Chapter 6221: The Stars' Pact (Part 1)

If you ignore the content of this call, it’s actually quite a romantic story. But unfortunately, the symbiont’s Thunder language system caused a word to actually be their collection of swear words, because it’s so short and easy to remember. Although the gray mist has long shed its symbiont identity, Shiller has not forgotten how he used “Nataru” to curse Nal.

The story, which should have been very romantic and moving, fell apart because of this word. Although Shiller doesn’t want to admit it, teaching the then baby gray mist to swear counts as one of his few black marks in history.

However, speaking again, the attitude of the gray mist at that time already indicated that he was not close to Nal, not even respectful, and firmly stood on Shiller’s side right from the start. Shiller had previously asked him why, but the gray mist’s answer was: “You are my creator.”

Shiller initially thought it was just an expression of closeness and didn’t take it seriously. But now it seems, Shiller is indeed the creator of the gray mist, and the gray mist was simply stating a fact.

Shiller never thought that this journey to the Cthulhu Mythos Universe was actually the beginning of the gray mist’s arrival in the American Comics Universe. However, it’s also within reason.

After arriving at the Cthulhu Mythos Universe, Shiller pondered a question. In the settings of Cthulhu Mythos, Yog is born from the Nameless Fog, note it’s not reproduction, but something like metamorphosis; in a sense, Yog is the evolved form of the Nameless Fog after growing up.

Since Yog already exists, there should be no Nameless Fog left. So what’s the matter with the gray mist?

Actually, the gray mist is Yog’s molted skin, what’s left of the Nameless Fog after Yog completed its evolution. It was originally just irrational remains, but Shiller forcibly awakened it, giving it its own consciousness, then Iron Man and Shiller teamed up to bring it to the American Comics Universe.

And the mysterious foggy world within the gray mist is actually the Great White Space, which Iron Man wanted to bring here as the ultimate weapon. After a fight with Nya, they teamed up with Yog to also send the gray mist and Eternal White Hole to the American Comics Universe.

Looking at it this way, the gray mist ending up in Shiller’s hands was actually destined. Iron Man would never entrust this thing to anyone else, not even himself, because at that time the Prime Universe was still within the Multiverse, they were all still under the influence of fate, and the Prime Universe had too many disasters, it would be too easy to lose this thing in the Prime Universe, and it’s something that should not be lost, having it in the hands of Shiller who came from outside and is very powerful is just right.

Upon discovering that below the storm-filled place was endless fog, Shiller understood everything. He cooperated with Iron Man to complete the plan, and then immediately entered the foggy world. Sure enough, the Main Universe Iron Man was waiting for him on the Sky Island.

“I knew it was you,” Shiller said with a smile as he walked over.

Iron Man hugged him briefly and shook hands. He looked not only not weak but rather invigorated, raised an eyebrow with pride, saying, “Yes, it’s me. How’s it here?”

“Pretty good,” Shiller paused before saying, “but I have a question.”

“What question?”

“Why can’t I go down?” Shiller asked, looking into Iron Man’s eyes.

Earlier, when he first entered the Middle World, Shiller was curious about the giant city below, but at that time was worried there might be formidable enemies down there, so he didn’t go down. Later, he tried to explore downwards but found obstacles preventing him.

“Well…” the Main Universe Iron Man showed an embarrassed expression, “I’ve communicated with the Iron Man from your universe, he said you… are rather prone to breaking things, especially high-tech stuff.”

Shiller rolled his eyes dramatically; he knew it. Logic dictates Iron Man would have no reason not to let him go to the city below, there’s nothing to hide about this origin story, so the only reason for placing obstacles is probably worrying he’ll cause destruction once he goes down.

“Just to be clear, I believe you’d never intentionally cause damage, however, due to your lack of some professional understanding of mechanical engineering and physics, you might unintentionally…”

“Alright, you don’t need to say anymore,” Shiller interrupted him. Actually, there was a sentence he kept in his heart unsaid, if there were no obstacles allowing him to go down early, it’s truly hard to say whether he would cause intentional destruction. Destruction wasn’t the intention, mainly wherever he went, he liked to bring back some local specialties, conservatively estimating, he would clear out the place within a week.

In fact, Shiller knew, the Central Universe Iron Man most likely said just that to the Main Universe Iron Man, only the Main Universe Iron Man beautified it slightly. After all, he’s the one who actively sought a rat to watch the grain store, can’t blame the rat for eating too much.

“Now can you take me down for a look?” Shiller asked.

“Certainly,” the Main Universe Iron Man agreed with pleasure. He flew down directly and Shiller jumped down as well. As the altitude decreased, the outline of the giant city became increasingly clear, then Shiller realized, this was a Steel New York City.

Similar to the strange city made of iron they saw above the Primitive Jungle, this is its enlarged and refined version. As expected, Iron Man said, “Actually, this is not built by me, nor can it be considered a robot city, rather it’s a product of the combination of biotechnology and mechanical engineering.”

Landing slowly on the ground, Shiller found the faint shadows of huge creatures he’d seen above were actually some beasts made of iron. Some had long legs and turtle shell-like backs, some resembled Pteranodons, others were large robots somewhat resembling humans.

Shiller also saw those familiar red molds, meaning these creatures were actually iron controlled by fungi, just that different groups of fungi exhibited different behavior patterns, naturally seeming like different creatures, looking very magical.

“There are different microbial communities within the human body,” Iron Man explained, “Their properties are different, their behavioral patterns are different, and they play different roles. This city is like an enlarged version of the human body, with different microbial communities shaping their bodies with steel, living and reproducing here. They are me, but not entirely me.”

“What do you mean?” Shiller asked. He really didn’t understand why Iron Man was doing this; the technical issues were too complex for an outsider to comprehend.

“I can’t always keep an eye on this place,” Iron Man said, “There are too many things in the Prime Universe, and my focus needs to be there. I need to ensure that when I’m not here, this place can operate smoothly on its own.”

“Then why not only place non-living equipment here?” Shiller pressed further.

“To guard against Nya,” Iron Man sighed, “That guy never gives up, always trying to find and take over here. I need the power to defend and counterattack.”

“I know you’re definitely wondering why not just use pure robots. Honestly, I’m also shocked, but Nya understands programming. He’s skilled with computers and can create viruses. If we only use programs, it would be too easy for him to exploit.”

“Of course, I also thought about using artificial intelligence, but as you know, the artificial intelligence we create in this universe always rebels. It might be a kind of destiny rule, and I’m afraid I’d be caught in it. The best method is to place a clone here.”

“So I used part of my original body to create a microbial network. This thing doesn’t have a fixed program, making it not as easily interfered with, and it is a part of me, having instincts but no wisdom, so it won’t suddenly go out of control and become an enemy.”

Shiller nodded. Iron Man’s method was indeed effective. Actually, his defense strategy is to make it impossible for anyone to fully understand this thing. Nya is smart, sinister, and skilled in modern technology, but lacks deep research in biotechnology. Destiny creates compulsory troubles, but its judgment is vague. Since this is part of Iron Man, it might be ruled upon Iron Man himself.

Protecting oneself is the simplest, just set up a tech shield and you can’t get through. Had I known, I should have brought Iron Man from my universe to take a look. Such a large city, it’s truly a pity.

Shiller recalled that he hadn’t thought about technology at all. Mainly, the appearance of the Gray mist is too misleading. Initially, he felt it was a symbiont and maybe the Gray mist had an adventure, always leaning toward mysticism. Later, knowing the Gray mist is actually an Outer God, he wouldn’t link it to human technology even more.

The only scientist who visited here, knowledgeable in professional technology, was Peter. The problem is Peter is the kind of polite person who doesn’t snoop around. Regardless of which universe’s Peter, he’s like this. He might have been curious but thought Shiller had plans and thus didn’t ask.

“I suggest you don’t touch it now either,” Main Universe Iron Man said, “This thing is still developing and self-iterating, it’s one of the ultimate weapons I want to create. If you intervene randomly and something goes wrong, the consequences are at your own risk.”

Shiller immediately withdrew his hand. His experience of twisting light bulbs in Iron Man’s lab taught him that if Iron Man insists on not letting him touch something, it may affect Iron Man even more if it breaks. Once Iron Man says that touching something means bearing the consequences, it’s more likely to blow up in his face.

“Will it affect the Gray mist?” Shiller asked.

“Actually, this thing isn’t in your good friend’s body,” Iron Man explained, “There’s just an entrance there.”

“Then where is the main body?”

“There’s no main body.” Iron Man shook his head, “Just like the World Tree, this is actually part of cosmic rules and there’s no observable main body, which further enhances security.”

“Will it still be affected by destiny?” Shiller asked.

“A little bit,” Iron Man sighed, “It’s similar to the extent you are affected by destiny. Both of you are outsiders, and staying here, it’s hard to avoid some influence. But now it seems, destiny cannot directly act upon you two, which is the effect I want.”

“That’s good.” Shiller nodded, feeling relieved, then asked, “When are you going back?”

Iron Man showed an awkward expression again, even more awkward than before. He scratched his cheek with his hand and then said, “That’s exactly why I came to you. About this matter of my return, I might need your help…”

“Need my help?” Shiller was a bit curious, “The Fusion Universe hasn’t closed the external channels, on the contrary, they’re now warmly inviting other universes to host events there, can’t you just go back directly?”

“It’s unrelated to the channels.” Iron Man sighed, “When I left before, I fell out with them.”

“‘Them’ refers specifically to…”

“Everyone.”