Tel-Ror's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.
The Avengers, already in shock, instantly snapped back to reality.
However, their expressions changed from shock to... strangeness.
And anger.
Especially Thor.
He was the Prince of Asgard, the future All-Father.
When had anyone ever looked at him with such an 'Are you even capable?' look?
"You fellow!"
Thor raised Mjolnir, pointing it at Tel-Ror.
"How rude!"
"Do you think defeating a mere Kree lackey gives you the right to spout such nonsense here?"
Tel-Ror glanced at him, then at the hammer in his hand.
"Oh? You're not convinced?"
He beckoned with a finger.
"Then come and try it?"
"You!"
Thor was so angry his beard almost bristled.
He was about to charge forward and let this arrogant fellow taste the thunder god's wrath.
An iron hand pressed on his shoulder.
It was Tony.
"Calm down, big guy."
Tony flew between the two, opening his faceplate to reveal his face, which was etched with 'this is troublesome'.
He first winked at Thor, signaling him not to act rashly.
Then, he turned to Tel-Ror, forcing out what he believed was his most kind and charming smile.
"Hey, friend."
"New around here?"
"I'm Tony Stark, owner of Stark Industries."
"Of course, you can also call me Iron Man."
He extended his hand, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere in his usual way.
Tel-Ror looked at his outstretched hand, then at him.
"You weakling."
He said bluntly.
"Talking to you is a waste of time."
Tony's smile froze on his face.
He knew he was weak, but this was the first time in his life he had been called weak to his face.
And with such a tone, like 'you don't even have the right to speak to me'.
This hurt him more than a direct punch.
"OK, OK..."
Tony forcibly maintained his composure.
"Let's not talk about that."
"Let's talk about... you."
He pointed at Tel-Ror.
"Who exactly are you? Where are you from? What are you doing on Earth?"
"Why are you helping us?"
"Helping you?"
Tel-Ror couldn't help but scoff.
"Don't misunderstand, Tin Man."
"I'm not helping you."
"I just... passed by and cleaned up some trash, that's all."
He was, of course, referring to Tathos, whom he had kicked out of the solar system.
At these words,
The Avengers' expressions grew even uglier.
The powerful enemy they had struggled against for half a day was just 'trash' in this man's mouth?
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense,
Clark finally couldn't stand it anymore.
He flew between the two, forcibly pulling Tel-Ror behind him.
"Sorry, everyone."
Clark gave the Avengers an apologetic look.
"He's my cousin, Tel-Ror."
"His mind... has some issues."
"I apologize on his behalf for his recent actions."
"cousin?"
Tony's eyes darted back and forth between Clark and Tel-Ror.
"Superman, are all your relatives this... fierce?"
"Is he also a Kryptonian?"
"Something like that."
Clark answered vaguely.
He couldn't exactly say that this guy was a hybrid of a Kryptonian and something else, could he?
"Clark?"
Carol also recognized Superman; she flew over.
"What exactly is going on?"
She pointed at Tel-Ror, her face full of confusion.
"I can feel that he's very strong, extremely strong."
"But the energy on him is completely different from yours."
Clark's head was spinning.
He felt like he was a parent with a mischievous child, apologizing to the teacher and the bullied classmate.
"It's a long story..."
He was about to make up an excuse to gloss over it.
But Tel-Ror, whom he had pulled behind him, grew impatient.
"Hey, cousin."
He pushed Clark aside.
"Why waste so much breath talking to them?"
"Wouldn't a fight clear everything up?"
He once again locked his gaze on Thor and Carol.
That look was like a hunter seeing two plump prey.
"You two, are you going to fight or not?"
"If you don't fight soon, I'm leaving."
"You fellow!"
Thor's short temper finally couldn't be suppressed.
He swung his hammer, ready to strike.
"Wait!"
Tony once again stood between them.
He looked at Tel-Ror, then at the helpless Clark.
This man before him was powerful, violent, and lawless.
But he... seemed to have a weakness.
What he pursued was simply combat.
Moreover, he listened to his cousin... at least, sometimes.
This meant he wasn't completely uncontrollable.
A power stronger than a nuclear bomb, yet potentially controllable... To Tony Stark, this was the most enticing research subject in the world.
"Hey, Tel, right?"
Tony's signature businessman's smile returned to his face.
"You just said you were bored because you didn't have worthy opponents, correct?"
Tel-Ror raised an eyebrow, noncommittal.
"What if I could provide you with a continuous supply of opponents that satisfy you?"
Tony dangled his bait.
Tel-Ror's eyes instantly lit up.
"You can?"
"Of course."
Tony snapped his fingers, full of confidence.
"I'm Tony Stark."
"On this planet, there's nothing I can't do."
"If you're willing, I can take you to a place."
"There, you'll find the most advanced technology, the strongest warriors, and... countless challenges from the depths of the universe."
He paused, emphasizing his words.
"Guaranteed to make your every day... very 'fulfilling'."
Clark's expression changed instantly upon hearing this.
"Tony! You're crazy!"
He knew what Tony was trying to do.
This guy wanted to use Tel-Ror as his new toy, his new weapon!
"I'm not crazy, Clark."
Tony looked back at him.
"I'm just using a more effective way to solve the problem."
"Instead of letting him cause trouble everywhere like a headless chicken, it's better to keep him under our noses."
"At least, we'll know where he is and what he's doing."
Clark was left speechless.
"So, Tel?"
Tony looked at Tel-Ror again.
"Are you interested in my proposal?"
Tel-Ror stroked his chin.
He glanced at Clark, who wanted to take him back to the farm to plant crops.
Then he looked at this smooth-talking Tin Man, who seemed to have a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
He made his choice.
"Sounds... a lot more interesting than farming."
He grinned.
"I'll go with you."
"But, if I find out you're lying to me, or the opponents you find are too weak..."
He extended a finger and lightly traced it across Tony's Iron Man armor.
"Sizzle—"
A clear, deep scratch, visible to the bone, appeared on the hard armor.
"I'll... tear apart this Tin Man can."
Tony looked at the scratch on his chest, his mouth twitching.
But he maintained his smile.
"Deal."
What he was thinking, however, was:
"A monster... I like it."
"f.r.i.d.a.y., initiate secondary protocol."
"Target: Tel-Ror."
"Mission: Full analysis, data collection, and... control."