"Hello, Mr. Beckett. I am Zola, an employee of the Cosmic Auction House. It's a pleasure to meet you."
As Beckett surveyed Knowhere City, the capital of Knowhere, a clear and crisp voice echoed in his ear.
A sea-blue professional skirt suit hugged her curvaceous figure, her wine-red wavy hair tied back into a casual ponytail. A smile that felt like a warm spring breeze graced her delicate face. After Woz parked the warship, the woman who had been waiting there for a long time immediately stepped out of the warship port's lounge and walked directly to Beckett.
"An employee?"
Hearing this, Beckett turned around and sized up the unfamiliar woman before him.
"Yes, Mr. Beckett. You are a VIP of our Cosmic Auction House, and I am your exclusive guide on Knowhere, responsible for answering any questions you may have."
The woman named Zola bowed slightly, her etiquette perfectly executed.
As a descendant of a major figure in the Centaurus Galaxy, even if he was just an adopted son, the controller of the Cosmic Auction House had adjusted Beckett's treatment to VIP level.
One-on-one, round-the-clock service until the auction concluded.
Providing every VIP with the most comfortable service possible was one of the methods that initially made the Cosmic Auction House famous, and it had been preserved. Nowadays, only representatives of powers that dominated the universe could enjoy such VIP services.
For example, the Kree Empire, the Skrull Empire, Asgard within the Nine Realms, and the Dark Order in the Centaurus Galaxy.
To collect as many rare treasures as possible to present to the being behind him, the owner of the auction house had gone to great lengths.
"Scram."
The smile on Zola's delicate face instantly froze.
???
"I'm sorry, Mr. Beckett, I think you might have some misunderstanding about our Cosmic Auction House." Zola felt a strange sense of panic. Beckett, her first client after a year of training, was so unpredictable.
Looking at Beckett's demeanor, she was certain she would receive a zero on the customer satisfaction survey. Was she going to be fired right after starting her job?
"I, Zola, am an employee of the Cosmic Auction House, your exclusive service staff. This is my identification badge." As she spoke, Zola removed the badge clipped to her chest and presented it to Beckett to prove her identity.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Beckett. No one in this universe dares to impersonate an employee of the Cosmic Auction House, so you can completely let down your guard with me and enjoy—."
"I don't need it. Now, don't make me say it a third time."
Beckett's eyes locked onto the woman named Zola, directly interrupting her. She choked, the words she was about to say stuck in her throat.
Beckett was prepared to rob the place if he couldn't buy what he wanted. Why would he need an auction house employee tagging along? Was she going to make things more difficult for him for no reason?
Intimidated by Beckett's imposing aura, Zola couldn't speak and watched helplessly as his figure walked further away from her. Damn it! My performance review! Don't leave!
By the time Zola reacted, Beckett had already gone far. Thinking of her performance review, the inexperienced Zola quickly followed him with her long legs. Every employee of the Cosmic Auction House had a performance assessment target, and for those like her, specifically trained to receive VIP guests, there was only one target: customer satisfaction.
It was a quantifiable metric that even those being assessed didn't know how it was calculated. Although she didn't know the specifics, Zola felt that if she lost track of Beckett, the Son of Thanos from the Centaurus Galaxy, her assessment would surely fail. She didn't want to be sent to some unknown gladiatorial arena on Sakaar as fodder or a prize.
"His Highness Beckett, that woman named Zola is still following you." Beckett, who had blended into the crowd, had his right eye's screen display Zola's hurried chase as Woz, who was scanning Knowhere's terrain, reminded him.
"Let her." Beckett, who was mentally observing the terrain and building layouts, had no intention of paying attention to the auction house employee behind him.
"Woz, skip any locations you can't scan. I'll go check them out myself when I have time." With fourteen days left until the auction, Beckett had ample time to measure every inch of Knowhere's capital for his grand plan of "robbery."
"His Highness Beckett, Woz doesn't think we need to do this." Thanos had provided Beckett with more than enough funds. In Woz's opinion, purchasing a small mechanical component would be more than affordable, making it unnecessary to survey Knowhere's terrain and defenses.
"No, quite the opposite. This is very necessary." Beckett never assumed the worst of his enemies. Both the Kree Empire and the Skrull Empire had suffered losses at his hands before. Beckett disliked surprises. Even if the possibility of a surprise was only one in a million, Beckett wanted to be prepared, regardless of whether it turned out to be futile. Moreover, scouting terrain was second nature to him; he was already accustomed to it.
What is this guy looking for?
To maintain the auction house's reputation, Zola had pressed the one-touch outfit change button on her wristband before chasing Beckett, switching her blue uniform to the common white attire of Knowhere.
Or is he just amazed by the bustling and technologically advanced city?
Zola couldn't quite understand.
Based on the experience passed down by her predecessors, second-generation individuals like Beckett were supposed to be knowledgeable and easy to deal with. So why was it that ever since she started her post, the second-generation person she encountered was so restless and liked to wander around Knowhere alone?
Has times changed?
Zola braced her knees with both hands, panting heavily.
"Please, please wait a moment, Mr. Beckett." Rushing to catch up, Zola finally straightened her back after catching her breath.
"Boring."
Beckett glanced back at Zola, who was following him.
"You seem to lack proper respect for this lady."
Suddenly, Beckett felt a strong premonition!
A man with middle-parted long hair, dressed in the most fashionable attire on Knowhere, appeared beside Zola. He held Knowhere's most famous musical instrument, exuding the dashing demeanor of a master artist.
This man?!
Beckett's pupils contracted sharply. He felt an immeasurable amount of energy from this man...
Energy far surpassing Malekith's...
"My name is Ego,"
"Beautiful lady, may I play a song for you?"
The man with middle-parted long hair bowed slightly to Zola, his etiquette perfectly executed.
At this moment, Hela was still on her way, riding her horse...
Thanks to [My Infinite Soaring] for the reward~
Third update~
Seeking recommendations! Seeking monthly votes!
-----------
Translation by: randomtranslator.com
Read 2500+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: randomtranslator.com