163

Chapter 164: Manhattan

"Are you leaving?"

Diana stood stunned upon hearing Peter's words. She stood at the edge of the cliff, with the boundless sea and blue sky stretching before her. This was the very place where she first encountered Black Superman and mistakenly entered Paradise Island.

Although Peter had warned her before that he wouldn't stay long, the reality of the moment hit her with waves of sadness and reluctance, especially now that she had just realized her feelings and made up her mind. It felt like fate was playing a cruel joke.

"Yes, I'm here now to say goodbye to you one last time," Peter replied.

Diana came back to her senses and looked at Peter. "I thought... I could keep you here longer."

"I've stayed long enough, Diana."

"I know, maybe I'm just being a little too greedy," Diana said with a self-mocking smile. She had considered following Black Superman on his journey, but her sense of responsibility and attachment to her tribe outweighed the impulse to "elope."

She asked, "Will you come back?" Her eyes were filled with classic beauty and hope, her heart pounding with anticipation and fear of hearing a "no."

But Black Superman didn't say "no."

Peter chuckled lightly, "Of course. Our newspaper office still needs you to look after it. I don't want it to be gone when I come back one day."

With that, the second mission "Anchor Point" was completed after Peter had reorganized Mount Olympus. The gods' final wave of influence had rewarded him with 500,000 points and the DC universe's anchor point.

Traveling between different universes is no easy feat, even for him. But with an anchor, there is direction. There will always be a chance to come back and claim this universe.

These words felt like a strong dose of oxygen injected into Diana's heart, making it beat fast again. She felt a little dizzy from the rush of emotions. She didn't know when she had become so humble, that just a promise from him could make her so happy and excited.

Diana breathed out to calm herself, but there was already a bit more expectation and hope in her eyes. She patted her chest and promised, "Don't worry, I will watch over it. After all, the newspaper has put a lot of effort into it. I'll keep watching until you come back."

...

After meeting Diana for the last time, Peter opened a portal again. Even he had to look a little more serious at this moment. He stepped through the portal into a dark space with no edges, no sound, not even a sense of space up or down, left or right—only boundless darkness.

Not far away, a figure emitted blue light: Dr. Manhattan.

During this time, Peter had been exploring and finally found Manhattan's hiding place.

Doctor Manhattan, from the Watchmen universe, was a physics scientist until a quantum conversion experiment destroyed his body. Through this, he became a "quantum entangled body" with god-like powers, including predicting the future, creating or destroying the world, controlling time and space, changing cause and effect, and controlling and destroying particles. His existence is almost equivalent to the God of science.

Originally, no matter how powerful Dr. Manhattan's power was, it was limited to the Watchmen universe. However, when the DC Universe restarted in the New 52, the editors smoothly integrated the Watcher Universe into the main universe, expanding Dr. Manhattan's influence to an unprecedented level. Now, even the three Monitor brothers were overshadowed by him.

Of course, he is not without weaknesses. Perhaps because he is too focused on science, he cannot read people's hearts compared to gods who control faith and theology.

Doctor Manhattan is one of Peter's many plans for leaving the DC universe. Although their combat power is similar, the gap in personality and ability is huge. Manhattan's quantum power package makes him a perfect candidate for Peter to seek help from.

Manhattan, being more like a computer with core goals of ensuring world stability, would see Peter as an unstable factor. As an outsider with such immense power, Peter's existence creates infinite variables for the DC Universe. Manhattan, observing him, should be willing to cooperate and send him away.

Compared to other options, Manhattan is the best one to talk to.

"You're here."

Soon, a standard American accent sounded in Peter's ears, and Manhattan set its sights on him the moment he entered.

Peter saw Manhattan clearly for the first time: pale eyes, sitting cross-legged, and naked. He quickly looked away and replied, "I'm here."

"You shouldn't have come."

Peter thought the other party was implying something, but then dismissed the idea. He frowned and said, "But I'm already here."

Manhattan fell silent for a moment before replying, "Why are you here?"

Such an abnormal attitude gave Peter an ominous premonition. Logically, Manhattan should know his purpose.

"I want to leave this universe," Peter said. "I come from outside this universe and do not belong here, but it is not easy to leave with my strength alone. I need you to help me open a door to the outside."

Manhattan replied, "Sorry, I can't do that."

...