Chapter 64: The Parting Gift

【Kill Wilson Fisk, 'Kingpin'】

【Obtained Source Power: 2000 units】

【Would you like to fix this world as a permanent anchor point?】

Oh wow, not bad!

Alvin raised an eyebrow, secretly delighted inside.

No wonder he ruled the underworld—this reward is nothing like those street-level villains. Totally different league.

If everyone performed as excellently as Kingpin, I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.

Yes, yes, yes... Do I even need to ask?

He silently murmured, urging the Navigator System.

【Anchoring in progress. Please wait, esteemed Navigator.】

【Loading......Loading......】

Come on, you’re not loading a game—what’s with all this Loading?

Alvin grumbled inwardly, but thankfully the wait wasn’t long.

【Ding~】

【Esteemed Navigator, the current world anchor has been fixed.】

【Please name this anchor world.】

“Hmm... Let’s call it ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe-199999.’” To make future identification easier, Alvin simply chose its original name.

【Naming successful. Marvel Cinematic Universe-199999, First Anchor World.】

【Esteemed Navigator, the following permissions have been unlocked for you. Please read the terms carefully.】

【Permission 1: The Navigator may travel freely to this world.】

【Permission 2: Adjust the time ratio between the two worlds.】

【Permission 3: You may bring personnel, supplies, equipment, etc. (excluding the Navigator) to the Anchor World (energy or source power units may be required, depending on circumstances).】

【Current Anchor World Permission Level: LV1】

【The higher the world permission level, the greater the number of personnel and equipment the Navigator can mobilize—and special ‘Fate Blessing’ may be granted.】

The Navigator System’s sudden update of so many rules left Alvin dizzy.

But fortunately, these new rules weren’t hard to understand.

In short, anchor worlds are divided by permission levels.

He could not only adjust the time ratio between worlds but also bring more people directly into the Marvel Universe—though it required consuming energy or source power.

As the world permission level increased, he would eventually gain ‘Fate Blessing.’

Something like an ‘ID card’ or a ‘protagonist aura,’ maybe?

Pushing aside his thoughts, Alvin focused, carefully weighing the pros and cons, then fixed his gaze on the second permission: “What’s the maximum time ratio I can set now?”

【Esteemed Navigator, your current permission level allows a maximum adjustment coefficient of ‘10’.】

In other words, the time flow in the Marvel Universe could differ by a factor of ten from the Warhammer universe.

Alvin fell into thought. If he used this well, it would effectively grant him more time—making it easier to deal with the cult.

“Can you adjust the time flow to 1:10 now?”

【Esteemed Navigator, time flow adjustment is currently unavailable.】

【You must leave the current anchor world before re-adjusting.】

“Alright, looks like I’ll have to wait until I get back.”

Alvin had originally planned to exploit the time difference to prepare more thoroughly against the cult’s threat.

But now, this loophole was sealed—he couldn’t sneak around it.

“Hey, what’re you zoning out for?”

Suddenly, Tony’s large face loomed close, eyeing him strangely: “Ever since earlier, you’ve been staring at Kingpin. You don’t have some weird fetish, do you?”

Kingpin was melted by the plasma gun—even your tastes aren’t that extreme.

Seeing Tony’s look—suspicion mixed with disgust and a touch of shock—Alvin, being his kindred troublemaker, knew exactly what he was thinking. He slapped him hard: “What trash is going through your head? I just remembered something!”

Tony, flung away by psychic force, didn’t get angry—instead, he grinned mischievously: “Who knows? Maybe you’ve got some special preferences.”

“You think I won’t dismantle your armor?” Alvin growled furiously. “Then strip you naked and hang you in the room. Pepper’s gonna love that.”

Hearing Alvin threaten him with Pepper, Tony turned pale and begged: “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I just spoke without thinking!”

“I still prefer your arrogant self. Please bring it back. Thanks.”

Watching Tony beg on the spot, Alvin smirked.

After a bit of roughhousing, they saw Pepper, heels clicking, face slightly swollen but otherwise unharmed, running toward the door.

“Pepper...”

Tony gazed at her with deep affection.

“Tony! Tony!”

The moment she saw Tony, her long-suppressed grievances finally found release.

She dashed forward in her heels and threw herself into Tony’s arms, weeping bitterly.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re safe now.”

Tony held her tightly, inhaling her hair, whispering a vow: “I swear—I’ll never let anything happen to you again.”

“Hey, you two wanna take this somewhere else?”

Alvin, unable to endure the mushy scene: “Don’t forget—the military and S.H.I.E.L.D. are still outside.”

“Ah!”

Pepper blushed furiously and pulled away from Tony.

Afterwards, Obadiah was naturally imprisoned for attempted murder and other charges.

Unfortunately, the sudden loss of a large chunk of Source Power made Alvin wince—he cursed the old man for being useless.

But as for Obadiah’s punishment, he had no objections.

After all, he’d already earned enough Source Power, and with Tony pleading on his behalf, he couldn’t very well act.

After all, Tony was, in the Marvel Universe, his first true friend—even if their initial connection wasn’t pure, at least the outcome was good.

“By the way, I need to tell you something.”

Sitting in the living room, Alvin held his wine glass, looking at the drunken Tony: “In a couple days, I’m leaving. When I’ll return... I’m not sure.”

“You’re leaving?”

At once, Tony’s drunkenness vanished. He stared wide-eyed at Alvin: “Why? Give me a reason. Did I treat you badly?”

“Of course not, my dear ‘Tony.’”

Alvin swirled his glass, sipped slowly, and said calmly: “Remember what I told you? I’m a wanderer. A traveling merchant.”

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” Tony unconsciously clenched his glass.

Perhaps he hadn’t even realized that, during this time, he’d already come to see Alvin as a ‘friend.’

“Don’t look so sad. We’ll meet again, won’t we?”

Alvin raised his glass, a faint smile on his lips: “Besides, without me around to nag you, your ears are quieter. You should be happy!”

Tony’s expression stiffened for a long while, then slowly lowered his head: “Yeah... I guess I should be happy... Now that you’re gone, no one’ll argue with me anymore.”

Even as he said it, he felt a pang of loss.

“Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing.”

Saying this, Alvin suddenly pulled a rusted iron shard from his coat and tossed it onto Tony’s lap: “Late birthday gift. Happy birthday... Tony.”

“What’s this?”

Tony stared at the rusted iron shard—unlike his usual sarcastic outburst, he said nothing.

“Deflection Field Generator, charged type.”

Alvin set down his glass and looked at Tony’s stunned face: “Knowing your nature, I figured someone might target you after I’m gone. So I thought this would suit you best. I don’t want to come back next time and find a gravestone.”