Walking through the experimental area, Richard also noticed Future Tony's confusion.
"I provide them with the necessary funds, housing, protection, and welfare, and all they need to do is complete their respective projects.
As long as a project is useful, reasonable, and potentially feasible, the Demon Group will provide ample funding, materials, and equipment.
At the Demon Group, no one will seize others' research results, no one will dictate, and they can fully unleash their talents.
In return, their research results will be harvested by the Demon Group, and they will also gain corresponding honor, power, wealth, and even life."
Richard explained.
Ant-Man listened with some envy; he even wanted to stay and work.
"…"
"Are you planning to build a Utopia, Richard?" Future Tony asked after a moment of silence.
"No, this is just a transaction, a mutual exchange; I give them what they need, and they give me what I want."
"What is the Longevity Potion?"
"A potion that extends life by ten years. Every researcher above Level 2 can purchase it on loan, with no interest, but it can only be used by their family members. It's a company benefit."
Ant-Man became even more envious. The price of a potion that grants ten years of life must be incredibly expensive, and here it could even be bought on loan.
"…"
"Can you sell me a few doses?"
Future Tony was also tempted and asked after a moment of silence.
"Of course, but aren't you going to keep up the act anymore? The other Tony Stark."
Richard smiled as he looked at him.
"No need. You must have noticed from the beginning."
Future Tony's helmet opened, revealing a face full of weariness.
His eyes no longer held their former youthful vigor, but rather confusion, exhaustion, and fear.
"Yes, didn't you search for my information online?" Richard asked, somewhat puzzled.
"No, time was too tight. I only had time to look at some major events."
"My ears can hear all the sounds in the World. Although I don't like this ability, it's undeniably very useful."
"…"
"This is also fake, right?"
Future Tony held up the Cosmic Cube in his hand.
"Exactly, just an empty shell."
Ant-Man also jumped off Future Tony and grew larger.
"Please, help us. We just need to borrow it for a few minutes, and we'll return it afterwards."
Ant-Man pleaded.
"Don't worry, I didn't say I wouldn't lend it to you. Let's go, there's someone here you really want to see."
The last sentence was directed at Tony.
Future Tony put away his nano armor, feeling a bit curious.
Someone he really wanted to see?
Pepper?
Or this World's version of himself?
Richard arrived at a laboratory and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Richard pulled open the door and gently pushed Future Tony from behind.
Ant-Man also tried to follow, but Richard blocked him.
Future Tony looked at the closed door behind him, then at the researcher with his back to him. Loki's scepter was placed in front of him.
"Just say what you need to say, I'm a bit busy right now…"
Howard was studying the materials of Loki's scepter.
Although the Mind Stone was gone, the scepter itself was a superconducting material that could amplify the Mind Stone's power, making it highly valuable for research.
Howard never thought he would have a day where he was broke. The items from the Demon Shop were too tempting: various high-tech products, Adamantium, Vibranium, dionysus factor, rejuvenation potions…
Considering the Demon Group had so many good things after only one year of establishment, what about the future?
Contribution points couldn't be exchanged for cash unless through one's own inventions.
The new energy reactor was a gift for Tony; his previous inventions were still relevant but not cutting-edge.
So, he could only sell himself to work for the Demon Group to earn money.
Tony, on the other hand, had many contribution points, but Howard had his own pride and wouldn't use Tony's contribution points.
Tony felt the researcher's voice sounded familiar, but he didn't pay much attention and slowly walked over to him.
"This is Loki's Mind Stone, it can emit powerful beams, its power is comparable to TNT, and most importantly… where's the orb?!!!"
Future Tony looked at the scepter without the Mind Stone, and his vision went black.
"What orb?"
Howard looked up at his side.
"Tony, you're back."
!!!
Future Tony looked at Howard's full face, his body weakening as he leaned against the lab bench.
Dad?!
His father in this World was still alive, but the age didn't match. Even if he hadn't died of old age, he should have been an old man by now.
His mind was in a jumble, various thoughts appearing: Is this a hallucination, or just a similar appearance, or is this whole World fake, and I've already died in outer space?
His ears buzzed, his eyes began to bloodshot, his heart pounded violently, and his vision started to blur.
Gasp! Gasp!
Future Tony gasped for air, barely leaning on the lab bench to keep from collapsing.
Just as his consciousness was about to plunge into darkness, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his arm.
Immediately after, a large hand gently patted his back, and a blurry voice came from beside his ear.
"Deep breaths, one, two, yes, one, two, think of happy things."
Future Tony followed the guidance and slowly calmed down, his vision gradually clearing.
"What did you inject me with?"
"Healing potion."
"Anxiety disorder, post-war psychological syndrome. What did you go through in the other World, Tony?"
Future Tony looked at Howard, whose eyes were full of worry, and took an uncomfortable step back, his gaze darting away.
"It's nothing really, just a small matter. I'll solve it soon."
Howard looked at Future Tony, who appeared even older and more exhausted than this World's Tony, and felt a pang of sadness.
He knew about parallel universes; the Demon Group even had beings from other parallel Universes.
Howard really wanted to know what this Tony had gone through to become like this.
Seeing that he didn't want to talk, he didn't press further.
"Is that so? What's this on your chest?"
Howard changed the subject, reaching out and gently tapping the device on Future Tony's chest.
"Mark 85 Nano Reactor. The energy source is the new energy you designed. Once activated, it quickly spreads to cover the entire body, forming armor, greatly simplifying the donning process and making transformations more free and flexible…"
Future Tony spoke volubly about this, even taking off the nano reactor and handing it over, like a child showing off a toy.
Howard listened quietly, occasionally asking questions about how Future Tony solved various technical problems.
Howard patted Future Tony's shoulder.
"You are even more outstanding than I imagined. In this regard, you have already surpassed me, Tony. I am proud of you."
"…"
Future Tony's eyes reddened.
His father had never praised him before.
"It's nothing, just some very simple small problems that can be solved with a few attempts. You could do the same."
In this aspect, the two Tonys were exactly alike.
Howard smiled slightly after listening, and returned the reactor in his hand. p1
Future Tony naturally took it and placed it back on his chest.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
The door opened, and it was Maria.
"Mr. Richard said I was needed here. Is something wrong, Howard?"
Future Tony looked at the young beauty with some confusion.
So familiar.
Maria was not as stubborn as Howard; she gladly accepted the gift from her son.
After all, almost no woman could resist the temptation of rejuvenation.
(p1, Tony's character never took things from others, but he took Howard's flower in Avengers 4.)
(To explain why this Tony is so easily broken, so I won't be accused of disrespecting the original work.
One: The difference in Worlds. They came here thinking it was the past, but it turned out to be a parallel World.
Two: Not a single Stone was obtained, and the plan to save the World had already failed.
Three: In the original work, when he went back to the past, he had some psychological preparation, knowing his father was still alive, and it was his father's workplace, so he might encounter him.
But in this World, he didn't.)
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