Inside the Avengers base conference room, nobody spoke.

Tony leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the table.

He glanced at the alien in the blue-and-red suit across from him, then at the flames flickering in the red-haired woman’s eyes, before finally settling his gaze on Levi.

So... are we here for a family meeting, or to discuss how not to get eaten by a black-hole-faced cosmic monster?

No one answered.

Thor gripped Stormbreaker tightly, staring at Superman.

Clark returned a polite smile, though his fingers unconsciously crushed five dents into the armrest of his chair.

Jean sat in the corner, the Phoenix Force flickering behind her.

Wanda sat to Levi’s right, expression calm, nearly invisible scarlet threads coiling around her fingertips.

Starlight stood near the doorway holding Adam, too nervous to enter fully.

The little boy curiously observed everyone in the room, golden runes slowly turning within his pupils.

"Enough."

Levi finally spoke.

Everyone fell silent instantly.

He stood up, both hands braced against the table.

"Personal matters can wait until after the war."

"Right now, there’s only one thing that matters—how we win this fight."

Tony shrugged.

"Well, the boss has spoken."

Levi ignored him.

"The Anti-Monitor’s attack earlier was only a probe."

"He was testing our reaction speed and upper combat limits."

"The next time he comes, he’ll bring his true body."

Levi paused briefly before speaking solemnly.

"A multiversal-level entity."

The Eye of Agamotto on Strange’s forehead opened.

"I’ve looked into the future. Fourteen million possibilities."

"Our odds of victory are—"

"Don’t say it."

Levi cut him off.

"We either win, or we die."

He raised his right hand, a miniature galaxy appearing in his palm.

"My Inner Universe has only recently formed. It’s still unstable. At my current level, I’m only at the peak of single-universe tier."

"I can’t defeat the Anti-Monitor’s true form head-on."

"And I never expected all of you to participate in battles at that level."

"I want us to strike first."

"Before he’s fully prepared."

"We destroy his energy nodes."

Thor immediately stood up.

"I agree!"

"It’s our turn to attack!"

Superman nodded.

"If we cut off his power source, our chances improve drastically."

Jean frowned.

"But we don’t know where those nodes are."

"I do."

Levi waved his hand.

A golden array expanded in the air, transforming into a map of the multiverse.

Thirteen red points glowed across it.

"These are the energy anchor points the Anti-Monitor planted throughout the multiverse."

"Each one connects to the Void and supplies him with antimatter energy."

"If we destroy them, his power will weaken by at least thirty percent."

Tony whistled.

"Sounds great."

"But there’s one problem."

"How exactly do we get there?"

Levi looked at him.

"What do you think I brought all of you here for?"

Tony stood up as nanotech spread from his wrists, forming a holographic display in his palm.

"Wait. You’re saying we split up?"

"Thirteen nodes. Five teams. Each handles two or three."

Levi traced routes across the map.

"Superman and I will form one team."

"Thor and Jean together."

"Strange and Wanda together."

"Tony, you’re with Starlight."

"Everyone else stays behind to defend the base."

Wanda looked like she wanted to say something.

Levi turned toward her.

"Your Chaos Magic can rewrite reality."

"Strange’s power stabilizes dimensional order."

"You two are the best combination."

Wanda said nothing, the scarlet threads slowly retracting.

Thor tightened his grip on Stormbreaker.

"No objections here."

"This lady’s power is impressive."

Jean nodded.

"Same here."

The two women exchanged glances, sparks practically crackling between them.

Tony coughed awkwardly.

"So I’m teaming up with... what was her name?"

"Starlight," Levi answered.

"Her energy manipulation counters antimatter corrosion."

"You’ll provide technical support. She’ll handle direct combat."

Starlight finally stepped into the room with Adam in her arms.

"I... I can do it."

Tony looked her up and down.

"Alright then."

"But first I need to build you some armor."

"No need."

Levi raised his hand.

A golden alchemical array unfolded before Starlight.

Her platinum-white suit began transforming, nanotech restructuring itself into lighter yet far stronger armor.

The star emblem on her chest turned gold.

"Alchemy enhancement," Levi explained.

"Energy output increased threefold. Defense increased fivefold."

Tony’s eyes lit up.

"Hold on—you can directly modify equipment?"

"Then my armor—"

"I’ll upgrade yours later."

"Listen first."

The red points on the map began flashing.

"These aren’t ordinary energy anchors."

"Each one is guarded by a fragment of the Anti-Monitor’s will."

"They possess power close to Skyfather-tier, and they can regenerate endlessly."

Superman frowned.

"Then how do we destroy them?"

"With this."

A golden crystal appeared in Levi’s palm, containing a sealed mass of black flames.

"This is Void Essence extracted from He Who Remains."

"It devours antimatter energy."

"But using it causes backlash to the user."

"Each team gets one use only."

"You must retreat within three minutes after activation."

Thor accepted one crystal.

"Sounds dangerous."

"It is dangerous."

"But it’s the only way."

The Eye of Agamotto glimmered.

"I’ve seen futures where we fail—"

"We won’t fail."

Levi looked directly at Strange.

"Because I’ll make sure all of you come back alive."

He raised both hands.

Golden arrays spread beneath everyone’s feet.

"Now then."

"I’m upgrading all of you."

Tony’s eyes practically shone.

"Finally!"

Levi walked first toward Superman.

Clark stood up, slightly tense.

"Relax. It won’t hurt."

Levi pressed a hand against Clark’s chest as golden light flowed inward.

Clark’s body trembled.

He could feel changes occurring deep within his cells.

The genetic chains that once had no resistance to magic were now wrapped in an invisible barrier.

"Law Resistance."

"You now have basic defenses against magic and psychic attacks."

Clark clenched his fist.

"Thank you."

Levi turned toward Thor.

"Give me the axe."

Thor hesitated briefly before handing over Stormbreaker.

Levi grasped the handle with both hands as golden arrays spun across the blade. A strand of Phoenix Force flowed into the weapon.

Stormbreaker emitted a deep hum.

Crimson-gold patterns spread across its surface.

"It can now repair itself."

"And after every battle, it will grow stronger."

"Try not to lose it."

Thor accepted the axe, warmth radiating through his hands.

"This... is too valuable."

"You’re worth it."

Levi approached Jean next.

The Phoenix Force unfurled behind her.

Instead of touching her directly, Levi drew a glowing rune before her forehead.

The rune sank into her brow.

Jean’s body trembled as the Phoenix Force surged dramatically.

"I strengthened your connection to the Phoenix Force."

"You can control it more freely now."

Jean took a slow breath.

"Thank you."

Levi then walked toward Wanda.

She looked up at him, complicated emotions flickering in her eyes.

Levi crouched down so they were eye level.

"I know you’re angry."

"But now isn’t the time."

Wanda bit her lip.

Levi pressed a hand against her forehead.

Golden light flowed inward.

An invisible barrier formed deep within her mind—a defense created from Levi’s own will, specifically designed to resist the Anti-Monitor’s mental corruption.

"Don’t let him exploit you."

"You’re one of our strongest assets."

Wanda opened her eyes.

"I won’t disappoint you."

Levi nodded and moved toward Tony.

Tony had already removed his armor and placed it on the table.

"Come on. Give me the deluxe package."

Levi waved a hand.

Golden arrays engulfed the armor.

Nanoparticles restructured completely, rewriting the internal framework.

A strand of Phoenix Fire fused into the arc reactor core.

Crimson-gold patterns spread across the armor’s surface.

"It now possesses self-awareness."

"It can evolve automatically based on combat conditions."

Tony froze.

"Self-awareness?"

"You mean—"

"Yes."

A mechanical voice suddenly came from the armor.

"Mr. Stark. It is a pleasure to serve you."

Tony stared speechlessly.

A surprised cry suddenly sounded from the doorway.

Adam had slipped free from Starlight’s arms and ran over to Tony’s armor, placing a tiny hand against its surface.

Golden runes poured from his fingertips, spreading over the armor.

The suit shook violently as nanotech reassembled at insane speed.

Three seconds later, every scratch and imperfection had vanished.

The internal systems had been optimized to perfection.

Everyone was stunned.

Tony stared at the armor, then at Adam.

"He... what exactly did he just do?"

"Alchemy."

Levi walked over and picked Adam up.

"At the instinctive level."

He looked into his son’s rune-filled eyes.

The child’s talent far exceeded his expectations.

Wanda stared fixedly at Adam, scarlet threads beginning to swirl around her fingertips again.

Tony re-equipped his armor and raised his hand.

The energy fluctuations of his repulsor cannon were at least three times more stable than before.

"This kid’s a genius."

"If he were a few years older, I’d recruit him as my apprentice."

Starlight hurriedly pulled Adam back into her arms.

"Sorry, he’s still little. He doesn’t understand—"

"It’s fine."

"He helped."

Levi turned back toward everyone.

"Upgrades complete."

"Now for the operation plan."

The golden map expanded once more, the thirteen red nodes dividing into five groups.

"Team One: Superman and I."

"We handle the three core nodes located at the multiversal convergence points."

"They have the strongest defenses. At least universal-overlord-tier power is required to destroy them. One may even require single-universe-tier force."

Superman nodded calmly.

"No problem."

"Team Two: Thor and Jean."

"You’ll target the two nodes in the Northern Star Region."

"Large numbers of shadow demons are stationed there. Massive area clearing will be necessary."

"Given Jean’s current control, the Phoenix Force should temporarily reach peak universal-overlord level."

Thor grinned and raised Stormbreaker.

"Leave it to us."

Phoenix wings spread behind Jean.

"I’ll cooperate."

"Team Three: Strange and Wanda."

"You’ll handle the three nodes within the dimensional interlayers."

"The space there is unstable. Your combined law-based abilities are needed to stabilize it."

The Eye of Agamotto glimmered.

"Understood."

Wanda glanced briefly at Jean, then at Levi.

"I’ll complete the mission."

"Team Four: Tony and Starlight."

"You’re assigned to the two nodes in the outer-edge universes."

"Relatively safer, but the farthest away."

Tony shrugged.

"Sounds like favoritism."

"It is."

"Because you’re taking Adam with you."

Starlight blinked.

"What?"

"Adam carries my bloodline."

"If something goes wrong, I can locate and support your team through our connection."

Tony sighed dramatically.

"Great. I’m officially a babysitter."

"Team Five: Nathaniel."

"You stay behind at the base and monitor all timeline coordinates."

Nathaniel slowly stood from the corner, pale-faced.

"I... I’m just a normal person now. I can’t really help..."

"You can."

Levi walked over to him.

"Kang’s temporal perception still lingers inside you."

"You lost the power, but not your sensitivity to timelines."

He raised a hand.

A golden array formed before Nathaniel’s forehead.

"I’m giving you a locator."

"It’ll connect to my Inner Universe and allow you to track every team in real time."

Golden runes sank into Nathaniel’s brow.

His body shook.

Suddenly, countless points of light appeared before his eyes.

Different timelines.

And among them, five especially bright lights represented the five teams.

"I... I can see them."

"All the timelines..."

"You’re our navigator."

"Don’t disappoint me."

Nathaniel inhaled deeply.

"I won’t."

Levi turned back toward the others.

"One final thing."

Five golden crystals appeared in his palm.

"These are the Void Essences."

"One for each team."

"Use them to destroy the nodes."

"But remember—the backlash is real."

"You’ll have only three minutes to retreat before the Void consumes you."

Thor accepted his crystal.

"Is three minutes enough?"

"As long as you move quickly."

Superman accepted one as well, sensing the terrifying power sealed within.

"This thing... is dangerous."

"It is."

"But it’s the only weapon capable of harming the Anti-Monitor."

Levi distributed the remaining crystals to Strange, Tony, and Jean.

"One chance only."

"Don’t waste it."

Everyone nodded.

Suddenly, Levi frowned.

He sensed an extremely subtle fluctuation hidden within the room.

Tiny. Nearly undetectable.

But his perception had already reached single-universe tier.

Nothing abnormal escaped him.

His gaze swept across everyone before finally settling on Jean.

No—not Jean herself.

The Phoenix Force inside her.

That fluctuation was hidden deep within the Phoenix Force, disguised as part of it.

The Anti-Monitor had already infiltrated them.

But Levi said nothing.

"Prepare yourselves."

"We move in one hour."

"Understood."

Everyone stood and left the conference room.

As Jean reached the doorway, Levi spoke.

"Jean. Wait."

She turned back.

"What is it?"

Levi walked toward her, voice quiet.

"Has the Phoenix Force been acting strangely lately?"

Jean blinked in surprise before shaking her head.

"No. Everything’s normal."

Levi stared into her eyes.

She genuinely didn’t know.

The hidden fluctuation was buried too deeply.

"Good."

"Get ready."

Jean nodded and left.

Levi remained standing there.

The Anti-Monitor was more cunning than he had expected.

Instead of attacking directly, he had chosen to hide and wait for the perfect moment.

But Levi wouldn’t give him that chance.

He raised his hand.

A miniature galaxy appeared once more.

The power of the Inner Universe activated, an invisible barrier spreading from his body to envelop the entire base.

It blocked all external observation—

Even the Anti-Monitor’s.

But this was only temporary.

The real battle still lay ahead.

After everyone left, Levi remained alone in the conference room.

He focused the power of his Inner Universe into the barrier.

The barrier contracted, shifting from protecting the base to locking onto Jean specifically.

The hidden fluctuation sensed danger immediately.

It struggled violently, attempting to escape back into the Void.

Too late.

Golden arrays unfolded inside Jean’s body, wrapping around the hidden presence layer by layer and forcibly extracting it.

At that moment, Jean was sparring with Thor on the training grounds when her body suddenly froze.

The Phoenix Force exploded outward.

Thor recoiled, raising Stormbreaker defensively.

"What’s wrong?!"

Jean clutched her chest, face pale.

"There’s... something inside me..."

She could feel an alien force being ripped from her body.

It desperately clung to the Phoenix Force.

But Levi’s will was stronger.

Golden light erupted from Jean’s body, condensing into a mass of black mist writhing violently in the air.

Within the mist appeared a blurred face.

The Anti-Monitor.

"Greedy one."

The hollow voice echoed.

"You think this can stop me?"

Levi appeared instantly on the training grounds.

With a wave of his hand, a golden array trapped the black mist.

"I’m not trying to stop you."

"I’m warning you."

"Don’t play these pathetic little games."

"If you want war, come openly."

The Anti-Monitor’s face twisted before erupting into harsh laughter.

"Very well."

"Then I shall grant your wish."

The mist exploded violently into countless black fragments.

Each fragment transformed into a shadow demon that swarmed toward Levi.

Levi didn’t move.

He simply raised his right hand.

A miniature galaxy rotated in his palm.

[Inner Universe · Law Domain]

A golden domain of laws expanded across the training grounds.

Every shadow demon froze the instant it touched the field.

Then vanished into nothingness.

Three seconds later—

Hundreds of shadow demons were gone.

The training grounds fell silent once more, leaving behind only blackened scorch marks across the earth.

Jean collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

Thor quickly supported her.

"You alright?"

"I’m fine."

She shook her head and looked toward Levi.

"That just now..."

"A fragment of the Anti-Monitor’s will."

"He planted it inside you."

"He intended to take control during the battle."

Jean’s face turned pale.

"I... I never noticed..."

"It’s not your fault."

"His methods are sophisticated. Even the Phoenix Force was deceived."

Levi walked over and pressed a hand against her forehead, golden light purifying the Phoenix Force completely.

"It’s gone now."

"But this proves the Anti-Monitor is even harder to deal with than we thought."

He turned toward the others gathering outside the training grounds.

Superman. Strange. Wanda. Tony. Starlight.

Everyone had rushed over.

"What happened?" Tony asked.

"The Anti-Monitor tried infiltrating us."

"He planted a fragment of his will inside Jean."

"It’s handled now. But it means he’s been watching us the entire time."

Everyone’s expressions darkened.

"Do we still proceed with the original plan?" Strange asked.

"We move faster."

"The Anti-Monitor already knows our intentions. He’ll reinforce the nodes ahead of schedule."

"So we strike first."

Levi raised his hand again.

Golden arrays unfolded through the air.

"The departure time has been moved up."

"Ten minutes."

"All teams move simultaneously."

"Understood."

Everyone answered in unison.

Levi’s gaze passed across them all before stopping briefly on Wanda.

She stood near the back of the crowd, calm on the surface, but her eyes remained complicated.

He knew the knot in her heart still hadn’t been untied.

But now wasn’t the time.

"Prepare yourselves."

The teams dispersed.

Levi remained alone in the center of the training grounds, looking up at the sky.

Deep within the Void, he could feel the Anti-Monitor’s true body awakening.

That terrifying power was slowly seeping into the multiverse itself.

Time was running out.

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