Scarlet energy surged from Mephisto's head, repairing his injuries, and his twisted face gradually returned to normal.
He was a bit stunned.
You're a sorcerer, how are you so fierce in close combat?
If you're so fierce in close combat, why did you run just now?
Crack... Crack...
Centered on Mephisto, the surrounding space twisted and shattered in circles.
The Mirror Dimension layered one after another, completely surrounding Mephisto.
Further away, runes marking Kamar-Taj appeared.
Three massive magic arrays, positioned in three different directions, were about to connect. At that point, with the sky sealed and the earth locked, Mephisto would have nowhere to escape.
Just like Lucas before.
Coming to his senses, Mephisto flew rapidly towards the gap in the magic array. By now, he realized he had been ambushed.
Ancient One waved the folding fan in her hand.
In front of Mephisto, space suddenly twisted, causing his flight path to deviate. Lucas seized the opportunity, arriving first despite starting later, and blocked Mephisto.
"Mephisto, didn't you want to fight me in close combat?"
Seeing the plan going smoothly and the situation looking good, Lucas couldn't help but tease Mephisto.
"Come.!"
Mephisto roared and charged at Lucas, looking completely desperate.
He was gambling!
Gambling that Lucas would move aside.
As the renowned ruler of Hell, he only operated with clones in the outside world. While the death of an important clone was a significant blow, it was not death itself.
But these two sorcerers were here in their true bodies. If they were severely injured, they would die.
Facing Mephisto's charge, Lucas grinned and also charged forward.
You probably don't know what an Indestructible Body is.
Boom!
Lucas neither dodged nor avoided, activating Energy Absorption at full power, and directly collided with Mephisto.
By tacit agreement, both condensed energy into their bodies, opting for close-quarters combat.
Although each punch and kick contained power that could crush mountains and shatter the void, the power was condensed and not leaked, and the energy dispersed after the collision was absorbed by Lucas.
For a time, the commotion caused was far less than the energy clashes during their previous chase. If viewed in slow motion, it even looked a bit like a street fight, with Mephisto having a slight advantage.
Many of Lucas's attacks were parried by him and his attacks mostly landed on Lucas.
But very quickly, Mephisto noticed something was wrong.
When his punches and kicks struck Lucas, it caused no damage to Lucas. But when he parried Lucas's punches and kicks, his energy consumption was extremely high. And once he was hit, not only was the damage extremely high, but it also plundered his energy, making him feel a bit weaker.
He understood.
It wasn't that his close-quarters combat skills were better than Lucas's, but that Lucas had no need to dodge or block his attacks at all.
No defense penetration.
In fact, hitting him was equivalent to hitting himself.
"Hehe."
Mephisto saw it.
During the battle, Lucas actually smiled at him.
This was simply too much for a demon to bear!
Lucas's face tightened.
Damn it, I accidentally smiled.
Mephisto's punches and kicks landing on Lucas could be described as a massage.
Upon contact, most of the kinetic energy from Mephisto's punches and kicks was absorbed. Immediately after, the hellish energy that invaded Lucas's body was completely absorbed by Lucas's Energy Absorption talent.
In just a brief exchange, nearly 100,000 units of energy were absorbed. This was equivalent to sleeping for thirteen days in a star.
How could Lucas not smile?
Mephisto unleashed an energy burst, trying to push Lucas back. However, Lucas remained motionless, even taking the opportunity to absorb his energy.
Seeing this, Mephisto silently retreated, putting distance between himself and Lucas.
Nearby was Lucas, whose clothes were torn and looked disheveled, but was actually unharmed.
In the distance, there was a female sorcerer, gently fanning herself, exuding an imposing aura.
Around Mephisto were seemingly endless, twisting and flowing Mirror Dimensions.
On the horizon were three massive magic arrays, interconnected and encompassing the sky and earth.
Mephisto understood that this clone of his was likely to perish here.
—
S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier.
Tony said to everyone, "Lucas is fighting Mephisto in the Quantum Realm, and we need to go support him."
Bruce Banner, standing nearby, asked, "But how do we enter the Quantum Realm and find them?"
Tony explained, "We can use Pym Particles. Finally, we go to where I left, and then follow the traces of their battle to find them."
After hearing Tony's explanation, the Avengers discussed animatedly.
Enter an unknown, brand new realm and fight a mythical enemy?
Gradually, the discussions quieted, and the Avengers turned their gaze to Nick Fury, who had orchestrated the formation of the Avengers.
Yes, the Avengers had already been established.
Ever since Hank revealed his intention to assassinate the (candidate) Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents had urgently contacted Bruce.
A few days ago, after Hank was captured, Bruce was also brought back to S.H.I.E.L.D..
During this process, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military exchanged some benefits and also agreed to some of Bruce's requests. Ultimately, Bruce became the fourth Avenger.
The other three were:
Hawkeye Clinton Francis Barton.
Black Widow Natasha Romanoff.
Blade Eric Brooks. (Joined S.H.I.E.L.D. after the Blood God's Advent)
Nick Fury frowned deeply.
This newly formed Avengers team had no problem dealing with natural disasters and extraordinary events on Earth.
But Mephisto?
Wasn't this leap too big?
To be playing in the high-stakes league right after forming?
But if he refused Tony's request for help this time, it would mean S.H.I.E.L.D. tacitly admitted it couldn't handle major events, only minor skirmishes. If morale scattered, the team would be difficult to lead.
Moreover, it would be impossible to recruit Lucas and Tony into the Avengers in the future.
This time, it might even be an opportunity.
Nick Fury confirmed with Tony again, "The Sorcerer Supreme has left Kamar-Taj and her whereabouts are unknown, suspected to be supporting Lucas?"
"Mmm." Tony nodded.
This was his conjecture.
If the Sorcerer Supreme and Lucas were defeated, Earth would be in danger.
Having made up his mind, Nick Fury made his decision. "Avengers, assemble!"
At the same time, he reached into his chest and touched the pager.
If this operation failed, he might have to call on an old friend. He just didn't know how much attachment this friend still had to Earth.
—
Seeing that there was nowhere to escape, Mephisto stopped in place.
Lucas and the Ancient One exchanged a smile and stopped fighting.
They hadn't forgotten their initial goal—to set a trap to harvest energy.
At this moment, trapping Mephisto's clone was not to kill him, but for a transaction (blackmail).
The death of an important clone would be a heavy loss for Mephisto. But for Lucas and the Ancient One, there would be no gain.
Doing something that harms others without benefiting oneself was not worth Lucas and the Ancient One's long planning.
"Mephisto, let's negotiate."