Mark sat on the edge of a rooftop, the city lights reflecting off his new suit. Unlike any design seen before, it wasn't Ironman, it wasn't copied—it was entirely his own creation. Sleek, sharp lines, energy circuits that glowed faintly blue, and modular upgrades Nova had suggested: mobility boosters, stealth camouflage, and defensive energy shields.
"This… this is perfect," Mark whispered, running a hand over the suit. "Mine. Completely mine."
Nova's voice chimed in playfully. "And yours alone. I could never call this Ironman—it's Mark Palmer's signature. Unique, versatile… and slightly showy."
Mark grinned. "Exactly. Let's see how showy."
He scanned the streets below. A man had tripped over a loose cable outside a convenience store, dropping groceries everywhere. Nothing life-threatening—but Mark's thrill sensor pinged: opportunity to flex.
With a leap, Mark activated the suit's boosters. Energy thrummed beneath his feet, propelling him like a shadow through the night. In a flash, he landed perfectly in front of the man, striking a dramatic pose as the suit's lights flared.
"Whoa! Who—what are you?!" the man stammered, shielding his groceries.
Mark gave a cheeky salute. "Just your friendly neighborhood hero. Call me… Photon Flex."
Nova chuckled. "You really are showing off."
Mark winked at her voice in his helmet. "Why not? If I'm saving someone, I might as well make it memorable."
He bent down and helped the man gather his groceries, his suit glimmering with every movement. The man's jaw dropped when he noticed the glowing lines on the suit, and Mark couldn't resist a little flourish: a backflip, landing in a crouch with his visor tilting like a wink.
"You… wow," the man muttered. "That was… amazing!"
Mark laughed, giving a playful fist pump. "All in a day's work. Now get home safely!"
As he leapt back to the rooftops, Nova's tone shifted, slightly more serious. "Mark… the observers are still active. They're tracking your style, your pattern… and possibly your financial activity."
Mark flexed his arms midair, grinning. "Let them watch. They're about to see why I'm not just another hero."
A sudden ping flashed on his HUD: a notification from Coinexus:
"New earnings detected: Webnovel story trending. Fans suspect AI involvement—likely due to your hero posts."
Mark chuckled, flying higher. "Not bad… I can save the world and entertain my readers."
Cliffhanger: Across the city, a sleek black drone hovered silently, scanning energy signatures. Its operator whispered into an earpiece:
"Mark Palmer… the hero suit is his own. Interesting. Begin observation. No engagement… yet."
Mark's grin widened. His suit, his style, his world—everything was just getting started.