The Ancient One: The Net Is Ready

Quantum Realm.

Mephisto and Russell joined forces for a passionate performance.

The show was called:

You chase, I run. Catch me, and I'll beat you senseless.

The island where they had originally been was blasted into fragments by the aftershocks of Russell and Mephisto's battle.

Using Images of Ikonn, Russell continuously created duplicates of himself and cast all manner of spells to disrupt Mephisto's pursuit.

It was worth noting that when Images of Ikonn was used on Russell, its effect had deviated.

The duplicates could not inherit Russell's physical abilities. Their physical strength depended on how much energy was used to cast the spell.

"Master Russell, I wonder how long your energy can sustain your escape?"

As Mephisto pressured Russell and continually sought opportunities to close in, He tried to persuade him.

"Why don't we sit down and discuss the terms properly?"

"Heh, I can run with you all day."

Naturally, Russell did not believe Mephisto's words.

He said they should talk properly, yet He had not slowed down at all.

Abruptly, Mephisto slowed to a stop.

"Master Russell, I think we can have a proper talk now."

As He spoke, Mephisto raised a finger and pointed at the sky.

Countless crimson runes covered the sky.

Hellfire blazed beneath the ground.

During the pursuit, the energy scattered by Mephisto's attacks had silently spread throughout the area.

In the end, it formed a spell array, summoning a Hell projection to descend and seal off this place.

Russell stopped. He had nowhere left to run.

Meanwhile, Tony emerged from the Quantum Realm and returned to the exhibition grounds.

The moment he came out, Tony opened a Portal and left.

He was going to Kamar-Taj to find Master Ancient One.

In his haste to leave, Tony failed to notice that nearly half the exhibition ruins had already been cleared away.

News of his appearance and departure also quickly reached S.H.I.E.L.D.

To Tony's surprise, he was not transported directly into Kamar-Taj, but was stopped outside.

"I'm Tony. I have urgent business with the Sorcerer Supreme."

Mordo stepped forward from the crowd and spoke through the barrier.

"Tony, go back. The Sorcerer Supreme isn't in Kamar-Taj. She's fighting a powerful magical entity."

"Mephisto?" Tony asked.

"I don't know." Mordo shook his head. "The Sorcerer Supreme didn't say. She only ordered us to maintain full alert and guard against an invasion from the Magic Dimension."

Tony frowned. He had obtained too little information.

He could not determine whether The Ancient One had gone to support Russell or had been held up by something else.

"When the Sorcerer Supreme returns, tell her that Russell is fighting Mephisto in the Quantum Realm.

The situation is urgent. Do not delay."

"Russell is fighting Mephisto?"

One of the mages below cried out in alarm.

Everyone had at least heard of Tony and Russell—

Their privilege to enter and leave Kamar-Taj freely to study.

As for Russell, their junior disciple, they had only seen him a few times, yet he had left a deep impression on them.

When it came to learning spells, he was inconsistent and half-hearted.

Over the past few months, they had barely seen him visit Kamar-Taj at all.

Yet he was exceptionally powerful.

They had discussed in private many times that when they saw this junior disciple, they would advise him to settle down and study magic properly.

But every time they saw Russell, they forgot all about it.

Over time, everyone understood.

The gap between their Mental Power and Russell's was too great, and they had been influenced without realizing it.

But Russell was fighting Mephisto?

Was that for real?

That was the Lord of Hell whose name shook the Multiverse.

Ignoring the restless mages below, Tony opened a Portal and headed for S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

All he could do now was search around and see whether he could bring in reinforcements.

The moment the Portal opened, it immediately put the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on alert. One gun after another was aimed at the Portal.

Only after seeing Iron Man emerge did the agents relax slightly, though none of them lowered their weapons.

"Lower your weapons."

Coulson, who had come out after hearing the commotion, saw the scene and hurriedly ordered the agents to stand down.

"Tony, why are you here? You could have at least notified us."

Coulson tactfully expressed his displeasure at Tony's unannounced arrival directly at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

"Coulson, I'm sorry, but I have something more urgent to deal with."

Tony apologized, then got straight to the point.

"I want to know how much S.H.I.E.L.D. knows about Mephisto."

"Mephisto? The devil from Faust?"

Coulson was puzzled.

He did not understand why both Tony and Doctor Pym had mentioned this mythological figure.

"Mephisto is more than a mythological figure. He truly exists and is the ruler of the Hell Dimension."

Tony explained.

"Does S.H.I.E.L.D. have any files on this?"

"I don't know, but none of the classified information accessible at my agent level has anything related to Mephisto."

Coulson shook his head before continuing.

"Still, I have heard Doctor Pym mention that name often over the past few days."

"Doctor Pym? Days?" Tony's expression shifted uncertainly. "J.A.R.V.I.S., check the date."

"Sir, New York time: June 4, 2011."

Four days had already passed?

Tony found it hard to believe.

In his memory, he had spent less than an hour in the Quantum Realm.

"Take me to Doctor Pym."

A sharp glint flashed in Tony's eyes as he spoke to Coulson.

*Time flows differently in the real world and the Quantum Realm.

There's more time to prepare in the real world.

I can assemble a team to support Russell.*

Tony had decisively left Russell behind and exited the Quantum Realm not because he was fleeing in cowardice, but because he intended to seek reinforcements.

It was a misunderstanding caused by the information gap.

Of course, Russell and The Ancient One had not deliberately kept it from Tony.

Success comes from secrecy; failure comes from leaks.

When Tony faced Mephisto directly, it would be difficult for him to maintain his Mental Focus and keep the secret from slipping out.

"Master Russell, you have nowhere left to run. Let us discuss the terms properly."

"Russell, the array is ready. Time to close the net."

Mephisto's and Master Ancient One's voices reached Russell's ears one after the other.

With a righteous expression, Russell declared, "I never negotiate terms with evil heretics."

"Heh."

Mephisto chuckled and snapped His fingers.

The crimson runes in the sky flashed, and countless Energy Chains shot down at Russell.

After dodging several times, Russell was still bound by chains around his limbs and torso.

Mephisto walked through the air and came before Russell.

"Master Russell, whether you negotiate is not up to you.

You'll sign this contract if you want to;

and you'll sign it even if you don't!"

Russell suddenly flashed a toothy grin. "Is that so? I don't think so."

His Energy Absorption talent activated. The chains binding Russell rapidly dimmed before dissipating.

Russell clenched his right fist, divine power gathering around it.

He threw a punch, slamming it into the unprepared Mephisto's face.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Mephisto was sent flying.

Three explosive booms rang out from His body in midair.

"When dealing with evil heretics, there's no need to follow rules of honor. Master Ancient One, let's take Him together."