Stark was discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. He had hardly stayed for twelve hours when, restive as a cat on a hot tin roof, he raced back to Stark Group's lab.
Tony Stark may not be adept at strategic politics, but he always had a touch of genius, fuelled by spontaneous inspiration and wit.
Instinctively, he felt that his imdiate priority was not hustling aimlessly among the crowds, but to retreat to the lab and construct his previously conceived Intelligent Battle Armour.
Common sense would suggest that every jailbreak is a result of advantageous machinations, but Stark believed the battle suit might be key to his plan.
However, just before he was ready to quickly get started, he received news from Pepper that Erik, the rcenary who had saved him previously, had arrived in New York and wanted to et him.
Upon hearing this news, Stark furrowed his brow.
People often say not to bind others morally to acts of selfless giving, and that heroes should receive rewards. Yet, people instinctively praise those heroes that seek no return and selflessly give.
Stark, struggling with a hero complex, was sowhat caught in this moral bind. When he wasn't leading by example, he would project his idealised hero onto others, and now that he truly intended to save the world, he unavoidably scrutinised others through a critical lens.
When Stark's astute mind began buzzing again, instinctively, he noticed things off about Erik.
Firstly, his appearance was coincidentally tid. Erik showed up as soon as Stark was attacked. But that wasn't the only thing; what raised Stark's suspicion the most was that at the ti, Erik appeared alone without any comrades in tow.
Yet, Erik wasn't a lone rcenary; he belonged to an organization. But his rcenary organization had no combat assignnts nearby, and their base was also quite far from here, so what was Erik doing here?
Secondly, after the second attack, he ran off, but then returned to save Stark, which was fine, a testant to him being a persistent good person.
But it was suspicious when he returned for the third ti. There was so conflict in his logic.
Based on Erik's scenario of leaving then returning, it suggested a high level of risk-aversion, opting for the safest course of action in extre circumstances. Hence, he chose to drive away and then return for rescue, rather than using his concealed weapon for on-the-spot combat and taking the risk of taking out the kidnappers.
Anybody would acknowledge that this third return ca with great risk. If Erik was willing to take risks, he could have chosen not to run at the beginning, but if he was truly risk-averse, why did he co back a third ti?
This contradictory behaviour raised Stark's alarm.
Of course, Stark still admitted that Erik saved him the first ti. However, once a negative impression is ford about sothing, it can significantly affect future choices.
After a mont of pondering, Stark said to Pepper, "Have him wait for in the reception room. I'll be there in five minutes."
Upon being escorted to the reception room, Erik ticulously concealed his disappointnt, playfully looking around with a curiosity.
He was sowhat nervous, initially thinking that he would be invited as a special guest directly into Stark's lab, only to find himself treated just like any other guest, waiting in the reception room.
But the Stark Group was impeccable with its etiquette. On one side, soone guided Erik on a tour, and on the other, soone served him champagne and cheese. A black departnt manager even stopped by to say hello, chatting with Erik about African customs, displaying profuse enthusiasm.
After entering the reception room, Stark imdiately gave Erik a big hug. He patted Erik on the shoulder, joyfully saying, "So glad you're back, I was wondering how I would find you in Afghanistan. I don't want to go back to that Godforsaken place. Is your rcenary organization okay?"
Erik imdiately put on a mournful, regretful look, shook his head, and said, "They're dead. Part of the reason why I returned to Arica is to investigate this."
"What happened?" Stark imdiately asked anxiously, "Who killed them? Are you hurt? Did you see the murderer?"
Erik shook his head again, he looked up at Stark and said, "I... I'm so sorry, Tony. I couldn't save you, but fortunately, you were saved in the end."
"However, I am sowhat relieved." Erik suddenly said, "If I had taken you with at that ti, I surely would have brought you back to our base. Had the enemy arrived then, I might have endangered you."
His words were sincere, and Stark sighed, patting Erik on the shoulder, before saying, "God bless you, my brother. You had a narrow escape".
"But don't worry, Erik, nobody can hurt you here. I'll protect you."
Erik seed a bit crestfallen, he turned and walked over to sit on the sofa, while Stark sat on the other side. He heard Erik say, "Thank you very much, but I can't stay here for long. They might be coming for , Tony. This could pose danger to you."
"What do you an?" Stark asked.
"I've ntioned before, I am from Wakanda, but I was exiled by my own kin, which led to becoming a rcenary," Erik covered his face, sighed deeply and said, "They're still unwilling to let go. I've already caused a lot of people trouble."
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