"Absorb the energy of the Self Gem, store it, and then convert it into your own energy to attack."
Looking at the system's description of his newly acquired ability, Linen felt a trace of regret.
Although this skill had no theoretical upper limit—meaning he could absorb an enormous amount of Self Gem energy and convert it into his own—there was still a critical restriction.
If he gathered enough power, he could theoretically throw a single punch and blow up a planet.
However, the ability was limited by one thing: his own physical endurance.
If the converted energy exceeded the limits of his body, the overwhelming power of the Self Gem would cause his body to burst apart.
At present, after completing the side quest, Linen's physique had reached roughly four times that of an ordinary human. That meant the amount of energy he could absorb and safely convert was capped at that level.
Still, as his physical strength continued to grow, there might come a day when destroying a planet with one punch would be effortless—or even annihilating an entire universe at will.
After all, according to the system, among the six Infinity Stones, only the Self Gem could be converted into the purest form of energy for personal use.
After shutting down the system interface, Linen stood up. Seeing that the water had already been boiled, he picked up a tea bag and dropped it into the cup.
As the color of the water slowly deepened, Linen took out his phone and sent a message to Wanda.
Half an hour later—
"Honey, I'm back!"
Seeing Wanda dragging a suitcase through the door, Linen immediately stepped forward and took it from her hands.
"So… are you going to live here from now on?" he asked.
"Yes!"
Wanda wrapped her arms around Linen's neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the lips. Smiling, she tilted her head slightly.
"From now on, this will be our everyday life together."
Lowering his head, Linen stayed close to Wanda for a moment before smiling.
"Did Pietro say anything when he found out?"
"Of course not!"
Thinking back to the moment she had been packing, Pietro had stared at her while muttering nonstop behind her back.
Wanda's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.
"He was very happy when he found out I had a boyfriend!"
As she spoke, Wanda sniffed lightly and glanced toward the kitchen.
"Honey, did you prepare lunch?"
"Yes. We can eat anytime."
After gently scratching Wanda's nose, Linen was about to lead her to the dining table when—
Wanda suddenly jumped up and threw herself into his arms. Biting her lip, she whispered teasingly,
"So… are you going to eat lunch, or are you going to eat me?"
Faced with Wanda's blatant invitation, Linen immediately threw all thoughts of lunch out of his mind.
To hell with lunch—who eats lunch at a time like this?
If you don't enjoy your youth now, are you going to wait until wrinkles appear?
At the same time, in a building on the outskirts of New York—
"So we're going to live here permanently?"
After placing the takeout lunch on the table, Bucky Barnes raised his hand and removed the high-tech disguise mask, revealing his real face.
"The plan hasn't started yet," Stephen Strange replied calmly. "Don't rush."
Sitting on the edge of the table, Strange opened a pizza box. Half of his face was still concealed by a mask as he picked up a slice and began eating.
"It tastes good. In my collapsed universe, food became a luxury. Don't you want some?"
The Winter Soldier sat down, ignored the pizza, and simply opened a can of beer.
"You promised that once I helped you finish this, you'd let me go free."
"Of course," Strange said without hesitation. "That's my promise."
As he spoke, Strange turned his gaze toward the frozen lake outside the window.
"You know… my first nightmare was about that lake. I still remember my sister drowning in the water."
"After that day, I had nightmares for years. I dreamed she stood outside my bedroom door, water dripping from her clothes, asking me why I didn't save her."
"My parents took me to see psychiatrists for a long time. That was the most terrifying period of my childhood."
Strange swallowed the last bite of pizza and looked at Bucky.
"But after I grew up, I rarely dreamed of her anymore. I even prayed to God, hoping she would appear in my dreams."
"Unfortunately, God never answered. I think this is my sister's punishment."
After hearing this, Bucky fell silent and drained the beer in one gulp.
"Do you have fears," Strange asked, "or desires you can't let go of?"
Bucky crushed the empty can and tossed it into the trash.
"No. I just want to stop being controlled."
"Very well," Strange nodded. "Once this is over, you'll have your freedom."
"You'd better keep your word."
Standing up, Bucky looked at him coldly.
"Otherwise, no matter how strong you are, I'll fight you with everything I've got."
With that, Bucky turned and walked back to his room.
Strange didn't react. He simply looked back at the frozen lake outside the window.
"Just wait… Christine. I will save our universe."
Inside the Asgardian Palace—
"Father, why didn't I know I had a sister named Hela?"
Standing before the throne, Thor asked solemnly,
"For more than fifteen hundred years, I've never once heard that I had a sister."
"Why did you and Mother hide this from me?"
Odin's expression instantly darkened.
Even Frigga, standing nearby, looked at Thor in surprise.
"Thor," Odin demanded, "who told you that you have a sister named Hela?"
Thor was speechless.
"Answer me," Odin pressed. "Who told you about Hela?"
Sensing the tension, Frigga stepped down from the dais and gently approached Thor.
"My son," she said softly, "how did you come to know of Hela?"
Thor hesitated for a long time.
"Sorry, Mother… I—"
Before he could finish, Frigga raised her hand and gently brushed his cheek.
After a moment, she turned to Odin and shook her head.
"No one deliberately told Thor this."
"The force guiding him is extremely vague—even I cannot see it clearly."
"But one thing I know for certain," she continued, "is that this will benefit Thor. Though the details are unclear, I believe he will go much further in the future."
Hearing this, Odin let out a long sigh. He rose slowly from the throne.
"You are right, Thor."
"You do have a sister."
"She is Hela, the Goddess of Death."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
There are 10+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]