Hell’s Kitchen, Site Base, Underground Level 2.
As the heavy airtight doors hissed shut, the noise of the outside world was completely cut off.
Hank directed the C-Class personnel to categorize and archive the scrap metal stripped from the Iron Monger, while the most critical piece—the Arc Reactor—was sent to the newly constructed energy laboratory.
“Sir, this operation consumed about 30% of our ammunition.
EMP grenade stocks are running low,” Ada Wong reported while holding a tablet.
“However, the harvest is significant.
This high-strength alloy material alone is enough for the 3D printing factory to produce hundreds of Gauss rifle frames.” “That’s not all.” Levi looked at the golden [Large-Scale Arc Reactor Blueprints] blinking on his system panel, his eyes full of anticipation.
“With this, our base finally has a heart.” Currently, the base’s energy relied primarily on the thermal conversion from the Burning Man.
While clean, it was limited by the anomaly’s state.
If the Burning Man ever got depressed and refused to provide heat, or if he escaped, the base would shut down.
But this Large-Scale Arc Reactor was different.
It was based on Stark Industries’ cold fusion technology, modified by the system into an “Infinite Energy” version.
Theoretically, as long as it wasn’t physically destroyed, it could output massive amounts of electricity indefinitely.
“System, consume materials and containment points to begin construction of the Large-Scale Arc Reactor.” [Command confirmed.
Estimated construction time: 24 hours.] After processing the spoils, Levi’s expression gradually turned grim.
He clicked on the special clue that had been bothering him.
[Anomalous Biological Signal: Suspected Hard-to-Destroy Reptile Juvenile.] [Location: New York Main Drainage System, Sector 7.] [Current Status: Dormant/Slow Growth Phase.] [Danger Level: Extreme.] “System, explain what ‘juvenile’ means,” Levi asked in his mind.
To his knowledge, the “Lord” was a cosmic-level existence.
Where did a juvenile come from?
[Host, due to the suppression of the laws of the multiverse, some high-dimensional anomalous entities cannot descend in their complete forms.
The current individual is a conceptual projection or a devolved form of the subject.] [Note: Although it is a juvenile, it still retains its core characteristics—Adaptive Evolution and Immortality.
Please exercise extreme caution.
Once it consumes enough biomass to complete its evolution, it will grow into its complete form.
At that point, even a nuclear strike will not be able to contain it.] “It really is that tough nut to crack.” Levi rubbed his brow.
Adaptive evolution—that was the most disgusting ability.
If you burned it, it evolved fireproof scales.
If you drowned it, it grew gills.
If you used physical attacks, it became harder than diamond.
Conventional means were useless against such a thing.
“Hank, come to my office,” Levi called over the intercom.
*** A few minutes later, a fully armed Hank stood before Levi.
“Sir, a new mission?” “Yes.
This target is very tricky.” Levi pulled up a structural map of the New York sewers and pointed to a complex area.
“There’s a crocodile hiding here.” “A crocodile?” Hank raised an eyebrow.
“If it’s just clearing a beast out of the sewers, I think the city’s animal control is more suited for the job.
My bullets are expensive.” “What if it’s a crocodile that can tank an anti-tank missile and gets stronger the more you try to kill it?” Levi looked at Hank.
“Furthermore, it might possess intelligence and an extreme hatred for humans.” Hank’s gaze instantly sharpened.
“A mutant?
Or an anomalous entity like the Plague Doctor?” “Ten thousand times more dangerous than him,” Levi said seriously.
“For this operation, I am prohibiting the use of any live ammunition.
Even Gauss rifles are forbidden.” “Then what do we use?” Hank was puzzled.
“Are we supposed to go down there and whack it on the head with that blind man’s cane?” “No.” Levi pulled a procurement list from under the desk and handed it to Hank.
“I want you to take men to buy these.
As much as possible.” Hank took the list and scanned it.
Even for a man known as “Death,” he couldn’t help but freeze.
There was only one item on the list, but the quantity was staggering: [Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)], 50 tons.
“Sir, are you planning to give the New York sewers a deep cleaning?” Hank couldn’t help but ask.
“No, we’re building a bathhouse.” A cold light flashed in Levi’s eyes.
“An acid bath specifically for that ‘Lord.’ It’s the only thing that can keep it calm.” In the Foundation’s records, long-term immersion in concentrated hydrochloric acid was currently the only effective way to suppress the Reptile’s regenerative abilities.
“Go and prepare.
Also, have the C-Class personnel renovate Cell 3 in the containment area.
Line all the walls with acid-resistant material.” “Yes, sir.” Though he didn’t understand, Hank executed orders without hesitation.
*** Meanwhile, in Malibu.
Despite having just survived a life-and-death ordeal, Tony Stark wasn’t lying in a hospital bed.
Instead, he was sitting in his half-destroyed workshop, a new, brighter Arc Reactor already installed in his chest.
“JARVIS, are the analysis results in?” Tony tapped on a virtual keyboard as he spoke.
On the screen was a blurry image of the Gauss rifle Hank had been holding the previous night.
“Sir, based on trajectory and destructive power analysis, it is a small-scale electromagnetic rail weapon,” JARVIS’s voice remained calm.
“Its muzzle velocity exceeds Mach 10, with a penetration power 3.5 times the maximum tolerance of the Mark III’s gold-titanium armor.
In other words…” “In other words, if they had fired last night, I’d be a sieve right now,” Tony laughed self-deprecatingly.
“Even wearing a suit worth hundreds of millions.” He looked at the image of Levi on the screen.
Though blurry, Levi’s cold, composed demeanor was clear.
A fire of competitive desire burned in Tony’s eyes.
As a genius, as the man hailed as “cursed with knowledge,” Tony Stark would never allow himself to be outclassed technologically.
Absolutely not.
“JARVIS, create a new project folder.” Tony’s finger swiped through the air.
“Name it: Anti-Foundation Armor.” “Focus on reinforcing kinetic penetration defense, and…
add an EMP shielding layer.
I don’t want to end up like that idiot Obadiah, getting neutralized by a few little discs.” “Very well, sir.
However, I must remind you that Miss Pepper has already come upstairs to urge you to rest three times.” “Tell her I’m contemplating life,” Tony said without looking up.
“Specifically, a life where I’m not being extorted by a bunch of high-end scrap metal collectors.” *** The next morning, Sunshine Apartments.
Natasha maintained her habit of early morning “exercise.” When she walked into the main lobby, she was stunned by the sight before her.
More than a dozen workers in heavy hazmat suits and gas masks were hauling barrels into the basement one after another.
Those blue plastic barrels were marked with prominent skull-and-crossbones icons and corrosive warnings.
The pungent smell of acid was detectable even through the sealed lids.
“Good morning, Ms.
Rushman.” Levi was standing at the door directing the movers.
Seeing Natasha, he offered his usual, harmless smile.
“This is…” Natasha pointed at the barrels, her eyelid twitching.
“Mr.
Landlord, are you planning to open a chemical plant in the basement?
That looks like strong acid.” As a spy, she could tell at a glance that the amount of acid was enough to dissolve the foundation of the entire building.
“Oh, that,” Levi said casually.
“The sewers have been a bit clogged lately.
I figured instead of hiring someone to snake them, I’d just do it myself and be thorough about it.” “Using fifty tons of hydrochloric acid to clear a drain?” Natasha almost broke her poker face.
*Is your drain clogged with diamonds?* “Can’t be helped.
The rats down there are a bit big, and their skin is a bit thick.” Levi leaned in closer to Natasha and lowered his voice, acting mysterious.
“Have you heard the urban legends about the New York sewers?
Those little crocodiles flushed down the toilet?
They can eat people when they grow up.” “So, Ms.
Rushman, I suggest you avoid walking over manhole covers for the next few days.
If you fall in…” Levi made a “melting” gesture and then smiled, turning to walk into the basement.
Looking at the barrels of strong acid being hauled in, Natasha felt a chill down her spine.
Her intuition told her that the “crocodile” Levi spoke of was definitely not some ordinary zoo animal.
“Coulson,” Natasha returned to her room and immediately dialed the phone.
“They’ve brought a massive amount of strong acid into the base.
Levi mentioned the sewers and a crocodile.” “A crocodile?” On the other end, Coulson was completely bewildered.
“Is that some kind of code?
Is he talking about Killer Croc?” “I don’t know.
But I think…
we should probably stay far away from New York’s manhole covers.”