#180 - guess
“You saved me.”
Planet Devourer stood in the universe. This feeling was peculiar. While ‘floating’ might be more accurate, Devourer gave the distinct impression of standing firmly, as if one could measure the height of the universe by him.
However, everyone knew this was impossible. After all, the universe doesn't really have such a concept; it's merely the perception of intelligent beings.
“What is your request?”
Devourer gazed at Franklin. Among everyone here, only this person who resurrected him was worthy of his attention.
“Planet Devourer,” Franklin announced loudly.
“We want to know who attacked you?”
Upon hearing Franklin's question, Devourer didn't answer immediately, seemingly pondering.
This was a common issue for Planet Devourer. According to his setup, Devourer possessed many abilities, but due to his hunger, he primarily used 'eating,' or absorption. He rarely used other abilities, as eating could solve most problems.
This meant that Devourer's mind was mostly occupied with hunger and eating. He pushed everything else to the back of his mind. Over time, his other abilities and memories became difficult to recall. Not forgotten, but harder to access.
Simply put, it was like putting something you rarely use in a closet. When you need it, it takes time to find.
However, this time Devourer didn't keep everyone waiting too long. After all, it had just happened. He slowly began to speak.
“I didn't see who it was, but I could sense that it was indeed a human.”
This answer was ambiguous, causing disappointment among the group.
“You mean, you weren't killed by the Brood?” Franklin asked.
This was clearly a humiliating question. Just as everyone thought Devourer would get angry, he remained expressionless, as if the story wasn't about him.
Devourer slowly said, “Those insects didn't have the power to kill me. The reason I didn't resist was because someone controlled me, forcing me to watch them devour me bit by bit.”
Although Devourer was expressionless, anyone could imagine the unpleasantness of being eaten alive.
At the same time, everyone obtained a piece of information: the mastermind had the ability to control Planet Devourer. This was not good news.
“Then… can you confirm that the person who controlled you was human?” Franklin continued to ask. He didn't want to overthink; gathering information was crucial.
After all, Zhao had mentioned the possibility of someone using clones or other abilities to mislead them. He had to ask clearly.
“I am certain.” Devourer nodded, his first physical action.
“Don't underestimate a god. Although I couldn't move, I could still sense the life of the other party. Unfortunately, my perception wasn't thorough enough. They used some method to conceal themselves.”
“Evading the gaze of a god.” Doctor Strange tapped his forehead. The more he knew, the more of a headache he got.
“If they can control Devourer, hiding themselves shouldn't be difficult.” Tony rubbed his temples, but he felt like something was off.
Tony looked at Reed, and found that the other party was also looking at him.
Reed said, “Did you also notice something wrong?”
“There's a slight thought.” Tony crossed his arms, his right-hand fingers tapping his arm.
“What's your insight, the smartest guy in the universe?”
“I have some ideas.” Reed's words attracted everyone's attention. Even Devourer turned his gaze to him.
The smartest being in the universe was a universally acknowledged fact. Even Devourer would remember it. He wanted to see what unique insights this wise man had, as he also wanted to know who had harmed him.
“Hey, hey, you don't think I can deduce who it is with just this information, do you?” Reed sighed, indicating that everyone shouldn't have high expectations.
“I just discovered a suspicious point.”
“What is that suspicious point?” Devourer asked. It seemed he wasn't as indifferent as he appeared.
“Could it be intentional?”
Before Reed could speak, Yang Le guessed first.
“That's right!” Reed looked at Yang Le in surprise. He didn't expect Yang Le's brain to work so fast.
“Intentional? What's intentional?” Dou Jian looked at the two riddle-makers in confusion.
“We mean, the other party intentionally let Devourer discover him.” Reed explained.
Reed turned to look at Devourer. He tried to control his tone to make it sound softer.
“Is there a possibility that since the other party can firmly control you, they can effortlessly kill you?”
“Of course.” Devourer nodded, admitting it generously, without concealment.
“Then why did the other party waste time letting the Brood slowly devour you?” Reed kept his lower body still, only twisting his upper body to face everyone.
Tony followed Reed's train of thought and slowly uttered two words.
“Experiment?”
However, he wasn't sure, so he used a question.
“In my opinion, you're only half right.” Reed agreed, but not entirely.
“I think this is more of a playful experiment, because if you treat it as a pure experiment, it's too rough.”
“Full free-range, without any intervention. No experiment should be like this, even if it's just observation, it's too rough.”
“It's like playing a game.” Reed's expression was solemn as he said, word by word.
“It's like buying a science kit for a child without giving him instructions, full of unknowns and terrors.”
“I don't know who this mastermind is.” Reed sighed.
“But it's clear that all of us are just part of his science kit. To him, we're just toys.”
Everyone present fell silent. If the other party had some purpose, it would be fine, but if it was really like Reed said, just treating all the living beings in the universe as toys, that would be truly chilling.
Reed's guess was too terrible, but the more people thought about it, the more they felt he was right.
“Carol.” Tony called out Captain Marvel's name, drawing her attention.
“What's wrong?” Carol asked.
“We received your call and went to explore Devourer's body. How did you discover it?”
“I also received a message.” Carol thought for a moment and replied.
“The message didn't show who it was, and the content was just a coordinate. That's where I found Devourer's body.”
