After adjusting his mindset, Karl immediately felt that his current situation wasn't so passive after all.
He even felt like he held a slight advantage regarding the whereabouts of the mind stone!
After all, no matter how powerful the Ancient One was, she couldn't just run into his Hyperspace Dimension and snatch the mind stone, could she?!
Since that was the case, what was there to be afraid of?
Today, I'll have a good showdown with this bald demon king!!!
Immediately, Karl's face regained the composure and confidence he displayed when negotiating with clients.
He slowly descended from mid-air.
However, to be cautious, he didn't fully retract the energy aura around him, nor did he rush to speak.
Instead, he chose to meet the Ancient One's gaze without evasion.
In a narrow encounter, the brave prevail!
At the negotiation table, when facing a contest where both sides know the answer, whoever loses their composure and speaks first is likely the loser!
And so...
The atmosphere within the Mirror Dimension suddenly became a bit strange.
Karl and the Ancient One stood there, neither speaking, their gazes fixed on each other without blinking.
It seemed they both wanted to dig out the answer they sought from each other's eyes.
"Hmm?!"
A rare hint of surprise flashed in the Ancient One's unruffled eyes.
Clearly, she hadn't expected the young man before her to maintain such a calm demeanor when facing her.
Just as Karl had just surmised.
In truth, the Ancient One originally didn't intend to bother with him.
Even though she knew he was an Invader who had crossed over from an "alien realm."
But as long as it didn't reach the point of endangering Earth's safety, she would generally turn a blind eye and choose to ignore it.
No choice.
For a long time, there had been a series of abnormal phenomena where Small Worlds from different dimensions forcibly merged into this World.
Even now, the Ancient One hadn't been able to ascertain the reason for these abnormal occurrences.
Fortunately, the fusion of these Small Worlds was very smooth and perfect...
So much so that, apart from her, the people of the World couldn't detect these anomalies at all.
It was as if everything and everyone in the Small Worlds had always existed in this World.
Naturally, it didn't cause any unnecessary commotion.
Gradually, even the Ancient One began to become accustomed to it!
However, the moment Karl snapped his fingers.
The Ancient One, far away in Kamar-Taj, keenly sensed an anomaly.
A very unfamiliar mystical power, disregarding the rules set by successive Sorcerer Supremes, was forcibly collecting human souls from Earth through slaughter!
Was this to say Kamar-Taj didn't exist?
Was this to say she, the Sorcerer Supreme, didn't exist?
So, the Ancient One rushed over immediately.
Originally, she had thought that the one breaking the rules would be a Dimensional God from a newly formed dimension.
After all, such greenhorns loved to cause trouble on Earth to make their presence known.
But who would have thought that when she arrived, she would find the culprit was a human, and seemingly a "transmigrator" at that!
Therefore, to figure out the reason, the Ancient One didn't rush to show herself.
Instead, she hid in the Mirror Dimension and witnessed the entire process of Karl's Carnage of the HYDRA Base.
Yet, even until the end, she couldn't figure it out.
How did the other party bypass the magical defenses of the three Sanctums and forcibly collect those souls directly!
"Could he be a follower of some Dimensional God?"
"But why can't I sense any magic or dark aura on him at all..."
The Ancient One frowned slightly.
Although on this small patch of Earth.
As long as one didn't reach the level of Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, they likely couldn't stir up much trouble in front of her.
But Karl's identity was very special, and he also possessed great power.
So the Ancient One had to take it seriously.
After much thought.
She finally decided to show herself in person and ask Karl directly.
"Don't worry, I have no ill intentions..."
The Ancient One broke the stalemate first, smiling as she probed:
"You can call me Sorcerer Ancient One. I come from Kamar-Taj, and I am the Sorcerer Supreme who protects Earth from magical creature invasions!!!"
"The reason I've sought you out this time is because I have a question that needs your answer?"
The Ancient One spoke very slowly, deliberately giving Karl enough time to react, trying to observe more details from him.
This tactic had been tried and true over the years.
However, this time she encountered a top salesman who liked to play outside the box.
"I, Karl Merks, transmigrator, just arrived yesterday!!!"
To prevent the Ancient One from gaining the initiative in the conversation, Karl went all-in from the start, directly revealing his true identity.
As a qualified salesperson.
He understood far better than most how to gain a client's trust in the shortest amount of time.
In his opinion, in any relationship, "sincerity" was always the best killer move.
It was also the fastest way to bridge a relationship!
So... were you "sincere" today?!!!
"???"
The Ancient One was indeed caught off guard.
Even having lived for over five hundred years, experienced great changes, and seen all forms of life.
Yet, Karl's sudden "sincerity" left her momentarily speechless.
Alright, alright, so this kid doesn't play by the rules, huh?!
"You... are very sincere, and very special."
After a long silence, the Ancient One finally nodded with a serious expression.
"It seems you've already realized the uniqueness of this World, but that's not why I came to see you."
Karl pretended not to understand, asking knowingly, "Please, Sorcerer Ancient One, speak your mind!"
The Ancient One looked deeply at him.
After a slight pause, she said directly:
"I sensed earlier that you seemed to have forcibly plundered the souls of those you killed through some method?"
"Such an act clearly violates the rules of Kamar-Taj... Do you have anything you'd like to say to me about this?"
Σ(⊙▽⊙"a???
Huh?
That's it?!
She... she wasn't here for the mind stone?!!!
Turns out I was nervous for nothing, and almost caused a misunderstanding.
This time, Karl was completely relieved.
Since the Ancient One wasn't here to snatch the mind stone.
Then the only point of conflict between them also disappeared.
The tense opposing relationship naturally eased.
However, the current act of the Warp absorbing souls clearly touched upon the taboos of the Ancient One and Kamar-Taj.
If not handled properly, he might still not be able to leave this Mirror Dimension.
"I didn't expect you to find out..."
As his thoughts raced, Karl had already thought of a way to respond.
He first cleared his throat, then naturally and smoothly switched his demeanor.
Deliberately putting on an arrogant expression, he said:
"Originally, I intended to get along with you as an ordinary person, but what I got in return was suspicion and doubt..."
"I'm not pretending anymore, I am a Dimensional God... I'm laying my cards on the table!!!"