After Zod left the starport, he quickly contacted Luke, who had long since checked into a hotel at the core.
The latter heard about the trouble caused by the Kryptonian General, and his mouth turned up with a relaxed smile.
He stood in front of the wide floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the 'city' outside, ignoring Zod and Faora, who had entered the door.
Knowhere was divided into a mining area, residential area and core area.
The outermost mining zones were populated by workers earning meagre salaries.
Moreover, there were multiple small groups of unscrupulous elements that specialised in keeping an eye on outsiders.
Once they found a fat sheep that they could lay their hands on, it wouldn't take long for some of their organs to appear on the black market.
This kind of thing would happen from time to time.
Although, there were patrols and law enforcement teams in Knowhere...
But those were the private armed forces of the Tivan Group, which only served the big shots.
The bottom level of the mining area was the slum; as long as there wasn't too much mayhem, they generally wouldn't interfere.
Public security in the residential area was slightly better.
Most of them were mercenaries trying to make a living, wanted criminals being hunted, as well as service providers.
Only when someone stepped into the core area could they be considered an elite.
They could enjoy a privileged life, as well as a comfortable environment.
People at the bottom of the mining area often compared the core, to a city that never slept, with nightly entertainment.
Life there was like paradise.
The philosophy and law of Knowhere, in Taneleer Tivan's words, was 'A life that can't create value, has no need to exist.'
"Why did you almost get into a fight with Ronan, the Accuser of the Kree Empire?"
Gathering his distracting thoughts, Luke turned to ask.
He had intended to meet with the Collector, accomplish his goal and then leave.
Who knew that his meeting with Taneleer Tivan would be scheduled for the afternoon.
However, because of the conflict between Zod and Ronan the Accuser, a number of changes have taken place.
Luke hadn't seen the most famous 'Collector' in the universe yet.
"It's Ronan's rude remarks, insulting us first."
Perhaps worried that Luke would ask for accountability, Commander Faora started to explain.
After all, the other party was their nominal boss.
The 10-year employment contract had already been signed, and it was impossible for them to go back on their word.
"You misunderstood, Ms Faora. I have no intention of blaming anyone."
Luke slightly smiled, looking relaxed.
The three great galactic empires -- Kree, Shi'ar and Skrull.
These vast empires with their powerful armies, their advanced technology, their influence radiating over dozens of star fields and thousands of celestial bodies were nothing in his eyes.
"I'm just sorry that I wasn't there myself."
Luke chuckled a little. If he replaced Zod...
Ronan would be dead by now. There would be no such thing as waiting for two days.
"But, did they just say that the Gladiator, the guard Captain of the Shi'ar Empire, will also be coming to Knowhere and participating in the auction?"
Luke asked.
He was particularly concerned about this issue.
Faora gently nodded.
This was something Ronan said himself. He was going to use the resource planet that was the final item for the auction as the stakes to invite the Gladiator to the arena.
Luke's eyes flickered for a moment. He hadn't forgotten that he had a side quest.
Defeating Marvel's four Supermen.
The Sentry's name was stroked through.
There were three people left: Hyperion, Gladiator and Blue Marvel.
With three lucky draw chances in front of him, Luke was naturally tempted.
"What do you think of Ronan's invitation?"
Luke finalised the plan in his mind and turned his attention to the silent Zod.
"Average."
The Kryptonian General whispered.
Luke's eyebrows were slightly wrinkled.
Zod's judgment wouldn't be wrong.
But if Ronan had no chance of winning against the Kryptonian General, where did he get the courage to challenge him?
"... General."
Commander Faora hesitated for a moment but succumbed to her genetic template and chose to call Luke 'General'.
"Ronan's probably relying on his weapon."
Luke raised an eyebrow. He remembered...
The Supreme Intelligence of the Kree empire once gave Ronan a powerful hammer called the 'Universal Weapon'.
He wasn't like the embarrassing villain who died in a dance-off with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
In the comics, after Ronan the Accuser obtained his weapon, he could manipulate matter, create gravity, and control lightning ... which granted him tremendous combat strength.
'Perhaps this is where the initiative to challenge the Gladiator came from?'
"Are you confident that you can beat Ronan?"
Luke sat down on the sofa and subconsciously tapped his fingers a couple of times.
For the chance to draw a prize, even if deep down he detested violence and advocated for peace...
He had to go down to the arena personally and have a fair fight with the Captain of the Shi'ar Imperial Guards.
As for Ronan?
Even if he had the Universal Weapon, at best, he had only gone from being an ant to a slightly stronger ant.
"You could order a nice meal, and by the time you had finished your meal, I would be done ripping that guy's head off."
Zod's face looked calm, and his tone seemed certain.
In all his years of conquest, except for Luke, who made him feel threatened...
There was no one else.
"Then, I'll leave Ronan to you."
Luke snapped his fingers and nodded with satisfaction.
...
...
Two days later.
Knowhere's arena was officially opened.
It was a full house!
Crowded with people!
Most of the audience were elites from the core area.
There were also a few gamblers from the residential areas.
They all heard that Ronan spent an ungodly amount of money to get the resource planet that held the rare mineral veins.
This was despite the fact that the Captain of the Guards of the Shi'ar Empire was also bidding a high price.
But Ronan the Accuser, a dictatorial warlord with a dozen planets under his control, was superior, with his deep pockets.
The resource planet that broke the auction record in Knowhere would be used as a bet.
Whoever could defeat Ronan the Accuser in the gladiatorial arena would win this astonishing prize.
The Shi'ar Empire's Gladiator didn't respond in kind, but he was graciously invited by the Collector.
He promised to come to the gladiatorial arena to see in whose hands the planet would end up.
The atmosphere was sufficiently warmed up as the audience shouted loudly at the impassioned voice of the host.
Ronan the Accuser was clad in black armour and armed with a long-handled hammer.
He strode to the centre of the arena in full view of the crowd.
"Is there anyone who would like to be the first challenger!?"
The host's voice resonated throughout the venue.
Despite the chants, no one was brave enough to step forward.
With the Kree Empire as a backing and his own great strength...
This kind of challenge should be for someone on the same level.
Otherwise, it was meaningless to win. They wouldn't be able to keep the prize.
If they lost, they would lose their lives.
"Any warrior ..."
The host asked several times in a row.
Yet, no matter how much he stirred up the crowd, no one wanted to be the first.
After a few minutes, Ronan, somewhat impatiently, raised his right hand, gripped his war hammer and pointed to one of the viewing platforms with the best view.
To the Captain of the Guards of the Shi'ar Empire, the most powerful warrior in the universe, the Gladiator.
He was sitting there.
No doubt about it.
It was a blatant challenge.
The corner of the Gladiator's forehead twitched, and he slowly rose to his feet.
But before he could respond to the challenge, someone else landed in the gladiatorial arena first.
There was a loud 'boom', and the atmosphere exploded.
A tall figure slammed onto the hard ground as the pitch-black cloak rose high in the air.
"I'm here."
Zod spoke in a deep voice.
Without bothering to look at Ronan, his eyes passed over the other man and caught a glimpse of Luke and Faora sitting in the front row.