[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman":3,"chapter-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-432":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1721938,2198,"Chapter 432 432 — The Real Game Begins","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-432",432,"\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For 40 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patreon - Twilight_scribe1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry was simply telling the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging from Tony Stark's recent behavior, Gitano Dragoneiti had to admit the scenario Henry described was entirely plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry didn't bother asking what Dragoneiti actually wanted from Stark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dragoneiti clearly had no intention of letting Henry leave empty-handed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"The reason I wish to meet Mr. Stark is actually quite simple — business cooperation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I possess capital. A great deal of capital that can be invested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps Stark Industries doesn't currently need funding. But we can offer something else… something many people dream about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured vaguely toward the outer hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like those old men outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think they desire more than money?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Health. Youth. Vitality like young people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With our assistance, those things are easily obtained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if you wanted them… negotiations would not be impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure the Continental has already told you certain secrets ordinary people never hear about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry didn't immediately give in to the soft temptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead he asked calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"And the price?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are far more people outside who want what you're offering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet you approached me specifically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this certainly isn't free, Mr. Dragoneiti.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is exactly why I enjoy dealing with clever people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I said — it's all part of business cooperation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately avoided specifying the trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry also refused to ask directly what they wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the answer was obvious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted equity. Influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give a small favor, harvest enormous profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A classic move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry shrugged helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stark Industries is beyond my authority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if you want shares of Stark Pictures, you'll still have to talk to Tony Stark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's the sole owner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't even hold a single share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That seems rather poor treatment for a man with such valuable technology.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you think, Mr. Henry Brown?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry smiled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, leaving Stark Pictures means losing access to a supercomputer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I make do with the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft but firm rejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inside Stark's company, the resources are unimaginable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who would expect Hollywood equipment to run on a supercomputer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should hear how many technical people complain to me about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry caught the hidden meaning immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti didn't want Henry himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted a nail embedded inside Stark's organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry responded with another casual deflection:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To Tony Stark, Stark Pictures is basically a toy company compared to Stark Industries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's why he allows an outsider like me to control those resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn't care about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if we changed the form of cooperation between us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry played along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What sort of cooperation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti lowered his voice conspiratorially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't believe your talent is limited to digital imaging technology.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially for someone who also possesses remarkable medical skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we supported you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we helped you enter Stark Industries and climb upward…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How high do you think you could go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps just as Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane once worked together…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could create a new era.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tony Stark and Henry Brown.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Henry nearly gagged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proposal was so nauseating it gave him goosebumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he kill this vampire right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or kill Iron Man later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the statement also revealed something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire clearly knew something about Henry's \"Tinkerer\" identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry maintained his calm expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Same question as before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the price?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The only thing I believe in is that nothing in this world comes free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti smiled proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The price… and the reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I told you I could make you one of us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A member of our kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, such a transformation has… certain inconveniences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we could reserve that privilege.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you're ready, we perform the ritual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until then, we support your rise within Stark Industries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But for such cooperation…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We would require proof.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A guarantee you won't betray us later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry understood immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted a pledge of loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he asked calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"What kind of guarantee?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragoneiti answered briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were targeting Charlize Theron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't even a proper celebrity yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she disappeared in Los Angeles, nobody would notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe only her mother would travel from South Africa searching desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry knew showing anger would only confirm their strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he tilted his head thoughtfully and replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she truly means that much to me, how could I hand her over?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I hand her over easily…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wouldn't that prove she's not actually valuable to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would such a guarantee really satisfy you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry's counter-question made Dragoneiti hesitate slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because throughout his long life he had learned something:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> People who sacrifice family for loyalty… almost never remain loyal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever the benefits of betrayal exceed loyalty, people always betray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing was eternal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real control came from keeping rewards withheld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offer just enough hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Increase their investment repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the sunk cost becomes unbearable, loyalty finally becomes stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that strategy wouldn't work with Henry Brown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn't leave obvious vampire influence on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Howard Stark once had close connections with the Howling Commandos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among them was a vampire–werewolf hybrid:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nina Price — the Midnight Vampire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant Howard Stark knew vampires existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that connection, vampire infiltration attempts in Stark Industries had always failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their agents were stuck in insignificant positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None had ever gained the opportunity Henry Brown now possessed —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chance to reach the core of Stark Industries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tony Stark became suspicious, their investment in Henry would collapse instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had only one option:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep Henry clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him infiltrate Stark Industries without any visible vampire ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then could he quietly climb toward the center of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🎉 Power Stone Goal Announcement! 🎉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll release one bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones we hit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me know what should I do\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support means everything—let's crush these goals together! Keep voting, and let the stones pile up! 🚀\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>",1018,"2026-06-06T15:31:22.542Z",1,"novelbin.me","e581225699d427c1b4f3d797cd00ea909b09825c053b6196ae6abbfcd0e3326e","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-433","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-431",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmarvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-cover.jpg"]