He even learned an extensive, profound branch of alchemy for this.
Dormammu, as a dimensional demon, obviously wasn't some useless freeloader.
A crafty old monster who had survived since ancient times—how could he be simple?
After rampaging through the Dark Dimension for so many years, if he didn't have real ability, he would've been beaten to death long ago.
In fact, Dormammu was absolutely the same kind of old, sly bastard as Thanos.
Even in the later era, Doctor Strange only forced him back with the Time Stone.
Dormammu didn't suffer any real, substantive losses.
In the years that followed, Strange kept battling him again and again.
A freak like that—if he wanted to invade Earth, how could he possibly have zero preparation?
"These Kamar-Taj sorcerers are even more troublesome than I expected."
"They've strengthened their defenses again."
"Humans really are an unbelievable species."
Dormammu couldn't help feeling a bit emotional.
Mutants, Inhumans—those living weapons created by the Celestials—were no joke.
But now, these humans were causing him a massive headache.
Dormammu pondered in silence for a moment.
"Looks like I need to find myself some outside help as well."
A wicked smile appeared on Dormammu's face.
He called it "outside help," but in truth he meant finding a chess piece he could exploit.
In this universe, he had been watching one particularly warped, sick little insect for a long time.
A very interesting existence.
The Celestials creating powerful "weapon individuals" meant nothing to him—
but among mortals, it counted as a powerhouse.
That insect was Thanos.
Dormammu believed this would be a very useful chess piece.
"What a pitiful worm—actually trying to gather the Infinity Stones and wield that great power."
"What a tragic existence."
Dormammu sneered to himself.
In the next instant—
his nearly endless power surged and pulsed across the cosmos.
In the skies, the seemingly infinite darkness provided Dormammu with astonishing power and perception.
At this moment—
wherever darkness existed, a shadowy figure instantly slipped through it, merging into a drifting meteor.
"Found you."
"Thanos!"
Within his body in the Dark Dimension, Dormammu's eyes erupted with intense radiance.
His surging power condensed; his mental force gathered.
A three-meter-tall avatar—massive and imposing—appeared inside the Dark Dimension.
It flexed its hands and feet, adjusting to the vessel.
Dormammu drew a line through the air with one hand.
A rift opened beside him.
Dormammu forced his way straight in.
Shattered, colliding spatial fractures slammed into his body—yet they didn't leave even the slightest damage.
At the same time…
On Thanos's flagship, Thanos was in a meeting.
"Lord Thanos, Ronan has failed."
"The Power Stone is now in the hands of the Nova Corps."
Corvus Glaive gripped his weapon and spoke.
"Ronan, that piece of trash."
"Even with Lord Thanos's support, he was still trash."
Ebony Maw added smoothly from the side.
"We must—"
Seated on his throne, Thanos was just about to speak when—
a terrifying surge of dark energy exploded outward.
A black rift abruptly opened inside the flagship.
From within it poured a dense darkness—and an aura so dreadful it made one's soul tremble.
Many ordinary soldiers of Thanos's army, crushed by the pressure of that darkness, were instantly seized by panic.
A few even went glassy-eyed on the spot… and simply died.
Veins bulged across Thanos's clenched fist, fury boiling inside him.
But he still sat coldly upon his throne, saying nothing.
Below, the Black Order was thrown into chaos as well—
their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Before such overwhelming power, on an enormous warship, only Thanos alone could remain calm.
A flash of black light.
Dormammu's avatar stepped out.
"The legendary Dark God Dormammu actually appearing in my territory—how bizarre."
"Dormammu, what are you doing here?"
Though wary, Thanos's tone held not the slightest hint of politeness.
Dormammu was dangerous—but he wasn't easy to bully either.
If this old monster didn't give him an explanation, Thanos would not show him any courtesy.
A trace of viciousness flickered in Thanos's eyes as he stared coldly at Dormammu.
"Thanos, I'm here to cooperate with you."
Dormammu spoke with a mysterious smile.
"Cooperate?"
"This doesn't look like cooperation."
Thanos replied icily.
"Heh… just two ants. I assume you won't mind."
"I came with sincerity."
Dormammu let out a strange laugh.
"Sincerity? I haven't seen any sincerity."
"And cooperate with you? I've heard the people who cooperate with you don't end well."
Thanos sneered.
Dormammu was no good-natured partner.
He was a greedy devourer.
Those who cooperated with him got devoured.
"No, no, no. Those are all rumors."
"Once I state my terms, I believe you won't refuse."
"I know you're collecting the Infinity Stones. I can help you."
Dormammu's voice carried a faint, coaxing pull.
"Heh. I'm not interested in your 'help.'"
Thanos chuckled coldly.
Accept Dormammu's help?
That was asking to die sooner.
Even someone at Thanos's level had to stay on guard around Dormammu.
"That hardly counts as help—just a necessary condition of the deal."
"You need the Infinity Stones on Earth."
"And I need the entire Earth."
"We can cooperate, can't we?"
Dormammu said.
Thanos neither agreed nor refused outright.
"What you're saying… isn't wrong."
"Go on, then. How do you plan to cooperate?"
Thanos asked.
"Earth's humans aren't worth fearing."
"Only Kamar-Taj—the sorcerer faction—is the true enemy we must face head-on!"
"Didn't your last invasion get ruined by the Kamar-Taj people?"
Dormammu said with a smile.
Thanos's expression darkened.
True.
If not for that sorcerer from Kamar-Taj…
the Battle of New York might not have ended the way it did.
Maybe they could've even won.
"How do you plan to deal with those sorcerers?"
"They're very powerful."
"Especially the Sorcerer Supreme."
A trace of dread flickered in Thanos's eyes.
The Sorcerer Supreme—even he was wary.
If that old woman didn't die, he wouldn't dare set foot on Earth.
Hearing that,
Dormammu only sneered.
"In your eyes, she's strong. But in my eyes, the Ancient One is nothing."
"I can crush her with ease!"
"Then let's talk cooperation."
A strange smile spread across Thanos's face.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]