After that, everyone began eating together.
Nothing unpleasant happened during the meal. George barely spoke, but he no longer looked as hostile as before. Helen continued to warmly encourage Karl to eat more, while Gwen seemed slightly distracted.
Her father's reaction was simply too calm.
It made her nervous.
Suddenly, Karl put down his utensils and looked at Helen.
"Aunt Helen," he said gently, "I should be able to heal your illness. Could you lend me your hand for a moment?"
The moment he spoke, the dining table fell silent.
George's head snapped up instantly.
His eyes locked onto Karl.
Gwen also stared at Karl in shock.
Karl had actually done exactly what he promised.
Helen, however, did not show excessive excitement.
"Really?" she asked calmly.
Then she slowly extended her hand.
"Alright. Let's try."
After living with this condition for years, she had already learned not to expect miracles. Too much hope often meant deeper disappointment.
She also did not want George to become even more emotional.
Karl gently held Helen's hand.
Inside his system space, the Horse Talisman activated.
A faint green glow flowed from Karl's palm into Helen's hand.
The energy spread through her body like warm water.
Her breathing gradually became smoother.
The color of her face visibly improved.
Helen slowly closed her eyes, quietly feeling the warmth spreading through her chest and lungs.
A moment later—
She opened her eyes suddenly.
"I… I think… I'm completely fine."
She took several deep breaths.
No pain.
No tightness.
Her lungs felt completely clear.
"I can breathe normally!"
Her voice trembled with disbelief.
George stood up abruptly.
His eyes were red.
"That's… that's wonderful…!"
His voice shook as he spoke.
Years ago, Helen had suffered severe lung damage in a car accident. Since then, deep breathing would cause intense pain, and sometimes she even needed a ventilator to stabilize her condition.
Doctors had told him that the damage was permanent.
George had never argued with Helen after that.
He had always avoided upsetting her.
Because even emotional stress could make her condition worse.
Now—
She was completely healed.
"Mom!"
Gwen rushed forward and hugged Helen tightly, tears streaming down her face.
For years she had worried about her mother's fragile health.
Now the problem that had haunted their family was suddenly gone.
George turned toward Karl.
Then he bowed slightly.
"Thank you… and I apologize for my behavior before."
Karl was startled and quickly stopped him.
"Uncle George, please don't do that."
"This is simply a gift from me to the family."
George did not argue.
Instead, he stepped forward and hugged Karl firmly.
For countless nights he had wished for exactly this moment.
But even the best doctors had been powerless.
The atmosphere in the house completely changed afterward.
George personally poured wine and enthusiastically urged Karl to drink with him.
Helen smiled warmly from the side.
Tonight was the happiest night their family had experienced in years.
During the celebration, Karl also took out two small fragments of Dragon Bone.
Under his guidance, George and Helen absorbed a small portion of its energy.
The effect was not dramatic, but it significantly improved their physical vitality and extended their lifespan.
For ordinary humans, the first absorption always produced the strongest effect.
At the very least, they would rarely become sick again.
Karl did not leave Gwen's house until late that night.
His relationship with George had improved dramatically.
On the way home, Karl casually made a few calls.
Using his connections and influence, he arranged for George Stacy to be reinstated as New York City Police Commissioner.
Originally, Karl had been partly responsible for George being suspended during earlier events.
But now things were different.
George was his father-in-law.
The next morning, George received a call from the city government.
He was ordered to return to the police department immediately and resume his position.
George instantly understood who had arranged it.
But he said nothing.
When he went downstairs, Helen had already prepared breakfast.
She looked energetic and healthy.
Seeing her like this, George felt happier than he had in years.
Meanwhile
Karl appeared once again inside Tony Stark's underground workshop.
Tony was surrounded by several armored suits in various stages of construction.
One of them was massive.
It looked very similar to the Hulkbuster armor Tony would later design.
The entire frame appeared reinforced with vibranium plating, making it incredibly durable.
Karl grinned.
"So which one is the Anti-Karl armor, Tony?"
Tony jumped slightly when he suddenly heard the voice.
He turned around and saw Karl standing behind him.
He hadn't noticed when Karl arrived.
"It's still under development," Tony replied irritably.
"Just wait. When the Anti-Karl armor is finished, I'm going to punch you through a wall."
Then he pointed casually toward another workbench.
"Oh, and the person you're looking for—Helen Cho—she's not here."
"She went back to her own lab. You can find her there."
Karl shrugged.
"I'm not bragging," he said casually, "but the speed you build suits will never keep up with how fast I get stronger."
With that, he vanished instantly.
Tony snorted.
"Just wait."
Then he returned to studying the armor, silently vowing to prove Karl wrong.
Moments later, Karl appeared inside Helen Cho's laboratory.
She was alone in the lab, wearing a white lab coat while studying a set of biological samples.
The laboratory itself was not very large, but it contained a full set of advanced experimental equipment.
Karl glanced around curiously.
Most of the machines meant nothing to him.
Suddenly Helen Cho turned around—
And jumped in surprise.
"When did you get here?!"
"You didn't make a sound! You scared me to death!"
But after realizing it was Karl, she sighed in relief.
Then she glared at him.
Karl smiled mischievously.
"When people in the East get frightened," he said casually, "we usually calm them down with a hug."
He stepped closer.
"Or they can hold the other person's hand against their chest."
"Which one do you want?"
"I recommend the second option."
"Pah!"
"You scoundrel!"
"People from the East are not like you at all!"
"You're just making things up!"
Helen Cho said indignantly.
But strangely—
When Karl pulled her into his arms, she didn't resist.
Instead, she leaned lightly against his chest.
…
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