Chapter Forty-Eight: Overlooking the Milky Way

“These three months should have given you a clear understanding that this is only the beginning of your new life, so there’s no need to feel rushed,” Harvey said with a reassuring smile. “It’s only a matter of time before you join me in traversing the cosmos and witnessing different worlds.”

Hearing Tony Stark’s words and seeing the clarity in his eyes, Harvey felt much more at ease and laughed. Clearly, over the past two months, Tony Stark had not forgotten his advice and had never considered directly absorbing living beings for power. Though his evolution was slower, he was progressing steadily and was unlikely to lose himself to desire.

“Watching myself grow younger by the day, feeling the strength within me surge,” Tony replied with a smile, “I know this is a new beginning. It makes me happy, but also reminds me of the great figures in the world and the universe, and I can’t help but sigh at my own weakness.”

“As long as you can adapt, that’s all that matters,” Harvey nodded slightly.

“Harvey, when you’re out in the universe,” Tony said after a moment’s thought, “could you bring me back some unique cosmic artifacts? Alien technology or rare materials, perhaps. As for payment, you can name your price, or I could exchange some Stark Industries shares with you. The more advanced the technology, the more valuable Stark Industries becomes, and you’ll get plenty of money in return.”

If he could obtain extraterrestrial technology or materials, it might inspire him and spark a leap in his technological advancements. That would better prepare him for the crisis Earth would inevitably face in eight years. He now had complete faith in Harvey’s words, and Harvey had no reason to deceive him.

“I can travel to and from the universe at any time,” Harvey considered for a moment before replying. “Bringing you something shouldn’t be a problem.”

“That’s even better. I’ll await your good news, then. While you’re away, I’ll have someone look after your various estates. I’ll make sure everything’s spotless and intact when you return,” Tony said with a smile, unperturbed by Harvey’s ability to travel at will.

“Alright,” Harvey accepted the gesture, though he hardly needed it, and did not refuse the kindness.

“Miss Pepper, you’ve become even more beautiful in these past two months. No wonder Tony Stark pleaded on your behalf,” Harvey remarked, turning to greet Pepper with a smile.

“Thank you for the compliment. I owe it all to you for giving me this opportunity,” Pepper replied politely, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.

From Tony, she had learned just how powerful Harvey Ambelaca truly was. Tony had warned her not to speak out of turn or disregard propriety in front of Harvey, as more people or beings might join the Void in the future. Although they were the first, there was no telling if some immensely powerful entity from the universe might join as well. Therefore, one had to be cautious and prudent in conversation before outsiders, or risk bringing unimaginable disaster.

Now that she had entered a world beyond the law, Pepper found her character had changed considerably.

“It seems you’ve adapted well, which puts me at ease,” Harvey said. “Well, I’m off to take a stroll through the universe. Enjoy your meal. If anything unusual happens on Earth, Tony, leave me a message. I’ll check in when I return.”

Seeing Pepper’s demeanor, Harvey found it somewhat incredible, but he didn’t dwell on it. With those words, a void-black portal appeared at his feet, and his figure vanished instantly.

“To travel freely between Earth and the universe… Harvey Ambelaca’s abilities are truly unimaginable,” Pepper said with awe after Harvey’s departure.

“Yes, and that’s not the full extent of his powers,” Tony replied, his gaze flickering with excitement. “We’re only at the very start of our evolution. As long as we stay grounded and advance step by step, we’ll become strong in time. When that day comes, we’ll journey through the universe together, experiencing the customs of different worlds, walking among the stars, and seeing all that we once dreamed of but were denied by the limits of technology and ability.”

He had seen terrifying monsters—some capable of traversing the stars in an instant—so he wasn’t surprised by Harvey’s display of power. Yet, the more he witnessed, the more he recognized his own insignificance.

“Alright,” Pepper replied, her beautiful eyes filled with longing.

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Harvey, meanwhile, landed on the moon and gazed down at the distant blue planet. The cold breath of the cosmos felt as gentle as a breeze to him. He had long possessed the physical ability to survive in space, but lacking the means to travel to other worlds, he had never willingly ventured into the stars.

Now, with the Void Walker’s ability to descend into the void, Harvey could finally visit other planets.

He had a clear plan for this journey: first, to become a bounty hunter in the universe and earn some money; then, to establish the fame of the Void Church. Once its name spread, other beings would come to him, and he would hardly need to search them out.

Reflecting further, he realized he no longer needed to steal vibranium from Wakanda. On Earth, vibranium was an irreplaceable rarity, but in the universe, while it was difficult to obtain, it was not unattainable—it could be bought or discovered elsewhere.

Focusing his mind, Harvey’s vision pulled away from what lay before him, allowing him to survey the entire Milky Way. He needed to find a reasonably advanced planet and acquire a universal translator, or communication would be impossible.

At this moment, on Earth, the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj sensed something and hurried out of her dwelling, looking up in alarm. She felt a terrifying gaze from somewhere beyond, surveying Earth from afar. Running her hands across her eyes, they glowed gold as she tried to perceive the watcher’s identity. Yet, even looking past Earth, she could not discern the presence that spied upon her.

※※※※※※

Meanwhile, in Asgard, realm of the Nine Worlds, Heimdall stood before the Rainbow Bridge, his golden eyes seeing across infinite distances to watch over the realms. Suddenly, he sensed a dreadful gaze upon him—a first in all his years.

He tried to trace its origin, his golden eyes shining, seeking to pierce all mysteries. But all he saw was a void of endless darkness, and within that abyss, a terrifying, purple-black dark star.

Heimdall had lived many years, but never before had he witnessed such a fearsome celestial body. He knew not its origin, but was certain that the God-King Odin must have sensed this mysterious gaze as well.

As Heimdall thought, so it was: in the temple, an aged, white-haired man was drinking wine when a strange, invisible gaze began to observe Asgard.

“Who dares to spy upon Asgard?!” Odin roared, hurling his cup aside as golden light enveloped him and his armor flashed into place.

But there was no response—the sensation of being watched vanished as suddenly as it had come.

Some Asgardian soldiers, startled by their king’s sudden outburst, rushed to the palace in alarm. Yet, all they saw was the grave expression on Odin’s face; there was no sign of an enemy or any unusual presence. None of them understood what had transpired, and each was too afraid to ask.