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*****
Boom!
Blackheart skidded across the square like a bowling ball, carving a deep trench in the ground and piling up a mound of dirt behind him before crashing heavily onto the plaza floor.
This sudden scene not only left Blackheart stunned but also caused everyone in the square to freeze in shock.
Blackheart: Where am I?
The sorcerers: Who are you?
The fan in the Ancient One's hand stopped fluttering. She blinked playfully, glanced at Blackheart, then calmly shifted her gaze to the suddenly appearing portal and the face of Mike emerging from it.
From the other side of the portal, Mike waved and said, "There's trouble over here. Aren't you going to check it out?"
The Ancient One: "Trouble? Can it destroy the world?"
Mike: "…"
Probably not.
So, what the Ancient One meant was that if it can't destroy the world, it's just a minor issue—not worth their attention? They only intervene in world-ending threats?
Blackheart's not even in the same league?
Fair enough. Blackheart isn't on the same level as Mephisto.
Mike hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm just the delivery guy. Package delivered—goodbye!"
"Wait a moment!"
The Ancient One called out, a glimmer of amusement flashing in her eyes. She smiled and said, "Since you asked for our help, we can't just ignore it. You—"
"Hold on!"
Mike stared at her cautiously. "Are you planning something shady?"
The Ancient One blinked again and shook her head.
She was the Sorcerer Supreme—how could she possibly have any bad intentions?
She blinked once more.
Still, why was Mike being so wary of her?
They had only met once, exchanged barely a few words. Why such suspicion in his eyes?
Judging from how he spoke to her just now, Mike clearly knew who she was. He opened the portal with such precision—it was obvious he knew this location.
Could it be… that he also had some kind of time-related power?
The Ancient One's mind stirred with curiosity.
Then she smiled slightly.
This was becoming far more interesting.
As for whether she had any plans against Mike…
None whatsoever.
In fact, she hoped that one day in the future, Mike might help her.
She waved her hand toward the group of sorcerers and said, "Go on. Those demons will be excellent training for you."
"Mordo, watch over them."
Mordo, with his dark skin and honest-looking face, nodded firmly and led the other sorcerers through the portal in quick succession.
One, two…
Mike stood outside the portal, counting heads as the sorcerers charged out to face the hellish creatures. His face was full of surprise.
Originally, he just thought these sorcerers were always slacking off, ignoring even something as serious as a Hell Gate opening. He merely wanted to give them a little something to do.
But the Ancient One's attitude toward him was… strange.
Thinking about it, Mike glanced at her again.
The Ancient One smiled warmly and said, "I'll take care of this one. You all deal with those little creatures."
Something's definitely off here.
Could this be… related to the future?
Considering that the Sorcerer Supreme could manipulate time and peer into the future, Mike's eyes flickered with realization.
Something must happen in the future.
At that moment, Mordo—the last to step out of the portal—paused. He looked at Mike curiously, then at Carrie, who was helping him hold back the creatures.
"Friend," Mordo said, "can you and she close the Hell Gate? We shouldn't let more monsters come through."
Mike looked toward Carrie. She gave him a nod, and he responded, "Go on—we've got this."
"?" Mordo blinked, sensing something off in Mike's tone, but he still smiled and said, "Then I leave it to you."
With that, Mordo sprinted toward the edge of the building. Golden magical energy glowed beneath his feet as he leapt through the air, descending swiftly.
Mike was about to close the portal when he took one last glance inside. Seeing the Ancient One approaching Blackheart, he casually shut it.
Heh, that guy's done for.
Mike turned to the Hell Gate.
While he had been talking with the Ancient One, it was Carrie who had been holding back the monsters pouring through.
"Step aside."
Mike muttered under his breath.
Carrie clenched her fist tightly, crushing the incoming monsters and flinging their remains back into Hell. Then she quickly retreated.
With her no longer blocking the gate, the monsters that had gathered on the other side surged out like a tidal wave.
Clearly, during the time she was blocking the entrance, more and more monsters had built up on the other side.
As the hellspawn came pouring out, several cards appeared between Mike's fingers. They transformed into massive fireballs that rained down on the creatures, incinerating them to ash.
These monsters weren't particularly strong, but for ordinary people, they were still deadly.
Mike manifested card after card in his hands and said to Carrie, "Didn't you say you could shut this thing down?"
Carrie nodded. "I need a little time."
"Then go do it."
Mike replied calmly as another stack of cards appeared in his hand.
It had been a long time since he last fought. He had accumulated quite a few new cards, and there were still plenty left in his old stockpile. Now was the perfect time to use some of them.
Carrie walked up to the portal, removed the suit jacket draped over her shoulders, and placed it neatly by her feet. As she began chanting incantations, her body slowly began to change along with the flow of magic.
A pair of demonic horns sprouted from her head. A slender tail emerged behind her. Even her back bulged until her clothes tore open, revealing a pair of wings that spread out dramatically.
Time ticked by. As Carrie's chanting continued and her magic poured into the Hell Gate, the dark, ominous portal slowly began to close.
But just as the gate was about to seal shut, a massive hand of raw energy suddenly reached out from within and seized Carrie.
Mephisto.
"No!"
Carrie let out a terrified scream.
She had fought so hard to escape from Hell. If she were dragged back now, she might never have the chance to break free from Mephisto's grasp again.
Just then, Mike's eyes flared as he instantly appeared beside Carrie. Grabbing hold of the giant hand, his eyes lit up with twin beams of heat vision, which blasted straight into the depths of the Hell Gate.
A furious roar echoed from within the portal.
Mike let out a cold sneer and intensified his heat vision.
"You bastard! You're going to Hell sooner or later!"
Mephisto let out what could only be described as a blessing for Mike and withdrew the massive energy hand.
Carrie let out a fierce cry and slammed the Hell Gate shut.
"Phew!"
She gasped heavily, her horns and tail receding as she turned back to Mike.
"Thank you, Mr. Kent."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Don't thank me just yet. This Hell Gate—was it your doing?"
If it was, then thanks wouldn't change a thing.
Carrie gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "Blackheart obtained the Contract of San Venganza. After absorbing all those vengeful spirits, his power increased dramatically. He no longer needed me to open the Hell Gate."
"He wanted to form a new pact with me. I had no choice but to come along."
Mike narrowed his eyes, assessing whether she was lying. Once he was sure she was telling the truth, he said, "Let's deal with the monsters in the city first. As for the contract… I might be able to do something about it."
Carrie's eyes lit up with hope. As Mike turned and flew off, she hurriedly followed.
(End of Chapter)