Chapter 9: Chapter 9: A Failed Attempt at Showing Off
"Don't worry."
Aetheris gently caressed Pepper's delicate cheek. The Iron Mask slid down over his face, and a blue light flickered across his visor.
"Paul, take off!"
Flames burst from the soles of his boots as the Hellfire Armor carried Aetheris into the sky, flying swiftly toward the battlefield five kilometers away.
At that moment, the Hulk and Abomination were locked in a brutal clash, neither side backing down.
The two colossal humanoids were grappling ferociously, muscles bulging, fists flying, their bare chests covered in sweat and grime. It was definitely not a scene suitable for all ages.
Banner's infamously stingy father-in-law, General Ross, had already deployed a large contingent of U.S. military to intercept Abomination. But their firepower barely scratched Abomination's thick skin. Worse yet, their stray shots kept hitting the Hulk.
Ross didn't care. He had already given the ruthless order: "Better to kill the wrong target than let one escape." As a result, both Hulk and Abomination were bombarded indiscriminately.
After being injected with an antibody serum, the Hulk was clearly low on energy. He struggled to keep up with Abomination and was being relentlessly pounded into the ground.
Luckily, the Hulk's body was practically built for taking a beating—thick skin, dense muscles, and immense durability. If it had been any other member of the Avengers, there wouldn't even be bones left behind.
The destruction was staggering. A casual punch or kick from either of them could smash through reinforced concrete walls like paper.
All of Brooklyn looked as though it had been ravaged by a giant excavator. To anyone unaware, it would seem like a warzone ripped straight from a global conflict.
"What the hell is that?" General Ross muttered, spotting Aetheris through his binoculars.
But honestly, even without binoculars, the sight of the armored figure flying through the night sky was impossible to miss. With its sleek, mythic design and fiery propulsion, the Hellfire Armor stood out like a beacon in the darkness.
"Could that be a new military prototype? Why haven't I seen it before?" Ross frowned.
Ding! Host has arrived at the final showdown between Hulk and Lieutenant Abomination.
Activating Divine Choice System. Please select an option:
Option 1: Help Abomination. Promote evil, punish the good, and defeat the Hulk.
Reward: Abomination bloodline. Gain the ability to transform into Abomination at will.
Option 2: Help the Hulk. Promote good, punish evil, and defeat Lieutenant Abomination.
Reward: Hulk bloodline. Gain the ability to transform into the Hulk. (Note: Transformation form is customizable—green skin optional.)
Option 3: Remain neutral. Be a proper spectator and watch the show unfold.
Reward: Get transported to the Avengers 3 universe to discuss the meaning of life with Thanos.
Honestly, I feel bad for Abomination. The guy used to be a decorated war hero. He gave everything for his country—what's so wrong about wanting to grow stronger?
But you, Dr. Banner, you get to turn into the Hulk, smash whatever you want, level retirement homes in Texas, wreck kindergartens in Houston—and who picks up the tab? The American people, that's who!
You've caused untold emotional and financial damage to this nation. As proud citizens of the United States, we strongly condemn the Hulk!
Looking at the tragic figure of Lieutenant Abomination, whose humanity had been lost in his pursuit of power, Aetheris made a decision that would surely have his ancestors rolling in their graves.
"I choose Option Two—help the Hulk!"
Ding! Host selection confirmed. Please complete the mission—defeat Abomination!
"Ahem… Just to be clear, I'm not doing this to become the Hulk or because I'm obsessed with looks. And I'm definitely not scared of that purple raisin. There's only one reason I'm doing this—the mission says to promote good and punish evil," Aetheris mumbled under his breath.
"As someone born in the breeze of spring, raised under the red flag, educated by the people, and a proud defender of justice—my mission is to punish evil and promote good!"
The energy cannon on Aetheris' right arm lit up, fully charged.
"To prevent the world from being destroyed! To protect world peace! May the light never fade—for I am the embodiment of justice!"
"Come forth—Tiga!"
Shouting slogans no bystander would likely understand, Aetheris unleashed a barrage of energy blasts from his cannon. The blasts forced Abomination to stumble back repeatedly.
"Roar!" Abomination roared furiously at Aetheris, but stuck on the ground while Aetheris hovered overhead, there wasn't much he could do.
A car zoomed past, missing Aetheris by mere inches.
"Too slow," Aetheris muttered, grinning. He had deliberately installed a massive loudspeaker on the Hellfire Armor—maximum taunt factor.
Infuriated, Abomination began hurling anything he could find at Aetheris—fire hydrants, lampposts, cars, even chunks of concrete.
But Aetheris wasn't dodging aimlessly. He was carefully luring Abomination in a specific direction.
In the distance, a familiar building came into view—the glowing letters on its facade reading:
Osborn Corporation.
Meanwhile, the Hulk climbed out of a nearby sewer grate.
The moment he saw Aetheris firing energy blasts at Abomination, his face darkened with fury.
What's this supposed to mean? You think I can't take him down myself?
Damn it! I've never been weaker than anyone! I smash others—nobody smashes me!
What is strength?
Strength is honed over time.
How long have I been the Hulk? How long has Abomination been a monster?
With a roar of rage, the Hulk slammed his fist into a nearby concrete wall, blasting a massive hole through it.
See that? That's twenty years of power behind one punch! Could Abomination survive that?
With another thunderous roar, the Hulk crouched low and then launched himself into the air.
Aetheris, still enjoying himself toying with Abomination, didn't see it coming.
"Warning! Warning! Unknown object approaching!"
Before Aetheris could even react—
Bang!
Hulk's punch sent Aetheris flying like a missile, slamming him into a skyscraper hundreds of meters away.
"Roar!!"
The Hulk roared triumphantly and lunged straight at Abomination.
"I'll show you what real strength looks like—block this if you can!" Hulk bellowed as he hammered Abomination with his massive fists.
Poor Abomination had just escaped being toyed with at long range and hadn't even regained his balance before the Hulk descended on him like a storm.
All he could do was raise his arms to shield himself from the brutal barrage.
"You call that pitiful defense strength? Let's see you block this!" Hulk shouted, channeling all his power into a single devastating punch.
Crack!
A sharp, sickening snap echoed—the force of the blow had broken Abomination's arm clean through!
Howling in agony, Abomination grabbed an enormous iron chain from a nearby tow truck, desperately trying to wrap it around the Hulk.
But Hulk was stronger. He caught the chain mid-air, swung it around, and looped it right back around Abomination's thick neck.
The Hulk bellowed victoriously, tightening the chain with relentless force.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The iron chain strained and groaned against Abomination's body. His thick, monstrous neck was bulging under the pressure—it looked like the end was near.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out. Hulk's girlfriend stepped forward—it was none other than Liv Tyler, her beauty reminiscent of a perfect blend between Sophie Marceau and Kristen Stewart.
"Stop, Banner! The whole world's watching!" Liv cried, tears welling in her eyes.
"Roar!!"
The Hulk let out a reluctant growl, then slowly loosened the chain. His eyes softened as he gazed at the woman he loved.
(End of Chapter)
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