Inside the hundred-meter-wide pit.
Black smoke filled the air, occasionally mixed with lingering electric sparks that triggered secondary explosions.
It looked mysterious and terrifying—completely unlike anything caused by conventional weapons.
This made many military bigwigs' eyes turn red. The power of this weapon was simply too immense.
If only they could get their hands on it…
At this thought, the breathing of many high-ranking generals quickened, and their hearts pounded wildly.
But when they saw the battered, terrifying Silver Armored War God, it felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over their heads.
The Silver Armored War God was someone who could fight Hulk head-on. How could anyone possibly take something from him?
Not long ago, they had repeatedly pressured Nick Fury, and he had outright shut them down.
Who knew what kind of strange persuasion Fury had used? He had even secured the support of the Security Council—it was insane!
But how could such a critical national-level asset be controlled by an unknown individual?
The military must secure humanoid mech technology. That was an absolute necessity!
After this, they would exert overwhelming pressure on Nick Fury to force him to reveal the true identity of the Silver Armored War God.
If one or two generals weren't enough, then the entire military would act together.If the military wasn't enough, then they would pull in Congress.And if that wasn't enough, they would involve the entire citizenry.
Against overwhelming national will, any refusal to cooperate would be crushed completely—even if the person refusing was the richest man alive, Tony Stark!
Only national will can challenge national will.
The unconscious Banner slowly awakened, and what he first saw was the heavily damaged Silver Armored War God.
Banner instinctively flinched. After transforming into the Hulk, his consciousness became hazy, dreamlike. He could barely remember anything that happened.
However, he retained vague impressions of extremely intense moments. He remembered that this metal giant in front of him had been the one who beat him so painfully.
A newborn calf fears no tiger… until it grows up and gets thoroughly beaten by society.
For example, being absolutely demolished by a certain bald purple Thanos!
And clearly, at this moment, the Hulk truly didn't know what fear was.
Beep—beep—beep—beep—beep!
Banner's heart rate suddenly soared.
"No! No! No!"
Banner took deep breaths, desperately trying to control his emotions and stop the Hulk from emerging again.
Every time the Hulk appeared, it was a nightmare—not only for others but also for Banner himself.
The sense of helplessness from losing control, the guilt of causing casualties and destruction… it was enough to drive him insane.
Rimuru was startled. If the Hulk came out again, even Black Flame Lightning might not work.
She might have no choice but to use her ultimate weapon—Predator.
Of course, such a trump card should remain as secret as possible.
Clang!
The metal helmet of the Silver Armored War God opened, revealing Rimuru's face—so cute and beautiful it was practically illegal.
"Hulk, calm down. I don't want to fight you anymore. If possible, I actually really want to be friends with you!"
Hearing this, Banner was stunned.Be… friends with the Hulk?
He hadn't misheard, right?
Who in the world didn't treat Hulk like a monster to be avoided at all costs?
Also—what did "be friends with Hulk" even mean?
Shouldn't it be "be friends with Bruce Banner"?
At that moment, Banner finally got a clear look at Rimuru's face, and his own expression instantly became complicated.
The unstoppable powerhouse who had pinned Hulk and beaten him senseless… was a cute young girl?
What kind of cosmic joke was this?
Hulk had low intelligence and hadn't transformed, so he couldn't really understand her words.
But somehow, Rimuru's goodwill still reached him indirectly through Banner.
At the very least, it didn't make things worse.
Breath… breath… breath…
Banner sat cross-legged, meditating, trying to quiet his heart.
Several minutes passed.
Bruce Banner finally exhaled deeply, as if he'd just wrestled back control in a dangerous battle.
He felt relieved, happy, and a little bitter.
Banner looked at Rimuru with a complicated expression. "Be friends with the Hulk? Are you misunderstanding something?"
Rimuru smiled mysteriously. "No misunderstanding. Strictly speaking, Hulk isn't a monster. He's another version of you, newly born, with an undeveloped mind—irritable and prone to anger."
Banner's emotions stirred again.
"You don't understand. You don't understand anything. The Hulk is a monster, a beast that only knows destruction. He ruined my life. He ruined everything I had. All I can do is keep researching until I can get rid of him completely!"
Hearing this, Rimuru didn't try to convince him further.
Talking too deeply too soon was a major taboo.
"Bruce!"
"Bruce!"
They both turned toward the voice and saw Betty, covered in scrapes, leaning over the edge of the crater, calling Banner's name again and again.
"Betty!"
Banner became emotional, waving frantically to her.
Rimuru: "…"
What was this sudden public display of affection?
Show off your love and die faster—no wonder your father-in-law chases you everywhere!
She used to think Banner was the most pitiful Marvel hero, but she took that back!
Rimuru patted Banner's shoulder and sighed. "Banner, your girlfriend is truly amazing."
Banner nodded earnestly. "Betty really is a super amazing girl."
Rimuru looked at the lovely Betty, feeling both envy and bitterness. "Banner, the moment I saw Betty, I decided we're friends."
Banner felt oddly moved. Someone who knew he was Hulk yet still wanted to be friends—such a friendship was precious.
But… why did those words sound strange?
"The moment I saw Betty, I decided we're friends"?
Rimuru patted Banner's shoulder comfortingly. "Bruce, from now on, you can run away in peace. I'll take care of Betty for you."
"…"
Banner's face instantly darkened. His emotions nearly spiked again—he almost let Hulk out on the spot.
[I, Bruce Banner, will NEVER have a friend like you! NEVER! EVER!][And don't call me Bruce—we're not that close!]
Rimuru grabbed Banner and helped him up toward Betty.
Although she wanted to chat with Betty a little more, she resisted. A friend's wife is off-limits. She still had that much moral integrity.
Yes—Rimuru's integrity was absolutely that high.
She swore she was only joking. She had no intention of stealing anyone's girlfriend. Truly. More genuine than pure gold!
"It's time to go."
With that, Rimuru turned and walked away without looking back.
Her movements were elegant and striking—like a peacock showing off its tail.
Betty stared in admiration, while Banner gritted his teeth, wishing he could chase Rimuru down and hit her a few times.
What Rimuru didn't know was that shortly after she flew off, a "ring of fire" suddenly appeared not far ahead of the Silver Armored War God, spitting sparks.