Chapter 130: Hulk

On the surface of Culver Lake, the wind and waves had calmed.

Beneath the water, it was the same.

The murky lake water washed over Hawk's body.

Hawk's gaze was expressionless as he looked at the massive green body lying motionless in the silt of the lakebed.

Hulk!

Yes.

It was dead.

The method of death was simple: just as Hawk had planned, trapped in the water, it had been drowned alive.

But while it sounded simple, doing it was not.

Hawk's mind glanced at his current Small Universe.

Within the Small Universe, everything was in chaos; even the Phoenix constellation chart that lit up his Small Universe was dim and lusterless at this moment.

There was no other way.

Hulk was indeed very strong; ordinary people would burst out with unparalleled strength when drowning, let alone Hulk, who grew stronger the angrier he became.

Hulk's final counterattack before death had nearly sent Hawk into the Phoenix constellation, triggering the process of rebirth through fire.

But...

He had won nonetheless.

Hawk thought silently as he looked at Hulk's corpse lying quietly on the lakebed.

Just then.

Wisps of green light emerged from Hulk's massive body, and then, with a "whoosh," the green light vanished into Hawk's body.

Hum!

Hawk felt his Small Universe, which had suddenly begun to rotate slowly on its own, as if drawing these green lights into his body.

As the wisps of green light merged into the Small Universe, the previously dilapidated Small Universe bloomed with vitality once more.

"This is..."

"Gamma energy?"

Hawk raised an eyebrow, looking at Hulk beneath his feet.

As the power was completely absorbed by his Small Universe after death, the massive body began to shrink, and the green light on its surface gradually dimmed. Finally, as the last of the power vanished, the massive Hulk disappeared silently from the spot, replaced by Bruce Banner, who lay on the lakebed, his life status unknown.

Hawk looked at the appearing Bruce Banner, his eyes flickering.

On the shore of Culver Lake.

Gwen was still staring with wide eyes, holding her breath, watching the now-calm lake surface without moving.

Just then.

Boom!

The lake surface exploded.

Gwen's pupils contracted.

The next moment.

She saw Hawk break through the water and reappear before her eyes. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, and her tense, pretty face finally blossomed into a smile.

Gwen hurried toward Hawk, who had landed on the shore holding Bruce Banner after breaking through the water.

"Hawk!"

"Bang!"

Hawk, whose upper clothing had been torn during the fight and whose casual pants were in tatters, tossed Bruce Banner aside. Seeing Gwen running toward him with a smile through her tears, he also revealed a faint smile.

The next second.

He collapsed to the side.

"Holy shit!"

"Hawk!"

Gwen was stunned for a moment, then quickly accelerated her pace, catching Hawk just as he fell, her voice trembling: "What's wrong with you?"

Hawk's head rested on Gwen's shoulder.

"I'm fine."

"Liar."

Gwen looked at Hawk's pale face and was almost in tears.

Hawk shook his head.

"Really fine, just exhausted."

"... Really?"

"Mm."

Hawk nodded.

His fight with Hulk had indeed left him feeling drained after burning his Small Universe.

It was fine under the lake, as he was in a combat state, but once he reached the shore, it was different; an endless sense of weakness and powerlessness invaded every corner of his body.

However...

After absorbing the gamma energy, the Small Universe's previously dimmed Phoenix constellation chart began to brighten slowly again, and his powerful self-healing ability was rapidly eliminating this sense of powerlessness.

Although it wouldn't be fast enough to restore Hawk to his peak state in the blink of an eye.

But...

In just a blink, color began to return to his previously pale face.

Seeing the color return to Hawk's cheeks with her own eyes, Gwen finally believed his words. Her heart relaxed, and then, seemingly thinking of something, she supported Hawk while casting her gaze toward Bruce Banner, who lay on the ground.

Perhaps because of the transformation into Hulk, Bruce Banner had prepared a pair of large, communal pants for himself, avoiding the embarrassing situation of being stark naked after reverting from Hulk.

Gwen looked at Bruce Banner, who was soaking wet and wearing only a pair of large trunks, and glanced sideways at Hawk, who was leaning on her shoulder.

"Is he not dead?"

"Not dead."

"Then Hulk..."

"Hulk is dead."

Hawk said with great certainty, then his gaze fell on Bruce Banner, who lay motionless on the ground: "But he is not dead."

After all, Hulk is Hulk, and Bruce Banner is Bruce Banner.

Hawk had also been surprised when he saw Bruce Banner appear after Hulk died.

Hulk died, but Bruce Banner didn't. However, after subconsciously opening his eyes beneath the lakebed, Bruce Banner had swallowed several mouthfuls of water and choked into unconsciousness.

He had hesitated at the time about whether to leave Bruce Banner at the bottom of the lake.

But...

Hawk gave a light laugh, smelling the fragrance of Gwen's hair, and said in a weak voice: "The one who killed my sister was Hulk, not Bruce Banner."

Just as he had insisted from the beginning.

If it had been Bruce Banner who killed his sister, he wouldn't have bothered with all that nonsense; he would have hammered Bruce Banner into eight pieces long ago.

Every grievance has its source, every debt has its debtor.

Hulk is dead.

His grudge with Bruce Banner is settled.

This was also the reason why he brought Bruce Banner to the shore from the bottom of the lake. ===== CHAPTER 132 =====