Hope Lies in the East

Compared to the bystanders farther away who were hit by the blast wave, Thor, who was right at the center of the explosion, took the brunt of the damage.

However, the Asgardian physique was vastly different from that of humans—even rifle bullets couldn't pierce their thick skin. As a result, Thor was the least injured. After rolling a few times through the debris of steel and glass, he managed to stand up, albeit with effort.

"It's useless. The Destroyer was created by Odin. Its energy is near limitless, and its power is immense. Unless you can fight while constantly recharging, you'll never outlast it!"

Thor shouted again, but Iron Man paid no heed. After the explosion, his thrusters fired at full power, sending him skimming along the ground toward the Destroyer.

Ever since that night at Hammer Industries when Batman slapped him, Tony Stark had realized what he was lacking.

Long-range ammo could run out, energy weapon ports could be damaged, and signals could be jammed. What he needed most now was hand-to-hand combat ability—especially the kind that could function effectively even when offline.

Over the past few days, he had upgraded his suit, loading it with extensive combat data. It included techniques from various martial arts worldwide, including China's no-holds-barred combat styles.

With this data and J.A.R.V.I.S.'s assistance, Iron Man could exhibit formidable close-combat skills. Even in offline mode, he could operate as a martial arts master.

Originally, all of this was meant for Batman.

Next time I meet you, I'll prove that I've become a better version of myself!

But now, it seemed these preparations would be put to use sooner than expected.

With his thrusters accelerating him, Iron Man quickly closed the distance. In a flash, he was beneath the Destroyer. He clenched his right fist, flames bursting from his elbow thruster, and delivered an uppercut aimed at the Destroyer's jaw.

Bang!

The Destroyer, clearly not expecting this "metal fly" to engage in close combat, was caught off guard. The punch landed squarely, causing its jaw to tilt sideways.

Scoring a successful hit, Iron Man instantly grew excited.

'No wonder Batman enjoys smacking people. This feeling of delivering damage with your fists—it's more satisfying than the final shiver after an intense workout! This stuff is addictive!'

Without hesitation, Iron Man unleashed the full extent of his downloaded combat techniques, attacking the Destroyer relentlessly and without reservation.

The results were impressive. Amid the clanging of metal, the Destroyer was forced to retreat repeatedly, its metallic armor showing visible dents and deformations, making it look rather battered.

The only downside was that this opponent was just a hunk of metal, lacking vital points like facial features, a heart, or vulnerable lower regions. This rendered many of Iron Man's most effective combat moves, especially the "Mad Dog Punch" from no-holds-barred fighting, completely useless.

Despite his enthusiastic onslaught, Iron Man failed to notice that Thor, standing not far away, was still frowning.

"Attacks of this level won't have any real effect on the Destroyer!"

Sure enough, before Thor could finish speaking, the Destroyer found an opening in Iron Man's attacks. It reached out with a powerful hand, grabbing his neck armor. Lifting him effortlessly, it slammed Iron Man to the ground like swatting a fly.

With a thunderous crash, Iron Man's armor crumpled on impact, sparks flying from his joints, making it look like the suit might explode at any moment.

The Destroyer slowly rose, its dented metal exterior gradually reshaping itself. Then it lifted its enormous foot, aiming a stomp at Iron Man's torso.

If this stomp connected, the Stark family wouldn't just face extinction—it would reduce Tony from stomach to spine into a mangled pulp.

At that moment, a figure came hurtling in like a comet, crashing into the Destroyer's midsection. Given the height difference, it could only manage a strike there.

The one who charged in was Thor. Despite the considerable height difference, his 500-pound frame managed to disrupt the Destroyer's movement, causing its descending foot to miss its target.

Thor landed, dragging the seemingly incapacitated Iron Man several meters away. He then tapped on Iron Man's helmet.

"Hey, you okay? Are you dead?"

Iron Man didn't lift his helmet; his face was in no shape to be seen.

"Nope. Damage like this? Barely a scratch for me!"

Even though his body felt like it was falling apart, Tony Stark would never admit defeat—not with his words, never.

"Good," Thor sighed in relief. "I need to head east, to New York. Can you help me?"

Thor had given up on trying to reason with Loki. Talking any further would only make him look like a desperate fool begging for love, achieving nothing but humiliation.

Their only option now was to take down the Destroyer. Only by defeating this monstrosity could they gain the leverage to have an equal conversation with Loki.

But taking down the Destroyer with just the two of them was clearly impossible.

"Why New York?" Tony Stark asked, clearly still harboring issues with that city.

Thor shrugged. "Do you have backup here?"

Tony Stark was momentarily speechless. If they could lure the Destroyer to Stark Industries headquarters and hit it with the giant reactor, maybe they'd have a chance to take it down.

Unfortunately, the last battle with Iron Monger had already used up one reactor, and the new one wasn't ready yet. That trump card was still on cooldown.

Thor nodded. "I have backup in New York, so that's our only option."

Tony Stark inwardly resisted. What if they ran into Batman again in New York? What if he got slapped again?

He had even prepped lines for Batman in his head.

"Who told you to bring the enemy to New York?"

"Which city's better, New York or L.A.?"

"Who do you love more, Dad or Mom?"

This was straight-up psychological trauma.

But even with his trauma, as he glanced at the Destroyer's glowing face, Tony Stark had no choice but to swallow his pride and soldier on.

"Let's go!"

With a blaze of fire, Iron Man grabbed Thor by the arm and shot into the sky, heading straight for New York.

Behind them, the Destroyer's fiery beam chased after Iron Man, skimming dangerously close but failing to touch even a hair on either of them.