"Huh? Her energy… it's disappearing?"
Saitama tilted his head curiously at the Ancient One. At the same time, a familiar voice from the system rang in his mind.
[Respected host Saitama, congratulations on completing the Doctor Strange storyline and saving the world from crisis. You have gained one Carry Opportunity. Please choose carefully.]
Carry Opportunity?
Saitama blinked. Information flowed into his head.
[Carry Opportunity: You may carry one member of the Marvel World to accompany you.]
Carry? In that case…
His gaze shifted to the Ancient One, whose form was quickly fading into nothingness. He stepped closer, stopping before her.
"I can save you. But it might mean taking you away from this world. Do you want that?"
The Ancient One froze.
Her appearance had reverted to that of her youth, but her body was still unraveling, soon even her soul would vanish. She shook her head bitterly.
"Impossible, Saitama. Thank you for your kindness, but once you draw on the power of darkness, your destruction is inevitable. I've already seen my ending. There's no need to regret my departure."
Not far away, Strange and Mordo stood in silence.
They had once thought she sought dark power for immortality and strength. But now it was clear things were not as they believed.
"I can save you. Do you want me to?"
Saitama ignored her words, asking again.
The Ancient One was stunned. Didn't this man understand that life and death were bound by fate? She was Sorcerer Supreme—how could she not know her own destiny?
And yet—
Her expression shifted strangely.
Just moments before, when her form was nearly gone, she had glimpsed her own fate.
Once shrouded in darkness, it now blazed with infinite light. And she saw a figure standing before her, hand extended.
"Do you want me to save you?"
The vision shook her to her core.
Because that figure—was Saitama, standing before her now.
"I… I do."
Her fair, trembling hand reached out and clasped his.
The moment they touched, barriers of space appeared. The same power that had shielded Boros manifested, enclosing the young Ancient One, halting even time itself.
[Confirm carrying Ancient One?]
"Yes."
Saitama's thought made the choice.
The instant she agreed, an unseen force bound her fate to him. Her destiny changed.
In Saitama's vision, a panel of information appeared:
Name: Ancient One
Status: [Near-death Recovery]
Hero Role: Sorcerer Supreme
Intelligence: 7
Strength: 7
Speed: 7
Endurance: 7
Energy Projection: 7
Combat Skill: 7
Justice Value: 7
Attributes: Master of all magic, proficient in space-time sorcery. After Dormammu's defeat, she has gained a trace of destiny's blessing, granting even greater growth potential than her former self.
Note: You saved the Ancient One. She has sworn loyalty to you—and harbors a faint special affection…
Too dazzling!
Her stats rivaled Odin himself. And after Dormammu's fall, her growth had increased even more!
"This… this is the Mirror Dimension? My body… even time has stopped?"
The young Ancient One looked around in surprise.
"This is Lord Saitama's barrier world. Consider yourself lucky he chose to save you."
In another sealed cube nearby, Boros sneered.
"You… you're the extra-dimensional warrior?"
Her eyes widened. She remembered how Boros had suddenly vanished mid-battle. So this was where he had gone.
"Stay here. The barrier will heal you. I was near death once, and this place restored me. It will even strengthen you. Lucky woman."
Boros huffed, secretly pleased at having company at last.
"You were near death?"
The young Ancient One looked at Boros with curiosity. Close up, he didn't seem as terrifying as before.
And she understood—
That "great existence" Boros had spoken of—was Saitama.
It was Saitama who nearly killed him. And Saitama who saved him.
"Saitama… so strong."
She murmured, conjuring with a wave of magic a small villa with gardens inside the barrier.
Boros stared at the flowers and house, his eye twitching.
"…Why do I suddenly want to smash through this wall and wreck it?"
Outside—
Saitama had finished binding her fate.
"Teacher? I can't sense her presence anymore!"
Strange gaped, looking at Saitama.
The moment she touched his hand, the Ancient One had vanished before their eyes.
"She's injured. Needs time to heal. She'll likely return to Earth when she's better. For now, the rest is up to you guys. I'm heading out."
Saitama waved casually, preparing to leave.
Strange and Mordo stared at the ruined cityscape, almost in tears.
The New York Sanctum was destroyed. The Mirror Dimension shattered. But thanks to the barrier, the real New York had survived with minimal casualties. For a star-level battle, this was already a miracle.
Dormammu had been defeated. Darkness would not threaten Earth for a long time.
"Come on, Mordo… looks like we'll be cleaning up this mess. Still, Saitama… he's unbelievably strong."
Strange gripped the Eye of Agamotto tightly. Even with the Time Stone, he felt powerless before Saitama. A being unaffected by time itself was not someone to provoke.
After settling Pepper Potts's fears and explaining the battle, Stark Industries sent the Iron Legion to repair the city.
But just as Saitama returned to his villa and sat down—
[In recognition of your extraordinary performance, this system awards you a Super Vacation. Please use within three days, or it will expire.]
(End of Chapter)
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