He Can Still be Saved

"Quick, quick, quick! Ethan, connect the wire behind me!"

"Okay, Stark, I heard that things are chaotic inside the cave. Why don't we wait for them to come to rescue us?"

"Heh, if those terrorists are pushed to the brink, they can do anything. Think about the World Trade Center. Think about suicide bombers."

Upon hearing this, Ethan's mind immediately formed a rough image. He shivered involuntarily and smiled slightly, "Stark, don't say such terrifying things."

Tony stared intently at the progress bar on the notebook, "I'm not joking with you. If those mad dogs go crazy, they might take us down with them."

Tony strained to look around despite his armour's limited mobility, using his eyes to gesture, "Ethan, if the cave collapses, do we have any chance of surviving?"

"Alright, Stark. Don't talk about that for now. Tell me how to work with these wires!" Ethan, covered in sweat, was either anxious or frightened.

"...Yes, yes, that's right. Then cover it with the lid."

"Oh~" Ethan wiped his forehead, "Stark, even though you don't have eyes behind your head, it's like you know everything I'm doing."

Tony smirked, and his worn face somehow appeared carefree and rebellious, "Well, that's why they call me a genius, right?"

A bright blue light appeared in Tony's view, and he fell silent.

"Stark? Stark? What's wrong with you?"

"Oh!" Tony was startled, "Nothing, just thinking about some things."

Ethan glanced at the blue light on Tony's chest, shook his head, and patted Tony's shoulder in his iron armour, "We can make it, can't we?"

"Hey~ Although it's terrible to be stuck with a man like this in such a situation, I still want to say... of course."

"Bang! - Bang Bang!"

"Stark! Ethan! Open up!"

Though Tony couldn't understand what they were saying, it was clear it wasn't anything good. Could he discern that instantly?

"Quick, Ethan, how far is the self-check progress bar?" Tony anxiously asked.

Ethan took a few quick breaths, slightly raising the eyepieces on his nose. "Stark, it's only at 58% right now."

Then he raised his head, "Stark, can we really succeed with this thing?"

Tony stared at his solemn face, lips biting gently on his teeth, and managed to force a smile, "Of course, Ethan. After we leave, I'll treat you to a trip to New York. The girls there are the hottest."

Ethan nodded, raising his eyebrow, "Hearing you say that, I feel relieved."

"I know you need this." Ethan held up the Iron Man helmet.

Though he was a layman, the spartan helmet was easy for him to put on Tony.

After everything was done, he took a few breaths, and his gaze locked onto the door, the bomb Stark had made.

As long as the enemy broke down the door, the bomb would send them straight to heaven!

With the helmet on, Stark's field of vision was compressed to the extreme. Even pistol bullets couldn't penetrate his mask.

It was easy to imagine how small those two "eyes" were.

"Boom!"

The bomb at the entrance was detonated, blowing all the incoming terrorists out!

Even if they didn't die, they would have trouble breathing.

"Stark, you hear me." Ethan's voice was unusually calm, making Tony's heart race.

"Now the progress is at 79%. Please trust me, and trust yourself. I'll buy us some time. We will make it."

Ethan looked severe, but beneath his calm exterior, his heart was racing, indicating he wasn't as calm as he appeared.

"I might even encounter those American soldiers. I hope they don't mistake me for a terrorist."

"Hey, Ethan..."

Before Tony could stop him, he had already rushed out!

Picking up an automatic rifle from the ground, he yelled and charged out!

The sound of bullets being fired outside could be heard.

With Stark's hearing, he could clearly hear those bullets... all hitting the walls or the ground. The terrorists were in disarray; they weren't fanatics, and their lives were important to them.

Even though the terrorist commander was shouting behind them, they were pushed back by Ethan's fierce attack, gradually retreating.

Terrorists feared getting hit from the side, and those who were scared of being hit from the front feared losing face. Those who were fearful of losing face were scared of losing their lives.

Now, Ethan was clearly in the last category.

Although his "marksmanship" didn't cause any casualties, his fierce momentum managed to suppress the team led by the bearded man!

Tony remained in the deepest part of the cave. He could only squint his eyes to see the progress bar on the helmet's screen.

89%... 93%... 98%... 100%!

"A buzz ~."

An electric sound rang out, and Tony, wearing his Iron Man armour, unhooked himself from the back.

Sparks flew, but they did not affect Tony. He was a little apprehensive about this suit... but with time so tight, he wouldn't have worn it if the American soldiers hadn't attacked. But now... no matter what, he had to go out and fight. Tony just hoped Ethan wouldn't run too far.

"Crash ~"

With each step in the Iron Man armour, a small pit was left on the ground, kicking up countless dust particles. Tony squinted inside the helmet, listening for Ethan's voice and preparing to rush in that direction!

As he moved forward, he left a trail of crushed enemies. They couldn't do any damage to the armour at all. This relieved Tony.

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion in the distance!

Even Tony, in the armour, couldn't stand steady. After swaying a few times, the armour gradually stabilised.

Tony's face changed, "Damn, damn, damn!"

The direction of the explosion... was where Ethan was. But there had been no gunfire since then.

"Boom, boom, boom ~"

As the Iron Man armour took significant strides toward Ethan at the cave entrance, the third team encountered a fierce attack from a group of fanatics!

The usually calm American soldiers... finally had casualties!

Sitting in the helicopter, the commander in charge of the operation looked very grim. General Brooks was sitting next to him!

He had wanted to show off, but the unexpected had occurred!

"Team One, start the assault. Team Two, prepare to support the injured and use concussion grenades if necessary. Be cautious of Stark; don't accidentally hurt him."

"Yes, sir!" The commander saluted and quickly passed on the orders to the soldiers.

...

Inside the cave, it had become much quieter. In his Iron Man armour, Tony wouldn't tremble, but his heart had grown colder.

Ethan's back was covered in blood, and his clothes had long been soaked. It wouldn't be in time, even if he were taken to a hospital.

"...Aren't you planning to go back to your hometown?" Tony's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Didn't you promise to come to New York with me?"

His eyes slowly turned blood-red, and just as he was about to stand up, he noticed a shadow casting over him...