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Seeing Jack again, Pepper's emotions became even more complicated and contradictory. The moment she saw him, her heart uncontrollably filled with excitement. She should have hated this man. After everything that had happened between them, she had told herself countless times that she would never care about him again.
Yet reality refused to follow reason.
When she had watched Jack being grabbed by the Extremis soldier and engulfed in the violent explosion, her heart had tightened painfully. Worry, fear, and panic had surged through her almost instinctively.
If that scoundrel had really died...
Shouldn't she have been happy?
Then why had her heart felt so heavy? Why had it hurt so much?
"H-He can't possibly die like that," Pepper murmured, shaking her head as if trying to convince herself.
Killian slowly shook his head as well, covering one eye with his hand as he sighed dramatically.
"What a tragic story. Humankind's Public Enemy Jack... surely he wouldn't be killed so easily. If he really died like that, it would honestly be rather disappointing."
Just then—
"How could I disappoint you?"
A calm voice echoed through the burning flames.
As the fire slowly dispersed, Jack was still floating in the air exactly where he had been. Other than several burnt pieces of clothing, his body was completely unharmed. Not even the slightest burn could be seen.
A trace of joy instantly flashed across Pepper's eyes.
"Jack..."
Jack smiled at her gently.
"I'm fine."
"How could I fall before rescuing you?"
Pepper's heart trembled.
"Mm..."
The response escaped her mouth before she realized it.
Only afterward did she discover how inappropriate her reaction was.
Why was she responding to him like this?
She immediately turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Why should she care whether this fellow lived or died?
Killian looked at Jack with admiration before slowly applauding.
"As expected of Humankind's Public Enemy."
"Mr. Jack, your strength truly earns my respect."
Jack casually rolled his neck, producing several crisp cracking sounds.
"Respect my ass."
"My patience is running out."
"Enough talking."
"It's time for you to die."
Killian smiled without the slightest panic.
"Mr. Jack, before you kill me, I can still kill Pepper."
His eyes shifted toward Pepper as he spoke.
Jack's expression instantly became ice-cold.
"So..."
"You're threatening me?"
Killian shook his head.
"Not at all."
"I simply hope Mr. Jack will think carefully."
"Pepper seems quite concerned about you as well. I'm sure she wouldn't want you to act impulsively."
Pepper immediately shouted,
"Jack!"
"Don't worry about me!"
"Even if I die, don't care about me."
"If you want to kill him, then kill him! Since when have you ever hesitated because of someone else?"
Jack nodded calmly.
"You're right."
"I've always done whatever I wanted."
"But right now..."
"My first priority is saving you."
"As for killing him..."
"That can wait."
Pepper stared blankly at Jack.
The emotions in her eyes became even more complicated.
Killian smiled faintly.
"Hearing that puts my mind at ease."
"Mr. Jack, I'd like to make a deal with you."
Jack burst into laughter.
"You want this great one to work for you?"
"Hahaha..."
"There really are plenty of lunatics in this world."
Killian remained calm.
"Mr. Jack, there's no need to be so rude."
"Everyone simply takes what they need."
"Pepper is important to you."
"I'm sure you don't want anything to happen to her."
Jack looked at his own hand thoughtfully.
"If I kill you..."
"Nothing else matters."
"You honestly think it's difficult for me to kill you?"
Killian nodded.
"Mr. Jack certainly possesses that ability."
"But can you guarantee Pepper's safety?"
"There is now a perfect substance inside Pepper's body."
"Extremis?"
Jack asked directly.
Killian smiled.
"As expected of Mr. Jack."
"You're very intelligent."
"That's right."
"It's Extremis."
"This perfect virus grants tremendous power..."
"But it also generates tremendous heat."
"If the host loses control..."
"A thermal explosion occurs."
"I believe Mr. Jack has already witnessed one."
Jack nodded slightly.
"So you're saying Pepper also has the possibility of suffering a thermal explosion?"
"Exactly."
Killian spread his hands.
"As long as Mr. Jack is willing to cooperate with me..."
"I guarantee Pepper will remain perfectly safe."
Jack suddenly covered his stomach.
"Hahaha..."
"Hahaha..."
He laughed louder and louder.
Killian frowned.
"Mr. Jack..."
"What exactly are you laughing at?"
"Is something I said really that amusing?"
Jack gradually stopped laughing, his eyes turning cold.
"Of course it's amusing."
"People nowadays..."
"They're really becoming stupider and stupider."
"No..."
"I should say they're becoming more and more reckless."
He slowly lowered his hand.
"Who gave you the confidence to order me around?"
Killian pointed toward another steel platform nearby.
"Mr. Jack."
"Do you see the man hanging from those iron chains?"
Jack glanced over.
"I do."
"Who is he?"
"The President of the United States."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"The President?"
"Interesting."
"You actually kidnapped him."
He even applauded twice.
Killian smiled proudly.
"I knew Mr. Jack would appreciate this gift."
"You may kill him."
Jack shook his head.
"So..."
"You want to use my hands to eliminate him?"
Killian shrugged.
"I won't deny that."
"If Mr. Jack kills him..."
"It saves me quite a bit of trouble."
"Of course..."
"You don't actually have to kill him yourself."
"As long as the entire world believes the President died at your hands..."
"That's enough."
Jack slowly flew toward the chained President.
The President stared at him in terror.
"You..."
"You're Jack..."
Jack smiled.
"Correct."
"Do you know what I'm here to do?"
The President swallowed hard.
"W-What?"
Jack answered casually,
"To kill you."
The President immediately shouted,
"You can't do this!"
"If you kill me..."
"You'll face retaliation from the United States—and from the entire world!"
Jack shrugged indifferently.
"I don't care."
He slowly reached out and grabbed the President's neck.
"Well then..."
"It's time for you to leave."
"You..."
The President's eyes widened in horror.
Crack!
A crisp snapping sound echoed through the night.
Jack twisted his wrist.
The President's neck bent unnaturally before his body instantly went limp.
The President of the United States...
Died just like that.
Without dignity.
Without resistance.
Without even leaving behind any final words.
Pepper looked at Jack in disbelief.
"You..."
"You actually killed the President?"
Jack turned around calmly.
"As long as you're alive..."
"Everyone else can die."
"It doesn't matter."
Pepper stood there speechless.
She truly didn't know what to say anymore.
Killian slowly raised a thumbs-up.
"As expected of Mr. Jack."
"You truly have courage."
"Now..."
"Shall we continue discussing our deal?"
Jack smiled cruelly.
"You want me to become your dog?"
"No."
"I've suddenly decided I'd rather watch you die like one."
Before Killian could respond—
Boom!
A deafening sonic boom suddenly echoed across the sky.
Everyone instinctively looked upward.
In the distant night sky, dozens of glowing lights rapidly approached.
Under the darkness, countless streaks of blue and white engine flames illuminated the horizon like falling stars.
One armored figure after another tore through the air at incredible speed.
It was an entire legion of Iron Man suits.
Jack looked into the distance, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Evidently..."
"Tony Stark has finally arrived."