Victor von Doom, a supervillain codenamed Doctor Doom, is primarily the archenemy of the superhero group "Fantastic Four". He has mastered science and technology that surpasses Iron Man, and through continuous in-depth study, he has developed a magical attainment that rivals that of the Supreme Mage. After completing his studies, he combined his advanced technology and unfathomable magic to overthrow the power of Latvia and take the throne himself. Then, with his extraordinary talent, he even built the small Eastern European country of Latvia into one of the most powerful countries in the world.

But that's all after the comics, and now Victor von Doom is just a college student—a genius, but still just a student.

Michael doesn't really know that much about Doom, and he only recognizes Doom because of Fox's old version of the Fantastic Four movie. Although the setting and performance of Doom as a villain in the movie are really disappointing, he still has heard of the heights that Doom has reached in the original story.

With a genius in science and magic, and one of the world's best minds, who better in the world than Doom to be drawn into the cause that Michael is working to?

"Paso?" Young Doom did seem to recognize him when he heard him report to his home. Doom remembers seeing him on television and was still slightly impressed.

But that didn't make him let go of his hostility.

"That still doesn't explain what you're here for." He said coldly, "My research is protected by the U.S. military. I don't care what kind of group boss you are or whatever, you don't have the right to come in here without consent. ”

Michael was unimpressed. He casually gestured to the several notebooks spread out on the messy lab bench beside him, each filled with numbers, formulas, or codes.

"Dimensional warping, material transmutation...... Your research is in-depth, Victor. "It's impressive, but I'm afraid it's still a long way from what you want." ”

Doom was surprised and angry at the same time. The contents of these notes were the most cutting-edge research he had conducted privately, and he was proud that no one in the whole world could understand it except himself, but this guy not only seemed to understand, but his tone sounded like an inconsequential elementary school math problem when he named his research direction accurately.

"You're spying on my notes?" Doom strode over to the table and slapped the cover of his notebook.

"Just flip through it while you're waiting. You've done enough to boast about it, but if you really want to make the code you remember here, you might want to consider making some corrections. For example, in that multi-threaded snippet, if it were me, I would consider using atomic variables instead. ”

Doom pointed to the door in annoyance: "Get out." I don't need anyone to acknowledge my work or be ignorant enough to dictate my research. You don't understand anything at all......"

As he spoke, his voice unconsciously lowered, and his gaze returned to the notebook lying on the table like a ghost.

Doom frowned, then reopened his notebook, pondering as if no one was around.

"Wait...... No way...... No, it does seem to work...... Yes, so it works! ”

He muttered to himself for a while, then looked up in surprise to find Michael still sitting in his chair silent, patiently waiting for him to think, like a mentor who was willing to guide students to solve problems on their own.

Doom's attitude softened a little - he always seemed to be easier to get along with people with similar IQs to himself.

"So the media isn't overly bragging, and I admit that you're really different from most idiots. Your proposal...... Very good. If I succeed, it's a debt I owe you. ”

Victor von Doom is a deeply self-centered man, and he admits that Michael came up with ideas that he couldn't come up with, but he refuses to admit that the other person is better than him. And his conceit makes him extremely sensitive to the favors he owes to others, so he never asks for help.

But even if he was as conceited as Doom, he had to look at this stranger with admiration. Only he knows that many of the formulas and language in his work notes are not understandable to ordinary people, because they are the success of combining the gypsy black magic he has been exposed to since childhood with the science and technology he has learned later, and no matter how smart an engineer should not be able to read it, because it is not pure science.

But this guy seems to really understand.

"Again," Doom dismissed the idea of kicking him out, "what do you want here?" ”

"Offer a job offer. But it's not for you to work for me, it's more like a collaboration. Michael said, "A great mind like you deserves a better chance." ”

"You mean, and Paso Tech?"

Michael shook his head.

"I'm talking about making a lot more money than joining companies to make money from R&D. You are different, Victor, you are destined to achieve great things, and you cannot be left to the captivity of the American government for the rest of your life. I invite you in the hope that you will be a part of some great cause...... But of course, it's too broad and empty to say that. So let's talk about something practical. ”

He leaned forward.

"I have all kinds of resources, utensils, and equipment that the military doesn't have, some of which you might not even imagine. I can help you achieve your ultimate goal, Doom. He paused and accentuated, "I can give you the support you need to help you save your mother from hell as soon as possible." ”

Doom's whole person raised his head violently like an electric shock, and his eyes were mixed with inexplicable surprise and bewilderment.

When Doom was young, his mother, a gypsy girl, made a deal with Mephisto, the demon who rules Hell, in order to defend her tribe and fight back against her oppressors, and her soul remains imprisoned in hell for eternity.

He never mentioned it to anyone since he came to the United States, but that has always been his true purpose - to combine cutting-edge technology and advanced magic to find a way to hell and save his mother's poor soul from the hands of the king of hell.

Michael stood up and straightened his shirt: "Alright, the invitation has been sent." You've got a week to think about it, Victor. The contact information will be automatically saved to your phone in a minute, and if you want it, just reply to me within a week. If you choose to decline and don't have to reply, the number will be automatically wiped from your phone in a week – the kind that can't be retrieved. ”

After speaking, without waiting for a response, he opened the door and walked out of the room.

"Wait a minute!"

Doom hurried to catch up, opened the door and hurried into the hallway. But when he stood in the corridor and looked left and right, where was the shadow of half a person?

Doom retreated into the room and sat back in the lab chair. He took out his phone, opened the contacts, and sure enough, he found that a number he had never seen before had been saved unconsciously.

He frowned slightly, and unconsciously squeezed the phone case hard.