Chapter Forty-Nine: When My Glory Shines Once More

A colossal, kilometer-wide violet void appeared above the surface of the moon.

Harvey’s figure dissolved into a swirl of purple light, vanishing from where he stood.

At that very moment, in the vastness a light-year beyond Xandar, another colossal violet void materialized. From its depths, Harvey emerged, his arrival unleashing a terrifying surge of void energy. Waves of purple-black force exploded across the cosmos, warping the very fabric of space around him.

Witnessing this, Harvey felt a surge of relief at his caution—he had not descended directly onto Xandar itself. This was his first attempt at a light-year scale void traversal, and even he could not predict the extent of the destructive force his arrival might unleash. Thus, he had chosen the safest approach: to emerge near the planet before making his way to his true destination.

Moments earlier, while scanning the Milky Way for his landing site, Harvey had glimpsed Asgard and noted that Odin seemed to sense something amiss. Fortunately, Harvey had slipped away quickly enough that Odin likely did not detect him.

Another void appeared beneath Harvey’s feet, and in the next second, he stepped out into the midst of scenic mountains and lush forests. Perhaps due to Xandar’s status as a habitable world, the environment was not so different from that of Blue Star. Harvey vaguely recalled that Xandar was one of the great interstellar empires of the Marvel Universe, so he reasoned it should not be too difficult to acquire some money and a universal translator here.

Drawing upon the energy of the void, Harvey swiftly transformed his attire. He now wore armor adorned with purple and gold, a golden mask upon his head, a white battle robe draped over his shoulders, and in his eyes glowed golden irises. His entire presence shifted, becoming mysterious and solemn, possessed of an unearthly dignity.

Harvey knew that if he wished to spread the will of the void, he would need a new alias. That way, even if he stirred up some trouble, those who wished him harm would not easily trace his true identity. Clad in this new guise, he would use the name Kassadin.

He rose into the air, gliding calmly toward the city more than two hundred kilometers away.

Within half an hour, Harvey caught sight of a towering city wall, its design radiating technological sophistication. Under the sunlight, the metallic gleam of the walls was even more magnificent and imposing. It was clear that Xandar, as one of the galaxy’s renowned empires, excelled at grand displays of power.

Above the walls, numerous starships drifted through the sky, clearly part of Xandar’s patrol fleet. As Harvey neared the city, he touched down and proceeded on foot toward the gates.

So long as the Xandarians did not trouble him, Harvey had no intention of causing chaos—at least, not for now.

His main reason for coming here was to acquire a universal translator, gather information, and find out where bounty hunters could obtain assignments.

He observed many humanoid beings whose features were not so different from those on Blue Star. Had he not known he was on Xandar, he might have mistaken this for his own world.

His arrival drew considerable attention. The mysterious dignity he exuded, as though accustomed to command, was impossible to ignore.

Several guards at the city gate exchanged glances, each hoping someone else would approach for the identity check. At last, a tall, powerfully built guard in military uniform, standing nearly two meters tall, regarded his companions with a touch of disdain.

“Look at you lot, acting all timid. It’s just an identity check—nothing to be nervous about.”

With that, the guard stepped forward as Harvey entered the corridor beneath the city wall.

“Name, origin, and the purpose of your visit.”

He spoke in the common interstellar tongue, ready to record Harvey’s details on a slim, rectangular device.

He noticed the mysterious visitor stopped as if to listen, but did not immediately answer, which made the guard tense, watching Harvey with caution.

Harvey had assumed that without a universal translator, he would not understand the locals. Yet when the guard spoke, he found he comprehended perfectly, catching him off guard.

“Kassadin. I am from the Void. I am here to inquire about some information.”

Relieved to be able to communicate directly, Harvey answered without hesitation.

The guard listened to the visitor’s language, checking his translator, which registered the language as originating from C53. With so many planets in the universe, he could not recall whether C53 was known as the Void. Still, the stranger’s cooperation eased his suspicion.

“My name is Darm. I haven’t heard of your planet, but I’ve registered your information,” the guard replied. “This is Xandar. Since it’s your first visit and first registration, you’re permitted to stay for seven days. Everything within the city is under the surveillance of the Guard. For these seven days, mind your conduct within the city. Otherwise, should we discover any wrongdoing, you will be apprehended and brought before the Tribunal. Depending on the severity of your crimes, the Tribunal will mete out punishment—serious offenses may result in immediate execution. So, be careful.”

Darm emitted a beam of light, scanning Harvey to complete the record, and repeated his warning.

“Understood,” Harvey replied, nodding in cooperation.

He had no fear of being scanned or identified, for everything about his current identity—crafted by his void-wrought attire—was an illusion, impervious to their scrutiny.

“You may enter,” Darm said, relieved to see this Kassadin behaving so compliantly.

“May I ask, where on Xandar can a bounty hunter find assignments?” Harvey inquired, lingering a moment. Unfamiliar with Xandar, the quickest way to gather information was through the guards.

“You’re a bounty hunter?” Darm eyed him with surprise, noting the air of solemnity that set him apart. “You don’t look like a bounty hunter—more like someone important.”

“I was once accomplished, but times have changed. Now I hope to earn a living through bounty work,” Harvey replied, his tone tinged with shame, as if stung by the reminder of his fall.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to touch a sore spot,” Darm said, offering a sympathetic look. “If you want to take on bounty work, head east for twenty kilometers inside the city to Link District. The bounty bar frequented by hunters is there—you can’t miss it. I hope you manage to stay alive and earn enough to weather these difficult times.”

Darm’s eyes betrayed genuine sympathy as he apologized and explained the route.

“Thank you, Darm. When my glory returns, should you hear my name and ever need my help, come find me—perhaps I can repay your kindness,” Harvey said, a note of gratitude in his voice.

In this vast universe, many had once known greatness only to be cast into hardship after losing their home, unable to adjust to a life of poverty after a history of extravagance. Many chose to become bounty hunters, hoping to regain their former glory. Kassadin was neither the first nor would he be the last.

Darm took this in stride, offering sincere encouragement. “May that day come for you, and may you survive the bounty hunts.”

Having obtained his destination, Harvey nodded slightly and set off into the city without further delay.