The Quantum Woman and a Conversation with Tony

Resigned, he picked up the tablet to order. Half an hour later, the two who had gone hungry all day finally got their dinner.

Peter howled in pain while stuffing his mouth full of food. The poor kid had really been put through the wringer!

"Didn't you say yesterday that the Ancient One was deliberately playing dumb for someone's benefit? How was she able to save you today?" Lin Yi waited until the two had nearly finished eating before asking.

Strange swallowed his food and poured himself a glass of water. "Yes, we were right. The Ancient One really was putting on an act. But she doesn't need to act in the Dark Dimension, because the vast majority of those watching aren't paying attention to it."

There was no need to ask who those watchers were. They were the ones outside Blue Star who kept the planet under constant observation.

"We can draw a few conclusions now. The Cosmic Virus is connected to the Dark Dimension. When I entered the Dark Dimension today, I became infected with it."

Strange raised his arm. "But when I left the Dark Dimension, the virus vanished on its own."

"It felt as though it was suddenly stripped away. That must have been the virus isolation technology this Blue Star possesses."

"Also, the Ancient One taught me a spell that can block most of the eyes watching Blue Star, though it can't keep out observers from higher dimensions or those looking on a deeper level."

"But that should be enough. Combined with this universe's virus isolation technology, it should at least let us restore our universe to normal."

In their own universe, Lin Yi and Strange could barely sense anyone watching Blue Star, though that didn't necessarily mean there were none.

It was simply much better in that respect than the universe they were currently in.

"Sounds like you learned quite a bit today, too, but I don't think we should get too optimistic." Lin Yi digested the information Strange had brought back.

There wasn't much information, but it was useful. It seemed all they needed now was to obtain the virus isolation technology.

Still, Lin Yi saw some less encouraging implications. From what they knew, the isolation technology could only protect Blue Star. How were they supposed to extend it to the entire universe?

"The way I see it, the Cosmic Virus is no longer something the Dark Dimension alone could have produced."

"It might be connected to the Dark Dimension, sure, but I think the Dark Dimension is more like a breeding ground for it. Or maybe even a springboard."

"In short, stay skeptical, stay alert, and don't get too optimistic..."

Strange murmured his agreement. He had long since prepared for the worst.

"I understand everything you're saying. In fact, that's what I think, too. What about you? Did you make any progress today?"

Faced with Strange's question, Lin Yi thought for a moment and decided not to mention Morgan Stark.

"I didn't learn much today, but I've made contact with this universe's Tony. I'll go see him tomorrow. We should get something conclusive out of it."

"If everything goes smoothly, it won't be long before we get information on the isolation technology, or even the equipment itself."

Strange let out a small sigh of relief.

"That's good. Peter and I are taking tomorrow off. We really can't handle any more of this."

"Tomorrow... we're counting on you."

They really couldn't handle any more. Given the state they were in, Lin Yi could understand.

"Rest up tomorrow. We're nearly done here. But Strange, while you're resting, you can think about how we're supposed to get home." Just bringing it up set Lin Yi's teeth on edge.

The Ancient One had given them one-way tickets and left them to figure out the return trip themselves. What a joke!

Still, given that old riddler's habits and way of doing things, the three of them probably had some way to get back. Otherwise, she was unlikely to have sent them off without making preparations.

...The night passed without incident.

The next day, Strange and Peter slept until noon. By the time they woke up, Lin Yi had already left the hotel.

Arriving at Stark Tower... Morgan Tower, Lin Yi scanned the building and found Tony already in the same workshop as yesterday.

The surveillance system detected Lin Yi's arrival, and Tony waved straight at him with uncanny precision, even through the floors between them.

Was that his cue to head straight up?

Lin Yi started upstairs, feeling a little puzzled. He hadn't seen Morgan anywhere in the tower.

Knock, knock!

Once he reached the top floor, he knocked politely on the door. "Come in!" came a voice from inside.

Old geezer. Getting him to say "please" was apparently like asking him to die.

Rolling his eyes, Lin Yi walked in.

The lighting was dim, and the room's layout was simple: a single sofa, a workstation made up of several monitors, and a cabinet with a few decorations behind it.

The cabinet was stocked with liquor, while Tony sat behind the workstation.

"What's with the dim lighting? Cosplaying as Batman?" Lin Yi sauntered over to the workstation, dragged over a chair, and sat down with his legs crossed, showing absolutely no regard for manners.

Tony ignored Lin Yi's behavior.

"Based on the photo you showed Morgan yesterday and what you told her, you know the Quantum Woman, don't you?"

"The woman hiding under a cloak with only a little of her hair showing."

Oh? Straight to the point, then? Lin Yi chuckled. "Old geezer, aren't you ashamed of eavesdropping on your daughter while she's making friends?"

Lin Yi admitted he couldn't help himself. He just didn't feel right unless he took a couple of jabs at Tony.

The corner of Tony's mouth twitched as he tried hard to ignore Lin Yi's mockery.

Seeing that Lin Yi wasn't denying it, he pulled over a screen and pointed at the object displayed on it. "Do you recognize this?"

"Hm?" Lin Yi tilted his head flippantly, then his expression gradually grew serious, and his leg stopped bouncing.

Sure enough, whether she was the kind older girl Morgan had mentioned or the Quantum Woman Tony was talking about, he could now confirm that she was the person who had stopped him in the Quantum Realm.

On Tony's screen was the Icosahedron that the so-called Quantum Woman had given him.

"Why call her the Quantum Woman?" Rather than answering Tony's question, Lin Yi asked one of his own.

Tony frowned, but explained anyway. "Because JARVIS couldn't detect any equipment on her that would let her enter the Quantum Realm, yet she can go in and out whenever and wherever she wants. She wouldn't tell me her name, either, so that's what I've been calling her for now. Got a problem with that?"

"...No problem. The Quantum Woman works. It's pretty fitting."

"All right, quit changing the subject. Do you recognize this thing or not?" Tony tapped the screen.

Meeting Tony's questioning gaze, Lin Yi shook his head.

"No, I don't recognize it, and I don't know what it actually is."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Tony's eyes.

"But while I don't recognize it, I do have one..." Lin Yi reached out, opened his separate space again, and pulled out a metal object.

He opened his palm, revealing the Icosahedron the Quantum Woman had given him.

"You little... Could you finish your sentences in one go...?" Tony's brow twitched as he stared fixedly at the Icosahedron hovering above Lin Yi's hand without any external force holding it up.