Chapter 246: A BGM Exclusive for Women
Clark received an impression value from the cosmic origin will, which automatically transformed into a 'Random BGM Lottery Card'! As he received the familiar system prompt, a knowing smile couldn't help but spread across his face. At this moment, he felt a sense of meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
His trip to Xandar was quite dramatic. The information Clark got from the Mimir's Well was the exact details of when he drank from the well. However, he didn't set off immediately after receiving the message. A delay of just over a month led to a missed opportunity with the cosmic orb.
When Clark arrived at the abandoned planet Morag, he found nothing but the remains of a few Kree bodies that hadn't been completely devoured by scavengers.
Piecing together memories from his past life, the only reasonable explanation was that the Guardians of the Galaxy storyline had coincidentally started in this short month.
Knowing the plot of the movie, Clark knew that after Star-Lord obtained the cosmic orb, his next stop would be Xandar to sell it. Thus, Clark headed straight to this bustling planet in a spaceship specially provided by Asgard.
With the assistance of the 'Da Xia Hu' BGM, he wasn't worried about any problems arising.
While continuing his journey, Clark accessed the system interface, found the newly acquired "Random BGM Lottery Card," and confirmed its use.
"Congratulations to the host for using the 'Random BGM Lottery Card' and obtaining the BGM 'Is She with You?'"
As soon as he thought about it, a usage introduction for 'Is She with You?' appeared on the system panel.
'Is She with You?' Level: 1 (0/10,000) Effect: The Goddess is with you. You can designate a female teammate to use this, temporarily increasing her combat effectiveness by 20%.
This BGM didn't seem to be something Clark could use himself. However, the attribute of increasing combat effectiveness seemed somewhat overpowered. It was no longer just a simple enhancement; it directly amplified one's power!
Without hesitation, Clark invested over a billion impression points into this BGM, raising its effect to the maximum level. The combat effectiveness enhancement increased from 20% to 100%!
In other words, when the music played, it was like doubling the fighting power!
Clark's gaze fell on Ava, and he began to contemplate what level her combat effectiveness could reach if this BGM was used on her. He wondered if he should slightly increase the intensity of their training in the evening.
Noticing Clark's peculiar gaze, Ava gave him a white glance and said, "It's broad daylight, and you're looking at me with such a weird expression. Are you thinking of something unhealthy?"
Clark neither admitted nor denied her accusation, and simply led her into a nearby bar.
He explained, under her puzzled look, "Whether it's buying star maps or other matters, nothing is more important than gathering firsthand information. Bars, where all kinds of people mix, are undoubtedly great places for gathering intel. What would you like to drink? It's on me."
Back on Earth, as the leader of the Avengers and with access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources, Clark didn't need to worry about collecting basic information. Even in Asgard, he was immediately appointed as a prince by Odin, where he could ask Heimdall about any information regarding the Nine Realms.
However, outside the jurisdiction of the Nine Realms, Clark had no particular advantage in gathering information, and might even be at a disadvantage compared to ordinary adventurers.
After ordering two non-alcoholic beverages special to Xandar at the bar, Clark said to Ava, "There are two types of people in any place: ordinary, honest folks and those who are not so well-behaved. The former, due to their honesty, have limited access to information and don't need extensive channels, as official announcements are usually sufficient for them."
"To gather more information, it's best to look for the latter. Theoretically, it doesn't matter if they are from the underworld or the legitimate world, but we're not here to cause trouble. It's best to avoid unnecessary trouble. So, we should focus on the underworld figures."
He shared this with Ava to help her gain more experience in their travels. Knowing a little more is always beneficial.
Ava listened seriously to Clark's analysis, but after he finished, she took a small sip of her drink, smiled, and asked, "Clark, why do you always like to drink non-alcoholic beverages? I thought you didn't drink much, but in Asgard, you outdrank everyone except Odin."
Ah, Clark thought. Ava had completely ignored his earnest explanation. Considering that she wouldn't need to face the universe alone, Clark let it slide and casually replied, "I just don't like drinking. It's not that I can't drink, nor am I worried about getting drunk. These are different concepts, right?"
Nodding in understanding, Ava then asked, "How can we distinguish these underworld figures then? Do they have Peppa Pig tattoos or something?"
Although the question still sounded a bit offbeat, it was somewhat better than before. Clark immediately replied, "They have a certain air about them, arrogance, and disdain. The way others look at them is filled with disgust, yet they avoid them as much as possible. To give you a more visual example, the group approaching us right now fits the bill."
At that moment, three alien thugs, looking a lot like Bumper Boyz with metal nose rings, were heading towards them with evil grins. It appeared they had already marked Clark and Ava as their prey.
But just as Clark was about to greet these unwelcome guests, Ava stood up first.
"You're a master. Dealing with the likes of Thanos and Ronan is your job. Let me handle these small fries," she said, smiling differently as she pushed her hair back over her shoulder and stepped towards the three thugs.
Clark wouldn't refuse Ava's desire to show her skills.
After being strengthened several times by Clark's life essence, Ava's strength had long surpassed the limits of ordinary Earth humans. Her physical condition wasn't far behind that of Star-Lord or Gamora. Although she lacked experience in fighting aliens, her ability to become intangible made up for this shortcoming.
Even if she were to face Gamora alone, Clark believed Ava would have the upper hand, let alone against some unknown space thugs.
Turning back, curious to see how she would handle the trio, Clark was surprised by their reaction. They avoided Ava and encircled him instead.
The leader, in a particularly cheesy manner, winked at Clark and said, "How about joining us for a drink, young man?"
Clark was baffled.
So was Ava. Impression Value +233 from Ava!
Well, that was unexpected. Faced with three lecherous fishheads, Clark felt a chill. He had no interest in mocking them anymore. With a flick of his finger, a purple lightning bolt shot out, instantly knocking down the three thugs, who twitched uncontrollably on the ground.
After half a minute, the three alien thugs, resembling Bumper Boyz, ceased twitching. Their looks of mockery turned into fear as they looked at Clark again.
With a Loki-esque sly smile, Clark looked at the three grounded thugs and said, "If you don't want to die, answer a few questions for me, or I'll throw you into space right now to freeze to death."
"You want to threaten us?" One of the thugs bravely retorted, "Xandar is a lawful planet. If you dare to act rashly, the Nova Corps will..."
Before he could finish, Clark casually opened a portal under this talkative thug. The thug could only let out a scream before falling into the vacuum of space below the portal, freezing to death instantly.
With a laugh, Clark killed one and then turned to the other two thugs, asking, "He's dead. Now, you tell me, what will happen if I act rashly?"
Impression Value +9 from Nicholas!
The remaining two thugs didn't expect this seemingly delicate youth to act so ruthlessly, killing without hesitation.
What shocked them even more was that despite the commotion, other patrons in the bar acted as if nothing had happened, as if Clark and his companions were invisible.
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