[Item: Red Mushroom (eating it makes you bigger)]
This was an item Daniel had obtained some time ago.
Seeing that Peter was about to buckle, Daniel decisively swallowed the red mushroom. His body instantly swelled to twice its original size, even towering a full head above the Hulk.
At the same time, all his attributes surged, allowing him to block the Hulk's punch with ease.
Not only that, but his clothes expanded along with his body. Unlike the Hulk, he didn't blast through his clothes and shoes, ending up with only a pair of underwear.
Still, one had to admit the Hulk's underwear was impressively durable. Even after such a fierce battle, it didn't take a single scratch.
Looking at the now-towering Daniel, the Hulk's eyes flickered with momentary astonishment.
That astonishment vanished an instant later, swallowed by a tide of raw fury.
"ROAR!!"
The Hulk let out a wild howl, swinging a fist the size of a cooking pot straight at Daniel.
Daniel didn't dodge. He threw a punch of his own to meet it head-on.
BOOM!!!
Two colossal fists collided with devastating force.
A violent shockwave erupted, blasting Peter and the surrounding bookshelves off their feet.
Taking advantage of the brief stalemate created by the clash, Daniel tried to reason with him. "Calm down, Hulk. I'm here to help you."
"ROAR!!"
The Hulk didn't listen at all. He roared again and prepared to strike.
But Daniel moved faster.
"Muay Thai warning!"
Daniel lunged forward and drove a heavy elbow into the Hulk's face.
BANG!!
A deep, bone-shaking impact rang out.
The Hulk was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing through a row of thick bookshelves. Wood chips and books exploded into the air, burying him completely.
Peter crawled out from a pile of scattered books, coughing and brushing dust from his clothes. Staring at Daniel's enormous figure and the collapsed bookshelves in the distance, he was completely stunned.
Since when were athletes this strong?
"ROOOOAR!!!"
A furious bellow burst from beneath the ruins.
The Hulk tore the shelves off himself, eyes blazing with unrestrained rage.
Clearly, Daniel had completely provoked the beast.
With another roar, the Hulk charged again, throwing his massive body forward with no regard for anything else.
Daniel slipped aside with agility, his right leg sweeping sharply at the back of Hulk's supporting knee.
THUD!
The Hulk's charge faltered. His enormous frame staggered.
Seizing the opening, Daniel followed with a crushing knee strike to the Hulk's torso.
"GRAAH!"
The Hulk grunted in pain, his upper body arching upward.
Daniel didn't relent. He raised his left arm, bending the elbow, and brought it down like a falling axe onto the Hulk's back.
CRACK!
The Hulk was smashed straight into the floor, landing with a heavy thud that kicked up a cloud of dust.
Although the Hulk possessed terrifying strength, he had almost no fighting technique.
With equal size, he was no match for Daniel.
The Hulk struggled to rise, but Daniel forced him back down and wrapped an arm around his thick neck, applying pressure.
"ROAR! ROAR!"
The Hulk flailed violently, limbs pounding the ground hard enough to leave deep craters. But Daniel used leverage and precision to lock down his key points, making it impossible for him to break free.
Watching the thrashing Hulk, Daniel said calmly, "It's fine, Hulk. Feeling dizzy is normal."
Peter hurried over to help, putting all his strength into holding the Hulk down.
With the two of them restraining him, the fury faded from Hulk's eyes. His gaze turned unfocused and blurry. His massive body began shrinking visibly.
Soon, the Hulk reverted back into his human form—Bruce Banner.
"Perfect timing."
As Daniel spoke, his own body shrank back to normal as well.
The red mushroom's effect was time-limited.
Had he delayed even a little, or allowed the Hulk's rage to stack further, the situation could have flipped completely.
"That was awesome. Is that your superpower?" Peter asked enviously.
"No. I just took some 'supplements' and grew temporarily."
Noticing Peter's look, Daniel grinned. "You want some? I've got another dose. Works just as well. If you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Really? I shouldn't… that feels too much," Peter said awkwardly.
"It's fine. I don't really need it."
Daniel pulled a blue pill from his game inventory and tossed it to Peter. "Remember, use it only when you feel exhausted and powerless. This thing will make sure you bounce right back."
Peter accepted the pill carefully and tucked it into his pocket. "I understand. This is a last-resort trump card."
"Good. You've got the right idea."
While they talked, Bruce gradually regained consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes, looking around in confusion.
"You're awake?"
Daniel suddenly leaned in.
Bruce flinched. "Who are you?"
"I'm Daniel. I'm here to help you escape."
"Help me escape?"
Bruce, lacking the Hulk's memories, noticed he was still inside Midtown High and gasped. "The Hulk didn't get out? Did Ross manage to take him down?"
"Oh no. I took him down."
"…?"
Bruce fell silent, stunned.
He knew exactly how destructive the Hulk was. Even Ross's entire military force could barely scratch him.
And this man had defeated the Hulk?
But reality was right in front of him, so Bruce had no choice but to believe it.
"Thank you… for stopping the Hulk."
Bruce felt only gratitude. Left unchecked, the Hulk could have caused massive casualties—something he could never allow. It was the very reason he sought to eradicate the Hulk entirely.
Daniel waved it off. "Don't mention it. Let's move before we talk."
"Guys, I should warn you," Peter said. "The military has surrounded the school. Escaping won't be easy."
Daniel chuckled. "Don't worry. I've got a shortcut."
Ten minutes later—
More than a kilometer from Midtown High, Daniel and Bruce emerged from underground.
"This pickaxe of yours is incredible," Bruce said, staring at the diamond pickaxe in astonishment.
"No, no. Your Hulk is what's incredible."
Daniel still couldn't understand where the Hulk's extra mass came from when transforming.
Photosynthesis, maybe?
He was awfully green, after all.