As Tony Stark was talking, a video suddenly flashed onto the hospital room's television.
On-screen, the Mandarin, wearing sunglasses and speaking with theatrical menace, claimed responsibility for the terrifying explosion in New York.
He declared that the Ten Rings would continue launching terrorist attacks… including one targeting Tony Stark.
Tony snatched the remote and shut off the TV, his expression dark.
"Ten Rings, huh? So that guy Killian is working for them? All his experiments—including those self-exploding people—were funded by the Ten Rings? No wonder he shouted my name. He wants revenge."
"He knows the two people I care about most are Pepper and Happy… so he used Pepper to challenge me."
"Tony… why would he want revenge against you?" Pepper looked at him, genuinely confused.
Tony let out a long sigh. "Probably because I left him waiting on a rooftop all night back in 1999."
Before Pepper could respond, several security staff hurried over, informing Tony that reporters had swarmed outside the hospital.
Tony nodded, then turned to Lynn.
"Lynn, can you do me a favor?"
"What favor?"
"I need you to protect Pepper for the next few days. I'll contact the Manhattan Police Department and apply for a restraining order—specifically assigning you to guard her."
Hearing Tony's request, Lynn was just about to respond when Pepper—who knew Tony better than anyone—immediately frowned.
"Tony… are you planning to take on the Ten Rings by yourself?"
"Of course."
Tony nodded firmly. "I can't drag you into this, Pepper. It's too dangerous."
"Lynn will stay with you these next few days. Trust me—compared to the other Avengers, Lynn's magic abilities make him the safest protection you could ask for."
With that, Tony put on his sunglasses and strode straight out of the private hospital.
Watching Tony's back disappear through the doors, Lynn raised both hands helplessly. "I haven't even agreed yet. I was planning to look for a place to live."
"You don't have a place to stay?"
Pepper asked, surprised.
"Yeah. My apartment got turned into Swiss cheese by a bunch of lunatics, so I've been living in a hotel."
"Then leave that to me."
Pepper smiled at him. "Think of it as my payment for having you protect me for a while. I'll help you find a perfect place."
Outside the hospital—
The moment Tony Stark stepped out, a swarm of reporters immediately closed in around him.
"Mr. Stark, sources confirm this was a terrorist attack by the Mandarin!"
"Mr. Stark, the Mandarin claims the Ten Rings will continue launching attacks—specifically targeting you. Are you afraid?"
"Mr. Stark, when will you deal with these terrorists?"
Reporters shoved microphones toward Tony, firing questions nonstop.
Tony removed his sunglasses, expression hardening. "Is that what you want? Here's a little holiday greeting I've been wanting to send to the Mandarin. My name is Tony Stark, and I'm not afraid of you.
"I know you're a coward, so I decided: you just died, pal. I'm gonna come get the body."
"This has nothing to do with anyone else. There's no politics here — it's just good old-fashioned revenge."
Tony stared straight into the camera. "There's no Pentagon; it's just you and me. And on the off-chance you're a man, here's my home address: 10880 Malibu Point, 90265. I'll leave the door unlocked."
With that, he got into his sports car, floored the accelerator, and shot away from the hospital.
...
Inside the private hospital, Pepper watched Tony's live statement on the TV and let out a long sigh. "I know he's trying to draw all the danger toward himself… so I won't end up like Happy."
"It's just…"
Pepper stopped when she noticed Lynn wasn't responding. He was staring off to the side instead.
"Mr. Hall? What are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
Lynn had spotted a semi-transparent undead figure, blood-stained tears flowing from its eyes as it pointed toward a spot not far away.
"I'm going to check something," Lynn said.
He walked toward the far end of the corridor. Pepper, confused but curious, followed after him.
They reached a corner overlooking a staircase. Pepper glanced down and explained, "This leads to the underground level of the private hospital. We store equipment down there. Mr. Hall… is something wrong?"
"Not yet."
Lynn descended the stairs. Guided by the undead spirit, he stopped in front of a coded metal door.
"Can you open this?" he asked.
"Of course."
Pepper didn't understand why Lynn needed access, but because Tony trusted him, she didn't question it. She stepped forward and pressed her fingertip against the scanner.
Click.
The lock disengaged, and Lynn pushed the door open.
Inside the underground room, rows of medical equipment were neatly arranged.
All of it looked brand new—clearly high-end spare units Tony's private hospital kept in case anything upstairs broke down.
The undead drifted toward the west wall, then pointed at it and looked back at Lynn.
As if telling him something's inside.
Lynn stepped up to the wall and tapped it lightly.
Then he turned to Pepper. "If I break this wall… how much do I have to compensate for it?"
"Huh?"
Pepper blinked, confused.
Tony was a genius, sure—but from the way Tony spoke about Lynn, Lynn clearly excelled in some field too.
What field exactly… Tony never specified.
But judging from those miraculous potions, Pepper's best guess was that Lynn was some sort of… wizard?
With that thought in mind, she said, "I don't know why you need to do this, but it's fine. Break it open—no compensation required."
"Then I won't be polite."
Lynn looked around, spotted a toolbox, and pulled out a hammer.
He walked to the spot the undead had indicated and swung.
Bang!
Cracks appeared immediately. Lynn kept striking, and before long, the section of wall collapsed inward—revealing a black body bag hidden behind it.
"Oh my God!"
Pepper recognized what it was instantly. She gasped, covering her mouth, and instinctively stepped back.
Lynn cleared away the broken wall pieces, pulled the body bag out, and said, "If your psychological tolerance is poor, I suggest you turn around."
Pepper did so without hesitation.
Lynn unzipped the bag... And found that the corpse inside had already turned into a skeleton.
_______
(づ￣ 3￣)づ
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