MUP: Chapter 71. A Crisis Reappears

Although they successfully wiped out another one of the Hand's bases and disrupted their criminal operations...

But the Defenders weren't entirely unharmed.

Especially Matt's body. Although his super senses allowed him to dodge most of those ninjas' attacks successfully, there were still a few attacks that left scars on his body.

"Maybe, you guys need a break, Matt."

After treating Daredevil's wounds, Claire couldn't help saying so.

With the formation of the Defenders, the nurse joined the team in her own way.

"You've been injured too frequently. If this continues, I'm worried that your body won't be able to handle it."

Although clothed in a superhero costume, in essence, Matt was just an ordinary person with super senses. He didn't have invulnerability like Luke, Jessica's ability to fly, or Wesley's ability to bend bullet trajectories.

All he had was his own hard-earned combat skills and the uncompromising will to face criminals.

"She's right." Jessica nodded as she covered her arm with bandages.

Although she was also injured, it was clear that Matt was the one with the most injuries.

"You need more rest, Matt."

"The Hand and Kingpin won't give us time to rest." Matt rejected Claire and Jessica's advice.

"I have a feeling that, if we let up, even just a little bit, something terrible will happen."

"But if you keep going like this, in the next battle with the Hand, you might be the one to fall," Luke said as he looked straight at Matt. "We've lost Ah Xing already. I don't want to see anything happen to you. The Defenders can't afford to lose any more people."

"..."

Luke's words sunk Matt into silence.

Turning his arm, Matt sensed his own condition. As Luke and the others said, there was no way his body could withstand another intense battle in his current condition.

"To be honest, it's not just you. We need a break, too, Matt."

Luke kept an eye on Matt's expression. Sensing the loosening look on his face, he added, "We've been fighting the Hand and Kingpin's men for some time now, week in and week out. With these continuous battles, everyone had somewhat reached the limits of their endurance. Like last time, Jessica was almost injured by Bullseye because she was exhausted."

"I was distracted!"

Jessica grimaced and spoke up in defence.

Wesley: "Could have been a fatal mistake."

Jessica: "Shut up, you talk too much!"

While Jessica was arguing, Matt was apparently convinced by Luke's words. He stood up, propped himself up on his guide stick and addressed the Defenders, "Luke is right, I was too hasty. We've destroyed a number of the Hand's bases, but at the same time, we endured a lot of attacks. The next battles will be even more dangerous, we need some time to recuperate and prepare for it."

　　...

"Whew..."

Coming out of Claire's apartment, Luke turned his head and carefully observed the surroundings.

The Defenders went into temporary suspension because of Matt's injury, so he wanted to go back to Harlem and check the situation.

"Looks like you guys have been having a good time with Jessica."

A deep, hoarse voice suddenly came from behind Luke.

Luke turned his head and saw a man wearing a purple tie walking toward him.

　　...

[Reputation points from Tony Stark +55]

In the antique shop, Ryan looked at the reputation points that suddenly popped up in the system's data panel. He was even more sure of his decision to send [Shell] over to Stark Industries to sell dim sum.

After all, not everyone could give him a large number of points as easily as Tony could.

The points he got from Wesley's side, working hard as a member of the Defenders, dismantling the Hand's bases one by one, were still only a little bit more than what he got from one interaction with Tony.

The key point was that there was no danger at Tony's side right now. At least, before he became Iron Man, collecting points from him was a safe bet.

"So, have you thought it through?"

Tony ate the dim sum in his hand while it was still hot, then looked at [Shell] in the food truck while raising one of his brows, "As long as you agree to it, starting today, you'll be one of my personal chefs. Trust me, it's better than working in a truck."

"Not interested." While kneading the dough, [Shell] shook his head and refused Tony's invitation.

Why would he? Although Ryan wanted to collect points from Tony, he didn't intend to become this guy's personal chef, not even as an infiltration plan.

What's more, [Shell], as a clone, even with the reinforcement from the system's cards, couldn't be formed 20 hours a day.

"I see." Even if Tony nodded, he didn't give up, "Are you worried about the salary? 100,000? 200,000? Name your price. As long as it's reasonable, I'll agree to it."

'Look at this ugly capitalist face...'

In the antique shop, when Ryan heard Tony's words, he couldn't help but sneer.

Needless to say, liking a guy like Tony Stark during this period of his life was really difficult.

[Shell]'s hands paused. He looked up at Tony and replied in a deep voice, "Mr Stark, you might be a billionaire, but there are some things in the world that money can't buy. I don't cook for money. To me, cooking is something that brings people happiness."

"Now please, move aside. There are people waiting behind you."

"Cooking is something that brings people happiness?"

[Reputation points from Tony Stark +70]

Looking at Tony, who was lost in thought, the clone in the food truck still looked indifferent on the surface.

In the antique shop, Ryan couldn't stop smiling.

Indeed, as expected, the wisdom of ancestors shouldn't be underestimated. He didn't need to be afraid of not getting points when playing hard to get with someone like Tony in this period of his life.