"The rebellion of the robots, just as SHIELD said—the robots we produced have been controlled by the AI life program Ultron. Now what we must worry about is: if these robots move against humanity, can we hold the advantage?"
"Our only advantage is EMP bombs, but when manufacturing these robots, materials were used specifically to prevent enemy EMPs from paralyzing them."
"What now? Nuclear bombs can't be used again; the entire network is controlled by the AI life program."
"There must be a way."
"If we want to deal with robots, I think we still need to recruit mutants. Let mutants deal with robots."
"But because of the Cure pushed by the US, mutants have lost their powers."
"Blame the US."
At the United Nations meeting, governments were deliberating. Just then.
"Everyone, our crisis has been resolved." Suddenly, the representative of China stood up excitedly.
"What? Resolved?"
"Yes, resolved." The representative of China said excitedly.
As for the US government representative, his face was gloomy. Although Vincent held US citizenship now. However, US high officials knew one thing: a carrier battle group was wiped out by Vincent. Causing heavy losses to the US. Ports were destroyed by tsunamis. At least causing heavy naval losses. This loss was visible to the naked eye.
Many other major powers knew this too. So, they didn't mind Vincent's existence. After all, Vincent was in New York. The US bore the danger, but wanting Vincent to cooperate with the US government was impossible. The US still had to serve this "Grandpa" wholeheartedly. Dared not make this "Grandpa" angry. Even the consortiums behind the US watched helplessly as Vincent intervened in one of the most profitable US energy markets. Their power grids were controlled.
Of course they wanted to seize Oscorp back from Vincent. Pity, they would never have a chance. Because the other party would kill. Even use mysterious power to find everyone behind the scenes through the network cable. Destroying entire consortiums.
The Vlad family was a top-ten family in the US. Pity, offending this "Grandpa," so even with the legendary Ancestor (The Master from The Strain?) as an ancestor, the Vlad family couldn't escape doom. Heard Dracula fled New York, now far away in Canada, fearing the Ice Demon's pursuit.
"This video has spread all over the world. I estimate Mr. Vincent Hall holds a powerful AI life program. He can bypass our permissions, so playing with global media." The US representative didn't forget to make trouble for Vincent. They had witnessed the powerful might of AI life programs.
"Video is online?"
"Quick, find it, let's see."
"Not bad, Mr. Vincent Hall is simply Earth's superhero."
"God on Earth, not an exaggeration."
"Such a great act, the UN should commend Mr. Hall."
"I support."
"Mr. Hall belongs to all humanity; we should publicize him well. Let some ambitious mutants see, don't always want to destroy humanity or create incidents."
"He is the model for super-powered beings mastering power."
Representatives of various countries expressed their opinions. The US representative almost died of anger. But he dared not say anything. Speak ill of Vincent? If spread and known by Vincent... his life wouldn't be guaranteed. And the President would fall into controversy and crisis.
The person the US liked most now was Vincent. If not because Vincent wasn't born in the US (or some technicality), they'd worry about him running for President. Otherwise, all politicians would be on tenterhooks. Even behind-the-scenes consortiums would tremble. This guy could push a revolution. Breaking their interests, seizing their wealth forcefully.
Now their only fortune was that Oscorp was law-abiding, doing business according to commercial rules.
The video played. When they learned of Ultron's plan... everyone gasped. If Vincent hadn't appeared, with Ultron's current strength, no one could stop him from implementing the Human Extinction Plan. By then, he would become the savior of all survivors. And replace their faith, becoming a true god race.
When the critical moment arrived.
"Why isn't it moving?"
"Image frozen?"
"Video stuck?"
"Look at Mr. Stark's eyes and expression, you know the image isn't stuck."
"Wait, look at the sky."
A handsome young man in a suit, tall and straight, shining brightly, walked step by step from the sky to the battlefield. With his arrogant words.
At this moment, everyone at the UN meeting was shocked beyond description.
Time Freeze?
Only now did they remember, besides being a superhero, Vincent's nickname was Ice Demon. That was the illustrious name he earned in God's land, the Vatican. Freezing the Vatican. That was a global shock event. Though a year passed. It was still vivid in their minds.
This guy mastered freezing ability, freezing even time. And in the field of frozen time, the only person who could move was himself.
When Omega Beams appeared. Everyone dared not breathe. Controlled laser beams? The armed robots they thought invincible ignited like paper, turning into iron juice. Hard to imagine the power of this beam. Millions of robots had no power to fight back under this beam.
This meant if Vincent was willing, he could kill anyone at will, even destroy a country. And no person or national force could fight back. Simply an unsolvable ability.
"Can we still defeat him?"
After Ultron soloed Vincent (and failed), they dared not speak. Invincible defense and body. Assassination couldn't kill him. Couldn't even break his defense. More terrifying was his speed. Reached a level hard for naked eyes to capture.
Cannot be enemies with this man. If he is willing to protect humanity. It is humanity's blessing. With his existence, humanity doesn't worry about alien invasion. Nor worry about some powerful villains starting global destruction plans for ambition. Speaking of which, they had experienced brink-of-extinction crises many times. Though resolved. No one wanted to experience this again.
"Mr. Hall is humanity's hero. Heard Mr. Hall's company's renewable energy tech is eco-friendly. I think it's worth promoting. My government intends to cooperate with Mr. Hall, letting safe, clean energy connect the world, protecting human ecology."
The China representative spoke. Many countries' eyes lit up instantly.
Interest binding. If they could bind interests with such a powerful figure, they wouldn't worry about Mr. Hall having malicious intent toward their country. After all, Oscorp's reputation was good. And for business, Oscorp defended local interests and respected local culture.
This represented Vincent's interests. China's power tech had always been world-class. If they could get Oscorp's clean energy, this would absolutely benefit the country and people.
The US representative panicked. He said hatefully: "Oscorp's energy involves national security."
Just a simple sentence, half the countries at the UN meeting felt cold hearts. The US loved playing this trick—using national security to implement sanctions, destroying trade freedom.
But the China representative laughed. "If we reach cooperation with Oscorp, does the US government intend to sanction Oscorp? Or sue Mr. Hall in the name of damaging national security?"
The US representative looked at the smile on the China representative's face, like mocking the US. He was angry inside. Wanted to speak harsh words on the spot. But people around him pulled him back. Splashing cold water on him.
This was sowing discord. US government and Vincent's relationship had just normalized. If he spoke and offended Vincent, his own life would be threatened. And the US government would go to the opposite side of Vincent.
"Clean energy should belong to the world, wealth of all humanity. Moreover, we will pay enough money."
China representative was full of confidence. Regarding research on Vincent. Actually many countries were assessing. They easily found Vincent's weakness. This person was low-key usually. But he loved wealth and beauty ("Lust for Wealth and Sex"). This was his weakness. Especially in money. Money earned was clean. Unclean money was enemies' money.
And a rumor circulated in the market. Demon's Promise. As long as Vincent gave a promise, if he could do it, he would complete it, never breaking it. Oscorp's reputation was built on integrity. Such an honest company and individual, even without signing contracts, was a guarantee of self-interest, no worry of being pitted. Vincent had no need.
China representative's words. Instantly made various national representatives' eyes shine. Just normal business cooperation. Yet the best way to climb connections with Vincent. You enter my market; to ensure your own interests, you can't let my country be destroyed by others, right? Isn't that doing losing business? Heard Mr. Hall never does losing business. And keeps promises. Interest exchange, plus protection. Who could refuse?
Vincent stayed in the Alps for a day. Returning to Oscorp, he found the whole group filled with joy.
"Julia, what happened to the company while I was away?"
Vincent didn't like using his ability to peep into others' hearts. Unless dealing with enemies.
Julia's face blossomed with smiles. "Boss, 168 countries sent business cooperation invitations to our company, hoping we can cooperate technically on bio-energy and nuclear fusion power generation."
Julia's words made Vincent's eyes shine.
"Over 190 countries globally, besides the North American market we control, meaning we are about to conduct energy cooperation with all countries globally?"
Even Vincent, who had seen big storms, appeared excited. This was electric energy. The world's largest energy market. Oil could hardly compare.
However, every country's power market had conservatism. Even state monopolies. Oil might have private companies controlling it. But electricity was a disaster zone for state monopoly. Involved true national security energy issues. Even people's basic livelihood needs.
What was the most profitable industry? Absolutely not finance or tech! But monopolizing these basic industries. Irreplaceable commodities consumed daily by all humanity.
"Yes, we are about to become the world's richest company." Julia said excitedly.
"Expand. Let HR hurry to establish offices in every country, handling affairs in every country. This is our best chance."
Vincent was very excited. He had always been earning Desire Points. Because Desire Points were hard to earn. But money, for him, was too easy. Yet when money reached a bottleneck, to break through again meant touching every country's red line.
Now, global governments removed this red line themselves. Though just technical cooperation. But Vincent was the seller's market; business negotiations could win enough profit for the new energy company. This would become his inexhaustible gold mine.
"How did the US government react?" Vincent thought of a fatal question.
Can't be considered fatal. Today, if he wanted to do something, secular power and laws were decorative.
"Heard at the UN meeting, China proposed energy cooperation with us. The US government opposed. But China's representative questioned: if we cooperate with China, will the US sanction Oscorp and sue Boss?"
Julia finished. Vincent laughed loudly: "Beautiful, beautiful counterattack. He's right. Even if the US sanctions and sues me, so what? Who executes? SHIELD's bald head? Or military? Or local courts? THIS IS NEW YORK!!!"
Yes. This is New York. In New York, police or courts were endlessly grateful to Vincent. Even unconditionally defended Vincent. Because Vincent had become this city's guardian god. Even those dissatisfied dared not stand publicly against Vincent.
Vincent never labeled himself a good person. And some secrets couldn't be hidden. Battle of Rome, and freezing the Vatican. This matter had spread. Ice Demon! New York's biggest hero nickname was Demon. A maverick demon.
"Boss, Raven is handling this. By the way, listening to President Raven, countries' attitudes toward mutants changed. Many countries are establishing their own Mutant Affairs Bureaus, utilizing mutant abilities for special job positions, letting them display their skills." Julia reported recent global changes.
"The rebellion of armed robots made some governments realize the advent of the superpower era," Vincent said frankly. "If their country has more powerful heroes, they can handle crises themselves."
"Aren't they worried mutant power will cause social order collapse?"
"You must understand, scarcity makes things precious. If there are many mutants, they won't be so united. Mutants integrated into society become part of the collective. One bad mutant won't lead a whole group. Naturally, other powerful humans will act against these saboteurs."
Vincent shrugged. All superman-like enforcers. Everyone has superpowers. Even Superman comes, spitting phlegm has to fear city management (Chengguan). Compared to all groups, without individual outstanding advantage, one is just an ordinary person. Whether ant or elephant.
"In this way, will our future advantage decline?"
"No, this highlights our advantage even more." Vincent smiled confidently. Kidding. Individual strength becomes an anomaly. Being the strongest among super-powered beings. That is a Legend. That is a Deity. Others will respect his opinion more. And his social status will be higher.
"Go, help Raven handle this. In principle, I agree to cooperate with all countries."
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