The Final Gift

Three months later, Upper East Side, Manhattan.

Starlight was cooking in the Kitchen while Chu Hang sat on the sofa looking at a tablet. On the screen were the Superhuman Affairs Management Bureau's latest figures—1,703 superpowered people worldwide, a 97% registration rate, 37 eliminated while resisting, and 19 who had fled to South America and Africa.

The new Order Law had stabilized.

"Butcher is going to the Congo tomorrow to hunt down that guy who can turn invisible."

Starlight turned around as she spoke.

"Mm."

"Maeve said someone in Europe is smuggling Compound V."

"The Enforcement Division's second team is handling it."

Starlight wiped her hands and came over to sit on the armrest of the sofa. She stared at Chu Hang for several seconds.

"You're leaving?"

Chu Hang looked up.

"The Order Law is stable. Maeve and Butcher can handle things."

"I need you."

"You're much stronger than you were three months ago."

Chu Hang took her hand.

"Your mental power has stabilized, the Enforcement Division follows your command, and the public trusts you too."

Starlight lowered her gaze to their joined hands.

"I don't mean for work. I mean I need you."

Chu Hang fell silent for several seconds.

"What needed to be done in this universe is finished. The Anti-Monitor is gathering power in Void Land, while Kang the Conqueror is expanding across countless timelines. I have to make arrangements in other universes."

"Take me with you."

"No."

Chu Hang looked at her.

"Dimensional travel is a death sentence for ordinary people. You can't withstand the Multiverse's chaotic currents. Besides, I need you to stay here as an anchor—the coordinate connecting me to this universe."

Starlight released his hand and walked to the window.

The Hudson River reflected the city's lights, while the silver shield emblem atop