Tony woke up in his private bedroom on the top floor of Arbitrator Tower.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the silk sheets. He squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding light. The lingering taste of last night's alcohol still clung to his tongue, and his throat felt raw, as if something had pierced it.
"Good morning, Sir," Jarvis's voice emanated from the ceiling. "You have forty-nine unread messages, one of which is marked 'Urgent'."
Tony rolled over, burying his face in the pillow: "If it's those politicians again, telling me to hand over the armor technology, tell them to get lost."
"I'm afraid not this time, Sir," Jarvis paused for a second.
Tony threw back the covers, his bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. He casually grabbed a bathrobe and slipped it on; the silk fabric brought a subtle stinging sensation as it glided over his skin—the after-effects of last night's party hadn't fully subsided.
"Jarvis, turn on the coffee machine," he rubbed his temples as he walked towards the living room. "And tell me, what exactly is this 'Urgent Message'?"
"Retrieving data now…"
Tony walked to the center of the living room. The smart glass sensed his presence and automatically switched to holographic projection mode. He snapped his fingers, and the giant display screen on the wall lit up—
"Pfft—!!"
The coffee he had just taken a sip of splattered all over the million-dollar carpet.
On the screen, it was a scene of hell on Earth.
The skyline of East Capital City had been completely erased by some force beyond comprehension. The entire city was like a glass model thrown into a shredder; not a single building retained debris more than two meters high. Steel and cement were ground into dust, concrete fragments and metal debris mixing into a gray ocean of Death.
The news headline was blood-red and glaring: [East Capital Catastrophe! Half the City Destroyed! Death Toll Still Being Counted!]
"Holy crab…" Tony stood up in shock.
"Jarvis!" he shouted. "Pull up last night's energy readings! All of them!"
The holographic projection in the center of the living room immediately switched to a dense stream of data. In the pale blue light screen, a crimson energy curve suddenly surged at midnight, its peak directly exceeding Jarvis's measurement limit.
"According to energy spectrum analysis, at 02:20 AM last night, a super-dimensional energy accumulation appeared underground in East Capital, exploding at 03:08 AM."
"Shit," Tony looked at the energy spectrum. "Are there any corresponding surveillance footages?"
"Apologies, Sir, all satellites over East Capital last night were jammed, and all surveillance within East Capital City also lost control," Jarvis responded.
"Was this a premeditated attack?" Tony asked in shock.
"Sir, I'm sorry to contradict you, but in that 'Urgent Message,' there is intelligence regarding East Capital last night," Jarvis said again.
"Pull it up quickly!" Tony was a bit flustered, because with the global defense system in place, such large-scale destruction could not have escaped the system's monitoring, unless…
Tony's fingertips danced wildly across the holographic keyboard. The coffee cup was forgotten on the corner of the table, the brown liquid long since cold.
The holographic projection flickered a few times, then began playing the encrypted intelligence video—
The first scene: A dimly lit underground sanctuary, with a twisted nightmare totem standing on a pile of bones, its surface covered in glowing green patterns. The Neon Rat Emperor—that scrawny, skeletal old man—was prostrated before the totem, his forehead pressed to the ground, muttering obscure prayers.
"Great Dream Master… please grant your servant the power to control dreams…"
Tony's pupils contracted slightly. The old man's voice sounded like it had crawled directly out of a nightmare, hoarse and unsettling.
The scene switched: A luxurious Japanese conference room, a dozen high-ranking officials in formal attire seated around a long table. One of them was pointing at a holographic map, marked with red dots all over East Capital.
"According to the plan, bury the totems at these locations," the official's voice was cold. "The main totem beneath Tenshudai is already ready."
Tony's fists unconsciously tightened. Those red dots almost covered the entire East Capital, like a meticulously woven spider web.
The last scene made Tony jump to his feet—
A gigantic flesh mountain comparable to Mount Fuji rose from the ground, with countless distorted human faces appearing on its surface, emitting inhuman shrieks.
"Shit, what's wrong with this World?" Tony slumped onto the sofa. "First demons, now deformed monsters."
Tony suddenly sprang up from the sofa, "Jarvis! Where is Chen Tian now?"
"Sir, Mr. Chen returned to the Tower at 3:00 AM and is currently resting. Would you like me to notify Miss 2B to wake him?"
Tony's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed. He let out a long sigh, picked up the now-cold coffee, and took a large gulp: "No need."
3:00.
The energy burst was at 3:08 AM.
The timeline completely diverged.
Tony rubbed his temples, suddenly finding his suspicion somewhat ridiculous. Although Chen Tian was powerful, he probably couldn't do something like destroy half a city.
"Sir, Miss Potts has sent a reminder," Jarvis interrupted his thoughts at the opportune moment. "Global media are awaiting Arbitrators Alliance's statement on the East Capital incident, and media vans are already parked outside the Tower."
"Damn it." Tony glanced at his wrinkled bathrobe. "Tell them I'll be down in half an hour."
He walked quickly towards the walk-in closet. The smart glass sensed his movement and automatically dimmed the indoor lighting. Dozens of custom-made suits shimmered with a subtle luster under the sensor lights. Tony casually pulled out a dark gray three-piece suit.
Tony fastened the last cufflink, his fingertips gently caressing the sapphire cufflink. His slightly tired face was reflected in the full-length mirror, the faint dark circles under his eyes particularly noticeable in the cool light. He tugged at his tie knot, then suddenly stopped.
"Jarvis." Tony's voice was exceptionally clear in the walk-in closet. "Still, notify 2B to wake Chen Tian. And have a robot send a suit over; we can't let him dress so casually this time."
Jarvis immediately responded: "Wake-up request sent. Miss 2B replied that Mr. Chen is currently bathing and is expected to be available in twenty minutes."
Tony raised an eyebrow, picking up the wristwatch from the dressing table and putting it on: "Bathing? This guy is quite leisurely."
He adjusted his tie one last time in the mirror. "Tell Pepper to hold off the media for now, say we're waiting for another leader."
"Miss Potts understands, but she reminds you…" Jarvis uncharacteristically paused for half a second, "CNN's live broadcast has already lasted forty-seven minutes, and the Wall Street index has dropped by 3% because of it."
Tony scoffed, pushing open the closet door: "Let them fall."
"Their stock prices falling, I can't wait to see those vultures cry and wail."
Saying that, Tony entered the elevator and arrived at the floor below the top—the floor where Chen Tian resided.
The elevator doors slid open, and Miss 2B stood respectfully outside the door. "Mr. Stark." She bowed slightly. "Master is changing, please wait a moment."
Tony stepped out of the elevator, flashing his signature playful smile: "Good morning, Miss 2B~ Did your Master go after that lunatic Kaecilius last night, or did he secretly sneak off to meet a beautiful woman?"
Miss 2B's lips curved slightly upwards, revealing a polite yet mysterious smile: "Master's schedule is confidential, Mr. Stark." She stepped aside, making way. "However, I can tell you, he was indeed very… busy last night."
"Ha! I knew it!" Tony snapped his fingers, swaggering into the living room and sinking into the sofa, crossing his legs. "That guy is becoming more and more of a lone wolf. Miss 2B, remind your Master to definitely call me next time there's something fun going on."
Miss 2B merely smiled as she poured him a cup of coffee, not responding.
Tony picked up the coffee and took a sip, then suddenly frowned: "Wait, why does this coffee…"
"It was prepared according to Master's instructions," Miss 2B explained. "Three shots of espresso and a bit of whiskey, and he left you a message: 'Early morning hangover cure—Tony's favorite'."
"Damn it, is he getting back at me for adding laxatives to his soy milk last time?" Tony complained, setting the cup down.
Just then, the bedroom door opened, and Chen Tian walked out, yawning. His suit jacket was casually draped over his shoulder, and three buttons of his shirt collar were unbuttoned, revealing his collarbone. His hair was still damp, with a few unruly strands sticking up.
"Oh, isn't this our great genius, great philanthropist, and maintainer of World peace?" Chen Tian leaned lazily against the doorframe. "Why wake me up so early? And even sent a suit."
Tony exaggeratedly looked him up and down: "My God, look who it is? Did the stray cat who snuck out last night finally come home?" He deliberately sniffed the air, "I smell… whiskey, gunpowder, and… Chanel No. 5?"
Chen Tian rolled his eyes, walking to the bar to pour himself a glass of Water: "When did you switch professions to a police dog?" He tilted his head back and took a sip. "Besides, I was clearly… last night…"
"'Handling official business'?" Tony interrupted him, making air quotes. "Come on, you haven't even wiped off the lipstick mark on your neck yet."
Chen Tian subconsciously touched his neck, then reacted, "Are you trying to trick me?"
Tony winked triumphantly, "Works every time!"
Miss 2B timely offered a tie, "Master, the media are waiting for you and Mr. Stark."
Chen Tian sighed, casually draped the tie around his neck, but showed no intention of tying it. "Tony, you could clearly handle those media by yourself..."
"Oh, come on, superstar." Tony stood up and suddenly reached out to straighten his collar. "The whole World is waiting to see the two handsome guys from the Arbitrators Alliance make an important speech." He said it in a deliberately sweet tone.
Chen Tian slapped his hand away, "Cut it out, you just want to see me make a fool of myself on camera."
"You caught me!" Tony retreated a step with a mischievous grin. "But seriously," he suddenly became serious, "the East Capital incident..."
Chen Tian nodded, "I know. Miss 2B already told me this morning. That energy reading is very abnormal."
"I know." Tony shrugged, "But you know what those reporters outside will ask."
Chen Tian finally tied his tie and patted Tony's shoulder, "Then it's up to you, Mr. Public Relations."
"Hey, hey, what about us facing the media together?"
"Who said we agreed?" Chen Tian was already walking towards the elevator, turning back with a cunning smile. "Besides, don't you love the camera most, Mr. Stark?"
Tony chased after him, "You bastard... Don't be afraid! Watch my 'Black Flash Elbow Strike'!"
The two playfully bickered as they entered the elevator. Miss 2B watched their retreating figures, gently shaking her head, a hint of a smile on her lips.
— — — —
The elevator doors slowly opened on the first-floor lobby, and blinding flashlights lit up in quick succession. Tony was the first to step out, his gold-rimmed glasses automatically adjusting to a darker shade to shield him from the dazzling flashes, a perfectly confident smile on his lips. Chen Tian casually followed behind him, his black suit jacket draped loosely over his shoulder, his tie hanging askew, as if he were merely an observer.
"Mr. Stark! What is the Arbitrators Alliance's response to the East Capital incident?"
"Will this be the fuse for the Third World War?"
The reporters' questions rained down like cannonballs. Tony raised his hand, gesturing for silence. His voice echoed through the entire hall via the microphone: "Ladies and gentlemen, regarding the East Capital incident, the Arbitrators Alliance will absolutely not stand idly by."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every camera present: "I have retrieved all available data and am prepared to personally go to East Capital to investigate."
A commotion immediately broke out below the stage. Tony continued, "I can assure the entire World that any force daring to disrupt peace—" He deliberately emphasized his tone, "—whether human or whatever else, will pay a painful price."
A CNN reporter suddenly asked loudly, "Mr. Stark! There are reports that this incident is related to supernatural powers. Does the Arbitrators have relevant evidence?"
Tony's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He turned slightly, stepping aside to motion Chen Tian forward: "Perhaps my colleague is more suitable to answer this question."
Chen Tian raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Tony to suddenly pass the buck to him. He slowly walked to the microphone, a playful glint in his eyes: "Evidence?" His voice had a lazy, magnetic quality. "You might as well ask the Neon Government why they buried so many... interesting toys underground in East Capital."
This statement exploded like a bomb, igniting the entire venue. Reporters frantically took notes, and flashlights almost turned the hall into White daylight.
Tony timely took over the conversation: "Specific details are confidential." He patted Chen Tian's shoulder, "But Mr. Chen and I will form a special action team and provide an initial investigation report within 72 hours."
"Finally," Tony suddenly revealed his signature Stark-esque smile, "I want to say something to those guys hiding in the Shadow—"
He took off his glasses and looked directly into the main camera lens: "You'd better pray I don't find you. Because when I do find you..."
"You will be imprisoned in the deepest prison at the bottom of the sea. Justice must not be desecrated, and peace must not be destroyed!"
— — — —
After the press conference, Chen Tian hooked Tony's neck and dragged him into the elevator. As soon as the metal doors closed, he couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Oh my God, Tony Stark actually said 'Justice must not be desecrated' on camera?" He exaggeratedly mimicked Tony's tone from earlier, "When did you become Captain America?"
Tony winked mysteriously and took a tiny earpiece from his ear: "Because the one speaking just now was actually—" He pressed a button on the earpiece, and Jarvis's voice immediately sounded: "—it was me, Mr. Chen."
"Ha!" Chen Tian slapped the elevator wall. "I knew it! How could that smooth-talking Tony suddenly become so serious!"
"Hey!" Tony feigned injury, clutching his chest. "I'm very serious, okay?" But then he couldn't help but laugh himself, "Alright, those official remarks really aren't my style."
The elevator went directly to the tactical conference room, and the heavy blast doors silently slid open before them. Tony's expression instantly turned serious. He strode quickly to the central holographic projection table: "Jarvis, pull up that encrypted intelligence."
Blue data streams intertwined in the air, quickly reforming into that terrifying image. Chen Tian stood by with his arms crossed. When he saw the mountain of flesh made of human faces, he sneered, "A product of the Dimension Demon God."
"Wait, how did you know?" Tony asked in surprise.
Chen Tian pointed to the totem that the Rat King was kneeling before and said, "Did you forget? You dealt with Mephisto's followers in Devon County last night, and I dealt with Dormammu's followers in Badong. In the Badong slums, there were similar totems."
"No, I didn't see it in Devon County." Tony looked confused. Last night in Devon County, he was just killing, killing, killing, and didn't see anything.
Chen Tian shrugged, "I don't know the situation there, but," Chen Tian typed a few times on the holographic keyboard in the air, and a section of video was added to the holographic projection.
It was an image of Chen Tian breaking into Dormammu's altar. Chen Tian paused it at a section where a putrid heart floated in the air, and behind the heart, a giant single eye with an inverted triangular pupil-shaped totem emerged from burning green Fire.
Chen Tian motioned for Tony to look, "See, it's this."
Tony pressed his temple. "So the East Capital incident yesterday was caused by a Dimension Demon God?"
"Hmm, I'm guessing so. After all, only a Dimension Demon God would have such destructive power." Chen Tian pulled up a chair and sat down.
Tony sighed, "I always feel like things have been getting more and more complicated ever since you came back."
"Ha~ So I should leave?" Chen Tian gave Tony a disdainful look.
Tony pouted, "You'd better leave now. The moment you step out of Arbitrator Tower, I'll tear down your arcade."
Chen Tian stood up and put an arm around Tony's shoulder, "Oh, come on, you can't bear to lose me, I know."
"Tsk, fine, fine, you're my muse, I can't live without you, alright?" Tony pushed Chen Tian away in disgust. "Now the key is, we still have to investigate the East Capital incident and give the public an answer."
"Tony, aren't you forgetting something?" Chen Tian sat back down, but now had a can of cola in his hand.
"What?" Tony was puzzled.
"We are an unofficial organization. Our organization's main purpose is to protect the public and protect the World, so we don't need to hide anything." Chen Tian pointed to the holographic image.
"Just expose what the Neon Government and the Royal Family have done. That's the answer."
Tony slapped his forehead, "You're right. I've been interacting with the Government too much lately; I've been assimilated."
"However," Tony's expression became extremely serious again.
Tony's fingers rapidly slid across the holographic projection, and the image peeled away layer by layer like disassembled building blocks. A smile played on his lips: "Look at this—"
The projection finally froze on a line of tiny text almost drowned out by static:
[A gift from an Arbitrators fan]
Tony chuckled, "This fan has already provided us with two big surprises."
Chen Tian took a sip of cola, "I wish I had more fans like this; it would save us investigation time."
"Heh," Tony sneered, "That's true, but..."
Tony swiped the projection again. All the images were cleared, impurities removed, and a symbol appeared.
Within a dark eclipse ring, a blood-stained sword entwined with thorns, and below it, a line of bloody Latin was engraved:
"LUX TENEBRIS."
Light of Darkness...
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
patreon.com/SuperTL
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
" Marvel Rise of the Spider-Verse "
" Marvel: The Multiverse Wanderer "
" Marvel: Wrath of the Dark Superman "
"Marvel's Power Fusion "
" Marvel's Divine Game Producer "
" Marvel: System of the Cosmic Devourer "
" Marvel: Hyperion Journey "
"Marvel of the Genesis Transformation"
many more are available
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)