5: Conditions

"Fine, but the souls of those who provoke me belong to me. Also, if souls appear by chance, I have the right to intercept them, though only in small quantities."

Kira Argento thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. This condition was not a problem because this was the Marvel universe, where getting humans to sign soul contracts was not difficult.

Hulk and Abomination are fighting, and a building is about to collapse.

If I offer you a contract to trade your soul after death for a chance to escape, would you sign it?

The Chitauri are attacking New York, and the entire city is about to be destroyed. Would you sign it?

"Good enough for me."

The Ancient One did not object. She raised her hand, and golden lines wove a contract in the air: "If you break the contract, your small Hell will collapse."

"Sorcerer Supreme, are these the only two conditions?"

Kira Argento was a bit suspicious. These two conditions were so lenient it was as if he were the Ancient One's illegitimate child. Did the Sorcerer Supreme see something? Or did she encounter some problem?

The Ancient One smiled and said, "If you think it's too few, I can add more. I don't mind."

"Oh, how very generous of you~," Kira Argento said, "Add one more condition: after signing the contract, if you attack me or secretly plot against me, then this contract will be null and void."

The Ancient One looked at Kira Argento and said, "Agreed."

Then, Kira Argento and the Ancient One simultaneously pressed their handprints onto the contract. The contract emitted a dazzling golden light and then split into two, flying respectively into Kira Argento and the Ancient One's bodies.

The contract was officially established!

Kira Argento let out a sigh of relief; the major task was accomplished. At this moment, the Ancient One said, "Your Hell is newly born. What it will become in the future is up to you."

Kira Argento was a bit surprised, "Up to me?"

"Yes, most Hells are filled with chaos, evil, and slaughter, but that doesn't mean all Hells are like that. Hell is an indispensable part of the universe; it has its own duties."

The Ancient One smiled at him and said, "The first step you need to take is to give yourself and your Hell a name, newly born lord of Hell."

Kira Argento smiled and said, "No rush, for now, ah, Um, let's call it The Hell of Rebirth. In the future, it will have a more fitting name."

...

The Ancient One and Kira Argento communicated through their consciousnesses, talking for most of the day, while in the real world, only a second had passed.

Mephisto, seeing time had stopped, laughed heartily:

"Kid, dreaming of stealing from me, you'll soon find out how terrifying that old woman the Ancient One is. This is the consequence of opposing me."

Just as Mephisto finished speaking, time around them resumed. Kira Argento had completely constructed his small Hell, connecting seamlessly with his true form.

His true form could transfer power to him at any time, and he could send things back to The Rebirth Hell whenever needed.

Feeling refreshed, Kira Argento asked with a puzzled expression, "Consequence? Old Mephisto, what consequence? I didn't see anything."

Mephisto was dumbfounded. He roared in anger, "Ancient One, why didn't you stop him?"

"Are you going to teach me what to do and what not to?"

The Ancient One's cold voice descended from the sky. Then, her voice turned to Kaecilius and said, "No need to concern yourself with this matter anymore. Take the Ghost Rider back to Kamar-Taj."

"Yes, Master."

Although Kaecilius was puzzled, he nodded respectfully. Then, he forcefully lashed the magic whip at the Ghost Rider.

Johnny tried to evade, but the flames on his body suddenly became uncontrollable, immobilizing him and allowing the magic whip to bind him tightly.

Johnny glared at Kira Argento, realizing the previous powerful uncontrollable flames were his doing.

Kira Argento said, "Only by following the Sorcerer Supreme can you escape Mephisto's control. Don't worry about Roxanne; I'll take care of her for you."

Johnny let out a low growl, wanting to say something. At that moment, Kaecilius cast a spell, causing the flames on Johnny's body to extinguish rapidly. Flesh and blood regenerated, revealing a melancholic and handsome man to everyone.

Kaecilius glanced at Kira Argento, preparing to return to Kamar-Taj. Just then, he heard Kira Argento's voice in his ear..

|Do you want immortality? I can give it to you.|

Kaecilius paused for a moment, then, as if nothing had happened, opened a portal and took Johnny back to Kamar-Taj.

Mephisto was trembling with rage. This time, he had suffered a great loss—not only did he lose the San Venganza contract, but even the Ghost Rider had been taken away.

Wind Demon looked at Kira Argento with admiration. This time, he had truly followed the right leader, one even the Ancient One couldn't touch.

Mephisto took a deep breath and, with a smile, said to Kira Argento, "Young lord, how about a partnership? We can join forces to eliminate the Ancient One and divide the Earth between us."

"What do you think?"

"Heh," Kira Argento snorted coldly. Right now, he was the only demon lord on Earth. Why should he let other demon lords come in and snatch souls? It's better to enjoy the spoils alone.

Unwilling to give up, Mephisto continued, "The Ancient One is surely plotting against you. If you cooperate with her, you are doomed to die. That old woman is ruthless; Even the countless demon gods have perished at her hands."

Kira Argento replied, "That's good news. With her blocking you all, I can happily harvest souls on Earth."

Mephisto was at a loss for words. To be honest, he couldn't understand why the Ancient One would make a deal with Kira Argento. This wasn't fair!

"Those who eat alone will not have a good end."

Mephisto's face darkened as he said, "Your magic is so pure; you must be a newly born lord of Hell. Newborn means weak. Aren't you afraid we will join forces to attack your Hell?"

"Oh, I'm so scared."

Kira Argento looked disdainful. His Hell had just been born and was protected by spatial fog. In the short term, unless he sought his own death, other Hell lords would be unable to find him.

Of course, this protection was only temporary. Hell had no place for the weak. If Kira Argento could not gather a large number of souls to strengthen his Hell, he would eventually be devoured by other lords.

Mephisto wanted to say more, but Kira Argento waved his hand dismissively, saying, "I'm in a hurry to experience the American way of life, so I won't waste words with you. By the way, Old Mephisto, do you want this little doll?"

Kira Argento pulled out Blackheart's statue from his pocket. Hearing the nickname, Blackheart cursed angrily.

Mephisto was astonished. "You're willing to give him back to me?"

"Of course," Kira Argento said matter-of-factly. "This guy is obviously more trouble than he's worth. Giving him back to you only benefits me."

Both Mephisto and Blackheart were speechless. What Kira Argento said... actually made sense.

With a darkened expression, Mephisto said, "Hand him over, then."

Kira Argento replied, "That won't do. Even if he's trouble, he should fetch a price. One thousand souls."

"One thousand souls? Are you trying to rob me? Do you know how hard it is to get souls since the Ancient One rose to power?"

Mephisto ranted, "Souls that die naturally either go to Heaven or to Hell, where they are transformed into different demons based on their sins. For us lords to gather souls, we have to sign contracts, develop followers, or struggle to fish them out of the River Styx.

One thousand souls! I might have to toil for years to trick that many souls."

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