Chapter Forty: The Reason for Making Money

Tony Stark consumed a mountain of food, and with every bite, the power within him grew stronger. The sensation was intoxicating, yet suddenly, Tony realized all the food was gone.

“I remember preparing at least a hundred servings for lunch, just to invite you,” he mused. “Where did all that food go?”

He paused in disbelief.

“What do you think I’ve been doing this whole time?” Harvey replied, patting his still-flat stomach.

“Jarvis, prepare more food for me—at least enough for four hundred people. Today, I’m hosting a feast for Harvey Ambelaca!” Tony said with a laugh, unfazed by the empty plates.

He would heed Harvey Ambelaca’s advice: consuming living beings would accelerate his evolution, but Tony had no intention of taking that path. Even if his progress was slower, that was fine.

After all, his lifespan was no longer limited to the brief century of an ordinary human.

He now had all the time in the world to grow stronger, to pursue his passions, and to let his talents shine.

“Very well, sir. I’ll get started right away,” Jarvis replied promptly.

Even on New Year’s Day, when finding chefs for such an enormous order was no easy task, Jarvis knew that with enough money, anything was possible.

“Harvey Ambelaca, could you share some insights on evolution with me?” Tony asked, turning to Harvey.

“To be honest, I can’t serve as your reference,” Harvey replied as he settled onto the couch. “You and I are not the same, though you might not understand now—you will, soon enough. This difference doesn’t mean you have any flaws; you, too, possess a long lifespan. But what abilities you can master, and how powerful you’ll become—that is for you to discover in time.”

“I understand you can’t be a reference,” Tony said. “I just want you to share some insights.”

“And besides me, has anyone else joined the Void?” Tony continued, walking over to the couch. “Maybe exchanging thoughts with others could speed up my—”

He dropped onto the couch but, not minding his strength, collapsed straight through it, sinking deep into the cushions.

“What the hell?!”

He exclaimed, more astonished than hurt.

“No need to make a fuss. You’re only just beginning,” Harvey said calmly. “You must learn to control your strength. Besides your research, you’ll need to set aside time each day to master your power—otherwise, you’ll cause damage without meaning to. As for companions, for now, you’re the only one who’s joined the Void. But in time, others will follow, and you’ll be able to share your evolutionary journeys.”

“So I’m the first?” Tony struggled out of the ruined couch, pointing to his face in disbelief.

Harvey nodded in confirmation.

“Thank you for your recognition, Harvey Ambelaca,” Tony said, his gratitude sincere.

Harvey had spoken of geniuses whose lives were too brief for their talents to fully blossom—geniuses who left their mark on history. This meant that, in Harvey’s eyes, Tony met that standard.

Even without Harvey’s affirmation, Tony believed his inventions would secure him a place in history. But now, with this opportunity, he could take all the time he needed to write his own legend.

“Though I’ve given you this chance, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. Just speak with me as you would anyone else,” Harvey said. “It’s natural to want to share evolutionary insights with others. While I may not be your reference, I can at least tell you what foods to eat and what activities to pursue to accelerate your evolution.”

“Then please, tell me,” Tony said eagerly, choosing to stand rather than risk another broken seat.

To Tony, Harvey Ambelaca was the very embodiment of the Void’s will. He didn’t know why Harvey remained on Earth, but he wasn’t about to miss his chance to question the will of the Void itself.

“There are two paths for evolution in the Void,” Harvey explained patiently. “One is to absorb and devour, evolving through consumption. The other is to adapt to your environment, prompting new evolutions. The more powerful the creature you consume, the faster you’ll evolve. For example, strong animals on Earth—cows, bears, tigers, leopards, and some of the great fish in the deep sea—are full of life energy. But if you don’t want to be targeted by animal protection organizations, it’s best to avoid protected species. Beef and pork are sufficient; they provide plenty of energy for your evolution.”

Harvey spoke with care, wanting Tony to avoid becoming a mindless Void creature. Although such a being might be even stronger, without intellect, it would all be meaningless.

“That explains why you want to make money,” Tony observed thoughtfully.

Given Harvey Ambelaca’s appetite, without a sizable bank account, he’d have no choice but to steal to feed himself. Though possible, such a path would make it impossible to keep his identity hidden. Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. knew about him, faced with someone as formidable as a demon, the shrewd agents would never dare expose him.

“Exactly. I make money so I can eat well and enjoy life without drawing attention,” Harvey replied with a smile, making no effort to conceal the truth.