Malrick's expression darkened.

Doctor Strange and Clea had entered the Dark Dimension to resolve a World Collision crisis—just like the post-credits scene from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Back when he was just a regular person watching the movie in his previous life, that scene only sparked curiosity about what would happen next.

But now, he was inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

And he wasn't excited.

He wanted to scream.

If this so-called World Collision only involved the Main Universe and a parallel one, he wouldn't care. The Multiverse had endless realities—dozens collapsed every day.

Over a year, the total might outnumber kangaroos in Australia.

One Main Universe falls, another rises. Maybe even Earth-616, the one he was in now, could take its place as the central reality.

But then he remembered.

The last time World Collisions were mentioned in Marvel lore wasn't in the films.

It was in Secret Wars (2015) from the comics.

That crisis had been triggered by Wolverine constantly traveling through time, fracturing history again and again. Eventually, it caused a domino effect, and Universes across the entire Multiverse began colliding and collapsing.

The result?

Total Multiversal annihilation.

Everything ended—until Reed Richards rebuilt a new Universe: the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe.

In other words, that World Collision had served as a total reboot of Marvel's cosmic order.

Malrick's scalp tingled at the thought.

If Strange's current situation mirrored Secret Wars, then this Universe might already be on borrowed time.

Even if the chances were low, he had to prepare.

He thought for several tense seconds. Then he made his decision.

Let Dormammu go.

Forget extracting compensation—resolving the crisis in the Main Universe took priority.

Still, Malrick wasn't about to rush into the Dark Dimension to help.

If this really was a cosmic-level catastrophe, he wouldn't be able to stop it anyway.

And if it wasn't?

Then the collapse wouldn't touch his world.

Either way, focusing on becoming stronger was the smarter move.

Because if his power reached high enough, even if the entire Multiverse—or the Omniverse—was obliterated, he'd survive.

That familiar sense of urgency, the same one he'd felt when he left the Starry Sky World, returned in full force.

"Dormammu," Malrick said calmly, holding up two fingers, "you can leave, but I have two more conditions."

"Any conditions are fine," Dormammu replied, though he sounded cautious. "But if they're excessive, I won't agree."

"First, I don't want your Dimensional Authority. But you have to help me locate an ownerless Dimension."

Dormammu flared up instantly. "Impossible! Do you have any idea how rare that is? If a Dimension has no ruler, it'll be claimed by a Demon God in minutes."

He didn't mention that he would snatch it up the moment he found one.

Malrick revised the request: "Fine. Then just keep an eye out. If you hear of an unclaimed Dimension—whether it's accurate or not—you tell me. Every time."

When he eventually reached the Immortal stage, his inner world would need to merge with a fragment of space—preferably a Dimension.

In the Marvel Universe, that meant claiming an ownerless one and becoming a Dimensional Lord.

Dormammu considered. "That's acceptable. I'll notify you of any rumors."

Simple information trading was no loss to him.

"And your second condition?" he asked.

"When you return," Malrick said, "you're going to help Doctor Strange and Clea deal with the crisis. If they fail—or if things go sideways—you inform me immediately."

"Agreed," Dormammu said quickly. "Though I'm surprised. Are you planning to step in if something goes wrong?"

"No," Malrick said flatly, "I want to watch two Universes collide and burn."

He said it like someone bored out of their mind cleaning fish at Stark Tower for nineteen years.

Dormammu blinked. "Are you really the Sorcerer Supreme? Even the darkest version of Strange would fake some concern."

"You really like comparing people to Strange," Malrick muttered. "Anyway, sign the contract, then get out."

He extended his palm.

A massive golden contract made of solid magical energy materialized and unrolled into the air, stretching hundreds of meters long.

It recorded the three terms they'd agreed upon, encoded in ancient arcane runes.

At the very bottom, the penalty clause gleamed in large, unmistakable script:

Violation of this contract will result in Dormammu forfeiting ninety percent of his Dimensional Authority to Vishanti, the witness.

Dormammu looked it over. All the terms were exactly what he had agreed to—no traps.

But the penalty was… steep.

"Even Vishanti would be tempted by a deal like this," he muttered. "Sorcerer Supreme, you really are… pragmatic."

"If the stakes weren't high," Malrick said, "they wouldn't enforce it. And without them, this contract would mean nothing."

"Tch. Whatever you say." Dormammu signed with a strand of Dimensional energy.

The moment his signature touched the paper, the contract ignited in golden light and vanished from existence.

"The pact is sealed," Malrick said, dismissing the Space Stone's energy.

The shimmering field surrounding the Small World faded, pouring its power back into Malrick.

Dormammu immediately sensed the pull of the Dark Dimension again.

He gave Malrick one last long look, then tore open the fabric of space.

A swirling vortex of distorted light appeared, revealing the chaotic landscape of his home.

Standing at the threshold, Dormammu asked, "Sorcerer Supreme, tell me your name."

Malrick raised a brow. "Didn't you read the contract? Or are you planning to send a fruit basket?"

Dormammu chuckled dryly and stood taller again.

"Malrick Stark. I'll be waiting in the Dark Dimension. We'll talk again… someday."

"Appreciate the invitation," Malrick replied, smirking. "Just don't forget your obligations. That's your punishment clause, after all."

He wasn't surprised by Dormammu's switch in tone.

After all, Demon Gods had long shed concepts like morality. They spent their eternities floating through dark voids, absorbing planets and feeding off followers.

A bit of posturing? Harmless.

Dormammu turned with a grunt. "I don't need you to remind me."

"Oh, and if you miss me," Malrick called out cheerfully, "drop by Earth again! Our Universe designation is 199999, by the way."

Dormammu visibly twitched, then hurried his exit.

The moment the rift sealed shut, the Dark Dimension vanished.

Malrick sighed as he glanced across the wrecked continent around him.

"Yeah… he's not coming back anytime soon."

He looked up, the endless night of space stretching above.

"This place is a mess. Time to go."

With a single thought, he activated the world ring and disappeared.

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