Thump, thump thump.
One long, two short, the knocking wasn't loud, but in the silent night, it was so clear.
Ethan opened his eyes wide in confusion, wondering if he was hallucinating.
The two looked at each other, startled and uncertain.
"Water meter check," a voice came from outside the door.
After a moment of silence, seeing no response from inside, the voice said again, "Food delivery."
Stark: (⊙_⊙)?
He was just thinking about what to do.
Boom!
The two iron doors were violently kicked open.
"You made me do it."
Stark saw a mixed-race person with distinct Asian features, still in the posture of kicking.
It was clear that he was the one who kicked the door and spoke.
"Tony Shidake?"
"It's Stark!"
"Don't mind those details," Mike smiled, "Miss Potts hired me to save you."
Stark's expression instantly changed from (╰_╯) to o(^▽^)o.
"Really?"
"At this hour, instead of being with a girl doing something fun, I'd come to this broken cave just to tease you?"
Stark's face fell, and for a moment, he was speechless. But Stark was, after all, the same Stark who would want to flush someone down the toilet after a minute of knowing them, so he had to argue, whether he was right or wrong.
"What if I still don't believe you?"
"My mission is to get you out. If you believe, we'll chat and walk happily. If you don't, I'll knock you out and drag you out by your ankles. So, the question is, believe or not?" Mike looked eager to try.
"I think believing is better," Stark stared at Mike, "Why do I feel like you want me not to believe you?"
"Hehe, that's your misconception," Mike's eyes drifted, and he turned his head, saying, "Gather anything you need to take, then let's go."
"Hey, hey, I was right!"
Finally, Stark surveyed the cave, his gaze complex. From childhood, apart from his parents' car accident, Stark had almost always had his wishes granted. Being attacked and kidnapped was the second hardship in Stark's life.
Hardships make people grow.
Stark threw the Mark I blueprints into the Fire and said, "Let's go."
Stark took the lead, striding out with an imposing air for two steps, then backed up, "You won't be the only one coming to save me."
"Of course not."
However, the next words almost made Stark explode, "There's also a driver outside."
Stark had been here for over a month, and he knew exactly how many Terrorists were outside.
What could one person do?
No!
He came in alone, and the sound of kicking the door was so loud, yet no one came in...
Thinking this, Mike immediately became suspicious.
However, Mike didn't have time to bother with Stark's thoughts; the "shit and urine smell" he mentioned wasn't an adjective, but a genuinely foul, strange odor wafting about.
Think about it, where would a broken cave like this have a flush toilet? Stark and Ethan had been eating, drinking, and relieving themselves all in this wretched place, and hadn't bathed for over a month.
How refreshing that smell must have been.
Stark, such a fastidious and picky person, now looked completely accustomed to it. One could only say that human adaptability was truly terrifying...
Mike walked in front, with Stark and Ethan following behind. Along the way, they occasionally saw members of the Ten Rings Gang lying around, which finally put the two at ease.
Stark couldn't help but ask curiously, "How did you do it?"
Mike said seriously, "I quietly walked behind them, got into position, then swung a hammer, once!"
Stark rolled his eyes, "Do you take me for a fool, to believe that?"
Mike: "If you're not a fool, then talk less."
Stark almost got depressed.
Coming outside and breathing the air of freedom after so long, Stark felt as if he had been transported to another World.
Stark became curious again, "Why is there such heavy fog?"
"It's probably due to global warming," Mike continued to make things up, "Follow me, don't get lost."
"Wait!"
Stark suddenly stopped. He saw a pile of weapons bearing the Stark Industries logo. "What about these things?"
Mike said, "The Military will handle them."
"No!" Stark shook his head, "I don't want these weapons to go to the Military. Help me destroy them."
Mike said, "That's not within the scope of the mission."
"These weapons cannot harm anyone else. If they're not destroyed, I won't leave. If you don't help, I'll do it myself!" Stark's tone was very firm.
Ethan, who had been largely unnoticed, whispered, "Sir, you're a mercenary, aren't you?"
"That's right!" Stark's eyes lit up, "I'm hiring you to destroy these weapons."
With that, White and gold light clusters floated out from Stark.
System notification:
[Tony Stark's Commission: Destroy the Ten Rings Gang's Weapons]
[Commission: 10,000 U.S. dollars (90% system commission after deducting fees)]
[Mission Description: Stark believed the weapons produced by his corporation were used to uphold U.S. interests, eliminate villains, and protect World interests. The true situation taught him a lesson.]
[Note: If someone commits evil, is the person who manufactured the weapon guilty?]
Oh, an unexpected surprise.
Mike immediately beamed, "No problem, I'll take care of it for ten thousand U.S. dollars. Considering your current situation, I can collect the money after the job is done."
"Ten thousand U.S. dollars," Stark said disdainfully, "My worst collection of wine costs more than that. You make it sound like I'd default on a payment."
Mike said, "It's not that I'm afraid you'll default, I'm afraid you'll forget to pay."
Stark: "No, don't worry, I'll have Pepper pay."
Mike said gravely, "Regarding Miss Potts..."
Upon hearing this, Stark's heart skipped a beat.
Pepper wouldn't be in trouble, would she?
At this moment, Stark felt the World spinning.
..."She seems to have been suffering from insomnia and memory loss lately. What if she forgets too?" Mike finished his sentence.
Stark almost spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Insomnia?
Your tone was so heavy, as if Pepper had already passed her seventh day of mourning.
It had always been others wanting to beat him, but Stark had never imagined wanting to punch someone so badly one day.
However, Stark seemed to understand how important Pepper was to him.
Stark suddenly wanted to intentionally default on the payment. Mike seemed to read his mind, his smile as warm as a spring breeze in February, and said:
"There was once someone who tried to default on a payment."
After a long while, Mike didn't speak. Stark couldn't help but ask, "And then?"
Mike's eyes were calm, "There was no 'then' to his life."
Stark suddenly shivered and stammered, "Anyway, I won't forget."
Mike: "In that case, I accept the commission."
Soul energy and fate energy were simultaneously absorbed by Mike, making him feel so comfortable he wanted to hum a tune like "Today is a Good Day."
"Wait for me, it'll be quick."
With that, Mike disappeared into the fog. Conveniently, he had a few drawn explosive tags in his space that he rarely used.
The power of explosive tags was generally average. In the era of thermal weapons, their effect was ordinary, but their advantages were portability and being difficult to detect.
Mike affixed the explosive tags and set them for delayed detonation.
"Done, let's go!"
Returning to the original spot, Mike urged Stark and Ethan.
Boom! Boom! Boom...
As the three had just exited the small valley, a series of violent explosions occurred in the valley.
The Impact pushed Stark hard from behind like a wave, causing him to fall face down.
Mike took two steps forward, simultaneously pulling the weak Ethan.
Stark: "You!"
Mike spread his hands, "Respect the old and cherish the young! Are you old, or young?"
"Uh..." Stark was speechless, and also felt something was off.
Couldn't he pull both of them at the same time?
He could have done it.
Stark cursed inwardly, "Motherfucker!"