The experience gained from defeating the Iron Monger was far more than Finney Hellseg had imagined. In his mind, the Iron Monger's strength was at most comparable to Mordo, only with greater destructive power.
This was based on the special advantages of being able to fly, having ample weapons, and high defense; otherwise, Mordo's skilled teleportation techniques would have easily defeated him.
After all, it was an improved version of the Mark I, so its strength was ultimately limited. However, even this Iron Monger gave Finney Hellseg nearly one-tenth of his experience. If Mordo, the "experience baby," were used as a unit of measurement, that would be more than thirty Mordos.
In other words, if he encountered seven or eight more Iron Mongers, he could draw skills again.
Finney Hellseg couldn't understand this situation.
Was the Iron Monger very strong?
Although Finney Hellseg felt it wasn't weak, it might not be that strong either. At least in his expectation, the experience gained shouldn't be this much.
"Could it be because I killed him?"
Finney Hellseg thought silently for a moment.
He had been in the Marvel Universe and had obtained the system for more than ten years. After so much research, he increasingly felt that the system was like a leveling-up system in a game.
He fights monsters, gains experience to level up, then acquires skills to become stronger, then fights monsters again to level up...
So, the reason he gained less experience before might be because he didn't eliminate the 'monsters,' hence the lower experience gain. This time, he eliminated them, so the experience increased!? Finney Hellseg thought of the Ancient One again. She said she had too much influence on this world, yet she didn't allow herself to be controlled by power. Could that be the reason!?
Finney Hellseg couldn't get an answer to this question. At least the Ancient One probably wouldn't tell him. And, if killing enemies really did grant more experience, would he choose to kill? Although when he was young, to test the method of gaining experience, he had secretly killed some animals, from ants to chickens and fish, intelligent life was different.
Killing people just to gain experience doesn't align with the values he's cultivated in both his past and present lives.
Obadiah was merely an accident; he hadn't thought much of it at the time, only that he didn't want Obadiah to escape. Besides, it's still uncertain whether Obadiah is truly dead; perhaps he's a villain destined for greatness, and some accident might have caused him to survive.
Moreover, all of this is just speculation. There's still one thing he doesn't understand: the experience seems to have been gained shortly after the avalanche buried Obadiah; that time shouldn't be enough to kill him outright.
Regardless, Finney Hellseg made his decision.
Let nature take its course!
He wouldn't let the other go out of pity, nor would he intentionally kill him for experience, at least not now. He hasn't reached the point where he'd stop at nothing to become stronger.
If that day truly comes, he can consider doing such things then.
Having figured things out, and with a large sum of experience points, Finney Hellseg was instantly delighted, and there was also a high probability of acquiring a full set of Iron Man-themed experience items.
He refused to believe that after rescuing Pepper and fighting alongside her, Tony would refuse if he were asked to test the performance of the future Mark series of armors! Filled with anticipation for the fifth skill, Finney Hellseg drifted off to sleep, completely unaware that Coulson was nearly bald from worrying about finding out his identity.
…
"Miss Potts, please forgive my rudeness, but I have something very important to discuss with you regarding Mr. Stark."
After much effort, Coulson finally found Pepper, who had just returned home from Rhodes's place; this was the most direct way he could think of to understand the situation.
"I'm very sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean." So
much had happened that day, leaving Pepper exhausted. She had finally finished her work, finished her call with Tony, and was just about to rest when Coulson showed up at her door.
"Our investigation revealed that you and Mr. Stark were both at the company today, but no one noticed when you left,"
Coulson asked politely. "Also, do you have any information about the three armored men who appeared at your company tonight?"
"We left quite late, so the security guards probably didn't notice us. As for the three men you mentioned, I'm not sure. I'll have someone gather some information for you tomorrow." Pepper's expression was somewhat unnatural, as she didn't lie often. As a seasoned agent, Coulson could tell at a glance that Pepper wasn't telling the truth, but this also meant that Pepper did know something.
"Miss Pepper, you know we mean no harm,"
Coulson said with a benevolent, fatherly expression, trying to gain Pepper's trust. "I just want to understand the situation first, so I can be prepared for anything bad."
"It's Tony inside the armor, right?"
Coulson suddenly asked.
Pepper's pupils contracted, and her small hands unconsciously clenched tighter. This didn't escape Coulson's observation; he was now basically certain that Tony had developed something new.
"I don't know, Tony is resting at home right now," Pepper tried to appear natural, then said apologetically, "It's getting late, I need to rest. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"I'm sorry to bother you, goodnight!"
Coulson didn't linger; he didn't want to make things too awkward, and besides, he had already obtained some important information.
Once outside, Coulson immediately called Nick Fury: "Sir, we've confirmed that one of them is indeed Tony, and he's back safely. Looks like we've won."
"What about the other two?"
"One of them, according to the information we've gathered, is very likely Obadiah Stane, and he's currently missing; nobody can find him. As for the last one, I'm sorry, sir, we haven't gathered any information about him yet." "
However, I think Tony and his assistant, Pepper Potts, should know his identity."
"I don't care what you think, I only need results!"
Nick's voice was unwavering, making the already thinning Coulson even more worried.
"Yes, sir, please give me a little more time."
Hanging up the phone, Coulson sighed softly. If Pepper wasn't working, he'd have to find the remaining one.
"Sir, someone's looking for you outside!"
In the studio, Tony, who had just finished a major battle but was still working, heard Jarvis's report.
"Who is it?"
Tony asked without looking up.
"The other party's identity information is classified and cannot be found online."
Hearing this, Tony finally looked up and saw Coulson smiling at the monitor in front of the door. His balding head reminded him of Coulson's identity.
"Is it... what's that agency again?"
Tony tapped his finger in the air, ultimately not saying the name S.H.I.E.L.D., but he knew this organization seemed unusual, because Finney Hellseg had said earlier that he didn't want to contact them for the time being.
Tony noticed the word "for the time being," which meant he didn't want to contact them now, not that he wouldn't.
Read 15+ chapters ahead at p4treon...
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)