Chapter Fifteen: Finally Taking Action!

“Why didn’t you stop them? If I’m not mistaken, you have the power to do so!”

The moment he saw the two locked in fierce combat, Tony’s first reaction was to reproach Haoyun. Yes, you heard right—reproach!

Haoyun fell silent for a moment before answering, “Why should I stop them? That monster was made by the military! If they aren’t taught a lesson, they’ll never learn to respect power!”

His good mood soured. Why should he be the one to intervene?

The future he wanted to save was that of ordinary people, not General Ross’s. The defeat in the Avengers’ third battle had much to do with the failings of the U.S. government. If it hadn’t been for the Sokovia Accords, which split the Avengers across two fronts, gathering their full strength might have given them a fighting chance.

So, rather than letting them sow chaos unchecked, it was better they learn the true meaning of power.

“I’ve never spoken for the military. I shut down the weapons division simply to protect ordinary people,” Tony said, gazing deeply at him before activating his suit and launching himself into the fray. Twin energy blasts intercepted Hulk and Abomination’s attacks.

Haoyun said nothing, but he could sense the disappointment in Tony’s eyes.

But was he really wrong?

Defiant, he lifted his gaze to watch Tony’s predicament—only to find his eyes drawn involuntarily to the street.

There, countless screams of terror echoed—the aftermath of the battle between Obadiah and the Abomination. He had forgotten: the reason he’d lured Obadiah away from the school was to prevent harm befalling innocent students.

So why, with Abomination’s arrival, had he lost sight of his purpose?

He’d forgotten that a clash between Abomination and Hulk would wreak even greater havoc—cause more casualties.

“Out of my way, little ant!”

With a resounding smack, Tony Stark, who had just received word from Ross and risen to coordinate with Hulk against Abomination, was swatted back to the ground. He landed right at Haoyun’s feet. This time, the blow was so brutal that his faceplate caved inward.

“Jarvis! Maximum power! Fire the repulsor!”

Tony struggled up, bracing against the wall, chest reactor whirring at full capacity. Haoyun gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “Stand down. Leave the rest to me.”

“You... Are you sure?” Tony hesitated, shutting down the reactor and looking at him with doubt.

He had just witnessed Abomination’s strength firsthand. Having studied Haoyun’s micro-robots, he was certain Haoyun wouldn’t stand a chance against either of them.

Haoyun gave a faint smile. “My future uncle-in-law, you have no idea what the true power of the Potts family is.”

With that, he pulled a coin from his pocket—the change from buying bread at lunch—and flicked it upright into the air.

Level Five Electromaster ability surged. In a flash of blue sparks, his finger snapped.

“The lightning that dances at your fingertips is my undying faith!”

“Super Electromagnetic Cannon!”

The coin, carrying its initial velocity, entered the arc of electricity. Guided by magnetism, it vaporized into a bolt of blue light, shooting forth at ten times the speed of sound.

Abomination let out a howl of pain and looked down. A massive hole had been melted straight through his chest where his heart once was—no, to be precise, his entire heart had been vaporized.

“Hu...lk...”

Heartless, Abomination could no longer rise. He feebly reached a hand toward Hulk before collapsing in a heap.

Hulk cast a wary, almost fearful glance in Haoyun’s direction—didn’t even dare to roar—and bounded away across the rooftops. Say what you will about Hulk’s size or wit, some survival instincts are etched deep in the bone.

Beside Haoyun, Tony Stark stared at him in wide-eyed terror.

“A... a handheld superconductor railgun?!”

...

At S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Director, this is Coulson.”

“Coulson? Weren’t you assisting the military? The battle’s over already?”

“I hardly know how to say this. By the time I arrived, it was finished. According to General Ross, aside from Hulk and Abomination, Tony Stark in his suit and a man who fired an electromagnetic cannon with his bare hands were also present.”

“A handheld electromagnetic cannon? Coulson, are you dreaming?” Fury’s disbelief was palpable. The very idea was absurd—America’s latest electromagnetic railguns weren’t even ready for combat, and someone’s firing one by hand?

“It’s true. Abomination was killed by the electromagnetic cannon. There’s a massive hole melted in his chest—his heart is gone.”

Coulson’s tone was weary. He dreaded the possibility of Fury ordering them to apprehend the man. And with S.H.I.E.L.D., such things had happened more than once.

There was a long pause on the line before Fury finally spoke.

“Just help with cleanup. Make standard contact. Don’t ask questions. I’ll send someone to investigate.”

“Yes, Director.”

Coulson took a deep breath, straightened his collar, and walked toward Haoyun, who was supporting Stark.

...

“Stark, I’m Agent Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. We meet again.”

...

After the battle between Hulk and Abomination, all of America—especially Los Angeles—was gripped by fear for their safety. Protests and demonstrations erupted frenetically outside city hall.

At the White House, the President and Secretary of Defense met with General Ross, the mastermind behind Hulk’s creation.

“General, congressional approval ratings have dropped nearly ten points. The Super Soldier Program must be terminated. Otherwise, you and I are both out of a job!”

Without preamble, the President axed the Super Soldier Program.

“I understand.”

Surprisingly, Ross was calm—far from the hysterics they expected.

“Good. Tomorrow, I’ll issue a statement. You’ll step down to a secondary post and head the U.S. Security Council.”

And so, Ross was sidelined, left to shoulder the blame alone.

...

Backstage at Stark Tower’s press conference, Pepper helped Tony straighten his suit, a bandage on his face.

“Look at these headlines! Iron Man? My suit’s made of titanium alloy!” Tony grumbled.

Pepper rolled her eyes. “Is that the point? Look closer. You’re just a side note—the real hero is ‘Thunder Knight’!”

“That’s even worse! It was an electromagnetic cannon, not thunder! These journalists need to go back to college before they report again!”

Tony was clearly displeased. Why? Wasn’t it him who convinced Haoyun to step in?

Obviously, he credited all of Haoyun’s actions to himself.

Haoyun just munched on snacks in silence. After all, he’d be back in college tomorrow. As Tony put it, he was still young—just a student. The hero business could be left to Tony.

Coulson approached with a speech draft. “Here’s your script. Just read it on stage.”

Tony took it. “Let me see... Wait—are you planning to announce Haoyun’s identity?!”

Tony was furious. Haoyun stood up, frowning, and Pepper shot Coulson an unfriendly look. In an instant, the atmosphere in the dressing room grew tense, like a powder keg waiting to blow...