Chapter 394: Farewell, Old Man!

As Clark withdrew his gaze from the massive projection in the base hall, he turned and walked out of the building, breathing in the cool air outside—it was another winter day.

Today was November 12, 2018, and from early morning, Clark felt that it was an unusual day, as if something terrible was about to happen. Yet even with his near-omnipotent abilities, he couldn't pinpoint the reason or foresee what was about to occur.

It felt as if the entire multiverse was immersed in an inexplicable sorrow, a sentiment only someone of Clark's realm could sense.

"Clark," came a familiar raspy voice from Damon McReady, the Ghost Rider. Initially, he had always addressed Clark as "Mr. Clark," but after Clark's insistence, they switched to using first names. After all, Clark had been calling the Ghost Rider "uncle" for many years.

After a greeting, the Ghost Rider said, "Your power seems to have increased a lot since we last met in the Mutant Universe."

Clark shook his head slightly. "If you're talking about killing Mephisto, I could have easily done it before."

Indeed, after they returned from the Mutant Universe, Mephisto foolishly sought them out, attempting to use his powers to manipulate the Ghost Rider into killing Mindy. This hellish demon thrived on seeing others' misery and tragic separations.

Facing such a suicidal foe, Clark didn't utter a word and simply snapped his fingers, erasing him from existence.

"It's different," Damon said earnestly. "Before, I had a premonition that you couldn't kill me, even though you were much stronger than me. But since your last power upgrade, every time I see you, I feel a shiver in my soul, and even the spirit of vengeance inside me cannot resist any of your commands."

This was not a feeling but a fact.

This matter traces back to the concept of the God of Vengeance. In fact, Clark was not the first God of Vengeance in the Marvel Universe. Long ago, there was a goddess born with the Marvel Multiverse—Nemesis, the Goddess of Vengeance!

Her exact power level was unknown, but Clark felt she was stronger than him. Yet, this powerful goddess inexplicably chose to end her life in an almost suicidal manner. The six Infinity Stones were the remnants of her essence after her demise.

Clark learned this through some of the scattered teachings of Goddess Nemesis after he assimilated the last Infinity Stone, the Mind Stone.

The spirit of vengeance within the Ghost Rider was originally just a fragment of the goddess's divine power that spilled from her upon her division. It eventually fell into the hands of Mephisto, who could not control it and decided to blend it with his essence, thus creating the lineage of Ghost Riders.

Clark was about to respond with a smile when he suddenly noticed Damon's movements halt.

Not just him, everything around froze in an instant—the once noisy world went completely silent!

The tangible trees, the intangible wind...

At that moment, everything paused as if the scene on a TV screen was put on hold.

With a thought, Clark immediately felt a pull, and in the next moment, his form had left the Avengers Mansion and arrived on a rather quiet street in New York City.

In front of him was a white-haired old man pushing a cold drink cart, nodding and smiling at him.

This street, this cold drink cart, was where Clark first encountered the will of the universe. Twenty years had passed since then, and the young man who once ran on these streets had grown into a being between multiversal and omniversal levels.

Perhaps such an existence was what they called the "Super Omniversal Level"?

"Little guy," the old man casually handed a bottle of mineral water to Clark and said, "I didn't expect you to grow so much in just twenty years. I can rest easy leaving this universe in your hands."

Clark frowned slightly. "Such words give one an ominous feeling."

Shaking his head, the old man said, "It's not a bad thing. It's something that cannot be actively achieved once a certain level of power is reached. Like the Living Tribunal, unless killed by another, they have no right to choose death. But I can, and so did the Goddess of Vengeance in her own way, though she used a trick."

So, the so-called Super Omniversal beings cannot end their own lives voluntarily, but Omniversal beings can?

But then again, what's omnipotence if not the ability to even decide one's end?

The old man spoke again, "Kid, I know you have a kind heart and the power to protect this universe. I'm leaving it in your hands now, hoping you'll guard it well after I'm gone. And remember..."

He pressed firmly on Clark's chest, "Your God-tier BGM system is your true foundation. You must remember

 this, hold it firmly!"

"Alright, that's enough for today. I must go now, the universe will be yours and other young people's to manage..." With those final words, the old man pushed his cart past Clark, becoming more ethereal with each step he took, until after thirty-eight steps, he completely vanished from Clark's sight and perception.

Everything around remained still, and Clark knew that the old man had left him the task of restoring the flow of time.

Looking in the direction where the old man disappeared, Clark casually opened the mineral water the old man had handed him and took a sip, then with a light but significant gesture, snapped his fingers. Time resumed its normal flow.

At the same time, a beautiful and soothing melody appeared out of nowhere, filling every corner of the multiverse.

Dark skies hang low,

Bright stars accompany,

Insects fly, insects fly,

Whom do you miss?

The stars in the sky weep,

Roses on the ground wither,

Cold winds blow, cold winds blow,

As long as you're with me.

Insects fly, flowers sleep,

Pairs after pairs, only then it's beautiful,

Not afraid of the dark, only heartbreak,

No matter if tired,

Nor the direction...

...

...

...

Farewell, old man! Safe journey!

___________________

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