Back to Tony Stark and Yinsen's perspective, an explosion echoed through the cave.
The next second, the heavy metal door of the chamber twisted like paper, and standing just a few feet away was a man wearing goggles and a black windbreaker. He smiled at them.
"Hello, Tony Stark, do you want to be my son?" Alex Ray said with a Whitebread grin.
Tony Stark and Yinsen stared at him, dumbfounded.
Realizing the awkward silence, Alex rubbed the back of his neck and corrected himself.
"Sorry, off topic. That was a joke. My name is Alex Ray. I'm here to rescue you on behalf of Ms. Pepper Potts."
Tony pointed at Alex and then motioned outside with a smirk. "Was that magic? Or something else? How did you suddenly appear like that?"
"Just a little superpower, nothing too flashy." Alex instinctively extended his hand to shake, then hesitated, remembering Tony wasn't a fan of physical contact.
"So... we're saved now. I guess there's no need to worry about the fighting outside," Yinsen finally spoke, having been ignored until then.
"It's fine. My partners are taking care of it," Alex said with a wave of his hand.
Suddenly, a figure burst into the room—Pietro Maximoff, better known as Quicksilver.
The moment Pietro laid eyes on Tony Stark, memories of his adoptive parents came flooding back. Without thinking, he lunged at Stark with a blur of motion.
Whoosh!
"Stop!" Alex moved in a flash, catching Pietro's fist in his right hand just inches from Stark's face.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—what the hell?" Tony shouted, stumbling backward. "What's with the white-haired dude? He looks like a malfunctioning anime character! And punching people? I should fine you for that!"
"Pietro, calm down," Alex said firmly.
"You damn arms dealer! Murderer! We shouldn't have rescued you!" Pietro shouted, struggling in Alex's grip.
"Pietro's adoptive parents were killed in Sokovia by a missile made by Stark Industries," Alex explained. "His home was destroyed in the attack."
Tony's face dropped. He looked away, guilt etched across his features.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't know. I thought the weapons we built were used to protect people. I didn't realize…"
He trailed off, then added, "Not long ago, I watched a young man die—killed by a weapon I helped design. I realized then that I've been wrong. From now on, I want to use what I have to protect people, not destroy them."
Tony looked Pietro in the eye. "I know I can't undo the past. But I'll make it right. I swear it."
Pietro's fists unclenched. He turned away, breathing heavily, the fire in his eyes dimming.
"Alright then, Mr. Stark, you hungry? Want something to eat?" Alex said, gesturing to Pietro.
Pietro reached into his backpack and pulled out two cheeseburgers, handing them to Tony and Yinsen.
"Cheeseburgers? How'd you know? Oh, God, it's been a month… This—this is heaven," Tony said, tearing into the burger. "For this cheeseburger alone, I'll be your friend for life."
Alex smiled as a familiar notification echoed in his mind.
Ding.
Congratulations, host. You have successfully befriended Tony Stark.
New attribute acquired: Person Cursed by Knowledge.
Would you like to integrate this attribute now?
No. Alex mentally declined. Not the time.
"System, scan Tony Stark," he commanded silently.
Ding.
Basic Information
Name: Tony Stark
Title: Iron Man
Race: Human
Favorability: ★☆☆☆☆
Skills:
Chemistry: Lv7
Physics: Lv10
Flirting: Lv5
Truth (Not upgradable)
R&D Ability: Lv7
Person Cursed by Knowledge
Wisdom: Lv9
Strength: Lv1
Creativity: Lv8
Manufacturing Mastery: Lv10
Science: Lv10
Tenacity: Lv7
Lucky Protagonist...
Looking at the stats, Alex felt a pang of jealousy. Yep, definitely the main character.
Watching Tony and Yinsen devour their burgers, Alex decided it was time.
"System, integrate it."
A sudden surge of energy coursed through him. Alex's brain felt like it had shifted into overdrive. Light flickered through his mind like a computer booting up. Ideas surged forth like an endless tide.
He had always been sharp, but now it was like someone had opened a locked gate in his brain. The world had never felt so clear.
"System, open my panel," he thought.
Name: Alex Ray
Race: Human
Skills:
Combat Technique: Lv10
Person Cursed by Knowledge (Not upgradable)
Healing Factor
Strength: Lv10
Speed: Lv2
Chaos Magic: Lv1
Piloting Mastery: Lv6
Reflexes: Lv7
Swordsmanship: Lv5
Marksmanship: Lv3
Animal Speak: Lv4
Cooking: Lv5
Lockpicking: Lv3
Theft: Lv2
Looting: Lv3...
"What's with the un-upgradable status?" he asked.
Some are born blessed, Host. These attributes cannot be improved by training. They evolve only through specific events or by acquiring traits from high-level allies.
"So success really is 99% talent and 1% effort. Hard work is a comforting lie," Alex muttered.
"What was that? You just said I'm a genius? Thank you," Tony said smugly, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
Alex rolled his eyes.
But truthfully, he didn't mind Stark's arrogance. It was honest. Unfiltered.
Stark had never needed to play nice to survive—he was born at the top. And yet, beneath all that ego was someone ready to sacrifice himself for others. Always had been.
Even before he'd watched the movies in his past life, Alex had believed that Tony Stark was the warmest soul in the Avengers. A man who would leave himself behind to save the world.
And that was why Alex had wanted to be friends with him—even without the system.
Because really, who wouldn't want to be friends with a brilliant, generous billionaire?
The gunfire and explosions outside faded, replaced by the rhythmic thump-thump-thump of approaching footsteps.
"It's over. My team handled it," Alex said calmly.
"You'll be able to go home soon," Tony told Yinsen softly.
Yinsen smiled faintly, though his eyes looked distant.
"The scum outside has been cleaned up by the great Lord Deadpool!" Deadpool burst through the entrance, dual katanas in hand. Beside him, Dogpool strode in, both paws gripping pistols like a furry assassin. The only thing missing was a cigar.
Yinsen blinked at the pair. "Your partner is… unique," he said to Alex.
Tony chuckled. "And your buddy has terrible taste in tights."
"I assume the guy with the glowing chest is the legendary Mr. Stark," Deadpool announced. "Pleasure to meet you! You can call me Deadpool—or 'dear,' if you're feeling generous. I'm available for all missions. Reasonable rates."
Quicksilver facepalmed.
"Alright, enough with the introductions," Alex said, heading for the exit. "Let's get out of here."
He pulled out a satellite phone and dialed a number.
"Ms. Potts? We've located Tony Stark. He's safe. Send coordinates for extraction. What? You want to talk to him?"
Alex handed the phone to Tony and gestured for him to take the call.
Tony hesitated for a moment, then answered. The conversation was short.
When he hung up, he turned to Alex.
"…Thanks," he said sincerely.
Then, without another word, he gathered up his sketches of the Mark I and walked toward the light.
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