Marvel: AS A PRINCE IN ASGARD

The Collector's domain.

Ragna walked forward without hesitation.

The guards at the entrance barely dared to glance at him before stepping aside, their hands trembling at their sides.

Of course, the moment Ragna arrived, a messenger had already sprinted inside to warn the master of the domain.

Because the Ruler of the Fifth Great Cosmic Power—

The second most terrifying entity in the known universe—had descended.

A presence that could not be ignored.

Ragna felt the pulse of energy within the sanctum.

A powerful aura, one steeped in centuries of indulgence and obsession.

He disregarded the countless guards and servants lining the passageways, striding directly toward his target.

When he reached Taneleer Tivan—the infamous Collector—

The elder of the universe had not even dismissed the messenger yet.

Instead—

Tivan was lounging in a massive, opulent pool, filled with gleaming Celestial spinal fluid.

His white hair slicked back, his black goggles perched on his forehead, and his exaggerated, absurdly luxurious swimwear added to the surreal image.

Ragna 's eye twitched slightly in distaste.

"Do all Elders of the Universe find unique ways to be insufferable?"

The Collector stretched languidly before rising from the pool.

A servant immediately draped a silk robe over him, and he slipped into his usual extravagant attire—something between a ringmaster's coat and an intergalactic noble's robes.

Then, he grinned broadly, his voice carrying the practiced theatrics of a seasoned performer.

"Ah! My dearest friend! What a delight it is to see you!"

"By the way, you simply must try bathing in Celestial spinal fluid—it's rejuvenating beyond words!"

Tivan clapped his hands dramatically, and the liquid in the pool drained away, only for a fresh, shimmering batch to replace it.

Ragna 's expression remained blank.

"I don't recall ever being your 'best friend.'"

"Also, I have no interest in bathing in strange, gray-green fluids."

Tivan gasped in mock horror, clutching his chest as if wounded.

"Oh, my dear Ragna , you wound me!"

"The Grandmaster himself told me that you were his best friend, and he is my best friend—so by cosmic logic, we must also be best friends!"

"Truly, this revelation shatters my heart!"

His acting was as exaggerated as ever, his years of dramatic indulgence turning such performances into second nature.

"But come now, won't you reconsider?"

"A dip in the Celestial essence? It does wonders for the skin!"

Ragna 's gaze darkened.

Instantly, Tivan's demeanor shifted.

"Ah, I see, I see—no interest in spa treatments today! Very well!"

"Perhaps instead, you'd like to peruse my collection?"

"I have gathered artifacts and species from across the cosmos! I guarantee you'll be astounded."

Ragna 's patience snapped.

"Enough, Tivan."

His voice was ice.

"I didn't come here for games."

"End your bounty on the Angels. Immediately."

Tivan arched an eyebrow in amusement.

"Ohhh, so that's why you've graced me with your presence!"

"And here I thought you simply wanted to see an old friend! How terribly disappointing!"

Even as he mocked the situation, there was a glint of genuine curiosity in his eyes.

"But tell me, dear Ragna … why would I abandon such a thrilling pursuit?"

"You know I live to collect. It is my purpose, my passion."

"And your Angels—such exquisite, rare beings—how could I possibly resist?"

His tone remained melodic, playful—but his words carried unshakable conviction.

"Be reasonable. As my best friend, wouldn't you help me achieve my dream?"

"I'd treat my Angel collection immaculately!"

"After all, I have saved countless species from extinction!"

"I preserve civilizations, Ragna ."

"I give them a place in history, even when the universe would rather erase them."

"Surely you can appreciate that?"

His grin widened, and he leaned forward slightly.

"And as a sign of goodwill—why, I'd even offer you one of my most prized treasures in exchange!"

"A gift so rare, so unfathomable, it will never disappoint!"

Ragna 's expression turned frigid.

His anger did not explode outward.

It condensed.

Dense. Inevitable.

The Collector had crossed the line.

Because Angels were not objects.

As long as Ragna lived, no Angel would ever be reduced to a trophy.

"You don't seem to understand."

"I did not come to negotiate."

Tivan's grin wavered slightly.

His eyes—sharp beneath the performative flamboyance—studied Ragna carefully.

"Oh?"

"Then tell me, Ragna —"

"If you are not here to discuss… then what exactly have you come to do?"

Ragna 's gaze burned gold.

Space itself distorted.

In an instant—

Tivan was ripped from his chamber and cast into the abyss of the void.

The Collector's Gamble

Tivan floated in empty space, adjusting his ridiculously elaborate coat as if this were all part of some grand performance.

"My, my!"

"How very forceful of you, dear friend!"

"But you wouldn't have gone through the trouble of dragging me into the void unless you wanted to… show me something?"

His keen eyes flickered.

They locked onto Ragna 's right hand.

Or rather—

The gauntlet upon it.

His voice dropped an octave, tinged with genuine awe.

"Ahhh… the Infinity Stone."

"The Space Gem itself… in your possession."

Tivan licked his lips in fascination.

"Magnificent."

"Ragna , my dear, dear Ragna …"

"Would you be willing to part with it?"

"In exchange, I'd offer you most of my collection! A true once-in-a-lifetime deal!"

Ragna stared at him, unreadable.

Then—

A system prompt flickered before him.

[System Alert: You are facing the Cosmic Elder, Taneleer Tivan (The Collector). Please make your choice.]

1. Force Tivan to cancel the bounty on the Angels. Reward: Teleportation Ability.

2. Agree to trade an Angel for one of Tivan's "Mysterious Collections." Reward: Unknown Rare Artifact.

3. Ignore Tivan's bounty and leave. Reward: Cosmic Eyes of the Nine Realms.

Ragna had already made his decision before entering here.

But now…

Seeing Tivan so effortlessly recognize the presence of the Space Stone, despite his attempts to conceal it—

A new thought began to take root in his mind.

Was his original choice still the right one?

JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 40+ CHAPTERS

patreon.com/Kora_1