The luster of the Infinity Stones illuminated the surroundings.
Digital Tony hadn't closed the virtual projection for some reason.
"This isn't right? Why are there only four stones?"
Ian looked at the four gems in surprise. This didn't align with the information he had previously heard, which stated only the last stone was missing. However, after thinking for a moment, Ian immediately looked up as if he had realized something.
This was his intelligence starting to work.
But not fully.
Ian only saw the darkness projected by the virtual image, couldn't even see the base's ceiling, let alone make his eyes reflect the body of Galactus.
"One of the stones is on the invincible Galactus, right... Even though He is dead, He still agreed to let me touch Him. If you don't believe me, ask His corpse after I'm done touching it."
"I guarantee my respectable Uncle Galactus won't deny it." Ian felt he was now afflicted with Avarice, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and Digital Tony did not deny his deduction.
Of course.
Digital Tony also did not comment on Ian's "corpse-touching" request. "Collecting all the Infinity Stones is when we can verify whether we can succeed."
He stared at the floating Infinity Stones, seemingly unconcerned that everything might just be a grand dream.
"They are truly beautiful."
Ian's eyes were fixed on them.
Digital Tony, seeing this, made the four Infinity Stones float right in front of Ian.
"Can I touch these?"
Ian's fingertip brushed the surface of the stone—cold, hard. There was no unexpected job class acquisition, which left Ian feeling a little disappointed.
He also didn't feel any influx of power.
"Could it be that my immunity in this world also prevents me from using the Infinity Stones?" Ian sighed inwardly. He had previously guessed that Tony might want him to snap his fingers.
The result?
It didn't look like it?
"These stones are indeed beautiful."
Digital Tony's expression didn't change at all upon seeing this situation.
"They are the last Infinity Stones, and also the most powerful. The collapse of the Multiverse means they are closer to their original form than ever before."
He merely spoke softly to explain to Ian.
"I know."
Ian nodded.
The story about the Infinity Stones coming from Nemesis. Speaking of, Nemesis was one of the top fifty, or maybe top hundred, super-powerhouses in Marvel. It was precisely because he had heard this that Ian was now thinking about how to acquire a job class.
Did he need to make the stones bleed?
Or?
Ian frowned and activated his super intelligence.
Meanwhile.
Digital Tony stared at Ian, simulating a surprised tone. "Aren't you excited at all? The power that once represented all-mightiness is now being held in your... mouth?!"
"No! You're trying to put that in your mouth too!?"
This time, Digital Tony's emotion was absolutely genuine.
He quickly raised his hand and mentally recalled the Infinity Stones. Thus, the four stones Ian had stuffed into his mouth broke through Ian's lips and flew back out.
"I was actually just trying to test my teeth, to see if they were worthy of being in my mouth." Ian didn't tell the truth, which was quite normal.
He was afraid Digital Tony wouldn't understand him.
Sometimes.
If you don't push your stomach.
Who knows if the system is hiding inside?
"Let me take another bite?"
The persistent Ian tentatively looked at Digital Tony.
This wouldn't actually affect this world. His job class acquisition didn't require real digestion and absorption. After he passed them, a quick wash, and no one would know the difference.
The Infinity Stones might even look as good as new.
"..."
Digital Tony was speechless and shook his head vigorously at Ian's suggestion.
Truthfully, if he hadn't realized he didn't have the clearance, he would have genuinely liked to allocate some computing power to specifically predict Ian's behavior.
"I can fulfill any other request, but absolutely not this one." Digital Tony immediately retrieved the Infinity Stones and canceled the dark projection around them—the bustling hall with many researchers reappeared. These people seemed completely unaware of the conversation that had taken place within the hologram.
"Alright."
Ian nodded with a slight hint of disappointment. He ultimately failed to find a successful way to allow the power of Nemesis to form a new job class and become great on him once more.
Feeling frustrated.
Ian snatched a bag of snacks from a researcher's desk. The researcher glanced at him, guarded their small snack box, and prevented Ian from successfully grabbing a second bag.
"You're guarding against a good person like me?"
The boy felt the other party's vigilance, and his mood became even more frustrated.
"Do you think I can find a place to use money when the Earth is in this sorry state?"
The researcher remained protective of her food.
"..."
This time, it was Ian's turn to be speechless.
"Maybe you can use it to wipe your butt? Trust me, it's definitely better than paper, and you'll be covered in guilt." Even a genius like him could only come up with this lame excuse.
"Is there a possibility that my butt doesn't need wiping because I'm using a single-use disposable body?" The researcher glared at Ian with her huge, doll-like eyes.
Eye to eye.
After a moment.
The speechless Ian couldn't think of a comeback.
Fortunately, Digital Tony came to his rescue.
"You gluttonous little rascal, don't make things difficult for Dr. Helen Cho. Let's discuss this: do you have any other requests?" Digital Tony offered Ian a perfect way out.
Ian pretended to be very busy and quickly ran back.
"It would be great if you could let me touch Sentry and Omniman." Ian was a contented person, so he naturally added a name in a sneaky way to reach that state of contentment.
"Fine."
Digital Tony seemed quite straightforward.
"Your time is up."
He spoke very abruptly.
Then he turned and signaled the researcher to hand the box containing the demon head back to Ian.
"Uh..."
The moment Ian took the box.
"Dong~~~~"
The chime of return immediately rang out.
Watching Ian's body vanish from the base, Betty, the scientist Ian had first encountered, who had been observing everything from a corner, couldn't help but walk over.
"Tony, he comes and disappears mysteriously, over and over. No one knows his purpose, and we still haven't figured out who he is or where he comes from."
"This is truly dangerous for us... especially at a time like this." Betty looked worried. She believed Tony should be wary of uncertain factors.
It wasn't Betty's fault for being suspicious.
After all, pure living people and demons shouldn't exist in this world anymore.
"Ms. Ross, I no longer possess curiosity, so I don't need to know where he comes from, nor what his purpose is for appearing and disappearing repeatedly."
"I just need to try my best to satisfy his requests." Digital Tony's holographic projection returned to the screen. Streams of data flowed silently across his face.
"Why? What is the relationship between you and him? You didn't even agree to let me analyze the demon he brought in..." Betty frowned, her eyes confused.
She knew Ian had high-level clearance in the base, but she hadn't expected the clearance to be this high—Tony's sole purpose should be to push the world toward a reboot!
"I am not the complete Tony Stark, so I cannot give you a definitive answer. You just need to understand that in this universe, that boy also possesses the highest authority."
The air seemed to freeze.
After a moment's pause.
Tony spoke again.
"Higher than me, higher than you, higher than this base, higher than... everything." Tony's voice echoed in the empty hall, and Betty's face gradually turned pale.
She was filled with profound shock and horror.
The words of the savior.
Made the scientist feel a deep, unsettling fear upon reflection.
***
Read 20 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666