NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The Calm Before the Storm
Adrian Toomes.
Originally just an electrical engineer, he had dreamed of flying since childhood. To achieve this, he conducted countless experiments, but each one consumed a massive amount of funds, and soon his financial resources dried up.
Then, a businessman appeared and invested in his experiments.
Not long after, Adrian finally succeeded in creating a suit capable of flight.
Just as he was about to share this good news with the businessman who had invested in him, he discovered that the man had already claimed his scientific achievements as his own and was selling them as military weapons to certain countries.
Adrian didn't want his dream to be built on the pain of war. Enraged, the businessman retaliated by reporting Adrian for treason, leading to his imprisonment.
However, the businessman couldn't find the flight suit Adrian had developed.
Unbeknownst to him, Adrian had already smuggled the suit into the prison.
This suit not only allowed Adrian to fly but also enhanced his endurance, strength, speed, and reflexes, turning him into a superhuman.
With this equipment, he successfully escaped from prison, and the businessman who had framed him was brutally tortured to death.
Afterward, Adrian used the suit to carry out several shocking crimes, leaving many dead at his hands.
Yes, Adrian had changed drastically, becoming addicted to crime and the thrill of exacting revenge on society.
Perhaps the Adrian who couldn't bear to see his scientific achievements used for war had died the moment he entered prison.
The man who survived was the Vulture!
Not long after his release, the Kingpin of Crime in New York, the Vulture, found him and provided the funds to upgrade Adrian's equipment.
In return, Adrian was to help Kingpin solve a thorny problem.
Now was the time Kingpin needed him. (The above partially references comic book lore.)
"Mr. Adrian," Kingpin said, "Rest well. Tomorrow might be the day you face off against Spider-Woman and the Punisher!"
The Vulture's gloomy eyes swept over Kingpin.
"Don't worry, I've seen their videos."
"One just swings around in the air, and the other can't even fly."
"Fighting me, they won't even be able to touch me!"
"Don't forget our agreement, Kingpin."
"If you can't keep your end of the deal, I can't guarantee I won't do something to hurt you."
Faced with the Vulture's threat, Kingpin remained unfazed and instead smiled.
"Don't worry. Once you deal with them, I'll build you the best mechanical laboratory in the world and even equip your suit with weapons from Stark Industries."
"But the condition is that you take care of them!"
...
Queens, New York.
Peter, who had just returned from Oscorp, was sitting with a large tub of Häagen-Dazs, watching TV.
Now that he had money, he might as well enjoy life.
The TV was broadcasting news about Tony Stark.
The poised anchor explained the situation:
"Currently, the CEO of Stark Industries, Tony Stark, remains missing. According to experts, it is highly likely that he has been killed by terrorists."
Peter shrugged. This news was within his expectations.
Tony had been betrayed by his subordinate and set up.
During their last meeting, Peter had installed a tracker on him, making Peter the only one who knew Tony's exact location.
But considering that Tony needed to become Iron Man, Peter hadn't initiated a rescue.
Or rather, he planned to rescue him after the Mark I was completed.
Just then, Peter noticed that the system's points mall had refreshed.
Ever since he obtained the Ox Talisman, the Strength Potion and Stamina Potion had stopped appearing.
They were replaced by the Flight Potion and a one-time Precognition Potion.
The Flight Potion, as the name suggested, granted three hours of flight ability upon use.
However, the flight speed wasn't fast, but for Peter, who possessed the Rabbit Talisman, it didn't matter.
As for the Precognition Potion, the system's description was a bit abstract.
The user could see the outcome of a certain character, and the character was randomly selected.
It could be himself, someone else, or even a random person he encountered on the street.
Both potions cost 200 points each.
And the Precognition Potion could only be purchased once.
...
Meanwhile, in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan.
Tony was hammering away at his armor.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang...
Even now, he couldn't believe what had happened.
Following Obadiah Stane's advice, he had personally gone to Afghanistan to test the missiles, only to be captured by terrorists.
And the weapons these terrorists were using came from his own company!!!
What was even more despairing was that, compared to ten days ago, he now had a device implanted in his chest.
Because of the shrapnel lodged in his body, Yinsen, another prisoner held by the terrorists, had saved his life by creating a makeshift device using an electromagnet connected to a car battery.
Unwilling to be imprisoned here for the rest of his life, Tony was secretly building a suit of armor.
"Damn it!"
"Where are you, Superman? Homelander?"
"And that Punisher guy, can't you come save me out of the friendship we shared from that one meeting?"
Recalling the past few days—being beaten, waterboarded—this place was hell!
He was desperate to get out of here!
What was worse, the battery in his chest was using magnetism to keep the shrapnel from reaching his vital organs.
But this was only delaying his death. What he needed now was surgery, treatment!
He had to get out of here as soon as possible.
With that thought, he picked up his hammer again.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang...
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