Chapter 19: Template Fusion Rate 39%

Sure enough, he heard Su Mu continue:

"However, my relationship with you isn't a subordinate one but rather a partnership. You need to pay me a certain fee, and in return, I'll help you carry out your missions."

Su Mu emphasized the word "fee" and had already decided that once his energy absorption reached the level needed to handle the power of the Infinity Stones, he would go to S.H.I.E.L.D. and take the Space Stone.

After all, that would be his "fee," wouldn't it? And it'd be even better if Loki conveniently "delivered" it.

As for whether S.H.I.E.L.D. would be unhappy with this, Su Mu didn't care. He believed they'd be happy to hand over the fee to him.

They weren't fools…

Hearing Su Mu's words, Coulson was silent for a moment. Then he raised a hand to his earpiece and said, "This isn't a decision I can make. I need to consult my superiors."

Su Mu nodded.

Coulson quickly contacted Nick Fury, and after some discussion, he told Su Mu, "If you're willing to fully join us, we can help lift the military's warrant for your arrest."

Su Mu froze for a moment, realizing this was a trade.

He smiled brightly, leaned closer to Coulson, and said slowly:

"Agent Coulson, or perhaps Director Nick Fury, do you really think I care about being on a wanted list?"

Coulson resumed his conversation with Nick Fury, then turned his earpiece to the loudest setting, allowing a deep voice to come through.

"Mr. Su Mu, I admit your powers are formidable, perhaps even beyond Magneto and Professor X. However, Colonel Stryker has too many mutants under his control, including some who can strip others of their abilities."

"Surely, even you would be helpless against that. Join us, and we'll negotiate with Colonel Stryker to remove your wanted status. How about it?"

Nick Fury, sitting in his office, wore a confident look. By revealing Stryker's secret anti-mutant weapon, he was certain Su Mu wouldn't refuse.

After all, no matter how powerful he was, he was still a mutant. And a mutant without powers was just an ordinary person, vulnerable to a single bullet.

But after a brief silence, laughter burst through the earpiece, escalating into a loud, mocking laugh.

"Hahaha! Nick Fury, do you really think I care about that?"

"Like I said, we're only equals in this partnership. If you're unwilling, that's fine with me."

After all, he could take the Infinity Stones by force if needed; working with S.H.I.E.L.D. was merely more convenient.

Nick Fury was momentarily silent, surprised by this turn of events. He hadn't expected Su Mu to be so indifferent to the threat of losing his powers.

Did he have a way to counteract it?

No, impossible. Su Mu didn't even know the specifics of the weapon. How could he have a countermeasure?

Nick Fury sighed, making up his mind to rescue Su Mu only if he was captured by Stryker. Then, perhaps, Su Mu would finally see reason and join S.H.I.E.L.D. of his own accord.

So he said directly:

"Alright, I agree. From now on, we're partners. If you change your mind, you're still welcome to join us, though the terms might be a bit different then."

Su Mu understood what Fury meant and smiled.

"Relax, Director Fury. That day will never come…"

What effect would anti-mutant measures have on him anyway? Negotiating with Stryker to lift his wanted status wouldn't be enough.

He wanted to get rid of Stryker himself!

…

After that, Agent Coulson said his goodbyes to Su Mu and Stark. His mission was complete, and he'd even recruited a Level 5 mutant, the "white-haired demon," so he had no reason to stay.

Once Coulson left, Tony reunited with Pepper, then led Su Mu to the top floor of Stark Tower, where he took two brand-new Arc Reactors from his desk and handed them to Su Mu.

"Here's your payment, white-haired kid."

"Hm?"

Su Mu looked at Stark. He hadn't expected Stark to give him a nickname so quickly.

But he didn't mind. In fact, he found it amusing. In his original world, Stark had already died, and even though he'd planned to return, would the Stark who returned still be Iron Man?

That was his regret. Meeting the real Iron Man in person felt like a dream come true.

Su Mu casually took a bag from the table, placed one of the Arc Reactors inside, and held the other, absorbing its energy at full capacity.

Stark saw Su Mu pocketing the bag and remarked:

"You're pretty shameless."

Su Mu replied, "Well, I did save your life, didn't I, Mr. 'Big Poop'?"

"Big Poop? What's that supposed to mean?"

Stark asked, confused, but then Su Mu waved a finger, and Stark felt himself pulled backward by a powerful force, ending up in Pepper's arms.

Su Mu, who was now reclining comfortably on a chair, called out to Stark from across the room:

"Barely escaped with your life. Why aren't you with your girlfriend instead of here?"

Stark was speechless. He looked at Pepper, who was gazing at him with equal affection.

This ordeal had helped them realize their true feelings for each other.

The scene irked Su Mu, as he had no desire to watch a romantic reunion. So, with a wave of his hand, he used his power to gently nudge the two out, leaving him alone on the rooftop to absorb energy.

[Energy Points +1]

[Energy Points +1]

[Energy Points +1]

…

As the template fusion rate increased, the energy required for each additional percent also went up.

When he reached 35%, each 1% boost required significantly more energy points. But with the Arc Reactors supplying continuous energy, he finally reached a 39% fusion rate after several hours.

At that moment, Su Mu took off his black eye mask, gazing off into the distance. After a moment, he smiled, dropped the mask, and said to Jarvis:

"Jarvis, tell Tony I'm stepping out for a bit. When I return, I'll have something important to discuss. He's probably noticed his body acting up, hasn't he?"

Without waiting for Jarvis to respond, Su Mu went to the floor-to-ceiling window, and with a slight clench of his hand, the glass shattered.

Spreading his arms, he leaned forward and fell.

As he approached the ground, he used his power to attach himself to a nearby wall, leaving cracks where his feet made contact, then leapt off in the direction of a fiery explosion.

There, he'd find a suitably strong target for testing his newly acquired abilities!

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