Family System: Chapter 61

Diana chuckled, her laugh captivating.

Only after her smile faded did Vex glance at the system notification.

[Congratulations, Host! You’ve obtained the “Electro Axe,” adding to your family’s weaponry. Family strength increased. Reward: “Spatial Ring.”]

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Name: [Spatial Ring]
Level: [C]
Description: A separate space created with spatial magic. Due to an incomplete rule set, it can only store non-living objects!
Tagline: "Whatever goes in, only dead things can come out!"

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Hmm...

This weapon from Steppenwolf was a bit low-tier.

Odin’s Destroyer Armor had earned an A-level King's Treasury reward from the system.

Vex accessed the “Gate of Babylon” and retrieved the Spatial Ring—all system rewards were automatically stored there.

A thought activated it, and a 10-meter cubic space appeared in his mind. But Vex wasn’t impressed.

And the Spatial Ring’s gemstone was set with a red ruby—not his style at all.

So…

He looked toward Diana.

"Don’t you carry your weapons around?"

"In the modern world, the Lasso of Truth and armor are one thing, but a sharpened sword through security? Not so much," Diana shrugged.

"Got it... Here, take this."

He offered her the Spatial Ring, and she looked at him with a curious gaze.

A ring on their first meeting?

Vex didn’t elaborate and placed the Spatial Ring in her hand.

Since it was a basic magical item, there was no need for a blood pact—she just needed to hold it.

Diana paused, then looked at him, surprised.

Was he really giving it to her?

Vex just smiled and nodded, confirming it.

Logically, Diana wouldn’t accept such a valuable gift—especially since it came from someone who seemed interested in more than friendship.

But…

She gave a carefree smile, slipping the Spatial Ring onto her right index finger.

She admired it for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction.

It seemed she liked it.

Vex smiled, too.

His groundwork of building rapport, along with those two oxygen-sharing kisses, had indeed opened up the heart of this demi goddess.

Next up…

He’d continue strengthening that connection, take it slow, and make his move when the time was right!

No rush—better to let it happen naturally.

Just then, Arthur and the now-awake Mera joined them.

“I was too overconfident,” Mera admitted, her expression uneasy. “I always thought those factions were just cruel. But now, I see they’re also short-sighted. They refused to protect the Mother Box for the sake of power.”

Vex simply smiled, refraining from commenting.

He had no interest in Atlantis' internal politics. His focus turned to the stone pillar housing the Mother Box.

The Phoenix Force emerged, shattering the pillar and revealing a mechanical cube.

It was the Mother Box!

Without a second thought, Vex placed it into his Golden Gate, right in front of Mera.

"Since you can't protect the Mother Box, I'll take it," Vex said casually. "Let’s part ways and hopefully never meet again."

Mera looked displeased but had no retort.

Arthur, however, was watching Vex with interest. "You’re strong. We should spar sometime!"

Faced with Arthur’s challenge to spar, Vex showed zero interest.

He used Phoenix Force to write down a phone number.

"Call this number, and they’ll set you up with a suitable opponent."

Arthur misunderstood. "Once I’ve beaten them, I’ll come find you!"

Vex just smiled, not bothering to correct him.

Then he turned to Diana.

Without waiting for him to ask, Diana extended her hand. Vex took it, and they teleported out of Atlantis.

They reappeared in the operations hall.

Sploosh!

Sea water spilled out, dousing Fury, who happened to be nearby.

Fury: (▼ヘ▼#)

Wiping his face in silence, Fury stared hard at Vex.

Vex nonchalantly released Diana’s hand.

"Good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

"Good news."

"Alright, bad news is I encountered Steppenwolf, and he got away."

"…"

"Aren’t you going to ask for the good news?"

"…What's the good news?"

"He didn’t manage to take the Mother Box. I have it right here."

Vex opened Gate of Babylon, let the Mother Box show its face for a moment, and then put it back.

Fury's tense expression finally relaxed a bit.

What? Drenched in seawater?

If someone could recover the Mother Box, he’d be fine with being thrown into the ocean himself!

The many agents around the room collectively exhaled in relief.

Finally, some good news!

Fury looked at Diana. "Princess Diana of Themyscira? Daughter of Queen Hippolyta?"

"Have you been to Paradise Island?" Diana asked in return.

"I had the honor of visiting once. The women of the Amazons are the finest warriors!" Fury's eyes sparkled.

If he could recruit those warriors to S.H.I.E.L.D....

"Dream on," Vex cut in. "You ever wonder why the Amazons live in isolation? To keep people like you out."

Fury: "…"

Having spent years among humans, Diana had already grasped Fury’s intentions.

She promptly ignored him.

"Vex, could you take me to London? My gear is there."

"Of course, happy to serve a lady—"

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Urgent alarms cut Vex off.

"Gamma-ray signal matching the algorithm detected!"

"Coordinates: London!"

"We've got it! Display on screen!"

On the big screen, Loki appeared holding the Scepter, clad in his usual attire, using illusion clones to surround a group of civilians, laughing maniacally.

Vex couldn’t help but smirk.

Even knowing Loki was creating a diversion so Barton could steal the iridium, Loki’s theatrics right now were beyond irritating.

So...

Before Fury could give an order, Vex was already onscreen, slapping Loki’s smug grin right off his face.

Loki crashed into the pavement, embedded so deeply that he couldn’t be pried out.

Fury silently closed his mouth. Was there any need to call in reinforcements?

By the time Rogers and the others arrived, Vex was already back in the operations hall, dragging a thoroughly defeated Loki along.

He handed Loki over without a care, making sure Loki couldn’t make any trouble.

As for the Scepter...

Vex didn’t hesitate to toss it into Gate of Babylon.

Without checking the system notification, Vex extended his hand toward Diana, who smiled and took it. The two vanished together.