Nolan was anxious.
He knew better than anyone that if this battle dragged on any longer, everything he wanted to protect would be lost.
Unfortunately, neither Mephisto nor Dormammu cared how desperate he was.
As the three continued their fierce battle, a voice suddenly echoed into Mephisto's mind.
"It seems defeating Nolan won't be easy for the two of you."
The voice carried both amusement and overwhelming power.
Mephisto's expression instantly became serious.
Dormammu had heard it as well.
Both Dimension Lords' faces darkened.
"Shuma-Gorath..."
Mephisto muttered the name.
Neither of them had expected him to appear now.
Nolan frowned.
He couldn't hear the conversation clearly, but he sensed an unimaginably terrifying gaze watching the dimensional rift from somewhere beyond.
Someone else...
Was observing this battle.
Meanwhile, Shuma-Gorath continued speaking.
"If you want to defeat Nolan..."
"I can help."
"But in return..."
"I want half of Earth."
"Half?"
Dormammu's expression twisted with anger.
"Are you joking?"
"We spent countless years preparing for this."
"We mobilized entire dimensional armies."
"And you intend to appear halfway through the battle..."
"Only to demand the same rewards as us?"
"Shuma-Gorath, do you really think no one can stand against you?"
Dormammu was furious.
Mephisto felt exactly the same.
The difference was that he was clever enough to keep silent.
Since Dormammu was already voicing his anger, there was no need for him to offend Shuma-Gorath personally.
Seeing Mephisto remain silent, Shuma-Gorath immediately understood.
The two Dimension Lords stood together.
He chuckled softly.
"Very well."
"Then let's continue watching."
"I'm curious."
"Will you defeat Nolan first..."
"Or will Earth's other battlefield end before this one?"
"If Earth's heroes arrive..."
"Can the two of you still stop them?"
Dormammu and Mephisto's expressions grew even uglier.
Shuma-Gorath had struck exactly where it hurt.
That was the outcome they feared most.
Even fighting together, they still couldn't suppress Nolan.
If things continued this way...
Once the battle on Earth ended...
The combined strength of Earth's defenders would arrive here.
At that point, everything would become far more difficult.
Yet neither of them wanted to surrender part of Earth to Shuma-Gorath.
After exchanging a glance, they chose not to answer.
They would wait a little longer.
Neither believed Nolan could maintain this level of power indefinitely.
Surely...
He had entered some kind of temporary overdrive.
There was no way a human could have grown from someone beneath them into someone capable of overwhelming both of them in such a short time.
Even so...
Both secretly relaxed.
Although they hated the idea of sharing Earth...
Knowing Shuma-Gorath was nearby also meant victory was almost guaranteed.
Even if they couldn't defeat Nolan...
Once Shuma-Gorath joined the battle...
Three Dimension Lords against one.
Nolan wouldn't survive for long.
That realization restored their confidence.
The two immediately became far more aggressive.
Their attacks intensified.
Nolan frowned.
Just moments ago, they had shown signs of retreat.
Why were they suddenly fighting like their lives depended on it?
Something wasn't right.
His expression became increasingly grim.
Defeating one of them had already been difficult enough.
Now both were fighting without holding anything back.
If only someone could separate them...
Just one opponent.
That was all he needed.
The instant either Dimension Lord stood alone...
Nolan was confident he could eliminate them.
Just as frustration began creeping into his thoughts...
A familiar laugh echoed across the battlefield.
Nolan immediately turned.
There...
A woman stood proudly in black armor.
A long black battle dress fluttered behind her.
She smiled confidently.
"It looks like you're having a little trouble."
"Hela?"
Nolan finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although they had once been enemies...
Their relationship had gradually improved during Hela's stay on Earth.
He still didn't know why she had remained there.
But at this moment...
Her appearance couldn't have come at a better time.
Long ago, during her battle against Carol Danvers, Hela had promised that she would help defend Earth against future invaders.
Yet when the war began...
She never appeared.
Nolan had assumed she had changed her mind.
Instead...
She had arrived precisely when he needed her most.
"So you finally decided to show up."
Hela smiled mischievously.
"Oh?"
"Were you actually hoping to see me?"
There was obvious teasing in her tone.
Nolan found the question strange.
Still, he answered without hesitation.
"Of course."
"I've never wanted to see anyone more than I do right now."
Hela rolled her eyes.
"Flatterer."
"Fine."
"I'll deal with one of them for you."
While the two spoke casually...
Dormammu and Mephisto had not remained idle.
Neither knew who Hela was.
But both sensed immense power radiating from her.
Their expressions immediately became serious.
Even so...
Neither called for Shuma-Gorath.
Not yet.
No matter how strong this mysterious woman seemed...
They wanted to test her first.
Mephisto quickly spoke.
"I recognize the power surrounding that woman."
"It carries the aura of Hell itself."
"I'll handle her."
"You deal with Nolan."
Dormammu frowned slightly.
But he agreed.
If Hela truly wielded infernal power...
Mephisto naturally had the advantage.
As for himself...
Even if he couldn't defeat Nolan...
He believed he could at least stall him.
Without another word...
Mephisto charged straight toward Hela.
At that very moment...
Dormammu was left alone against Nolan.
Nolan smiled.
Finally...
The opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.
He had spent the entire battle searching for a chance to isolate one of them.
Now he had it.
Without hesitation...
His power erupted.
An overwhelming wave of energy burst from his body.
Far greater than anything he had displayed before.
The Flaming Sword flashed forward.
Its blazing blade pierced directly through Dormammu's chest.
Dormammu stared in disbelief at the sword protruding from his body.
He had never imagined Nolan would suddenly unleash such terrifying strength the moment Mephisto left.
The wound itself wasn't fatal.
His body wasn't so fragile.
But Nolan's explosive burst of power filled him with genuine fear.
Too fast.
Too powerful.
Compared to moments earlier...
It was like fighting a completely different person.
Only then did Dormammu realize the truth.
Nolan had been hiding his true strength all along.
He had been waiting for this exact moment.
Before Dormammu could react...
The Flaming Sword struck again.
Another wound opened across his body.
Ordinary injuries meant little to a Dimension Lord.
But these wounds accumulated.
Even he couldn't regenerate endlessly.
Healing required energy.
And his energy wasn't infinite.
There was no doubt anymore.
Nolan had deliberately concealed his power.
Everything had been for this one-on-one opportunity.
Now he intended to finish Dormammu once and for all.
Understanding Nolan's intentions...
Dormammu immediately abandoned any thought of fighting head-on.
He turned and retreated.
If he couldn't defeat Nolan...
Then he would simply delay him.
His strength was currently suppressed by Earth's magical barriers.
Under normal circumstances...
The outcome between them was far from certain.
Dormammu still believed his combat experience rivaled Nolan's.
As long as Mephisto defeated Hela...
Victory would still belong to them.
Even if that failed...
Shuma-Gorath remained behind them.
A being no weaker than either of them.
Perhaps even stronger.
Dormammu couldn't imagine how they could possibly lose.
His logic was sound.
Until he glanced toward Mephisto.
His eyes widened.
Hela...
Wasn't losing.
She fought Mephisto on equal footing.
The battle hadn't tilted toward Mephisto at all.
Instead...
The two had fallen into a deadlock.
Even worse...
Hela still looked completely relaxed.
She clearly hadn't shown her full strength.
"Damn it..."
Dormammu cursed under his breath.
Nothing was unfolding as he had expected.
Still...
He had no other choice.
Since Mephisto couldn't quickly defeat Hela...
And he himself couldn't overcome Nolan...
There was only one option left.
Call Shuma-Gorath.
Even if it meant sacrificing part of Earth's future...
At least victory would be guaranteed.
Nolan had no idea what Dormammu was thinking.
He had only one goal.
Kill Dormammu.
Once Dormammu fell...
He could immediately deal with Mephisto.
More importantly...
It would terrify every hidden Dimension Lord secretly watching Earth.
Nolan knew perfectly well...
Dormammu and Mephisto weren't the only ones coveting the Real Dimension.
Many other powerful rulers lurked in the shadows.
They were simply waiting.
Watching.
The moment Earth showed weakness...
They would strike without hesitation.
Suddenly...
Dormammu smiled.
A strange smile.
"Nolan."
"I admit you've become stronger than I expected."
"But do you think you've already won?"
"No."
"You're mistaken."
"You have no idea how many beings desire the Real Dimension."
"No matter what happens..."
"You cannot protect Earth."
"The Real Dimension..."
"Will belong to us."
Then Dormammu suddenly roared.
"Shuma-Gorath!"
The instant his voice echoed...
A gigantic eye slowly opened deep within the dimensional rift.
The eye was unimaginably enormous.
Simply looking at it felt like falling into an endless abyss.
Every wizard on the battlefield...
Even the soldiers from the Dark Dimension and the Hell Dimension...
The moment they gazed upon it...
Felt as though their souls were being ripped from their bodies.
Its terrifying presence surpassed even Dormammu and Mephisto.
Such a horrifying existence...
Had been lurking in the depths of the dimensional rift the entire time.
Yet no one had noticed.
Now...
It was finally making its move.
Dormammu spoke coldly.
"Shuma-Gorath."
"The deal is accepted."
"Help us conquer the Real Dimension."
"When the battle is over..."
"The three of us will divide it equally."
Mephisto frowned.
But he said nothing.
Since he couldn't defeat Hela quickly...
Calling Shuma-Gorath had become inevitable.
Among all the Dimension Lords...
Mephisto believed himself the wisest.
He wouldn't let greed cost him victory.
A deep, eerie laugh echoed throughout the dimensional rift.
Shuma-Gorath laughed.
The giant eye curved slightly.
It looked almost like a smile.
But there was nothing comforting about it.
Only endless terror.
Dormammu grinned proudly.
Nolan's strength had exceeded every expectation.
So what?
Their preparations for invading Earth had gone far beyond anything Nolan could imagine.
Victory...
Would still belong to them.
At that very moment...
Nolan smiled as well.
Shuma-Gorath...
He hadn't expected that ancient horror to set its sights on Earth.
But...
It didn't matter.
Because...
Shuma-Gorath would never get the chance.
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