Sorcerer in the Marvel Universe

"Three days," Gornos said as he pocketed the soul crystals. "When you come back for the engine, I’ll also give you the complete design schematics."

"Good."

Evenson nodded in satisfaction, then remembered who he was dealing with.

"One more thing."

"If those schematics aren’t genuine, I’ll make sure you repay every soul crystal with interest."

Gornos glanced between Evenson and Agatha before giving a solemn nod.

"I understand."

The instant the promise left his lips, emerald light flared briefly between the two of them.

The contract had accepted the terms.

Only then did Evenson remember something else.

"Oh, and if possible..."

He gestured toward the Gan’arg’s mechanical limbs.

"The designs don’t have to look exactly like... that."

Gornos looked down at the massive steel pincer replacing one arm.

"What about it?"

He proudly opened and closed the claw before spinning it through a full rotation. Then the circular saw mounted on his other arm roared to life, carving a deep groove through the stone floor with effortless ease.

"They’re efficient."

"They work."

"What they look like has never mattered."

"I don’t disagree," Evenson admitted.

"For demons, practical usually beats pretty."

"But humans don’t think the same way."

A demon could happily replace an arm with a chainsaw.

Among humans, voluntarily doing that tended to earn you a psychological evaluation.

Gornos considered that for a moment.

"...Fine."

"I’ll teach you the neural interface."

"As for the hardware itself..."

He shrugged.

"Build whatever shape you want."

Then he muttered under his breath,

"Humans are so complicated."

"That works for me."

The neural connection was the truly valuable technology.

The appearance of the prosthetics could always be redesigned later.

With that settled, Gornos finally turned toward his workshop once more.

Before he disappeared through the doorway, Evenson called after him.

"Are you satisfied with your current life?"

Gornos stopped.

For a moment, he stood perfectly still.

Then he let out a bitter laugh without turning around.

"Satisfied?"

"What do you think?"

Once he had been the Rift’s greatest scientific mind.

Now he spent his days maintaining relics nobody used.

There was nothing satisfying about it.

"I thought so."

A faint smile crossed Evenson’s face.

"I have a feeling we’ll be doing more business together."

This time, Gornos didn’t answer.

He simply walked away.

After the Gan’arg disappeared from sight, Evenson turned to Agatha.

"Thanks."

"You charged me for the privilege," he added, "but you still saved me a lot of trouble."

Agatha placed a hand dramatically over her heart.

"After everything we’ve been through together, that’s the first thing you remember?"

Her voice was dripping with theatrical disappointment.

"My fees?"

Evenson rolled his eyes.

"You certainly remembered them."

She hadn’t exactly hesitated when collecting payment.

"Anyway, my business here is finished."

He looked around at the polluted skies of the Felscar Rift.

"I’ll be honest."

"I really don’t enjoy visiting this place."

Calling the air terrible was an understatement.

If Earth worried about air pollution, the Twisting Nether had apparently declared war on the concept of breathable atmosphere.

Even in spiritual form, the oppressive environment felt like inhaling pure vehicle exhaust.

"Leaving already?"

Agatha stepped closer, gently brushing a fingertip across his cheek.

"I could show you all sorts of delightful experiences."

Evenson’s response was immediate.

He took one step backward.

Activated his return spell.

And vanished.

Agatha watched the empty space he’d left behind and smiled to herself.

"Cute."

She lifted the finger that had touched his face and slowly ran it across her lips.

"I should be the one thanking you."

"For my mistress."

With that, she disappeared into a teleportation spell of her own.

Three days passed quickly.

Evenson didn’t waste them.

First, he engraved concealment runes throughout the engine compartment of his car. He had no intention of drawing the attention of every mystically sensitive individual in New York the first time he stepped on the accelerator.

Next came the emblem.

The original solid silver Hydra badge decorating the front of the vehicle had already been melted down and sold.

It had looked strangely empty ever since.

So he crafted a replacement from stainless steel.

A circle.

Inside it, two crossed scythes.

Simple.

Distinctive.

Appropriately ominous.

He admired the finished emblem.

Black Scythe Vanguard.

That would be the car’s new name.

As for himself...

Every superhero eventually earned a memorable title.

If he was going to make a name for himself someday, he might as well choose one in advance.

The Black Scythe Lord.

...Maybe it sounded a little overdramatic.

But he kind of liked it.

Three days later, Evenson returned to the Felscar Rift.

This time he skipped Agatha entirely.

Whether he was trying to save money or simply avoiding another round of relentless flirting, even he wasn’t entirely sure.

Either way, he knew the route now.

He didn’t need a guide.

As expected, Gornos proved completely reliable once a contract had been signed.

Three days meant exactly three days.

Not a minute sooner.

When Evenson arrived early, he found the engine already finished.

Gornos still refused to hand it over.

Instead, he made Evenson stand around for nearly two hours until the precise moment the agreed deadline expired.

Only then did he present the miniature soul engine and its accompanying blueprints.

It was such an aggressively literal interpretation of the contract that Evenson couldn’t even bring himself to complain.

He accepted the package and left without another word.

"The moment of truth."

The instant he returned home, Evenson headed straight for the garage.

Rest could wait.

He carefully installed the miniature soul engine and transmission into the car.

The fit was perfect.

Every mounting point aligned flawlessly.

Whatever else Gornos might be, the old Gan’arg truly was a master craftsman.

Only one step remained.

Fuel.

Ordinary souls wouldn’t provide nearly enough power.

Fortunately, Evenson had prepared something special.

He lifted a massive soul crystal with both hands.

Inside, the soul of the Abomination twisted in endless torment.

"You smashed my car."

He smiled faintly.

"Time to pay for the repairs."

The crystal slid neatly into the engine’s core.

He sealed the chamber with the custom cover he’d specifically requested, preventing the engine from emitting the eerie green glow normally associated with burning souls.

Everything was ready.

Evenson jumped into the driver’s seat, grinning from ear to ear.

"Black Scythe Vanguard..."

He gripped the steering wheel dramatically.

"Let’s ride!"

He turned the key.

...

Nothing happened.

Evenson frowned.

He turned it again.

Still nothing.

Again.

Silence.

"...Why isn’t it starting?"

He climbed back out and checked every connection.

Everything matched the schematics perfectly.

Had he made a mistake?

Impossible.

Had Gornos tricked him?

Also impossible.

The contract wouldn’t have allowed it.

Then what was wrong?

Sara, who had been quietly watching the entire performance from the side, finally couldn’t take it anymore.

She looked at him with an expression that mixed pity and disbelief.

"...Evenson."

"Does a soul engine even use a car key?"

...

Read up to 75 Chapters ahead and access exclusive novels by joining my Patreon!

/Sinmerry

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!