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[Frog] Chapter 209: The Weakest and the Strongest
🕑 Added 2024-12-11 17:59:26 +0000 UTCBeyond Earth.
On a desolate planet in the vast reaches of the universe, a shimmering silver figure stood atop a metallic silver surfboard. After swiftly departing from the planet, he floated in the endless cosmic void, gazing down at the barren world below.
After observing it for some time, the silver figure’s expression turned to disappointment as he stared at the planet beneath him. Shaking his head lightly, he looked toward another direction in space.
Just as he was about to head there, he suddenly sensed something.
The Silver Surfer turned his head, his face—like a sculpture of pure silver—showing a trace of puzzlement. Nonetheless, he stepped on his silver board and shot off at a breathtaking speed, nearing the speed of light.
It didn’t take long for the Silver Surfer to discover something extraordinary: a sea of charred corpses drifting in the vacuum of space.
Upon closer inspection, with his vast knowledge and experience across the cosmos, he quickly identified them as remnants of a Chitauri army. Judging by the scene, it appeared even their leader had been obliterated.
Not far from the destroyed Chitauri fleet, a spatial portal was rapidly shrinking.
Before the portal could fully close, the Silver Surfer caught sight of what lay beyond—a vibrant, blue planet teeming with life.
In that instant, his gaze locked onto his new target.
The Silver Surfer crouched slightly, touching his silver surfboard with one hand. After a moment, it was as if he had pinpointed a direction. A satisfied smile spread across his face before he transformed into a streak of silver light, flying toward the blue planet at the speed of light.
At the same time, in a distant corner of the universe…
A colossal red giant reclined on a throne that loomed like a mountain, supporting his massive head with one hand as if he were dozing.
Behind the giant, several broken spheres floated aimlessly in space. Upon closer inspection, they appeared to be shattered planets.
This giant was none other than Galactus, one of the five primordial cosmic entities of the universe—the Devourer of Worlds.
For eons, Galactus had devoured dead planets to maintain the balance of energy within the cosmos. Doing so not only enhanced his own power but also prevented the universe from being burdened by too many dead worlds.
(T/N: So Beerus-sama?)
However, after his defeat at the hands of Mephisto, Galactus became a laughingstock among the five cosmic entities, earning him the shameful title of "the disgrace of the divine."
It was only then that Galactus came to a grim realization: to become stronger, he needed to consume not just more planets, but planets brimming with life.
The Silver Surfer was his emissary, granted cosmic power by Galactus himself. His task was to traverse the universe in search of planets rich in life force. The price for this gift? Galactus promised never to harm the Surfer’s homeworld.
As Galactus reclined, his massive eyelids twitched slightly. He sensed a transmission of information.
“Silver Surfer…”
His voice, though soft, resonated clearly throughout the cosmos.
As he processed the information sent by the Silver Surfer, a rare expression of joy appeared on Galactus’s otherwise unchanging face.
“That blue planet… such vibrant life force…”
“If I consume it, my power…”
“Will reach an entirely new level!”
The thought of planet Earth filled Galactus with anticipation. His hunger surged at the prospect of devouring such a rich source of life energy.
He was convinced that consuming this blue planet would satisfy most of his hunger—enough to fill eight-tenths of his vast appetite.
And then…
“Mephisto… I will have my revenge!”
Fury ignited within Galactus as he recalled the humiliation Mephisto had inflicted upon him. Ever since that battle, he had borne the disgraceful moniker of "the divine disgrace" throughout the universe.
Until he defeated Mephisto with his own hands, he would never be able to erase that shame.
With the direction pinpointed from the Silver Surfer’s transmission, Galactus rose slowly from his throne.
He prepared to set out for the vibrant, life-filled blue planet… The Earth!
...
Asgard
Inside Odin’s chambers.
Odin held an ancient, ornate box in his hand, its origins unknown. He looked at Heimdall before him and said, "Galactus is indeed the weakest among the Five Cosmic Entities."
"But what most people don't know is that he could also be the strongest among them."
Heimdall frowned, unable to comprehend Odin's words. How could someone be both the weakest and the strongest?
Odin continued to explain, "The Five Cosmic Entities were born alongside the universe itself."
"They represent the fundamental principles of the universe's functioning."
"And Galactus represents balance."
Heimdall nodded. "My king, you have mentioned this before."
"This is also why Galactus devours planets—to maintain balance in the universe."
"Correct. But there is another aspect I haven’t told you."
Odin smirked slyly, as if revealing a significant secret.
"Galactus' power also depends on the quantity and quality of the planets he consumes."
"The better the planets, the stronger he becomes."
"In fact, if he had an endless supply of planets to devour, he could become the most powerful entity in the universe."
Enlightened, Heimdall nodded. "So what you're saying is, the reason Galactus is so weak…"
"Is simply because he’s not full!"
Odin’s face froze at Heimdall’s blunt interpretation. It seemed accurate, yet something about it felt off.
"However, my king," Heimdall hesitated, "there’s still something that doesn’t add up. If Galactus could grow stronger so easily, how did he lose to Mephisto back then?"
Heimdall’s confusion deepened. To him, Galactus' seemingly broken abilities meant that if he found himself in trouble, he could just eat a few more planets to power up. According to the logic of Midgardians, wasn’t that like having a cheat code?
"If it were that simple," Odin sighed, "he wouldn’t be the weakest among the Five Cosmic Entities."
"Though the Five were born together, and are often seen as siblings…"
Odin glanced at the ancient box in his hand and continued, "The truth is, they also keep each other in check."
"If Galactus overindulges and consumes too many planets, it disrupts the universe’s balance."
"The other four entities would intervene immediately."
"Then how, under such restrictions, does Galactus expect to defeat the Emperor?" Heimdall questioned, baffled by the apparent contradictions.
Odin chuckled softly, tapping the box in his hand.
"This matter requires you to personally visit Galactus and deliver this to him."
"Tell him that if he wants to devour Midgard, he cannot do so without this."
Heimdall accepted the box Odin handed him, his curiosity evident. "What is this?"
"You don’t need to know. Galactus will understand when he sees it."
Although puzzled, Heimdall had absolute faith in Odin's words. He placed a fist to his chest in salute.
"Understood. I will leave immediately."
Watching Heimdall depart, Odin coughed violently a few times. His advanced age and waning divine power were accelerated by the restorative magic he had recently used.
But Odin didn’t dwell on his declining strength. At least he had saved Thor.
If they had recklessly fought the Emperor back then, all three of them might never have left Midgard alive.
Asgard’s king and two princes falling on Midgard would have been a disaster. The other races of the Nine Realms, already eyeing Asgard with ambition, would have pounced in an instant.
Odin’s compromise wasn’t just because he lacked confidence in defeating Alan.
"Emperor, you saved the people of Manhattan from my hands."
"But the price you paid was the entire Earth."
"You’ll regret it…"
"Galactus, don’t disappoint me. That treasure—I've kept it hidden for countless years."
...
Galactus’ Planet
Just as Galactus was about to depart for Earth after receiving the Silver Surfer’s message, he suddenly paused mid-step.
Before Galactus stood a slender rainbow beam, resembling a stick from his perspective, descending rapidly.
When the beam faded, a diminutive, golden-armored human stood before him.
"Asgardian?" Galactus instantly recognized the divine aura as belonging to the ever-annoying Odin.
"What brings you to my home?"
Heimdall, facing the colossal Galactus, spoke loudly, "Divine One, our king..."
"Foresees that you are heading to Midgard and has sent me to assist you."
Assist him?
Galactus' massive brow furrowed deeply.
That blue planet... From its aura, he could tell its technological and magical prowess was laughably underdeveloped. Devouring it would be child's play.
So why would the Asgardians offer their help?
Did they truly believe he was the disgrace of the Five Cosmic Entities?
"Asgardian, you will pay for your arrogance."
Galactus' enormous hand shot forward, aiming to grab Heimdall.
Heimdall's expression shifted drastically as he yelled in desperation, "That planet has a guardian!"
"One who defeated Mephisto!"
"Our king sent me to bring you this!"
The moment Heimdall raised the ancient, ornate box, Galactus' hand froze mere inches from him.
Beads of cold sweat streamed down Heimdall's forehead.
Finally...
Saved...
"Mephisto, defeated?"
Galactus was stunned. The thought of Mephisto being defeated was hard enough to believe, but even more astonishing was that his defeat had come at the hands of someone from such a primitive planet.
What truly stopped Galactus’ hand, however, wasn’t just the claim about Mephisto—it was the ancient box in Heimdall's hands.
Although Heimdall himself couldn’t sense it, Galactus could clearly feel the immense energy emanating from within the box.
It was as though—
The box contained the essence of a massive, life-rich planet.
Galactus extended his hand, his cosmic power enveloping the box, carefully lifting it from Heimdall’s hands and bringing it closer for inspection.
With a faint crack, the box opened.
In that instant, a wave of extreme cold burst forth, spreading in all directions.
"What is this?"
Galactus’ brow furrowed as he examined the icy aura. It posed no threat to him, yet his expression shifted to one of delight.
—(To be continued)—
Comments
Irakli Jishkariani
Woow odin is massive a*hole here
