In the following days, Daniel became Tony's bodyguard, appearing punctually at his seaside mansion every day to report for duty.
Initially, Tony was quite reluctant.
That was until the day before yesterday, when several stock market investors, driven mad by a stock market crash, somehow breached the mansion's basic security and stormed into the living room, brandishing kitchen knives and yelling about wanting to chop off little Tony to make soup.
If Daniel hadn't appeared like a divine soldier descending from the sky, subduing those madmen in short order, Tony would have almost become Tony (female).
Since then, he completely settled down, even proactively requesting Daniel's protection.
His life might not matter, but little Tony absolutely couldn't be harmed!
"Daniel, I've already gotten the person out. You can continue your undercover mission with peace of mind."
"Village Chief, I've always trusted your work."
"My name is Coulson."
"Alright, Village Chief, no problem, Village Chief, goodbye, Village Chief."
Daniel promptly hung up on Coulson.
Yes, those crazed investors were S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents Daniel had invited for a friendly cameo.
Otherwise, how could ordinary people so easily break into a top billionaire's home?
To be fair, the acting skills of those S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were indeed good; they almost gave Tony psychological trauma.
Daniel even suspected that besides their salaries at S.H.I.E.L.D., they might have also worked part-time as actors or extras.
At this moment, Daniel was comfortably sprawled on the high-end sofa in the living room, which was large enough to be a bed, with one leg crossed over the other, one hand holding the remote control to switch TV channels, and the other devouring a steaming hot pizza.
His posture was so relaxed it was as if he were the Master of this mansion.
Tony had just finished debugging the Mark III in the underground lab, coming upstairs covered in oil and fatigue, only to witness this scene.
Especially when he saw Daniel eating the pizza he had ordered, his lungs almost exploded with anger!
Was this guy a bodyguard or a grand Master!?
"Give me a slice!"
Tony unceremoniously snatched a large slice from the pizza box in Daniel's hand and took a big bite.
Daniel didn't mind at all; instead, he asked curiously, "Is your battle armor ready?"
He knew Tony had been like a recluse these past few days, dedicating all his attention to tinkering with the Mark III in the underground lab.
"Of course!"
Tony's face showed his characteristic confident smile, but then he recalled the thrilling incident from the day before yesterday and added with a hint of indignation, "If those lunatics hadn't suddenly burst in that day, not giving me time to put on my battle armor, when would it have been your turn to act?"
Daniel chuckled, "Do you think you're invincible while putting on your armor? Who would be so kind as to wait for you to leisurely transform before attacking?"
"I'll solve this problem very soon!"
Tony was momentarily speechless. Although he felt Daniel had a point, his genius pride made him stubbornly refuse to admit it.
He quickly finished his pizza, wiped his hands, and his expression suddenly became serious: "Oh, by the way, I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
"Do you remember that batch of Stark Industries weapons I had you blow up back in the Middle East?" Tony asked in a deep voice.
Daniel nodded: "I remember. You ran so fast your pants almost fell down; it was hilarious."
Tony: "..."
He suppressed the urge to put the pizza box on Daniel's head and continued, "I suspect someone inside Stark Industries is colluding with Terrorists and secretly engaging in arms deals."
"I need you to go to Stark Industries headquarters for me, infiltrate my office, and use this to hack into my personal computer to copy all recent weapon loading manifests."
With that, Tony handed Daniel a small, silver USB drive.
[NPC Tony Stark has issued you a new quest]
[Quest: The Stark Industries Mole]
[Objective: Infiltrate Stark Industries headquarters, hack into Tony Stark's personal computer, copy all recent weapon loading manifests, and deliver them to Tony Stark]
[Reward: 500 Experience Points, Tony Stark Favorability +10, Random Item *1]
"Why don't you go yourself? Isn't that your territory?" Daniel asked, puzzled.
Tony sighed helplessly: "Because I unilaterally announced the closure of the weapons division, which severely damaged the board's interests. They collectively issued a ban, temporarily prohibiting me from entering the company headquarters or participating in any affairs. I can't even get past the front door now."
"Then why don't you ask your female assistant?"
"No, this mission is too dangerous. I'm afraid Potts might be targeted for retaliation by the mastermind. I can't let her take that risk."
Daniel: "..."
So you're letting me take that risk, huh?
New York, Stark Industries Headquarters Building.
As Daniel entered the ground floor lobby, he saw many employees in business attire passing by. Guards were stationed throughout the building, and the security measures were visibly stringent.
Tony's office was on the top floor of the building, accessible only via a specialized authorized elevator.
Although Tony had given him an access card, how to reach the top floor directly by elevator under everyone's watchful eyes was still a problem.
"Too many people, it's hard to make a move."
Daniel looked at the bustling scene before him and temporarily suppressed a certain simple and crude idea.
"No choice, I'll have to use that."
Daniel made up his mind, turned, and walked into the men's restroom on the ground floor. He found a stall, locked the door, and then pulled out a flesh-colored head covering from his game inventory.
[Item: Disguise Mask (Can mold any face. Once molded, it will be permanently fixed and cannot be remolded.)]
Daniel put the Disguise Mask over his head. The mask felt cool to the touch and quickly conformed to his facial contours upon contact with his skin.
Soon, the mask's surface rippled like water, gradually revealing a person's features.
This person was Stane, whom Daniel had met a few days prior!
Following that, Daniel took out the bow tie voice changer he had obtained some time ago and placed it on his collar.
"Perfect!"
Daniel adjusted his appearance, then, with Stane's face, pushed open the door and walked out of the restroom.
"Mr. Stane, good afternoon!"
Seeing Daniel appear, passing employees stopped and respectfully greeted him.
It had to be said, this feeling was indeed great.
Daniel immediately adopted a boss-like demeanor, cleared his throat, and, imitating Stane's voice with the bow tie voice changer, said, "Hello everyone, you've all worked hard!"
The employees were momentarily stunned.
Why did today's Stane feel a little different from usual?
They quickly replied, "Not hard at all, not hard at all."
Daniel nodded: "Hmm, since it's not hard, everyone can voluntarily stay and work overtime today. I believe in your loyalty and enthusiasm for the company!"
The employees: "???"