『Tony Stark』: I've discovered a new element that can replace palladium.

『Tony Stark』: This way, I can wear the miniature arc reactor and use the Iron Suit...

『Tony Stark』: Without any risk of poisoning.

Tony Stark was absolutely thrilled.

The problem that had plagued him for so long was finally solved.

Through the research on the materials Carl had previously given him,

And inspired by the Stark Expo model he later saw at his company,

Tony discovered a new element.

This new element could completely replace palladium in the arc reactor.

And most importantly, it didn't cause any poisoning.

After days of painstaking effort,

Just moments ago,

Tony finally completed the new arc reactor.

The new arc reactor was not circular but triangular in shape.

He couldn't wait to share the good news with someone.

Although Tony had feelings for Pepper Potts,

They weren't officially a couple yet.

So it wasn't easy to just open up to her right now.

Instead, he called Carl.

After all, Carl had saved his life once.

And now, this new material Carl gave him saved him a second time.

From the bottom of his heart, Tony felt grateful.

『Tony Stark』: Carl, I did it! I solved the problem!

『Carl』: Oh? Congratulations.

Carl was genuinely happy for Tony's breakthrough.

After all, he had gifted Tony Howard Stark's old research.

If Tony had failed to make anything of it,

Then all that effort would've been for nothing.

『Tony Stark』: How about this, come over to my place tomorrow night. Let's have a drink to celebrate.

『Tony Stark』: I'll invite Banner and Ethan too. Will you come, Mr. Superman?

Carl glanced at Zhao Hae-Rin, who was driving.

『Carl』: I'm afraid I can't.

『Tony Stark』: What? Don't you like drinking?

『Tony Stark』: Besides, Banner could Hulk out any moment. If you're not around, we won't be able to enjoy ourselves fully.

『Tony Stark』: You're the only one who can keep him in check, right? Poor Banner...

『Tony Stark』: I heard he hasn't dared drink in a long time.

『Carl』: I have to accompany my girlfriend these days. She's returning to Goryeo soon.

『Carl』: I'm not saying no forever, we can drink in a few days.

『Tony Stark』: Bring her along! I'll invite Pepper and a few other women. That way, she won't feel bored.

It was actually a pretty good idea.

Having dinner with friends was nothing out of the ordinary.

『Carl』: I'll ask her and see what she thinks.

『Tony Stark』: Great.

Carl turned toward Zhao Hae-Rin.

『Carl』: Hae-Rin, Tony invited me for drinks tomorrow night. There'll be four of us guys, plus Pepper and a few other women.

『Carl』: Do you want to come?

『Zhao Hae-Rin』: Sure, sounds like fun.

『Carl』: Alright.

He picked up the phone again.

『Carl』: She's in. We'll be there tomorrow night. What time?

『Tony Stark』: Oh, that's wonderful news!

『Tony Stark』: But let me clarify, Pepper's not my girlfriend.

『Carl』: It's only a matter of time. Who knows, maybe you two will even get married.

『Tony Stark』: Oof…

Tony didn't hang up, but he also didn't respond immediately.

He seemed to be contemplating how to refute that statement.

Eventually, he spoke.

『Tony Stark』: The party's at six tomorrow evening, at my place. Don't be late, Mr. Superman.

『Tony Stark』: I've got more to take care of. Hanging up now.

Click.

Carl chuckled at the disconnected call.

Was Tony flustered, perhaps?

After that, Carl continued touring around with Zhao Hae-Rin.

That night, they returned home to rest.

…

[In the World of Detective Conan]

After several days of planning, Akemi Miyano finally completed her plan.

She had also contacted two accomplices.

One of them was a low-level member of the Black Organization.

Whether he had ever carried out missions for the organization was unclear.

The identities of these two were quite unique.

One, named Shiro Beizuka, was a grassroots operative.

He was a professional racecar driver,

With excellent driving skills.

After the robbery, he'd be the perfect getaway driver.

The second was a security guard named Kishii.

He was in charge of transporting cash for a bank.

Though not part of the Black Organization,

He lived lavishly and gambled compulsively.

As a result, he racked up significant debt.

Akemi had learned of his situation from a coworker,

And approached him for a chat.

The two hit it off almost instantly.

Kishii agreed to the plan without much hesitation.

The three of them then refined Akemi's plan further.

With everything in place, they decided to act the following day.

But just in case the mission failed,

Akemi Miyano had something else to do today.

She took a cassette tape her mother had recorded for her sister,

And left the house.

The tape contained messages from their mother,

Meant for Shiho Miyano, her younger sister.

It was a compilation of advice and thoughts

From the time Shiho was one year old up to age twenty.

A mother's final words to her child.

It was as though their mother had known her end was near.

This cassette had been discovered by Akemi by accident.

Worried the organization might steal it,

She hadn't had a chance to hand it over to her sister.

Now, with a high-risk mission ahead,

If it succeeded, both sisters could escape the organization.

Then she could deliver it in person.

If she failed…

She had to make sure the organization never found it.

It had to be hidden somewhere only her sister might find,

But the organization never would.

Just as she stepped out,

Akemi Miyano was met by a middle-aged man.

She knew another person was lurking in the shadows.

Both were members of the Black Organization.

Their task: to monitor her.

Akemi didn't try to shake them off.

Instead, she spoke calmly.

『Akemi Miyano』: I'd like to visit my father's old house. Could you give me a ride?

The two men exchanged glances and nodded.

『Agent』: Alright.

Over an hour later,

Akemi arrived in front of a luxurious small building.

A sign at the entrance read: "Dejima Office."

Clearly, the building was now an office.

Offices like this operate similarly to companies,

Handling tasks or accepting client commissions,

Like the Zhang Wei Law Firm or Kogoro Mouri Detective Agency.

This place, Dejima Office,

Was a design agency.

But the house originally belonged to Akemi's father.

He had rented it out to a friend

Who turned it into an office space.

End of chapter...

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