"Hey, Kurogai, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Want something to drink?"

Stark quickly removed the Iron Man suit, pretending to appear casual as he looked at Kurogai. The young man couldn't help but give a half-smile, half-sigh at the sight. Stark should have been anxious in this situation, otherwise he wouldn't have crashed through the ceiling to make such a dramatic entrance into the living room.

"Alright, let's get to the point. Since I already promised to exchange a condition for that vibranium-forged sword last time, I won't go back on my word. Just say what you need," Kurogai replied firmly, making it clear that Stark shouldn't waste time.

"Well, as you've probably guessed, I've run into a problem," Stark admitted. He tapped the glowing circle at his chest. "This is my Arc Reactor. It powers everything for me. The upgrade gave me enough energy, but… it's been taking its toll."

Stark unbuttoned his shirt, exposing the faintly blackened veins that spread out around the device. The palladium poisoning was clear—ugly traces of blood streaks that were growing worse with time.

"A small impact? If that's what you call a small impact, maybe I should just come back later and check if you're already dead," Kurogai said dryly.

Stark smirked, though his face was pale. "Yeah, well… it's a bigger problem than I'd like to admit. Do you have any ideas?"

Kurogai's expression sharpened. "Depends. Do you want something temporary, a short-term fix, or a permanent solution that erases the problem completely?"

Stark's eyes lit up, his usual sarcasm giving way to raw desperation. "You really have a way? Tell me! If there's a permanent solution, I want it. I'm going insane living like this."

He stared at Kurogai as if clinging to a lifeline. Originally, he had only turned to him as a last resort, never truly expecting an answer. The fact that Kurogai spoke so confidently gave Stark hope.

"There is a way," Kurogai said calmly, "but that vibranium blade you gave me isn't nearly enough to cover the cost of this method."

Stark groaned, rubbing his temples. "I knew it. What do you want? And don't give me the vampire act—I've had enough of that."

Kurogai's smile carried a sharp edge. "Your problem is simple. You need a new energy source to replace palladium. I know of one. If you develop it, I want a copy—both the energy itself and its schematics."

Stark's brows furrowed. He wasn't surprised by the demand. If anything, he had expected it. "Fine. How do I make it?"

Kurogai leaned back with a chuckle. "It's already beside you. You just haven't recognized it yet."

The words hit Stark harder than he expected. As Kurogai revealed the truth—that Howard Stark had left behind the blueprint for a new element hidden in plain sight—Stark's jaw clenched.

"You're telling me… that thing my father left me, the one sitting in my workshop this entire time, is the key?" Stark exclaimed, almost furious. "You really are a bloodsucker, using something that belonged to my father as leverage. That's low, even for you."

Kurogai's smirk didn't falter. "I'm giving you the key to saving your own life. That alone should be more than enough."

Stark let out a bitter laugh. "You're unbelievable. Fine. I'll honor this deal. Once I perfect it, I'll get you your copy. But damn, you really are a bastard, you know that?"

"In that case, I'll take my leave," Kurogai said, turning toward the door. But Stark's voice stopped him.

"One last question, Kurogai," Stark said quietly, his usual cocky tone replaced by something far more serious. "You're researching human enhancement, aren't you? Transforming ordinary people into something more."

Kurogai froze for only a second before turning back, eyes narrowing. "So what if I am? Do you plan on playing the hero and stopping me?"

His voice was calm, almost daring Stark to challenge him. No one had ever disrupted his experiments before, and he doubted anyone could.

But Stark shook his head. "No. I was asking… if you succeed, could you do the same for me? Could you give me powers too?"

Kurogai studied him for a moment, the corner of his mouth curving upward.

_____

Advanced chapters are available on Patreon.

Become a patron to gain access.

Patreon.com/Zphyr