Chapter 47: The Floating Cloak

Mei Mumu dashed up the elongated main staircase at the entrance, thirty steps in all, leading to the second floor. Following the direction shown in the film, he ascended, turned left down the corridor, and, as expected, found three unusual doors at the end.

At first glance, it was as if three colossal vertical screens, each a hundred inches tall, were displaying different scenes. To the right, snow-capped mountains shrouded in mist; in the center, a roaring ocean with surging waves; to the left, a primeval forest dappled with sunlight filtering through the treetops.

Beside each door was a hemispherical handle glowing with a ring of orange light.

Mei Mumu knew these were the portals in the New York Sanctum leading to other places on Earth. With a turn of the spherical handle, one could shift to the desired destination.

Found it!

He drew a deep breath and hurried toward his next target—the New York Sanctum’s treasury.

Ordinarily, there would be guardians stationed here, but given the uncertainty at the Sanctum, it was currently undefended.

Undefended did not mean without protection.

Most treasures in the Marvel world possessed unusual sentience or recognition mechanisms; those not acknowledged as their master could never take them away.

The treasury was ingeniously designed on the third floor. After ascending the main staircase, crossing a modest platform, and climbing another twenty steps, one arrived.

On the surface, it appeared to be a private museum, closed to outsiders. Each treasure, seemingly devoid of special powers, was displayed in glass cases.

Mei Mumu ran swiftly.

The physical training he had undergone at Kamar-Taj proved invaluable; driven by survival instincts, he was no longer the wounded recluse who had just crossed over. With the growth template of the “Dried Tofu” master, he dared not claim to be the strongest close-combat mage, but at least he was sprinting down that path relentlessly…

He ran up and down without so much as panting.

Ignoring the artifacts from around the world, each bearing the stamp of different cultures, he made straight for a glass cabinet taller than himself. Inside, a red cloak floated eerily in midair, lively and graceful like a sprite of fire.

Found you, [Levitation Cloak]!

Suddenly, the Balance System sent a notification: “Received information from [Levitation Cloak]. Would you like it translated?”

“Translate!”

At once, Mei Mumu received a mechanical-sounding message: “Ugly fool, don’t tell me you want me to serve you?”

Wait! Director, did you grab the wrong script?

Mei Mumu’s spirit suffered a hundred thousand points of psychic damage. He retorted mentally: “Hey! I may not be a paragon of beauty, but I’m at least presentable. Why call me ugly?”

“Hmph! Anyone below ninety-five points in looks is ugly. Your magic and potential meet my requirements, but your appearance is too lacking. Don’t even think about it.”

What the—this is a thing?

Mei Mumu was startled. He suddenly recalled that Doctor Strange himself was quite the handsome fellow. Their heights were similar, but Strange possessed an air of cultured erudition, and an effortless, genuine British gentleman’s demeanor…

Mei Mumu, an ordinary student, couldn’t compare. If not for merging with this new body and gaining the status of a medical doctor, the gap would be even wider.

He felt a pang of despair; the difference in looks and temperament couldn’t be solved with a trip to Korea!

When one plan failed, another hatched.

Mei Mumu changed tack: “Zealot Kaecilius is about to attack. If you don’t want the New York Sanctum destroyed and Kaecilius to use Dormammu’s dark power to ruin you, you should stick with me!”

Unexpectedly, the Levitation Cloak knew about Dormammu. “Damn! Dormammu? You… you’re not lying to me?”

“Why would I lie? In a few minutes, Kaecilius will arrive. Whether it’s Dormammu’s power, you’ll sense it yourself.”

“This…” Clearly, the Levitation Cloak hesitated, but soon decided. “Fine. As long as you’re not lying, I accept you as my master and will serve you. But you must agree to one condition.”

“What is it?”

“In the future, whenever you sleep with women scoring over ninety points in looks, let me caress their beautiful legs. Not many—ten. No, seeing as you’re so mediocre, let’s settle for three.”

Mei Mumu felt his world spinning, lines of exasperation streaking across his forehead as he considered whether to tear this damned perverted cloak to shreds.

Who in their right mind would wear a cloak during such moments? Especially a bright red magical cloak?

Wasn’t that just insane?

Confronted with such an eccentric cloak, Mei Mumu nearly had a breakdown.

Very well, circumstances were stronger than he was—he agreed.

“Alright.”

“Good. As long as you don’t lower your standards and mess with ugly women, I’ll be your most loyal servant—otherwise, I promise not to utter a single word.” With that, the Levitation Cloak extended a corner from the cabinet, transformed into a slender strip, twisted the lock, and opened the glass case.

The cloak slipped smoothly behind Mei Mumu’s shoulders and fastened gently. Instantly, it felt as if the magical cloak had merged seamlessly with his deep blue warrior robe.

Light, breathable, smoother than silk, almost weightless.

Even better, Mei Mumu felt his steps become lighter.

Finally, Mei Mumu glanced at a set of ancient armor hanging on the wall, seemingly made of thin iron plates as thick as fingers. Yet it wasn’t armor, for no armor would have such exaggerated gaps. More accurately, it resembled a straitjacket used in asylums.

Mei Mumu knew what it was: [Crimson Bands of Cyttorak].

Cyttorak—a Marvel supervillain, the most powerful demon in the Marvel universe, far surpassing the five great creator gods. Lord of the Crimson Cosmos.

He had no idea why this super demon’s artifact was here, but that didn’t prevent him from using it.

He lifted it down with one hand and exhaled deeply. “Whew! At last, I have all I need.”

Just then, Mei Mumu heard a rush of chaotic footsteps, as if many people were converging on the entrance of the New York Sanctum from all directions.

At the same time, a grinding noise like giant gears turning echoed from the main entrance.