Across the global internet, netizens were crying out in shock.
On the screen, Gravik looked down coldly at the camera.
"I am Gravik. The supreme leader of the Skrull Empire, and the true master of your so-called Human Federation."
He admitted his identity without any hesitation, completely shattering the unrealistic fantasies in the hearts of those humans who still refused to believe.
"A long time ago, we crossed the sea of stars to come to this Planet."
Gravik put on a regretful expression.
"We originally came with the sincerity of peace, with a great vision of common development and prosperity with humanity."
"We could have helped you advance your technology and led you toward interstellar civilization."
"Unfortunately..." Gravik's gaze gradually turned ice-cold, "you humans are too narrow-minded and too foolish. You cannot understand our greatness; you repay our blessings with riots and suspicion."
"Since your brains cannot comprehend the kindness we brought, then I have no choice but to use the only language you can understand—pure power—to make you realize..."
"...what an insurmountable chasm exists between you low-level creatures and our great Skrull civilization!"
Gravik walked to the very front of the camera, his lips curling into an extremely arrogant smile.
"Don't you like playing the hero? Then I'll give you a chance..."
"Humans, listen up."
"I want to play a game with you."
He raised his hand, pointing at the billions of viewers outside the screen.
"You can call it... the Skrull Game!"
"I've picked out a nice spot on that isolated continent in the Southern Hemisphere."
"Australia, the Nullarbor Plain. It's empty enough to serve as a grave to bury the hopes of all humanity."
Gravik's voice was flippant and arrogant.
"I've built an arena there."
"The rules of the game are very simple: I will be waiting for you in that arena."
"You can try to kill me by any means. Send your most elite armies, use your deadliest weapons. Or..."
He intentionally drew out his words, dripping with thick mockery, "...send those superheroes you're so proud of. Whether it's one, a hundred, or a thousand, feel free to come out in full force."
"I, alone, will wait for all of you in this arena."
"But games always have punishments." Gravik held up a finger. "Every time you fail, I will launch a lethal strike against a human city."
"And there are only two ways to end this game..."
"First, kill me. As long as you can do that, the Skrulls will immediately withdraw from this Planet and return Earth to you intact."
"Second, give up all futile resistance and abandon your pathetic fantasies. All humans, including America and the XYZ Country which are still putting up a desperate struggle, must surrender unconditionally."
Gravik pinched a metal chip only the size of a fingernail.
"And then voluntarily accept the implantation of this chip bomb into your heads..."
"Handing over life and death completely into our hands. This is the only way you, as a defeated race, can barely survive."
"The first game is set for nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
"I'll be waiting for you."
The signal was then cut, and the World fell into a brief silence.
...
Immediately afterward, there was an uproar!
A boiling wave of noise resounded in every corner of the Earth.
"Is this green-skinned bastard crazy?! Who does he think he is? Vought has hundreds of superheroes! He wants to take on hundreds alone? There's a limit to arrogance!"
"Exactly! As soon as Vought moves out, those heroes will definitely beat him so hard his own mother won't recognize him!"
"This is definitely a trap!" a military blogger with millions of followers calmly analyzed on Twitter. "That Gravik isn't a fool. If he dares to stand alone on an open plain and challenge all of humanity, it means he's definitely prepared. It's very likely he wants to lure all of Vought's superheroes there and wipe them out in one go!"
Another highly upvoted comment offered a different perspective: "Don't you see the situation? The Skrulls are afraid! Resistance forces are surging all over the World, and they simply don't have enough numbers to suppress them. Gravik is bluffing; he wants to use this gambling method to stall for time or scare us off!"
"Superheroes, please don't fall for it! Don't go to that arena!"
"But if they don't go, what if he really blows up a city? My home is in London!"
Opinions were divided, and dark clouds loomed over everyone's heads.
Meanwhile, resistance organizations and underground forces distributed globally issued the same command in unison.
"Suspend all offensive plans. Everyone go into hiding and wait for the right moment."
Wait for the reaction of America and the XYZ Country, and wait for the reaction of Vought International.
...
Less than twelve hours remained until the time set by Gravik.
Washington D.C., Strategic Command Center.
Before him, several giant holographic screens displayed the faces of several decision-makers from the XYZ Country.
"President Ellis, our satellites have confirmed that Gravik has indeed arrived at the Nullarbor Plain alone," an XYZ Country general said in a deep voice.
"Are you sure we don't need to send Vought's heroes out?"
"Vought's superheroes are indeed powerful, but they aren't soldiers; they are too easily bound by heroism and moral codes," Ellis said coldly. "That Gravik wants to play a high-profile gladiator game; he wants to humiliate humanity in front of the whole World. But we have absolutely no need to play by his rules."
"Completely agreed." The XYZ Country decision-maker on the other side of the screen nodded slightly. "The Nullarbor Plain is uninhabited for thousands of kilometers around. There are no civilians. It is a perfect strategic strike zone."
"Back then, during the Battle of New York, we destroyed the Chitauri mothership with a single nuclear missile. Today, the same method can directly vaporize this arrogant Skrull!" the Minister of Defense beside Ellis said, slamming the table in anger.
"As long as Gravik dies." President Ellis nodded; this was exactly the answer he wanted. "We don't expect the Skrulls to obediently withdraw from Earth as he promised. You can't believe a single letter from these liars."
"But! Once the Skrulls lose this leader, they will inevitably fall into a brief state of internal chaos and be like a group of dragons without a head."
"At that time..." President Ellis clenched his fist, "we will take the opportunity to have Vought release those V-Sentinel Robots and catch them off guard! We'll wipe out these alien invaders in one fell swoop and retake control of the Earth!"
This plan sounded flawless, and most importantly, it was led by him, the President.
If it succeeded, the honor of saving the World would mostly belong to him. Just thinking about it was beautiful.