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How should Ivan Vanko be dealt with?
For Limulu, his existence was actually a major variable.
In today's battle, he had fully demonstrated his talent and ability—especially the Crimson mech technology—which would inevitably attract the covetous attention of various factions.
No matter who obtained him, it would not be good news for Limulu.
Now, Limulu was also a shareholder of Stark Industries. Although only a minor one, she had experienced both its glory and humiliation alongside Stark Industries.
Whoever Ivan cooperated with would inevitably lead to the leakage of reactor technology, which would in turn affect Stark Industries' stock price and cause unimaginable losses for her.
To Limulu, Ivan's existence was like a ticking bomb.
Her first instinct was to kill him—but then she laughed and shook her head.
She wasn't a bad slime!
To be honest, Limulu had never killed anyone before!
This wasn't the kind of attitude associated with a saint like the Virgin Mary, but rather, Limulu didn't actually dislike Ivan. In fact, she somewhat admired him.
She didn't know what Ivan Vanko was like in the comics, but in this CU universe, his only "crime" might be that he was Tony Stark's enemy.
She even felt a trace of sympathy for him.
Ivan and Tony had almost identical backgrounds. Their fathers were both great scientists who jointly contributed to the invention of the arc reactor.
However, due to ideological differences, Howard Stark directly fired Anton Vanko, causing him to live in poverty and depression until he eventually died of illness in a low-rent building.
Ironically, Howard fired Anton because he didn't want the reactor technology to be used for military or commercial purposes.
Even more ironically, Howard's son, Tony Stark, ended up doing everything Howard had once opposed.
If one insists on calling humanoid armor "high-tech prosthetics," then Limulu had nothing to say.
The story of Iron Man was set during the Cold War, when the Soviet "Black Bears" were constantly engaged in routine operations.
To be honest, Limulu actually appreciated Ivan Vanko's talent.
When Ivan built his reactor in that small, shabby house, his conditions were not necessarily any better than Tony's in the Afghan cave.
Scientists are not rare—but genius scientists are.
In the Marvel universe, collective intelligence doesn't matter much; the role of genius is overwhelming.
Killing him like this would be such a waste.
Recruit him?
For Limulu, who was used to taking things from the rich to help herself, running a business or working hard held no appeal.
It wasn't interesting enough—and throwing him away would be a waste.
Using Ivan to deal with Justin Hammer? That idea wasn't bad.
Hammer himself was mediocre but ambitious—he had simply chosen the wrong opponent.
If Ivan were handed over to Hammer, he would surely use Hammer's resources to continue his revenge against Tony.
After Ivan inevitably failed again, Hammer would also be dragged down into the abyss.
Then Limulu could take the opportunity to acquire shares in Hammer Industries' major stakeholders.
That actually sounded pretty good.
Now that Ayla was so skilled at stock trading, Limulu could simply be a hands-off owner.
Thinking of this, Limulu couldn't help but smile.
A portal quietly opened, and she appeared directly inside an equipment room in a hospital with no surveillance.
Using mirror-space-like abilities, she casually walked into Ivan's ward under the watch of various hidden guards.
In fact, Ivan Vanko wasn't seriously injured. He was still in the hospital mainly because too many factions were monitoring him.
Under mutual restraint, no one dared act rashly, and a stalemate formed.
As for Ivan himself—who cared?
With a toothpick in his mouth, Ivan felt a slight pain, but it was within expectations.
He had already studied both the Mark series and the Crimson mech, fully aware of the gap between them. A surprise attack might kill Tony, but a direct confrontation had almost no chance of victory.
Yet he still came without hesitation.
As long as he leaked the reactor and Crimson mech technology, Tony Stark would lose no matter what.
Even though he had expected all this, he still felt uncomfortable when it actually happened.
No one liked the feeling of being controlled by others and unable to control their own fate.
At that moment, Ivan suddenly noticed a crimson "circle" appearing in the ward.
Before he could react, something wrapped around his body—and he was dragged into the fiery ring along with the wreckage of the mech.
After being pulled through, Ivan asked in shock:
"Where is this?"
Judging from the surroundings, the interior was luxurious—clearly a rich person's residence.
Definitely not a hospital.
In an instant, he had been transported from a hospital to an entirely unknown place.
What did this mean?
The fiery circle reminded him of many things.
Was this his doing? What was he planning?
Ivan's thoughts raced, filling him with an eerie sense of unease.
This world was far more mysterious than he had imagined.
Then he heard a voice filled with resentment:
"Wade Wilson, aren't you the so-called best mercenary? I don't care what method you use—bring Ivan Vanko to me, and the $100,000 is yours!"
"$100,000?"
Wade's voice trembled:
"Do you know who I am? I'm Wade, a battle-hardened special forces operator. I've fought in hundreds of battles. And you think I'll do this for $100,000? Are you joking?"
Hearing their conversation, Ivan immediately understood where he was.
Justin Hammer. The mercenary Wade. Hammer Industries.
And that mercenary… talks way too much.
Then the price was raised.
"110,000 dollars. That's final."
"Deal!"
Ivan was speechless.
He had definitely met two idiots.
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"With Justin Hammer's intelligence, you should have no problem competing. With Hammer Industries' resources, you can stand on equal footing with Tony Stark."
"Have you ever thought about defeating Tony in the field he is most proud of? For example… becoming a 'superhero' and surpassing Iron Man himself?"
Ivan raised his eyebrows.
What did that mean?
Make him a superhero… and defeat Iron Man by surpassing him?
What a ridiculous international joke.
Yet… for some reason, he felt a strange excitement rising inside him.
Wait.
What was this voice in his head?