"Nemesis, the Goddess of Vengeance?"
Nick Fury frowned in the theater when he heard the woman introduce herself.
He had never heard of a "Goddess of Vengeance" named Nemesis — that name didn't appear in Norse mythology or any other mythos he knew of.
"So… all of Linen's powers come from her?"
He turned his gaze back to the big screen, suspicion written all over his face. The video continued to play.
"You mean, you destroyed countless parallel Earths?"
Facing Linen's question, Nemesis replied softly, "Not just countless parallel Earths — I destroyed countless parallel universes."
"Why would you do that?"
"Do I need a reason to act on a whim?"
Lifting Linen's chin, Nemesis smiled faintly. "Little one, you must understand — a true god needs no reason for anything."
"If you insist on having one… then perhaps every planet that gives birth to life is already full of sin. Is that reason enough for you?"
"Originally, I intended to erase this universe as well. But then I discovered something curious — as the anchor of this world, you do not exist in any other universe."
After saying this, Nemesis released his grip and said, "That's quite unusual. You see, most universes end in destruction."
"So, little one, I'm curious — will this universe share the same fate as the others?"
"Now then, you have two choices."
As she spoke, Nemesis raised both hands, and two glowing orbs — one white and one gold — appeared in her pale, jade-like palms.
"Choose the white orb, and I'll take you back to my dimension. There, you'll gain an immortal soul and anything you desire."
"Of course, the price is that this Universe-847 will be destroyed by me."
"If you choose the golden orb, I will make you my messenger — the Messenger of the Goddess of Vengeance. You will receive a portion of my power and time to grow."
"In return, all you must do is offer me one evil soul after another."
Then Nemesis smiled mischievously. "Of course, if you choose the golden orb, you'll also face me as a challenger. Every so often, you must fight me. If your growth doesn't satisfy me, you'll endure a punishment far worse than death."
"Believe me — pain from the soul is not something you'll ever forget."
After speaking, Nemesis raised her hand, and the two glowing orbs floated before Linen.
"Now, make your choice, little one."
Linen stared silently at the two light spheres for a few seconds. "Why me?"
"Before you, I've chosen many messengers," Nemesis said, her tone indifferent. "But none of them could withstand the punishments. They broke down, gave up, and ended their lives. And with their deaths, their universes perished too."
"Your soul is unique, so I'm giving you a chance. Don't disappoint me."
"After all, eternal life is dull — I can only seek my amusement where I find it."
Listening to her words, Linen's expression hardened. He raised his head and reached out for the golden orb without hesitation.
The moment his hand touched it, the golden light surged into his body, transforming him into a radiant golden figure.
When the glow faded, Nemesis conjured a necklace inlaid with a golden gem. It floated gently toward him.
"Keep this with you. When the gem glows, it means it's time for your next challenge."
"Heh… don't let me down, little one."
Chuckling, Nemesis turned toward the Digital Gang. "Since you've chosen the latter path, I'll take care of your little problem."
Linen was about to speak when Nemesis suddenly turned back, raised her hand, and mimicked a cat's gesture, whispering playfully, "Meow~."
The moment that sound reached his ears, Linen's pupils constricted sharply.
In the theater, everyone shivered.
That meow — it was identical to the cry of the little calico cat Linen had cared for since childhood!
"Oh my God…" Tony Stark muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "That little calico cat… was Nemesis all along?"
"So she chose Linen from the start? No wonder she always called him 'little guy' — that's what Linen used to call that cat!"
On screen, Nemesis casually waved her hand, erasing the entire Digital Gang in an instant.
Natasha leaned back, frowning deeply.
No wonder — when I investigated Linen's past, I found that the Digital Gang was wiped out when he was sixteen. But no matter how deep I dug, I couldn't find the killer.
So it was the Goddess of Vengeance all along…
The scene shifted — a montage of photographs appeared.
Linen, wearing a dark judge's coat, executed one sinful criminal after another.
But the police could never identify the murderer, and the causes of death were bizarre beyond explanation. Since every victim was an evil person, and there were no witnesses, the NYPD classified the cases as unsolved.
Nick Fury nodded quietly. "No wonder I never heard any new rumors about 'The Judge' in the past two years… so that's what happened."
The video continued.
Linen now stood on a rooftop in his Judge uniform, overlooking two armored figures battling near Stark Industries.
Tony's eyes widened. "So when I fought Obadiah Stane… Linen was there, watching from a nearby building."
"He knew Stane was guilty — that's why he didn't interfere."
The scene transitioned again — to a university campus.
Linen appeared cheerful, popular among classmates, seemingly untouched by the tragedies of his childhood.
But when he reached a stairwell corner, the necklace on his chest began to glow.
He quietly stepped into an empty classroom, gripped the gem, and vanished in a flash of light.
Moments later, he stood in the middle of a dazzling cosmic realm, hurling waves of magic at Nemesis — all of which she dispersed effortlessly.
"Impressive, little one," Nemesis said with a smile, watching him rise despite bleeding from the mouth. "Your growth is remarkable. But I'm still not satisfied."
She waved her hand — Linen's soul was torn from his body and suspended among the stars. Countless glowing needles pierced his spirit, and golden fire engulfed him.
"My God…"
In the theater, Wanda covered her mouth in horror as Linen writhed in agony.
Even through unbearable torment, he clenched his teeth and refused to beg for mercy.
Everyone in the theater gasped, unable to imagine the pain of soul-burning fire.
When Nemesis finally ended the punishment, Linen's soul returned to his body, drenched in sweat.
But his next words silenced the entire room.
"It's not too late for you to regret this," Nemesis taunted. "That Earth full of sin and evil isn't worth your suffering."
Breathing heavily, Linen lifted his head, eyes filled with resolve.
"No matter how much power I gain, you'll never be satisfied."
"For two years, after every challenge, I've endured this same soul-burning agony."
"The truth is, you're not testing me — you're trying to break me, to make me surrender and become your slave."
"If I'm right, your past messengers killed themselves after realizing this."
Nemesis didn't deny it. She simply laughed. "You're clever. But since you're so smart, you should know — giving up is your best option."
"Give up? Ha…"
Linen laughed softly.
"When I was four, I gave up on right and wrong — just to steal a stranger's wallet so my adoptive father wouldn't beat me."
"When I was six, I gave up my conscience — yet he still hung me up and whipped me."
"When I was twelve, I could've ignored that dying girl — but I saved her and got locked in a dog cage."
"When I was sixteen, you gave me power. If I had given up and used it selfishly, I wouldn't have to wash dishes every night after class."
"Now I'm nineteen, and you want me to give up again?"
He straightened slowly, meeting her gaze.
"The power you gave me isn't a gift — it's a curse. But even so, I've never once given up."
"You're right — Earth is full of sin and ugliness. But I've seen the most beautiful flowers bloom in spring. I've heard the sweetest birdsong. I've seen people in love, and parents willing to give everything for their children."
"As a god, you've never experienced any of that."
Nemesis's smile faded.
"Little one, you've never experienced them either."
"But I've seen them," Linen said with a bright, sincere smile. "And that's enough."
"Someone has to protect the beauty of this world — even if I've never had it myself. Even if it means enduring this endless curse again and again."
Everyone in the theater fell silent.
Even Nick Fury, hardened by years of duty, felt his hands tremble slightly.
For the first time, he remembered that there was still beauty left in the world he'd spent years protecting.
Steve Rogers clenched his fists and smiled. "That's a real hero."
It was comforting to know — the world seventy years after him still had people like this.
People like Linen.
Wanda's eyes sparkled. "Is this… my future husband?" she whispered softly, entranced by his determination.
On screen, Nemesis smirked.
"Interesting little one. I hope you can endure the next punishment and keep standing."
"Otherwise… I'll destroy your universe myself."
With a wave of her hand, Linen vanished into the stars.
Moments later, three cloaked figures appeared beside Nemesis.
"Is this the new messenger you chose?" one of them asked. "He's far more interesting than the last ones."
Nemesis smiled faintly. "Perhaps. Let's hope he doesn't disappoint me."
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