On a desolate, gloomy wasteland, night had fallen, the stars hidden from view, as if even the elements of nature were deliberately avoiding this cursed place.
Amid the deathly silence, a horde of bizarre monsters, like nightmares crawling out of the abyss, slowly gathered into a chaotic sea.
Among them were Dragonborn clad in black scales, green flames burning in their eyes, and Giant Beasts on all fours, their muscles knotted and thick saliva dripping from their mouths.
There were also warriors with hazy forms, wielding weapons that glowed with an eerie light, and countless other horrors too terrible to describe.
But the most eye-catching of all these monsters was Red Hulk Banner.
He stood atop a tall rock, like a blood-red mountain, surrounded by an ominous aura.
Banner's skin was like burning coal, and his eyes were a deep crimson.
He held a massive warhammer, its head carved with intricate runes. Every swing came with a thunderous boom that made the surrounding space tremble.
There was no doubt that with his blessings, Xia Ling had turned all the soldiers who followed Banner into monsters—no, that wasn't right. They were warriors who worshiped Khorne.
The hammer, too, was a weapon Xia Ling had bestowed upon Banner as a reward for destroying the military base and gathering such a large following.
As the world's only Champion Warrior of Khorne, Banner possessed not only fearsome strength but also the ability to command the warriors under him.
On the wasteland, the warriors had put up a crude camp and lit roaring bonfires.
Banner stood at the edge of a tall rock, gazing into the distance.
He knew the Military had been watching them all along, but he didn't care.
After all, sooner or later, they would have to fight.
It had been like that back when he was Hulk, and it was still like that now, after he began worshiping the Blood God.
The difference was that this time, he had finally accepted himself and this power.
If the Military sent troops to attack them, he would do what he had before—no, this time was different.
This time, he would lead his warriors in killing those lousy soldiers.
He would offer their blood to the Blood God and adorn the Blood God's throne with their heads!
"Boss, the guys are getting impatient. When are we going to war with the Military?"
Just then, a muscular man walked over. Horns sprouted from his head, his face was twisted, and his upper body was bare, his bulging muscles radiating strength.
He was Hulk's old enemy, the elite soldier named Bronksky, formerly known as Abomination.
He had joined Banner's ranks, unlike the others, who had done so either out of fear of Banner's strength or out of a desire to survive.
He had joined of his own free will. He wanted to gain power equal to Banner's, or even greater.
After receiving Xia Ling's blessing, he had come to resemble his former Abomination self, though his strength was somewhat lacking.
But Bronksky didn't complain. After joining, he had also learned the basic rules.
If he fought and killed to his heart's content, he had a good chance of winning the favor of the great Blood God and receiving another blessing, becoming even stronger.
Becoming a Champion Warrior, as powerful as Banner, wasn't out of the question.
So he desperately wanted to fight the Military and show his valor before the Blood God.
Banner tore his gaze from the distance and turned to Bronksky. Complex emotions flickered in his crimson eyes.
"Bronksky, patience is our most valuable ally. The Military won't act rashly. They're assessing our strength and making plans. We need to use this time to make our warriors more united and better trained."
"But, Boss," Bronksky said urgently, his thick fingers clenched into fists as if he were ready to leap into battle at any moment.
"We're itching for a fight. We want to prove our worth with the enemy's blood. Every day we wait is torture."
Bronksky was desperate to fight, desperate to win the Blood God's favor.
If Banner, the Champion Warrior, refused to fight, perhaps Bronksky could challenge him instead.
After all, the Blood God only cared about fighting and killing.
The great Blood God didn't care whose blood was spilled.
Banner was about to say something more when his sharp eyes caught sight of a helicopter rapidly approaching.
"Boss, let me tear them apart and use their blood to begin the Blood God's ritual!"
Banner raised a hand to stop Bronksky. One helicopter posed no threat to them.
Perhaps the Military wanted to negotiate with them?
"Bronksky, calm down." Banner's voice was steady and strong. He gently placed a hand on Bronksky's shoulder, as if an invisible force had calmed the other's impulse.
"Now isn't the time. Let's see what they're up to."
Bronksky was still reluctant, but after feeling the immense strength in Banner's hand on his shoulder, he managed to restrain his bloodlust and stepped aside, his gaze still fixed on the helicopter.
The helicopter hovered not far from the camp. Then, to Banner's astonishment, a woman appeared before him.
She had a light chestnut ponytail and fair skin, and looked quiet and proper.
There was no doubt about it: she was General Ross's daughter, Betty Ross, and Banner's lover.
Seeing the girlfriend he had longed for appear right before him, Banner didn't stop to think. He hurried forward, rushing up to Betty.
"B-Betty, I never thought it would be you. What are you doing here?"
Banner looked at Betty, his heart in turmoil.
"Banner, my father sent me here."
"You shouldn't have come."
"No, I had to!"
Betty's voice was clear and firm as she walked toward Banner, step by step.
"Banner, I came here not only because my father sent me, but because I wanted to. Banner, please don't keep going down this path. Go back to the way you were before, like last time, okay?"
Banner looked at Betty. A trace of tenderness flickered in his crimson eyes, but it was soon replaced by resolve.
"Betty, you don't understand. Things are different now. I can't go back to my old life, and I can't change back."
Betty shook her head, a glimmer of tears in her eyes. "Banner, how will you know unless you try? How will you know you can't go back to your old life unless you try? You can do it!"
Banner fell silent for a moment as he gazed at the woman he loved. Suddenly, a strange thought came to him.
"Maybe we can be together again."
"Banner, I knew you'd come back with me!"
Betty cried tears of joy. She was about to hug Banner and kiss his face when he said something that sent a chill through her.
"Betty, stay here too. Worship the Blood God with us, and then we can be together forever, can't we?"
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