Over the next three days, Avengers Tower became the busiest food transit hub in all of New York.
Refrigerated trucks, one after another, loaded with top-tier ingredients from all over the world, drove into the tower's underground garage.
Steaks were measured by the ton, seafood by the container.
The entire logistics system of Stark Industries was running frantically just to fill Tel-Rol's stomach.
The Avengers went from initial shock to numbness, and then to… getting used to it.
Their daily routine now was to gather in the monitoring room and watch Tel-Rol, like a mukbang, devour the rations of an entire reinforced company.
"I bet he can eat three hundred pounds of A5 wagyu today."
Clint said, munching on an apple, as he started a betting pool.
"I bet three hundred fifty pounds."
Natasha calmly followed up.
"You underestimate him too much."
Thor said, arms crossed, with a look that clearly said, 'You mortals.'
"I feel like he could swallow that cow whole, bones and hide included."
Only Dr. Bruce Banner did not participate in their betting.
He just stared intently at the screen, at the series of alarming biological data.
"His metabolic rate has increased by another five percent."
Dr. Banner adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling, whether from excitement or fear, was unclear.
"The speed of cell division and regeneration has exceeded the limits of our instruments' detection."
"Tony, are you sure we're feeding him, and not… catalyzing him?"
In front of the main screen in the monitoring room, Tony Stark, the once invincible billionaire, had two prominent dark circles under his eyes and looked utterly haggard.
It had been three days.
He hadn't slept for three days.
All his energy was spent analyzing the data collected from Tel-Rol.
However, the more data he obtained, the heavier his confusion and unease became.
This guy's body was simply a black hole.
All the matter he consumed was directly converted into biological energy.
No waste.
One hundred percent conversion rate!
This completely violated the law of mass-energy conservation!
"I don't know, Banner."
Tony's voice was extremely hoarse from lack of sleep.
"All I know right now is that I can't let him go hungry."
"I have a premonition that a hungry him would be even more terrifying than if Thanos showed up."
Just then, in the monitor feed, a well-fed Tel-Rol finally put down his utensils.
He let out a satisfied burp, stood up, and stretched.
All his bones cracked in a series of pops.
"Alright, I'm full."
He grinned at a surveillance camera on the ceiling.
"Tin Man, when are you going to deliver on what you promised me?"
"Where are those strong opponents you talked about?"
In the monitoring room, Tony's spirits instantly lifted.
The main event had finally arrived.
"Don't rush, my friend."
Tony said to Tel-Rol through the intercom system.
"Your appetizer is ready."
"Please come to the gym on floor B100."
"Guaranteed to make you have fun."
Floor B100, gym.
This was Stark Industries' most confidential weapon testing ground.
The entire space was constructed from several meters thick of vibranium and adamantium alloy mixed materials.
It was strong enough to withstand a nuclear explosion of tens of millions of tons.
When Tel-Rol followed Tony here, his eyes were immediately drawn to the dozens of neatly arranged behemoths in the center of the arena.
They were rows of fully armed combat robots, each over three meters tall.
Their appearance bore some resemblance to Tony's Iron Man armor, but they were more rugged and exuded the cold aura of war.
"Iron Legion?"
Clark, who was following behind, recognized these robots.
These were unmanned mech units Tony had developed to deal with large-scale disasters.
"No, these aren't those mass-produced units that can only clear out cannon fodder."
Tony introduced them casually.
"These are simplified versions of the hulkbuster armor; I call them Gladiators."
"Each one possesses physical strength comparable to the Hulk and is equipped with the latest Arc Reactor and repulsor cannon systems."
"Their alloy armor is sufficient to withstand most conventional weapon attacks."
"How about it, Tel?"
Tony looked at Tel-Rol, like a child showing off his new toy.
"Are these fifty punching bags enough for you to warm up?"
Tel-Rol didn't answer.
He just tilted his head, scanning the Gladiators with his ki sensing.
"Too weak."
He pointed at the robots, a look of disdain on his face.
"Just a bunch of soulless iron lumps."
"I don't even have the desire to punch them."
Tony's smile froze again.
He had spent tens of billions of dollars, utilizing Stark Industries' top technology, to create these super combat robots.
In this guy's eyes, they were just "soulless iron lumps"?
"Alright, alright."
Tony felt he had to bring out something real.
"It seems a regular appetizer isn't enough to satisfy your appetite."
"Then… how about trying this?"
He snapped his fingers.
The alloy gate at the deepest part of the "gym" slowly rose.
A huge green figure emerged from the darkness.
With every step he took, the entire ground trembled slightly.
That wild power, filled with anger and destruction, made the air heavy.
Hulk, Bruce Banner, was widely recognized as the strongest combatant among the Avengers.
"Roar!"
The Hulk walked to the center of the arena, pounded his solid chest, and let out a defiant roar at Tel-Rol.
Clark's face instantly changed.
"Tony! Are you crazy!"
"You're letting the Hulk be his opponent?"
"What if he loses control?"
"Don't worry, Clark."
Tony's face was full of confidence.
"This is just a friendly spar."
"I just want to… collect some data."
He spoke of friendliness, but the excited gleam in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
One was an illogical physical cheat.
The other was a power that grew stronger with anger.
What astonishing chemical reaction would occur when these two monsters met?
Just thinking about it made Tony tremble with excitement.
Tel-Rol looked at the green giant before him, and his eyes finally lit up.
"Oh?"
"This… is a bit interesting."
He could feel that this large green fellow contained an extremely violent power within him.
Although it was completely different from his own ki, it was… very strong.
At least, it was more than a hundred times stronger than those iron lumps from before.
"Hey, big guy."
Tel-Rol beckoned to the Hulk.
"You look pretty tough."
"Come on."
"Let me see how many punches you can take from me."