Chapter 83: Life and Death
<strong>Chapter 83: Life and Death</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">The Reality Stone.
<span style="font-weight:400">Truth was, Benjamin had always felt that this particr stone was the most powerful.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, its only limit was…one’s own imagination.
<span style="font-weight:400">Naturally, it doesn’t mean that holding the Reality Stone will allow you to bend reality as you wish however you wish without any consequences.
<span style="font-weight:400">From the beginning where he had ‘simted’ a whole to making clones of himself and the car to finally ‘creating’ Pikachu, it took a toll on Benjamin’s energy.
<span style="font-weight:400">This energy has no name as it was quite ambiguous.
<span style="font-weight:400">It can be said to be his life force. Or maybe his stamina. Or it can also be called magical energy. It may even be something like a divine energy.
<span style="font-weight:400">In any case, this ‘energy’ was the price of using the power of the Infinity Stones of this universe.
<span style="font-weight:400">In fact, Benjamin wanted to create something even bigger just out of curiosity if it would work but ultimately held back as he had consumed too much energy already.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Really, this universe’s Infinity Stones are too annoying to use. It’s better to use the System ones in the future.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">After today, unless it’s a real emergency, Benjamin vowed not to use the Infinity Stones of this universe again.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, it''s nothing that sleeping and eating won’t fix but still.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Actually, as the God of Nature, he can draw upon the energy of Nature to replenish himself but there was no need to go that far. Doing so would only cause Nature to decay and it won’t be good for anyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">[Host can also recover through absorbing the energy of others.]
<span style="font-weight:400">What is that? Some kind of Dual-cultivation thing? System, are you secretly a Chinese character?
<span style="font-weight:400">[Shall I switch to Face-pping Mode?]
<span style="font-weight:400">…Please don’t…
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin felt goosebumps just thinking about it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Reading about it andughing it off is one thing but if it were to happen to him…it would be just too annoying to deal with.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin shook his head with augh.
<span style="font-weight:400">He threw all these random thoughts at the back of his mind and looked at Thanos who was charred ck and disfigured all over.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin had already deactivated the Reality Stone and caused Pikachu to dissipate into red mist.
<span style="font-weight:400">Still, everyone around him was dumbfounded.
<span style="font-weight:400">Spider-man turned his head to look at Iron Man.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mr. Stark. Was I dreaming or did I see Pikachu there just now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope. I saw it too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spider-man was silent for a while before suddenly turning back to Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mr. Freed! Capt. Freed Sir! Are Pokemons real!? Where can I catch one!? I want a Charizard! I’m going to be a Pokemon Master!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spider Gwen instantly smacked the back of his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Idiot! He obviously used one of those Infinity Stones!”
<span style="font-weight:400">At the side, Mr. Fantastic also approached with a curious look.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fascinating. These Infinity Stones…can I have a closer look?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He asked with shining eyes as he stared at the stones.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin shivered and quickly shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No! You’re not allowed! Who knows what kind of dangerous shit you’ll make!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sweated.
<span style="font-weight:400">He knew that this guy was quite well known for his…dangerous inventions.
<span style="font-weight:400">In fact, even his child in theics was akin to a god who can bend reality to his will…wait, it doesn’t have anything to do with the Reality Stone, right?
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin thought to himself never to let Reed get near any of the Infinity Stones…
<span style="font-weight:400">Hearing that, Mr. Fantastic started to sulk in the corner but no one cared about him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor thennded beside Thanos and kicked him a few times to see if he was still alive.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s still alive. What now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, considering how manys and civilizations this guy has massacred, even saying he deserves to die is too kind to him. Instead, I’ll be cing his soul in a prison inside the Soul Stone. Does anyone have other thoughts?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin looked around but everyone shook their heads.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even someone with a straight sense of justice like Spider-man can see how cruel and dangerous Thanos was.
<span style="font-weight:400">If Benjamin had not intercepted them, who knew how many lives would’ve been lost in their scuffle?
<span style="font-weight:400">Not to mention, they had heard from Thor and the Guardians how Thanos would wipe out half the poption of each he visits.
<span style="font-weight:400">Against someone like that…were they supposed to just die?
<span style="font-weight:400">Maybe so. But was that enough punishment?
<span style="font-weight:400">No.
<span style="font-weight:400">They owe it to the lives of everyone that Thanos had killed to make sure he doesn’t end easily.
<span style="font-weight:400">But just imprisoning him wouldn’t do either as they were not confident in making a secure enough prison for him.
<span style="font-weight:400">That’s why Benjamin decided on the Soul Prison as he did with Sublime and Red Skull.
<span style="font-weight:400">The next moment, a ck fog appeared beside Benjamin which then turned into a hooded robe.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thanos, whose consciousness was slowly slipping out, managed to catch a glimpse of this figure.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No…why…”
<span style="font-weight:400">The hooded figure didn’t say anything in response to him and merely lifted its hand, revealing a pale white hand underneath the robes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Everything…was for you…yet why…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thanos’s vision began to blur.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why…do you stand beside him…Death…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Death snorted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Everything was for me? Are you an idiot? Why would you give deaths to someone who embodies Death? It’s like saying you’re giving a leaf to a forest. How ridiculous.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thanos’ body shook.
<span style="font-weight:400">In hisst breath of life, he only heard Death’s disdainful voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hear this. Everyone dies in the end. It doesn’t matter if you do it in advance or dy it. In the end, everyone belongs to me. There was no need for you to do what you did. Life and Death are Nature’s bnce. For every life you took, Nature births new life. Everything you did…was useless.”
<span style="font-weight:400">And just like that, Thanos’s consciousness faded into ck.
<span style="font-weight:400">Death collected his soul and tossed him into the prison inside the Soul Stone, destined to suffer in damnation.
<span style="font-weight:400">Death turned to Benjamin and smirked.
<span style="font-weight:400">That’s right, life and death is a bnce…yet in this bnce, an irregrity urred. A ‘life’ outside the bnce. I will be waiting for this life to turn into ‘death’.
<span style="font-weight:400">She didn’t say these words out loud and only smiled at Benjamin teasingly before disappearing again.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin tilted his head, confused what Death meant with that look earlier.
<span style="font-weight:400">In the end, he shrugged and no longer thought about it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Whatever, he was powerless against her for now anyway. He can only go with the flow for now.
<span style="font-weight:400">Professor X approached and asked Benjamin with a fearful tone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ben, that being just now…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Oi, don’t tell me you tried to read her mind!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No! No way! She felt too suffocating to even look at! Who…was that!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin thought for a moment to think of an answer.
<span style="font-weight:400">He nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Un. Basically, she’s a NEET.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“NEET?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not in Education, Employment, or Training.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin shrugged.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’s true though.
<span style="font-weight:400">In fact, not only is she a NEET, but she’s also a shut-in!
<span style="font-weight:400">She only lives in her room whenever she feels like it. Otherwise, she orders H to do it.
<span style="font-weight:400">This time, it seems she was pissed off at Thanos who was using her as an excuse to mass murder so she went to personally retrieve his soul even though she didn’t have to.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’s indeed scary to anger a NEET. They don’t have any scruples at all.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sighed and shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Anyway, that takes care of that. Detain the other members of the ck Order. Although they also deserve to die, I have other uses for them to serve as their punishment. As for the rest of the Chitauris…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin trailed off.
<span style="font-weight:400">Actually, he wasn’t sure what to do with the surviving Chitauris.
<span style="font-weight:400">There’s too many to imprison.
<span style="font-weight:400">Kill them? Although convenient, it might be frowned upon by others if he were to order off the deaths of such a huge number.
<span style="font-weight:400">While he was thinking of what to do with them, Peter Quill approached him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We can sell them off to the Grandmaster. He’d pay well for these guys to put in his arena.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Oh? That’s a good idea.
<span style="font-weight:400">It will also give them some ie on the intergctic scale.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. We’ll do that then. The money received will be put into developing the EPD on the intergctic scale. However, Carol and Thor will be going with you. You know, as bodyguards. We can’t have them all escape on the way, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin smirked and Peter clicked his tongue.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsk, there goes faking the amount.
<span style="font-weight:400">Carol raised an eyebrow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I get me going but why does the God of Hammers have to go as well?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor snapped back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s God of Thunder! Also, why can’t I go? I’ve always wanted to see the Grandmaster’s Grand Arena!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin stared at Thor with half-closed eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">No, this guy just wanted to leave work and have fun. Benjamin could tell.
<span style="font-weight:400">Still, Valkyrie was there in the movies so Benjamin was curious if she was also here this time as well. It should be useful having Thor go with them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, he can’t just say that.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Having you alone just makes me uneasy. Thor is quite powerful too and he can have Heimdal summon the Bifrost in case of emergencies. Also, now that Thor is the ruler of Asgard, the Grandmaster should be more amodating with the price.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh yeah, I keep forgetting he’s the King of Asgard now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Carol nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone turned to look at Thor who then struck a pose to show his mighty self.
<span style="font-weight:400">After seeing that, no one reacted and simply looked away and nodded at Carol.
<span style="font-weight:400">Right, he doesn’t feel like a King at all.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rocket Racoon rolled his eyes and asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright fine. We’ll take the glowingdy and his Majesty muscles over there. Does anyone still want toe?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ooh! Ooh! I want toe!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Spider-man quickly raised his hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">Along with him, there was also Iceman, Iron Fist, Daredevil, Nightcrawler, Human Torch, and Jake…wait, why is Jake here?
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin turned to Jake who he only just now noticed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to watch over HQ?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ohe on! A chance to fight aliens? Did you think I was gonna sit this one out!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...And? Did you even fight?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nah I was hiding pretty much until now. I brought some popcorn though.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin didn’t know what to say.
<span style="font-weight:400">He ignored him for now and turned to the others.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked at Spider-man first.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t you have homework?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Umm…no?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s a yes. Go do your homework.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin waved his hand with a Sling Ring and portaled Spider-man back to Earth.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ohe on-”
<span style="font-weight:400">With Spider-man gone, Benjamin turned to Iceman.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And you? Why do you want to go?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It seems fun?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Away you go.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wai-”
<span style="font-weight:400">Just like Spider-man, Benjamin portaled him back to Earth as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin turned to Human Torch.
<span style="font-weight:400">Before he could even ask, Human Torch already spoke up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“To meet alien chic- Hey!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin didn’t bother hearing the rest and tossed him back to Earth.
<span style="font-weight:400">Next was Nightcrawler.
<span style="font-weight:400">Upon being stared at, Nightcrawler knew that it was his turn.
<span style="font-weight:400">He scratched his head and answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Umm…I’m just curious how other aliens look.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin stared at him for a moment before nodding.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fine.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eh? Really?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Actually, your ability might be useful during the trip.”
<span style="font-weight:400">With Nightcrawler’s teleportation ability, Benjamin would be more reassured if they were in a pinch.
<span style="font-weight:400">Whether it was Spider-man, Iceman, or Human Torch, those guys would only be more of a nuisance than help…
<span style="font-weight:400">Especially if all three are in the same room.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin then looked at Iron Fist and Daredevil.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I sort of get the others but why you two?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Iron Fist answered first.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m interested in the Arena. I wonder if there are also martial artists among the aliens.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh? You’re interested in the Grand Arena too? Want to sign up when we’re there?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Thor grinned.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin facepalmed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Maybe it’s a mistake to have Thor join…
<span style="font-weight:400">But at least Iron Fist is more level-headed. He might be able to rein in Thor for a bit.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin then looked at Daredevil.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I just want to sightsee.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”