Happy hurriedly got up, walked to the door, and looked out through the peephole. The vigilance on his face instantly dissipated, replaced by a smile.
"It's the boss, he's here," Happy said with a smile, opening the door.
Outside the door, Tony Stark, wearing a suit of red iron armor, slowly walked in.
The surface of the armor still had a trace of dust; clearly, he had rushed all the way without any delay.
There was a serious expression on his face, his eyes were sharp, and a powerful aura emanated from him, completely different from his usual arrogance and banter.
Tony retracted his armor, revealing the black suit underneath, and walked over to Mavuika, his voice full of gratitude.
"Mavuika, thank you. If it weren't for you all, he would definitely have been in danger today."
"You're welcome, Tony," Mavuika said with a smile, her tone gentle.
Tony turned to look at Happy, sizing him up from head to toe.
"Do you know that attacker?" Mavuika asked.
Tony shook his head.
"No. Happy sent me a photo, and I had Jarvis check it. No identity records, no fingerprint files, nothing could be found."
He turned around and looked at Mavuika.
"But one thing is strange. That person's body could emit high temperatures and even self-destruct—this ability clearly isn't innate. It seems like some kind of... technology, or rather, some kind of biotechnology."
Thor stood up from the sofa and walked over to Tony.
"You mean someone used technology to create this kind of person?"
Tony nodded. "Yes, and it probably isn't just one or two. Judging by that person's physical characteristics, his abilities are stable, which means this technology is already mature. If someone is truly mass-producing these 'Super Soldiers'..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was obvious.
Loki put down his teacup, a sharp light flashing in his emerald eyes.
"Then this person's target isn't just you alone."
Tony glanced at him but didn't speak.
The living room fell silent for a few seconds.
Then, the television suddenly lit up.
A scene appeared on the screen: a man sitting in an ornate chair.
He wore dark robes and had ten large rings on his hands, each set with a different colored gemstone.
There were strange tattoos on his face, his beard was neatly trimmed, and a cold, chilling smile hung on the corners of his mouth.
"The Mandarin."
That was what he called himself.
"People of the United States..." the man's voice was deep and slow, like a venomous snake slithering through the grass.
"Greetings."
Thor frowned, looking at the face on the screen.
"Who is this?"
Tony didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the screen, and his fists had clenched at some point.
The Mandarin continued, "You live in a World full of lies and deceit. Politicians tell you 'all is well,' and the media tells you 'there is no danger.' But do you know the truth?"
He paused, the smile on his lips deepening.
"The truth is, you could die at any moment. In the supermarket, in the cinema, in your own home—as long as I wish it."
He stood up from the chair and walked toward the camera, his face filling the entire screen.
"Tony Stark, Iron Man, heh, you think you're something special, don't you? You think you can protect everyone?"
He chuckled softly, the sound cold and piercing.
"Then let's test it. Let's see if your armor can block my flames, and if your courage can save those who are about to die."
He took a step back and spread his arms.
"I am The Mandarin. I am the Destroyer of this World. Tony Stark—if you have the guts, come and stop me."
The image vanished, and the TV returned to its normal programming. A host was broadcasting the weather, completely unaware of what had just happened.
Tony stood there, watching the TV screen, his expression shifting from shock to anger, and from anger to coldness.
Fire was Burning in his eyes.
"Jarvis." His voice was low, but every word was as sharp as a knife.
"I am here, sir."
"Did you trace that signal just now?"
Jarvis was silent for a second.
"The signal went through multiple layers of encryption and hops; the source cannot be located. However, based on signal characteristic analysis, this was a pre-recorded broadcast sent simultaneously through multiple satellites. At least three hundred television stations worldwide have received this video."
Tony punched the wall.
Loki sat on the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his emerald eyes shimmering with the light of contemplation.
"Mr. Stark," he began, his voice calm, "do you know this man?"
Tony took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"No, I've never heard of any 'Mandarin'."
"However... the pattern on his clothes looks a bit familiar, like the one used by the people who kidnapped me back then..."
"Then his goal is very clear." Loki stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the night.
"He is indeed your enemy, but he likely wants more than just revenge. He wants to use you as a stepping stone to announce his existence to the whole World."
He turned around and looked at Tony.
"What people like him fear most isn't failure, but being ignored."
Tony's brow furrowed. "What are you trying to say?"
Loki smiled, his grin carrying a hint of the cunning unique to the God of Mischief.
"He wants you to go looking for him, right? He wants you to chase him all over the World, to have all your attention focused on him."
He paused.
"So, why not do the opposite?"
Tony looked at him.
"Let him come to you."
The living room was silent for a second.
Tony's eyes slowly lit up. "You mean..."
Loki nodded. "Make this address public. Just stand right here and tell him—'I'm not going anywhere. If you have the guts, come here.'"
Thor slapped his thigh. "Great idea! Let them come to us, so we don't have to go looking!"
Tony looked at Loki, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
It was a classic Tony Stark smile—a mix of adventure, madness, and an almost boyish excitement.
"Your Highness Loki," he said, "I'm starting to like you a little."
Loki bowed elegantly. "My honor."
Tony immediately turned to the empty air of the living room. "Jarvis, did you hear that?"
"I heard, sir. Are you certain you want to make the Villa's address public? This could pose a significant security risk."
Tony laughed. "Risk? Jarvis, you've forgotten one thing."
"What is that, sir?"
"I've never been afraid of risks. Only with risk comes reward."