Chapter 184: Chapter 182: Tony on Fire
"Even I would need a lot of time to study it before I could even think about synthesizing it. The strength of this metal should be comparable to Adamantium. Do you have the formula for it?""Nope. Otherwise, do you think I'd just give it to you for free?""I knew it. Reverse-engineering a formula from a metal is almost impossible. But for me, it might be a different story."
Tony pouted, but the excitement in his eyes didn't fade in the slightest. He was already thinking about how to overcome these challenges.
Seeing that the timing was right, Kino looked at Tony with a hopeful expression."Tony, I came here today because I wanted to ask you for a favor."Tony was in a great mood and raised an eyebrow when he heard that.
"Oh? Now I'm curious. What could possibly be difficult enough to trouble the Demon King himself? Go ahead. I'll help you."
Let's be honest—forget about the alluring metals. Just based on their relationship alone, Tony saw helping Kino as just doing a friend a favor.
Kino began to explain,"I want you to design a ride for me. It should be able to fly, go underwater, and if it can transform, that would be perfect.
Oh, right—its material has to be strong enough because safety is very important. Also, the interior should be spacious, and if possible, it should be able to go into outer space…"
As Kino spoke, he already had an image of the perfect vehicle in his mind and didn't notice how Tony's expression gradually froze.
With each additional request, Tony's once-bright face darkened until it looked like the bottom of a pot.
When Kino finally stopped, still full of enthusiasm, he glanced at Tony's unpleasant expression and asked cautiously:"Did I… maybe go a bit overboard with my requests?"
Tony forced a smile and glared at him."Overboard? Where exactly were you overboard?
Oh, right—what did you say at the beginning again? I got so lost in your endless list of demands I almost forgot."
"Tony, I came over today to ask you for a favor." Kino repeated honestly.
"I'm not helping. Get lost, now!"
Tony reached out with both hands and pushed Kino forcefully, but Kino stood rooted to the ground like a tree, completely unmoved. That only made Tony angrier.
"Hey! Tony, you promised me! You can't go back on your word."
Kino stared speechlessly at Tony, who was red in the face, pushing against his chest.
"When did I promise? Do you have proof?"
Tony went full denial mode, gritting his teeth and launching into a rant."Do you even know how busy I am right now? The Stark Tower reactor upgrade project, the war armor improvement six months from now, the Hell Paradise Project, and all that future tech from a thousand years ahead.
I haven't even fully processed any of it yet, and now there's the Eternity Stone and all this bizarre metal to deal with. I don't even have time to throw a party and relax anymore.
If I agree to build your ride, I won't even have time to spend with Pepper!
Forget it, just get out of here. I don't even want the metal anymore!"
The more Tony spoke, the angrier he became. He used to be the one people worked for—now he felt like he was working for Kino. What a joke.
Kino realized he may have gone too far—most of these responsibilities did tie back to him. Seeing Tony about to suit up:"Calm down, Tony. Let's talk about this a bit more.""No more talking! Just leave."
Tony didn't even give Kino a chance to finish and crouched down in his armor to try and hoist him over his shoulder.
"I prepared a gift for you.""I don't care what the gift is. I need rest, parties, and drinks—wait, why are you so heavy?!"
Tony's armor started creaking alarmingly, sounding like it was about to fall apart.
"You'll definitely love this gift. If you don't, I'll give you the entire Demon Corporation."
Kino knocked lightly on Tony's armored head."…Seriously?""Seriously. Want to sign a demon contract?"
Kino pulled out a contract."No need for that. When will I get it?"
Tony knew Kino never made a bad deal. If he was putting the Demon Corporation on the line, the gift had to be worthwhile.
What could it be? A spaceship? Alien tech? Some rare material?
"In a few days. Also, can you get up?"
Kino looked at Tony, who was clinging to his leg in his armor. Something about the whole situation just felt off.
"Yeah… the joints are just stuck from overload. Give me a second.""You sure? If not, I'll just rip it off.""No no, hold on. The armor's still a prototype—hasn't been fully tested yet.""Hurry up…"
Just then, a voice rang out behind them.
"Tony… Oh my God. What are you two doing?"
Pepper covered her mouth in disbelief, staring at Tony kneeling in front of Kino in full Iron Man armor.
Next to her, Lorna also widened her eyes.
Both Kino and Tony realized how very wrong this must've looked.
"It's not what it looks like!""Wait, Pepper, let me explain—"
Tony shouted anxiously. His voice echoed out from within the armor, filled with panic.
"Forget explaining. Just let go of me.""Oh, right… FK, the power system's busted.""I got it."
Kino was done waiting. He began violently dismantling the armor.
Clang clang clang—
Parts flew everywhere, and Tony was shaken around inside until he was dizzy.
"Gentle! Be gentle! Oh my God!"
Pepper and Lorna watched, dumbfounded, as Tony kept shouting curses from within the armor.
Within a few seconds, Kino had Tony freed—though his body was covered in bruises from the rough dismantling.
"Couldn't you be a bit more gentle?" Tony complained."If I was gentler, my reputation would be ruined."
Kino pulled out a healing injection and stabbed it into Tony.
"Why didn't you just buy an enhancement serum?" Kino asked.
Tony cleared his throat."I was worried it would affect my brain and cognitive functions… so I only gave it to Pepper."
"Whatever. As long as Pepper's around, she can protect you if it comes to it."
Kino didn't press further.
If the serum really had such side effects, Banner and the others wouldn't have used it either.
It was likely Tony's pride—and maybe Killian's influence too.
Even though the demon contract made Killian give up his hatred for Tony, he still couldn't stand the guy.
Tony should've known by now who was behind Killian. After all, it was his own arrogance that almost destroyed a genius. Tony carried a bit of guilt for that.
Quote of the Chapter:"Genius often walks the edge of madness, but pride is what blinds us to the fall."
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