CHAPTER 171

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With Thor now basically living on earth, my leveling speed had increased considerably.

Because not only the golems were constantly doing dungeons, but so was I, and Thor.

Heck, at the pace we were both going we would reach the three hundreds in a week! Never had I ever level up so fast, or had so much fun doing it!

Heck, before today doing dungeons was a chore, something I had to do for the sake of becoming stronger, but nothing more, they brought me no joy, no fun, nothing but the exp I required to continue growing.

It was unbearably boring.

Now? It was fun, it felt like I was playing a game with my best friend, a game that I liked.

It kinda reminded me of my time playing WOW or Final Fantasy before all of this began.

The point was, I was having fun, and the thing I once considered a chore was now something I looked up to.

It's funny really how one person can change things for the better without even trying.

As of now, my level was 291, while Thor's was 293.

Which wasn't so big of a difference, considering he was a few levels above me before we started doing this a month ago.

I grinned.

Even with all the threats looming above our heads, I was having fun, I was enjoying what I was doing.

Nonetheless.

I couldn't lower my guard, because even though I was leveling up quite quickly, I was still far away from being able to deal with some of the problems I had ahead of me.

Which brought me to the following point.

I needed more help.

Thor alone would not suffice, I needed a team of my own, filled with people I could trust with my life if the necessity came to be. People like Thor.

Or Bucky, or the Ancient One, or Sif.

They were the only ones I trusted, the only ones I could rely on, and yes, while Fury was my friend, to an extent I couldn't fully trust him.

Of course, I had other friends, like Magneto, but our friendship was akin to that of good neighbors, I didn't fully trust him, at least not enough to share my baggage.

The point being.

I needed to form my own team, and I needed to form it now.

In a way, the Avengers needed to be born before their time.

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[The Beyonder POV]

Soon I would get my chance to act, soon the One Above All would be occupied dealing with… some internal affairs, in more ways than one, leaving me to do as I pleased. Meaning it was time to test Alex, and the limits of his desire.

It was time to push him into the path of completion.

I could hardly wait.

Now the question was, what kind of test would get the best result for him?

What kind of test would push him to the limits of his desire?

Questions even I had no answers for, yet.

I grinned as an idea came to my mind, an idea so simple, yet so full of potential I couldn't help but laugh.

A battle! A tournament! All for the sake of the pebble called Earth he loves so much. That would push the limits of his desire beyond anything.

Of course, it would be hardly fair if I was to fight him, as of the moment he and his companions were nothing but ants compared to me, and I'm using ants as an adjective very generously.

The point being, fighting me would prove nothing, it would change nothing, no amount of desire would push him to a level that reached me, at least not now, maybe in a few millennia, but not now.

Meaning I had to get creative.

"Time to get creative," I laughed, already knowing what I would spend my time on as I waited for the One Above All to go away. 

I would spend this valuable time, creating the challengers that would face Alex, and his friends, testing each and every single one of them and the limits of their desires.

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[Alex Walker POV]

Back in my house, I waited for Buckly to arrive in my living room, while Thor slept in the room I had given him like a cat on a nap.

As I waited, I couldn't help but wonder how would Bucky react to the invitation I had for him, or that Thor had been invited first.

"Alex," Finally he arrived.

"Bucky," I waved at him.

Bucky reading my face, walked to the living room and took a seat, worry taking over his normally unexpressive face.

"Did something happen?" Bucky asked, worry lacing his voice.

"No," I shook my head, nothing had happened, at least for now, "But, I have a proposition for you,"

Bucky raised an eyebrow, worry leaving his face, as interest took over, "What?" he inquired.

"Well, how would you like to be stronger?" I asked, not really sure how to start this conversation.

"Stronger? What do you mean?" Bucky asked, looking at me funny.

"Exactly what that means, stronger," I replied with a sigh, "See, I can… create places to train, so to speak, places that boost your natural strength as you go," I tried to elaborate.

"That explains a lot," Bucky snorted rolling his eyes, "Not so long ago, I was stronger than you, now? You could use me as a towel,"

"That's… a creative analogy, but yes," I nodded with a chuckle.

"So, how would this work?" Bucky asked.

"Well, you would come with me and Thor, and kill monsters," I replied.

"I see, I take it you picked Thor first to test if you could help others become stronger, right?" Bucky replied, surprising the heck out of me, I had, after all, not expected that conclusion from him.

"Not entirely," I chuckled, scratching my head sheepishly, "I picked Thor because he the only one close to me in terms of power, so, it was a safe bet to pick him,"

Bucky nodded, "It makes sense,"

"So, are you in?" I asked.

"Of course," Bucky grinned, "You really think I would leave you alone with Thor? You need someone with a brain working with you, and fortunately for you, I can compensate for Thor."

"I HEARD THAT!" Thor barked from his room.

"I wanted you to!" Bucky barked back.