NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: CHAPTER 40
The Cosmic Mercenary Union's power rankings continued to spark heated debates among the Marauders.
Each faction leader in the Hall of Freedom studied the list, their expressions shifting between skepticism, disbelief, and unease.
Among them, the red-skinned, hunched predator remained the most contemplative.
Ranking the Cosmic Powers
6th: The Shi'ar Empire
• One of the oldest and most technologically advanced empires in the universe.
• A race of powerful warriors with a militaristic society that prizes strength and strategy.
• **The Imperial Guard, led by the near-invincible Gladiator, boasts members capable of combating foes on the surface of Fixed Stars.
7th: The Dark Quadrant
• Ruled by the infamous Mad Titan, Thanos.
• Obsessed with achieving 'balance' in the universe through sheer force.
• After acquiring an unknown cosmic power, his strength has surged at an alarming rate.
8th: The Kree Empire
• A warrior-based empire driven by militarism and genetic supremacy.
• Ruled by the enigmatic and hyper-intelligent Supreme Intelligence.
• Despite recent losses, their military prowess continues to grow stronger.
9th: The Sovereign
• A genetically engineered race of perfectionists.
• Masters of advanced energy technology and hyperspace warfare.
• Possess a vast fleet of remotely piloted starships, eliminating the need for direct combat.
10th: The Predator Coalition
• A loosely organized network of marauders, space raiders, and warlords.
• If unified, they could rival the might of galactic superpowers.
• **Despite their potential, their chaotic nature prevents cohesion, placing them just above Nova Corps.
The Debate Among the Marauders
"Do none of you see the pattern?" the red-skinned predator asked, his voice low and sharp.
The others remained silent.
"You think this ranking is just some fabricated list meant to glorify the 'Holy Heavenly Palace'?"
His piercing gaze swept the room.
The Reality of Power
"We all know about the Gods. The Void. The entities that lurk beyond mortal understanding."
No one interrupted.
"We've heard whispers of the Watchers. We know the Elders of the Universe exist, even if we don't fully understand them."
The skepticism in the room remained, but a few heads nodded.
"The question isn't whether the ranking is real. The question is whether the Holy Heavenly Palace truly defeated both the Shi'ar Empire and the Kree Empire simultaneously."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
Then, he dropped a bombshell.
"I have confirmed reports that the Kree Empire launched a full-scale assault on the Holy Heavenly Palace… and the entire Starforce was annihilated."
Murmurs erupted across the hall.
"That's not all. Within Kree space, dozens of planets have mysteriously vanished. Not just destroyed—gone."
Silence fell again.
The red-skinned predator let out a deep sigh.
"I'm old. I've lived this life as a predator for as long as I can remember. And I don't want to see you all walk blindly to your deaths."
The Skeptic's Challenge
A hulking, stone-skinned Marauder scoffed.
"I don't believe it," he grumbled.
He crossed his arms, his rocky fists tightening.
"Wars between great civilizations last centuries. The Kree and Skrulls fought for thousands of years! Battles leave scars—entire planets reduced to rubble! And yet, you're telling me that one power—one—defeated two of the strongest empires in the universe?"
He shook his head.
"I haven't seen a war like that. I haven't seen the destruction you claim."
Another warlord, equally skeptical, sneered.
"And what about these so-called 'strongest beings'? I've fought titans and god-kings before. I can crush mountains with my bare hands."
His tone turned mocking.
"Yet you expect me to believe that the 'Lord of the Heavenly Palace' can juggle Fixed Stars like marbles? That the beings on this ranking can destroy entire planets with ease? Absurd."
The Cosmic Powerhouse Rankings
The Cosmic Mercenary Union had also ranked the most powerful individuals in the known universe.
And there were some glaring omissions—notably, the Celestials, the Observers, and the Elders of the Universe, whose full abilities remained shrouded in mystery.
Known Cosmic Powerhouses
1st: The God-King of the Nine Realms – Odin
• Rank: Fourth-Tier Limit (Heavenly Father Level).
• Armed with the Destroyer Armor, wielding the Spear of Eternity, and mounted upon his eight-legged steed Sleipnir.
• Possesses immense thunder-based divine power and ruled the Nine Realms with unmatched might.
• A force that once dominated the universe.
2nd: The Ruler of the Holy Heavenly Palace – Ragna
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier Limit.
• Wields the power of the sun and an infinite well of cosmic energy.
• Able to materialize anywhere in the universe instantly.
• Once battled the combined might of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard and the Supreme Intelligence.
3rd: The Sorcerer Supreme – The Ancient One
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier Limit.
• A master of the mystic arts and wielder of cosmic source energy.
• Has faced the demon lord Dormammu in direct combat for centuries.
4th: The Mad Titan – Thanos
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier Limit.
• Born an Eternal, his natural power rivals cosmic entities.
• Possesses immense physical strength and wields an unidentified cosmic force.
• A lone warrior whose crusade for balance knows no bounds.
5th: Ms. Marvel – Carol Danvers
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier Limit.
• A human-turned-cosmic warrior who channels near-infinite energy.
• Capable of single-handedly dismantling cosmic fleets.
6th: The Flame Giant – Surtur
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier Limit.
• A primordial being tied to Ragnarok.
• Weakened after Odin severed his power source, the Eternal Flame.
7th: Ego, The Living Planet
• Rank: Fourth-Tier High-Level.
• An ancient celestial brain that gained consciousness and planetary mass.
• Master of life energy, capable of shaping reality itself.
8th: The Goddess of Death – Hela
• Rank: Fourth-Tier High-Level.
• Odin's firstborn and former commander of the Asgardian armies.
• Imprisoned in Hel until Odin's death.
9th: The Blade of the Shi'ar – Gladiator
• Rank: Fourth-Tier High-Level.
• A being who converts confidence into raw power.
• Has fought on the surface of Fixed Stars.
10th: The Supreme Intelligence of the Kree
• Rank: Close to Fourth-Tier High-Level.
• A living supercomputer composed of Kree's greatest minds.
• Controls bodies remotely and manipulates the Kree war machine.
The Challenge
The stone-skinned predator clenched his fists.
"I don't care what your rankings say."
His voice was thick with defiance.
"I only know one truth—we are predators."
He bared his teeth in a wicked grin.
"And predators fight. So let's stop talking… and hunt this so-called 'Lord of the Heavenly Palace' together!"
Roars of approval and hesitation filled the chamber.
The hunt was on.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 40+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Kora_1