Infinite Evolution in the Marvel universe

"Harvey Amberlock, can I ask you a question?"

Tony Stark looked at Harvey, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Let's hear it first. I'll decide after that."

Harvey's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't agree right away.

"Ever since you treated me last time, my body has improved several times over," Tony started. "I don't just feel younger, but my physical strength has increased as well. Is there any way to gain these physical enhancements without looking younger or standing out too much?"

Tony's voice was cautious. Since Harvey's treatment, he has noticed huge changes in his body. His senses had become sharper, and his strength and endurance had grown significantly. While he wasn't at the peak of human performance, he was well beyond what any normal person could achieve.

Normally, if Tony worked nonstop for several days without proper rest, his 38-year-old body would struggle. But since the treatment, even with just 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night, he remained sharp and energized. His thinking had also become clearer, which was a big reason why he had been able to rapidly upgrade his Iron Man suits over the past two months.

The most important thing was that, despite all these changes, he hadn't noticed any negative side effects. That made him realize that Harvey's abilities went beyond just healing and rejuvenation. He could enhance someone's physical capabilities in a lasting way.

Tony figured that if Harvey had been casually improving his body as part of the healing process, then, if done intentionally, the results could be even greater. If Harvey helped him further, Tony might not need to experiment with risky genetic drugs to achieve his goal.

"Tony, didn't I just tell you? To gain something, you usually have to give something in return. You want the best of both worlds, but that's just not possible."

Harvey's response was slow but clear. He could sense that Tony was yearning for more power. But he also knew Tony wanted to maintain his current appearance, not wanting others to see how much his body had changed. But, as Harvey explained, that wasn't possible.

Even for Harvey himself, despite having gained powers from the Void system three years ago, his appearance had remained relatively unchanged since he became an adult. Harvey was confident that even as decades or centuries passed, his appearance would not change. The powers from the Void had shifted his life form beyond that of a normal human. Eventually, his extraordinary nature would reveal itself, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

But by then, Harvey figured he would have grown powerful enough that he wouldn't care about such things.

"There's no way around it?" Tony asked, a bit disappointed.

"Tony, I've told you before. My power isn't a superpower—it's just beyond what you're familiar with. You can think of it as a form of power outside your current understanding."

Tony looked confused. "Not a superpower? Then what is it?"

"Your body now may not have surpassed human limits, but it's well beyond what a normal person is capable of. That should be enough for someone who started with an average human body, right?" Harvey explained.

"But if you want to push further, not only will your physical abilities reach a level far beyond human understanding, but your lifespan will too. You'd live hundreds, if not thousands, of years."

"I can help you. I can give you power beyond what you've ever imagined. It would be effortless for me. But are you sure you're ready for that?"

Tony's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you saying I could have incredible strength without relying on tech, like you?"

"You could achieve immense power, but it's unlikely you'll ever reach my level," Harvey said with a calm smile. "I won't go into details. If you pursue it, you'll understand why eventually."

He didn't know exactly what kind of abilities Tony would gain if he accepted the Void's power, but after undergoing 283 evolutionary stages, Harvey's strength had grown terrifying. So while Tony might become incredibly strong, catching up to Harvey simply wasn't possible.

Tony fell silent, lost in thought.

Having superhuman abilities that still fell within the realm of human understanding—like a world-class athlete—was something people admired. But when someone possessed abilities that far exceeded the limits of human comprehension, it often triggered fear rather than admiration.

Tony wanted Harvey to help him improve his body but without making it obvious that he had become something far beyond human. That wasn't possible, though.

The prospect of living for centuries, even millennia, with powers beyond comprehension was the kind of dream most people would chase endlessly. After all, that's why so many fantasy movies and stories exist. Now, Tony was staring down the opportunity to make that dream a reality, but he found himself hesitating.

If he accepted, someone like Pepper—who he deeply admired and trusted—might start looking at him differently. What if, as the years passed, he remained young while everyone around him aged and died?

But if he didn't accept, would he miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to completely transform his existence?

"Harvey, thanks for offering me this chance. Can you give me some time to think about it?" Tony finally said.

"When you're ready and certain about your decision, bring it up again. I'll consider it then," Harvey replied, not pushing him one way or the other.

Tony's hesitation was understandable, and Harvey didn't mind waiting. In fact, he knew that once someone started craving more power, they would inevitably be drawn to the Void. It was only a matter of time.

"Whatever I decide, I appreciate the opportunity," Tony said, his voice filled with gratitude.