Chapter 133: Return to Blue Star

On the first day of the New Year, everyone spent the evening boasting about their holiday festivities. Once the members of the Void Sect on the Void Island had tidied up their respective trash, they each found a place to rest and sleep.

"Sir, it has been a long time since you participated in such a lively event," Jarvis’s voice remarked as Tony, satisfied with food and drink, headed back to his laboratory. "And you witnessed such a magnificent sight."

"Indeed. It’s a good thing I didn't leave, or I would have missed it," Tony said with a smile. "But it’s time to prepare for the return journey. We can chat more about the rest on the way. Pepper is probably getting anxious waiting for me."

"Miss Pepper is a strong woman," Jarvis replied. "Although she grumbled, she never stopped you from deciding to stay longer."

"I know that, of course, but that is exactly why I want to go back and give her a surprise."

In high spirits, Tony reached the laboratory and stepped directly onto the space fighter docked outside. With Jarvis at the controls, the craft ascended, pierced through the clouds, and soared into space, embarking on the journey home. He didn't worry about Harvey; if Harvey wanted to, he could travel back and forth between Xandar and Earth at will. However, Tony was curious to see for himself what this "trouble" that Harvey claimed would entangle him actually was.

***

Harvey stayed for two more days. After saying his goodbyes to Sonya, he waved and stepped away, leaving the island to begin his own return to Earth. It had been a year since Harvey last set foot in his manor on Earth. After spending a year on the bustling Void Island of Xandar, the sudden silence of his home felt slightly unfamiliar.

"Lights on."

Having decided not to be so lazy anymore, he spoke the command, and the manor flooded with light. He took off his Kassadin armor and changed into casual clothes. While the house was indeed quiet, not having to maintain the persona of Kassadin brought a different kind of relaxation.

Harvey logged into his game after a long hiatus. Upon doing so, he was greeted by a flood of emails from the game developers. They had noticed his prolonged absence and, fearing that some game feature had failed to satisfy him, had sent eight separate inquiries.

Harvey was a fairly "Zen" player, and since this was just a pet-raising game, he had no real grievances. However, as it was one of his few pastimes on Earth, spending a little money on it felt natural. After checking the updates and familiarizing himself with the new premium items and mythical pets, he began to spend. He purchased over ninety sets of every useful new item and a massive quantity of cultivation stones for upgrades, triggering a cascade of server-wide announcements as his avatar, "Zen Player," began his spree.

"Didn't this big whale quit the game?"
"Right? I haven't seen him for at least a year."
"Who is this guy?"
"He’s a true god-tier whale of this game."
"When he starts spending, nobody else even stands a chance."
"Spending money without blinking? Is he just swimming in cash? Wouldn't it be better spent on women?"
"Maybe he spends so much time with women that he just wants a distraction in the game?"
"Could he be a developer plant?"
"Impossible. This ID is the top spender in every game he plays."
"Comparing yourself to others really can be infuriating."

With Christmas approaching the next day, most people were home on holiday, and the game was packed. Many watched in awe as the "Zen Player" continued his relentless upgrades. His return even caught the attention of the game’s operations team. They had set certain milestones, like a thirty-stage advancement achievement, assuming no one would ever reach them—yet today, someone was triggering them all. Upon confirming it was "Zen Player," they breathed a sigh of relief. This player was a legend known for single-handedly supporting an entire game. His disappearance for several months had panicked them, but his sudden return and spending spree meant they could finally have a good holiday.

***

While upgrading in the game, Harvey ordered a variety of fast food; occasionally, one had to indulge in fried delicacies. On Xandar, his meals were curated by Sonya, and while life there was comfortable, there was simply no such thing as fried chicken or burgers. Now that he was back on Earth, he wasn't going to hold back, washing it all down with plenty of soda.

Harvey spent the day upgrading, using money to bypass the RNG of the enhancement system until his pets were the strongest in the game. After finishing his dailies and admiring his virtual companions, he logged off. In most online games, spending money was akin to a physical hack; it guaranteed dominance.

At 10:00 PM on December 23rd, a space fighter equipped with anti-reconnaissance technology landed at the Stark manor. Its arrival immediately drew the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony Stark’s year-long disappearance had been a matter of record for them, and Pepper Potts had provided no answers beyond the assurance that Tony was not in mortal danger. They had been keeping a close watch on the manor.

As they observed the spacecraft—a vessel clearly generations ahead of Earth’s technology—land, Nick Fury’s eyes narrowed.

"Where on earth did Mr. Tony Stark get this spaceship?"

Coulson watched the unseen craft with shock. Even though they hadn't seen Tony step out, the fact that it landed at the Stark manor upon arriving on Earth made it inseparable from him. It was baffling. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been researching spacecraft for years, using every rare material and piece of tech they could scavenge, and even then, they were still struggling with major hurdles. Yet, after disappearing for a year, Tony Stark had returned with a high-tech vessel that looked like something from another world.