The Successor in the Original Fate Was You

"What's that kid in the red-and-blue bodysuit doing?" "Partner, come quick! There are so many beauti—cough, so many ants to count here."

"Good lord, that's way too stupid. Spider-Man, surely you wouldn't—" "Hey! I'm New York's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. How could I possibly—wait for me, I'm coming!"

Watching Spider-Man dive into the pile of money, Mumen Rider's forehead veins throbbed. Had these superheroes' dignity been eaten by dogs?

Spider-Man had actually wanted to keep up appearances, but faced with the astronomical sum scattered all over the ground, the last shred of restraint from a 996 office worker finally crumbled. The two members of the "money-loving duo" completely abandoned the luxury known as integrity.

Alright, as requested

"One, two, three... I counted a total of one hundred and eight ants."

"I've got fewer here, only seventy-eight."

Spider-Man and Deadpool exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other.

Then the two lowered their heads and continued picking up money—work that others avoided like the plague was a dream job to them. Every bill could cover a week's expenses.

Thanks to two rich people trying to outdo each other, they got to pick up money to their hearts' content.

This absurd money-scattering battle lasted a full hour. Only when a livid Li Chen rushed over after hearing the news did the farce finally end. If no one had stopped them, those two might have kept throwing money around for an entire year.

At dawn, before the morning light had appeared.

S-Class Hero [Sword Saint] Reinhard threw open Kizaru's covers, dragged the bleary-eyed man along, and used spatial teleportation to head straight for the African war zone.

Though the alliance between Noxus and the Monster Association posed a threat, defeat was only a matter of time before the S-Class duo of the Sword Saint and Kizaru—especially since the enemy lacked Super-Dragon-Level combatants.

At the same time, the hero squad led by Iron Man was secretly heading to Raccoon City. Its members included Spider-Man, Batman, Deadpool, Catwoman, and Mumen Rider. Their objective was to destroy the biological virus research data.

Li Chen walked alone down an empty street.

"The rat hiding in the shadows, it's time to show yourself."

"Your perception is quite sharp."

A cloaked man stepped out of the shadows—Kaecilius, once The Ancient One's disciple. Black light glimmered in his eyes, and dark energy coiled around his body. He had clearly defected completely to Dormammu's side.

"I spared you last time for The Ancient One's sake," Li Chen said coldly. "Why insist on seeking your own death?"

"You despicable outsider, how dare you kill Zero." Kaecilius's eyes burned with venomous hatred. "That biased old hag, The Ancient One—clearly I was the one she should have chosen!"

"Oh? You found a way to deal with me?"

"How could you possibly imagine the might of my lord Dormammu? With the power of the Dark Dimension, crushing an ant like you is effortless."

"Dormammu? Tell him to come try it himself." Li Chen looked at him as if he were an idiot.

The ruler of the Dark Dimension had originally been a sorcerer. After discovering the dark realm, he abandoned his body and gained eternity. Now he could not only manipulate elements and teleport, but even create life. But in the end, he was merely a high-level Super-Dragon-Level (S), on the same level as Ozma of Chaos.

One had to know that even an Early Super-Dragon-Level being could destroy a civilization. At present, aside from Li Chen, the president of the League of Heroes, and Zero, born from Marvel magic, even vice president Doraemon was not a combatant.

"Arrogant!" Kaecilius furiously waved his hand, and dozens of black-robed mages emerged from the shadows. His original mission had been to destroy the three Sanctums, but jealousy had now driven him completely mad.

"This man must be eliminated!"

That reckless decision completely shattered all of Dormammu's plans.

Dark energy churned in Kaecilius's palm, condensing into an invisible blade.

"Let me show you the power I gained through my lord's blessing!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes—once he dealt with the man before him, Zero would surely understand who truly loved her.

Kaecilius had originally been only a D-Class Hero, but with Dormammu's power empowering him, he rose to C-Class.

But even Kakashi Hatake with insufficient chakra could easily crush him.

"Like this?"

Li Chen flicked a finger, and an invisible blade formed from telekinesis instantly severed Kaecilius's head.

With an incredulous expression, the dark mage crashed to the ground. The difference in their strength was like an insurmountable chasm.

"Charge! Avenge our lord!"

Rather than retreating, the remaining mages activated their dark energy and charged forward.

If their opponent had been an ordinary C-Class Hero, they might truly have succeeded.

Unfortunately, they faced Li Chen, president of the League of Heroes—a man whose strength stood above the entire League.

"Crack—"

With a crisp sound, every attacker was beheaded.

After clearing away those minor enemies, Li Chen turned his gaze toward a corner. The Ancient One stood there quietly, though no one knew when she had arrived. Her eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

After all, those who had died had once been her disciples...

"They attacked first this time, Master Ancient One."

"The future... is repeating itself again? Kaecilius ultimately fell into darkness."

"But you are still alive. The future has not repeated itself, has it?"

"If you have time, please come with me to the New York Sanctum."

"Gladly."

"Please, sit."

"Alright."

Li Chen sat down casually. The Ancient One personally poured tea, with only a single tea leaf standing in each flat teacup. A delicate fragrance immediately filled the entire room.

Though it was not fantasy cuisine, this tea, gathered from the peak of the Himalayas and refined through magic, was unquestionably superb. Since taking charge of the League of Heroes, Li Chen had found himself growing increasingly fond of coffee and tea.

**

Even though this body no longer needed food, the desire to simply savor flavor had remained.

"Why did you ask for me, Master Ancient One?"

"Wait a moment. Two more people have yet to arrive."

After waiting briefly, the future Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange, and Annie, whom The Ancient One favored, pushed open the door and entered. Having received the summons, the two had hurried over and sat down casually. Stephen Strange sat upright without moving, while Annie lifted the teacup before her and took a sip.

"Pfft—!"

She frowned and stuck out her tongue, clearly having no interest in tea. The Ancient One did not become angry over the precious 097 tea leaves being wasted. Instead, her eyes crinkled with a smile.

"I nearly forgot that you don't like tea."

Before she finished speaking, the teacup in Annie's palm transformed into a chilled can of Coca-Cola, bubbles surging inside. This nearly material-transmuting method was practically miraculous.

As the strongest being beneath Dormammu, the ruler of darkness, The Ancient One possessed peak mid-level Super-Dragon-Level (S) strength, only one step away from the high level. Her control over power had reached perfection.

"A trait of the Vishanti system, I presume." Li Chen smiled. "To resist multidimensional invaders from darkness, your research into spatial arts truly stands unmatched." The Ancient One's power came from the trinity of ancient gods known as Vishanti, centered on spatial and spiritual magic.

She was not surprised by Li Chen's insight—within the body of this black-haired, red-eyed president of the League of Heroes slumbered energy that even she could not peer into.

"I did not invite everyone here today to show off."

"Please speak freely. If it is within my ability, I will not refuse."

"...I want to step down."

The Ancient One lowered her eyes for a moment before speaking. She had contemplated this decision for a long time. As the Sorcerer Supreme who guarded the Eye of Agamotto, she had watched alone for thousands of years. In the original timeline, she would have met her destined death at this very moment.

However, the sudden emergence of the League of Heroes had brought The Ancient One a spark of hope. The once-clear trajectory of fate had become blurred—Kaecilius had failed to conquer the three Sanctums, and Stephen Strange had yet to complete his transformation.

Perhaps fate's threads had already been completely rewritten, and she could finally break free from the eternal shackles of the Sorcerer Supreme.

"..."

The Ancient One's words were like thunder exploding in a tranquil deep sea, catching all three of them completely off guard.

Who would have thought that the Sorcerer Supreme, who had protected Earth for thousands of years, would suddenly wish to retreat today?

Stephen Strange was the first to break the silence. After his recent training, he deeply understood the immense responsibility borne by the Sorcerer Supreme.

"Wait, Master! If you step down, who will take this position?"

"You."

"Me?"

"The successor in the original fate was you."

Stephen Strange hurriedly waved his hands, the sling ring on his fingers reflecting his panic. "Absolutely not!"

Having not yet endured the crucible of his darkest hour, and with Master Ancient One still alive, he was far from becoming the Doctor Strange capable of standing on his own. At the thought that even one mistake could invite Dormammu's invasion, this always-proud neurosurgeon revealed fear.

"But that was only the original script." A mysterious smile appeared on The Ancient One's lips as she turned toward the petite figure. "Annie, are you willing to shoulder this responsibility?"

"Of course!"

There was not the slightest hesitation in her childish voice. Although she was only tall enough to reach an adult's waist, the red-haired girl understood more clearly than anyone present what the decision meant—endless training, ceaseless guardianship, and ultimate darkness that could descend at any moment.

During her days training at Kamar-Taj, Annie's magical talent had eclipsed every apprentice. The fire spirits dancing around her fingertips had long revealed strength approaching that of a legendary hero.

"From this moment onward, you are the new Sorcerer Supreme."

The Ancient One removed the Eye of Agamotto glowing faintly around her neck and placed the treasure upon the girl. Since fate had opened a new branch, why cling to a predetermined path?

The instant the artifact changed hands, the candles in the Eternal Palace flared simultaneously.

The title of the new Sorcerer Supreme was carved into time and space along with the dancing flames—Annie Hastur.

After explaining the necessary matters, The Ancient One waved her sleeve, signaling Stephen Strange to leave. As he walked out of the hall, the doctor could not help looking back. "You decided the protector of the world so casually?"

The aged voice drifted from within the hall, carrying a smile. "If something goes wrong, isn't there still the League of Heroes?"

"What a shrewd calculation."

"I'm honored by the compliment."

"What are you planning to do next?"

The Ancient One did not refuse. She accepted the League of Heroes emblem and officially became an S-Class Hero. "I want to travel around and see this world I have guarded for so long as an ordinary traveler." "That sounds like a good idea." Li Chen smiled. "Would you consider officially joining the League of Heroes?" "That is the Sorcerer Supreme's decision." "But I want to hear Master Ancient One's personal thoughts." "Gladly."

The profound magical power of a vice president instantly flowed into Li Chen's body, adding another astonishing force to the energy within him.

Like Tatsumaki, The Ancient One did not remain stationed in any fixed place and preferred wandering the world.

Before leaving, The Ancient One gave Annie a special mark. If she encountered a problem she could not solve, activating the mark would summon The Ancient One to help—

Vanaheim of the Nine Realms, the Elven Kingdom.

This land had already been completely consumed by war. Hundreds of millions of dark elves launched a frenzied assault like bloodthirsty warriors.

The steadily retreating elven queen, Tina, had no choice but to seek aid from Asgard.

Having just quelled his brother's rebellion and exiled him to an unknown corner, Thor, the God of Thunder, set out for Vanaheim on Odin's orders to suppress the chaos. In Odin's eyes, Thor, whose power as the God of Thunder had fully awakened, was more than qualified to inherit the throne. This expedition was merely meant to add to his merits before his coronation.

"Whoosh—"

A beam of light from the Bifrost streaked across the sky, transporting Thor to the elven kingdom several light-years away.

Before him were the blinding flashes of atomic weapons and the roaring collisions of magical energy. Dense ranks of warriors covered the earth like ant swarms, while giant monstrous birds circled overhead, carrying elf and dark elf warriors.

The once-lush forest had become scorched earth. Elegant elf maidens had all donned vine armor, and little remained of their former softness.

"I am Thor, the God of Thunder! Stop this fighting at once!"

Thor raised Mjolnir and let out a thunderous roar. Yet no one paid attention to this visitor from beyond the skies. Instead, even more attacks came his way.

"Then so be it..."

Lightning blazed in Thor's eyes, while the Divine Hammer in his hand erupted with boundless thunder. In an instant, he transformed into the true form of the God of Thunder, dazzling electric light flashing madly around him.