Time was like the balance in a bank account.
If you weren’t paying attention, it disappeared before you knew it.
Based on the tally marks Rowan had carved into the cave wall, more than two months had already passed.
During those two months, Tony and Yinsen worked day and night.
Relentlessly.
Without rest.
Rowan fell asleep to the constant clang-clang-clang of hammering metal.
He woke up to the same clang-clang-clang.
At this point, he genuinely wondered whether he’d be able to sleep after escaping if there wasn’t any metalworking noise in the background.
By now, most of the Iron Man armor’s major components were complete.
Today, with Yinsen’s assistance, Tony was testing the hydraulic systems.
Outside the cave, the terrorists monitoring the surveillance feed were collectively suffering mental breakdowns.
One of them stared at a photograph.
Then at the screen.
Then back at the photograph.
Then back at the screen.
His brain was overheating.
“This doesn’t look anything like the missile in the photo.” “Maybe he modified it.” “Bullshit.” “The fins are completely different.” “It’s upside down.” “I’m sure of it.” “Sure my ass.” “You’re illiterate.” “Aren’t you illiterate too?!” “Why are you insulting me then?!” The argument nearly escalated into a fistfight.
Meanwhile, a bald man sat before the monitors, slowly turning one of the rings on his fingers.
His eyes narrowed as he watched Tony testing a pair of armored legs.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
Then he issued an order.
“Go see what’s happening.” Inside the cave, Tony was welding armor plates together when he heard the door opening.
Without hesitation, he immediately stood up and raised his hands above his head.
The movement was so practiced that it was honestly depressing.
Rowan heard it too.
Immediately, he retreated deeper into the corner and reduced his presence to the absolute minimum.
This scene probably had nothing to do with him.
Probably.
The cave door opened.
The first person inside was the familiar bearded terrorist leader.
Unlike before, he didn’t approach Tony directly.
Instead, he quietly moved aside and stood with the others.
Almost as if waiting for someone more important.
A moment later, the bald man walked in.
Confident.
Arrogant.
Rotating the ring on his finger.
Looking like he owned the world.
He stopped in front of Tony.
“Relax.” Tony blinked.
The man spoke English.
That was unexpected.
Slowly, he lowered his hands.
The bald man glanced at the Arc Reactor glowing through Tony’s shirt.
Then he began speaking.
“Once upon a time, bows and arrows were the ultimate weapons.” “Genghis Khan conquered half the world with them.” “But today…” He leaned closer.
“The people who possess Stark’s most advanced weapons rule the world.” “And that person…” “…will be me.” From his corner, Rowan rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out.
Sure.
Rule the world.
As if the major world powers don’t exist.
This kind of villain wouldn’t survive a single episode.
The bald man suddenly switched to Arabic.
His expression darkened.
“Why have you disappointed me?” Yinsen knew the question was directed at him.
“We’re working.” “Very hard.” The bald man stepped closer.
“I spared your life.” “And this is how you repay me?” Tony looked toward Yinsen.
A suspicion began forming in his mind.
Yinsen remained calm.
“The work is complicated.” “He’s doing everything he can.” The bald man’s patience snapped.
“Bring him over.” Several terrorists moved toward Yinsen.
Then the bald man shook his head.
“Not him.” He pointed toward Rowan.
“Bring the kid.” Rowan froze.
“…Again?” “What is wrong with these people?” “I already did the protagonist’s suffering.” “Why am I doing the supporting cast’s suffering too?” “Am I getting paid for this?” Of course he wasn’t.
Life was unfair.
Watching the terrorists charge toward him, Rowan sighed.
Then quietly activated Mark of the Wild.
A transparent shield formed around his body.
Now he had skills again.
Let them do their worst.
If he screamed, he’d consider it a personal loss.
The terrorists dragged him forward and forced him to kneel.
The bald man picked up a glowing-hot piece of charcoal from the furnace.
“I am not a fool.” His voice was cold.
“I will learn the truth.” Yinsen remained stubborn.
“We’re building the missile.” Rowan noticed something.
Yinsen seemed less nervous than before.
MOTHERFUCKER.
The buff confidence was already kicking in.
“Open your mouth.” The bald man blew lightly on the glowing coal.
A horrifying smile spread across his face.
Tony couldn’t understand the Arabic conversation.
But he could understand body language.
And the glowing chunk of burning charcoal looked very, very bad.
“What are you making?” The bald man pressed closer.
“Tell me.” The coal moved toward Rowan’s face.
Rowan didn’t care.
The shield from Mark of the Wild would absorb the damage long before it reached him.
But Tony and Yinsen were terrified.
“We’re making the missile!” Yinsen kept repeating desperately.
Tony stepped forward.
“What do you want?” “Delivery dates?” The guards instantly raised their rifles and blocked his path.
Rowan couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
Pathetic.
You’re all scared of one unarmed engineer.
The bald man glanced toward Tony.
Tony took a breath.
“He’s my brother.” “I need him.” Rowan froze.
For a moment, warmth spread through his chest.
The bald man looked at Yinsen.
Tony continued.
“He’s a good assistant.” “I need him too.” Silence filled the cave.
The bald man stared at Tony for several long seconds.
Then he tossed the coal aside.
“Tomorrow.” “I want the completed missile by tomorrow.” Without another word, he turned and left.
The terrorists followed.
The moment the door closed, Yinsen nearly collapsed.
His legs gave out.
Tony walked over and helped Rowan stand.
“You alright?” “I’m fine.” Rowan sighed.
“Just feels like I ended up doing someone else’s job again.” “…What?” “Nothing.” Rowan waved his hand.
“Tony-ge, what now?” Tony’s expression hardened.
“We accelerate the schedule.” Then he immediately returned to work.
At long last, the final component was completed.
The helmet.
As it emerged from the quenching process, the first Iron Man armor was finally finished.
Tony put on a protective leather jacket.
Wrapped a scarf around his neck.
Pulled on heavy gloves.
Then, with Yinsen’s help, began assembling the armor piece by piece.
Yinsen repeatedly reviewed the escape route.
Tony answered every question perfectly.
All of this took place in the surveillance blind spots they’d carefully mapped out.
Outside, the terrorists noticed something strange.
Tony had disappeared from camera view.
The bald leader immediately felt uneasy.
A bad feeling settled in his stomach.
“Go check.” Two terrorists rushed toward the cave.
Standing outside the door, they shouted for Tony and Yinsen.
Tony looked nervous.
“What are they saying?” Yinsen didn’t even pause his work.
“I have no idea.” “They’re speaking Hungarian.” “I don’t know Hungarian.” Tony stared at him.
“…” At that moment, Rowan raised a hand.
“They said if we don’t come out, they’re coming in.” Tony and Yinsen immediately looked at him.
“Rowan.” “Buy us some time.” Rowan walked toward the door and shouted: “Wait a minute!” “I’m using the bathroom!” “I’ll be right out!” The terrorists clearly didn’t believe him.
The shouting grew louder.
Then— The door opened.
BOOM!
The two terrorists were instantly blown backward.
Tony’s improvised explosives detonated.
Outside, the bald leader watched the explosion through the cameras.
His expression changed immediately.
“Sound the alarm!” The entire camp erupted into chaos.
Armed terrorists poured toward the cave.
Inside, Tony was finally wearing the completed armor.
But the system software was still loading.
The progress bar sat stubbornly halfway complete.
Outside, the sounds of approaching enemies grew louder.
Yinsen’s expression tightened.
Then he made a decision.
“I’ll buy you time.” He picked up a rifle from the ground.
Tony stared.
Completely stunned.
“Buddy.” “How much time do you think you’re buying?” “You’re one guy!” “That’s not delaying them!” “That’s just suicide!” “My giant plan had instructions, you know!” Unfortunately, Yinsen wasn’t listening.
From the corner, Rowan sighed.
He already knew this was coming.
There was no stopping it.
Raising a hand, he silently cast: Mark of the Wild.
Rejuvenation.
Two buffs settled onto Yinsen.
There.
Best he could do.
Go forth, brother.
The buffs have been applied.
Proceed with your sacrifice.
Yinsen suddenly felt incredible.
His body felt lighter.
Stronger.
Healthier.
As if limitless energy flowed through his veins.
He raised the rifle.
For one glorious moment, he felt like Rambo.
A burst of gunfire erupted.
Then, screaming heroically, he charged around the corner.
Three seconds later— He found himself staring directly at a crowd of armed terrorists pointing rifles at his face.
Rambo Yinsen Time Successfully Purchased: 3 Seconds.