Chapter 168: Pull Yourself Together, Like a Man

Words : 937 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Chapter 168: Pull Yourself Together, Like a ManBoom! With an earth-shattering crash, a massive crater was blasted open from beneath the rubble as Doom exploded upward, panting as he stood tall again. It was clear—Gene’s previous strike hadn’t just launched him through a skyscraper. The lingering magical energy continued to wreak havoc within Doom’s body, disrupting the flow of his internal magic. He gritted his teeth, one hand pressed to his side—it was obvious he’d taken serious damage. Gene walked toward him with that same calm, composed demeanor. He looked completely unscathed, his aura conveying a quiet message: "We have all the time in the world. Let’s take it slow." Doom’s eyes narrowed as his fists clenched tightly. Why? Why was it that even after all he had achieved, he still couldn’t surpass Gene Mason? He thought that after embracing the power of the dark dimension, his strength had undergone a qualitative leap—power that he could never have imagined before. But now, the man before him was far more powerful than he had anticipated. He suddenly recalled that moment in the hell dimension, when he had stood before the demonic lord Mephisto—small and helpless, with no clue how to resist. It had been Gene who appeared in time, wielding a perfect blend of magic and technology. As a mere mortal, he battled Mephisto for what seemed like hundreds of rounds. And Mephisto... was a true god. That day, Doom had made up his mind: he would become just as strong as Gene. After joining S.W.O.R.D., Doom had immersed himself in technology and mystic studies, obsessively mastering both. Gene had been generous with his knowledge, guiding him through it all. Doom had believed he was finally catching up to his mentor—maybe even surpassing him with the dark power coursing through his veins. But this brutal confrontation told a different story. No matter how hard he tried, Gene always seemed several steps ahead. It now seemed likely that Gene hadn’t even used half his full strength. He could neutralize any of Doom’s attacks without even breaking a sweat. Come now, Victor, a seductive voice echoed in Doom’s mind. Your master is not invincible. You simply haven’t truly embraced the darkness. But if you do—if you open yourself completely—you might stand a chance of defeating him. Yes... maybe that was it. Half-measures would never be enough. How could he possibly defeat Gene when even Galactus—a god of the cosmos—had been challenged within Gene’s own domain? Only with true, overwhelming power could he rescue his mother from Mephisto’s grasp. Even if it meant damning his soul for eternity. "AHHHH!!" Doom roared, lifting his arms to the sky as an endless torrent of dark energy poured into him from above. But before the ritual could be completed, Gene acted. Crimson bands shot out, binding Doom’s arms and halting the flow of power. His magic was instantly cut off, his body frozen mid-channeling. Two identical Gene Masons appeared before him—clones summoned by his mastery of mystic replication. Doom howled in frustration, struggling to break free from the red restraints. But it was useless. Even the magic within his body had been sealed. These were the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak—powerful enough to subdue even gods temporarily. Doom in his current state had no hope of escaping. "It’s over, Victor. This ends now." Gene stepped forward, drawing a complex glowing magic circle with a flick of his wrist. "It’s time to wake up from this nightmare." His voice was calm—almost compassionate. He placed his hand gently on Doom’s helmet. In an instant, darkness swallowed Doom whole. A cold and crushing silence enveloped the world around him. This... was the inner world of Victor Von Doom. Anyone who entered would feel the deep isolation and suffocating despair. It was like the bottom of the ocean—lightless, endless, hopeless. In the midst of that void, a small boy sat curled into a ball, sobbing silently. Though the world saw Victor Von Doom as a genius—scientist, sorcerer, elite S.W.O.R.D. operative, sharp-minded and unyielding—deep inside, he was just a lonely child. Suddenly, two icy figures appeared behind the boy, their faces emotionless. "Victor." They spoke in unison. "...Father? Mother?" Doom’s eyes widened at the familiar faces. "You’ve truly disappointed me," said Grace Von Doom, her voice as frigid as ever. "Just like I predicted—you’re cold, ruthless, a born destroyer." "But... Mother, I’ve been trying to save you!" Doom cried desperately. "Save me?" Grace sneered, as if she’d heard a joke. "If you really wanted to save me, why wait until now? You would have come long ago." "You were just a mistake," said his father, Wernher Von Doom, eyes filled with contempt. "I should’ve let you die on that mountain instead of giving you my coat." "No! Father!" Young Doom reached out, trying to grasp them. But his hands found only empty, icy air. He collapsed to his knees, sobbing. Above him, two massive crimson eyes opened in the dark. "Victor Doom... this is your tragic fate," the voice thundered with seductive power. "But follow me, and you can rewrite it all. Your parents will return to you. You’ll have the power to make them proud again." Images of his parents—laughing, alive—began to swirl around those glowing red eyes. Doom stood up in a trance, gaze hollow, slowly walking toward the eyes. Then— A black-gloved hand reached out from the darkness. "Victor," a voice commanded, filled with steely authority, "pull yourself together. Be a man." The voice brooked no refusal. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics

Chapter 168: Pull Yourself Together, Like a Man

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