The interstitial layer of the multiverse.
Thor stood at the boundary between two universes, before him an unactivated dimensional rift leading to Earth-2149, the Zombie Universe.
Just as he raised his hand to tear open the passage, a massive figure appeared out of thin air directly in front of the crack.
Standing at 3.7 meters tall, he wore a long blue robe that reached his ankles. He was bald and hairless, and his body was surrounded by a faint cosmic glow.
His face showed no extra emotion, like a sculpture forgotten by time.
Thor's hand froze in mid-air.
" Thor Odinson."
The towering figure spoke, each word plain and straightforward, devoid of warmth or hostility, a pure statement.
"I know you, one of the extremely rare variants in the multiverse. What brings you to this universe?"
Thor withdrew his hand and looked up to examine the other person.
The Watcher, Uatu.
He certainly recognized the bald guy; this fellow was a regular in the comics, a Eternity observer, a cosmic-level camera, only watching and never doing anything. But this guy clearly wasn't planning on just "watching."
"My men were brought to this universe by Chthon," Thor replied succinctly. "I've come to pick them up."
Uatu did not pause at all.
"No."
Two words, crisp and decisive, no explanation, no room for negotiation.
"This universe has been sealed off as a time loop, preventing outsiders from interfering with causality."
Thor frowned.
Not allowed?
His perception spread outwards, silently probing the energy field around the other person.
... Having just crossed the threshold into the multiverse level, it is strong, but that's about it.
It's not that we can't fight.
Thor stretched out his right hand, and golden cracks exploded in the void. Stormbreaker was summoned from the spatial layer, its blade crackling with lightning.
"I'll say it again." He gripped the axe handle, his tone unchanged, even carrying a hint of a smile. "I've come to pick them up."
Uatu's gaze fell on the Stormbreaker, then returned to Thor's face.
For the first time, a certain... calculation appeared in those clear, star-like eyes.
Then he paused.
It was as if a signal had been received, or as if a cross-dimensional information exchange had been completed in an extremely short time, the whole process taking no more than two seconds.
When he looked at Thor again, there was something more to his otherwise straightforward indifference.
He had clearly reassessed Thor. Since Thor could quickly comprehend multiple laws, he might be able to play a role in purifying this high-dimensional virus, and he no longer needed to keep an eye on this universe.
"You can go in."
Thor blinked, a little taken aback.
That's a rather abrupt turn; is it some kind of face-changing trick learned from Sichuan opera?
Before he could ask why, Uatu's figure began to dissipate, the edges of his blue robe turning into cosmic dust and merging into the dimensional gaps.
Three seconds later, Thor was the only one left at the boundary.
"... Fine, there are no secrets in the Marvel Multiverse. I just beat up a Celestials, and it seems like word has already spread..."
He couldn't be bothered to investigate what message the other side had received; saving a plane was better than nothing, even though he was actually quite eager to test the Watcher's capabilities.
The Stormbreaker cleaved down, tearing a gap in the dimensional barrier large enough for a person to pass through.
Thor stepped inside.
The moment he landed, his mental energy swept out.
In an instant, the entire planet was covered in a layer of hazy gray fog. The once azure planet now appeared somewhat lifeless, and from outer space, it even looked as if the whole planet was shrouded in a layer of gray mist.
Every city, every ruin, every still-beating heart was locked, categorized, and marked by him within 0.3 seconds.
Ordinary zombies are found on all six continents, but they are mainly distributed in North America. In other states, ordinary zombies are as rare as living people.
The living population is extremely small, scattered, and mostly concentrated in a small country in Eastern Europe.
The Wanda he was looking for was in an underground S.H.I.E.L.D.. base in New York.
Wanda's Chaos Magic was so obvious that it shone like a torch in the night on this desolate planet.
As Thor pinpointed the location, he also noticed another vital sign next to Wanda.
The woman possesses physical attributes far exceeding those of ordinary people, with a stable heartbeat and a breathing rate consistent during combat.
He followed the spiritual energy and took another look.
She had short, silver-white hair, wore a black, tight-fitting combat suit, and had a curvaceous figure.
Thor rummaged through his mind and retrieved her information.
Black Cat, Felicia Hardy.
His lips twitched slightly. In the comics, this character was famous for his low-cut leather outfit, but in reality, he was completely covered up from head to toe.
It's a bit of a pity...
However, her figure is undeniably stunning.
Thor abandoned his frivolous thoughts, and with a flash, he tore through the atmosphere with the power of lightning, heading towards New York.
--
Underground base.
Wanda's fingers were still resting on the edge of the Eye of Agamotto, and she temporarily put aside the discussion about Latveria.
Because something appeared.
A surge of spiritual energy descended from outside the atmosphere, sweeping across the entire North American Continent.
That frequency, that intensity, that undisguised domineering power—
Wanda's previously troubled and worried expression completely changed, and she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Felicia clearly noticed Wanda's unusual behavior and asked her with some confusion.
" Wanda, what's wrong? What happened?"
Felicia lowered her center of gravity, her right hand reaching for the grappling hook launcher at her waist, assuming a combat-ready stance.
Wanda turned around to face her.
The curve of her lips was faint, but she was definitely smiling.
"We might not need to hide anymore."
Felicia paused, her grey-blue eyes filled with confusion and wariness.
"Why?"
Wanda lowered her hands from her collar, and her entire demeanor changed in that instant.
The caution and vigilance that had been maintained since the beginning of their existence in this universe was being peeled away layer by layer, word by word.
"Because Thor has come."