After his first collision with Lucas, the male Ancient One, and the female Ancient One, where he was extorted for two billion units of energy, Mephisto had been looking for an opportunity to get even.
But for him to personally intervene, that was impossible. Even within his own Hell, he barely dared to confront the trio of Lucas and the two Ancient Ones, let alone outside his dimension, in the real Universe.
So, Mephisto thought of a strategy.
First, use Hope, the second-generation Wasp, to find Agatha.
Then, use Agatha to open an interdimensional portal and release Cul Borson, who was sealed and came from Earth.
Cul Borson, Odin's elder brother.
Also known as the Serpent, the god of fear, he can enhance his abilities by feeding on the fear of others.
As long as he comes to this Earth, he will inevitably clash with Lucas, the Ancient One, and others.
The former will certainly slaughter everywhere to spread fear.
The latter, to protect the real world, will surely have to stop him.
At that time, Mephisto would be able to watch them fight, and after both sides were severely wounded, he would reap the benefits. Not only could he recover his energy, but if he was lucky, he could also acquire several powerful sorcerer souls.
This was Mephisto's plan.
— — —
Queens, New York, in an ordinary apartment.
Agatha, going by the alias Agnes, was preparing her evening lesson materials.
Since school resumed, tutoring hours had shifted from daytime to evening.
Suddenly, a scarlet mist surged in the room. An old man, dressed in a suit and looking like a British gentleman, emerged from the mist.
"Agatha Harkness, long time no see."
Agatha looked at the old man warily and asked, "Mephisto, what do you want with me? Our contract is over."
Agatha had once borrowed energy from Mephisto and signed a contract to become Mephisto's apostle.
But when Mephisto fell from the position of Satan, many sorcerers like Agatha united to force Mephisto to terminate the contract.
Theoretically, Agatha now had no subordinate relationship with Mephisto.
In reality, in the real world, Mephisto's reach was also limited. As long as Agatha didn't actively borrow power from Mephisto and sign a contract, Mephisto couldn't do anything to her.
"Agatha, one deal ends. Naturally, the next deal will begin."
Compared to the wary Agatha, Mephisto appeared composed.
"I know you've always sought more powerful magic. And I can provide you with that power. Why not make a deal?"
"Heh." Agatha scoffed.
She also realized at this moment that in reality, Mephisto couldn't do anything to her.
"It's true that I want to seek greater strength, but I won't be foolish enough to make a deal with you again."
"Mephisto, in this world, no fool will make a second deal with a swindler like you."
Mephisto smiled calmly.
He also knew that his reputation wasn't very good. In this world, some deals require reputation. But more often, what is needed is profit.
Agatha was wrong. In this world, many people would make multiple deals with Mephisto.
For example, Lucas.
First deal, earning two billion units of energy from Mephisto.
Second deal, taking three souls from Mephisto's Hell.
He wouldn't mind making a few more deals with Mephisto.
"Agatha, why don't you listen to my demands and rewards first?"
Agatha scoffed coldly, "No matter how tempting your reward is, I won't agree to it, Mephisto. Because I know you won't pay the reward at all."
Mephisto ignored Agatha's taunts. He came to Agatha, naturally, having made ample preparations.
"You are approaching a girl, trying to seize the power within her, aren't you? But you won't succeed. Want to know why?"
Agatha's expression changed. "Are you going to stop me?"
"No."
Mephisto shook his head, turning his body to look in the direction of the Maximoff Drinks Shop, which was also the direction of Lucas Bookstore.
"Agatha, haven't you noticed? There's a powerful sorcerer next to that girl. His power far exceeds your imagination. Once you reveal your intentions, he can kill you instantly."
"Even if you devour that girl's magic, Chaos Magic."
Agatha's face grew even uglier. "You can't scare me, Mephisto."
"You must have noticed that the area near Maximoff Drinks and the bookstore next to it has been subjected to mind-suggestion magic, right?" Mephisto asked.
"Of course, I know. Wasn't that cast by that girl? Her awakened abilities include mind control." Agatha retorted.
"No, that magic was cast by the bookstore owner. Agatha, if you observe carefully, you should be able to find that the essence of this magic is different from Chaos Magic." Mephisto explained.
"Even so, it doesn't prove how powerful this sorcerer is, does it?" Agatha questioned.
At this point, she was already beginning to believe Mephisto a little.
The scarlet mist flickered, forming a phantom screen.
On the screen was a scene of Lucas fighting Mephisto in the Quantum Realm. Moreover, it was the latter half, showing Lucas beating him up.
The female Ancient One, who was observing from the side, was also in the picture.
"Agatha, even if you are lucky enough to successfully absorb that girl's energy, facing the Ancient One and this sorcerer Lucas, I'm afraid you won't have any chance of winning."
Mephisto's voice carried a seductive tone. "But if we cooperate, we can kill both of them. Then, no one will stop you from trying to absorb that girl's energy."
Agatha stared at the phantom screen, carefully observing Lucas and the Ancient One in the distance.
She recognized who Lucas was.
The harbinger of death who sank Japan and annihilated the Japanese Pantheon.
After a long while, she asked, "What do I need to do?"
Mephisto's lips curved into a smile. He knew Agatha had taken the bait.
"You just need to open a breach in the real world's defensive magic array, and I'll take care of the rest. That shouldn't be too difficult for you, should it?"
"How do I guarantee my safety?"
Agatha explained, "Mephisto, you might not be aware. In this world, someone previously opened the defensive magic array and let a demon in."
"After that, an entire pantheon was annihilated. It was done by the sorcerer you mentioned."
Mephisto was secretly startled, but remained calm. He really hadn't paid attention to that news. After all, he wouldn't be staring at this world all day.
"Agatha, if you want to absorb that girl, you will inevitably have to take risks. Unless you abandon your plan."