Chapter 317: One Punch Man Crosses into Marvel (Part 4)
[Recalling the scene just now, you vaguely heard the sound of something shattering, as if some kind of chain had been broken by your relentless, full-powered blows. A faint green aura escaped from Immortal Hulk's body. Later, you realized that punch had shattered the dimensional prison that confined OBA, allowing him to switch hosts.]
[You could clearly sense that from that very moment, OBA, who had been inhabiting Immortal Hulk, had fallen silent. It was unclear whether he had gone completely dormant or transferred to another host. Now, the Hulk retained only his original powers—still unkillable, but no longer a threat to you.]
[In the end, you had Tony Stark use special chains forged from pure adamantium to tightly restrain the Hulk. Together with other mutant super-bosses, he was thrown into a heavily guarded asylum. Doctor Strange then cast spatial magic over the place, making entry easy but escape nearly impossible. Unless something unexpected happened, many of them would spend the rest of their lives there.]
[However, victory wasn't yours alone. When you entered the underground headquarters of the Joker Gang, you discovered that the Space Stone—along with the Cosmic Cube containing it—had vanished. Someone had taken advantage of your battle with the Hulk to open a portal from within and steal the Cube.]
[Doctor Strange hurried over to examine the spatial fluctuations and attempted to reverse time, but failed. His face darkened as he told you that the culprit was Blink of the Illuminati—the only one among them who mastered spatial teleportation. This event had not appeared in any of the futures he had foreseen, meaning that a higher-dimensional being was likely interfering with his vision. Now, aside from the Time Stone in his possession, all the other Infinity Stones might already be in the hands of the Illuminati.]
[From October to November 2030, the destruction of the Joker Gang triggered a complete reshuffling of the world's order. Countless new survivor organizations sprang up across the wasteland, while the Illuminati began consolidating their defenses. Human civilization finally saw a glimmer of hope, and countless good people rejoiced. Yet Tony Stark grew increasingly anxious and despondent.]
[He told you that things weren't so simple. Even though Hawkeye and Red Jack were dead, the Illuminati still had powerful figures such as the Unjust Superman Steve Rogers, Aquaman Namor, the Venom-Black Widow Natasha Romanoff, Iron Woman Peggy Carter, Dark Vision, and Dark Scarlet Witch. Each possessed unique abilities, as well as battle armor that significantly amplified their power.]
[And the Dark Avenger—Zhou Ning—was, in Stark's words, the most formidable enemy he had ever faced. Though he hadn't appeared for years, in body, strength, and intellect, he was almost without weakness. He had once saved the world, only to later plunge it into ruin. If there had been any other choice, Stark would never have stood against him.]
[You patted his shoulder with a blank expression and told him calmly that it was fine—as long as you were here. You also said he could try becoming stronger himself, as long as he didn't mind turning into a bald, middle-aged man with the hairstyle of a true powerhouse.]
[Though in your eyes Tony Stark's tongue was sharp and his personality questionable, after fighting alongside him for so long—as a hero, as a comrade—he had proven himself the most dependable man alive, dedicating everything for the survival of humanity. "Great" was the only word fit to describe him.]
["I'll pass on that," Tony Stark said with a faint smile, patting your hand in return. The two of you understood each other without further words.]
[November 12, 2030 — Despite all precautions, disaster struck again. Using the Space Stone's teleportation power, the Illuminati launched a sudden invasion of Kamar-Taj. Once more, Doctor Strange failed to perceive this timeline in advance. This time, the Dark Avenger Zhou Ning appeared in person. Alongside Namor, Dark Scarlet Witch, Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter, and Dark Vision, his full Dark Avengers lineup completely overran Kamar-Taj. By the time the New Avengers arrived, he had already seized the Time Stone from Doctor Strange's hand—and began slotting the six Infinity Stones—Power, Space, Reality, Soul, Time, and Mind—one by one into his gauntlet.]
[It was your first time seeing the Dark Avenger Zhou Ning. He wore no armor, only a black suit, his gaze weary yet mysterious. You, on the other hand, stood there in a gaudy yellow superhero costume with a white cape, bald head, and drooping eyes—but no one doubted your strength. When your eyes met, you both sensed the deep hostility concealed within each other.]
[The New Avengers and the Dark Avengers were now fully assembled! (Achievement unlocked: Avengers Assemble!)]
[Since this was a hidden follow-up map and the story simulation had reached a key plot node, the simulator now offered the option to switch to Story Mode for easier comprehension. Switch to Story Mode? Yes/No?]
[Note: This mode does not affect simulation progress, rewards, or character outcomes.]
Story Mode? Zhou Ning, already deeply immersed in the narrative and even feeling a surge of excitement, thought for a moment before decisively selecting "Yes."
After making his choice, the simulation's format abruptly changed—dialogue appeared, as if he were witnessing the scene firsthand.
[Another version of you smiled faintly, adjusted his Infinity Gauntlet, then looked toward Tony Stark and greeted him: "Hello, kid."]
["Uncle Zhou Ning…" Tony Stark greeted back, then his face hardened. "But this will be the last time I call you that. You were once my idol. You saved the world more than once—but then you betrayed it. You betrayed humanity. You betrayed everyone who ever trusted you!"]
["Saved the world? Betrayed the world?" The other you chuckled faintly. "You don't understand. Time itself is nothing but a cruel joke." He raised the gauntlet, the six Infinity Stones gleaming brightly. "Since a moment ago, a voice in my head has been telling me—if I snap my fingers, humanity will perish, the universe will be reborn, and I will ascend—devour cosmic consciousness, slay Galactus, and become the new Devourer of Worlds."]
[He paused, watching the other heroes' expressions change, before adding leisurely, "But I won't do that. After all, my favorite thing is to say no—to those who think they know everything."]
[Then he reached toward his own chest, and with his right hand—still wearing the gauntlet—he pulled out a swirl of green mist, severing his connection to it and tossing it aside. That was OBA's prison. Because the link between Hell and the mortal world was too distant, OBA, as a pure consciousness, could only influence his host by temptation. But now, he could no longer do so. Cast away by the other you, he would have to search for a new host—that would be the next story.]
[Next, the other you used the Time Stone to freeze both time and space, leaving only the two of you able to move. He looked at you, a faint smile curling at his lips: "You think the Joker really affected me, like they say? No—impossible. We're the same. Both travelers of time. I was born in 1997, yet I've lived since 1898. I've witnessed countless years, countless deaths of friends and loved ones, the rise and fall of empires. How could the Joker ever sway my mind?"]
[But the Joker's arrival—and his death—made me reflect more deeply. Though I didn't truly despise my other self, I still acted against him, killed him. It was as if some invisible eyes in the heavens compelled me to do it. There's a saying: when mortals think, God laughs. And I, in turn, can't help but think endlessly. Over time, my true self fell into contemplation, letting the Joker's remaining instincts control my body.]
[Now, however, I've reached my conclusion. I've seen the higher dimensions—and I want to see, with my own eyes, what lies beyond them. That's why I went through so much trouble to obtain the Infinity Gauntlet—to snap my fingers and open the path to that higher realm.]