HISD Chapter 2 After Iron Man's Death
Artificial Intelligence, abbreviated as AI, is generally defined as: "the simulation of human consciousness and thought processes; a system capable of reasoning in ways similar to humans, even surpassing human computational abilities."
But unlike the so-called artificial intelligence in Yi Meng's original world, which was nothing more than glorified voice assistants, the AI technology mastered by Iron Man Tony Stark in the Marvel world was the real deal!
Take the first-generation AI butler J.A.R.V.I.S. for example. From designing Iron Man's suits and developing new element-based energy sources, down to managing electronic devices and network information, everything within the scope of technology and networks could be perfectly handled with his assistance.
And later—
When the ultimate AI, Ultron, created from advanced programming, devoured J.A.R.V.I.S. and evolved into an independent mind of its own, it became the main villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron, nearly destroying Earth.
Because of that event, Tony Stark intentionally downgraded his AI systems afterward. The second-generation AI, Friday, while still powerful, was far less lifelike than J.A.R.V.I.S. and nowhere close to Ultron's level. It was reduced to a lifeless but efficient assistant.
Even so, Friday was still genuine AI, a king among Earth's technology and networks in the Marvel universe, capable of simulating and calculating entry into the Quantum Realm for time travel.
But in its daily operation, Friday merely executed orders mechanically, without extending thought beyond its programming.
…
Yi Meng's mind was still racing, like countless threads of static electricity sparking in every direction.
If Friday was Tony Stark's assistant, then what about himself—Saturday, the childlike educational AI created for Tony's daughter? Was his programming on par with Friday, or was it higher… or lower?
And now that he was truly human, no longer an AI simulation, did that mean he had independent will—on the path toward the kind of evolution Ultron once achieved?
In the corner of the warm wooden cabin room, a camera's cold red light flickered.
No one knew that an AI meant to follow orders and programming had been replaced by a human from another world, carrying a real human consciousness.
Because his thought speed far surpassed the limitations of a human brain, countless ideas surged through Yi Meng in an instant. But the more he thought, the more questions arose, and no answers followed.
Forget it. He didn't have enough information yet. Better to keep exploring this dream world.
Yi Meng forced himself to stop running endless, meaningless calculations.
Through the corner camera, his "gaze" fell silently back onto the bed. There, Pepper Potts—Tony Stark's widow—and their five-year-old daughter Morgan were still holding each other tightly.
Compared to cosplay imitations from movies, the real Pepper was far more stunning. Perhaps due to natural beauty and excellent care, her refined face showed no trace of age.
Golden hair cascaded freely over her shoulders and pale neck. Her loose nightwear barely hid her mature curves, exuding a womanly charm that radiated even in such a sorrowful moment—an allure that only her husband would have known so intimately.
In her arms, little Morgan had stopped crying after gentle comfort, though her eyes were still red, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.
Yi Meng didn't need to search online. Just by listening to their words, he knew: this dream was set shortly after Tony Stark sacrificed himself with the final snap, during the ending of Avengers: Endgame.
Yi Meng sighed inwardly.
On screen and off, in many people's eyes, Tony Stark was a thousand times cooler than heroes like Spider-Man or even Superman—men who still struggled with debt and side jobs after taking off their costumes.
In his personal life, Tony was rich, a billionaire. Stark Industries was Earth's top company, rivaled only by Wakanda's Vibranium wealth.
He was charming and handsome. He could date twelve magazine cover models in a year, casually spend nights with reporters, politicians, and scientists, switching partners without effort.
As a superhero, he had unmatched genius—building his first suit of armor in a cave, mastering nuclear energy, new elements, nanotech, and time travel. His Iron Man suits were endless in variety and power.
But to Yi Meng, Tony Stark was also a tragic hero, always carrying the burden alone.
He lost his parents as a child, rebuilt Stark Industries with his intellect, only to be betrayed by his mentor and business partner, forced to live with a hole in his chest powered by an arc reactor.
He poured his wealth, energy, and genius into founding the Avengers, only to be betrayed again when he sought justice for his parents, defeated by Captain America and the Winter Soldier with his own father's shield.
He suffered constant anxiety, haunted by the fear of threats to Earth's future, dismissed and doubted by even his fellow heroes. And in the end, when the final battle came, everyone depended on him as the key figure.
Among the three Avengers founders, he was the only one who died in the Endgame. Captain America got to return to the past and live happily with Peggy Carter. Thor… well, supposedly went off on a journey of love and thunder, though who really knew?
In the end, Tony Stark sacrificed himself to save everyone, leaving behind only Pepper and Morgan. Stark Industries remained a target for villains. Even Spider-Man, his handpicked successor, was just a naïve kid—immature, irresponsible, constantly messing things up.
"Stark had a heart of iron."
Yi Meng remembered that subtitle vividly, sighing. "Old man, your wife and daughter… don't worry. I'll take good care of them—"
"Kidding."
He chuckled at himself. This was just a dream after all. Even if it somehow affected his real world, everyone here is nothing but neurons in his brain.
Still… if this dream was real enough—
A sudden thought struck Yi Meng. Even if he couldn't take things from the dream world back with him, this was still the Marvel universe, full of infinite wealth in knowledge, science, technology, magic.
They were all priceless treasures.
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