"So that's why you came to find me. I thought the first person to approach me would be some Skyfather within the World Tree, looking to borrow my strength to attack another world." Adam spoke thoughtfully.
One could only say that Krugarr had quite the nerve. As the first being in the universe after Thor to try eating this particular crab, his way of thinking was rather unique. He had taken the long way around through Kamar-Taj and eventually found his way to Adam.
"The realms within the World Tree are clearly divided. The relationships between those Skyfathers are incredibly complicated and difficult to untangle. On top of that, Odin is still alive, and the order of the Nine Realms remains intact. Getting involved in the turmoil of the entire World Tree now would disrupt the balance and might cause other Skyfathers to lose patience. Are you sure you want to do this?" Krugarr suggested.
Adam smiled faintly. It was precisely because Kamar-Taj had vouched for Krugarr that he was even willing to meet with him. Otherwise, he wouldn't casually grant an audience to just anyone who showed up from beyond Earth claiming they wanted to see him.
"From what I know, although the Ravagers have internal conflicts, overall you're still being hunted by major cosmic powers. It shouldn't be enough to make you cross countless star systems specifically to recruit on Earth. Did you run into some particularly troublesome opponent?"
"The Ravagers are always offending someone. Too many people across the universe want us dead. This is just a new group of problems that's appeared. I simply thought it would be a shame if such powerful beings as the Xenomorphs didn't participate in such grand conflicts. If I could establish a long-term and stable relationship with you and receive a steady supply of Xenomorphs for military support and reinforcements, it would be wonderful for the entire universe. The cosmos would witness the might of the Xenomorphs."
Adam stroked his chin. Honestly, he was very interested in Krugarr's proposal. He didn't even care who the Ravagers were currently fighting or whether they were winning or losing. He simply believed that wherever there was war, there should be Xenomorphs.
Before he possessed overwhelming cosmic power, Adam hoped the universe would become as chaotic as possible. That would give him more opportunities.
"Your appearance before me means the Ancient One has given her tacit approval. Since she has never opposed it, fine. I'm happy to give her that respect… I'll give you the first batch of Xenomorph mercenaries. Two hundred sound good? What payment do you intend to offer in return?"
"Currency. The universal cosmic credits recognized by the vast majority of civilizations, which can be used to purchase... " Krugarr hadn't finished before Adam interrupted him.
"If I wanted money, I would simply take it. Why bother trading with you? Or do you think I couldn't steal it from others? You need to offer something truly valuable."
Adam looked at him seriously. "My time is extremely precious. The only reason I'm sitting here speaking with you peacefully is because I believe you can provide me with something useful. If you make me question that judgment, I'm sorry... I really hate unexpected situations outside my plans. You won't be leaving here alive today."
Even as he said these words, Adam's tone remained perfectly calm, without a trace of anger.
Krugarr instinctively scanned his surroundings, a teleportation spell ready in his hand so he could escape at any moment. He waited a second, but sensed no one... or any Xenomorph... making a move against him.
Everything felt as gentle as a spring breeze.
Yet Krugarr's heart sank like it had dropped into an ice cave. Alright, he had underestimated the situation. Even with Kamar-Taj's endorsement, it didn't guarantee he could move freely on this planet.
At this point, Krugarr had to quickly abandon his previous optimistic assumptions. Adam was not some suddenly risen Earthling lacking cosmic awareness. On the contrary, he seemed quite familiar with the Ravagers' situation.
More importantly, Adam was an absolute ruthless figure who would act the moment something displeased him.
Mordo looked at Adam with some hesitation. "You're joking, right?"
"Would you like to test whether I'm really joking... with Krugarr's life?" Adam said politely. "I don't yet have a single Xenomorph under my command capable of instantaneous spatial teleportation."
Mordo frowned tightly. If this had been the old days, his expression would have changed immediately. But now, facing Adam... who in some ways was completely comparable to the Ancient One... Mordo understood his position. Words he could have said before were now absolutely off-limits.
Krugarr's fish-like tail flicked more and more frequently, revealing his inner anxiety.
Adam continued, "I need you to provide valuable intelligence and rare hosts as payment. Additionally, you will deploy my Xenomorphs across various planets throughout the universe. At the same time, share all intelligence the Ravagers possess with me in real time. Agree to these terms, and our deal is done."
"So that's it?" Krugarr breathed a sigh of relief.
"What else did you expect? Did you really think this was some organization that scrapes the planet clean? Long-term vision brings greater rewards. However, if I discover you're playing tricks, no one will be able to save you. Don't assume I lack the means to cross star systems. Those Celestial ships are still in my possession." Adam said.
Celestials… Krugarr only had a vague understanding of that race, but he understood Adam's meaning perfectly.
Not long after, Krugarr left Earth with two hundred ordinary Xenomorphs.
"You scared him off. He probably won't come again. That will also force you to interrupt your plan of spreading Xenomorphs across various planets." Mordo spoke tactfully, trying to persuade Adam to abandon the crazy idea of deploying Xenomorphs everywhere.
Mordo didn't even dare imagine it. Right now, Xenomorphs were appearing all over Earth. If anything happened to Adam, these creatures would go berserk, laying eggs and hatching en masse to create a vast Xenomorph army that would threaten the entire world.
If he spread Xenomorph eggs across the entire universe… what then?
Mordo said, "This doesn't align with your long-term plans."
"It will align. The Ravagers are a group everyone wants to eliminate, and they must have run into serious trouble. I even suspect someone guided them, which is why Krugarr specifically came to Earth to find me. Most people wouldn't think that way."
Adam stared at the vanishing portal.
No matter what terrible situation the Ravagers had encountered, Adam didn't care. But having this group of free labor willing to transport Xenomorphs to various planets was something he was happy to use.
In the end, they were just tools.
Spreading Xenomorphs across the universe was Adam's true goal. Eventually, he would be everywhere, able to descend upon any corner of the cosmos at will.
"Once those ruthless Ravagers discover how useful the Xenomorphs are, they'll probably spread them far and wide. Then the real trouble will begin. Countless dangerous individuals from every star system will come rushing to Earth, trying to get their hands on them. The pressure on Kamar-Taj will skyrocket." Mordo complained worriedly.
"You can look at it from another angle. Maybe Earth's possession of such troublesome creatures will make more people think twice." Adam said. "Who knows, in the not-too-distant future, we might become the universe's most famous mercenary hub, with all kinds of people trying to hire Xenomorphs from me."
"Are you sure? I can't even imagine how terrifying that scene would be. Before battles, both sides would flex their muscles... one side pulls out a bunch of Xenomorphs, the other side does the same. How would anyone even fight after that?"
"Look, Sorcerer Mordo, you've fallen into a mental dead end. Why fight at all? I could simply order the Xenomorphs to kill everyone on both sides and solve the problem, right? Don't trap yourself in mental knots. It will cause serious internal exhaustion."
In truth, Adam often preferred solving problems through the most direct means. If he couldn't solve the problem, he would eliminate the person who created it. Then everything would be cleaned up.
Mordo felt he could barely communicate with Adam anymore. It was different from before. Facing Adam now, the pressure was immense. He was constantly on edge, suspecting the surrounding Xenomorphs wanted to harm him and were desperately trying to implant him.
Mordo hurriedly returned to Kamar-Taj to report the matter to the Ancient One.
If anyone could stop Adam, Mordo's first thought was the Ancient One.
"Fine. Let me see what exactly is happening with the Ravagers that even someone like Krugarr is running around desperately…"
Adam's vision extended rapidly with the spread of the Xenomorphs, soon allowing him to observe scenes countless star systems away.
…
Krugarr left Earth in a hurry. He was increasingly convinced that Earth was far too dangerous. A few years ago it had still been manageable, with the overall situation relatively stable and controllable. But dangerous individuals kept appearing anyway.
Now it had become even more hazardous.
Even setting aside Earth's internal affairs, its location alone... at the center of the World Tree... meant the upper three realms, lower three realms, and the other two middle realms were all watching the central planet. Countless Skyfathers harbored ulterior motives.
"Adam… I never want to see that Earthling again. Spending even one second near him makes me feel like I'm going to be killed."
Krugarr muttered as he turned to look at the two hundred reinforcements behind him. What caught his attention were the twenty exceptionally powerful Xenomorphs clearly leading the group. They had obviously bonded with special hosts and all looked identical.
Even a single one of them made Krugarr feel deeply uneasy.
"I originally thought he would send giant-type Xenomorphs, but he didn't even give me a single one with divine blood… This should be an important battle for him to make his name in the universe. Shouldn't he have sent powerful, awe-inspiring god-type Xenomorphs?"
Krugarr rubbed his chin, unable to figure it out.
He had researched Adam's history and was familiar with the Xenomorphs' various battle records. After arriving on Earth, he had even gathered more detailed intelligence on the creatures... such as the time from implantation to chestburst.
Since the Xenomorphs could join Asgard's army, fight, and conquer Jotunheim, joining the Ravagers to battle those things that had chased them all the way to the Void shouldn't be too difficult.
"Krugarr, you're finally back. I've been waiting a long time. Why did it take longer than expected? During that time we lost another dozen people. If we drag this out any longer, this Ravager crew is finished!"
"You call that slow? You think I went to Earth and just walked straight up to Adam? I had to go through Kamar-Taj first to get an introduction. Otherwise, if I had gone to him alone, I would have been captured and implanted on the spot. You believe me?"
Krugarr wasn't usually one for arguments, but seeing his leader Yondu so agitated made his own temper flare.
He even began questioning whether joining this particular Ravager crew had been the right decision. Maybe he should have joined a different group.
Look at the sorry state of this crew. They had started with eighty people. Now, after deaths, fewer than thirty remained.
And among the survivors, several were in states of mental breakdown, their personalities twisted by those things.
The Ravagers looked on with hope, eyes wide as they saw the Xenomorphs behind Krugarr for the first time. These were fresh troops... valuable reinforcements for their crew.
"This is good too. We lost a bunch of people, but gained so many powerful new comrades. Our strength is increasing rapidly! Krugarr, you did well. What price did that guy demand? How much do we have to pay to hire these troops?"
"But how many are there? A hundred? Two hundred? In terms of numbers, it still doesn't seem like enough. To deal with those things, we'll need even more forces."
"So these are Xenomorphs? A lot of factions have been asking about them lately. They've even put out public bounties. I heard the Xenomorph army that attacked Jotunheim numbered in the tens of thousands. If we had that many, it would be perfect."
"Adam can supply that many troops, but we can't afford the payment."
These troublemaking thugs were now anxious. Seeing the tall, powerful Xenomorphs radiating cold, ruthless auras, they felt both curious and uneasy.
Krugarr spoke gravely, "My initial guess was correct. Adam does intend to spread the Xenomorphs. Only I could successfully negotiate with him. If any of you had gone, you would have been killed by the Earthlings immediately and turned into incubation vessels."
"Makes sense. A few years ago, I wouldn't have believed that such a remote planet would produce powerhouses capable of shaking countless worlds, or a combat race like the Xenomorphs... born purely for battle."
"Hey, Quill, that's Earth... your homeworld! Weren't you always saying there was nothing worth missing? I remember you calling it just an ordinary planet with backward technology! You can't argue with this one."
Star-Lord's face darkened. He looked at the large group of towering, muscular Xenomorphs and could hardly believe his eyes.
What the hell? He had only left Earth a few decades ago. In just a few short decades, how had Earth produced one or two figures capable of shaking countless planets, along with a numerous race like the Xenomorphs?
At that moment, as their leader, Yondu saw his adoptive son rendered speechless and said coldly, "Enough. Is this how you welcome our guests? Leaving them standing? Hurry up and bring out the good liquor! We might not get another chance to drink after the next battle!" Yondu roared.
"Yondu, I remember you went to Earth and snatched Quill, right? It's a miracle you weren't killed on the spot. Even without Adam back then, there must have been other superpowered beings."
Yondu didn't argue back. Even now, he still felt lingering fear.
Who knew that hellish place called Earth had a Skyfather-level guardian? And now it was even more terrifying. Even Dormammu had suffered there, and Jotunheim had been conquered by a race led by an Earthling.
Krugarr turned to look at the Xenomorphs. He vaguely understood Adam's abilities, which meant Adam's vision was certainly following these creatures and observing everything happening here.
It was intimidating, but on second thought, so what if he was watching? They had no choice now. They couldn't return the Xenomorphs... that would truly anger Adam. They would be hunted to the ends of the universe with no escape.
"We've been waiting in the Void for several hours. Can someone tell me if those symbiotes have caught up? Don't tell me they've even reached the Void."
"Not yet. Those disgusting symbiotes may have parasitized many lifeforms across the universe, but they probably don't dare offend the Collector's territory."
"Good. With these Xenomorphs added to our forces, we should have enough strength to protect ourselves…"
Before he finished speaking, several staggering figures suddenly rushed out in front of the Ravagers. Viscous black matter clung to their bodies.
The Ravagers immediately cursed loudly and opened fire with their weapons.
"They still followed us! I knew we couldn't shake them!"
"These symbiotes can really move through vacuum? They can cross vast stretches of space!"
During one exploration, these greedy Ravagers had picked up strange electromagnetic signals... vast and complex, as if countless individual lifeforms were collectively broadcasting various meaningless signals into outer space using their personal devices.
The Ravagers had thought they'd found a strange planet and valuable loot. They believed they could rob it and make a fortune. Instead, they had found a nightmare.
Simply escaping that planet had already cost them a third of their crew.
Worse, these symbiotes could move through the vacuum of space. That was the truly outrageous part. They clung to the Ravagers like parasites.
Look at them now... they had fled all the way to the Void, and these things had followed.
"I really want to know who the hell is controlling these things. The massive signals they broadcast were completely chaotic at first. Maybe that's how they communicate internally. But remember the scene? Suddenly, part of them acted like they had received collective orders and turned toward us."
Yondu cursed. It was these things that had severely depleted his crew.
The battle erupted quickly. At first, the other inhabitants of the Void paid little attention. Violent incidents were common in this den of villains. But they soon changed their minds and began fighting the symbiotes. Some even thought it was an opportunity to get rich and tried to capture them.
The massive Void saw some chaos.
Outside the Void, in the cold emptiness of space, Loki sat amid a large mass of symbiotes, looking very much like the true master of the creatures. He stared expressionlessly at the enormous head before him.
"This thing is the head of the Celestial you decapitated back then?" Loki's heart was already churning with shock.
Celestials... actual cosmic gods. And yet, his current master had killed one.
If this God of Symbiotes, Knull, recovered his true body and returned to his peak, just how powerful would he be?
Even the Ancient One and Adam probably couldn't match him, right?
"Gather strength. Kill Grendel and…"
Knull's fragmented thoughts entered Loki's mind, leaving him no choice.
He had worked hard to infiltrate Klyntar, allowing Knull to quickly gain control of a batch of symbiotes and form an army.
Yet the first thing Knull wanted to do wasn't to regain control of all the symbiotes. It was to rush off for revenge.
To Knull, as long as he could approach Klyntar and obtain even one or two symbiotes to carry his consciousness, reestablishing the spiritual network and forcefully controlling all symbiotes would only be a matter of time. Then he would return to his peak and become the cosmic god feared by countless beings once more.
But one thing gnawed at Knull. The powerful and noble him had suffered such a great humiliation on Earth. Upon learning what had happened there afterward, his rage was uncontrollable.
Loki, having lost his original possession ability, had earned Knull's approval through diligent effort and gained a batch of symbiotes as subordinates. He had achieved his long-cherished wish, at least initially. But the subsequent developments left Loki's mind reeling.
Invading Earth was a truly insane idea, but Loki had no choice.
If he dared refuse, Knull would tear him apart in an instant.
He had no idea what Knull was thinking or why he was so impatient. Was he afraid that if he waited a few more years without returning to his peak, Adam and the others would simply die of old age?
Or was there some secret Loki hadn't yet understood that made Knull so desperate?
"Of course, I will obey your commands. But there are several very difficult opponents on Earth. I may need some help. Once I gather enough forces and obtain a sufficient number of symbiote soldiers, I will immediately lead the army to attack Earth."
Loki stalled for time. His plan was to drag things out by claiming he needed more soldiers, forcing Knull to control even more symbiotes. This would indirectly help Knull recover more power. He even hoped to wait until Knull, using this sliver of consciousness, slowly regained control of the billions of symbiotes and reclaimed his body.
But when Loki casually glanced toward the Void, his expression froze.
He saw a group of Xenomorphs fighting in the Void, moving ghost-like through the buildings with exquisite skill and precise tactical coordination, constantly killing symbiotes.
He even witnessed a scene that made his scalp explode: several symbiotes condensed into Xenomorph forms attacking his own symbiotes and rapidly devouring them to strengthen themselves.
It was like two pools of liquid merging into one, eventually solidifying into Xenomorph shapes.
"How is this possible? Symbiote-Xenomorphs! And not Xenomorphs bonded with symbiotes, but actual symbiote-Xenomorphs!! How much time has passed? Adam already deciphered the symbiotes' life code from Grendel and converted them into Xenomorphs?!"
Loki felt his worldview cracking. He had seen fast progress before, but never anything this rapid.
He considered himself a highly intelligent evil god, yet even he had never imagined Adam's advancement speed would be so extreme... that he would succeed in one go.
He had to reassess the potential of the Xenomorphs and Adam's terror once again.
But Loki soon ran out of time. The enraged Knull urged him again, which finally helped Loki understand why Knull had become so frantic and irritable lately.
Knull was the god of the symbiotes. He could sense the condition of every symbiote and thus vaguely knew what was happening on Earth.
He could tolerate other things, but his creations being taken by a mere mortal was an unprecedented insult to the arrogant Knull. If he swallowed this anger, it would be a miracle.
"Adam actually seized control of the symbiotes from the god Knull. That's too outrageous. Could Adam be a god too? An undeveloped Celestial?"
Loki's face stiffened, his mind roaring. Encountering so many familiar faces in a place millions of light-years from Earth while uncovering a truth that could drive an ancient god mad created too sharp a contrast. His brain nearly crashed.
Reality forced him to return to Earth.
But at least he now commanded an army, right?
They were also a parasitic race with astonishing potential. His advantage over Adam was that he had an extremely powerful cosmic god backing him. Even though this god wasn't at full strength and had suffered greatly against Adam, plus the loss of his symbiotes, he was desperate for revenge.
The symbiote army had already surpassed two thousand and began invading the Void with even greater ferocity, devouring villains from countless planets.
The area filled with sounds of battle and curses. Most of the villains wore expressions of utter confusion, having no idea what was happening. Why was this mercenary hub and massive bar known as the Void suddenly being attacked by these bizarre creatures?
People gradually discovered that the symbiotes had many weaknesses. Fire, high heat, and loud noise were enough to severely disrupt their combat effectiveness.
The situation finally balanced out. As fierce fighters from across the cosmos joined the fray one after another, they gradually pushed the symbiote army out of the Void.
The master of the Void, the Collector, never showed himself from beginning to end.
For a Celestial Elder like the Collector, he knew exactly what symbiotes represented... they were Knull's creations. Of course he didn't want to get involved.
In any case, only a bunch of worthless villains would die. It wouldn't be long before new ones arrived to fill the Void.
The universe never lacked scum.
"Symbiotes and Xenomorphs. I never expected to see both here. I really want to collect them, but they're both difficult to handle. Each has its own master behind the scenes…"
The Collector hid inside his building, holding a low-end telescope scavenged from some planet and pretending to observe seriously. This was his quirky hobby... he loved collecting items with historical significance and special meaning.
After another period of stalemate, Knull lost patience.
The one who had truly seized his authority of control was still on Earth. To Knull, this was a second unprecedented humiliation. He had to deal with Adam. Of course, that would be difficult. At the very least, he needed to disrupt Adam's control. Once he returned to his peak, he could finish Adam off in one go.
"Loki… attack… turn Earth into a symbiote planet… buy time…"
"I know, I know. But I'm thinking, maybe we can pull in other cosmic forces as allies instead of going it alone… What about Thanos' Black Order? Call in the Black Order…"
"Now… or… die!"
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