As expected, he heard Leon continue:
"However, my relationship with you isn't superior-subordinate, but cooperative. You need to pay me certain compensation, and I'll help perform tasks."
Leon emphasized "compensation," determined to obtain the Space Stone from S.H.I.E.L.D. when Energy Absorption increased enough to handle Infinity Stone energy.
After all, it was 'payment,' wasn't it?
Of course, even better if Loki happened to deliver takeout then.
As for whether S.H.I.E.L.D. would be dissatisfied—Leon had no such concerns and believed they'd happily hand over payment.
They weren't stupid...
Hearing Leon's words, Coulson fell silent momentarily, then reached toward his earpiece:
"This isn't something I can decide. I need superior authorization."
Leon nodded.
Coulson immediately contacted Nick Fury. After speaking, he told Leon:
"If you're willing to join us completely, we can help eliminate the military's warrant."
Leon was stunned, immediately understanding this was a deal.
He showed a bright smile, then approached Coulson and said slowly:
"Agent Coulson, or Director Nick Fury—do you think I care about the so-called warrant?"
Coulson continued communicating with Fury, then removed his earpiece and turned volume to maximum. A deep voice emerged:
"Mr. Leon Demiurge, I admit you're very capable—even more powerful than Magneto and Professor X. But Colonel Stryker has numerous mutants under him, many who can erase mutant abilities.
Presumably even you'd be helpless in that situation!
How about joining us—we'll help negotiate with Colonel Stryker and erase your warrant status?"
Nick Fury sat in his office, confidence on his face. He'd revealed Colonel Stryker's secret anti-mutant weapon. Leon definitely wouldn't refuse.
After all, however powerful, he was still a mutant. Mutants without mutant abilities were just ordinary people—killable by any bullet.
However, after waiting a moment, he suddenly heard laughter from the earpiece—growing louder until becoming undisguised mockery.
"Hahahahaha~ Nick Fury, do you really think I care about this?
As I said just now, we're just equal partners. If you don't want to, forget it."
After all, even taking by force, he could still obtain the Infinity Stones. Cooperating with S.H.I.E.L.D. was just more convenient.
Nick Fury fell silent. Development exceeded his expectations. He hadn't anticipated Leon truly didn't mind the ability-erasing method.
Could he have a way to counter it?
No, impossible. He didn't even know this method's specifics. How could he have countermeasures?
Nick Fury immediately relaxed, planning to rescue Leon when about to be captured by Colonel Stryker, then make him completely join S.H.I.E.L.D.!
Presumably by then, he'd have thought it through!
So he said directly:
"Okay, I agree. Now you and we have a cooperative relationship.
If you regret it later, we'll still welcome you joining, but conditions may change then."
Leon naturally understood Nick Fury's meaning, then grinned:
"Don't worry, Director Fury. That day won't happen..."
What effect did mutant abilities have on him?
Moreover, how could they just negotiate with Stryker and cancel the warrant?
He was going to kill Stryker!
Afterward, Agent Coulson bid farewell to Leon and Stark. His mission was complete—even recruited the Level 5 mutant White Devil. No reason to remain.
After Coulson left, Tony reunited with Pepper and led Leon to Stark Tower's top floor. He picked up two brand-new Arc Reactors from the table and handed them to Leon.
"This is your reward, white-haired kid."
"Hmm?"
Leon looked at Stark, not expecting him to give a nickname upon first meeting.
But he didn't mind—found it interesting instead. Before transmigrating, Stark had already died. Though planning to return, would Stark still be the same Iron Man after returning?
This had become his regret. Seeing the living Iron Man now felt like fantasy becoming reality.
Leon randomly picked up a messenger bag from the table, placed one Arc Reactor inside, then held another with one hand to absorb energy at full power.
When Tony saw Leon take the messenger bag—obviously keeping it for himself—he couldn't help complaining:
"You're quite rude."
Leon responded:
"After all, I saved your life, didn't I? Mr. Douchebag?"
"Douchebag? What the hell is that?"
Tony Stark asked immediately, but with Leon's finger flick, he felt his entire body pulled backward by tremendous attraction, then found himself falling into Pepper's arms.
Already a chair in the distant office, Leon showed no consciousness of being a guest. He reclined and said to Tony:
"I just escaped death. What are you doing here if not kissing your girlfriend?"
Tony Stark was speechless. He looked at Pepper, who gazed at him tenderly.
In this crisis, they'd finally understood each other's feelings.
The scene before him made Leon quite dissatisfied. He didn't want dog food, so he used Blue to drive them away and remained alone on the top floor absorbing energy.
[Energy Points +1]
[Energy Points +1]
[Energy Points +1]
As template fusion degree continued increasing, difficulty of continued increase also rose.
When reaching 35%, energy points required for 1% increase continued growing. But with continuous Arc Reactor energy supply, after over ten hours, template fusion finally reached 39%.
At that moment, Leon suddenly removed the sleep mask covering his eyes and looked into the distance. After a moment, he grinned, removed the mask completely, tossed it aside, and said to Jarvis:
"Jarvis, tell Tony I'll be away briefly. When I return, I'll have something important to tell him. I suspect he's also noticed something wrong with his body!"
After speaking, he approached the French windows without awaiting Jarvis's reply. With slight force from five fingers, the extremely solid glass immediately shattered.
Leon spread his arms, leaned forward, and naturally fell downward.
When close to ground, he used Blue to pull himself toward the wall. With slight force, he stepped on the wall creating many cracks, then rushed toward a direction where flames rose skyward.
A sufficiently hard target happened to be there—very suitable for experimenting with the new skill he'd acquire next!