A Dangerous Deal!

When Link clearly said the words "Reality Stone," the Collector's feverish excitement froze on his face.

The atmosphere in the hall turned icy.

Taneleer Tivan slowly put away his exaggerated smile. In its place came a cold expression mingling greed, wariness, and a hint of offense. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he bristled all over.

"Earthling, you're greedy." His voice turned low and hoarse. "So greedy you're almost... naive."

The Infinity Stones were the powers of the universe, the six singularities at the foundation of existence. Any one of them held enough power to topple civilizations and reshape galaxies.

Yet Link, a "country bumpkin" who had only just arrived, thought he could trade something that was novel but ultimately just a biological weapon for one of the universe's greatest treasures?

To the Collector, it was like a child offering a glass marble in exchange for a king's scepter.

"Maybe." Link shrugged, unconcerned. "But I think it's a fair trade. After all, my little creature is one of a kind. It's alive, and it'll never stop growing. That stone of yours, though..."

He glanced at the dark red mass of Aether.

"...You don't even know how to use it, do you? To you, it's just a beautiful, dangerous ornament you can't control."

The words struck the Collector where it hurt.

He had possessed the Reality Stone for a long time, but he truly couldn't control it. The Aether was too violent. Any living being that tried to merge with it would eventually be torn apart by its terrifying power. All he could do was seal it in a container and show it off as the crown jewel of his collection.

The Collector fell silent, torn by an inner struggle.

Reason told him the Infinity Stones were beyond