Chapter 145: The Apocalypse Orb and the Eye of Horus

Complete the Apocalypse Series Team Quest: Choose any of the following team configurations to kill Apocalypse, En Sabah Nur.

One: Fire Ability User, Sand Manipulator, Swordsman, Time Stopper. (Completion: 50%) — Failed.

Two: Vampire, Ordinary Office Worker, Gang Boss. (Completion: 0%) — Failed.

Three: Demigod, Shapeshifter, Bald Man. (Completion: 100%) — Completed.

Four: Old Man, Blind Man, Dog. (Completion: 0%) — Failed.

Reward: [Skill — Apocalypse Orb]

[Apocalypse Orb]

Description:

It is recommended that you shout, "Apocalypse!" when using it.

Details:

Condense and summon an orb of light containing divine power. Under its radiance, all allied units will receive fixed increases to their strength, magic, stamina, defense, and speed.

After lasting for a certain period of time, the Orb of Light will transform into an Orb of Darkness and fire destructive beams at enemies within its range.

"So this is what killing Apocalypse and getting a loot drop from Apocalypse feels like?"

Looking at the skill description he had received after completing the quest, Orion Cross could not help but complain.

Judging solely from the description, the Apocalypse Orb seemed extremely suitable for large-scale battles.

However, he had yet to use it, so he did not know how much it would actually enhance everyone’s abilities or how long the effect would last.

Just as Orion Cross finished receiving his reward and was about to pick up his phone and call Tony, he suddenly realized that it was not over yet.

"What hidden quest did I complete this time?"

Orion Cross paused and put down his phone.

Hidden Reward Upgrade Quest: [The Avengers]

When killing Apocalypse, the team must contain the following members:

Shield Bearer (Completed), Genius Inventor (Completed), Transforming Blue Monster (Completed), Lightning Summoner (Completed), Archer (Incomplete), Mage (Completed), Speedster (Completed), Tight Suit 36D (Completed), Mental Interferer (Completed), Chatterbox (Incomplete).

Completion: 80%.

[Apocalypse Orb] has been upgraded.

[Star of Apocalypse]

Details:

The Orb of Light is no longer summoned. Instead, summon [The Winged Dragon of Ra — Spherical Form]. Under its radiance, all allied units receive comprehensive increases to their abilities.

Duration: Unlimited. Can be actively dispelled.

After being dispelled, [The Winged Dragon of Ra — Spherical Form] will release stellar power toward surrounding enemies.

Additional Reward: [Eye of Horus]

[Eye of Horus]

Description: You have been enhanced. Go deliver it!

Details: Greatly increases dynamic vision.

"I like things that are this simple and straightforward."

Orion Cross rubbed his eyes. One moment, he was standing in the bedroom.

The next moment, he reappeared with a pair of pink pants in his hand.

Ever since Orion Cross had stolen Mercury’s speed and become a Speedster, he had never unleashed his full speed.

The reason other Speedsters could not go all out was mostly because their bodies could not withstand the strain.

Orion Cross was different. His body could handle it.

The only thing limiting Orion Cross was his dynamic vision.

It was not that his eyesight was poor.

Under normal circumstances, Orion Cross developed all his abilities in a balanced manner. Even when he was distracted, his eyesight was still superior to Hawkeye’s.

The fundamental reason his dynamic vision could not keep up was simply that he was moving too fast.

Since all the energy within Orion Cross’s body was interchangeable, he could freely convert the Ascendant energy within him, Zeus’s divine power, and the Phoenix Force into the Speed Force.

Just now, he had moved at a speed that would appear to ordinary people as though time itself had stopped. He had gone next door and taken a pair of pink pants from Diana while she was changing.

Of course, even that level of speed was nowhere near Orion Cross’s limit. It was merely the limit imposed by his current clothes.

At such speeds, Orion Cross had to expend even more power than when using Starfall to ensure that his clothes were not burned away completely.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Orion Cross was still experiencing the sensation of extreme speed when someone suddenly knocked on the bedroom door.

"Uh..."

Orion Cross awkwardly opened the door.

Diana stood outside, looking at him with an indescribable smile as she held out one hand.

Although Diana had not reacted in time, she had vaguely seen Orion Cross’s movements.

"Can you give me the pants? Psylocke said she wants to try them."

Diana pointed toward the spoils of battle lying on the bed behind Orion Cross.

"Here."

Orion Cross calmly picked up the pants between two fingers and tossed them to Diana.

"Thanks."

Diana caught the pink pants and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and threw the armor she had originally been wearing onto Orion Cross’s bed.

"What are you doing? If you want to wash your clothes, take them downstairs to the bathroom yourself."

Orion Cross stared at the scene in bewilderment.

"Raven said you might need something to use, so she told me to bring mine and exchange it with you."

Diana answered him seriously, then looked at him with confusion. "What do you need my armor for?"

What the hell did she mean by "need to use"?

Orion Cross had merely been testing his ability just now. He had taken the pants because they happened to be within reach. He had absolutely no lewd intentions.

Mystique was simply slandering him.

More importantly, Diana’s armor was made of metal. Wouldn’t it be terribly uncomfortable to "use" something like that?

"Ahem... That’s a very good question."

Orion Cross gave an awkward smile. He picked up Diana’s armor, walked to the door, and stuffed it back into her arms.

"Tell Raven that she’s wearing yellow-tinted glasses, so everything she sees looks yellow."

"Hm?"

Diana scratched her head, still completely confused. In fact, she was even more puzzled than before.

What did yellow-tinted glasses have to do with anything?

Fortunately, Diana was no longer in the DC universe. Otherwise, she would probably have wanted to hunt down the Riddler in Gotham City and beat him to death.

Because she lacked an understanding of modern culture, Diana could speak hundreds of languages and appeared to be both highly educated and skilled in combat, yet she was actually rather similar to Captain America, the frozen old man who had been out of touch with the times.

Orion Cross had noticed this as well.

During chaotic wartime or in the middle of battle, Diana’s mental awareness was extremely sharp. But during peacetime and in her everyday life, it might only be at thirty percent of that level.

How could someone who had become disconnected from the modern era quickly acquire a vast amount of knowledge?

Apocalypse’s abilities were useful for this, but not everyone possessed them.

"Come with me."

Orion Cross walked out of the bedroom and beckoned to the bewildered Diana.

Knock! Knock!

Orion Cross knocked on the door of Skye’s bedroom.

"Is it all arranged?"

The moment he knocked for the second time, Skye instantly opened the door and asked expectantly.

"It’s arranged... But before that, I have another task for you."

Orion Cross pulled Diana forward from behind him.

"Teach this Amazon princess how to use a computer and browse the internet in one night."