Strictly speaking, Extremis was also a kind of poison. Since the system's pill was immune to all toxins, this elixir should be no problem.
The Hundred Poisons Immunity Pill was a dark pellet, about the size of a thumbnail. Though not visually appealing, it carried a faint fragrance.
"Feed it directly to her."
"Okay."
Tony took the pill and handed it to Pepper, just as he had fed Happy last time. He didn't doubt Blaine.
"Mr. Hunter, I have a question."
"Say it."
"Do you carry a treasure chest with you? You really seem to have everything."
It was no wonder Tony was curious. Every time Blaine produced something, it was so casual—he never seemed to carry bags or pockets. Tony had wanted to ask ever since Blaine saved Happy.
The healing potion Blaine used before had been an uncapped vial. Who carried something like that around? Now this pill had no container at all. Hygienic? Tony doubted it. What if it caused food poisoning?
Of course, Blaine would never reveal that he had a bug-like storage space as a Hunter.
I, Blaine, am a pay-to-win player. Naturally, I carry gear, loot boxes, and everything else. Why will I tell you that?
"After three days, all the money goes into my account—or you bear the consequences."
With that, Blaine vanished instantly, ignoring Tony's question. He wasn't about to answer anyway.
After Blaine left, only two people remained.
Naturally, after ignoring Pepper for so long, Tony was eager to make up for it.
"Honey, I swear I'll never let you leave me again…"
"Okay…"
As they spoke, the two drew close.
If Blaine had been there, he would've spat blood: Really? Showing affection in front of a ten-thousand-year single dog like me? You're going to kill me.
"Honey, look…"
Tony pointed to the sky.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All of the suits in the sky detonated at once, bursting like fireworks.
Dozens of suits—worth tens of billions—gone in an instant. Tony was that rich.
"Just take it as a Christmas present for you. How about it? Do you like it?"
What an extravagant gift. If it were Blaine, he would never part with something so valuable. After all the battles he'd fought since arriving in this world, using his gains as fireworks would be unthinkable.
Galloping back, Blaine returned to his villa in Queens before ten o'clock.
This battle had been effortless, without real challenge.
If Blaine had to sum it up, it was that he'd just earned five billion for nothing.
How great it felt to make money while job-hunting.
On top of that, his magical skills were becoming more refined.
At present, Blaine was practically omnipotent in both physical and magical combat against regular heroes and villains.
He could be a magician, an assassin, a shooter, or even a tank. If you wanted defense, he had defense. If you wanted firepower, he had firepower.
After stripping off his clothes, he enjoyed a hot bath, ate some bread casually, and then lay down.
A happy day ended with five billion in earnings.
Early the next morning, he turned on the TV while brushing his teeth and washing up.
Sure enough, the news covered yesterday's battle. The entire Port of Los Angeles had been blasted sky-high.
There was also mention of the Vice President's death, but only briefly. It seemed the President's first move upon returning was to suppress that news.
Maybe he feared the Bounty Hunter would target him next.
Blaine didn't care. The bigger the incident, the better—it meant more people would hear of him. But if the President suppressed it, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't control political media. Still, the power brokers behind the scenes would know the truth, and they wouldn't let it slide.
Then came Tony's news. The broadcast reported that he had undergone surgery, removing the shrapnel from his chest, finally freeing him from dependence on the Arc Reactor.
"I no longer rely on Iron Man to define me. I found myself—because I am Iron Man. First of all, I want to thank two people: my girlfriend, Pepper, and Mr. Bounty Hunter…"
Hearing Tony mention him, Blaine was stunned. He hadn't done much—he'd even cheated Tony out of money. Tony, you flatter too well.
Blaine nearly spat out his mouthwash.
Meanwhile, in Tony's private office at Stark Industries, two people were talking at length.
"Thanks for listening. It feels like a weight has finally been lifted. Keeping it inside only makes you sick."
"I didn't know you were such a good listener. Sharing my thoughts relieved me. It's like a snake swallowing its tail and returning to the start. Since you can help me—"
Pat.
Suddenly, Banner dropped the pen in his hand, interrupting Tony's rambling.
"Where did it go?"
Banner scratched his head, looking half-asleep.
"Were you even listening?"
"Of course. We, uh, talked about…"
"Were you napping??"
"Well… ninety-nine percent. I was in a fugue."
"You mean you didn't hear anything?"
"Uh… on the Swiss elevator?"
Tony frowned, exasperated.
Of course, Blaine didn't know any of this. If he'd seen Tony's expression, he would've burst out laughing.
Tony really was the comedian of the Avengers. No wonder that little Spider-Man clicked with him so well.
---
Blaine was eating potato chips when a text notification popped up—or rather, reminded him of something. If interruptions always came with this kind of news, he welcomed them.
At first glance, it was from Tony. He'd already transferred five billion. Blaine hadn't expected such efficiency—he'd given him three days, yet Tony paid immediately.
"Not bad. Not bad at all. Happy to cooperate again."
Business like this was perfect. Blaine loved straightforward, generous clients.
Opening the system, he added the new five billion to his balance. Now his total reached 6 billion. Seeing all those zeros, Blaine instantly felt relieved, and the sting of spending billions earlier vanished at once.
*************************************
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