Main Universe, Viltrumite Empire's Highest Medical Center.
Mark lay in a specialized medical pod, countless flexible sensors monitoring his vital signs connected to his body.
He was still in a deep coma, his brows furrowed as if struggling in a nightmare.
Outside the medical pod, a group of top Viltrumite doctors in white coats and chief medical officers from various friendly civilizations were frantically poring over data on holographic projections.
"Vital signs are extremely weak, yet extremely stable… This contradictory data has never been seen before!"
"Multiple comminuted fractures, large areas of internal organ rupture and bleeding, extensive nerve bundle tears… Any other creature with these injuries would have died ten thousand times over!"
"The most troublesome thing is… we can't perform any invasive treatment! Scalpels, laser knives, even molecular-level Robots… none can penetrate his skin and muscle tissue…"
"His body density and strength… are simply inconceivable!"
"Injections?"
"High-strength alloy needles… bent… three have snapped!"
The attending physician's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he reported with difficulty into the communicator.
"…Your Majesty, we… we are helpless. This… gentleman's physical strength exceeds the limits of all our medical capabilities. Conventional treatment is completely ineffective."
On the other end of the holographic projection, the Main Universe Mark's brows were tightly furrowed.
He looked at the stranger in the medical pod, whose face was extremely similar to his own but covered in scars and signs of wear, and after a moment of contemplation, he gave an order.
"Gather all chief scientists from the Imperial Academy of Sciences, form a special task force, and deploy all analysis equipment. I want to know his body structure and all possible methods to save him in the shortest possible time, at all costs!"
The imperial machinery began to operate efficiently.
Countless top scientists and researchers were urgently summoned, and various unprecedented precision instruments were transported to the perimeter of the medical center.
They performed a comprehensive, all-angle scan and analysis of Mark.
Data poured in like a tsunami, but the analysis results only led to more confusion.
His cellular structure seemed to be homologous to that of the Viltrumite, yet there were fundamental differences, containing a more ancient, more violent power.
His body seemed empty, yet it also seemed to contain the energy of an entire galaxy.
Just as the research reached an impasse, a bio-energeticist from the Kreegan star system noticed a subtle data anomaly.
"Wait! Look! When simulated stellar light, especially the yellow spectrum, irradiates him, his cell activity shows an extremely faint increase!"
"Although the amplitude is very small, it definitely exists!"
This discovery was like a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The Main Universe Mark immediately gave the order.
"Construct the highest intensity stellar radiation simulator, focus the yellow sun spectrum, and output maximum power!"
Soon, a colossal radiation device, resembling multiple suns merged together, was built, enveloping the medical pod.
When the simulated yellow sun radiation poured over Mark like a waterfall, a miracle occurred!
Sizzle…
As if parched earth had met sweet rain, the gruesome wounds on Mark's body surface began to creeping and heal at a visible rate.
Dried blood was absorbed by new tissue, broken bones emitted faint crackling sounds as they automatically reconnected, and his pale skin rapidly regained its luster and elasticity.
Even his already extremely robust muscle mass seemed to subtly swell further, becoming more defined and filled with a sense of explosive power!
All the researchers in the medical center were stunned!
They had never seen such powerful self-healing abilities, and driven by external radiation at that!
"Incredible… it's like… a god descended!"
Someone muttered.
As his body rapidly recovered, Mark's true physique was fully revealed.
He indeed had the exact same face as the Main Universe Mark, but the feeling he gave off was completely different.
The Main Universe Mark was a majestic emperor, powerful and restrained, while the Mark before them was like an ancient fierce beast that had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!
His nearly two-meter height, muscles as gnarled as dragon mountains, and the terrifying, crisscrossing scars on his skin that couldn't be completely erased…
Every detail silently spoke of the unimaginable, brutal battles he had endured!
Simply lying there, he exuded a chilling, oppressive aura, as if one were facing a primordial behemoth!
In his coma, Mark's consciousness had been in a state of chaos and darkness.
He only felt as if his body was being torn apart and reassembled, and after endless pain, an indescribable warmth and comfort enveloped him, like soaking in warm sunlight, making him want to immerse himself in it.
He didn't know how many days had passed…
"Beep—! Beep—!"
"Vital signs have reached stable threshold, consciousness fluctuations are becoming active!"
A piercing alarm sounded, but this time it was an alarm filled with surprise.
Under the nurses' exclamations and the researchers' excited gazes, the man in the medical pod, his tightly closed eyelids, trembled a few times, then suddenly opened his eyes!
What kind of eyes were those?
The molten gold pupils were first filled with confusion, then quickly replaced by endless vigilance, coldness, and… ferocity!
He abruptly sat up, his powerful movement even tearing off the flexible sensors on his body. His cold gaze swept like a sharp sword over the white-coated, diverse-looking researchers around him.
"Where is this? What are you things?!"
Mark's voice was hoarse, yet carried an undeniable authority and murderous intent.
Countless illusions and bizarre scenes created by the Great Old Ones flashed through his mind, making him immediately attribute everything before him to the enemy's tricks.
Several Viltrumite Royal Guards responsible for security immediately stepped forward. They were already wary and hostile towards this stranger who looked exactly like their Emperor but exuded a dangerous aura, so their tone was naturally impolite.
"Impudent! Unknown creature!"
"Lie back down and submit to examination immediately, or don't blame us for being rough!"
"Examination?"
A cold glint flashed in the man's eyes.
"The Great Old Ones' pawns, are you even worthy of examining me?"
In his view, their hostility and rudeness only confirmed his suspicions.
This was another disgusting illusion created by the Great Old Ones!
Trying to shake his resolve with such a crude imitation?
Without giving the other party a chance to speak again, Mark suddenly leaped out of the medical pod, simply waving his hand!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The elite Viltrumite Guards didn't even have time to react. They screamed as they were sent flying backward, as if hit by a high-speed train, crashing heavily into the distant alloy wall, deeply embedding themselves within it, and immediately falling unconscious.
This scene utterly stunned all the researchers!
Mark, however, did not stop. He looked up at the sturdy dome of the medical center, bent his legs slightly, and then pushed off with immense force!
Rumble!!!!
With a deafening roar, the entire medical center shook violently.
The special alloy dome, strong enough to withstand battleship bombardment, was actually torn open by his pure strength, leaving a massive hole!
Sunlight instantly poured down!
Mark hovered in mid-air, cautiously surveying his surroundings.
However, the sight that met his eyes instantly froze him, his murderous intent and vigilance replaced by immense shock.
Below was a vast, advanced, yet surprisingly peaceful and prosperous city.
Golden buildings shimmered in the sunlight, and various anti-gravity vehicles moved orderly along the clean streets.
What was even more unbelievable to him was that the streets were not only populated by Viltrumite, but also by many other alien races of various forms.
They… seemed to get along harmoniously?
He could even see Viltrumite children playing with some long-tentacled alien child?!
Hadn't the Viltrumite Empire… long since disintegrated, even becoming an accomplice of the Great Old Ones?
Peace?
Multi-racial coexistence?
How was this possible?!
This was completely contrary to everything he knew!
"This illusion… is certainly more realistic than the previous ones…"
Mark muttered to himself, but the wavering in his heart was uncontrollable.
It was all too real: the warmth of the sun, the touch of the breeze, the faint scent of flowers in the air…
When had the Great Old Ones' illusions ever been so friendly?
Just as his mind was reeling, a calm voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, came from behind him.
"It seems you've recovered well, but your way of greeting is a bit too enthusiastic."
Mark sharply turned his head!
When he saw the speaker, even with his willpower, he was once again plunged into immense shock and bewilderment.
That person… was hovering not far behind him.
Golden battle armor, a royal cape gently swaying in the breeze, and a face… identical to his own!
It was the Main Universe Mark.
"What… are you?"
Mark's voice was filled with unbelievable coldness.
"A new trick from the Great Old Ones, imitating my appearance?"
The Main Universe Mark looked at this scarred, yet fiercely powerful version of himself, and his own heart was also in turmoil.
He sighed, trying to explain.
"Listen, I know this is hard to accept, but I'm not some illusion you're imagining. This is the capital of the Viltrumite Empire, and I am its King."
"And you, it seems, come from... somewhere else. We detected your fall..."
"Viltrumite Empire? King?"
Mark looked as if he'd heard the most ridiculous joke, his eyes full of scorn.
"Viltrum has long since fallen apart, barely surviving under the iron heel of the Great Old Ones. Peace? Rule? Stop playing these boring games. If you want to fight, then fight!"
Communication was clearly ineffective.
Mark simply didn't believe any of it. His powerful mind, after experiencing too much betrayal and strangeness, had become extremely sensitive and paranoid. He saw all of this as a conspiracy by the Great Old Ones.
Main Universe Mark rubbed his brow in frustration.
"Alright, it seems words are futile. Perhaps... I'll have to calm you down first before we can talk properly."
He instantly entered combat mode, the energy within his body subtly flowing.
"My apologies!"
Before he finished speaking, Main Universe Mark shot towards Mark like lightning, unleashing a probing straight punch towards his face!
The punch was incredibly fast, with enough force to sink a small battleship!
However.
Mark didn't even make a big movement, simply raising his left hand casually and opening his palm.
"Clap!"
With a soft sound, Main Universe Mark's fierce punch was casually and steadily caught in his palm, without even a ripple of shockwave!
"What?!"
Main Universe Mark's pupils constricted, his heart shaking violently!
He could feel the vast power emanating from the other's palm, like the endless starry sky!
How was this possible?!
A flicker of disappointment, and an even deeper, 'I knew it' kind of sneer, flashed in Mark's eyes.
"Only this much? An illusion is an illusion..."
His fingers suddenly clenched!
"Crack!"
A bone-chilling crunching sound rang out!
"Ugh!"
Main Universe Mark let out a pained groan. His fist was actually crushed and deformed by the other party, sending intense pain through him.
Mark's other fist followed, moving at a speed that surpassed Main Universe Mark's dynamic vision!
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
Three consecutive punches landed squarely on Main Universe Mark's abdomen and chest!
"Pfft--!"
Main Universe Mark was completely unable to withstand that terrifying, incomprehensible power and speed. He felt as if his internal organs had shifted and shattered, and blood mixed with stomach acid spewed directly from his mouth. He was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string!
Mark's figure ghosted after him, delivering a fierce aerial kick downwards!
"Boom!!!"
Main Universe Mark was slammed into the city square below like a cannonball, creating a massive spiderweb-like crater in the incredibly hard ground. He lay in the center, unable to get up for a moment, only able to cough up blood in pain.
His eyes were filled with terror and disbelief!
He was the Regent of Viltrum who had unified the universe!
Yet, in front of this version of himself, he was utterly powerless?!
The other's strength, speed, fighting style... completely surpassed his understanding!
Mark slowly descended to the edge of the crater, his molten-gold pupils devoid of emotion, only cold killing intent.
He raised his foot, preparing to deliver the final blow to this imposter.
"Mark!"
"Stop!!"
Just then, a female voice, filled with urgency, worry, and disbelief, came from a distance.
That voice...!
Mark's movements suddenly froze. It was that incredibly familiar voice, etched deep into his soul.
He sharply turned his head, seeing a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a Viltrumite official, urgently approaching on a hover platform.
That was... his mother, Debbie!
"Mom?!"
The protagonist instantly forgot all about the battle and his suspicions. A huge surge of surprise and worry flooded his heart.
He had thought his mother had also fallen into the clutches of the Great Old Ones!
His figure vanished instantly, reappearing next to the hover platform in the next moment, pulling the astonished Debbie into a tight embrace.
"Mom! Are you alright? Did they hurt you? Don't be scared, I'm here!"
Mark's voice was filled with urgency and concern. His 'God of War' demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by a son worried about his mother's safety.
Debbie was stunned by the sudden hug.
She had indeed rushed over, worried about Main Universe Mark, after hearing the sounds of battle.
But this person hugging her... although his face was identical to her son's, his height, his build, those terrifying scars all over his body, and that palpable fierce aura...
This was definitely not the Mark she knew!
But... but that feeling of blood connection, that sense of familiarity and closeness from the depths of her soul, was incredibly real!
What exactly was going on?!
"You... you're also... Mark?"
Debbie's trembling hand gently traced the hideous scar on the protagonist's face, her eyes filled with shock, confusion, and uncontrollable heartache.
"Child... how did you... how did you get so many injuries? What exactly have you been through?"
"I'm fine, Mom, just minor injuries."
The protagonist quickly reassured her, carefully checking his mother. Only after confirming she was safe and sound did he slightly relax.
"As long as you're alright, that's all that matters. It's very dangerous here, we need to leave as soon as possible..."
At this moment, Main Universe Mark also struggled out of the crater, blood still on the corner of his mouth. He flew over, looking a bit disheveled, and gave a wry smile at this bizarre scene.
"Mom... it seems we need to have a serious talk."
Debbie looked at her two sons—one calm and authoritative but injured, the other fierce and imposing, covered in scars. She felt her brain was about to short-circuit.
But her strong maternal instincts quickly helped her calm down.
She took each Mark's hand, her tone firm and unquestioning.
"No matter who you two are, stop it right now! Come back with me! Explain yourselves! No more fighting!"
Under the strong intervention and soothing of their mother, Debbie, the tense atmosphere finally eased.
The two Marks, though still wary of each other, were finally able to sit down and communicate.
The Empire's top team of scientists, armed with all the previous detection data and analysis reports, engaged in hours of intense discussion and simulated verification.
Finally, the chief scientist from Planet Kreegan, with an expression as if he had witnessed a miracle of the universe, reported their conclusions to the two Marks and Debbie.
"Based on our analysis... this new Mr. Mark... his cellular telomere structure, and even certain deep-level gene sequence expressions... show subtle, but decisive, differences from Your Majesty."
"These differences are not mutations or damage; rather, they are more like... the result of homologous but divergent branches evolving independently over a long period."
"Combined with the abnormal spatiotemporal fluctuations and inexplicable energy residues that accompanied his appearance... the most probable conclusion we have reached is..."
The scientist took a deep breath, stating the astonishing conjecture in as calm a voice as possible.
"...He is not a resident of this universe."
"He comes from a... parallel universe plane similar to ours, yet distinctly different."
"He fell into our world because of an extremely powerful energy burst that accidentally tore through the plane barrier."
Parallel universe?
Plane travel?
This conclusion plunged the conference room into a deathly silence.
Main Universe Mark looked shocked, slowly processing the information.
Debbie covered her mouth, looking at her scarred son beside her, her eyes filled with even more complex emotions.
So he came from another world.
How much suffering had he endured in his world then?
Mark, however, frowned deeply. This explanation seemed more plausible than the Great Old Ones' illusion, but it was equally incredible.
Parallel universes?
Had the power of the Great Old Ones become so strong that they could manipulate different universes?
Or was it that... everything here was truly not an illusion?
"Then... can he go back?"
Main Universe Mark asked the most crucial question.
The scientists exchanged glances, finally shaking their heads helplessly.
"Your Majesty... the theory of plane travel only exists in conjecture... We can't even ascertain his original universe coordinates... How to go back... At present... we have no clue."
"This may require... technology and energy beyond our current understanding."
Mark's heart sank.
Can't go back?
What about his universe then? What about Earth?
What about the Alliance?
What about those still struggling under the threat of the Great Old Ones?!
Hope seemed to have just appeared, only to be shrouded in a thick layer of shadow once more.
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