Chapter 803: 792 (1/2)

Title: Checking the Tasklist

”Well, that was fun two hours,” Nik mumbled to himself and stretched his arms. Getting sliced apart in every manner possible, in a word, was traumatic. Good thing that the trauma was spread across many other Niks in the Dream Core but right now, he stopped pursuing Lilith's test and focused on himself.

The first part of making use of all his advantage came to a full circle. Right now, he was practicing every known element and concepts privy to him in the form of multiple copies, and yes, technically, the progress was slow even when it came to the concept of Time, Space, and Wisdom— the three infinity stones in his possession.

He had many theories about lots of things. He had a backyard full of souls on whom he would once again conduct the experiments related to Valkyrie Art and also test the method of breaking shackles he gained from Ray and the sisters of Norn but out of all these, Nik was the most positive about the Method of Breaking Shackles using Luck as a fuel.

Even now, after a trove of knowledge that would even make Stephen Strange green with envy, the Valkyrie Art remained stagnant. To Nik, who had only gotten anything he ever wanted since his start of the journey from an eventful fall off the cliff of his true home planet, the existence of a technique categorized as Unique even by the Transmigration paradise felt like a thin needle poking his wrist.

”The simple fusion of consciousnesses, spirits, flesh, souls, and thought process to temporarily create something, or someone unique is too difficult. Fuck, I think, after all this time, the Supreme Seraphim just rewarded this technique to fuck with others,” Nik groaned. The Palace did not have electricity and aside from Loki, Angela, Sera, Hela, and Leah, he was alone. Staring at the ceiling idly, Nik thought about what to do next.

He had been idle in the past out of his thirst for procrastination but now, it turns out that he can set things in motion for his own improvement and be done with all of it in a matter of three days.

Yes, three days have passed since he conquered Hel in an anti-climatic manner.

There was a fight, sure. But the destiny of a realm was decided in a single fight itself. Not tactics of war or anything else.

”There is one thing I can do...”

Nik narrowed his eyes and sat up.

---

”Arrrrghhh!”

A powerful fist smashed against a hovering bot, shattering the metallic art of technology as if it was a scrap of junk. With his yellow t-shirt covered by a dark-green hoody and a pair of jeans that seemed indestructible even in the face of guns, Luke covered the top of his head with his hoody and continued walking onto the street.

He was what is known as a public hero. His identity was known to everyone, at least, most of the New Yorkers, and seeing him save the day did not elicit a public support as it used to be. It was much tamer by now.

”Good job, boy,” A rather old, slightly hunched black man in his sixties patted Luke's back with a chuckle as the man nodded plainly.

'God, the situation of the City is getting weirder,' Luke thought to himself.

For some reason, the city is constantly attacked and not in a matter of days, but hours. Every agent of the Avenger initiative is put through extreme use and given the manner of attacks, it was clear that this was simply to figure out the capabilities of many 'heroes.'

”Man, can't you get me Silk's number? She's so fine!” A youth quickly jogged up to Luke. A slightly brawny youth with brown hair. He wore a casual t-shirt and blue jeans.

”Don't get so chummy with me, Brandon. And why the fuck are you here? Last I heard, you got a job at Stark Warehouse or some shit.”

”Yeah, my aunt hooked me up with that,” Brandon smiled.

”Speaking of hook-ups, what's with that Nik and your sister?” Luke inquired.

Nik had gone missing.

Again.

And ever since Nik revealed himself, he had simply caused more confusion, and right now, the Shield feared that his disappearance might set more problems and had it not been for the fact that the Fantastic Four, the Antman and the Wasp, and the recently introduced She-Hulk took the support of him, many in Shield held the mind to try and hunt Nik for answers.

”Tch, don't talk about him,” Brandon scowled as he recalled Nik and Anna and his mood only worsened when he thought of his mother and Nik but at least, he had come to terms with the situation and could stay in the same room.

”Fine,” Luke shrugged, ”Anyway, Silk's together with Nik.”

”What?!” Brandon shouted, attracting public attention as Luke eyed the bloke.

”Then introduce me to... uh... hey, have you seen White Tiger's face? Is she hot?”

”She is, why? Gonna fight Nik for her, too?” Luke inquired. Although Ava tried her best to hide her relationship with Nik in Shield for obvious reasons, Cindy had other thoughts. Why should she only bear the dirty gazes of other agents for sleeping with the 'enemy?'

Aren't they friends? They should do it together.

”Nik? Again? Ain't he afraid of catching something?” Brandon scowled but only felt helpless. Back in school, there was gossip about Gwen being with Nik, too.

”Well, if he's going to catch something, you oughtta worry about your sister, don't you?” Luke inquired.

Brandon flinched. Honestly, Anna had been plenty popular and she was the one to hook him up with his first girlfriend, a senior dancer of hers. So, Brandon didn't mind Anna's behavior and only Nik's addition to her lists and from what it looks like, his addition seemed quite prominent.

”You alright?” Luke patted his former underling.

”Ah? Yeah, no... I got bummed by another one. Said that I was too focused on my work. I mean, pick a lane. Either I'll be a bum, or too determined.”

Brandon groaned.

”I get that,” Luke mumbled, slightly disheartened.

He had to admit it... his charm had taken a big hit since Thor and Nik started to show their faces in hellicarier and now that both had vanished- ironically- their popularity only increased due to the threat they represented.

”Anyway... do you any superhero fit for me?” Brandon inquired with an expectant expression.

”No,” Luke thought for a moment, ”And stop with the assumption that I'll blow up the secret of masked individuals just for a... night of disappointment.”