The sudden spatial rift, and the elderly man who stepped out of it radiating a dense aura of Hell, instantly put Wanda and A2, who had only just escaped danger, on edge.
A2 instinctively shielded Wanda behind her. The Embroidered Spring Blade left its sheath once more, its tip aimed directly at the uninvited guest.
The Nano Vibranium particles in her body hummed faintly, ready to disassemble and reassemble at any moment.
Wanda suppressed her weakness and gripped the Darkhold in her hands, a book emanating ominous yet powerful energy.
Deep crimson Chaos Magic coiled slowly around her like venomous snakes protecting their master.
She recognized the newcomer—the unmistakable air of cunning and contractual authority, as if he embodied all the deceit and bargain-making spirit in the world, along with the unfathomable power of the Hell Dimension.
Clearly, the old man before them was the mastermind behind the recent string of incidents—Blackheart's father.
Yes, the lord of the Hell Dimension—Mephisto!
"Old devil, are you after this forbidden book too?" Wanda's voice carried caution and a trace of barely perceptible exhaustion.
Mephisto wore a well-tailored vintage suit and held a Civilization Staff, a seemingly benevolent smile on his face that sent a chill through one's heart.
He inclined his head slightly, moving with the elegance of someone attending a high-society banquet.
"Dear Miss Wanda, and this young lady whose name I do not know."
His gaze lingered on A2 for a moment, a flicker of scrutiny passing through his eyes before returning to the Darkhold in Wanda's hands.
"After it? That is far too crude a term. I merely came to reclaim it—or rather, to prevent a dangerous weapon from falling into the hands of an even more unstable being."
He paused, lightly tapping his Civilization Staff against the ground. The