Chapter Seventy-Six: The Age of Heroes

After taking care of the vampires, transforming the Dementors, and remodeling “Hogwarts,” Gu Zhongyan had been in high spirits these past two days—he practically felt as though the wind itself accompanied his every step. But perhaps the heavens themselves found his contentment intolerable; a midday news broadcast shattered his good mood in an instant.

“Breaking news, breaking news. According to reliable sources, at 3 p.m. local time, Tony Stark, chairman of Stark Industries, was attacked by terrorists while promoting military weapons in Afghanistan.

“The scene of the attack has been sealed off by U.S. military forces stationed in Afghanistan. Reportedly, all twelve security personnel have been killed; their bodies have been found, but Tony Stark’s whereabouts remain unknown.

“DNA analysis of the blood at the scene confirms that Tony Stark was injured in the attack. His fate remains uncertain, and no organization has claimed responsibility.

“Obadiah Stane, CEO of Stark Industries, has made a public statement declaring that the company will spare no expense in rescuing Tony Stark, urging investors and shareholders to maintain their faith in Stark Industries…”

Watching the emergency news bulletins flash across every television channel, Gu Zhongyan’s lips twitched in regret so bitter he could hardly contain himself. The elation he’d felt after reconstructing “Hogwarts” was now matched by a regret so deep he wished he could run straight to Kamar-Taj and borrow the Time Stone from the Ancient One to reverse the clock.

Tony Stark, the renowned Iron Man, savior of the Marvel Universe—who didn’t know his name? That first Iron Man film had pulled Marvel Studios back from the brink of bankruptcy, launching it into a decade-long golden age, while the character himself soared from a second-tier superhero to the crown jewel of Marvel’s pantheon.

The kidnapping in Afghanistan was the pivotal moment that launched Tony Stark’s superhero journey, the true beginning of Iron Man and the dawn of Marvel’s age of heroes.

Gu Zhongyan’s overwhelming regret was due to missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune. For any Marvel transmigrator, to have passed up the chance to buy Stark Industries stock during the sharp plunge that followed Tony Stark’s kidnapping would be shameful—an unmissable, risk-free investment. Naturally, Gu Zhongyan hadn’t wanted to let it slip by either.

He’d been keeping an eye on Stark Industries since first arriving in this world. Unfortunately, after three different worlds, no matter how good his memory was, he couldn’t possibly recall every pivotal date from the story. Especially since this world clearly blended more than just Marvel’s movies, with a timeline more chaotic and unpredictable than ever.

And so, it all unfolded while he was caught unprepared. Worse still, he had poured all his savings into “Hogwarts,” leaving himself with less than thirty dollars—insufficient even to enter the market. He could only watch helplessly as piles of money slipped through his fingers.

The thought of missing out on the easiest and most lucrative investment in the Marvel Universe nearly drove him mad with frustration. Damn that Obadiah—couldn’t he have made his move just a few days earlier?

For Gu Zhongyan, the mastermind behind these events, Obadiah Stane, was now public enemy number one.

As Gu Zhongyan brooded, debating whether he should sneak into Obadiah’s manor to hit him with an Avada Kedavra, or perhaps let a Dementor give him a “close encounter,” Nick Fury appeared.

In a discreet café, Nick Fury cast him a curious glance. “What’s the matter? This is the first time I’ve seen you look so grim. Has some crisis appeared in the mystical world?”

As he spoke, Fury narrowed his eyes and fiddled absentmindedly with the ring on his finger, lost in thought.

Seeing the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. looking as though he were contemplating the apocalypse, Gu Zhongyan forced down his annoyance and shook his head. “No, just a personal matter. But what brings you here? Another place that needs Muggle-Repelling Charms? Or is there something else you want me to do?”

Gu Zhongyan looked at him with faint hope.

He had no choice; a hero is powerless without money. Fury was his biggest client now. Without him, even if Danny handed him the entire Rand Corporation, Gu Zhongyan doubted he could scrape together a few hundred million in cash in the short term.

“You’re overthinking it,” Nick Fury replied, rolling his one good eye. Not only did he not have that many safe houses for Gu Zhongyan to enchant, but even if he did, he wouldn’t let Gu Zhongyan know the locations of them all. Unless something unexpected came up, their cooperation in this area was at an end.

Hearing this, Gu Zhongyan was a little disappointed, though not surprised. Deals worth hundreds of millions didn’t come around every day.

“I see. So what brings the ever-busy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. to see me today? Surely you didn’t just want to invite me for tea?”

Nick Fury folded his arms across his chest. “You’ve heard about Tony Stark’s disappearance, haven’t you?”

At the mention of Tony Stark, Gu Zhongyan’s frown deepened and regret surged anew. He snapped, “Of course! Every news outlet is screaming about Stark, Stark Industries, the stock market crash. Even a blind man could tell what’s happened.”

“So you came to me because of Tony Stark? Want me to help with the rescue? My rates are negotiable.” Gu Zhongyan’s eyes lit up; for a moment, the man across from him seemed to transform into a golden egg.

Under that burning stare, Nick Fury shifted uncomfortably and nodded. “That’s right. That’s the idea. With Tony Stark missing, Colonel Rhodes has officially requested S.H.I.E.L.D.’s assistance.”

“S.H.I.E.L.D. has a good relationship with the military. We’ve already decided to send agents to help with the search.”

“But it’s a barren wasteland out there. Finding Tony Stark, dead or alive, won’t be easy. I’m not entirely confident, so I wanted to know if you have any way to quickly locate him. Of course, if you can rescue him directly, all the better.”

Gu Zhongyan nodded knowingly. “No problem. Rescue mission, is it? Leave it to me.”

“But, you know, I’m a bit short on cash lately, so about the payment…”

“Stark Industries has already announced a twenty-million-dollar reward for Tony Stark’s rescue. If you bring him back, the money is yours—every cent,” Nick Fury assured him.

Gu Zhongyan considered for a moment. “Okay, though it’s a bit less than I hoped—but since we’re friends, I won’t push it. However, I don’t want cash. I want the equivalent value in stock, at the price when it bottomed out. Don’t try to trick me, understood?”