In a cave hidden within the Gobi Desert in Afghanistan, the rhythmic sound of "Dang Dang Dang Dang" filled the air. A mature-looking man with a mustache, Tony Stark, was sweating as he worked furiously, hammering metal pieces. Beside him stood a half-bald white man with glasses, Yinsen, who handed over pliers with an anxious look.
"Tony, we're running out of time. I'm afraid they won't give us much longer," Yinsen said nervously.
"Then let's hurry up. Trust me, Yinsen," Tony Stark replied confidently, patting his chest where a makeshift electromagnet was installed.
A month prior, Tony had showcased Stark Industries' high-tech Jericho missiles in the Afghan region. On the way back, he was attacked by his own missiles. While he narrowly escaped death, he suffered numerous shrapnel injuries. Thanks to Yinsen's help, an electromagnet was used to prevent the shrapnel from reaching his heart. Together, they worked to build a small arc reactor as a replacement for the malfunctioning battery.
Tony was relieved that Che Guevara wasn't among the terrorists. Otherwise...
After hours of work, their efforts were suddenly interrupted. A voice cut through the tense atmosphere.
"Don't wait until tomorrow; the comics will be released tomorrow."
Everyone turned in surprise as a transparent square door appeared in the air. A young man stepped through, casually dressed as if on vacation.
"Oh my God!?" exclaimed one of the terrorists, his worldview shattered by the sight of someone simply walking through a hole in the air.
Tony's expression shifted from shock to relief. "Hey, are you from the military here to rescue me?"
"Tony Stark, I'm not from the military. I'm here for a more distant form of cooperation," Xu Mo said with a stern face, trying to sound serious.
"Who are you?" demanded the terrorist behind the bald leader, aiming his gun at Xu Mo. Despite Xu Mo's unusual entry, they were still heavily armed and unshaken.
Xu Mo took a few steps forward calmly. "I suggest you put down your guns and consider your options."
He then turned to Tony. "Think about it. If you cooperate with me, I can ensure your safe exit."
Yinsen gave Tony a meaningful look. They were close to completing the armor, but having someone to help them at this point was invaluable. Tony, understanding the urgency, agreed, "As long as it doesn't go against my principles, I'm willing to cooperate."
"No problem at all," Xu Mo responded.
The bald leader, annoyed by Xu Mo's disregard for his authority, shouted, "Shut up! This is my territory!"
Before anyone could react, he opened fire on Xu Mo. Xu Mo raised his hand nonchalantly and intoned, "Hadō number thirty-one: Red Artillery."
A torrent of flames erupted from his palm, engulfing the terrorists, including the bald leader, who were incinerated in a blaze of fiery screams. The metal bullets melted into silver droplets that fell to the ground with a faint buzzing sound.
Yinsen and Tony stared in shock as Xu Mo's fiery attack reduced the terrorists to ashes. They instinctively stepped back, their fear evident.
Tony, always one to maintain composure, straightened up, showing no sign of fear. "There are still more out there."
As if on cue, footsteps and the clatter of heavy objects approached from outside.
"T-800," Xu Mo said, clapping his hands. A burly man wearing sunglasses, equipped with heavy weaponry, emerged from the door. This T-800, equipped with summoning equipment, had been collecting dust until now.
"Destroy them," Xu Mo ordered, pointing towards the entrance. The T-800 nodded blankly and walked out confidently.
Yinsen couldn't help but protest, "He's going to be torn to shreds if he goes out there like that!"
Tony, observing the T-800, was struck by its inhuman rigidity, resembling a machine more than a person. He watched with growing curiosity as gunfire erupted outside.
The continuous "Da Da Da Da" of gunfire rang out. Yinsen turned away, unable to watch, while Tony peered out, his eyes widening in disbelief. The T-800, unaffected by the bullets, fired its dual guns with deadly accuracy, taking down the terrorists one by one.
After a brief but intense battle, the T-800 returned and stood beside Xu Mo.
"Robot," Tony said, recognizing the technology's potential. "This is incredible. Who are you, and how do you plan to collaborate?"
Xu Mo smiled, tossing a magazine to Tony. "I'm here to help with our company's promotional advertising. We need to get our comic publications into the hands of everyone."
"Advertising?" Tony asked, his interest piqued. "So, what's the plan?"
Xu Mo replied cheerfully, "The advertisement will be in the comic magazine that's a must-read after a narrow escape."
Tony Stark, now faced with new possibilities and a high-tech ally, was left to contemplate how this unexpected turn of events could change his approach to technology and escape.