Clash of Beams

"Who are you?"

The Collector had watched Lu Qi appear out of nowhere and wipe out a huge swath of his ships. He could no longer sit still.

Standing on a flying disc with a staff in hand, the Collector rose into the air and glared viciously at Lu Qi.

"Just the ruler of Earth passing by. You bullied my people, so naturally I couldn't stand by and watch."

Lu Qi smiled at the furious Collector.

"So they're your people? You told them to swindle me?" The Collector finally caught on and pointed his staff at Lu Qi.

"Swindle you? Did they? You wanted the Orb, didn't you? Did they not give you the Orb?"

"The Orb? Who the hell would pay fifty billion for a ball? I wanted what was inside it!"

"If you wanted what was inside, that would cost extra. Surely you understand that?"

The Collector was nearly hysterical, but Lu Qi remained calm.

"Money means nothing to me," The Collector said with a sneer. "I only want treasures that are one of a kind!"

Damn. Does he have more money than he can spend?

Well, in the comics, he had made a bet with Death. After losing, he had been "punished" with a ban from Death's realm and gained eternal life.

Lu Qi didn't know how things worked for him in this universe, but he was probably still immortal. After living for who knew how long, money really might be nothing more than a number to him.

No wonder he had such good connections. Even Odin knew him. Apparently, he had billions of reasons for people to like him.

Wait. Damn, didn't Odin sell him the Reality Stone in the original story, claiming it was for safekeeping?

*Damn it, Odin. I didn't know you were like