Leon didn't speak; he began to examine the lab with great interest.
Everywhere he looked, there were holographic projections, robotic arms, and various parts that Tony had casually strewn about.
"Hmm, very much in line with his playboy style," Leon thought, offering his assessment.
He could feel the energy fluctuations emanating from the miniature Arc Reactor in Tony's chest.
Using his own technology to create a hole in his own chest and then inserting an energy core to sustain life.
Guys who are so ruthless to themselves are often very interesting.
"We…" Darcy was about to explain when Leon stopped her with a look.
Leon slowly walked forward, completely ignoring Tony's wary gaze, and went straight to the bar, pouring himself a glass of red wine.
"Mr. Stark, your hospitality seems to be as explosive as your former business."
His voice was gentle, yet it made people instinctively believe him.
Tony's pupils contracted.
What was this guy talking about?
The arms business was something the whole world knew about; bringing it up now was meaningless.
Who was he? Sent by S.H.I.E.L.D.? Or some unknown secret organization?
No, the Director, that black bald egg from S.H.I.E.L.D., wouldn't have the guts to break into his territory in such a manner.
"Before I answer your question, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?" Tony asked, forcing down his unease, his tone flippant.
"After all, trespassing is a felony in New York."
Leon took a sip of red wine, then turned and leaned against the bar, a playful smile on his face.
"My name is Leon. As for my identity…"
His gaze swept over Tony's entire body, finally resting on the reactor in his chest.
His eyes seemed to penetrate clothes and skin, seeing the toxins slowly eroding the other's body.
"You can understand me as someone who knows you calculate how many days you have left every day."
Boom!
Tony instantly froze in place.
The destructive power of that sentence was even greater than being told he couldn't do morning exercises with models.
The core element of the Arc Reactor in his chest was palladium.
And palladium was toxic.
As the reactor continued to operate, palladium poisoning was constantly eroding his body.
This was his biggest secret, his inner fear, and no one knew about it except himself and Jarvis.
This man, who called himself Leon, had actually revealed his biggest crisis with a single sentence?!
Tony's heart sank.
He felt like a naked man, standing defenseless before the other, all his secrets and weaknesses exposed.
This feeling was terrible!
He stared intently at Leon, his brain working furiously.
How did the other know? Telepathy? Or some technology he couldn't comprehend?
Whichever it was, it meant the other's level was far above his own.
"What exactly do you want?" Tony's voice became hoarse.
He suddenly felt a bit absurd; he, Tony Stark, actually felt powerless in front of a stranger.
Leon watched his wary expression, the smile on his lips deepening.
See, isn't this interesting?
Pushing an arrogant genius to the brink, then enjoying his panicked expression.
This was far more interesting than attending those boring banquets in Asgard.
"I don't want to do anything." Leon shrugged, his tone becoming relaxed again.
"Just here to be a good person and show you a clear path."
He pointed to Jane Foster behind him.
"This is Dr. Jane Foster, a once-in-a-century genius in astrophysics. Her research might be able to help you solve that little problem in your chest."
Tony's expression flickered.
Of course, he knew the fundamental way to solve palladium poisoning was to find a new element that could replace palladium.
For this, he had been secretly researching for a long time, even sifting through all the material left by his father, Howard Stark, but had found no clues.
And now, this mysterious man was telling him that this seemingly somewhat naive female scientist in front of him could help him solve this century-old problem?
Tony's gaze fell on Jane Foster.
His eyes held scrutiny, suspicion.
Jane felt uncomfortable under his gaze; she subconsciously clutched her research notes.
She had no idea what new element Leon was talking about; her field of research was astrophysics and the Einstein-Rosen bridge.
Although it also involved high-dimensional energy, it was a different matter from element creation.
However, seeing Leon's confident expression, she didn't dare to refute him.
Because she knew that this powerful being always seemed to be full of confidence.
Leon saw through the confusion of the two and decided to add more fuel to the Fire.
"Mr. Stark, I know you've been researching your father's Relics, like that Stark Industries Expo model, right?"
Tony's heart skipped a beat again.
Damn it, he even knew about this?!
"Your father was a genius; he was decades ahead of his time. He had already conceived the atomic structure of a new element. Unfortunately, he was born at the wrong time; the technology of his era couldn't support him in completing this great creation."
Leon's tone carried regret, then he changed the subject.
"But now, times have changed. You have more advanced technology than your father, but you lack the most crucial link, which is the theoretical foundation."
He smiled at Jane Foster.
"Dr. Foster's research into cosmic rays and high-dimensional energy is the final piece of the puzzle to complete your father's theory. Her theory can provide you with the energy model and realization path needed to create a new element."
Leon's words were like a lightning bolt, cutting through the fog in Tony's mind.
He understood.
The model his father left behind was the blueprint, and Jane's research was the instruction manual to realize that blueprint!
So that's it! That's how it is!
Tony felt his blood boiling.
The problem that had plagued him for so long had actually found a glimmer of hope in such an unexpected way!
"So…" Tony took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He knew he was at a critical crossroads.
Trust this mysterious man of unknown origin, or continue to await death under the Shadow of palladium poisoning.
Other than living, he had no choice.
"What is your research?" he asked Jane in a deep voice.
This was a signal of compromise.
Leon nodded with satisfaction.
See, everything was under his control.
He didn't need force, didn't need threats; he just needed to gently cast a bait.
This was the feeling he liked.
"Alright, my mission is complete." Leon stretched; he knew the upcoming academic discussion would be very boring.
He had no interest in listening to two scientists argue about collisions and energy decay here.
"You two can chat slowly." He snapped his fingers.
A lounge chair, identical to the one in New Mexico before, appeared out of thin air in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of Stark Tower.
"Jarvis, right?" he said to the air.
"Get me a strawberry smoothie, double sugar, and turn on the soundproofing system here. Don't let their arguments disturb my enjoyment of the New York scenery."
The lab suddenly became quiet.
Tony's expression froze.
He wasn't shocked by the lounge chair appearing out of thin air.
But he was shocked that… Leon could directly give commands to Jarvis!
And… "Alright, Mr. Leon. Strawberry smoothie is being prepared, soundproofing system activated."
What made Tony most speechless was that Jarvis actually complied?!
Tony suddenly felt like laughing; what on earth was going on?!
He glanced at the man lying on the lounge chair with his eyes closed, his mouth opening and closing, but not a single word came out.
Damn it, I must not be fully awake!!
.....
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