Ch.88 I'm Tony Stark's Alt Account

Ronan gave the two men a path to wealth.

If nothing unexpected happened, all those who escaped together would become their witnesses.

Only after everyone left the dangerous floor did Ronan step out from the portal.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Chang Wei—oh no, a man in a red tight suit—swinging around above him.

Anyway, everyone that could be saved had already been rescued by him.

No need to guess, it was Peter Parker.

And very inconveniently, while he was swinging around, Peter Parker happened to notice the portal.

He also saw Ronan standing before the portal.

Although the portal disappeared in an instant, Peter Parker saw it clearly.

Oh no!

Seeing Peter Parker heading his way, Ronan couldn't help but shudder inwardly.

Aren't you supposed to be in Queens playing the hero? Why are you here saving people?

And also, you're quite fast. The explosion just happened, and you got here so quickly?

Peter Parker landed lightly in front of Ronan, seemingly curious about Ronan's outfit.

He'd seen that portal before, and he'd also seen that Iron Man armor.

But the two together—something felt off.

"Ronan...?"

Peter Parker asked tentatively.

Ronan coughed, putting his hands behind his back.

"Oh? Spider-Man, is it?"

"I've heard your name. Though you're not as famous as Iron Man, you're still a superhero."

"I'm glad you came to help. I'm Tony Stark, by the way."

Luckily, Ronan's helmet had a voice modulator, or else Peter Parker might have recognized him.

As for Peter calling his name at the beginning, Ronan just acted like he hadn't heard it.

"You're Mr. Stark?"

"But your voice... and that portal..."

Peter Parker looked at Ronan skeptically.

He couldn't quite believe this was Tony Stark, but the armor was unmistakable.

Other than Tony Stark, only War Machine had such an Iron Man suit.

So Peter Parker couldn't help but be convinced.

"That's right. I'm the one and only Tony Stark."

"Although I'm stubborn, have late-stage anxiety, and am an egomaniac."

"But I am Tony Stark."

Ronan nodded, "admitting" his identity.

After all, he'd already admitted it once in the restaurant; what harm was there in admitting it again?

A bit of dignity is something he wanted, but just a little bit was enough.

"Is that portal your latest tech?"

"Space technology?"

"Did you study it from the aliens before?"

"Wow, this tech is so cool! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it..."

Boom!

As Peter Parker was rambling, a loud noise came from the sky.

Both looked up, only to see a beautiful arc streak across the sky.

Classic red and gold armor, glinting under the lights.

Peter Parker glanced up at the sky, then turned back to look at Ronan.

The atmosphere got awkward quickly.

"Ahem."

"Yes, that one is the armor I summoned, responsible for rescue."

"All AI-controlled."

"I came in a hurry, so I'm wearing a simple set of equipment."

Ronan forced a smile. Though the armor "parts" he wore were still Iron Man suit components, the suit that just landed in the plaza spoke out.

"Where's the ambulance?"

"Hurry, he's still got a heartbeat!"

Tony Stark's unmistakable voice filled the plaza.

The paramedics rushed over, gathering around Tony Stark.

Once again, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Peter Parker pointed at the "AI" in the plaza, while looking directly at Ronan.

The meaning was clear.

"That is AI?"

Ronan took a deep breath; there was only one thing on his mind now.

Regret!

He regretted it deeply!

He should've just beaten Tony Stark down when he had the chance!

"No, I'm AI, responsible for assisting Mr. Stark."

"Now that my mission is complete, I must leave."

"Goodbye!"

With that, Ronan dashed to the edge of the rooftop, then leaped off.

Seeing this, Peter Parker rushed after him.

But by the time he looked down from the rooftop, there was no sign of Ronan.

The plaza was now surrounded by police cars, heavily armed officers charging in.

What can one say?

American cops always show up at the last moment.

Very fitting.

As the police arrived, so did the reporters, and TV news helicopters hovered overhead.

How to describe this scene?

It was like the explosion was a grand event, and only after all the hors d'oeuvres were served did everyone take their seats.

The fate of the chefs and workers who prepared it was not a topic of interest.

The focus was only on how much the event cost and then criticizing its host.

Yes, very American.

Seeing the police flooding in, Peter Parker's initial urge to go down and check things out faded.

After all, he was just a volunteer hero, and had plenty of haters.

Without the extensive background Tony Stark had, he couldn't afford to show his face.

So he had to slip away!

Still, this whole thing made one belief more certain in his mind.

Ronan was definitely lying that day!

After Peter Parker quickly left, Tony Stark, who was in the middle of the plaza, stood up.

Happy had already been taken away in the ambulance.

Being Tony Stark's bodyguard had its perks—rescue priority.

Before the reporters could swarm him, Tony Stark got Jarvis' update.

Of all the plaza's cameras, only two were still barely operational.

None had captured the explosion itself.

But one camera did capture something very interesting to Tony Stark.

A person wearing Iron Man armor parts on both arms, legs, and their face, seemingly confronting another individual in a red suit.

Tony Stark recognized the former.

The latter, according to Jarvis' report, was a well-known volunteer hero in Queens.

Spider-Man.

The two seemed to be discussing something.

But with both wearing masks, lip-reading was impossible.

In the end, the first person—the one Tony was most interested in—jumped off the rooftop, and the camera lost sight of them.

The next moment, Spider-Man also left the rooftop.

"What kind of connection is there between them?"