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*****
"What's going on?"
In the Marvel Universe, George's main body hadn't even had a chance to relish his advancement to the Multiverse level before he suddenly found himself teleported into an endless void by an irresistible force.
Standing before him was a golden giant with four faces. The power radiating from this entity was so immense it made even a Multiverse-level being like George feel a sense of primal dread.
"The Living Tribunal!"
George recognized the giant instantly.
The Living Tribunal—a terrifying, Mega-Universal level existence. He was the administrator and judge of all Marvel realities, essentially the head butler to the One Above All (OAA).
Why is the Living Tribunal looking for me? I haven't done anything to damage the infinite multiverse, have I?
"Audacious interloper, you dare to invade the Multiverse? I hereby sentence you to death!"
The golden giant sat upon his throne, looking down at George. One of the faces, devoid of any emotion, delivered the verdict immediately.
"Are you kidding me—"
Hearing the Living Tribunal's words, George nearly let out a string of curses. He hadn't expected to be hauled here for execution simply because of his status as an "outsider."
He had assumed that the Living Tribunal and the OAA were already aware of his presence. After all, even the Primordial Gods of other worlds could detect his identity, and he had never bothered to hide his use of foreign magic in the Marvel world.
He had always believed the reason he remained unmolested was that Hongjun Laozu was the one who sent him here. But now, it was clear that wasn't the case. Was I just too weak to be noticed before? Did becoming Multiverse-level finally put me on their radar?
What now? Fight back?
Don't be ridiculous. The Living Tribunal was Mega-Universal. Even if George's avatars devoured every world they currently occupied, he wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance. Since brute force was off the table, he had to rely on his wits.
While his main body being killed wouldn't mean permanent death—as he still had eleven avatars—it was a catastrophic loss. Only the main body could split off new avatars; if it died, his growth would be capped forever. Furthermore, he had friends and loved ones in this universe. He couldn't just give up.
"Wait! I have something to say!" George shouted toward the Living Tribunal. "Since you are a judge and wish to try me, you cannot simply sentence me without a word of defense. Even a criminal is allowed to speak!"
The Living Tribunal stared at George for two silent seconds before nodding slowly. "Very well. You are granted time to argue your case."
"First, I admit I am an outsider. However, I did not invade with malice. I was tossed into this world against my will; I am a victim of circumstance. As the most just judge in the Mega-Universe, I believe you wouldn't hold a victim responsible for the crimes of another. You should seek out the entity that threw me here—he is the true perpetrator."
Hearing this, three of the Living Tribunal's faces showed a fleeting, unnatural expression.
"Secondly, as an outsider, I have caused no harm to the Multiverse. In fact, I have been doing good. You can see it for yourself—recently, I even assisted the Time Variance Authority in resolving several universal crises."
The Living Tribunal nodded instinctively. These were indeed facts.
"Finally, I am perfectly willing to leave. I can step out into the void beyond, where I will no longer pose a risk to this world. You can rest easy."
George spoke quickly, summarizing his three main points. The Living Tribunal's faces shifted into expressions of deep thought, seemingly hesitating on whether to let him depart.
"Very well. Considering you have indeed contributed to the stability of several universes, I shall allow you to leave."
George breathed a massive sigh of relief.
---
However, instead of leaving immediately, George gritted his teeth and took a gamble. "Just Living Tribunal, I wish to take my friends with me when I depart. Is that possible?"
Leaving like this felt wrong. He had no guarantee he would ever reach the level of the OAA, or that he'd be able to return for his original parallel universe. Even if he did reach that level, it would be eons from now. Despite the risk of the deal falling through, he had to try.
"Presumptuous!"
The Living Tribunal slammed his hand onto the arm of his throne. The shockwave of pure energy nearly knocked George off his feet. "To spare your life is already the ultimate mercy. Leave this world at once!"
"..."
Seeing no hope and fearing that further persistence would lead to his execution, George turned to open a spatial gate, intending to exit the Marvel Universe and enter the Void.
Yet, just as he was about to step through, the Tribunal's voice boomed behind him: "Actually, it is not entirely impossible."
George turned back instantly. "What are your conditions?"
"I will seal you within your current parallel universe. If you can break my seal and leave that universe on your own, I will not only let you take everyone you wish, but I will also allow you to take ten parallel universes with you," the Living Tribunal said flatly.
"You can leave now, or you can accept my terms. But be warned: if you fail to break the seal, you will be trapped in that single parallel universe for eternity."
"I'll try it."
George narrowed his eyes and chose the latter without much hesitation. He was a master of sealing and unsealing magic, and his "Apprentice" pathway provided a massive boost to those specific authorities. Even a seal placed by the Living Tribunal had a chance of being cracked.
If he failed now, he would just keep trying as his power grew. His avatars would continue to multiply and devour worlds; his potential was still immense. The worst-case scenario was his main body being "grounded" in his home universe, losing the freedom to travel. But that was a small price to pay when he still had so many avatars roaming the cosmos.
"Very well. Then exert yourself!"
The Living Tribunal raised a hand and pushed. George was instantly hurled back into his home parallel universe. Before he could even regain his footing, the Tribunal's voice echoed in his ear one last time:
"I forgot to mention... my seal doesn't just prevent you from leaving. It also prevents any connection to the outside world. You will no longer be able to send your soul out of this reality..."
"I've been played..."
The corner of George's mouth twitched. The connection between his main body and all his avatars snapped the moment the Tribunal finished speaking.
From the Tribunal's words, George realized the giant likely knew all along that Hongjun Laozu had sent him, and he certainly knew about the avatars in other worlds. The Tribunal hadn't intended to kill him; this was a ruse to trick him into being sealed. Or perhaps, this wasn't the Tribunal's idea at all, but the OAA's.
"My dear avatars... I guess it's up to you to save me now."
(End of Chapter)