Looking at the shield—one that held enormous significance, identical to the one he kept in his own home—the slightly balding man almost immediately recognized the frozen figure.
Though he tried to remain composed, the frigid air caused his voice to tremble slightly.
"Start digging immediately!"
Under the direction of S.H.I.E.L.D. senior agent Phil Coulson, a massive excavation operation began to recover the person trapped beneath decades of ice.
Soon, the frozen body was carefully lifted onto a jet and transported to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters with maximum security and utmost secrecy.
The circular shield emblazoned with the star emblem was also retrieved.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Arctic—Antarctica—a shadow streaked across the sky.
The area beneath the ice cave entrances connecting the surrounding labs had been converted into a temporary resting area.
"Looks like we've got a new arrival."
Tony Stark lounged comfortably on a sofa, sipping cheap red wine, when a sudden gust of cold air blew through an overhead opening, making him shiver.
Two figures appeared before him.
"Wait, there's a trash can over there—don't spit on the floor…"
"Ugh… vomit…"
"Alright, too late for that. Just remember to clean it up afterward!"
Tony waved his hand in front of his nose, attempting to ward off the smell. Yet the nausea lingered, and the wine he had just brought to his lips tasted flat and bitter.
"Buzzkill."
A little frustrated, Tony muttered a complaint and turned back toward the lab—but then heard Peter calling from behind:
"Wait, here you go!"
"Huh? This looks… familiar."
Tony barely had time to turn before catching the bottle of expensive wine Peter tossed at him.
But as he examined it, his smile vanished.
"Yep, took it from your villa. No need to thank me!"
"Damn it, you thief…"
Ignoring Tony's sudden pale expression, Peter led the recently vomiting Professor Connors into a laboratory sealed behind a massive metal door, weighing several tons.
With a single hand, Peter effortlessly swung the nearly ten-ton door open, then ushered Connors inside.
"Wait… you're going to study that green monster? Can I join? I've dabbled in biology a bit…"
Through the gap in the door, Tony saw a massive green figure. Forgetting about the ruined wine, he couldn't help but feel curious about the research.
"Sorry, but you can only join if you promise never to leave this place for the rest of your life," Peter said, closing the heavy metal door from the inside.
"Never leave…? That's impossible!"
Tony could hardly accept such a condition. Less than two weeks in, he already missed his luxurious villa, his massive bed… and of course, the glamorous women.
"But what exactly is that mysterious green creature they're studying?"
Shaking off his thoughts, Tony couldn't help but be intrigued by the hulking figure inside the secret lab.
"Professor Connors, I'm sure you're very familiar with this, right?"
Peter pointed toward the frozen green giant.
"Of course I am… it's because of that familiarity that I nearly lost everything…" Connors replied bitterly, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. He had no choice but to blame his own greed.
"You lost everything—your career, your chance at regrowing your arm. Are you really willing to accept that?" Peter asked calmly.
"Willing? What choice do I have?" Connors muttered.
"Decades of my research data were confiscated. Even if I start over, I may not have the time or funding to continue," Connors admitted.
Peter spoke slowly, extinguishing the last flicker of hope in Connors' eyes.
"However… I believe you can contribute to a far greater project."
Peter turned his gaze to the frozen green giant, his tone dripping with temptation.
"This is a monumental project. Not only can it restore your lost arm, it can grant unmatched strength… even immortality. A project worthy of history itself."
At that moment, Peter seemed to transform into a charismatic mentor, patiently guiding Connors.
"And what do I have to give in return?"
Every great achievement comes at a cost. Connors had suffered utter failure and understood that nothing comes free.
"Your brilliant mind… and just a touch of freedom."
"Then… what's the name of this project?"
Connors barely hesitated—he knew he couldn't refuse a being of Peter's caliber.
"It doesn't have a name yet. But once you fully explore this body's secrets, I may assign you another project…" Peter said, eyes glinting mysteriously as he looked at the frozen green giant.
"Have you discovered the secrets hidden within this body?"
Connors gazed at the muscular figure, eyes burning with desire. This was the key to human immortality.
Another project… what is that?
Immortality—something every human dreams of.
Yet Peter's mention of a second project only deepened Connors' curiosity.
"Something… terrifying… even destructive…" Peter hinted, hesitating briefly, leaving an air of mystery.
Tony Stark: Thanks to generous donor [gs200000]. If you ever visit the Marvel Universe, I'll give you 10% of my assets and a full MK50 armor set. Let's take on Thanos together!
Chapter 37: A Gaze from Asgard
"Hmm, we'll discuss that other project later."
"Your task for now is to uncover all the secrets of this body."
"In short, Professor Connors, this lab is now under your control. Do not let anyone in. If someone tries to force their way in, call me immediately."
This lab was extremely important to Peter, so he was meticulous in his instructions.
"By the way, if you need any equipment or materials—even the Statue of Liberty itself—I can have it delivered immediately."
Peter walked slowly to the metal door and opened it again with one hand, leaving it ajar for Connors' future access.
"Damn… I, a billionaire, one of the world's greatest scientists, have sunk to such a level."
As Peter opened the door, he overheard Tony muttering to himself while cleaning.
Ignoring Tony's complaints, Peter left Connors behind and gracefully lifted off, defying gravity.
"Hey! He left the door open!"
Tony continued cleaning, occasionally stealing glances at the frozen creature inside the lab.
"Tony Stark… remember, no one except Professor Connors is allowed in this lab. Trespassers enter at their own risk."
Just as Tony's curiosity tempted him to sneak a peek, Peter's stern warning shattered all his plans.
Whoosh!
The metal door closed with a faint sonic boom.
"What on earth is he making Connors do in there?" Tony wondered, watching Connors set up his experiments.
"Huh? Is someone watching me?"
As Peter sped home, he suddenly sensed he was being observed. He halted mid-flight, scanning the area with super-vision, then looked skyward.
"If it's not a satellite… what is it?"
Almost instantly, he ruled out surveillance via human technology.
"Could it… be… the bald guy?"
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