Marvel : Super Soldier at the Start

The Void, as most people in the universe call this place. 

Unlike the Void where Blake encountered little Groot, this one is not independent of the timeline. 

This Void is merely the ancient skull of a Celestial, as large as a small moon. 

Robots swarm the skull, harvesting organic materials from it. Technically, this activity violates universal laws. 

However, due to its remote location and the immense wealth and military power of the Tivan Corporation founded by the Collector, most major galactic empires turn a blind eye to these operations. 

The Collector's peculiar hobby is well-known across the universe. Ever since this skull was discovered and developed, he has made this place his long-term residence. 

The location allows him to indulge his obsession with collecting odd and rare items. His collection is extraordinarily eclectic; as long as an object is rare or bizarre, he disregards its practicality or value. Coupled with his extravagant spending habits, his reputation spreads far and wide. 

Gradually, more and more Ravagers, thieves, and bounty hunters gathered here, hoping to exchange the peculiar trinkets they stumbled upon in the universe for money from the Collector. 

Surprisingly, many seemingly insignificant items have caught the Collector's fancy, prompting him to offer prices that could purchase half a planet. 

Consequently, this place has become a magnet for treasure hunters, who descend upon it like vampires scenting blood. Some individuals or teams specifically travel here, bringing random items to try their luck. 

If the Collector takes a liking to their offering, the resulting fortune could allow them to buy a stable planet and live in opulence for the rest of their lives. 

Over the centuries, the influx of people transformed this place into a massive entertainment hub. 

It now boasts hotels, casinos, brothels, shops, ship repair services, and much more. 

The Void has essentially become an unregulated spaceport with a touch of chaos. 

Here, there's no day or night; nearly every establishment operates around the clock. Brawls, drunken revelry, and gambling are routine occurrences. 

In the back alley of a crowded casino, a drunkard lay unconscious, likely another unlucky soul who had gambled away everything and now sought solace in alcohol. 

Suddenly, a flash of light split the void. A wormhole appeared out of thin air, and Blake emerged with his group. 

Without interrupting Natasha and Groot's leisurely shopping spree, Blake led Tony, Rocket, Gamora, and Star-Lord directly into the heart of the Void. 

"Lead the way!" Blake gestured at Gamora. 

"Are you sure? That gem is still on you. Or are you saying… you're actually planning to sell it?" Gamora eyed Blake skeptically. 

Blake merely smiled enigmatically. 

"You want money, don't you? Take me there, and we'll split the profits. How I handle the transaction is none of your concern." 

Gamora gave him a long, searching look but didn't press further. She turned and started walking. 

"Wait for me! We're a team, aren't we?" Star-Lord chimed in, sticking close to Gamora. 

Rocket, meanwhile, assumed the role of a guard, carrying a massive gun almost as tall as himself and trailing behind them. 

"Hey, what are you up to? That's an Infinity Stone, isn't it? You've already absorbed it into your body. Are you seriously planning to trade it?" Tony grabbed Blake's arm and whispered urgently. 

"We need money in the universe, Tony. But no, I'm not planning to trade it. Ever heard of 'double-crossing the double-crossers'?" 

Tony gave Blake an incredulous look. "I'm a legitimate businessman—I don't do that kind of thing!" 

"What if the other party is a scumbag? Then we're just Robin Hood." 

Blake smirked mischievously and pulled Tony along to catch up with the others. 

"Damn it! You should've at least given me my armor first," Tony muttered through gritted teeth. 

Blake ignored Tony's comment. Joking aside, with his current strength, if he needed Tony to don his armor just to deal with the Collector, he might as well not have come here in the first place. 

Passing through a bustling marketplace teeming with pickpockets, the group finally arrived at the Collector's residence. 

Before Gamora could even knock, the large door silently slid open. Standing before them was a pink-skinned alien woman dressed in a white gown. With a polite demeanor, she gestured for them to enter. 

"You arrived quicker than we anticipated, Miss Gamora. The Master is expecting you inside." 

"We used a very advanced mode of transportation," Gamora quipped, glancing briefly at Blake with a faint smile. 

Following the pink-skinned woman, they stepped inside. 

Due to the unique nature of this location, all the buildings were sealed structures, essentially modified and cobbled-together spacecraft. 

The Collector's residence was by far the largest. The moment they entered, they were greeted by a cavernous interior with ceilings towering at least a hundred meters high. Above them hung numerous transparent, movable square containers. 

These containers weren't just overhead; they lined the corridors the group walked through as well. Inside were a variety of rare and unusual creatures from all manner of species. 

"Is that a Russian space dog?" Tony pointed to a dog from Earth, clad in a spacesuit with a transparent helmet. 

"Indeed! It's a specimen from Terra," the pink-skinned woman replied. "Here, we collect lifeforms and artifacts from across the universe, both living and non-living. Every item in this collection is either uniquely significant or nearly extinct in the universe." 

She walked with a spring in her step, her head held high, clearly proud of her Master's collection. 

"You lock intelligent beings in cages and call them 'collectibles'?" Tony said, pointing to a humanoid figure with a metallic silver body. Though the species was unidentifiable, it was clear from its eyes that it was sentient. 

"Indeed," a voice interrupted. "Everything here—alive or dead—is part of my collection." 

A flamboyantly dressed middle-aged man, looking as if he belonged to Earth's fashion elite, turned to face them. 

"Please welcome the Collector, Taneleer Tivan!" 

The pink-skinned woman stopped, turned dramatically, and made a theatrical gesture toward her Master. Her voice took on an operatic tone as she announced his presence with exaggerated reverence. 

"I suddenly think being Robin Hood is a fantastic idea," Tony muttered to Blake, leaning close. "Right now, I just want to blow this pompous jerk's head off with one shot."

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