Seventy-six hours remained until Planet Eater's arrival.
New York, three in the afternoon.
A red-black point of light appeared high in the sky, then rapidly hurtled toward the ground.
Boom—!
Amid the thunderous sonic boom, the high-altitude clouds were instantly torn open by a massive gap. Dark crimson Cosmic Energy trailed for several kilometers, pointing straight at Manhattan.
Pedestrians on the streets stopped one after another and looked up in terror.
At the same time, a blaze shot up from the ground and charged straight at it.
The distance between them rapidly closed.
Five kilometers.
Two kilometers.
Five hundred meters!
Only then did Human Torch Johnny finally see what the newcomer looked like.
It was a hulking humanoid lifeform, so massive it barely seemed human. Dark crimson armor encased his entire body, while the exposed skin had the rough texture of stone. In his right hand, he held a gigantic stone axe over two meters long.
According to the satellite energy readings, this guy was supposed to be another of Galactus's emissaries, distinct from Silver Surfer.
"Hey!"
Johnny abruptly darted sideways, placing himself directly in the other's descent path.
"Who are you?"
"Buddy, our party doesn't start for another three days. You showed up way too early."
The red-black figure stopped. His tremendous momentum whipped up a visible Shockwave, blasting the surrounding clouds apart in every direction.
Terrax hovered in midair and looked down at Johnny.
"Johnny Storm?"
He asked Johnny, "One of this planet's protectors?"
"Oh, you know me!"
Johnny froze for a moment, seeming somewhat pleased.
"I am Galactus's emissary, Terrax," Terrax replied. "My master will descend upon this planet in three days. Before that, I have been ordered to confirm something."
"Confirm what?" Johnny narrowed his eyes.
Terrax's gaze passed over Johnny and fell upon Manhattan below.