Bab 98: Chapter 98: Magneto’s Strength Is Just So-So
"Brotherhood of Mutants?"
Alan narrowed his eyes.
Of course, he knew about this group. It was formed by Magneto and other anti-human mutants.
Their goal was to eliminate humans and make mutants the rulers of Earth.
Had they set their sights on him?
The documents in his hand confirmed that Nick Fury wasn't lying.
As for why Magneto's Brotherhood was targeting him, Alan could guess the reason—his wealth and the influence it could wield in society. For mutants, it was nothing but beneficial.
Seeing the look on Alan's face, Nick Fury continued, "You should understand the gravity of the situation now."
"My purpose here is to offer you protection."
"But for S.H.I.E.L.D. to protect you, you'll need to demonstrate your value."
The implication was clear: Fury wanted Alan to show his abilities.
Nick Fury knew that the fall of Kingpin was tied to Alan.
Forcing Alan to confess his abilities through threats or persuasion would be pointless.
The best approach was to offer something of equal value in return.
Being targeted by Magneto and his Brotherhood was not a simple problem to solve.
And S.H.I.E.L.D. was precisely the organization capable of handling it.
Alan chuckled and said, "Director Fury, I think there's a misunderstanding."
"I don't have any special abilities."
"First, I just got lucky buying Stark Industries' stock."
"Second, I'm not afraid of Magneto."
As he spoke, he pushed the documents back across the table.
Alan truly wasn't afraid of Magneto. Not only Magneto, but even if the entire Brotherhood of Mutants came at him, he still wouldn't be scared.
If Magneto was foolish enough to provoke him, just like Kingpin did, Alan wouldn't hesitate to make him disappear too.
Nick Fury and Maria Hill were both momentarily stunned by Alan's words.
He wasn't afraid of Magneto?
"Mr. Alan, I don't think you understand the danger posed by Magneto and his Brotherhood," Hill said, stepping forward, intending to explain the threat Magneto posed.
But before Hill could say much, Nick Fury stood up. "Let's go, Hill."
Surprised, Hill glanced at Alan and added, "Take care."
Then, she followed Fury out of the apartment.
As the sound of the elevator doors closing reached their ears, Gwen and Pikachu, who had been quiet this whole time, both changed their expressions.
"Alan, who is this Magneto? Is he really powerful?"
Gwen knew about mutants but wasn't familiar with the specific code names or who they referred to.
"Pika... Pikachu..."
Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity.
Although he didn't know who Magneto was, he could tell that his master, Alan, had been threatened.
Seeing Gwen and Pikachu, Alan smiled and said, "Don't worry. He's just a self-righteous guy."
"His strength? It's pretty average."
"Alright, I'll handle this myself."
Gwen trusted Alan's words without question. Since Alan said Magneto was nothing special, she didn't need to worry.
After all, in her mind, she was there to protect Alan now.
Gwen had already started seeing Alan as someone who needed her protection.
If Nick Fury and Maria Hill had still been there to hear Alan say this, they would probably have thought he was insane.
An alpha-level mutant who nearly toppled the government of the United States, and you say his strength is "average"?
In a time when omega-level mutants hadn't awakened or appeared, Magneto and Professor X represented the pinnacle of power on Earth.
Of course, that was also because they didn't know about an even stronger Sorcerer Supreme living on Earth.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Nick Fury and Hill exited the apartment building.
"Hill, if you've got something to say, just say it," Nick Fury remarked as they walked.
Hearing this, Hill finally spoke, "Why didn't you let me continue back there?"
Nick Fury sneered, "I originally thought the person who quietly took down Kingpin was someone with potential. But now, it seems he's far too arrogant."
"Sometimes, arrogance comes at a price. Since he refuses to cooperate, we'll let him handle Magneto on his own."
Hill nodded, sharing the same impression of Alan's attitude.
"So, do we keep monitoring Alan?"
"We'll wait and see if he survives Magneto first," Nick Fury said as he got into the car, with Hill following closely behind.
Neither of them noticed a scruffy-looking beggar across the street, whose sharp eyes followed them intently.
After watching Nick Fury and Hill leave, the beggar pressed the earpiece near his ear and said,
"Nick Fury is down."
"From the look on his face, it seems the conversation didn't go too well."
A deep, commanding voice came from the other end of the earpiece: "Come back for now."
"We must gain control over Alan; only then can we continue with the next phase of the plan."
"Nick Fury... Hah! Just a government lapdog, thinking of himself as some sort of savior."
The beggar stood up and walked deeper into the alley. As he blended into the shadows, his skin rippled and transformed into blue scales.
His strange, reptilian eyes glanced toward a balcony above.
"Alan... an interesting man..."
---
At the entrance to Harry's house, Peter stepped out alone, planning to hail a cab on the street.
It was hard to find a taxi near a private estate like this.
Harry's earlier words had completely alerted him.
Norman was an exceptionally arrogant genius.
The reason Norman had recruited him as an assistant was because Peter had developed a new decay formula that impressed him enough to break the rules and promote him.
But now, Peter realized something odd.
A man like Norman had suddenly hired multiple assistants.
Though Norman claimed they were just there to help move equipment, Peter now found it suspicious.
Their attire suggested they were meant to assist in experiments.
Peter was starting to suspect that Norman had found a way to experiment on human subjects, and those men were likely involved.
He quickly flagged down a taxi. "To Oscorp Industries, hurry!"
---
At the NYPD headquarters, a visitor knocked on George's office door.
George, who had been reviewing criminal files, looked up to see a familiar but distant face.
"Tony Stark?"
It was indeed Tony who had arrived.
"Yes, it's me. Captain George, I need a favor."
George wasn't particularly fond of capitalists like Tony, but given that Tony was a public figure in New York and a major taxpayer, George was willing to show some courtesy.
"Go ahead, Mr. Stark."
George stood up and politely shook Tony's hand.
"I want to see the man who caused a scene outside Stark Industries today."
"I have some questions for him."
George nodded, "Of course, no problem. He's downstairs. I'll take you to him."
With George leading the way, Tony was brought to a holding cell.
"His speech is quite cryptic. We haven't been able to interrogate him properly."
"If you manage to get something out of him, please do let me know."
"Of course," Tony replied with a smile.
"I'll be outside if you need me."
George opened the door and left.
Tony stepped inside, staring at the back of Ivan Vanko, who was now wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, having undergone a thorough search before being placed in the cell.
"Your work was decent, but the rotational speed was a bit low."
"You should try doubling the speed next time."
As Tony critiqued the device, he approached Ivan Vanko, studying him closely.
He confirmed once again that he didn't recognize this man.
"Running reverse energy through ionized plasma conduits—it works, but the efficiency is lacking."
"But I won't deny it; it's a pretty good imitation."
At these words, Ivan Vanko, who had been silent all along, looked up at Tony and said, "You and your family are thieves."
"The design of the arc reactor—your family stole it."
"You're the counterfeit!"
Ivan spoke in the calmest voice, but the fury behind his words was unmistakable.
Tony squinted. "Where exactly do you think I stole my design from?"
"My father, Anton Vanko!"
Tony shook his head. "Never heard of him."
Ivan glared at Tony, then glanced at the faint blue glow coming from the arc reactor in Tony's chest.
"The only reason you're alive is because of my father."
"The only reason I'm alive is because you failed to kill me," Tony shot back.
"Oh, is that so? If your father hadn't stolen the designs, you would've died during that kidnapping."
"The thing in your chest was designed by the Vanko family, not the Stark family."
Tony realized that this was likely some grudge from the previous generation. There was no point in arguing further.
He stood up and left, planning to look into the name Anton Vanko and figure out what connection, if any, he had with his father, Howard Stark.
That's why Ivan Vanko was so determined to kill him.
As Tony was about to walk out the door, Ivan Vanko's voice came from behind: "Dying from palladium poisoning is a painful way to go."
Tony froze, shocked. He turned around, but after a moment of silence, he simply opened the door and left.
Outside, George approached him. "So, did you get anything out of him?"
Tony, unwilling to reveal that this involved his deceased father, just shrugged and said, "I have no idea what he was talking about."
George laughed, "Same here."
As Tony left the police station, George called after him, "If you learn anything, I'll let you know right away."
Tony waved goodbye and got into his car.
Not long after Tony left, another man, sharply dressed in a suit, entered the police station. He walked straight into the deputy chief's office.
The deputy chief, who was enjoying a sweet dessert, immediately turned serious when he saw a stranger burst into his office.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
The deputy chief was terrified because the man had already reached into his pocket.
Was he about to pull out a gun?
Could this be an assassination attempt?
Just as the deputy chief was about to cry out for help, the man in the suit pulled out a thick wad of cash from his pocket and slapped it onto the desk.
The deputy chief, upon seeing the money, immediately shut his mouth and pocketed it.
"Who sent you?" he asked. "What do you want?"
The man smiled and said, "Hammer Industries."
The deputy chief was startled. "The Hammer Industries with the five-year contract from the Department of Defense?"
The man in the suit nodded.
The deputy chief's face lit up with a grin—this was serious money.
"Tell me, what do you need? I've got some influence here."
"My people need access to Ivan Vanko."
Without hesitation, the deputy chief agreed. "No problem at all, but..."
The man in the suit knew exactly what he meant.
"This is just the deposit. After it's done, ten times more."
"I'll arrange it immediately!"
...
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