Seeing Tony Stark's irritating tone, Coulson felt a surge of anger, but the professionalism of a trained agent still allowed him to suppress it.
He had not come here to argue with Tony Stark, but to exchange information.
"Mr. Tony Stark, I've already explained some information to you."
"Shouldn't it be my turn to ask questions now?"
After suppressing his anger, Coulson spoke politely.
"Sure, ask away."
Tony Stark saw that Coulson had clenched his fists and was clearly angry, yet he had suppressed it in only a few seconds. That surprised him somewhat.
However, Tony Stark was also a man of his word, so he allowed Coulson to ask his questions.
"Mr. Tony Stark, how did you escape from..."
Coulson began his questioning.
Tony Stark told him everything he could reveal, except for the fact that he had created the Arc Reactor.
He spoke about building the Iron Man armor to escape Afghanistan alive, as well as everything that had happened after upgrading it.
After all, the modified Mark 2 had already made its appearance before the world.
After listening, Coulson completely confirmed that the armored figure rumored throughout the outside world to be Iron Man was Tony Stark.
He tactfully refrained from saying anything about having Tony Stark hand over the technology to the government.
"So that's how it is. As expected of Mr. Tony Stark—your mind is an enormous treasure."
Coulson directly praised Tony Stark with admiration.
"Wasn't it already universally acknowledged that I'm a genius?"
Tony Stark accepted the praise without the slightest hint of modesty.
"Then may I ask, Mr. Tony Stark, what exactly do you intend to do with the armor you created?"
"You saved some of the people in Gulmira, Afghanistan. Were you trying to clean up some of the trouble left behind by Stark Industries weapons?"
"Or do you think you have the ability, so you want to help them?"
However, seeing Tony Stark's smug response, Coulson had no intention of criticizing or arguing with him. Instead, he wanted to confirm Tony Stark's resolve.
A superhero had to be kindhearted, while Tony Stark had once been a carefree playboy.
Whether someone like that truly possessed kindness and a love great enough to contribute to Earth was still uncertain.
Before Coulson understood him properly, he could only put a question mark over that.
"Both, I suppose."
Hearing Coulson's words, Tony Stark thought of Yinsen. After pausing for a moment, he answered.
Yinsen had given his life to save him, and Gulmira was Yinsen's hometown. He could not bring Yinsen back to life, but he could at least protect Gulmira's peace.
"Will you continue helping other people in danger in the future?"
Hearing that it was both reasons, Coulson's eyes lit up as he asked again.
"I'm not sure. Gulmira is the hometown of a friend, which is why I wanted to protect it."
"As for everyone else, I'll have to encounter it before I can give you an answer."
Tony Stark spread his hands.
"Mr. Tony Stark, the truth is, because aliens exist..."
"Earth's current situation is far from optimistic."
Hearing that uncertain answer, Coulson hesitated before deciding to reveal more information.
"I already know that. Isn't that Grim Reaper you mentioned from some kind of void?"
"And when he spoke to me, he also mentioned the universe."
"He said that my technology was only advanced and powerful compared to humanity. Compared to the universe, it was still far too weak."
Tony Stark waved a hand as he spoke, dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Ever since taking over Stark Industries, he had invented advanced technologies for humanity time and time again.
He had always taken pride in that, yet Grim Reaper had actually said his technology was still trash. How could he possibly accept that?
"Mr. Tony Stark, didn't you want to know why our agency arranged to meet Mr. Grim Reaper?"
"Before explaining that, there is something I need to tell you. Decades ago, aliens had already visited Earth."
"At that time, a superpowered superhero appeared on Earth and helped humanity successfully repel the alien invasion."
"It is unknown how long aliens have existed, but one thing is certain: their technology is more advanced and developed."
"They possess technologies such as space jumps and Cosmic Battleships, things humanity on Earth currently cannot hope to achieve."
"It was also from that time onward that my superior, Nick Fury, wanted to establish the Avengers Initiative to prepare for the threats that future alien arrivals might bring."
Coulson could hear Tony Stark's unwillingness to accept it, so he began explaining in an attempt to recruit him.
"You came to me instead of looking for superpowered individuals. It seems your progress hasn't gone very smoothly."
After hearing that long explanation, Tony Stark immediately caught the meaning behind Coulson's words.
"Yes. Superpowered individuals have indeed appeared on Earth before, proving that there are other people with extraordinary abilities among humanity."
"However, humans are exclusionary, and they are also afraid of being seen as freaks by others. People with superpowers almost always hide themselves, making them difficult to discover and find."
"You've also seen some of the rumors and records about Grim Reaper circulating on the dark web."
"Some of the missions he completed were beyond the limits of human capability."
"After investigating and discussing it, we unanimously concluded that Mr. Grim Reaper was very likely a powerful individual with superpowers."
"Even if he wasn't superpowered, his strength was still far beyond that of ordinary people."
"That was why we arranged to meet him several months ago."
"Until he appeared, we had no idea how long he had already been there, nor did we know how he had arrived."
"In a sense, we had found the right person. Mr. Grim Reaper truly was a powerful individual whose strength could not be judged."
"But unfortunately, he wasn't from Earth. He was an alien."
As Coulson spoke of these matters, his face was filled with emotion and disappointment.
He had followed Director Fury for nearly twenty years. Director Fury had risen to become the agency director, while Coulson's agent rank had steadily increased over those twenty years. He was now an agent with relatively high status and authority within the agency.
While carrying out missions and investigating various strange incidents, they had finally found a superpowered individual after decades.
Naturally, Coulson had been overjoyed, but what happened afterward could only be described as a disappointment equal to the height of that joy.
Moreover, they had learned that the legendary God King Odin might not have much time left.
Earth might no longer have any protection. If they still failed to find powerful heroes to establish the Avengers Initiative and gain some means of resistance—
Then humanity might very well face slaughter or even enslavement by aliens.
However, Director Fury had said that the news of Odin possibly dying soon must not be spread.
Because if what Mr. Grim Reaper said was true, God King Odin and the Asa Gods had been protecting Earth all along.
If the Asa Gods truly came to Earth and heard them saying that God King Odin did not have much life left—
Then even if the Asa Gods had originally intended to protect humanity, they would still become enemies because of it.
Tony Stark could tell that everything Coulson said was true, because the emotion and disappointment on Coulson's face could not be faked.
"So you came looking for me because you thought I had suddenly awakened superpowers, which was why I could escape Afghanistan alive?"
After putting himself in Coulson's position and considering the meaning behind his words, Tony Stark immediately understood.
"That's right. But we never expected that, relying on your brilliant mind, you would create Iron Man armor comparable to the latest fighter jets."
"Although you aren't a superpowered individual, in my eyes, you are equivalent to one."
Coulson did not hide it and directly expressed his thoughts and admiration.
"According to your agency's operating principles, you specifically investigate people who might possess superpowers."
"Then your previous contact with Harvey Anberaka means...?"
Tony Stark accepted the admiration and praise without embarrassment. Then, thinking of something, he asked.
"That's right. Previously, we suspected that Mr. Harvey Anberlaka might be a superpowered individual."
"Because it was as though he was blessed by the goddess of luck. So even if his possible abilities were not combat-related, they might still prove useful."
Coulson nodded. He answered almost every question, because none of this was top-secret information.
"Then what was the result?"
Hearing that Coulson and those people from that homeland-something agency had once thought, just as he had, that Harvey Anberaka was simply lucky, Tony Stark's eyes flickered.
"Based on the results of our two encounters, we determined that Harvey Anberaka does not possess superpowers."
Coulson shook his head slightly and spoke with some regret.
"He doesn't...?"
That answer made Tony Stark recall some of what Harvey Anberaka had said when they talked on the balcony outside the gala.
When Harvey Anberaka had mentioned Obadiah Stane, he had unintentionally revealed a kind of calmness and indifference.
It was as though Obadiah Stane truly was insignificant as trash in Harvey Anberaka's eyes.
Harvey Anberaka seemed to have some sort of backing.
However, whether Harvey Anberaka possessed superpowers or not, the result was obvious: neither Tony Stark nor Harvey Anberaka seemed to have any intention of joining the Avengers Initiative.
"I understand what you mean. Earth is in a time of crisis, and your agency wants to establish the Avengers Initiative to jointly resist a possible future alien invasion."
"However, Stark Industries is currently in the middle of a transition, and I also have a pile of things to deal with."
"So I still need to think about joining the Avengers Initiative."
"But if any major disaster or potential threat appears on Earth, you can contact me. Maybe I'll lend you a hand."
Thinking that, Tony Stark looked at Coulson and spoke.
Grim Reaper's appearance had forced Tony Stark to believe that aliens existed in the universe and that they had already quietly arrived on Earth.
That was why he needed to find a way to make Stark Industries complete its transition and get on track as quickly as possible, so that he could devote himself fully to researching the Iron Man armor.
Unfortunately, he did not know what abilities or strength Grim Reaper possessed, so he could not create armor specifically tailored to deal with him.
But since Grim Reaper was on Earth, there would definitely come a day when he found out. He only hoped that day would not come too late.
"Alright. Thank you very much, Mr. Tony Stark."
Hearing Tony Stark's response, Coulson stood up with a smile on his face.
After thanking him, Coulson also took the initiative to say goodbye and leave.
Coulson was in an excellent mood. Although Tony Stark had not directly joined, he had still given him a promise.
If a major disaster truly occurred in the future, they would have a chance to work together. That proved that, in terms of results, this contact had gone quite well.
With a good beginning, it would not be long before they brought Tony Stark into the Avengers Initiative officially.
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