Harvest Time

"Harvest time!"

The Mark VI's thrusters spewed flames as Tony Stark dove, flinging out miniature **. The beach instantly erupted in crimson mist, and the fish-men, lacking any anti-air capabilities, were like mechanical ducks at a shooting range, left to be harvested by the metal storm. Once ** were depleted, he landed to resupply. The entire process flowed smoothly.

"Please send a few dozen more of these free experience packs!"

"Sir, Colonel Rhodey is requesting a communication link."

"The military's tin can? Put him through."

Tony Stark raised a brow. Though he scoffed at certain official organizations, his personal friendship with this old friend had never changed—after all, he had personally modified and gifted him that flamboyantly painted suit of armor.

The moment the comm screen lit up, Rhodey's signature white teeth appeared first. "Brother, miss me?"

"Only if you turn into a cover girl." Tony rolled his eyes.

"Long story short, the coastal defense line has collapsed, and the enemy forces were wiped out after being ambushed by a mysterious enemy. Now someone needs to step up and save New York—our great hero, Iron Man!"

"Not interested!" Tony raised a hand and fired a laser cannon, blasting a Deep-Sea Clan monster to pieces. He answered casually, "The authorities just issued a ban on hero activities last week, and now they want to call me back with a single sentence? When has the world ever offered such a good deal?"

As Iron Man, Tony Stark had his own pride.

Since they had chosen to drive him away back then, what gave them the right to expect him to come running whenever they called?

In all of New York, the only person Tony cared about was his personal assistant, Pepper Potts. He had already sent an autonomous suit of armor to escort her to the seaside villa and ensure her safety.

"Let me talk to him." Captain America's voice came through the communicator. "We're requesting support from the League of Heroes. S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to offer any one treasure from its vaults as payment."

"Oh? I remember S.H.I.E.L.D. does have quite a few good things stored away, but can you make that decision, Captain?"

"I've already spoken with Director Fury."

"All right. I'll inform the president, but I can't guarantee whether he'll agree."

(Recommended quality novel—Era of Heroes: DNF Legacy Mall)

Meanwhile, after hearing Iron Man's report, Li Chen closed his eyes in thought and slowly turned his office chair.

He was weighing whether to have the League of Heroes intervene in the battle. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s offer was indeed tempting—they could choose any treasure from its inventory.

Li Chen knew very well that the Space Stone, a cosmic treasure, was stored there!

This gem, formed from the essence of the universe's **, was one of the six Infinity Stones of the Marvel Universe. They respectively controlled the six fundamental powers of space, power, mind, reality, time, and soul.

At present, S.H.I.E.L.D. had yet to realize its true value. They merely called it the "Cosmic Cube" and were still studying its mysteries.

"They really are paying a steep price." Li Chen's lips curled slightly as he interlaced his fingers over his knees. "But that price is still far from enough to make us act."

If he did not lack knowledge of the Space Stone's exact location in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s collection, Li Chen would not have wasted his breath. He would have simply used spatial teleportation to seize the treasure.

A treasure of this level could not only be used to wield authority, but also exchanged for an enormous number of energy points. It could even be enough to "designate summon" a powerhouse at vice president level.

"Understood. I'll relay it truthfully."

After receiving the president's instructions, Tony relayed Li Chen's words word for word to Captain America. Personally, he did not mind helping out of friendship and accumulating energy points, but mobilizing the entire League of Heroes was not something he could decide alone.

Just what kind of reward would the leader of the League of Heroes require before he was willing to act?

"Heh, this leader's conditions are quite harsh."

"At a time like this, stop beating around the bush." Captain America said between breaths as he used his Vibranium Shield to knock back a Deep-Sea Clan enemy.

The three of them were already showing signs of exhaustion and had even begun considering using their ability to fly to retreat from the battlefield.

"First, S.H.I.E.L.D. must satisfy any resource demands made by the leader."

"Second, the Avengers must disband on the spot, and all members must join the League of Heroes."

"Third, the authorities must stop suppressing the League of Heroes' reputation and instead provide full publicity and support. They must also provide an additional one trillion dollars in operational funding every year."

Tony Stark repeated Li Chen's conditions exactly. To be honest, even he felt those demands were excessive—one trillion dollars was equivalent to fifteen percent of the entire country's annual budget.

But the authorities had no other choice.

At this moment, merely dealing with the Demon-level Disaster, Deep Sea King, had left them overwhelmed. More than a million civilians had already died in this disaster. What if Dragon-Level, or even Ultra-Dragon-level Threats, appeared in the future? Among the Avengers, only Hulk possessed actual combat capability, and even he often fought halfheartedly.

Without borrowing the power of the League of Heroes, humanity simply had no ability to resist the endless monster attacks.

When this treaty was submitted to Congress by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Fury, the lawmakers turned livid with rage. But when they thought of fallen New York and the boiling public sentiment, they ultimately gritted their teeth and accepted the unequal treaty.

"Deal! Congress accepts all conditions."

"Very good. Immediately establish a second line of defense in New York. The president will personally lead an elite force to provide support." After ending the call, Iron Man returned to the seaside villa—his personal assistant Pepper had been settled there.

"Tony, what exactly happened?"

"Just some little things from the ocean coming ashore to cause trouble. Don't worry."

"But there are so many..." Pepper's voice trembled as she looked at the monster ** floating on the sea beyond the window. The entire stretch of ocean and beach had already been dyed dark red.

"There are only a few thousand here." Tony looked into the distance. "The real main force... is said to number in the hundreds of thousands."

"Don't worry. Those little things can't hurt aerial targets." Tony gently stroked Pepper's cheek and planted a scorching kiss on her lips. "I'll leave two autonomous suits behind to guard the house. Be good and don't go out. I'll be back after I clear out this bunch of fodder."

"Promise me you'll be careful."

"It's nothing major, just a Demon-level Disaster. The League is already preparing to deploy everyone."

"Okay."

After bidding farewell to his lover, Iron Man led twenty-eight intelligent suits of armor through the sky, heading straight for the Deep-Sea Clan's main force.

This time, he had to conserve carefully—the supply lines had been cut, and their energy reserves were running low.

The entire League of Heroes entered wartime status. Spatial teleportation devices continuously deployed heroes throughout New York. Amid the fierce fighting, New York had already become hell.

Police officers and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents wielded light weapons as they engaged in a bloody tug-of-war against the tide-like Deep-Sea Clan. Even with Hulk joining the battle, the defensive line continued to collapse, and civilian casualties kept rising.

"Buzz—"

A faint blue glow flashed at a street corner.

Thor, Second Pillar, and Mumen Rider, who had mastered Godhead Fist, stepped out from a spatial rift. Under League regulations, those below B-rank had to operate in teams.

"Crack!"

The sound of a porcelain bowl shattering came from behind them.

The three turned around and saw a little girl in a grayish-white ** dress trembling as she covered her mouth. Her pupils reflected the unfamiliar figures who had suddenly appeared.

"Don't be afraid." Thor pressed a finger to his lips and forced out his gentlest smile. They decided to take this lone little survivor with them.

A heart-wrenching scream suddenly rang out from the street corner.

A monster shaped like an orca gripped a fleeing person's neck and growled, "The land will become the territory of the Deep-Sea Clan! Those who surrender may be treated as livestock. Those who resist—die!"

Tiger-level Threat: Orca Monster!

For Thor, who had lost his divine power, and Mumen Rider, it was practically a hopeless situation. Only Second Pillar could still hold it off.

"You evacuate the civilians." The black-clad youth drew a kunai. "Leave this one to me."

"Trash over there! Do you dare accept a one-on-one duel with Lord Thor, God of Thunder?!"

The instant he spotted Orca Monster, Thor's fighting spirit surged.

Completely disregarding the difference in their strength, the reckless fool roared and charged forward to provoke it.

After several days of grueling training, he had barely grasped the basics of Godhead Fist.

Unfortunately, he had ultimately failed to meet the promise of reaching beginner level in three days...

So Grandis mercilessly fulfilled her promise and shaved off every strand of hair Thor had grown for a thousand years.

Though filled with indignation, Thor, stripped of his divine power, had no ability to resist before the priestess.

He could only watch helplessly as his silver hair fell away, turning his grief and rage into motivation and redirecting his anger at the monster.

"Boom—"

Orca Monster could not be bothered to waste words. With a casual swing, it sent Thor flying dozens of meters as though swatting a mosquito, slamming him into a thicket.

Even though he had mastered the basics of Godhead Fist, the vast disparity in their physiques still left him completely unable to resist.

"Ant."

The monster spat contemptuously. Did this weakling really dare challenge it?

"**." Second Pillar rubbed his forehead and sighed. "He even dared provoke a Tiger-level Threat."

"Leave the evacuation to me." Mumen Rider rushed toward the thicket and found the blond, burly man with blood seeping from his forehead still muttering, "How dare a lowly monster offend a god."

Relying on the prestige he had built up over time, he quickly organized the surviving civilians.

"It's Mumen Rider!"

"The League of Heroes is here!"

Amid the excited shouts, there were even occasional cries of "Take pictures, quickly!"

This hero who always rode a bicycle had long won the affection of the entire neighborhood with his sincere heart—enthusiastic middle-aged women even often tried to set him up on dates.

"Maintain order and evacuate immediately!"

The civilians quickly calmed down. Under Mumen Rider's command, more than a hundred people armed with guns escorted the women and children away in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, Sasuke, who had been gathering strength, faced Orca Monster in a standoff.

A crimson glow flowed through his pupils as three black tomoe slowly spun, locking firmly onto every movement of the Tiger-level Threat.

"Hmph, the merciful Deep Sea King has already granted forgiveness, yet you still dream of escaping! In that case, remain here forever—"

Fire Release: Great Fireball!

Without the slightest hesitation, Second Pillar's fingers flew through hand seals. Chakra gathered in his throat and transformed into a blazing fireball that howled forward. Against the water-aligned Deep-Sea Clan, this C-rank ninjutsu was like pouring boiling oil over snow.

The heat waves rolled, warping even the air!

"This way! Hurry!"

The winding stream of people skirted scattered Deep-Sea Clan members and struggled toward central New York. Car engines and firearm ** were both forbidden—if they attracted a large tide of monsters, more than a hundred lives would be lost in an instant.

"Human trash spotted!"

A monster with the head of a crucian carp suddenly poked out from behind a wall. Its bulging eyes swept over the crowd as though appraising a delicacy.

"Oh no... Thor! Don't be impulsive, retreat immediately!"

The hairs on the back of Mumen Rider's neck stood on end. Behind his back, his hand frantically signaled for everyone to retreat. Fighting now would be no different from seeking death.

"Thor of Asgard has no word for retreat in his dictionary!"

The drunken Thor took up the opening stance of Godhead Fist and actually charged straight at the monster. The lesson from his previous crushing defeat and his companion's warnings were both thrown to the wind.

"How dare a lowly ** dare to attack—"

Instant Punch!

Thor used Godhead Fist for the first time in a life-or-death battle, yet his instinct as a god of war allowed him to punch precisely through Crucian Carp Monster's eyeball. His fist penetrated straight into its skull, and brain matter and blood dripped down his arm guard.

The God of Thunder, who could only be slaughtered when facing a Tiger-level Threat, had now killed a Wolf-level Threat with a single blow. Instead of making him sick, the sticky sensation ignited the fighting spirit that had been sleeping within him.

"Did you see that?! I ** killed it!"

Thor turned and raised his bloodstained fist high, laughing wildly. He wanted to prove to everyone that a true warrior should crush his enemies head-on!

"Something's wrong..." Mumen Rider's expression changed sharply. "We're surrounded!"

Mumen Rider's cheeks twitched as he swiftly assumed the opening stance of Godhead Fist. The armed civilians around them all turned their gun barrels, aiming in unison at Thor.

"Have you all gone insane? Your guns should be pointed at the enemy!" Thor roared.

"Look behind you," Mumen Rider warned in a grave voice.