When Natasha and the others led the Widows into Dreykov's office, they found him already beaten to a pulp and bound like a pretzel by Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao's actions weren't exaggerated; Dreykov was too cunning and treacherous. Who knew what kind of self-destruct device he might have hidden on his person?
"Natasha, I specifically left him alive for you!" Qin Xiao said, pointing at the bound Dreykov lying on the floor.
"You're leaving him to us?" Natasha asked coldly, her eyes fixed on Dreykov.
Behind her, dozens of Widows surged forward, their faces contorted with hatred as they descended upon Dreykov.
Qin Xiao pulled Tony out of the office, letting them vent their fury. He also needed to give Natasha time to comfort these women.
"I just reviewed the files," Qin Xiao said, slumping to the floor with a sigh. "Since this organization was founded, they've been snatching girls from all over the world. At least 200,000 girls under twelve have been brought into the Red Room, but only a little over 6,000 have ever walked out alive."
Two hundred thousand, and that doesn't even include those who died in accidents on the way, or the many who were deemed defective by Dreykov and killed before entering the Red Room.
Even among the final group of over six thousand, fewer than three thousand remain today, including a few older widows like Melina.
Tony, uncharacteristically serious, asked with a solemn expression, "Where are they all now?"
"Scattered across the globe. Some are long-term assassins on standby, others are mistresses lurking around politicians and businessmen, successful female entrepreneurs, and some even hold important positions in government agencies. Take a look yourself!"
Qin Xiao handed him a tablet—Dreykov's control interface for the entire Red Room system.
This small device could not only directly operate the Red Room but also control the life and death of every Widow worldwide.
Because each Widow's control interface had a button labeled "Scrap."
Once pressed, the Widow, regardless of her location, would immediately commit suicide by any means necessary.
"That son of a bitch deserves the most brutal punishment in history!"
"What do you plan to do with them? S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Tony asked, casually placing the platform on the ground.
"Don't be ridiculous. I guarantee S.H.I.E.L.D. would just keep them doing these dangerous jobs. I mean recall all the Widows operating in the field!"
"Reverse their neurotoxin treatments. Give them a financial severance if they want to start new lives. Those who are homeless or choose to stay can maintain their current identities. We still need intelligence channels, Tony!"
Through these Widows, Dreykov had controlled a vast network of shell corporations and natural resources—a fortune that could perfectly fund this base and the future activities of the Widows who chose to stay.
"I'm not familiar with corporate matters. Find someone to handle remote management. Use the funds for this base and the Illuminati!"
In truth, this operation had been a massive success for both the Illuminati and Qin Xiao personally. Yet he still couldn't bring himself to feel truly happy.
Having decided to take control of the base, they couldn't remain in their current location. The group decided to have the Sky Base enter the Arctic Circle, then descend south from northern Greenland toward New York.
Of course, energy was a major concern. Previously, Dreykov's ground forces had regularly supplied power to the base.
Now, they would have to rely on Tony Stark's Arc Reactor.
It was ironic that his self-sustaining renewable energy plan hadn't yet been installed in the under-construction Stark Tower, yet it was already powering the Sky Base.
The Sky Base's speed was not impressive. Crossing half of Europe from Eastern Europe and then flying down from the Arctic Circle would take at least seven or eight days.
This was just enough time for Tony to slowly modify the energy system.
Meanwhile, Qin Xiao could use this opportunity to have Yelena and Natasha gradually recall the Widows from around the world.
With the Sky Base secured and Dreykov eliminated, both missions were complete.
The reward was 1,000 Points and a necklace.
The 1,000 Points were straightforward. Qin Xiao immediately used them to upgrade his combat suit.
The kinetic energy nullification ability proved invaluable, at least ensuring he wouldn't be sent flying so far if he was caught in a bomb blast mid-air.
If upgraded to the top tier, a shield like Captain America's that almost completely eliminates all kinetic energy and vibrations would be incredibly useful.
In reality, Qin Xiao's current attack power is sufficient. Most of his enemies are still on Earth, and the vast majority of the threats he faces are from conventional firearms.
After upgrading this, he'll only have 600 Points left. To enhance his combat skills further, he'll need another 800 Points.
He'll have to wait for the next time. For now, he'll look at that necklace again.
*Widows' Sweetheart!*
He wasn't sure if the System had designed it this way from the start, or if Qin Xiao's words had inspired it.
It was truly a black cord with a donut pendant.
The yellow part of the donut was made of a gem resembling a yellow diamond, while the chocolate glaze was crafted from an unknown black gem or crystal—Qin Xiao wasn't sure what it was.
While it wasn't unattractive, it was unmistakably a donut. As a straightforward guy, Qin Xiao hesitated.
On the back of the donut, the words "Black Widow" were engraved in English.
Wearing this was easy to explain, given his relationship with Natasha.
But...
"System, tell me, what exactly does this necklace do?"
"Look for yourself!"
The System displayed an interface for Qin Xiao.
**Widows' Sweetheart**
*A medal representing the liberation of all Widows from the Red Room. Wearing it grants the gratitude and loyalty of all Widows.*
"Whoa!" Qin Xiao gasped and quickly put it on.
Then he had a thought.
"System, wait a minute. Are you saying anyone who wears this can gain the Widows' loyalty?"
Qin Xiao had to clarify this. If he accidentally lost it, wouldn't Natasha be stolen away by someone else?
"Host, have you been playing too many games? Do you really think this is game equipment? You can think of it as containing a specific pheromone, like Dreykov's that prevents attacks."
"This necklace simply deepens the widows' gratitude towards you compared to others involved in the incident, thereby increasing their desire to repay you. That's all it does!"
"Damn it! Why couldn't you just tell me everything upfront instead of making me ask again!"
Though Qin Xiao grumbled, he was highly satisfied with the equipment. After all, most of these widows had no family or friends, and many lacked any semblance of a normal life.
Most didn't even know how to reintegrate into society. Qin Xiao didn't force them, trusting that the vast majority would willingly provide him with intelligence in secret.
This was exactly what Qin Xiao needed: a powerful intelligence network.
As Qin Xiao had predicted, after returning to Sky Base and being freed from control, most of the widows found themselves adrift.
Their entire lives had been spent training as spies and agents. Under the influence of Widows' Sweetheart, the overwhelming majority chose to continue working in espionage.
Their loyalty had shifted from Dreykov to Qin Xiao, and crucially, the danger they faced had decreased significantly.
They were no longer expendable.
After handling the affairs of the Widows, they transferred command to Natasha.
Four full days had passed, and the Sky Base's location had moved from Eastern Europe to the northern part of Greenland.
"Qin, the energy conversion is complete. I need to restart the entire power system. I recommend we land first—otherwise, we might run into some trouble!"
Tony had been working himself to death these past few days, renovating the laboratory, reconfiguring the energy system, reconnecting the power systems, and so on.
He even had to retrieve the crucial missing materials himself.
Finally, it was done.
The Sky Base would never need to scurry around for energy again.
Slowly, they landed on the ice-covered northern part of Greenland.
A few hundred meters away from the Sky Base, a circular shield shimmered faintly beneath the ice layer, glinting in the sunlight.
-----------------------
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