Chapter 5: Follow-up

The battle came to end.

"Ah!" Colonel Rhodes let out a low growl as he removed the folding spear from his right shoulder with his left hand.

He turned his head to look at Tony Stark, who was still gazing at the mangled corpses before him with mixed emotions.

"I never expected that a heartless capitalist like you would have employees willing to risk everything for you," Colonel Rhodes grinned, struggling to stand up.

"He's not my employee," Iron Man replied, leaning on Pepper for support as he turned Fu Qihai's body over, revealing the badge on his suit's chest. "He's just... just an intern."

...

"Locke, Locke, wake up... wake up quickly," a clear female voice called out.

"Uh..." Fu Qihai's consciousness felt hazy.

He realized he was lying in a bed, barely opening his eyes to see only a large yellow light spot and a black figure resembling a person. Someone vigorously shook his shoulder.

"Locke, are you awake?" The girl in front of him finally stopped shaking.

Fu Qihai blinked his eyes and regained his vision. Before him stood a girl with short chestnut hair and an oval face, watching him with concern.

Her eyes were as blue as the lagoons of a Pacific atoll, her skin had a healthy light honey-coloured tone, her hair was short and curly, and she had a pointed nose.

Observing Fu Qihai's dazed state, the girl couldn't help but shake him again. "Locke, what's wrong with you? Did you hit your head? Why are you acting so foolishly?"

...

Hearing that familiar cold voice, Fu Qihai suddenly became alert.

[Due to your death in the previous reincarnation world, you have been granted a new identity and skills have been automatically loaded: Low Gothic Proficiency]

[Your faction has been randomly assigned—Emperor Camp plot line]

[Please embark on your reincarnation adventure!]

Just as Fu Qihai regained his senses, a sharp pain seared through his brain, causing him to roll his eyes and lose consciousness once again.

...

Marvel Cinematic Universe, Earth, New York, USA, top floor of Stark Tower.

Tony Stark rested his chin on his right hand, his gaze fixed intently on the computer screen in front of him.

Potbellied driver and assistant, Happy Hogan, approached and placed a document on Tony Stark's desk. He spoke softly, "Tony, I've investigated it. The identity is real, and the education and internship experience has been forged."

"Forged?" Tony Stark, seated at the table, raised his head and asked, before returning his focus to the screen before him.

"What about it, Tony? Have you found out who was behind that incident?"

Steve Rogers, dressed casually, approached from behind and asked in a deep voice.

Seeing Iron Man engrossed in the screen and seemingly uninterested in answering the Captain's question, Pepper Potts stepped forward and said."Captain, after our analysis, there was an invisible alien with cold weapons who infiltrated Stark Tower and killed a security guard on the first floor."

She continued, "Then, a group of mercenaries entered the first-floor lobby. They possessed military-grade firepower and exceptional marksmanship. They caused havoc and explosions on the lower floors, grabbing our attention. Stark and Colonel Rhodes quickly donned their armour and went downstairs to investigate.

While they were distracted by the mercenaries and the ensuing explosion, the invisible alien used a security access card to reach the 45th floor, sneaking into the top floor and capturing me.

In the subsequent battle, the white-haired man, suspected to be a mutant, unleashed tremendous energy comparable to that of an alpha-level mutant. It became a two-on-one fight, with the mutant using me as leverage to hinder Stark and Colonel Rhodes from going all out. Eventually, they were defeated by the white-haired mutant."

Pepper added, "According to them, they came for the isotopes of the Rubik's Cube."

Meanwhile, Tony Stark seemed indifferent to the conversation unfolding behind him. He attentively studied the screen, where surveillance footage played in a continuous loop.

The video showed a young man of Chinese descent, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, sitting comfortably on a sofa in a small room, engaged in a conversation.

"Finally," the black-haired man concluded, "I truly admire and respect Mr. Tony Stark. That's why I chose Stark Industries when I graduated. "

"Almost every applicant is a fan of Stark's."

The middle-aged Caucasian woman sitting across from the young man smiled casually.

Tony Stark watched the video silently, his brows furrowed, and remained silent for a long time.

...

[END]