After Carl finished speaking, his figure vanished.
『Tony Stark』: Superman…?
Tony looked around the office in surprise, calling out softly as he stood up.
But after searching the room, he realized Carl was truly gone.
Recalling the last thing Carl had said, Tony frowned slightly.
"Send them away?"
What did that even mean?
Could it be… Carl went outside Stark Tower?
Thinking this, Tony turned toward the surveillance monitors.
But
Across more than a dozen camera feeds, there was no sign of Carl anywhere.
He switched the view to other cameras — first the front gate, then the rear exits.
Still nothing.
Even the first-floor feeds showed no trace of him.
Hmm…
Carl wouldn't have gone down to the lobby.
His goal was to "send those people away," right?
『Tony Stark』 (muttering): Where did Carl go…?
Just then, a voice came from behind.
『Pepper Potts』: Tony?
Tony turned and saw Pepper walking in, holding two cups of coffee.
『Pepper Potts』: Where's Superman?
『Tony Stark』: Oh— I don't know.
He took one of the cups from her and shrugged.
『Tony Stark』: Probably went out.
『Pepper Potts』: Out? Out to do what?
『Tony Stark』: To deal with the people crowding our entrance, obviously.
『Pepper Potts』 (worried): But… how's he going to deal with them?
『Tony Stark』 (chuckling): How would I know? I'm not Superman.
But I do know one thing — he'll handle it.
『Tony Stark』 (smiling): After all, he is Superman.
『Pepper Potts』 (quietly): …I hope so.
Pepper still looked anxious, unsure where Tony's confidence came from.
There were hundreds of people downstairs at Stark Industries — an angry mob.
If they'd been monsters, Superman could've handled it easily.
Monsters could be defeated.
But these were people.
How could Superman deal with them?
Would he… kill them?
If he did that, he'd be standing against the entire nation — no, against all of humanity.
If this situation went wrong, the consequences could be catastrophic.
After all, the crowd was here because Carl had hit those students earlier that day.
Pepper couldn't help but worry for him.
Carl had saved Tony before — she was deeply grateful to him.
Even though Tony trusted that Carl could fix things, she couldn't imagine how.
『Tony Stark』 (thinking aloud): Maybe… we should go take a look ourselves?
『Pepper Potts』 (shocked): Go out there?! Tony, there are hundreds of people!
We wouldn't even make it out the front door.
If we try to go outside, they might storm the building!
『Tony Stark』 (grinning): Relax, relax — I've got a plan.
Pepper blinked, confused, as Tony knelt under his desk and pulled out a small, red-and-silver briefcase.
It looked completely ordinary.
『Pepper Potts』 (puzzled): …What are you doing with that?
Tony placed the briefcase on the floor — then stepped on it.
And in that instant, something incredible happened.
The compact case unfolded, metal plates snapping open and shifting.
Before Pepper's astonished eyes, the briefcase transformed into a full Iron Man suit.
Tony grabbed the armor, lifting it upright, his arms extending outward.
Clack—Clack—Clack—Clack!
The Arc Reactor in the chest began to glow, humming to life.
Moments later, Tony was fully suited up.
『Pepper Potts』 (amazed): Wow…
She had never seen this version of the armor before.
Every time Tony suited up in the past, it had been through bulky machinery and mechanical arms.
But this one — compact, portable, elegant — was completely different.
The transformation was smooth, efficient, and stylish.
And of course, Tony being Tony, couldn't resist showing off — especially in front of Pepper.
『Tony Stark』 (smirking): So? What do you think of this armor?
『Pepper Potts』 (grinning slightly): It's amazing.
But when did you even build something like that?
『Tony Stark』 (proudly): A recent invention. I call it the Suitcase Armor.
Sure, it's not as heavily armed as my main suits, but it's light, compact, and fully functional.
Perfect for travel emergencies.
『Pepper Potts』: I'll admit — that's impressive.
『Tony Stark』: Alright then. Let's go.
We'll fly out the window — no one can follow us from there.
『Pepper Potts』: Okay.
Pepper nodded, stepping closer as Tony wrapped an arm around her waist, ready to launch.
『Pepper Potts』: Wait!
『Tony Stark』: Huh?
『Pepper Potts』: Let me open the window first — I'd rather not pay to replace another pane of glass.
Tony paused as she moved to the large window and slid it open.
『Tony Stark』 (muttering): Not like I can't afford it anyway…
After all, the man was worth billions.
He'd already smashed through more windows than he could count during test flights.
But since Pepper insisted, he didn't argue.
Once the window was open, Tony held her tight — and they soared out of Stark Tower.
When they reached the tower's main entrance, both froze in disbelief.
The plaza — which had been packed with hundreds of protestors only minutes ago
was completely empty.
Gone. Every single one of them.
Only the two hundred security guards remained, standing bewildered at their posts.
『Pepper Potts』 (stunned): What… what happened? Where's Superman?
And all those people — they're gone!
『Tony Stark』 (baffled): How should I know? We came down together!
This doesn't make any sense.
We saw them on the surveillance feed just minutes ago — hundreds of them!
Now, not a soul in sight?
『Pepper Potts』: And Carl… he's gone too?
Tony frowned, a bad thought creeping into his mind.
Could it be… that Superman killed them?
With his speed and power, wiping out hundreds of people in a few minutes would be effortless.
But… those people weren't villains.
They were ordinary citizens — angry, but not evil.
Killing them would be far too cruel.
『Tony Stark』 (thinking): No… Carl's not that kind of person.
Still, the thought wouldn't leave him.
『Tony Stark』: Let's go down and ask the security team. Maybe they saw something.
Holding Pepper close, Tony slowly descended toward the ground.
End of chapter...
WORLDWIDE SUPERMAN STRENGTH
🔹 Dimension Walker – 15 chapters ahead
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