Tony Stark Missing

Though Duke seemed to have mutated, John was already grateful enough that he had survived.

Still, he was somewhat surprised that a high school student like Merlin had a Regeneration Potion.

"How much?" he asked. Though he had been an Assassin for many years and had mostly earned Assassin coins, he also had several hundred million in cash. But a Regeneration Potion that could bring someone back from the dead was clearly exorbitantly expensive.

"Three hundred million, plus you owe me a favor," Merlin said indifferently.

"As for the side effects..." He glanced at the fierce Beagle in the cage. "I think it's not bad to leave them on him. It'll put your mind at ease."

John looked at his beloved dog as well. Though he had become somewhat strange, he was inexplicably much cooler now.

Though the Regeneration Potion was primarily intended for human genes, extracting only its stem-cell effects and using them on animals worked quite well.

Other than the changes to his body, his sanity remained intact.

"This app... did you install it on my phone?" Once he was sure his dog was safe, John finally remembered the R-Star app.

As he spoke, he took out his phone.

"No. I'm only the manager of a mod shop under this Game Platform. After becoming a player, you can earn rewards by completing missions, then buy vehicles and weapons from me."

"Did you check the Shop inside? What I sell here is what's listed there."

John nodded in understanding.

"Then, did you issue the mission to wipe out the Russian Gang?"

"Yes. Can you handle it? If not, you can work with other players. You can work out the split among yourselves."

"I don't have time to help you lately." Merlin yawned. He had spent the entire night researching, so he had no time to make another move.

"No." John shook his head coldly. Even if Merlin had not issued the mission, he would never let the Russian Gang off.

Likewise, the Russian Gang's leader had set his sights on John. The person in the driver's seat of the Ford Mustang last night had been his son, and he blamed John for his son's death.

He believed that only John, once the number one Assassin in the world, could have done something like that.

"Suit yourself. Your dog will stay here with me for observation for a while. You can stay longer if you want, but don't disturb my sleep."

With that, Merlin left the temporary reception hall with exhaustion written all over his face and returned to his lounge.

John watched Merlin's figure disappear, then turned back to his dog. The feeling of having him back made John unable to resist taking him out of the cage.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

When Merlin woke up, John still had not left and was stroking his beloved dog.

Woof woof woof!!!

The moment the Beagle saw Merlin, he went from enjoying John's caresses to barking furiously at him, even trying to rush over and bite him.

But John stopped him.

"Bick!"

"Alright, alright. I only had you neutered. It's good for you—it can help prevent all kinds of troubles and illnesses," Merlin said lazily as he passed by.

It was already six in the evening. Gwen should be waiting for him.

After washing up, he returned to the temporary reception hall.

John still had not left, so he clearly had something to discuss.

"I want to buy some weapons from you—the MK2 Heavy Sniper Rifle, various types of Special Bullets, a Ballistic Knife, and an MK2 Heavy Revolver."

After Merlin returned from washing up, John stated the weapons he wanted to purchase.

They were all special weapons. He wanted them for special situations; his usual weapons were already enough for everyday use.

"Sure. Come with me."

After sending off the resolute-looking John, Merlin rode his motorcycle to find Gwen, who was waiting for him beside Osborn Industries.

"Good evening." Merlin greeted her weakly before sitting down across from her. Food had already been prepared in front of him.

"Are you okay?" Gwen asked worriedly when she saw his current state.

"I'm fine. I can still hold on."

Having slept all day, Merlin was hungry too. Without saying much, he sat down, picked up a sandwich, and began eating.

Gwen smiled awkwardly. After all, she had undergone a Genetic Mutation, and her physique had improved greatly. But the friend she had grown up with was still an ordinary person, and having his days and nights reversed like this really was hard on him.

To take her mind off it, she picked up her phone.

"Huh? Merlin, look at this news. Tony Stark, CEO of Stark Industries, was attacked in Afghanistan and is now missing."

"There are so many people gloating about it."

Merlin took a sip of juice, then accepted the phone and looked at it.

[Tony Stark traveled to Afghanistan and was attacked by terrorists. He is currently missing, and his chances of survival are slim.]

[Obadiah issued a statement, vowing to bring Tony Stark back.]

[The Department of Defense issued a statement...]

[Congress issued a statement, warning Afghanistan...]

The entire internet seemed ready to explode. It was filled with reports about Tony Stark being attacked by terrorists, while every side swiftly issued statements, either taking a firm stance or offering condemnation.

Below those news reports, however, most of the comments were gloating.

[The arms dealer got captured. Even God must have been sick of him.]

[The merchant of death spread death, and in the end, he will only return to death.]

[Suddenly, I think the terrorists did the right thing. It's so satisfying. The refugees in war zones will suffer a little less from now on.]

Merlin lost interest after only a few glances. He had expected this long ago.

He was not too alarmed by it. They probably would not act until a few days later.

The priority now was to develop the Serum as quickly as possible.

"The people at Stark Industries and the Department of Defense must be in complete chaos right now." Gwen did not pay much attention to it either. She had not had much contact with Stark Industries and was merely watching the drama unfold as a bystander.

The two of them ordered coffee to stay alert. After waiting several hours, the sky had darkened, and they made their now-familiar way to Osborn Industries.

Afghanistan, inside an unknown Gobi Cave.

Under the dim lights, Stark, once full of spirit, now looked pale and dejected like a vagrant as he clutched a battery.

Beside him was Doctor Ethan, a thin man wearing glasses.

Stark had only survived thanks to Doctor Ethan's superb medical skills and ingenious ideas.

Explosive shrapnel had embedded itself in the blood vessels near Stark's heart chamber. If not for the battery Doctor Ethan had made to temporarily hold the fragments in place, once they entered his heart, not even Stark's remarkable vitality could save him.