Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
*****
Justin Hammer looked down at Tony condescendingly, his smile like a mask.
"Isn't this the genius Stark?"
Justin Hammer exclaimed, as if seeing his idol, but the mocking curve of his lips grew increasingly obvious.
Marvel at my masterpiece! Tony Stark!
Although his plan was discovered prematurely, it didn't affect the result he desired.
On the contrary, he was somewhat pleased now.
Because he could eliminate Tony Stark early.
Yes, eliminate him.
Having been chosen by that powerful entity, he now had the confidence to kill Tony.
However, before killing him, he wanted to show off his accomplishments to his adversary, assuming the posture of a victor.
Stark Industries and Hammer Industries—back when Stark Industries was still selling weapons—people always hailed the former as a legend in the arms industry, while likening Hammer Industries to a despicable plagiarist.
But today, he, Justin Hammer, was going to make Tony Stark pay the price.
"Tony Stark, you never expected this, did you? I..."
"Your needlework is quite good, isn't it?"
Needle? Needlework!?
Justin Hammer's face darkened.
That bastard's mouth was still venomous.
Calming himself, Justin Hammer said proudly, "Since you were able to find this place, it means you've already seen my masterpiece."
"Masterpiece? Are you referring to these... hmm, humanoid items that look like they were made with feet?"
Made with feet?
Justin Hammer's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"Heh!"
He sneered, saying, "Tony Stark, soon you'll be nothing but a whimpering mess begging for mercy."
"What? Are you going to hug your dolls and call for Mommy and Daddy?"
Tony raised an eyebrow, mercilessly mocking his adversary.
But in reality, from the moment he entered, he had already instructed F.R.I.D.A.Y. to start scanning the area for traps.
The results... are just those dolls?
Tony pondered internally.
He knew those puppets were equipped with some weapons, but he wasn't concerned in the slightest if those weapons were all they had.
But seeing Justin Hammer's confident look, could it be that...
"There's no 'could it be,' the guy is just an idiot..."
Recalling Justin Hammer's past antics, Tony whispered, and immediately charged straight at Justin Hammer.
Justin Hammer was momentarily stunned, then chuckled: "Worthy of being my nemesis; decisive enough..."
Nemesis?
Tony's mouth twitched.
How could this bastard's mouth be even more venomous than his own?
This was an insult!
Tony appeared before Justin Hammer. Noticing the smirk on the other man's face and the absence of the expected panic, he subconsciously realized something was wrong.
"Bang!"
Before Tony could even react, a fist slammed hard into his chest.
Instantly, Tony was sent flying backward.
The Iron Man suit's hands and feet blasted massive amounts of fire, allowing Tony to stabilize himself mid-air.
Looking at the shallow indent left by the punch on the chest of the armor, Tony's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Justin Hammer in shock.
Was this Justin Hammer?
This had to be a monster wearing Justin Hammer's skin!
"Did you think I was still the same person I used to be?"
Justin Hammer sneered.
Not only did he now have those weaponized puppets, but he also possessed powerful superpowers. This was his confidence in facing Tony Stark.
Tony curled his lip.
This was getting interesting.
Just then, a clicking sound rang out, and almost instantly, it became a continuous chorus.
Click, click...
The entire underground space was dominated by this sound.
It was unnerving.
Tony narrowed his eyes, looking at the dolls in surprise.
All the puppets in the underground base had come to life at that moment, staring at Tony with glowing red eyes.
Tony was somewhat surprised.
He had just seized control of the scattered dolls elsewhere, but he couldn't control the ones here?
A thought flashed through his mind, and Tony murmured, "F.R.I.D.A.Y., seize control of these puppets."
"Understood, Mr. Stark."
"Heh!"
Justin Hammer looked at Tony floating mid-air, flicked his finger lightly, and the lift platform beneath his feet slowly rose. Once he reached a level parallel with Tony, he continued, "Trying to control my masterpiece?"
Masterpiece?
Tony felt as if he had been slapped in the face with disgust, an almost suffocating feeling.
These ugly things—could they be called masterpieces?
Tony snorted softly. Energy gathered in his palm, and a repulsor blast shot out, tearing toward the eager puppets.
A fierce explosion erupted, and the dolls—which had hidden weapons inside—burst into flames and fragmented. The shattered wreckage fell to the floor like a sudden, sharp rain.
"That's it? A masterpiece?"
Tony scoffed disdainfully.
Justin Hammer sneered and gently waved his hand, and all the remaining dolls immediately sprang into motion.
The dolls on the walls dropped to the ground, surrounding Tony, and even those hanging above Tony aimed their small weapons at him.
The scene was somewhat comical, like a crowd of dwarfs surrounding a giant.
But Tony's expression was grim.
Because he had received feedback from F.R.I.D.A.Y.
These dolls were uncontrollable.
Not technological items? Then what was it...
A thought flashed through Tony's mind, and he immediately evacuated his position.
Tat-tat-tat!
Bullets and micro-missiles engulfed the spot where Tony had been, fire and shockwaves raging through the underground space.
Suddenly, a figure sliced through the flames, appearing before Justin Hammer, a sparking hand aiming a blast at him.
Since the opponent was no longer an ordinary human, Tony could afford to fight more freely.
Justin Hammer retreated. While dodging Tony's hand, he subtly hooked a finger. Invisible threads pulled the dolls, sending them rushing towards Tony's back with astonishing speed.
Tony snorted coldly. Several missiles deployed from the back of his armor—utilizing the latest nanotechnology—flying toward the cluster of puppets behind him, while he simultaneously threw out several flashing, electric shackles.
Boom, boom!
Amidst the violent explosions, the charging puppets were engulfed in flames, and the weapons they carried were triggered by the blasts.
Immediately, the entire underground space shook violently, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Justin Hammer wore a wild, triumphant grin. He subtly hooked his finger, and the previously invisible threads materialized before him, intercepting the electric shackles. He then leaped backward forcefully, and in the same instant, more dolls blocked the space between him and Tony.
"Drown him for me!"
Justin Hammer laughed maniacally, as the puppets, like a wave, surged toward Tony from all directions and above, completely submerging him.
(End of Chapter)