Beneath the canopy of the sky, Darkseid hung suspended like a black sun.
Who says villains can't have a "power-up" moment? Previously, Darkseid might not have possessed such an overwhelmingly dominant posture, but the combat power of such high-dimensional beings is often tied to their will.
Perhaps the destruction of Apokolips ignited Darkseid's fury, stimulating his latent power to such an extent that even a man as strong as the Old Father Superman was no match for him.
"Dad!"
Ian's face paled in an instant.
He looked up and saw Darkseid floating like a mountain in the sky, clutching a dying Clark in his hand like a small chick. In that moment, Ian truly panicked. His mind went completely blank.
Trigon, the buffet, the angel feathers—everything was tossed to the back of his mind! An unprecedented wave of panic and rage erupted in his chest like a volcano.
"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!"
Ian let out a roar. In his desperation to save his father, he had no time to devise a strategy. The energy within his body burned at an unprecedented rate, and he transformed into a streak of light that tore through the night sky, charging recklessly toward Darkseid. He only wanted to save Clark.
Every child of the Kent family is a "family-first" warrior at heart. Ian was no exception.
He unleashed power and speed beyond his previous limits. However, the gap between a All-father-level and a Universal-level being was a chasm that could not be bridged by courage and rage alone.
"Heh."
Darkseid didn't even make a significant movement. He merely turned his rock-like head slightly, his crimson eyes burning with the Omega Effect casting a cold glance at the charging Ian.
It was just a "glance"!
An invisible, intangible force—one containing the absolute rules of destruction—instantly slammed into Ian!
"Damn it!"
Ian felt as if he had been struck head-on by a planet accelerated to the speed of light! The protective energy surrounding him shattered like tissue paper.
Before the intense pain could even reach his neural center, he was sent hurtling toward the ground like a meteorite, propelled by kinetic energy exceeding the third cosmic velocity!
BOOM——!!!
The ground was torn apart and vaporized as easily as tofu! Ian's figure vanished instantly beneath the surface, leaving behind a bottomless, massive crater with molten edges.
The unabated force carried him through the crust, the mantle... crashing through everything in its path until he slammed violently into the scalding, high-pressure core of the planet!
[Berserker EXP +387]
[Berserker EXP +276]
[Berserker EXP +451]
[Fatal blow received! The "Near-Death Frenzy" effect of the Berserker skill has been activated! All attributes significantly increased! Recovery speed greatly enhanced!]
[Stimulated by extreme pressure environment! Physical adaptability increased!]
[Ultra-high energy environment detected! Energy absorption efficiency increased!]
[Lord of Entropy EXP +399]
[Lord of Entropy EXP +345]
[Lord of Entropy EXP +432]
...
A series of notifications flashed frantically across Ian's mind.
His broken, nearly shattered body drifted in the white-hot magma of the Earth's core. The Berserker's passive ability was pushed to its limit, and combined with the recovery power of the "Undying," his shattered bones, torn muscles, and annihilated organs began to reorganize and heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
[Wrath of the Undying: When you receive any form of damage, you recover 1% of your maximum health per second. This can heal all injuries, including fatal ones. The heavier the injury, the faster the recovery. When health drops below 10%, you receive an instantaneous 'Rebirth from Ashes' repair. The celebration of life will continue until all your energy is exhausted. Death? For you, it has always been a luxury.]
Although Ian looked miserable, he hadn't actually triggered the full-health revival effect of "Wrath of the Undying" yet. He would probably need to be reduced to just a head for his health to drop below 10%. The life force of this "Evil God" was indeed leaning toward something truly bizarre.
"Dammit! This is Earth!"
Ian stabilized himself in the extreme environment of the core, which was hot enough to melt most substances. Pain and violent power intertwined within him. He looked up, peering through the long tunnel he had smashed open—now being rapidly filled by surrounding magma—toward the distant surface.
Since his debut, Ian had never felt this suppressed.
Being on his home planet, his Ultra Bombs and those high-power field-clearing methods... he couldn't use them, nor did he dare to. Ian's strongest attacks were all "map-wiping" moves that didn't distinguish between friend and foe. Using them in a densely populated area inside Earth was no different from a suicidal trade.
He had accumulated a significant amount of magic, and combined with the outburst of Odin's power, the blast radius would definitely affect more than just one planet—the entire solar system might undergo a drastic change.
His hands were tied. Ian had no way to use those methods. This was the frustration of possessing power but being unable to unleash it.
"I have to find a way to trick this guy to go somewhere else... or let him come into my mouth himself." Ian's brain worked at high speed, and he had regained his composure.
Previously, his wisdom had been hindered by his emotions, but thinking about it now, even if his "Old Father" died in battle, he would surely go to Heaven. It wouldn't be hard to fish him back. Worst case, he'd just let Clark walk around with a halo on his head from now on.
Following the massive hole he had made, Ian looked up, his gaze piercing through the dirt and dust toward the Dark Lord still floating in the sky above the surface.
High above the planet's surface.
Darkseid had swatted Ian away like a buzzing fly, not even caring if he lived or died. However, he noticed that the Superman in his grasp reacted strongly when that "insect" was shot down.
"Ian!"
Even though he was dying and battered, Superman could still see who it was that had charged at Darkseid. Ian's loud shout had also reached his ears. He let out a roar of pain and despair. His heart surged, wanting to "break his limits"—but Darkseid had clearly researched him thoroughly and devised specific countermeasures.
Surging dark power swirled in Darkseid's hand, suppressing the sun that was trying to erupt within Superman's heart.
"Hmm, I can see that the one who just died was very important to you." Darkseid's rock-like face remained expressionless, but his crimson eyes flickered slightly. He realized that the overconfident insect from a moment ago was definitely related to this stubborn Kryptonian, and the relationship was deep.
"He is as dead as can be, Clark." Darkseid's voice was cold and certain, as if stating a mundane fact.
"I believe your words. Apokolips might not have been destroyed by your hands personally. But—" His fingers tightened slightly, causing Superman to twitch in pain from suffocation.
"If you still won't tell me who, or what force... blew up my planet... then it won't just be that human child who dies."
Darkseid's dark power poured out like a tide. It wasn't just physical suppression; it was an erosion on a conceptual level, still firmly suppressing the idealistic solar energy that should have erupted from Superman under extreme emotion!
This was an epic debuff for Superman, achieved without even using Kryptonite. The targeted strategy prevented Clark from breaking his limits through emotional outbursts.
Aside from Batman, the being who understood Superman best was likely this cosmic tyrant, Darkseid.
"Believe me."
Darkseid surveyed the city of Metropolis below—bright with lights yet fragile in his eyes. His voice sounded like the final judgment.
"I will destroy everything you hold dear immediately. Your cherished planet and its lives are so weak... I only need a gentle wave of my hand... and all living things will perish along with this planet, vanishing into ashes."
His threat was direct and effective.
Darkseid even saw Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, and other members of the Justice League rushing over in the distant sky. But so what? These heroes, who looked like gods to Earthlings, were nothing more than larger, slightly stronger ants in his eyes.
The only thing that caused a slight ripple in his eternal, icy mood was a massive magic circle taking shape in the distance, emitting a chaotic and evil aura that he found somewhat disgusting.
"Heh." Darkseid gripped Superman's head tightly, his gaze turning toward the magic circle with a hint of mockery. It was as if he had seen through some hidden secret.
"Your race is as foolish as ever. Always fond of using... methods you cannot possibly control."
As if to validate Darkseid's words, the moment he finished speaking, the massive scarlet magic circle in the distance suddenly began to change violently!
The originally stable runic structure began to twist and reorganize, as if being forcibly pulled and altered by a stronger, more fundamental power! The light of the magic circle shifted from scarlet to a deeper, darker crimson, and the energy level within it began to climb exponentially!
"What's happening?!" Raven's voice rang out between heaven and earth, filled with horror. As the host of the ritual, she felt the loss of control most acutely! A terrifying will that far exceeded her expectations—and even her comprehension—was arrogantly seizing control of the magic circle!
Then, a grand, manic laugh, filled with endless evil and profanity, boomed from the center of the magic circle, vibrating through the entire dimension.
"Hahahaha! My dear child... thank you for your help..."
Dark red energy erupted from the center of the magic circle like blood, condensing into a sky-piercing, colossal demon silhouette—Trigon!
"Because of your assistance, I was able to do it... to descend upon the mortal realm with my unbearable might in this brand-new way! Hahahaha!"
As it turned out, Trigon had seen through Raven's intentions long ago! Not only did he not stop her, he played along, cleverly using his daughter's hatred and the summoning ritual to twist and amplify it.
It became a springboard that allowed him to bypass certain restrictions and project more of his power into the material world!
The manifesting Trigon was constantly solidifying, as if his true body was stepping from the hell dimension into the mortal world. The pressure he emitted made the entire starry sky seem to tremble! This aura and power far surpassed any of his previous avatar descents!
"No... it shouldn't be like this. The one who told me this method was your eternal enemy..." Raven's face was deathly pale. She frantically mobilized her magic, trying to attack and disrupt Trigon's descent, but her attacks were like stones dropped into the ocean, failing to cause even a ripple.
"Fighting oneself is actually quite common in Hell. You will never know enough about us, and you will never realize that everything you have is inherited from me."
Trigon lowered his head. His six eyes, burning with unholy fire, looked down at his daughter, who was as small as a speck of dust. There wasn't a trace of so-called paternal love in his eyes—only naked mockery and playfulness.
"My daughter!" Trigon spread his massive arms, announcing to the entire world.
"Witness me! Watch with your own eyes as I conquer this reality, the Creator's proudest work, into my territory!"
He was immersed in the pleasure of his power's descent and the impending conquest, laughing wildly. He failed to notice that in the sky not far away, the Kryptonian held by Darkseid—who seemed to be at the end of his rope—was flashing through countless images of the boy who had been driven into the ground.
Clark Kent, the symbol of hope and truth, was currently filled with pain, anger, and a very... conflicted emotion. He looked at Trigon's arrogant, overbearing manner, then felt Darkseid's determination to destroy everything, and finally made a decision that went against his traditions.
"Don't you... want to know... who the destroyer is?" He suddenly used the last of his strength to lift a trembling hand, pointing toward the wildly laughing Trigon. He spoke to Darkseid with a voice mixed with pain, rage, and a hint of... relief, as if "the truth had come to light."
Darkseid's gaze instantly became sharp as a blade, locking onto Superman.
"Fine... I'll tell you... it's... HIM!"
Superman met his gaze and spoke one word at a time, betting his lifelong reputation and the truth he stood for on the most serious lie of his heroic career. The direction he pointed was none other than the newly descended, imposing Trigon!
"The descent of a Demon Lord requires countless blood sacrifices... everything was Batman's idea." While completing his lie, Superman didn't forget to bring his best friend into it.
"Hmm!?"
For the first time, a visible emotional ripple appeared on Darkseid's eternally frozen face—it was extreme fury and killing intent! Even a Dark Lord like him had a certain level of recognition for Superman's excellent character. Because of this, he almost instinctively believed Superman's accusation!
Who would have thought? Even the saint-like Superman would tell such a lie. Clark Kent, the perfect Superman, had been influenced by Ian for so long that he had finally developed some "scheming" in his heart!
In that moment, Darkseid's crimson eyes, burning with the Omega Effect, became like two exploding supernovas. He suddenly locked onto Trigon, who was still preparing to "conquer reality"!
"Eh, what's going on?"
Trigon was still immersed in the pleasure of his power's descent and the impending conquest. His massive demon silhouette stretched across the night sky, emitting a pressure that made all living beings tremble.
However, in this atmosphere that was "peaceful" for him, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine for no reason, as if he were being watched by some terrifying fellow.
Yes, an unspeakable feeling—as if he were being targeted by an extremely dangerous existence—crawled onto Trigon's spiritual senses like a cold venomous snake. This felt extremely bizarre to him.
With the great power he had brought with him, there shouldn't be any powerhouse on this Earth capable of threatening him anymore. Those so-called superheroes were nothing but clowns in his eyes.
"The super-powerhouses of Earth should all be dead." Trigon's massive head turned left and right, his six hellfire eyes scanning the city below and the heroes in the distance, muttering the "correct information" he had gathered through his minions and whispers.
His gaze completely ignored his daughter Raven, who was being pinned to the ground by his pressure, struggling even to breathe. It was as if she were just an insignificant stumbling block.
"Is it from the sky?"
Finally, he instinctively raised his head and looked toward the higher night sky. This upward glance met a pair of eyes that were close at hand, burning with destructive crimson light!
Darkseid!
At some point, the Dark Lord had released the dying Superman, binding him to a dark cross with dark energy. He appeared silently like a ghost at the same height as Trigon, the distance between them so close they could almost feel the energy fluctuations radiating from each other.
"So it's you."
Trigon recognized Darkseid. This tyrant of Apokolips was a notorious existence in the multiverse. Although there was no friendship between them, they both belonged to the top tier of the chaotic evil camp. Trigon instinctively wanted to offer a greeting, or at least ask why the other was here.
However, just as he opened his mouth, before he could utter a single syllable—there was no warning on Darkseid's rock-like face.
From his eyes, two Omega Beams containing absolute destruction and causal-level erasure erupted like blood-colored lightning tearing through the universe, pouring out without reservation and with extreme violence!
These beams shot straight for Trigon's face!
"!!!" Warning bells blared in Trigon's heart! Although arrogant, he was by no means foolish. He knew the terror of the Omega Effect! It was an erasure power that touched the very origin of rules!
In the nick of time, Trigon displayed his terrifying reaction speed as a dimensional demon. His massive body twisted violently in a way that defied physical laws!
Space was folded.
BOOM!!!
The Omega Beams grazed Trigon's shoulder blade, directly annihilating a portion of his energy body! The two beams, having lost their target, continued their path and blasted straight toward the ground below! Given the power of the Omega Beams, if they hit Earth directly, the result would be undisputed—the planet would be completely disintegrated!
"NO!!!" Mid-air, Clark—who was attempting to break free from his bonds—saw this scene. His eyes nearly burst as he let out a roar of despair!
In his eyes, the idealistic power that had been suppressed by Darkseid's dark energy seemed about to break through the suppression and erupt with a brilliant light. There was no other way. Superman knew clearly that if he didn't do something, he would have to watch destruction descend!
And just at this critical moment, as Earth's fate hung by a thread!
A sudden change occurred!
From the bottomless, massive crater Ian had made—the one leading to the core—an indescribable, purely dark force, like spring water that had been silent for eons, suddenly erupted!
This darkness wasn't simply an absence of light; it was a dimensional power with substance and intense erosive properties! It was like spilled ink, or a living shadow, spreading and rendering its surroundings at an incredible speed! The sky, the clouds, the buildings, and even... the energy fields emitted by Darkseid and Trigon!
All reality touched by this darkness had its color stripped away. The structure seemed to be assimilated. In that moment, the two great villains couldn't even react before being forcibly pulled into a world of darkness!
It was as if it were an independent dimension!
Those two Omega Beams, capable of destroying a planet, actually vanished like mud entering the sea when they touched this spreading darkness, failing to cause even a ripple. They were simply annihilated!
"Who?!"
Trigon, who had just dodged the attack and was still shaken, was stunned. Even Darkseid, who was always expressionless, showed a clear look of shock in his crimson eyes for the first time!
They could both feel that they had been instantly stripped from the Earth space of the main universe and placed in a bizarre realm entirely dominated by dark rules!
"Just who is it?! Come out!" Trigon was both shocked and angry, his voice filled with disbelief. "Who is using their own dimension to erode the material world?!"
He couldn't believe that besides himself, another dimensional demon had descended to reality without him hearing even a whisper of it. This completely ruined his plans.
"Is it that... brat who just died?" Darkseid's intelligence and observation skills were clearly a step higher. When his cold voice rang out, it carried a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.
He not only saw the darkness erupting from the hole where Ian had fallen but also felt more clearly that his invincible Omega Beams had been swallowed by that darkness!
At this moment, the shock in Darkseid's heart was far more intense than it appeared on the surface—it was practically a world-shaking realization! The Omega Effect was one of the top powers in the universe, involving the erasure of causality and existence. He couldn't imagine what kind of being or power could "swallow" it so easily!
[Lord of Entropy EXP +18888]
[Lord of Entropy EXP +18888]
[Lord of Entropy EXP +18888]
Someone could prove that Darkseid's power was indeed high-level enough. Just as the two great villains were uncertain and trying to sense the source of this dark dimension, a grand, low voice—sounding as if it were produced by the resonance of countless stars—slowly drifted from the depths of the dark silence, carrying a hint of sudden realization.
"I... understand!"
That voice echoed through the entire dark dimension.
"While you guys are causing trouble, the best way to protect Earth..."
The darkness began to surge violently. A massive figure that blotted out the sky—looking as if it were composed of galactic dust and dark matter—slowly emerged from the endless shadows.
The silhouette of that figure carried a sense of hunger that could devour everything, causing even beings like Darkseid and Trigon to feel an instinctive shudder!
"Is to... swallow Earth into my stomach!"
The figure fully manifested. It possessed a stature more vast and majestic than the starry sky.
Galactus!
To be precise, it was Ian Kent manifesting in the form of Galactus!
[End-Time Body: You may temporarily break through the shackles of your life form and manifest as a deity walking the mortal realm by detonating the 'Cosmic Energy' or other things accumulated in your body.]
[In this form, you will briefly become the laws of the universe itself—the enforcer of balance. You can eliminate anything you deem harmful to the universe through 'Devouring.' The stars go out to satisfy your hunger! The whispers of the universe are declaring: You are the end!]
This skill had silently appeared in the learnable skill list of the [Lord of Entropy] after Ian acquired the Cosmic Tapeworm. His current size was precisely the effect of this new skill.
His appearance was not only accompanied by that terrifyingly vast Galactus body symbolizing universal balance, but more bizarrely, there were also Belial's signature manic laughs filled with evil and insanity, and All-Father Ultron's cold whispers containing the ultimate secrets of mechanical evolution appearing constantly. They intertwined and echoed like background noise!
Clearly, there was a reason why Ian could become so large. Belial and All-Father Ultron—the powers belonging to these two dark lords—were currently being borrowed as fuel after being "confiscated" by Ian.