."
Tony waved his hand and pointed at Thanos. "Kill him!"
Numerous Kryptonian Warriors closed in, firing their heat vision, which struck Thanos fiercely. Then, their commander, Hant, personally entered the fray. With a strange look in his eyes, he ultimately succeeded in dismembering Thanos.
"The fourth time..."
Tony frowned, not bothering to look at the uneasy Hant, and turned back toward Cybertron.
(end of chapter)
