Malrick waited calmly, expecting Dormammu to walk right into the snare he had prepared.
Before this, Dormammu had deceived him, but now the situation had reversed. It was Malrick's turn to deceive the Dark Dimension ruler.
Galan eyed him with a puzzled look. "You're surprisingly welcoming, inviting a Hell Lord straight into your home."
"I'll be even more welcoming when they actually arrive," Malrick replied, waving casually. "Aren't you supposed to be looking for your father? If you stay any longer, the Earth might not be around when you get back."
Galan hesitated. "Can you really handle all of them? Do you not need my help?"
Malrick pointed toward his clone in the distance. "Do I look like I need you right now?"
Galan slapped her forehead the moment she understood. She had forgotten how absurdly strong an Abstract Entity could be compared to a group of Dimensional Demon Gods.
"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll come find you again later!"
With her mission complete, Galan departed like a carrier bird delivering a package, dragging Satanish and the message behind her before flying off.
Once she was gone, Malrick removed the Time Fortress strapped to his waist and tossed it into the air.
The tiny structure rapidly expanded, unfolding within the emptiness of space until it grew into a massive armored fortress, towering dozens of meters high. It immediately pulled Satanish inside.
This wasn't even the Time Fortress's largest possible form. It could grow to the size of hundreds of light-years if needed. But for suppressing Satanish, this was more than enough.
The moment the green Hell Lord was dragged inside, an invisible force pinned him firmly to the ground. Unless Malrick released him, Satanish wouldn't even regain consciousness. He would remain trapped in dreamless sleep forever.
Such was the terrifying suppressive strength of a palace-type supreme artifact.
And this was only Malrick's first step.
Next, he sent the Black Light Clone out from the God Realm Dimension. The clone drifted into the Time Fortress, extended a fleshy tendril, ripped a chunk of flesh off Satanish, and absorbed it.
After a brief digestion, the clone's genetic limit, which had not changed in two and a half years, surged dramatically.
It rose from 10081 to 10100.
Malrick's eyes widened slightly. "Perfect genes. The Black Light Clone really is built for genetic evolution."
He added quietly, "Looks like I'll need samples from other Hell Lords too."
The clone's dark, liquid surface rippled before reshaping itself into an exact copy of Satanish. Even the demonic aura was identical.
"No one will recognize me," Malrick murmured.
He moved through the clone, slipping out of the God Realm Dimension into the void outside. There was no light source here, but thanks to Kryptonian genes, the clone possessed enhanced vision and could perceive everything clearly.
Malrick waited.
After several hours, seven faint silhouettes emerged from the distant darkness.
Once close enough, they immediately started shouting.
"Satanish, you found the target and didn't notify us! We're allies now!" Dormammu bellowed, sounding uncharacteristically lively.
A Dimensional Demon God truly did sound different after gaining hope.
Malrick, playing the role of Satanish, let out a cold, familiar chuckle. "Dormammu, we all know what creatures we are. Don't pretend."
Around him stood Mephisto, Marduk, Lucifer, and the other Hell Lords. Not one of them seemed suspicious. Though they had known each other for ages, they rarely met, and demons were unpredictable by nature. Even if Malrick behaved slightly differently from Satanish, no one questioned it.
Until Mephisto suddenly frowned.
His elderly, human disguise twisted with concern. "Something is wrong. That dimension's barrier is blocking external entities. It already has a Master."
Mephisto's voice sharpened. "Dormammu, you lied to us."
The others immediately turned on him.
"This is not what we agreed on!"
"Dormammu, explain yourself!"
Before Dormammu could speak, another Hell Lord growled, "There is another possibility. Satanish's coordinates disappeared earlier. He entered that dimension. He could have already bound the dimensional core!"
The group all turned accusingly toward Malrick's disguised form. Dormammu's flames darkened in suspicion.
Malrick snorted sharply. "Nightmare, stop spouting nonsense."
Nightmare, ruler of the Dream Dimension, hissed back but found nothing amiss with his identity.
"I already rule a Hell dimension," Malrick continued. "If I bound another dimension right now, I'd be weakening my own control and giving Mephisto a chance to interfere."
"Our goal is simple. Divide this unclaimed dimension."
He pointed to the God Realm Dimension. "It isn't bonded to anyone yet, it's just transforming into a true universe. That's why it looks unusual."
The Hell Lords studied it closely. The dimension was indeed absorbing chaotic energy, expanding like a newborn cosmos.
"It really is transforming," Mephisto said. "If completed, it might one day join the Outer Dimensions."
He narrowed his eyes. "Whoever controls it could become as powerful as the Crimson Lord."
The moment Setorak's level was mentioned, every demon's eyes burned with greed.
Dormammu suddenly spoke. "If I offer the entire Dark Dimension as payment, will you all let me take this new one?"
The Dark Dimension was far larger than the God Realm Dimension had once been.
But all seven Demon Gods hesitated, watching each other with growing distrust.
Lucifer scoffed. "Dream on. This dimension could become a universe."
The alliance began cracking instantly, demon instincts overpowering cooperation.
Malrick chuckled. "Before you all tear each other apart, shouldn't you worry about whether you can even get inside?"
Dormammu snarled. "Do you agree to give it to me then, Satanish?"
Malrick didn't slow down. "You called us because you couldn't defeat a human. The Sorcerer Supreme of Earth Universe 199999 is inside. He's guarding the dimension, and the Vishanti are involved."
"When I entered earlier, I was forced out."
"If we want to claim anything, we must stay united, or gather more forces."
He looked directly at Dormammu. "Anyone else left?"
Dormammu flinched at the mention of his past defeat. His flames shifted from black to purple. "Mephisto's Blackheart hasn't arrived yet," he muttered.
Mephisto waved a hand dismissively. "Forget him. Useless."
"Fine. Just us then," Dormammu said uncertainly.
After a brief hesitation, he muttered, "If we cannot defeat the Sorcerer Supreme, I can inform Shuma."
Every demon froze.
Marduk shouted, "Dormammu, are you insane! If Shuma comes, none of us will get anything. We might lose ourselves entirely!"
Even Malrick felt a chill.
Shuma-Gorath, an Outer-Dimensional ancient god, ruler of hundreds of dimensions, with mind-breaking corruption and overwhelming power.
Dark Strange once ate only one of Shuma's tentacles and became strong enough to fight an Infinity Ultron wielding six stones.
Malrick silently acknowledged that even he would flee from Shuma.
"Do not summon Shuma," Malrick said coldly. "If you want to die, do it alone."
Mephisto added, "Satanish is right. Dormammu, we only took one tenth of your hoarded power last time. No need to lose your mind."
At the reminder, Dormammu's flames erupted violently.
"You stole from me while I was being attacked by the Sorcerer Supreme! That matter is far from over!"
Nightmare snorted. "Then what do you want? We can give you a larger share. But if you call Shuma, we're leaving."
Dormammu trembled with anger, flames flickering, then finally nodded. "Fine. But if I am not satisfied with the final split, no one gets anything."
"Good. You pick first," Malrick said. "But first we break the barrier. The Sorcerer Supreme strengthened it after ejecting me."
Inside the God Realm Dimension, Malrick's main body was reinforcing the barrier with curse markings, protective spells, and spatial sigils.
The Demon Gods agreed.
Dormammu unleashed energy from his palms and mouth, striking the barrier. The others joined, including Malrick's clone.
Their combined power slammed into the dimensional wall, but nowhere near Galan's level.
After half a minute, the barrier only shuddered slightly.
"Incredible. My Dark Dimension doesn't even have such a fortified barrier," Dormammu said. "As expected of a forming universe."
While the Demon Gods focused entirely on attacking, Malrick silently stopped and appeared behind Dormammu.
A massive claw pierced through Dormammu's chest.
Dormammu turned slowly, eyes full of disbelief. "Satanish… why?"
Malrick replied, voice calm. "Sorry. I decided to do something good today."
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