Hearing Lucas's words, Johnny was genuinely shocked.
This was a company valued at hundreds of billions of dollars—yet his boss spoke of abandoning it as casually as tossing aside loose change.
But the shock faded quickly.
With Lucas's strength and influence, what money in this world would be out of reach?
Johnny had once scoffed when people said that, for certain individuals, money was nothing more than numbers or paper.
Now he finally understood.
To Lucas, money truly was just that.
"I understand your intentions, boss," Johnny said as he stood up and nodded.
"Do you have any further instructions?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Money may be nothing but numbers to me," he said calmly,
"but someone has used those numbers to make me uncomfortable."
"And when that happens, I don't let people enjoy themselves."
"Mobilize every resource we have," Lucas ordered.
"Target Wayne Enterprises. Don't hold back on spending—hit them hard. As hard as possible."
Johnny froze for a moment.
He hadn't expected his boss to be so decisive—or so unforgiving.
But an order was an order.
"I understand, boss," Johnny replied firmly.
"I'll establish a special task force and use every means available to make Wayne Enterprises miserable."
With that, he turned and left the courtyard.
Moments later, the low roar of jet engines echoed through the air as Johnny departed in a compact aircraft.
This plane, too, was a product of Phastos's research.
It could take off and land vertically on any terrain—even on water.
Its maximum speed reached Mach 30, surpassing first cosmic velocity and allowing low-Earth orbital flight.
It could even approach second cosmic velocity—enough to escape Earth's gravity and enter the solar system.
The design incorporated both Kryptonian ship technology and Eternal engineering.
And this was only the civilian version.
Commercial and military variants would be equipped with even more powerful engines, though mass production was still in its final stages.
Despite all this, the price was astonishingly affordable.
While traditional fighter jets often cost over a hundred million dollars, this aircraft was priced at just thirty million.
Weapon systems, control modules, and auxiliary components could all be customized separately.
It could only be said that bringing Phastos into the company had been one of Lucas's most correct decisions.
As for Wayne Enterprises, Lucas didn't merely want to make them uncomfortable.
He wanted to meet Batman himself.
Bruce Wayne was not like Tony Stark.
Though both were among the wealthiest individuals in their respective worlds—and both were brilliant with technology and weapons—they differed fundamentally.
They shared one trait: deep vigilance toward superpowered beings.
But Bruce's mind leaned toward combat, tactics, and strategy.
His equipment was merely one component within a larger strategic framework—tools to increase success rates.
Tony, on the other hand, focused on advancing technology itself, then built tactics around those technological advantages, whether for himself or his allies.
They seemed similar on the surface, yet their paths diverged sharply.
Watching Johnny depart, Lucas spoke again.
"Connect me to Ellis."
[Understood, sir.]
The intelligent system immediately placed the call.
Soon, Ellis's voice came through.
"Lucas, what can I do for you?"
"How are things on your end?" Lucas asked.
"Thanks to you," Ellis replied with a relaxed tone,
"the federal government rejected my resignation. They want me to stay on until the diplomatic process with Asgard is completed."
"Good," Lucas said calmly.
"I told you—you wouldn't be brought down so easily."
"Thank you," Ellis replied sincerely.
"Now, what's on your mind?"
"I want to ask—does Wayne Enterprises have any direct ties to you?" Lucas asked bluntly.
Ellis was silent for a moment before responding.
"If anyone else asked, I'd refuse to answer," he said slowly.
"But since it's you, I'll be honest."
"I know your resentment toward Wayne Enterprises stems from Gotham and Atlantis."
"But I need to tell you this—the Wayne family has deeply entrenched political roots in the local government."
"Even I would have serious reservations about moving against them, and the chances of failure wouldn't be low."
"With your power, dealing with the Waynes directly would be easy. But since you're asking me this, I know you don't want to use that method."
"If I mobilize all my political resources, I still couldn't topple the Wayne family outright."
"But hitting them hard?"
"That, I can do."
Lucas chuckled.
"Good. If you need anything, contact my company directly—funds, equipment, whatever you need."
Ellis paused, then asked with unmistakable excitement,
"You mean it? I've had my eye on your company's tech for a long time."
Lucas took a sip of juice and replied casually,
"No problem. I'll notify the company to supply those technologies to you at prices below procurement cost."
"That would be incredible," Ellis said, unable to hide his enthusiasm.
Lucas's company's technology was something countless factions coveted.
"By the way," Lucas added,
"Asgard will officially visit Earth in seven days. Make sure you're prepared."
"Seven days—got it," Ellis answered.
"After our last encounter with Atlantis's leadership, we have experience."
"The Asgardian monarch cares a lot about ceremony," Lucas reminded him.
There was no helping it.
Hela, in particular, cared deeply about appearances.
Or rather—it was an Asgardian trait in general.
You could fall short in many areas, but their dignity must never be neglected.
"I understand," Ellis replied decisively.
After the call ended, Lucas lay back down, basking in the sunlight once more.
But his thoughts drifted far beyond Earth.
Threats from the cosmos, from hell, and from countless unknown realms weighed on his mind.
And most pressing of all—
How should he deal with Mephisto?
A Demon King of Hell.
Lucas knew very well that, without relying on the Infinity Stones or Lantern Rings, his current strength was nowhere near enough to face such an existence head-on.
And once entangled with someone like Mephisto, things would never end easily.
For a Saiyan, there were only two paths to growth:
Either increase one's energy level,
or elevate one's spiritual realm.
Energy growth meant advancing Super Saiyan stages—but having only recently broken through to Super Saiyan One, that path would have to wait.
That left only one option.
Strengthen his spiritual state.
Stabilize Super Saiyan One as quickly as possible.
And reach the point where he could maintain Super Saiyan One at full power purely through his own mastery.
Only then would he be ready for what lay ahead.
...
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