Shane Freak
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Chapter 730: The Greater the Ability, the Greater the Responsibility (Part 2)
🕑 Added 2023-11-12 09:02:43 +0000 UTCIn DC World With Marvel Chat Group : Table of Content/Chapter List
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Eternity never believed that there was a question in this world that he couldn't answer. As a true omniscient and omnipotent being, an incarnation of EternitySpace, he should naturally know every truth of this world and be able to provide answers to all questions.
However, now he found himself unable to respond to Spider-Man. More importantly, after Spider-Man finished speaking, a faint white light emanated throughout the Eternity Temple.
Peter and Deadpool were both enveloped in this light. Eternity, bathed in this illumination, found his omnipotence and domain unable to penetrate this light, a realm unknown to him.
Who truly has the authority to interpret the Gospel Book in this world? Perhaps many do, but certainly not Eternity.
Fundamentally, whether it's OAA or Eternity, they are functional gods. Simply put, their existence is necessary for the stable operation of Space, forming the foundation of the entire world.
Their omniscience and omnipotence stem from their manner of existence; they are Space itself and beyond. Their entire scope of responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of Space.
The love of God for mankind is not within their scope of responsibility.
Of course, in Marvel's official setting, the weapon of OAA is love. Whether this is influenced by the content of the Gospel Book is unknown, but certainly, God's love for mankind doesn't include killing the beloved ones of every individual in the universe.
Of course, the doctrine also includes theories of atonement and trials. But, if Spider-Man is a believer, why then does he suffer a fate more tragic than those unbelievers in every Space?
Could it be that God can love everyone except Spider-Man? If so, how can we speak of God's love for mankind and universal values?
Eternity could not and dared not provide an answer to this question.
Marvel Comics has a characteristic: it is reluctant to discuss issues related to reality. Marvel leans more towards commercialization, avoiding sensitive topics that could impact commercial value, only touching them superficially if at all.
In contrast, DC Comics always likes to delve into topics related to human nature and society, even publishing comics like "Bitter Journey Hero" specifically discussing societal issues.
This is the source of contention between fans of the two brands. DC fans often mock Marvel for lacking depth, while Marvel fans ridicule DC for overthinking. Despite their disputes, the editorial departments of both sides maintain a good relationship.
If this were in DC, Spider-Man's question would lead to a series of comics specifically exploring this issue, theories of trials, atonement, universalism, whether justification is by person or by faith, whether it is man loving God first or God loving man first. All these are worth discussing.
But Eternity, operating under the Marvel system, chose to remain silent.
Yet, his inability to provide an answer does not mean the issue can be ignored. What if Deadpool decides to avenge his good friend? Would the Eternity Temple have to constantly guard against a flood of fecal comedy?
Unable to answer, unable to send them away, worried they might return if sent away, Eternity is left with only one option: to escalate the issue upward.
"I can't answer this question. Boss, you decide," he thought.
Eternity sighed and said to Peter, "Wait here for a while. I need to step out. When I return, perhaps I'll have an answer."
Peter was confused, not understanding why Eternity was leaving.
In fact, he hadn't expected an answer from Eternity; he had only asked because Schiller had told him to, and he was also harboring some resentment. So, he simply followed Schiller's instructions.
Peter genuinely felt it was unfair. Even without involving faith, all the Spider-Men of the Multiverse and their families hadn't done anything wrong. Why should they suffer all this?
Talking about the content of the Spider-Man comics is truly a history of blood and tears behind laughter.
As a former sales pillar of Marvel's editorial department, the top status of Spider-Man didn't bring him good luck. On the contrary, almost every Spider-Man has a tragic story.
At least one close relative dies, girlfriends designed by one editor get killed by another, and to maintain Spider-Man's relatable image, he often has to do odd jobs due to lack of money. Those who make it are killed by the Inheritor Family, and those who don’t make it are criticized for only knowing how to fight and not think.
If it were just one or two Spaces, it could be considered a coincidence, but it's the same in every Space. Treated like a stepchild despite being a biological child, Spider-Man is arguably Marvel's most unfortunate character.
Peter thinks, even if Spider-Man isn't perfect, does he deserve such a fate?
If there were no God, it could just be considered their bad luck. But clearly, there is a full-time, omnipotent God who can arrange everything in Space at will. Then why target Spider-Man specifically?
After speaking out, he felt much better. Essentially, Peter does good not for reward; he doesn't think he's a good person deserving of everything. He asked the question partly because of Schiller's instruction and partly just to vent.
Even this stance is rather assertive among all Spider-Men, with others not even considering questioning a god. Peter can only be seen as a slightly more normal version of a "Rotten Good Person."
In the temple, Peter was ready to leave with Deadpool, but Eternity was still on his way to the company, crossing mountains and valleys.
"Crossing the barriers of worlds is no easy feat, even for Eternity, who consumes a significant amount of energy in the process. Assigned to such a remote location and still having to travel daily to headquarters is troublesome. Eternity feels that resignation is not far off.
At this moment, at Marvel's main Space, OAA, looking at the clean and tidy headquarters, feels greatly relieved. His swift actions have prevented further damage.
Just then, a message from the Life Court about Eternity, whom he just kicked out of a Space, comes seeking trouble again.
OAA, compared to the five Gods, has weaker emotional thinking. His function requires stronger logic and rationality, so he is more concerned about Eternity's intentions.
Eternity brings only Peter's last words to OAA, leaving him speechless for a long time.
Although they are superior and subordinate, the questions Eternity cannot answer, OAA can't either.
How could he respond? Say that the gods don't love the world? That's too easy to be physically transcended. But if he says the gods love the world, just not Spider-Man, labeling Spider-Man as an outcast, a wrongdoer, then what's the point of selling comics?
Even framing it as a trial or atonement, once debated, would ruin this edition.
OAA feels this double-ended question sounds familiar, not quite Spider-Man's style, but more like…
After a covert exchange between OAA and Eternity, they deduce a pattern: whenever there's an issue in the Multiverse, it's invariably connected to a certain individual.
While OAA and Eternity exchange views, near DC's Source Wall, Lucifer Morningstar is on the lookout.
Just now, he felt a feather in his SchillerSoul being touched, yet Schiller only touched the feather without explaining, leaving Lucifer Morningstar both angry and curious.
Is this a distress signal? Is there a problem with Schiller's Soul? Or is it the Space that called earlier, now facing some disaster? Or something even more mysterious?
The idle Lucifer Morningstar, with endless time to indulge his curiosity and powerful enough to face little danger.
Being second only to God, he can leave the Source Wall. But beyond it lies a land not of peace. Leaving the Source Wall, many of Lucifer Morningstar's abilities are diminished, and crossing in the flesh is slow.
But Lucifer Morningstar has other means.
DC's Space structure differs from Marvel's, with a finite Multiverse, typically 52 in number.
These 52 Multiverses, like fillings in a bun, are wrapped within the Source Wall, usually in fixed positions, half dark, half light. But there also exist beyond-time Multiverses and unstable Multiverses.
Lucifer Morningstar is not new to venturing beyond the Source Wall. Strong and idle, he's tried all extreme sports and explored unknown territories.
However, the world beyond the Source Wall is less fascinating than he imagined, filled mostly with monsters sealed outside and endless silence.
Though always pursuing fun, Lucifer Morningstar is not foolish. He knew long ago that leaving home could be dangerous. So, he leaves not just by dressing up but by driving a car from his garage – a Space of DC.
Not willing to harm the 52 main Spaces, he chooses an unstable Multiverse or a beyond-time universe Space that is convenient to drive, then heads beyond the Source Wall.
This time, to find Schiller, Lucifer Morningstar plans the same. Since it's for Schiller, he'll drive Schiller's Space.
Integrating his will into the Space and turning the key, he finds it starts. He steps on the gas, driving the Space to the Source Wall nearby.
The next step is to drive the car out of the garage and roam the world beyond the Source Wall.
Just as humans don't feel the Earth's rotation, the majority of beings in Space don't feel Lucifer Morningstar's speeding. They live their lives smoothly.
Moving the Space out of the Source Wall is challenging. First, he must ensure his father, God, doesn't see. Looking around, seeing no sign of God, he steps on the gas, and the Space zooms out of the Source Wall.
Beyond the Source Wall, there are many ancient monsters sealed away, but under Lucifer Morningstar's power, the shining car, accelerating 100 km in 3.6 seconds, vanishes into the endless darkness.
After an exhilarating drive, Lucifer Morningstar, following Schiller's GPS signal, arrives near the target. He sees Schiller, arms crossed, full of resentment in a small cube.
If Lucifer Morningstar's not mistaken, from the shape of the clothes, it seems Schiller has just been thrown out by the collar."
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Next Chapter>>Chapter 731: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility (Part 2)
