Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 51: Stark's Decision

The hardest part was completed by Dr. Ethan, so speeding up Stark's recovery shouldn't be difficult.

Driving the car, Alvin took the two to his temporary camp, lit a bonfire, found a big pot, and made a pot of noodles. Hmm~ Alvin carried all the stuff himself. How could a dark professional not have a space backpack with dozens of slots?

Alvin and Dr. Ethan enjoyed the noodles with some luncheon meat. Stark was the unlucky one. His body seemed fine, and the wounds had closed up thanks to the corpse vine. But cautious Alvin only gave him a bowl of mushy noodles that looked like they had been chewed up. Who told you to have a bad stomach?

Stark poked at the mushy noodles with a fork, watching Alvin and Dr. Ethan eat. He sighed in despair; he had made a fool of himself today.

Alvin glanced at Stark's expression and said with a laugh, "Buddy, you should cheer up. How many people can survive a situation like yours?"

Stark glared at Alvin and said, "If you were in my shoes, what would you do?"

Alvin thought for a moment and seriously said, "If I were you, I'd first thank my savior and then offer him an irresistible deal to keep my new nickname a secret. Haha!"

Dr. Ethan found it amusing to watch Alvin and Stark bicker. Stark wasn't known for his good temper. Dr. Ethan had encountered Stark in many different settings before and had never seen him so subdued.

Stark was furious and stopped talking, shoveling the mushy noodles into his mouth. He was indeed a bit hungry.

Alvin finished the last noodle in his bowl, smiled at Dr. Ethan, and asked, "Dr. Ethan, now that this is over, what do you plan to do next?"

Dr. Ethan, holding his noodles, seemed lost in thought, his eyes losing focus. He didn't answer Alvin's question, only muttering, "Yeah, where should I go?"

Seeing his pale face, Alvin patted his shoulder with concern and asked, "Dr. Ethan, what's wrong?"

Dr. Ethan looked at Alvin and said, "I don't have anywhere to go for now. My family was all killed by terrorists. Maybe I should go back to my hometown in Switzerland and see if I can find a teaching job."

Alvin got excited. Why look for a job? Come to the community school!

Alvin tentatively said, "Maybe you could come to my community school. You could be the science teacher, and if you're willing, also the school doctor. Of course, I can pay you two salaries."

"Don't listen to him, Ethan. When you get back, come to Stark Industries. I'll set up a private lab for you in Stark Tower where you can fully utilize your talents, not waste them teaching at some community school!" Stark interjected.

Alvin shot a dagger-like look at Stark and said, "Maybe we should discuss the light bulb in Mr. Stark's chest! I'm curious, Dr. Ethan, how did he survive without it?"

Dr. Ethan finally understood why Stark didn't want Alvin to rescue him so soon. Although it was riskier, it probably wouldn't have been worse than now.

Dr. Ethan, being a straightforward person, just smiled and stayed silent, watching Stark and Alvin bicker.

Stark looked nervously at Dr. Ethan, relieved that he didn't reveal his secret. He glared at Alvin and said, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. You're just a dropout who doesn't know anything about college."

Alvin laughed, looking at Stark's stubborn face, and said, "Yes, I didn't go to college, buddy, but I wouldn't live with a car battery strapped to me. That thing is heavy!" He glanced at Stark's chest, "Comparatively, your current light bulb is much better."

Stark was stunned for a moment, looked at the equally surprised Dr. Ethan, and shouted, "You bastard, you've been spying on me! I'm going to beat you up, Alvin. Once I'm healed, I'll challenge you one-on-one, Hell's Kitchen style. If you lose, you promise never to reveal my secret."

Alvin looked at Stark like he was an idiot and said, "Buddy, are you looking for more excitement in your life?"

Seeing Stark's exasperated look, Alvin decided not to provoke him further. If something went wrong or he changed his mind about donating money, it would be bad. So he said, "If a kind-hearted person builds a school building for our community school, don't you think the principal should keep a little secret for this good Samaritan?"

Stark didn't mind this kind of extortion too much. In fact, he enjoyed bantering with Alvin. Winning occasionally made him happy for a long time, and since all the money Alvin asked for was for the school, there was no problem.

Stark quickly extended a hand and shook Alvin's firmly, saying, "Deal, buddy. This year is almost over, but next year you'll see the most modern school building at your, uh, our school!"

Alvin shook hands with Stark and then said, "Buddy, tell me, what happened this time? How did it get so bad? Is the American military useless?"

At this, Stark fell silent, thinking for a long time. He didn't say anything else but stared into the fire.

"I've decided to shut down Stark Industries' weapons design and manufacturing division!" Stark said solemnly.

Dr. Ethan, who had been watching, was puzzled by Stark's sudden decision and asked, "Why? The weapons division is the backbone of Stark Industries. The board will go crazy over this decision."

Stark covered his head with his hands and said, "I always thought my weapons were being used by the American military to fight terrorists. But in reality, terrorists are also using weapons made by Stark Industries. So what am I doing by designing and producing these weapons? Bad guys are using my weapons to hurt others. Do you know how that makes me feel? Sometimes I feel like an executioner, with many deaths on my hands."

Alvin didn't comfort Stark, knowing this was part of his psychological transformation. Stark was never a person with a strong will.

Instead, Alvin provoked Stark, saying, "You're giving yourself too much credit, buddy. You can't blame the weapons. Without you, bad guys would still get weapons to do bad things."

Alvin reflected for a moment and said, "Actually, bad guys will always find it easier to get weapons than good guys. Shutting down a few factories won't solve that."

Stark thought for a moment and said, "Maybe you're right, but I've made up my mind. I don't care how bad guys get weapons to do evil; at least it won't be from me."

Alvin looked at Stark seriously and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" Stark said firmly.

Alvin nodded, took out his phone, and called Foggy Nelson:

"Foggy, buddy, it's Alvin. Want to make a fortune?"

...

"Of course, it's legal, as long as you have a familiar stockbroker."

...

"Yes, I have absolutely reliable insider information."

...

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