Happy hurriedly got up, walked to the door, and looked outside through the peephole. The vigilance on his face instantly dissipated, replaced by a trace of a smile.
"It's the boss, he's here." Happy said with a smile, opening the door.
Outside the door, Tony Stark was wearing a set of red Iron Man armor, slowly walking in.
The surface of the armor still carried a trace of dust. Obviously, he had rushed all the way here without any delay.
His face wore a solemn expression, his eyes were sharp, and his whole body exuded a powerful aura, completely different from his usual swagger and banter.
Tony put away the armor, revealing the black suit inside, and walked up to Mavuika, his tone full of gratitude.
"Mavuika, thank you. If it weren't for you guys, he definitely would have been in danger today."
"You're welcome, Tony." Mavuika said with a smile, in a gentle tone.
Tony turned to look at Happy, looking him up and down.
"Do you know that attacker?" Mavuika asked.
Tony shook his head.
"I don't know him. Happy sent me a photo, and I had Jarvis check it. There are no identity records, no fingerprint files, nothing that can be traced."
He turned around and looked at Mavuika.
"But one thing is very strange. That person's body can emit high temperatures and also self-detonate—this ability is obviously not innate, it's like some kind of... technology, or rather, some kind of biotechnology."
Thor stood up from the sofa and walked to Tony's side.
"You mean someone used technology to create this kind of person?"
Tony nodded: "Yes, and it probably isn't just one or two. Judging from that person's physical characteristics, his ability is very stable, which shows that this technology is already mature. If someone is really mass-producing these'super soldiers'..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was obvious.
Loki put down the teacup in his hand, a flash of sharp light passing through those emerald-green eyes.
"Then this person's target is not just you alone."
Tony glanced at him and didn't speak.
The living room was quiet for a few seconds.
Then, the TV suddenly turned on.
An image appeared on the screen: a man sitting on a magnificent chair.
He was wearing a dark robe with ten huge rings on his hands, each inlaid with gemstones of different colors.
His face was painted with some kind of eerie tattoo, his beard was neatly trimmed, and a cold, chilling smile hung on the corner of his mouth.
"The Mandarin."
He called himself that.
"People of the United States..." The man's voice was low and slow, like a viper crawling through the grass.
"Hello."
Thor frowned, looking at that face on the screen.
"Who is this person?"
Tony didn't answer. His eyes stared fixedly at the screen, and his fists clenched at some unknown point.
The Mandarin continued: "You live in a World full of lies and deceit. Politicians tell you 'all is well', the media tells you 'there is no danger'. But do you know the truth?"
He paused, the smile on the corner of his mouth deepening.
"The truth is, you could die at any moment. In the supermarket, in the cinema, in your own home—as long as I am willing."
He stood up from the chair and walked to the camera, that face occupying the entire screen.
"Tony Stark, Iron Man, heh, you think you're great, right? You think you can protect everyone?"
He chuckled softly, the laughter cold and harsh.
"Then come and try, see if your armor can block my flames, see if your courage can save those who are about to die."
He stepped back and spread his arms.
"I am The Mandarin. I am the Destroyer of this World. Tony Stark—if you have the guts, come and stop me."
The image disappeared, and the TV returned to normal programming, with a host broadcasting the weather, completely unaware of what had just happened.
Tony stood there, looking at the TV screen, the expression on his face changing from shock to anger, and from anger to icy coldness.
There was fire Burning in his eyes.
"Jarvis." His voice was low, but every word was as sharp as a knife.
"Sir, I am here."
"That signal just now, was it tracked?"
Jarvis was silent for a second.
"The signal went through multiple encryptions and redirects, and the source cannot be located. But based on signal characteristic analysis, this is a pre-recorded broadcast simultaneously sent through multiple satellites. Currently, at least three hundred television stations globally have received this video."
Tony punched the wall.
Loki sat on the sofa, fingers gently tapping the armrest, a gleam of thought flashing in those emerald-green eyes.
"Mr. Stark," he spoke, his voice calm, "do you know this person?"
Tony took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Don't know him, never heard of any 'The Mandarin'."
"However... the pattern on his clothes is a bit familiar, looking like something once used by the people who kidnapped me..."
"Then his goal is very clear." Loki stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside.
"He is indeed your enemy, but he probably doesn't just want simple revenge against you; he wants to use you as a stepping stone to announce his existence to the whole World."
He turned around and looked at Tony.
"For a person like this, what they fear most is not failure, but being ignored."
Tony's brows knitted together. "What do you want to say?"
Loki smiled, the smile carrying a hint of the cunning unique to the God of Mischief.
"He wants you to find him, right? He hopes you will hunt all over the World for his whereabouts, and hopes you will put all your attention on him."
He paused.
"Then why not reverse it."
Tony looked at him.
"Let him come to you."
The living room was quiet for a second.
Tony's eyes slowly lit up. "You mean..."
Loki nodded: "Publish the address here, stand right here, and tell him—'I'm not going anywhere, come if you've got the guts.'"
Thor slapped his thigh: "Good idea! Let them deliver themselves to our door, saving us the trouble of looking for them!"
Tony looked at Loki, a smile slowly curving up the corner of his mouth.
That was a Tony Stark-style smile—a mix of adventure, madness, and a nearly childish excitement.
"Your Highness Loki," he said, "I'm starting to like you a bit."
Loki bowed gracefully: "My honor."
Tony immediately turned to the air of the living room: "Jarvis, did you hear that?"
"Heard, sir. Are you sure you want to publicize the address of the Villa? This may bring certain security risks."
Tony smiled: "Risks? Jarvis, you forgot one thing."
"What thing, sir?"
"I'm never afraid of risks; only with risks can there be rewards."
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