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Chapter 738 Iron Lad
Jamsil Indoor Stadium was already packed, the dense crowd making the Gymnasium as noisy as a marketplace.
Everyone was anticipating the upcoming performance, excitement and anticipation plastered on every face.
"Boom!"
First, a loud bang, followed by a slight tremor throughout the Gymnasium. The chattering crowd suddenly fell silent.
"Wh... What's going on?"
"Is it an earthquake?"
"Didn't receive an alarm?"
Unease spread through the crowd. With each guess uttered, the air pressure indoors seemed to drop a notch. It felt like any small movement could detonate the bomb of fear.
"Zzz Zzz!" The sound of the broadcast crackled to life, likely due to the earlier tremor causing static sound in the system.
"Emergency notice from the Earthquake Bureau. Seoul is expected to experience a minor earthquake. Please audience evacuate in an orderly manner. Please audience evacuate in an orderly manner."
A human voice announced in English first, then repeated in other languages. Only then did the crowd truly stir. A group of security guards, distinctly different in appearance, materialized at key points, directing the evacuation.
"Boom!"
The Gymnasium shook again. Even those who were initially disgruntled now voiced no complaint, heading towards the safety exit as directed.
In the chaos, no one noticed two figures, one large and one small, being guided by the security guards in a direction opposite to the evacuating crowd.
…
Unlike the chaotic but orderly audience seats, the staff area backstage was a scene of utter devastation.
The wall was riddled with fissures, furniture shattered and strewn across the ground. Hardly anything remained intact, as if a gale had swept through. But this gale seemed to originate from the Arctic, judging by the frost clinging to the ground and wall.
"Boom!"
Another deafening crash. The already battered wall finally succumbed, collapsing in a cloud of dust, obscuring the environment.
Suddenly, two figures burst from the smoke. One, slender and tall, was White Fox Han Yamei, searching for Tony Stark. The other figure was far from human in appearance.
Han Yamei landed gracefully, taking the opportunity to assess her enemy.
The humanoid creature was powerfully built. The black and white strips of cloth clinging to him identified him as the bodyguard who had been stationed at the doorway of the lounge. The only resemblance to his former self was his bald head.
Han Yamei exhaled sharply, the white vapor shooting out like an arrow. She was surprised to find that since the bodyguard had revealed his true form, the temperature of the space had plummeted, leaving even her feeling a chill.
'This must be a Frost Giant mentioned in the information.' Han Yamei's thought raced. She quickly connected the dots to the information recorded within the Divine Spear Bureau. Unfortunately, the Divine Spear Bureau had limited records on these creatures who rarely ventured out of their own world.
"Face me!" The Frost Giant gave Han Yamei no time to ponder. He roared, extending his right hand. The temperature in the house dropped further, and a giant axe formed entirely of ice materialized in his hand.
The Frost Giant bellowed a war cry, hefting the giant axe and charging towards Han Yamei. She narrowed her eyes, ready to counter.
"Buzz~ Boom!"
A white light flashed past Han Yamei, striking the charging Frost Giant directly. The Giant was sent sprawling to the ground, skidding a considerable distance from the impact force.
Han Yamei turned to see an armored human in gleaming gold and red standing behind her, right hand outstretched. Dazzling white light emanated from the right hand palm. It was clear the attack had originated from there.
"Tony Stark?" Han Yamei asked tentatively. The armored human lowered his right hand, and a sound, processed through a speaker, responded.
"I'm glad you didn't mistake me for the other Stark."
The flamboyant, self-assured tone could only belong to Tony Stark.
"Did you steal one from your Papa's toy box?" Han Yamei scrutinized the armor, then shook her head.
"No, Howard Stark wouldn't use such a gaudy color scheme."
"I prefer to call it fashion." Tony placed his hands on his waist. "This color embodies my style. Low-key isn't my thing."
"This battle suit is entirely my own design and research and development, from start to finish. That old timer couldn't create such a stylish design."
Since the concert and the business at school, Howard had tacitly allowed Tony to use his laboratory. Tony, taking it to heart, had abandoned all frivolous pursuits and dedicated himself to the laboratory, finally creating the battle suit before them.
His diligence stemmed from the fear of repeating those near-disasters. Once, he almost lost his girlfriend, and the second time, his dad. He had been lucky both times, narrowly escaping tragedy.
But Tony knew his luck wouldn't hold forever. He needed to be strong enough to handle any crisis. In this increasingly chaotic world, anything could happen. So, Tony decided to bring his battle suit wherever he went.
His foresight proved correct. He just hadn't expected danger to be lurking so close. If the agent from that Bureau hadn't warned him, he and Xue Xi might have already met a fatal blow.
'Looks like I'm still not careful enough.' Tony's expression behind the mask was serious, a stark contrast to his carefree words.
"Careful, that monster isn't down yet." Tony raised both hands this time, twin orbs of light beginning to coalesce, accompanied by a distinct charging sound.
"If I were you, I'd take cover!"
Han Yamei didn't hesitate. She swiftly ducked and rolled away from her position, clearing Tony's line of fire.
Watching the Frost Giant struggle to his feet, Tony smirked, a cruel curve to the corner of his mouth.
"Come on treasure, it's fireworks show time!"
"Boom!"
Two streaming light beams struck the Frost Giant almost simultaneously. The Giant, who had just managed to stand, was blasted away again. This time, even the giant axe slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
The giant axe, now separated from the Giant's control, shattered into ice crystals upon impact, like any ordinary ice. Its master fared no better, propelled by the immense impact force into the toilet next door.
(End of Chapter)
Jamsil Indoor Stadium was already packed, the dense crowd making the Gymnasium as noisy as a marketplace.
Everyone was anticipating the upcoming performance, excitement and anticipation plastered on every face.
"Boom!"
First, a loud bang, followed by a slight tremor throughout the Gymnasium. The chattering crowd suddenly fell silent.
"Wh... What's going on?"
"Is it an earthquake?"
"Didn't receive an alarm?"
Unease spread through the crowd. With each guess uttered, the air pressure indoors seemed to drop a notch. It felt like any small movement could detonate the bomb of fear.
"Zzz Zzz!" The sound of the broadcast crackled to life, likely due to the earlier tremor causing static sound in the system.
"Emergency notice from the Earthquake Bureau. Seoul is expected to experience a minor earthquake. Please audience evacuate in an orderly manner. Please audience evacuate in an orderly manner."
A human voice announced in English first, then repeated in other languages. Only then did the crowd truly stir. A group of security guards, distinctly different in appearance, materialized at key points, directing the evacuation.
"Boom!"
The Gymnasium shook again. Even those who were initially disgruntled now voiced no complaint, heading towards the safety exit as directed.
In the chaos, no one noticed two figures, one large and one small, being guided by the security guards in a direction opposite to the evacuating crowd.
…
Unlike the chaotic but orderly audience seats, the staff area backstage was a scene of utter devastation.
The wall was riddled with fissures, furniture shattered and strewn across the ground. Hardly anything remained intact, as if a gale had swept through. But this gale seemed to originate from the Arctic, judging by the frost clinging to the ground and wall.
"Boom!"
Another deafening crash. The already battered wall finally succumbed, collapsing in a cloud of dust, obscuring the environment.
Suddenly, two figures burst from the smoke. One, slender and tall, was White Fox Han Yamei, searching for Tony Stark. The other figure was far from human in appearance.
Han Yamei landed gracefully, taking the opportunity to assess her enemy.
The humanoid creature was powerfully built. The black and white strips of cloth clinging to him identified him as the bodyguard who had been stationed at the doorway of the lounge. The only resemblance to his former self was his bald head.
Han Yamei exhaled sharply, the white vapor shooting out like an arrow. She was surprised to find that since the bodyguard had revealed his true form, the temperature of the space had plummeted, leaving even her feeling a chill.
'This must be a Frost Giant mentioned in the information.' Han Yamei's thought raced. She quickly connected the dots to the information recorded within the Divine Spear Bureau. Unfortunately, the Divine Spear Bureau had limited records on these creatures who rarely ventured out of their own world.
"Face me!" The Frost Giant gave Han Yamei no time to ponder. He roared, extending his right hand. The temperature in the house dropped further, and a giant axe formed entirely of ice materialized in his hand.
The Frost Giant bellowed a war cry, hefting the giant axe and charging towards Han Yamei. She narrowed her eyes, ready to counter.
"Buzz~ Boom!"
A white light flashed past Han Yamei, striking the charging Frost Giant directly. The Giant was sent sprawling to the ground, skidding a considerable distance from the impact force.
Han Yamei turned to see an armored human in gleaming gold and red standing behind her, right hand outstretched. Dazzling white light emanated from the right hand palm. It was clear the attack had originated from there.
"Tony Stark?" Han Yamei asked tentatively. The armored human lowered his right hand, and a sound, processed through a speaker, responded.
"I'm glad you didn't mistake me for the other Stark."
The flamboyant, self-assured tone could only belong to Tony Stark.
"Did you steal one from your Papa's toy box?" Han Yamei scrutinized the armor, then shook her head.
"No, Howard Stark wouldn't use such a gaudy color scheme."
"I prefer to call it fashion." Tony placed his hands on his waist. "This color embodies my style. Low-key isn't my thing."
"This battle suit is entirely my own design and research and development, from start to finish. That old timer couldn't create such a stylish design."
Since the concert and the business at school, Howard had tacitly allowed Tony to use his laboratory. Tony, taking it to heart, had abandoned all frivolous pursuits and dedicated himself to the laboratory, finally creating the battle suit before them.
His diligence stemmed from the fear of repeating those near-disasters. Once, he almost lost his girlfriend, and the second time, his dad. He had been lucky both times, narrowly escaping tragedy.
But Tony knew his luck wouldn't hold forever. He needed to be strong enough to handle any crisis. In this increasingly chaotic world, anything could happen. So, Tony decided to bring his battle suit wherever he went.
His foresight proved correct. He just hadn't expected danger to be lurking so close. If the agent from that Bureau hadn't warned him, he and Xue Xi might have already met a fatal blow.
'Looks like I'm still not careful enough.' Tony's expression behind the mask was serious, a stark contrast to his carefree words.
"Careful, that monster isn't down yet." Tony raised both hands this time, twin orbs of light beginning to coalesce, accompanied by a distinct charging sound.
"If I were you, I'd take cover!"
Han Yamei didn't hesitate. She swiftly ducked and rolled away from her position, clearing Tony's line of fire.
Watching the Frost Giant struggle to his feet, Tony smirked, a cruel curve to the corner of his mouth.
"Come on treasure, it's fireworks show time!"
"Boom!"
Two streaming light beams struck the Frost Giant almost simultaneously. The Giant, who had just managed to stand, was blasted away again. This time, even the giant axe slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
The giant axe, now separated from the Giant's control, shattered into ice crystals upon impact, like any ordinary ice. Its master fared no better, propelled by the immense impact force into the toilet next door.
(End of Chapter)
