"What? You just came back two days ago and you're leaving again? Do you know what day it is in half a month? It's Christmas!!!"
Hit-Girl glared at Mike like a ruffled kitten.
After Killian and the other terrorists were apprehended, it was now the morning of the second day.
Mike had informed Scarlet Witch and Hit-Girl in advance of his intention to leave, so they could be mentally prepared.
After all, due to the time flow, even half a day passing in the main world would mean several months had passed here.
And Mike planned to establish his "Divine Kingdom" in the main world this time, so half a day would definitely not be enough.
"Don't worry, I'll wait until after Christmas to leave," Mike reassured Hit-Girl.
Also due to the time flow, a dozen days here would be less than an hour in the main world.
Therefore, Mike still had time to spend Christmas here.
"I don't even know what you're busy with all day. In the past six months, you haven't stayed home for even a month..." Hit-Girl grumbled, still in a bad mood.
Although Scarlet Witch didn't speak, her face also carried a hint of "resentment."
This villa was clearly Mike's house, but every time he, the owner, returned, he was like a transient, leaving after only a few days due to various matters.
This situation made Scarlet Witch and Hit-Girl, who were "dependent" on him, feel very uncomfortable.
It was similar to the head of a family who was often not home.
After a long time, the other family members would naturally be unhappy.
"Mike, why did you leave without a word yesterday? Pepper and I didn't even get a chance to thank you." Just as the atmosphere in the villa became a bit strange, Tony, looking completely refreshed, walked in with a smile.
"Fair-weather friend..." Hit-Girl, who was not on good terms with him, complained in a low voice.
Her voice was just loud enough for Tony to hear.
On the other side, Scarlet Witch also looked up at Tony, a red glint flashing in her eyes.
As Mike's drinking buddy, Tony had quite a few past offenses.
Every time he came to invite Mike, it was either for a party or to go out and have fun.
They had almost monopolized all the cover girls of Playboy magazine.
Tony, who had already confirmed his relationship with Pepper, was particularly smug.
As the saying goes: a joyful occasion lifts one's spirits.
However, shortly after entering Mike's villa, he felt a great malice, as if he was being targeted by a ferocious beast.
His smile froze on his face.
But when he looked around, he found nothing unusual.
Scarlet Witch, having done her work and moved on, had already shifted her gaze.
"What's going on?" Tony, not understanding the situation, scratched his head, feeling a bit paranoid.
"Even if you've confirmed your relationship with Ms. Pepper, you still need to exercise moderation," Mike shook his head, almost throwing "You're very weak" in Tony's face. "By the way, what brings you here this time? No need to thank me."
Mike actually didn't help much with the previous terrorist attack.
He mainly served as a fallback.
"Don't talk nonsense, I'm perfectly healthy." Tony, with his dark circles, defended himself, then continued, "I came here mainly to invite you to my place for dinner..."
There it was again, that startling feeling.
When he mentioned inviting Mike to Stark Tower, that discomfort returned to Tony, and his hairs stood on end as if in an emergency.
However, since he had already spoken, Tony still bit the bullet and continued, "Mainly, Pepper personally cooked a big meal to thank you."
"Oh, and Wanda and Mindy, Pepper also invited you all to come along."
Although Tony was a playboy, after getting a serious girlfriend, he was gradually changing into a good man.
And this invitation was just a normal family dinner.
There was nothing shady about it.
It was very suitable for Mike to attend "with his family."
"You actually host family parties?" Hit-Girl was skeptical of Tony's change.
After all, this person had too many priors.
On the other side, Scarlet Witch had already started packing, ready to go out with Mike.
This also made the discomfort on Tony's body mysteriously disappear by more than half.
Afterward, once Hit-Girl also got dressed up, everyone followed Tony to the nearby Stark Tower.
"It really is just for a casual meal." As soon as they entered the tower, Hit-Girl, like a detective, began to observe her surroundings.
Surprisingly, she didn't find any cover girls.
"I need to officially inform you that Playboy is a thing of the past. I am now a good man." Tony, knowing what Hit-Girl was thinking, went to Pepper's side and put his arm around her waist.
He admonished Hit-Girl.
His blissful expression carried a hint of showing off.
"Hmph!"
A leopard cannot change its spots, and Hit-Girl still held a negative view of Tony.
However, since he was so confident, she could observe him further.
Beside Tony, Pepper, also dressed in casual home wear, smiled and greeted Mike and Scarlet Witch like a housewife.
She also treated Hit-Girl's nitpicking as childish play.
She didn't take it too seriously.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed Pepper's cooking.
One could only say that the thought counted.
Pepper, who had always presented herself as a strong businesswoman, had cooking skills that were even inferior to Scarlet Witch's.
But it was understandable.
No one present was there for the taste. A home-cooked meal, with its touch of everyday life and slight imperfections, made everyone feel exceptionally at ease.
It had a sense of "home" warmth.
"Alright, tell me, what exactly did you invite me for this time?" After the meal, Mike found an opportunity to ask Tony.
As for the other three ladies, they had already gone aside to whisper.
Their relationship was developing unexpectedly harmoniously.
"You saw right through me." Tony sighed and said, "Two things. First, I'd like to ask for your help in removing the shrapnel and the arc reactor from my chest..."
After going through many events, Tony had gradually emerged from the shadow of the Afghanistan attack, and he was no longer as obsessed with the identity of "Iron Man" as before.
Without relying on external objects, he had regained the self-confidence a genius should have.
Moreover, having confirmed his relationship with Pepper, he also wanted to develop it as a normal person.
The most important point was that with the upgrading of the Iron Man suit, and with alternatives like control bracelets to control the suit, Tony no longer needed the arc reactor in his chest.
In fact, the energy device in his chest had become his weakness.
"Small problem, your hidden danger is very easy to solve." Mike nodded, signaling him to continue.
With Healing Power and [Resurrection] ability, Mike could even bring the dead back to life.
Tony's minor injuries were nothing.
"The second thing is about the Extremis in Pepper. I experimented last night, and that gene serum is very unstable, with the possibility of destruction at any time..." Tony said with a solemn expression, "If possible, I hope you can help Pepper resolve the hidden danger of the Extremis in her body."
"I know this will be very difficult, so consider it two more big favors I owe you. From now on, no matter what you need, I'll be there whenever you call."
Tony had already experienced firsthand that the Extremis could make users explode.
Worried about Pepper's safety, he had been researching an antidote for the Extremis ever since he returned yesterday.
But it was very difficult.
Even if Tony was a genius, it would take a long time to research an antidote.
And this period would undoubtedly be very dangerous for Pepper.
Therefore, Tony thought of asking his "omnipotent" friend Mike for help.
"Treating the Extremis? Simple."
The problem that worried Tony was just a trivial matter for Mike, something he could solve with ease.
So, after Tony excitedly called Pepper over, Mike casually condensed two balls of Saint Light Power and integrated them into their bodies respectively.
Tony's was pure Healing Power, while Pepper's was combined with a bit of purification power.
As the Saint Light integrated, the energy block in Tony's chest was slowly squeezed out little by little, and then several tiny shrapnel pieces rolled out from the wound.
After the immense pain, there was a tingling, numb itchiness.
And Tony's chest, where there was a fist-sized gap, slowly grew new flesh under this intense itch.
"Perfect."
Looking at the healing wound, Tony, covered in sweat, showed a relieved smile.
How long had it been since he felt like a normal person?
After the surprise, Tony looked at Pepper, who hadn't changed much, and asked with concern, "Pepper, how do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable?"
"Me? I feel like I've had a hot spring bath, and that restless energy in my body is gone. However, my physique seems to have been retained." Pepper also smiled.
Although she enjoyed that powerful feeling, the drawback of the Extremis, which could cause self-detonation, also weighed on Pepper like a mountain.
Now it was good. Although Pepper had lost her fire-breathing ability, some of the enhanced physique from the Extremis was indeed retained.
Its strength was roughly twice that of a normal person.
In other words, Tony's future happiness was secured.
Afterward, the two, now restored to health, naturally thanked Mike again.
As they watched the three leave, Pepper even specifically gave Scarlet Witch and Hit-Girl a large pile of gifts as a symbol of friendship.
And she invited Mike and his two companions to visit Stark Tower whenever they had time...