Thump.
Adrian was sitting in front of the computer, lazily guiding a small yellow character through a maze in Pac-Man.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled slightly.
Adrian didn't even turn around.
He already knew who had arrived.
"I'm about to leave Earth," said Captain Marvel, descending from the sky outside the barrier.
She brushed her hair back and walked inside.
"So what exactly did you want to tell me?"
Adrian dragged the mouse and paused the game.
Then he glanced at the system timer in the corner of his vision.
"Wait a bit," he said casually.
"Five minutes left."
And then he resumed playing.
Carol's lips twitched.
She sat down on the sofa with an expression that clearly showed her irritation.
So my visit isn't even as important as finishing a game?
And I have to wait while you play for five more minutes?
Five minutes later—
Adrian finally stopped playing and opened the refreshed mission panel.
[Captain Marvel Mission]
Fight Carol Danvers in her normal state for three hours without falling.
Originally, the challenge had been far worse—
Defeating Carol in her Binary form.
Now it had changed.
The difficulty had dropped dramatically.
But there was still one fatal requirement.
He could not fall.
If the mission had only required him to avoid defeat, Adrian could easily endure until the end.
The willpower granted by the Unyielding Spear would keep him standing even after the War Star Spirit transformation expired.
But not falling even once?
That requirement was extremely strict.
Even if he and Carol were perfectly equal in strength, a full battle would inevitably involve being knocked down at least once.
However…
Adrian glanced at the items in his system storage.
One of them was the Magical Cat Contract Card tied to Yuumi.
The other—
Was the reward he had just earned from Nick Fury's mission chain.
After considering it carefully, Adrian smiled slightly.
Yes.
This was still winnable.
"Come fight me."
He stood up and walked toward the open clearing nearby.
Carol raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She stood as well, landing lightly opposite him.
"Perfect. I was already thinking about punching you after making me wait a month."
Her mood clearly wasn't great.
Being delayed for a month only to be told to wait another five minutes had not improved her patience.
"Let's make a deal," Adrian said calmly.
"For the next three hours you fight using only your normal power."
"If you defeat me during that time, you win."
Carol smirked.
"Fine."
"Think of it as a warm-up before I leave."
She flexed her fingers.
"Come on then."
"Hero who supposedly rivals Achilles."
Adrian chuckled.
"Achilles."
"Just like Heracles."
"Both died by my hand."
"If history recorded it properly, I should probably be called the Great Demon King."
Carol rolled her eyes.
Then she stomped forward.
Energy flared beneath her feet as she launched toward him like a comet.
Adrian, meanwhile, opened his system storage.
The mission reward appeared in his hand.
[Western Shadow — Demon Contract]
Effect: Randomly summon and contract a demon, drawing it into your body and granting all of its power for one hour.
Side Effect: Most demons will attempt to seize control of the host body.
If the demon wins, the host's soul is consumed.
Cooldown: 1 second
"Demon, huh?"
"Let's see what you've got."
Adrian activated the contract.
A grotesque crimson sigil appeared briefly on the back of his hand.
Then it sank into his skin.
He wasn't worried about demonic possession.
The Unyielding Spear granted not only an indestructible will—
But also doubled his combat power when facing gods or demons.
BOOM!
Before Carol's fist reached him—
A massive sword crashed down from the sky.
The impact split the earth and forced Carol to stop mid-charge.
"What the hell is that?!"
Carol hovered in the air, staring at the weapon in surprise.
Compared to the noble Sword of Olympus, this blade looked far more sinister.
It resembled living flesh.
Dark red veins pulsed across the metal.
The entire sword seemed to breathe—like a heart beating slowly.
Adrian stepped forward.
Grasped the hilt.
Pulled the weapon free.
"Are you some kind of demon?" he asked.
A deep voice echoed from within the blade.
"Demon… God…"
"Those are merely names given by mortals."
"I am… the Darkin!"
Adrian shrugged.
"Whatever."
"You're still just a weapon."
He swung the massive blade toward Carol.
BOOM!
Carol met the strike with a punch.
The collision released a massive shockwave that tore across the clearing.
In the distance—
Hela frowned.
She waved one hand casually, dispersing the shockwave before it could shatter the nearby computer and desk.
Inside the sword, the furious voice roared.
"You insignificant mortal!"
"I will devour your will!"
"I will tear your soul apart and erase your memories!"
Adrian glanced down at his left arm.
Dark red corruption had spread halfway up his forearm.
The demon within the blade was trying to seize control.
And failing.
"A dog that bites doesn't bark this much."
"Can you shut up?"
BOOM!
Carol smashed into the sword again.
The blade trembled violently.
"You lowly mortal!" the voice screamed.
"I will split your body in half!"
"I will tear you apart!"
"I will grind your bones into dust!"
After being struck repeatedly, the furious demon finally shifted its attention away from Adrian.
Toward Carol.
"Accept my power!"
"Witness true immortality!"
The blade began to pulse violently.
A heartbeat echoed through the battlefield.
Then—
Two enormous demonic wings burst from Adrian's back.
The sword roared with manic delight.
"The Great Annihilation… begins!"