Chapter 134: The Grandmaster and the Collector

The Abomination, driven into a berserk frenzy by magic, was like a mindless war machine, heedless of the lightning bolts crackling around him. He charged forward and executed a crushing slam attack.

A thunderous boom echoed through the arena, shaking the ground beneath the spectators' feet. Even from their vantage point, the audience could feel the impact reverberating through the stadium.

The once-dominant Beta Ray Bill suddenly found himself on the receiving end of a relentless assault. The crowd watched with wide eyes, afraid to miss even a second of the spectacle.

Garus had been observing the battle intently when a commotion erupted behind him. Turning around, he saw an older woman approaching with an impassive expression. The murmurs of the onlookers grew hushed as she advanced.

Garus recognized her—she was one of the Grandmaster's attendants, likely a steward or overseer. And judging by her direct path toward him, she had come specifically for him.

Stopping in front of Garus, the woman pointed at him and spoke in a tone that brooked no argument: "You. Come with me."

Garus remained calm. He was here to take Blonsky away, and considering he might need to return in the future—perhaps even using the wormhole to get back to Earth—it was best to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

He also suspected that the Grandmaster and the Collector, being among the first sentient beings to emerge after the Big Bang, were far from the weaklings depicted in certain portrayals.

Rising to his feet, Garus followed Topaz toward the Grandmaster's viewing platform.

The audience buzzed with hushed whispers, exchanging curious glances.

"He got taken away by Topaz? That old crone? He's doomed."

"Yeah, anyone she takes doesn't end up well. They either become gladiators or are sold off as slaves."

…

"Hey! Another Earthling! When was the last time I visited Earth?" The Grandmaster lounged in his chair, turning to Topaz with an amused expression.

"Four hundred and fifty years ago," she replied flatly.

"Oh, right. I forgot." He absentmindedly patted the armrest of his chair. "Quick, push me over there."

The Grandmaster's eccentric behavior could likely be attributed to his unnaturally long lifespan.

He scrutinized Garus with mild interest. "To be honest, I know your planet's Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One. She was just a young mage when we first met. Now she's Earth's protector. I always wanted her—or any of her sorcerers, really—to join my contests. But she refused."

Garus folded his arms. "I doubt you called me over just for a friendly chat."

"Of course not. I saw you interfering in my championship match." The Grandmaster glanced at the ongoing battle below. "But let's watch the fight conclude first. Then we'll discuss your situation properly."

Garus took a seat, observing both the Grandmaster and the Collector. Strangely, he couldn't sense any overwhelming power emanating from them.

In the arena, Beta Ray Bill was barely holding on—his face swollen, his body battered. His bones had been broken multiple times over.

The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and boos as the Abomination, now wielding Bill's hammer, relentlessly pummeled him, striking his face again and again.

Sensing that Beta Ray Bill was on the verge of death, the Grandmaster frowned. "Topaz, where's the Abomination's control device? Give it to me now. I don't want Bill dying just yet."

Topaz reached into her chest pocket and retrieved a small device, about the size of a lighter, warm from her body heat.

Taking the controller, the Grandmaster hesitated for a fraction of a second before pressing a button. A surge of electricity coursed through the Abomination's body.

"…Huh? Why isn't it working?" He pressed the button again, watching in growing frustration as the Abomination continued to pummel Beta Ray Bill. A flicker of electricity was visible on the creature's chest, but it wasn't stopping him.

"Damn it, I've never seen this happen before," the Grandmaster muttered, his annoyance mounting.

Fortunately, the effects of the berserk magic soon wore off, and the Abomination gradually regained awareness. Looking down at the bloodied and motionless Beta Ray Bill, he wasn't sure if his opponent was even alive.

As always, the Abomination raised both fists and let out a victorious roar, basking in the crowd's cheers—though just as many were cursing their lost bets.

"So I'm finally leaving this place. Shame," the Abomination mused.

A transport ship descended from above, and a medical team rushed out, hastily carrying Beta Ray Bill aboard. Meanwhile, small drones emerged from another ship, swiftly beginning repairs on the battlefield's damages.

Topaz checked an incoming message from the medical staff. "Your gladiator Bill is still alive," she reported.

The Grandmaster sighed in relief. "Good. I spent a fortune acquiring him—I'd hate for him to die so soon."

Turning back to Garus, the Grandmaster's expression shifted. "Now, let's deal with you, Earthling."

With a dramatic wave of his hand, guards surrounding the chamber drew their weapons, all aimed at Garus.

"Given your earlier actions, I've decided to make you my new gladiator." The Grandmaster's grin widened. "A mage's battle would be quite a spectacle."

Clearly, he had mistaken Garus for a spellcaster.

"Oh, and I originally called you over just to stop you from further disrupting my match." With another gesture, one of the guards fired a small metallic disc, which latched onto Garus's neck.

Instantly, a surge of energy pulsed through the disc, sending a sharp, invasive stimulus through his nervous system.

But Garus merely reached up, grasped the device, and tore it off, pulling away a small patch of skin in the process.

"You think this will control me?" He tossed the broken disc at the Grandmaster's feet.

"What's going on? Is this defective too?" The Grandmaster frowned in confusion. His technology was personally designed—two failures in a row didn't make sense.

"Warning: Anomalous temperature drop detected," an automated voice suddenly announced.

The temperature in the viewing platform plummeted. A chilling frost spread outward, and soon, every guard in the chamber was frozen solid, their bodies encased in ice.

Only the Grandmaster, the Collector, and Topaz remained untouched, protected by an energy shield.

Throughout the encounter, the Collector—Taneleer Tivan—had been silently watching from the sidelines. But now, he finally spoke.

"Perhaps we should all take a moment." His voice was measured. "I've heard about Thanos' invasion of Earth. It's quite remarkable that you managed to repel the Chitauri."

Garus narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly are you trying to say?"

He wasn't sure if the Collector was genuinely concerned about the conflict's outcome or simply trying to avoid unnecessary trouble.

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