"Alex, we've detected a massive unknown energy fluctuation in New York!"

While Alex was deep in thought, carefully mapping out his plans, his steward Raven suddenly appeared before him, her face grim as she delivered the report.

"New York?"

Alex raised a brow.

New York was far from Krakoa. If Raven had sensed an energy fluctuation even from such a distance, and with such seriousness, then it was obvious—the disturbance was no trivial matter.

"What kind of unknown energy fluctuation?"

Alex was only mildly curious. That was all. Nothing could really rattle him anymore. Calm as ever, he cast Raven a sidelong glance as he asked.

At his current level of strength, there was little left in the world that could shake him.

"I can't say for sure. You'd better come to the lab. Hank will explain in detail."

Raven's expression remained severe.

"Alright."

Since she had said as much, Alex didn't hesitate. He followed her straight to the laboratory.

There, he found Erik already waiting alongside Hank, both men staring solemnly at a display screen.

The screen showed streams of data and curves. Though Alex couldn't immediately interpret the figures, the flashing 'Energy Levels Exceed Threshold' warning made the gravity of the situation obvious enough.

"Alex, things are looking bad," Hank said, pointing at the curves.

"A sudden unknown energy vortex has appeared over New York, and it's growing at an exponential rate every second. According to my calculations, in thirty seconds it will collapse in on itself, triggering a space-collapse effect—"

"You mean breaking space?" Alex arched a brow again.

"Yes, you could put it that way." Hank nodded grimly.

"When that happens, spatial stability will shatter. The center of the collapse will rupture completely."

Breaking space!

Whatever this unknown energy was, it was no small matter.

No wonder Hank looked so grave.

But Alex, who understood all too well the nature of the Marvel universe, realized it might be even worse than Hank imagined.

Because Marvel was a multiverse.

If space collapsed, did that mean the barriers between universes would also be broken?

If the walls between realities shattered, what might come through?

Doctor Octopus, Electro, Sandman?

Ultron Infinite?

Or perhaps… Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch?

Alex couldn't yet know, but he was already bracing himself.

This was something that demanded his attention—for what if something emerged that threatened the whole world, even Krakoa itself?

If such a maniac appeared, Alex would not stand idly by.

"I understand."

He nodded, then spread out his super-hearing and super-vision, peering toward the swirling vortex over New York from afar.

Crack!

Soon after, a sound like breaking glass rang out.

Just as Hank had said, around the thirty-second mark, the vortex fractured.

A spatial black hole yawned open.

"Space is collapsing, Alex!" Hank's voice was heavy with dread. The data confirmed it.

Alex merely nodded in acknowledgment.

"It's him!"

"That madman has entered this universe again!"

"The only hope of defeating him is Homelander Alex!"

At that moment, Alex's expression flickered slightly.

He had faintly heard whispers, dreamlike, as though drifting in and out of sleep—uncertain if he truly heard them, or merely imagined it.

It was… strange.

"What was that voice?"

Alex frowned.

At his level, to be unsure whether he was hearing something real or hallucinating—it was absurd!

"No… this feeling!"

At the same instant, Alex sensed something else—as if someone was spying on him!

Who?

He did not act rashly. Instead, he unleashed his mental force, scanning hard in the direction of the unseen gaze.

But there was nothing.

Emptiness.

No one there.

That only deepened his frown.

For a fleeting moment, he even wondered—was it all an illusion?

But could someone as strong as him really be mistaken?

"An extraordinary being has shown up…"

Alex grew inwardly cautious. For the first time in countless years, he actually felt surprise.

"Homelander… don't let me down!"

"You must defeat him!"

"Otherwise, it will be a catastrophe for the entire multiverse!"

That elusive voice spoke again.

Alex closed his eyes briefly, clearing his mind, extending all his senses to perceive, to listen.

Moments later, his eyes snapped open, blazing with sharp light.

"I've found you!"

He lifted his head, looking skyward.

And there it was—a colossal head filling the heavens.

So vast, it was indistinguishable from the sky itself.

Absurd.

But Alex recognized him instantly.

The Watcher!

Yes—the one who had always lurked in the shadows, silently observing the entire multiverse.

"You… you can actually see me?"

The Watcher was shocked beyond measure. This was insane.

Homelander's power had reached such heights that he could perceive a being outside his universe?

"Yes, Watcher. I can see you."

Alex nodded firmly.

"You… you even know who I am?"

The Watcher was shaken even further.

In all his endless years of observing countless universes, he had encountered supreme beings who could sense him—Doctor Strange, who had collapsed his universe over a woman… Ultron, wielding six Infinity Stones, who had gone on a multiversal killing spree, leaving even the Watcher powerless.

But never—never had anyone recognized him so instantly.

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