Hulk didn't recognize the technique Richard was employing, but upon seeing the dark energy sphere hovering above Richard's palm, he immediately sensed impending danger.
Though not considered an intellectual hero, Hulk was far from stupid. In fact, he could be quite perceptive when circumstances demanded—as the saying goes, big guys also possess "big wisdom!"
Just as Hulk prepared to vacate his position, he found himself bathed in an emerald light descending from above—the targeting indicator for Richard's incoming meteorite.
Not comprehending the significance of this green illumination, Hulk instinctively gazed skyward. There, he witnessed a meteorite several times his size plummeting toward him at tremendous velocity.
Had Hulk ignored the light enveloping him, he might have escaped before the meteorite's impact. Unfortunately, that opportunity had passed.
BOOM!
The massive meteorite, carrying devastating force, collided violently with Hulk. The thunderous impact reverberated across dozens of surrounding blocks, while the shockwave expanded outward with Hulk at its epicenter.
Windows along both sides of the street shattered simultaneously. Nearby buildings and the ground itself trembled violently, as though an earthquake had struck.
Witnessing this destruction, bystanders who had retreated due to Hulk's earlier car-throwing assault felt profound relief at having increased their distance from the combat zone.
How many powers does he possess?
Could genetic mutation really produce such abilities?
Just how powerful is he?
These questions raced through the minds of Natasha, the responding San Francisco police officers, and civilian onlookers as they watched Richard summon a meteorite from thin air to strike Hulk. Though accustomed to mutants with strange and extraordinary abilities, they struggled to accept the spectacle unfolding before them.
As the concussive air waves dissipated and airborne dust began settling, Hulk gradually became visible to Natasha and the others.
Rising from the crater, Hulk fixed Richard with a furious glare. Before he could act upon his rage, the emerald light engulfed him once more.
Black Materia!
Upon noticing Hulk's wrathful expression, Richard deployed Black Materia again, conjuring another massive meteorite—this time materializing barely half a meter above Hulk's head.
BOOM!
Before Hulk could react, the second meteorite struck him. Unlike the previous impact, however, Hulk wasn't knocked down. Instead, he raised his arms to intercept the falling projectile.
Given the minimal distance, this meteorite's impact force fell considerably short of its predecessor's. Though Richard could have expended additional mana to grant the meteorite terrifying acceleration even within that half-meter distance, he opted against it. Rather than wasting mana resources accelerating this meteorite, summoning another proved more efficient.
Leveraging his tremendous strength, Hulk withstood the meteorite's weight and cast Richard a contemptuous look.
Noting Hulk's disdainful expression, Richard smiled and asked, "What are you going to do with the third one?"
The third one?
Richard's voice reached not only Hulk but also Natasha and the distant onlookers. Under normal circumstances, those positioned hundreds of meters away couldn't possibly have heard him unless they possessed enhanced hearing. They heard him now solely because Richard wanted them to, using magic to amplify and project his voice.
With the meteorite weighing down upon him, Hulk couldn't see what approached from above. Natasha and the others, however, clearly observed a colossal meteorite exceeding twenty meters in diameter, breaching the atmosphere at tremendous velocity, wreathed in flames of atmospheric friction as it hurtled toward Hulk.
Under their transfixed gazes, this third meteorite slammed into the one Hulk currently supported.
BOOM!
The cataclysmic shockwave generated by this collision swept outward like a hurricane. Earth trembled anew as dust clouds enveloped the entire block. Even Natasha and others positioned hundreds of meters distant were bowled over by the concussive force.
Given another opportunity, they would undoubtedly have retreated a kilometer or more. Unfortunately, the world offered no remedy for regret.
Like Natasha and the others, Hulk now experienced his own regrets.
Spread-eagled on his back at the center of a crater exceeding one meter in depth, Hulk appeared as aggrieved as a one-ton child. In fact, that description was literally accurate—he was, indeed, a child weighing approximately one ton.
Though incapacitated within the crater, Hulk's physical injuries remained relatively minor. His psychological wounds, however, cut far deeper.
Moreover, he finally understood why Natasha had expressed concern for his safety. She hadn't underestimated him; she had genuinely cared for his wellbeing.
Observing Hulk sprawled within the crater, showing no inclination to rise, Richard teleported to the depression's edge.
"Get up," he said to Hulk. "I won't hit you with meteorites anymore, nor will I cut you with this blade."
Upon hearing these words, Hulk sat upright like a sulking child. "Hulk doesn't like meteorites," he grumbled, "and Hulk doesn't like your sword either." He raised his right hand, pointing accusingly at the Masamune in Richard's grip.
He truly is a child!
Richard smiled, shaking his head, then returned the Masamune to his system space. With a twist of his right wrist, he summoned a replacement.
Phantom Sword!
Before Hulk's eyes materialized a meter-long blade emanating azure light, resembling a masterpiece of art more than a weapon.
"Next, I'll spar with you using the Phantom Sword," Richard offered. "By the way, do you understand the difference between sparring and fighting?"
Though Hulk remained silent, he nodded to indicate comprehension.
"Since you understand, then rise and continue our sparring," Richard encouraged.
"Hulk wants to spar," the green goliath declared. "Hulk is strong. Hulk will not be defeated!"
With these words, Hulk stood and brushed himself off.
Though Natasha and the others couldn't hear this exchange, they observed Hulk emerging from the crater. They realized the confrontation between Richard and Hulk hadn't concluded, but also noted that Hulk's previous rage had subsided. He followed Richard from the crater with unexpected docility.
What happened to Hulk?
Natasha's brow furrowed in confusion at this transformation. While Hulk wasn't entirely uncommunicative, meaningful interaction with him typically proved challenging. Even she could barely connect with him effectively.
Under the watchful eyes of Natasha and the remaining onlookers, Richard and Hulk positioned themselves twenty meters apart. Then, simultaneously, they charged one another.
Hulk employed his formidable close-quarters combat techniques, massive fists repeatedly striking toward Richard. Richard, for his part, wielded the Phantom Sword with masterful swordsmanship, treating Hulk as a worthy sparring partner.
Thrust, point, strike, sweep, press, chop, slice, lift, cleave, hook, wipe, cut, pierce...
Though Richard executed only fundamental sword techniques rather than elaborate flourishes, these basic movements—performed with the Phantom Sword in his hands—possessed remarkable elegance and grace. His swordplay exhibited the agility of a flying dragon, his blade energy as vibrant as a rainbow.
Hulk's fighting style, meanwhile, paralleled Sabretooth's—both relying primarily on instinct rather than formal training.
Time flowed steadily onward.
Before either combatant realized, several minutes of continuous exchange had transpired. Richard's previous battles had typically concluded rapidly, feeling more like efficient exterminations than genuine contests. Though this engagement with Hulk constituted sparring rather than deadly combat, it provided Richard with a refreshing experience he had never before encountered.
Hulk possessed tremendous strength and formidable defense. When employing him as a sparring partner, Richard needn't fear accidentally delivering a fatal blow.
Hulk experienced a similar satisfaction. Previously dismissive of technical skill, he now observed with widened eyes, attentive to Richard's refined technique. He recognized that instinctive application of brute force alone didn't qualify him as an accomplished fighter.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hulk would only reach this realization after arriving on Sakaar. Thanks to Richard, Hulk preemptively acknowledged his technical deficiencies and recognized his need for skill development.
Just as Richard and Hulk immersed themselves in their mutually beneficial exchange, several missiles streaked from the distant sky, converging on their position with frightening accuracy.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The missiles struck their intended targets precisely. Deafening explosions filled the air as orange-red flames billowed outward in all directions. Accompanying the detonations came the distinctive sound of Department of Mutant Affairs fighter jets slicing through the atmosphere.
Soon the explosive flames subsided. When visibility returned, several massive craters marked Richard and Hulk's former positions.
Where did they go?
Upon discovering the apparent disappearance of both combatants, Natasha and surrounding onlookers immediately began scanning for signs of their survival.
The next moment, thunder reverberated across the sky.
RUMBLE!
Looking toward the source of this sound, Natasha and the others beheld an enormous lightning bolt descending from above. Rather than striking the ground, this thick silver-white discharge connected with one of the black fighter jets streaking through the air.
BOOM!
Though incredibly fast, the Department of Mutant Affair's black fighter proved no match for lightning's velocity. Under Hulk and the onlookers' transfixed gaze, the Department of Mutant Affairs fighter jet exploded in midair like an elaborate fireworks display.
The summoner of this lightning strike was none other than Richard. Before the missiles had reached their position, he had grasped Hulk's shoulder, executed Teleportation, and relocated both of them from danger before Hulk could even register what was happening.
Then, employing Thundaga, Richard had conjured a massive electrical discharge capable of obliterating the black fighter jets with a single strike.
...
==============================================
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
=============================================