Marvel: Superman Strength in a World of Heroes

Not long after

Kingpin finally found one of his men.

『Kingpin』: Cancel the hit on Nicholas and his daughter.

『Subordinate』: Yes, sir.

Although puzzled, the subordinate didn't question it.

After all, no one dared challenge Kingpin's decisions.

…

Inside a sleek luxury car,

『Zach Stane』: That bastard Tony Stark only knows how to drink and party!

Zach gripped the steering wheel tightly as the car sped down Manhattan's streets.

『Zach Stane』: You're the one doing all the real work at Stark Industries, Dad!

So why the hell is he still the CEO?

『Zach Stane』: And the guy's so full of himself.

I can't stand him. He doesn't even remember my name!

He ranted on, all the while directing his complaints at the bald man in the back seat,

Sitting calmly, legs crossed, as if completely at ease.

『Obadiah Stane』: Don't worry.

Everything's already in motion.

A confident smile played across Obadiah's face.

『Obadiah Stane』: Stark Industries will soon be ours.

『Zach Stane』: For real?! That's amazing!

Zach beamed, almost bouncing in his seat.

『Zach Stane』: When that happens, I'm going to crush Tony Stark. Publicly humiliate him!

Obadiah chuckled softly.

But deep down?

His plans were far more ruthless.

If all went well…

You won't even see him again.

Obadiah Stane.

Better known as the Iron Monger of the Marvel universe.

A founding member of Stark Industries,

He had long set his sights on the top seat.

And just recently, he'd finalized the perfect plan:

Send Tony Stark to the Middle East.

There, he would be ambushed by the Ten Rings, taken hostage,

And if luck held… eliminated.

With Tony out of the picture, Obadiah would seize complete control.

As for the young man driving?

His biological son,

Zach Stane.

Born into wealth, spoiled by privilege, and molded into a classic second-generation elite.

In the beginning, Zach had actually admired Tony Stark.

After all, the guy had everything:

Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

All the glory. All the spotlight.

Zach once idolized him.

Until,

At a high-profile Stark Industries banquet, Tony mispronounced his name.

Twice.

Zach had snapped.

He nearly blew up on the spot,

But Obadiah stopped him before he could embarrass the family.

Still, the humiliation burned.

So now, hearing that Tony might be ousted?

Zach was thrilled.

『Zach Stane』: Hey, Dad…

Zach hesitated a little, then asked cautiously:

『Zach Stane』: We're showing up at this gala… won't Tony get suspicious?

Obadiah gave a relaxed wave of the hand.

『Obadiah Stane』: Don't worry, son.

He doesn't have time to care about us anymore.

『Obadiah Stane』: If my plan works…

Tony Stark's not coming back. Ever.

『Zach Stane』: That's great news!

Zach's grin widened.

『Zach Stane』: Then let's go impress some people!

『Obadiah Stane』: Mm.

…

Ten minutes later,

Their car pulled up outside the Four Seasons Hotel, Manhattan.

Father and son stepped out, heading straight for the banquet hall on the eighth floor.

『Zach Stane』: Hey Dad, this guy Kingpin…

He's got a pretty nasty rep. You sure this won't blow back on us?

Zach wasn't squeamish about black-market arms deals,

Money was money.

But dealing with someone as notorious as Kingpin?

That was different.

Especially in New York, right in Stark Industries' own backyard.

If the government found out Stark weapons were sold to someone like him…

Even Obadiah might have trouble sweeping that under the rug.

Obadiah gave his son a rare look of approval.

He's not a genius like Tony, but at least he's not completely stupid.

『Obadiah Stane』: I've already considered that.

That's why I've stayed away from him until now.

『Obadiah Stane』: But this time?

He's the one who approached us.

『Obadiah Stane』: And he promised he wouldn't use the weapons himself.

Just flip them through his network for profit.

『Obadiah Stane』: If he breaks that promise?

I can terminate the contract immediately.

『Zach Stane』: Got it!

Zach nodded, then smirked.

『Zach Stane』: Kingpin... the so-called underground emperor of New York,

Maybe even the entire U.S.

『Zach Stane』: He's got this scary reputation, and now he's begging us for weapons?

『Obadiah Stane』: Don't underestimate him.

Obadiah's eyes narrowed.

He knew what kind of monster Kingpin truly was.

『Zach Stane』: Got it, got it.

Zach backed off, though the smugness didn't quite leave his face.

Obadiah sighed quietly.

The boy still didn't take Kingpin seriously.

But with himself around, Zach wouldn't cause too much trouble.

『Obadiah Stane』: When I sit down with Kingpin, I don't want you saying a word.

『Zach Stane』: …All right.

Zach's face soured a little, but he didn't argue.

Soon, they reached the banquet hall.

Obadiah scanned the crowd.

There.

He spotted Kingpin almost immediately.

A loud, hearty laugh erupted from Obadiah as he made his way over.

『Obadiah Stane』: Hey! Kingpin!

The two weren't exactly friends,

But Obadiah was a businessman.

He knew how to smile when it counted.

Kingpin, desperate for cash to repay Carl, didn't act arrogant either.

They greeted each other like old acquaintances.

Talked, laughed, exchanged polite jabs.

Obadiah even introduced Zach.

Then, he pulled Kingpin aside to negotiate the arms deal in private.

Zach didn't follow.

He still respected his father enough not to interfere.

Besides, even if he had, he wouldn't be allowed to speak anyway.

As a pampered heir, he looked down on people like Kingpin,

Thugs who clawed their way up from the gutter.

So instead, he began to wander the ballroom, drink in hand.

Then,

He saw her.

A stunning woman in a pale gold evening gown.

Every line of her figure was elegant. Her features, breathtaking.

『Zach Stane』: No way…

It was Isabella.

Zach's eyes gleamed.

He quickly grabbed two glasses of champagne and strode confidently toward her.

A Hollywood A-lister,

And hot off a global smash hit like Twilight?

To him, she was just another prize to collect.

He was the son of a Stark Industries board member.

Soon to be the heir of the entire company.

A celebrity?

Child's play.

He approached her with a practiced gentleman's smile.

『Zach Stane』: Good evening. Miss Isabella, right?

Isabella turned, instinctively taking a subtle step back.

But her voice stayed polite.

『Isabella』: Hello.

Zach caught the movement.

His smile twitched.

Even an idiot could tell,

She wasn't interested.

『Zach Stane』 (internally): …Seriously?

Some B-list actress thinks she's too good for me?

Tch.