Chapter 24: Treating Tony

"Setting aside its function for a moment, is its appearance really so different from a light bulb?" Harvey watched Tony Stark, who seemed on the verge of jumping in frustration, and smiled.

"What a way to ignore the facts..." Tony Stark was both amused and irritated by Harvey's blatant disregard for reality; he had been about to explain the capabilities of the arc reactor in detail. Yet soon, he realized that Harvey Amberlack was deliberately saying such things to keep him from sinking into negativity.

"Your words aren't exactly pleasant, but thank you anyway." With this realization, Tony Stark managed a word of gratitude.

"And you're right—this arc reactor has put some strain on my body." "I've tried replacing the element, but so far I haven't found anything suitable." He spread open his shirt, exposing the arc reactor embedded in his chest, and spoke with a hint of resignation.

Though the palladium hadn't yet caused any overt problems, nor interfered with his health, Tony knew full well that if he continued using the current arc reactor, palladium poisoning would eventually kill him.

"There is another way, besides finding a replacement element, to restore your body and extend your lifespan," Harvey said, his eyes lighting up.

"If you're about to tell me to extract the shrapnel from my heart and stop wearing the Iron Man suit, don't bother." "Knowing there are threats out there, living without the suit would be no better than waiting for death." Tony Stark waved his hand dismissively.

If Rhodey had agreed to pilot the Iron Man suit, allowing Tony to avoid experiencing that power and sensation for himself, he would have sought out a trustworthy surgeon and removed the shrapnel without hesitation. But he had already tasted the might of the suit, and knew the dangers that awaited Earth in the future. How could he resign himself to being just an ordinary man—even a wealthy one? Money, he knew, was no panacea in the face of true crisis.

"I wouldn't suggest something so simplistic as surgery and abandoning the Iron Man suit." "But since you don't want to hear it, let's pretend I didn't say anything," Harvey replied, losing interest in the subject.

"If it's not surgery... then what's your method?" Tony Stark looked at Harvey Amberlack with confusion.

"Let's talk about your proud creation—the Iron Man suit." "You asked me here tonight to show off your technological achievement, didn't you?" Harvey, ignoring Tony's question, approached one of the suits with keen interest.

Tony watched Harvey sidestep the topic and felt a pang of regret. Harvey Amberlack was shrouded in mystery, as if he knew countless things. Since he'd mentioned having a solution, it was surely extraordinary. Tony realized he'd just arrogantly missed his chance to learn more.

"Let's set the suits aside for now—can we return to the previous topic?" Tony hesitated, struggling inwardly, as he tried to steer the conversation back to the issue of the palladium poisoning, his tone now tinged with appeal.

"Fine, I'll help you this once. Give me your hand," Harvey said, turning to look at Tony and pretending to ponder for a moment.

"Is this related to fixing my health problem?" Tony extended his hand as he asked.

"In my estimation, you'll be unconscious for a minute or two—don't worry, it'll be quick," Harvey said, gripping Tony's hand with his left and offering a warning.

Before Tony Stark could respond, his vision went black and he lost consciousness.

Harvey held Tony's hand, channeling a flow of life energy to kee