Tony disengaged from the fight and left it to Blaine.
At that moment, the Hulkbuster armor was barely holding together. With its supply of replacement parts exhausted, it was close to total failure. Tony had no doubt—if the Bounty Hunter had arrived just a few minutes later, he would have died at Hulk's hands.
On the ground, Hulk shook his head. The fall from such a height had left his ears ringing. But when he saw the black-robed man who had thrown him down, Hulk roared and charged again. Even against a god, Hulk would fight.
Blaine gave a cold smile, storing away his Elemental Bow and Cursed Blood Knife into the Hunter Space. He intended to face Hulk head-on—deliberately provoking him, using this as an opportunity to test his newly enhanced physique, now strengthened by an additional 375 points.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their blows landed hard and fast, each strike a thunderous collision of flesh and force. The city around them trembled. Yet after only a few rounds, Hulk began to realize something was wrong.
Both of them were exchanging punches—but why was he the one in pain?
Hulk looked down at his body, usually a flawless green. Now, vivid red fist marks stood out across his chest and shoulders, deep and bruised.
He wasn't winning. He wasn't even close. Realizing this, Hulk turned on his heel and bolted, running full speed to escape.
The corner of Blaine's mouth lifted. "You're way behind me in terms of strength, big guy."
Some might wonder—didn't Thor once fight Hulk in the Sakaar arena?
Yes. Thor had relied on his divine-level physique to barely hold his own against the Hulk, and after awakening his full thunder power, he even defeated him. So how could Blaine, with only three-eighths of a divine-level physique, overpower Hulk so easily?
Because Blaine wasn't relying on raw flesh alone. The Hunter Suit, combined with the Diamond Body, pushed his durability and power beyond divine limits. Saying he surpassed the level of a god was no exaggeration.
With this strength, even facing the "purple sweet potato" himself, Blaine would not flinch. Through sheer effort, he had already reached the lower ranks of the Universe-level beings—only limited by his inability to fully withstand cosmic energy erosion.
In Marvel terms, that placed his physical power at a level six on the universal scale.
"Trying to run? I haven't even hit you enough yet."
It wasn't often Blaine found an opponent who could endure his full power. He wasn't about to let this one get away. Grinning, he vanished in an instant.
Boom!
Blaine reappeared beside Hulk—but before he could even steady his footing, a massive green fist smashed straight into his face, sending him flying.
"Damn it—a sneak attack!"
Blaine hadn't expected the big brute to anticipate his move. "Unbelievable," he muttered, rubbing his jaw. "They say it's the clever ones you need to watch out for. Hulk's not scary—Hulk with a functioning brain, now that's terrifying."
"It's rude not to return a favor. Here—have one on me."
Teleporting behind Hulk, Blaine moved cautiously this time. His right hand clenched into a fist, knuckles cracking as he gathered power.
Hulk blinked in confusion. How was this guy fine after that punch? Did he miss? And how was he so fast? One moment he'd sent him flying through debris, and the next, the man was right behind him again. Hulk's gut twisted—this time, he knew he was in trouble.
"Eat this!"
Blaine twisted his body, driving his right fist forward in a powerful arc.
Hulk anticipated the strike and raised both arms to block—but no amount of instinct could prepare him for the force behind it.
As Blaine's punch connected, a visible shockwave exploded outward. The air itself was compressed, forming a brief vacuum zone before bursting apart.
Even before impact, Hulk's muscles buckled inward from the pressure. Then came the hit. Hulk's body rocketed backward like a missile—no, faster. He tore through the air, smashing through three buildings before finally crashing into a fourth. By coincidence—or irony—it was the same unfinished building Tony had just purchased.
The impact was catastrophic. The building collapsed completely, burying Hulk beneath tons of rubble.
Iron Man, still nearby ensuring civilian safety, flew toward the wreckage. He dug through the debris, brushing aside shattered concrete until the top of Hulk's green head appeared.
Roar!
Hulk suddenly lunged up, bellowing with fury, startling Tony nearly out of his armor. The fact that Hulk had survived Blaine's punch at all was staggering.
"Uh…"
By reflex, Tony punched him square in the face. Hulk collapsed instantly.
Far away, in the modern nation of Han—one of the most medically advanced countries in the world—cosmetic enhancement had become a cultural norm. For many, plastic surgery marked the coming of age.
At the Plastic Research Institute, home to the top reconstructive surgeons and most advanced equipment in the country, miracles were routine. Even someone burned beyond recognition—or reduced to bone—could walk out looking whole again.
A female doctor, a veteran at the institute, had just completed surgery and returned to her lab.
"Hello?"
"Ah! Who's there?!"
The sudden voice made her jump. Anyone would have been terrified—coming home from work only to hear a stranger behind them. Instinctively, fear came before thought.
"Don't be afraid. I just need your help."
"Who are you? Get out, or I'll call security—wait, what… what help do you need?"
Before her stood a robotic figure with sharp, menacing fangs. One look at its monstrous face was enough to send chills through anyone's heart.
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