He stood before the gate. With a gentle push, the heavy iron structure collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Leon's decisive action stunned both Tony and Yinsen.
Before they could process what had just happened, a loud shout erupted from beyond the gate.
"Fire!"
At the command, a dense barrage of gunfire erupted all at once, bullets pouring out like a torrential downpour.
The earlier commotion inside the cave had already alerted the terrorist organization. Under the leader's orders, the group had lined up in the tunnel leading to the cave entrance, prepared to unleash every bullet they had. The moment the command was given, they fired without hesitation.
However, Leon's reflexes were faster than the gunfire.
His gaze swept the scene, and he instantly stepped forward to shield Tony and Yinsen behind him.
A moment later, countless bullets rained down, the sharp sounds of impacts echoing in rapid succession—but they failed to do even the slightest damage.
Each bullet, upon striking Leon, crumpled and dropped to the ground. Even the ones that struck his cornea were reduced to twisted scraps of metal.
At the same time, bullets ricocheted off the cave walls and floor, stirring up a dense cloud of dust that obscured all vision.
Amidst the swirling haze, the terrorists kept firing for over thirty seconds before their gunfire began to dwindle.
"Gibberish! Gibberish!" they shouted, assuming nothing could have survived such overwhelming firepower.
From behind the bend in the tunnel, the leader stood with arms crossed, peering into the smoky cave. After several tense seconds, he motioned for men to advance and investigate.
Everyone moved forward with confidence, certain they'd find only mangled corpses scattered across the cave floor.
But then, two scarlet points of light rose through the dust and smoke.
Those crimson lights burned with an intensity that sent a shiver of dread through the hearts of those who saw them.
"What is that? Bats?" someone murmured, confused.
No one responded. A second later, there were no more questions to ask.
The red lights brightened rapidly, then unleashed two devastating heat rays.
Thick beams of blazing energy cut through the tunnel like monstrous laser swords, sweeping from left to right. Every person in their path was cleaved in half at the waist, their bodies collapsing, scorched and lifeless.
The beams moved so swiftly, not a single terrorist had time to react.
In the blink of an eye, the entire front line was wiped out, their bodies falling in silence.
Those farther back only caught a glimpse of red light before they saw the people in front of them fall—severed and dead.
Shock froze them in place. Their minds went blank.
The bald leader was the first to regain composure.
"That… that's a laser weapon developed by Tony Stark!?" he gasped.
The thought filled him with shock—but certainty.
"Damn it! That's what he's been building all this time! We've been tricked!"
His declaration grounded the panicked minds of his comrades. Despite their fear, they started to make sense of the situation.
"As long as it's a weapon, someone must be operating it," the leader reasoned. "If we kill the person inside, the weapon becomes ours!"
He waved his hand. "Everyone, fall back! Use grenades to blast the cave! Kill Tony Stark!"
Greed gleamed in his eyes.
"I want that laser weapon. As for Stark—kill him, and we'll get our reward from Obadiah Stane!"
His confident speech calmed the group. His reasoning made sense.
No matter how powerful the laser weapon was, it still needed a user. Kill the user, claim the weapon.
They began to forget that earlier, no amount of gunfire had left a scratch on the figure inside.
With renewed purpose, they fell back and prepared their grenades.
Then, footsteps echoed from within the tunnel.
The sound was measured, steady—like one person walking at ease.
"Wait," the leader said, raising a clenched fist.
Everyone froze, slowly lowering their grenades, guns raised again. All eyes were on the corner of the tunnel.
Tap, tap.
The footsteps grew louder.
The leader smirked. "Tony Stark! You think you can escape with that weapon? You fooled me, but it doesn't matter. You're going to die today, and your little toy will be mine!"
"Oh? Is that so?" came a calm voice. "But my name isn't Tony."
The terrorists were taken aback.
They'd expected Stark—but instead, a tall, muscular man stepped into view. Barefoot, shirtless, wearing only long pants. His physique was imposing, his expression composed.
Who was this?
When did he get in the cave? How come they'd never seen him before?
WTF?
Confused curses echoed up and down the tunnel.
"Who the hell are you?! Where's Stark?" the leader demanded, his expression darkening.
The cave was unchanged—but the man who emerged was a stranger.
Had Stark already escaped? Had they been fooled all along?
Leon looked the leader dead in the eyes. "I am also Stark."
"You're Stark?" the leader growled. "Don't be ridiculous. Fire! Everyone, fire!"
The terrorists reacted quickly. Guns erupted once more, flame bursting from the muzzles.
But Leon didn't flinch. He let the bullets hit him as he continued his leisurely approach.
His enhanced mind reassured him—this place was no threat. He could stroll through it like it was his living room.
But the terrorists were in chaos.
They watched in disbelief as their bullets flattened against him, doing nothing.
He walked closer. Still untouched. Still unbothered.
Some terrorists cracked under the pressure, abandoning their weapons and fleeing.
"Ah! A monster!"
"Run!"
"Stop!" the leader shouted, drawing his pistol to shoot the deserters.
But two heat rays blasted past him—faster than he could react—and cut down the runners in an instant.
The leader stared, horrified, at the lifeless bodies of his comrades. Then he turned his gaze to the red-eyed figure approaching.
Leon's scarlet eyes glowed like something from the depths of hell.
"None of you—who call yourselves the Ten Rings—will leave this place," Leon said, his voice echoing like a death sentence.
Then the heat rays swept through the tunnel again.
In seconds, all resistance was gone. The silence was total.
Only Leon remained standing.
The leader, moments before death, looked into Leon's glowing eyes. Realization dawned—too late.
"That… that's not… a laser weapon…"
His lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
Leon shook his head and continued walking. "I told you—I am also Stark."
As he stepped out of the cave, three rocket-propelled grenades flew toward him.
"These Ten Rings guys really are persistent," Leon muttered. "After all that, they still have the nerve to fight."
He raised his right hand. Each RPG struck it in turn—and exploded harmlessly.
Flames engulfed him.
Then came more bullets. More grenades. The terrorists poured out every weapon they had.
But their expressions quickly froze.
From the inferno, Leon walked out—unharmed. Not even a tear in his pants.
He glanced around.
In an instant, he vanished—only to reappear at the entrance to the cave.
One by one, he twisted necks, dropping terrorists to the ground.
In mere seconds, the battle was over.
Leon clapped his hands and called into the cave, "Tony, Yinsen, it's done. Come on out."