"System, do you know anything about the TVA?" Noah asked, suddenly remembering the enigmatic organization.
[The system does not have access to information known only to the Summoner and cannot answer this question.]
"What?" He was slightly taken aback by the response.
"Then why haven't TVA agents appeared in this world yet? Haven't they noticed all the changes that have occurred in this universe?" His curiosity grew.
Since his arrival in this reality, the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe had begun to change, and quite drastically. Especially with the emergence of the Void—an entirely new dimension the size of a universe. He didn't believe such massive alterations could go unnoticed by the TVA.
[In response to the Summoner's query, the system has found a relevant answer.]
[When the Summoner awakened memories of their past life and activated the system, a barrier was automatically erected around this universe. This barrier prevents its detection and penetration by other powerful beings from the multiverse. However, if the Summoner chooses to travel to another world, the barrier will be dissolved.]
"Wow! System, are you really that powerful?" Noah was astonished. He hadn't expected the system to possess universe-level capabilities. Although, considering it could grant him the power of Aurelion Sol and access to powerful skins like Shan Hai Scrolls, a universe-level barrier wasn't so surprising.
"So that's it—beginner's protection."
He understood that the Marvel multiverse wasn't just a few worlds, but an infinite expanse of dimensions and universes. And while the world he currently occupied belonged to the cinematic universe and was relatively weak compared to the comic book universe, which housed incredibly powerful beings, he was relieved to know that this barrier temporarily shielded him from potential threats. Otherwise, some entity from a stronger world might accidentally stumble upon this reality and wreak havoc.
This beginner's protection would clearly help avoid unpleasant incidents. When Noah became stronger, he would be able to confront even those who resided in the comic book worlds. Although, of course, not everyone—those with absurd power levels would remain out of reach.
"Now I understand why TVA agents haven't interfered. The system-created barrier effectively isolates this universe from their intervention."
Noah recalled watching a few episodes of the "Loki" series before his transmigration. The second season had just started airing, and he hadn't finished watching it. He remembered that in the first season, a female variant of Loki killed the one they called "He Who Remains," after which a multiversal war began.
He didn't know if this had already happened in the current world, but if this was still the MCU, the events with Loki and the TVA likely hadn't occurred yet. After all, the initial cause of the timeline disruptions was the Avengers traveling back in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones. And that hadn't happened here yet, and most likely, wouldn't happen.
"Well, I'll think about that later. When I'm stronger, I can explore other universes," Noah mused, imagining which other dimensions he could visit once he was powerful enough.
Before him stood a massive steel door with a sign that read, "No Entry Without Authorization." He merely smirked, activating his battlesuit's cloaking device and the Ghost spell, allowing him to phase through solid objects. He effortlessly passed through the door, continuing his exploration of the base.
While Nick Fury discussed plans with his team, several Skrulls disguised as Hydra agents had already returned to the enemy's base. They went to report on the failed mission and the Leader's invitation.
They reported to Hydra headquarters that upon meeting with the Leader, they discovered that the Storm Swordsman had already beaten them to it and encountered their target first. During the ensuing conflict, the target was eliminated.
Although the Skrulls hadn't witnessed Noah destroying the Leader, as they were incapacitated during the battle.
The Leader's death meant the end of their mission, however they were still ordered to gather information about the Storm Swordsman. This presented a challenge for the Skrulls, as they could only fabricate data based on the sounds they heard while incapacitated. Nevertheless, even the memory of his power display filled them with awe.
"When did such a powerful individual appear on Earth?" the Skrulls wondered.
After this, they fully integrated themselves into Hydra's ranks and began working for Nick Fury, gathering intelligence for him.
…
In a distant galaxy, many light-years away from Earth, a massive army hovered in space. Countless ships traversed this region, and creatures resembling whales swam among them. These semi-mechanical, armored beings were none other than the Chitauri Leviathans—the same ones that fought against the Avengers in the first Battle of New York.
This fleet of spaceships belonged to the Chitauri, the army commanded by Thanos himself. At the center of the fleet was the largest vessel—the Chitauri mothership. This colossal ship served as the nerve center of the army, possessing a collective consciousness that controlled all Chitauri soldiers. If the mothership was destroyed, all connected Chitauri soldiers would perish. This gigantic vessel was a mobile fortress, housing all the army's weaponry and soldiers.
In a room aboard this ship, a blue-haired woman with pale skin and blue markings on her face asked a Chitauri scientist beside her, "How is the research progressing?"
This alien woman had black horns protruding from the sides of her forehead. She was one of Thanos's most loyal lieutenants, known as Proxima Midnight, a member of the Black Order.
"I've given you enough time. If you don't provide us with the necessary results, none of you will survive," Proxima threatened.
Beside her stood a man with gray skin and a cruel expression. His body was covered in flexible armor, and his head was adorned with a black hood with golden patterns. This alien was no less formidable—Corvus Glaive, Proxima Midnight's husband and also a member of the Black Order.
Proxima and Corvus were on the Chitauri mothership, and before them stood not only Chitauri scientists but also aliens of other races, whom Thanos's army had captured for their research.
Their goal was to locate one of the legendary Infinity Stones—the Space Stone—and use it to open a portal to its location.