171

Chapter 171: The Killing Game

The spaceship was pierced through, with numerous control devices destroyed and the control system failing. The guns, still firing moments before, were now completely darkened.

Countless Chitauri soldiers were instantly sucked out of the spaceship, dying in the vacuum within seconds.

"No!!!"

Ebony Maw could only rage impotently. He couldn't imagine what Thanos would look like when he returned to find his stronghold in ruins.

While the Guardians of the Galaxy were tearing the place apart, Thanos was escorting Gamora up the mountain on Vormir.

The Red Skull floated slowly and said, "Welcome, Thanos, son of Alars. Gamora, daughter of Zehoberi."

Thanos twitched his lips, expecting the Red Skull to mention that Gamora was his daughter.

"Who are you? Do you know us?" Thanos asked in a deep voice.

"I, a cursed man, know everyone who comes here."

Thanos interrupted, "I'm here to find the Soul Gem."

"I know that everyone who comes here has this purpose. But you should be aware that obtaining the Soul Gem, the most mysterious of the Infinity Gems, requires a great price."

"I'm prepared," Thanos said fearlessly.

"Everyone who has come here believed they were prepared, but they were all wrong. In the end, none have ever succeeded in claiming it."

The Red Skull laughed ruefully and led them up to the high platform at the top of the cliff.

"The Soul Gem is the most unique of all the Infinity Gems because it contains unique wisdom."

"Tell me what it wants."

Thanos was growing impatient. He had little time to waste while this figure, neither fully human nor ghost, continued his monologue.

The Red Skull smiled and continued, "In order for anyone who uses the Soul Gem to appreciate its value, a sacrifice is required."

"Sacrifice what?"

"Life!"

The Red Skull said in an emotionless voice, "To obtain the Soul Gem, you must leap from this place and give up your life. Soul for soul—this is an eternal transaction."

Both Thanos and Gamora stared in shock.

Thanos asked skeptically, "Doesn't the gem lack an owner at the moment?"

He was beginning to understand why so many ambitious individuals sought the gem but ultimately failed.

The Red Skull chuckled, shaking his head. "No one has ever been able to claim the Soul Gem. None have been willing to pay the price."

Thanos frowned deeply. Was this an endless cycle? Obtain the gem and die? Was there still a purpose for the sacrifice?

"Hahahahaha..."

Laughter erupted, and Gamora taunted loudly, "Is this fate? Even if you find the gem, you still can't have it!"

Thanos's expression darkened, his face turning a mottled shade of purple.

"If someone willingly sacrifices themselves for the gem, can another person take the gem after the sacrifice?"

Thanos asked with a hint of hope, though he thought it was unlikely. After all, it seemed too easy.

If possible, he had many subordinates willing to sacrifice their lives for him.

As a villain, he also had followers who viewed death as a small price to pay. This was a form of charisma.

The Red Skull shook his head. "Once the approved owner of the Soul Gem dies, the gem will be hidden again, awaiting the next seeker."

The Red Skull murmured to himself, "Although you are unattractive, you are quite the opportunist..."

"Give up. This is divine will. You are doomed to fail in achieving your so-called ideals!"

It was the first time Gamora had seen Thanos's expression so conflicted, and she felt a thrill from head to toe.

After all, Thanos lacked the courage to sacrifice his life for righteousness—or perhaps he wasn't ready to die here and now.

After a long hesitation, he murmured, "We should leave. I cannot die until I fulfill my dream. The universe still needs me. Once I gather the other gems, I'll return to claim the Soul Gem."

He had already decided that after acquiring the other gems, he would come back to trade his life for the Soul Gem.

He trusted in his willpower enough to snap his fingers before his death.

As he turned to leave, Thanos suddenly felt a shiver.

This was an instinct honed through countless years of cosmic battles, making him highly sensitive to danger.

"Look out..."

With a shout, he swung his fist backward.

"Boom—"

Thanos's fist collided with the Red Skull's, producing a thunderous sound like the collision of planets.