Chapter 174: Iron Man, You're Not the Only Superhuman
"Keep the strength-based charms with me. As for the functional charms, we should continue to study them to see if we can develop powerful subordinates like Stark has. Although I don't have outstanding scientific personnel, Stark doesn't have the Rat Charm, which gives me an advantage…" Valon decided after a long silence.
"As for the Dog and Horse Charms, we could also study them. No, better keep the Dog Charm with me; its utility is greater when carried."
Valon needed both his own powerful abilities and a capable team. An intellectually limited Alfred was clearly not enough. Cautiously, Valon didn't want to keep all the charms on himself, fearing the Saint in slumber might have contingencies planned. He was willing to use some of the charm's powers but not to keep all their powers on himself. Even an increasingly confident Valon remained overly cautious!
"Damn it!" Elsewhere, Alexander Pierce's eyes flickered coldly as he cursed under his breath after Valon hung up on him. "How's Nick Fury? Any life-threatening injuries?"
"Nick Fury is not in danger of death. However, he is investigating this incident. Should we…?" Agent Sitwell asked hesitantly.
"Yes, make sure our people aren't exposed. Blame everything on Valon and make sure Nick Fury finds out not only he was attacked but also District 13 and Super Search Division," Alexander Pierce quickly decided.
"Let Fury know it's Valon openly stealing charms!"
"Yes!" Sitwell acknowledged and hurried off to prepare.
"Not good! This world is too dangerous. I must have a team of my own, powerful enough to maintain world peace," Nick Fury thought, recovering in the S.H.I.E.L.D. medical room. He recalled a plan he once considered and decided it was time to act on it.
"There are already Iron Man, Superman, and Batman, but their efforts are too scattered, especially Superman, whose identity we can't find."
"Batman only operates in Gotham City, which has almost become a self-governing area under Wayne Enterprises. That's a problem too!"
"Let's start with Tony Stark and see if we can find Hulk, Energy Lad, and other superhumans…"
Nick Fury made up his mind as Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, came in with the latest intelligence. Agent Sitwell had already leaked useful information to Black Widow, who promptly reported to Fury.
"Valon? Black Hand? District 13? Super Search Division?" Nick Fury frowned at the report, "I knew about the charms in District 13, but Super Search Division too? Their director died? I guess I'm luckier…"
"Should we infiltrate Super Search Division now that they're leaderless?" Black Widow asked quietly.
"No, let's focus on the charms. Contact Blake from District 13 and share information to retrieve the charms together," Fury decided, struggling to get off the bed.
"Fury, your injuries?" Black Widow looked concerned.
"It's nothing. I didn't lay down this long even when I lost my eye. If I keep lying here, my body will deteriorate!" Fury said, shaking his head with a carefree smile, "Besides, there's more important work to be done…"
At Tony Stark's house, Stark was relaxed, leaving Stark Industries to Obadiah Stane, Pepper Potts, and Jansen. As Iron Man, he only needed to fight crime, boosting Stark Industries' stock value.
Especially after the Horse Charm incident, Stark fully recovered from Palladium poisoning and further improved his Arc Reactor. Though he didn't discover a new element, the new Arc Reactor was more powerful, enhancing his armor's firepower.
During this time, Obadiah considered attacking Stark but lacked the means. Moreover, Stark, as Iron Man, significantly increased the company's value, making Obadiah reluctant to kill his cash cow…
"JARVIS, have you analyzed that Superman's abilities yet?" Stark suddenly asked in his workshop.
"…" However, JARVIS didn't respond. The workshop was empty except for the sound of Stark and his mechanical arms building armor.
"JARVIS?" Stark frowned, tapping the desk. The Iron Man armor instantly flew onto him.
After witnessing many superhuman events, Stark's vigilance had increased. Even at home, he cautiously donned his armor, which was now waterproof and had a circulation system for underwater use.
"Sir, there's an intruder! He just blacked me out!" JARVIS came back online, revealing the intruder's information.
"Intruder: Nick Fury, head of S.H.I.E.L.D., recently attacked, likely injected with Super Soldier Serum, comparable to a regular super soldier, but not as strong as John Walker we encountered before…"
"He recovered so quickly? And knows so much about me? Has he been hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D. data?" Fury walked in, laughing, "Hey, relax, Mr. Stark. I come with no ill intent…"
"I don't trust someone who hacks my system and breaks into my home. You know, I could kill you for trespassing and win the lawsuit…" Stark retorted irritably.
"I'm sure Stark Industries' lawyers could manage that, but I really have no ill intent…" Fury replied, slowly lowering his hand and shaking his head, "Technically, I was friends with your father…"
"Heh, trying to bond doesn't work with me!" Stark scoffed.
"Disappointing… no sofa in your workshop…" Fury looked around and then said earnestly, "Tony Stark, you don't think you're the only superhuman in the world, do you?"
"Are you kidding me?" Stark interrupted, "Isn't that Superman who keeps upstaging me another superhuman? And you, though weaker, injected with Super Soldier Serum, aren't you a superhuman too?"
"…" Fury fell silent. He had planned to contact Stark when the palladium poisoning worsened, offering a new element left by Howard Stark...
But now, Stark had already recovered from the Horse Charm, diminishing Fury's leverage. Plus, Fury had to pretend he didn't know about Stark's recovery since John Walker and another super soldier were sent by him and had fought Stark…
"I'm here to propose a partnership. You alone can't protect this world. Many dangers lurk in the shadows, and you can't predict the next threat," Fury said, reorganizing his thoughts.
"So, you predict them? Or are you just seeking protection after being attacked? Are you really here to collaborate?" Stark raised an eyebrow, interrupting again.
"…" Fury's expression darkened, but before he could say more, Stark continued.
"I know why you were attacked. You had a charm. I saw the data. You're lucky it was the redhead and not that other guy. With your attitude, you'd hardly survive…" Stark waved, displaying footage of Fury's attack.
"You mean Energy Lad? You know his real identity?" Fury's eyes lit up.
"Energy Lad? What a crappy nickname. If you ever meet him, don't use it. You'd probably end up in a bad way!" Stark laughed.
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