Chapter 36: Yes, This Is Extortion

"I need your expertise to help me analyze this mineral. I want to know everything about its molecular structure, chemical and physical properties, all useful and useless data," Luke stated his request without the slightest reservation.

"And why do you think I'd help you?" Tony sneered.

Luke replied, "We’ve fought, but that just means we know each other now, doesn’t it?"

"Are you serious? Because, to be honest, aside from a few other people, you’re the most shameless guy I’ve ever met. I’m starting to suspect you’re working for one of my competitors." Tony didn’t hold back. "I have a lot of enemies. Which one are you with?"

Luke shrugged indifferently. He was lying comfortably on his bed, making the call from his own room.

He hadn’t expected the rich dog to help him for free. Not only were things a bit tense between them, but knowing Tony’s character, free labor was out of the question.

Let’s not forget Tony was a businessman.

"Alright, let’s make a deal," Luke said. The way to deal with a businessman was to use a businessman’s methods.

"A deal?"

"You help me research the mineral, and I’ll help you with something in return."

Tony snorted dismissively, "I can’t think of anything I’d need your help with."

Luke cut straight to the point, "I hear you’re suffering from palladium poisoning."

"How did you know that?!"

Tony was so startled he nearly jumped out of his chair.

He hadn’t told anyone about this—not even Pepper, his closest confidante. How did this guy know?!

"That’s not important. What matters is, I can cure your palladium poisoning."

"Hmph. You think I haven’t tried? I’ve gone through every possible solution, but—"

"But you still can’t find an element to replace palladium, can you? The concentration of palladium in your blood is enough to kill an elephant. Without that arc reactor in your chest, you’d be long dead by now."

"How do you know all this? Who the hell are you?" Tony’s brows drew together in a frown.

He glanced around, suddenly overcome by a chill, as if he were being watched, as if all his secrets had been laid bare. The sensation was deeply unsettling.

"Let’s not waste words. What do you say to my offer?" Luke asked.

"..."

"Here’s the deal: you study the Magatite for me, and I’ll cure your palladium poisoning. Oh, and you’ll also pay me... let’s say, ten million dollars as compensation."

"This is blackmail," Tony retorted coolly, catching the term ‘Magatite’ that Luke mentioned.

As for the money, Tony didn’t care in the slightest.

He just didn’t like being coerced by someone holding something over his head.

"You’re absolutely right—it is blackmail," Luke replied with a cheerful laugh.

"...."

Tony fell silent. Every time he dealt with this mysterious guy, he felt an overwhelming urge to punch someone...

He was convinced they were natural enemies.

Seeing Tony’s silence, Luke said nonchalantly, "It’s up to you. It’s your life, after all. But believe me, there are only a handful of people in the world who could cure palladium poisoning, and I’m your best bet. On the other hand, there are plenty of people with advanced chemical knowledge who could study the Magatite—I just happened to find you first."

"This thing is called Magatite?" Tony asked, weighing his options.

"That’s right. Think it over, I’ll wait for your answer. You know how to reach me, right? When you’ve made your decision, transfer half the fee to the account I provide."

Tony gave a dismissive grunt.

"Well then, goodbye," Luke said with a smile and ended the call.

In the laboratory, Tony stared expressionlessly at the red stone in the containment unit, his thoughts unreadable.

Meanwhile, Luke stretched out on his bed, tossed his phone aside, and wore a relaxed smile.

He was certain Tony would accept his terms.

As long as there was even a sliver of hope, the rich dog wasn’t about to just lie down and die. His palladium poisoning was at its final stage; if he couldn’t find a cure, he wouldn’t last a month.

Under these circumstances, Luke believed that even if he’d set harsher terms, Tony wouldn’t refuse.

The reason he asked for only ten million dollars was that it was enough to build the G-0 War Lord and achieve his goal. He wasn’t a greedy man.

Throughout history, greed has never ended well.

For reference, a US Air Force F-22 fighter jet costs an astronomical $290 million, largely because Lockheed uses top-grade military titanium alloys and factors in technical premiums.

Luke calculated that with a slightly less advanced titanium alloy, ten million dollars would be more than enough to cobble together the G-0 War Lord.

The nickel-titanium alloy used in the F-22 is strictly military grade—he couldn’t buy it even if he wanted to. Unless, of course, he broke into an Air Force base and stripped a few F-22s for parts, which would definitely stir up a hornet’s nest—a bit too exciting...

Besides, in Luke’s eyes, even military-grade titanium alloy was just a stopgap for the G-0 War Lord.

The materials he truly dreamed of were Adamantium and Vibranium!

Against these two bug-level metals of the Marvel universe, titanium alloys and chromium alloys were nothing but junk...

As to whether Tony would try to play tricks or sabotage him during the Magatite research, Luke was unconcerned.

In fact, he was one hundred percent sure Tony would.

Handing something so valuable to Tony, how could Luke not have a contingency plan?

If he actually trusted Tony not to tamper with things, he’d be overestimating Tony’s morals. The man had a long list of “prior offenses.”

In the first Avengers, he had Jarvis hack the Helicarrier the moment he boarded it. In the second, he conned Banner into secretly creating Ultron behind Cap’s back. In the third, he bundled up Spider-Man and Doctor Strange and rushed off to Titan to ambush Thanos.

Though some of these actions were well-meant, they still revealed Tony’s arrogance and ego. He always did as he pleased—a classic egotist.

Luke figured he should expect nothing less than some shenanigans from Tony.

Black Widow’s two-word verdict on Tony summed him up perfectly: “Total jerk.”

Therefore, before handing over the Magatite sample to Tony, Luke had already prepared two backup plans.

With these two insurances in place, Luke could guarantee with his very life that Tony wouldn’t get the upper hand.