**Chapter 18: Fooled**
2022-10-19 Author: Great Demon Spirit
"Who are you?"
Tony sent back a message, quietly waiting for a reply. This force had sent people into the chaotic battle just to deliver a contact phone to him.
If there was no reason, he wouldn't believe it for a second. When couldn't they have sent the phone, but precisely during a chaotic battle? Those people didn't stop to help him either, not at all worried about him dying in battle.
It was like a cover-up, wanting to avoid exposing themselves in the chaos... No, it was more like it was deliberate. How many forces were watching at that time? People suddenly rushed out from nowhere, blatantly threw a phone to Tony, and then left... If no one saw that, then all those forces would be fools.
Soon, another message came back: "Someone wants to kill you."
Tony scoffed, sent back "Stop playing games," and tossed the phone aside.
Many people wanted to kill him; did I really need you to tell me that?
Many people were indeed eyeing him, either to recruit him or to kill him, both were acceptable. If Tony himself didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve, coupled with warnings from several major forces, they would be wary and not dare to act rashly again.
"I need to increase my Combat Power. Optimus Prime alone isn't enough."
His Allspark could control vehicles, and while the modification efficiency was questionable, controlling several Transformers simultaneously was not a problem.
Before acquiring Vibranium or Adamantium Armor, his Combat Power was destined to lean towards Transformers, following the path of a large-scale war Legion.
Without Vibranium and Adamantium Armor, he could only rely on a large number of various Transformers for defense and combat. It was questionable whether he could even withstand large-scale missile attacks.
Allspark Energy could enhance Tony's physical prowess and Healing Factor, but it couldn't make Tony unkillable, like Wolverine, who could endure nuclear bomb radiation and heat, utterly insane.
Tony's Combat Power was actually quite considerable. As a Level Three Combat Power, compared to most Level Three Mutants, he held an overwhelming advantage. Figures like Mystique would be completely crushed by Tony.
Tony's Allspark ability was incredibly unique. If he were fortunate enough to obtain the Mind Stone, Tony would embark on a new journey as a Creator. As long as he remained alive, he would create a Transformer species.
He might even one day rebuild Cybertron.
But that was a very distant future. Simply ensuring his own survival was already too difficult. In countless future Blood Wars, where Gods would fall, anyone could die.
The difficulty of obtaining the Mind Stone was also astonishingly high. It was a supreme treasure that controlled minds, and few could remain indifferent to it.
Regardless, Tony had to strengthen his power, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to survive the countless future catastrophes.
Tony first drove to a Scrapyard in the suburbs. After looking around, he was greatly disappointed.
He eventually managed to pick out a nearly abandoned sports car. It was clear that this sports car had been magnificent years ago, but even the best car has its day of being scrapped. Not to mention, the wealthy don't lack luxury cars; they relentlessly pursue the latest models.
This nearly scrapped sports car cost Tony ten thousand dollars because the Administrator refused to lower the price, claiming the original price of the sports car was over ten million dollars, and even if it was old and nearly scrapped, it still had the foundation of a luxury car.
Tony was too lazy to argue further and paid directly.
There were too few vehicles capable of fighting here, and many required extensive repairs, making it not worth the effort.
In the future, when Tony's abilities grew stronger, this would be a good place. He could assemble a massive army at any time. If quality wasn't an issue, there was plenty of Cannon Fodder here.
But not now. Allspark Energy was limited, and he couldn't control many Transformers. Of course, he had to strive for perfection, preferring quality over quantity.
Tony called out to the Administrator and asked him where he could find high-quality motorcycles.
"Motorcycles? You can go to Harley Company. Harley Motorcycles are popular worldwide and the most famous," the Administrator said, wearing a wrinkled shirt and holding a cigarette, with a somewhat cynical air.
"I want the strongest motorcycle, the one with the highest performance."
Tony directly stated his requirements. Only motorcycles customized by Master Mechanics were truly astonishing and exactly what he needed, not mass-produced items anyone could buy on the market.
"You must know a lot of Master Mechanics. You bring the scrap cars here every year, have someone modify them, and you must make a lot of money, right?" Tony said.
The Administrator looked at him, whistled, and went back into the office to make a call. When he came out, he gave Tony an address.
The Administrator's expression was playful as he told him to go to this place, where the Master Mechanic was located.
"He's a talented Master Mechanic," the Administrator said. "He's a well-known figure, sought after by many racers for modifications. Modifying your motorcycle will be a breeze for him."
Tony nodded, found a rope, tied it to Optimus Prime and the sports car, then drove Optimus Prime, dragging the sports car, towards New York City.
The Master Mechanic was indeed in New York City, in an obscure small bar.
Tony was deep in thought as he drove onto the road. He wanted to find a truly powerful motorcycle to create Arcee.
Motorcycles are small enough to be tied to a truck. When needed, they can instantly transform, becoming another Combat Power.
It's worth mentioning that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s original motorcycle had been assimilated by Optimus Prime, with unnecessary wiring and other components removed, becoming a complete part of Optimus Prime.
This resulted in Optimus Prime's size increasing slightly.
Whoosh!
Boom!
Suddenly, a group of people rushed out from the roadside, all armed with heavy weapons. Some even brought out Vulcan Cannons, furiously attacking Tony's vehicle.
Tony wasn't surprised at all. He controlled Optimus Prime to partially transform, assembling several Gatlings, and unleashed a barrage of fire at the enemies.
Da-da-da sounded incessantly.
Bullets penetrated the dirt mounds, slammed into human bodies, creating bowl-sized holes. Blood flowed like streams, and they were clearly beyond saving.
"What's the point of this kind of ambush?"
Tony killed them, drove the car over, wanting to pick up the heavy weapons they left behind.
Boom!
Explosives were hidden underground! Tony drove over, and they detonated with a powerful blast. Although the explosion was massive, Optimus Prime, modified by Tony, could completely withstand it.
His Transformers were not afraid of explosive attacks, but they feared attacks that could pierce their outer shell, and most of all, attacks that were armor-piercing followed by an explosion.
After confirming safety, Tony hid all the heavy weapons left by the group inside Optimus Prime and continued driving towards New York City.
He first dropped off the scrapped sports car at a parking garage, then headed straight to the location of the Master Mechanic.
That bar was too secluded, and New York traffic was genuinely terrible. Tony drove for over two hours just to get there.
The houses here were somewhat dilapidated, with countless small advertisements plastered on the walls. It seemed no cleaners had been here for a long time, and it was sparsely populated. This area seemed to be deliberately ignored.
This was truly surprising in a place like New York City, where every inch of land was precious; it was practically incomprehensible.
Even Hell's Kitchen was dozens of times livelier than this place.
Tony cautiously observed the surroundings, then walked to the entrance of the bar. The bouncers stared at him, their gazes like they were looking at livestock about to be served for dinner.
"You want to go in?" The bouncer's eyes were strange as he looked Tony up and down.
"Is the Master Mechanic here?" Tony asked calmly.
"Master Mechanic? We have all kinds of masters here!"
The bouncers burst into laughter, stepping aside and gesturing for Tony to enter.
"The master you're looking for is inside, kid. Wish you a safe journey," one of them threatened Tony.
Tony felt a bit uneasy, some doubts arising, but he held onto a slim hope, reassuring himself that he shouldn't be so unlucky as to be ambushed just for asking directions.
He walked into the bar, and after passing through a narrow corridor, he immediately arrived at an underground bar much larger than he had imagined!
Countless people swayed wildly to deafening music in the dim light. This place seemed to have a kind of magic that could draw people into a state of frenzy.
Tony walked to the counter and directly called over the bartender: "Is the Master Mechanic here?"
The bartender was aged, his hair slightly graying. He said, "We do have a skilled vehicle modifier here, but this isn't where you should be. Go back quickly."
The bartender urged Tony to leave immediately, not to linger, his tone very anxious.
Coincidentally, a customer who was drinking turned around. Upon seeing Tony, a completely unfamiliar face, he leaned over and asked in a strange voice, "Who are you? Are you new here?"
Like a bolt of lightning, Tony, with his enhanced eyes, saw a tattoo on the back of the customer's neck the moment he turned around. Connecting this with the strange glances he'd received along the way, everything became clear.
"Ghoul Tribe? Are you all servants of those Vampires?"
Tony's face darkened slightly.
One bite from a Vampire and it would all be over. This damn world was too dangerous.
(end of chapter)