More than a week had passed since the incident involving Arishem and the Eternals.
Lucas was still living a simple yet comfortable life in the state prison.
"Mysterious humanoid robot appears in the Middle East, eliminating terrorist forces?"
Lucas took a sip of milk while reading the newspaper headline.
"Looks like that classic scene is about to happen."
For anyone who transmigrated into the Marvel universe, this was a moment that simply could not be missed.
It was the scene that truly announced the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—and, years later, that single snap would also mark the beginning of a dynasty's decline after reaching its peak.
Ring—ring—
The phone rang, and Lucas accepted the video call.
"Johnny, you wouldn't interrupt my vacation unless you had good news, right?"
Johnny appeared on screen, grinning from ear to ear.
"As expected of you, boss."
"Yes, this morning we finalized share transfer agreements with three Stark Industries shareholders. We now hold 23% of Stark Industries' shares."
"In terms of shareholding structure, we've officially become the third-largest shareholder."
Lucas nodded calmly.
"How much did it cost?"
"One hundred and seventeen billion dollars in total," Johnny reported immediately.
"But those shares were once worth over three hundred billion!"
Lucas asked again, "Is there still room to continue acquiring more?"
Johnny's expression turned cautious.
"Boss, I wouldn't recommend it. Whether in terms of absolute control or the current situation, further acquisitions would be extremely difficult."
"How much do the Stark family and Obadiah hold?" Lucas asked.
"Tony Stark holds 39% of the original shares. Obadiah Stane holds 13%."
Johnny continued his analysis.
"As long as those two remain, no one can seize controlling interest."
"The remaining 25%—aside from the mandatory 7% circulating on the market—the other 18% mostly belongs to Obadiah's allies."
"He's already noticed us. If we push further, it may trigger a strategic counterattack."
"Alright," Lucas replied.
"We'll stop here."
Twenty-three percent was more than enough. Any major decision at Stark Industries would now be impossible without him.
Johnny added, "By the way, boss, while acquiring shares, we ran into another organization with the same goal as ours."
"Oh?" Lucas replied, already guessing who it was.
"What did you find?"
"They didn't care about price at all. They swallowed every available order like starving wolves."
"If we hadn't raised our bids and adjusted strategy, we'd probably have ended up with less than 16%."
"Ignore them," Lucas said calmly.
"Even if they bid higher, let them. Pretend they don't exist."
He continued, "As for Stark Industries board meetings, have a professional manager attend on my behalf."
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not reveal my identity."
Lucas was well aware of what certain agencies were trying to do.
"Understood, boss," Johnny replied.
Johnny then hesitated slightly before continuing.
"Boss, the second matter—Mr. Phastos has arrived at the company. How would you like to arrange things?"
"Give him a location and build him a laboratory," Lucas said without hesitation.
"Any funding he requests—approve it immediately. Whatever equipment he wants, buy it. No need to seek my approval."
"…What?" Johnny froze.
"Unless he asks for your life," Lucas said firmly,
"you are to support him unconditionally. Understood?"
"Yes, boss!" Johnny answered at once.
For him, the boss's orders were absolute. His job was to manage money and execute instructions—nothing more.
After ending the call, a communication request from Phastos came through immediately.
"Lucas, I've arrived," Phastos said with a gentle smile.
"I've already spoken with Johnny. If you need anything, just tell him," Lucas replied.
"Thank you," Phastos said sincerely.
"But what exactly do you need me to do?"
Lucas shook his head.
"Phastos, I didn't bring you here to work for me."
"I brought you here so you can finally be yourself."
"…What?" Phastos was visibly confused.
Before this, Lucas had told him to come help at the company if he had nothing else to do.
Phastos had assumed Lucas wanted him to develop something specific.
"Phastos," Lucas said seriously,
"I didn't want your talent wasted on repairing bicycles."
"Everyone else is finally free to do what they want—why shouldn't you be?"
"But… you're paying me, and I—" Phastos hesitated.
"You'll be creating things that benefit both me and the company," Lucas replied.
"So paying you is only right."
"I won't interfere in what you research. I'll support you completely."
"If you don't have a project in mind yet, I have cooperative research underway with Luthor's group—you can join the Kryptonian spacecraft project."
"If you prefer solitude, I can even have Lex Luthor give you an independent research team. You'd only need to report to me."
Phastos pressed his lips together, emotion flickering in his eyes.
"I never imagined anyone would support me like this, Lucas. No one ever has. Not once."
Lucas understood him far too well.
Since arriving on Earth, Phastos had always been restrained by Ajak—forced to suppress his true genius and offer humanity only limited, outdated inventions.
What was that, if not shackles?
A tiger bound at the fangs and claws.
A bird with its wings tied.
Such restraint, lasting nearly ten thousand years, was bound to twist the soul.
That was why—even after leaving the Eternals—Phastos chose only to repair bicycles instead of advancing human technology.
The damage was psychological.
Lucas intended to break those shackles completely.
He wanted Phastos unleashed—free to create whatever he wished, so long as it pushed human technology forward.
Because compared to the great powers of the Virgo Supercluster, humanity's technology was pitiful.
No—even compared to the Chitauri, it was laughably weak.
If not for Earth's unique status and hidden protections, it would have been looted by cosmic raiders countless times already.
"If you run into any trouble, contact Johnny," Lucas said finally.
"And if he can't handle it, come to me."
"I'm always here."
He ended the call with an encouraging fist gesture.
Afterward, Lucas stepped into the gravity chamber.
He pressed the activation button.
Red light flickered—and crushing gravity descended.
The display showed 18× gravity.
Wearing only weighted wristbands, knee guards, and ankle supports, Lucas calmly began another round of intense strength and conditioning training.