Chapter 26: The Nature of Humanity

After Tony Stark saw the progress bar for destroying the footage reach its end, he leaned both hands on the table, feeling a weight lifted from his heart. At some point, his back had become drenched with cold sweat, but Tony Stark understood the reason.

When a person encounters something mysterious yet brimming with infinite possibilities—a wondrous thing or power—they feel curiosity and excitement. So, when Harvey Ambelaka cured him and his health improved, it naturally thrilled him. Thinking ahead to possible future enemies, he considered this an invincible superpower. With Harvey Ambelaka around, there was no need to fear injury, so long as death was avoided.

Yet, when one faces the unknowable and incomprehensible mysteries—aware of the danger that mystery brings—the initial reaction is no longer excitement or curiosity, but an irresistible surge of fear drawn from the deepest biological instincts.

Witnessing Harvey Ambelaka’s healing firsthand, Tony Stark felt a profound terror. If word got out about Harvey’s healing abilities, countless people would seek him out, desperate for cures beyond current science, or for ways to extend their lives.

But in the footage, Harvey Ambelaka showed not only his healing ability. There was the purple energy he wielded effortlessly, the razor-sharp fingers like blades—clearly, Harvey possessed powers to defend himself. Otherwise, he would never risk exposure to cure Tony Stark and let him learn such things.

“Is the footage destroyed?” Harvey’s voice sounded behind Tony Stark.

“I saw that footage. There’s no way I wouldn’t destroy it,” Tony Stark replied with a bitter smile, turning to face Harvey, who was walking into the underground lab.

“I know you might be afraid of me, but rest assured, if I were your enemy, I wouldn’t have helped you,” Harvey said calmly.

“Then why did you approach me?” Tony Stark asked.

“Tony Stark, did you even think before asking that? Did you forget you spent a whole month contacting me?” Harvey replied, somewhat speechless.

He had intended to leave an impression on Tony Stark, hoping to lure him into the Void later. Yet he hadn’t expected Tony Stark to become almost obsessed, contacting him relentlessly. To avoid being pestered, Harvey finally answered, curious about Tony’s intentions.

Tony Stark wanted to retort, but realizing it was indeed he who initiated contact, he found himself unable to argue.

“My actions are guided entirely by my mood, so you needn’t dwell on it. Let’s talk about your technology.” Harvey, seeing Tony Stark struggle for words, graciously let him off and steered the conversation toward the armor.

“My latest developments are the Mark IV and Mark V. One is focused on combat, the other is a lightweight, portable model.”

“These are the fruits of my intellect. At full speed in the sky, they can reach Mach 2. The materials are as sturdy and cold-resistant as those used in aerospace satellites, impervious to bullets, and they feature repulsor blasts and other tricks,” Tony Stark introduced proudly, moving to stand before the two suits.

“In just over a month, you’ve improved the armor to such performance. That’s impressive. Your suits will only become more formidable in the future. But no matter how much you improve them, the greatest weakness lies in you, doesn’t it?” Harvey tapped lightly on the armor, producing a metallic clang. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you: in battle, if you have a weakness that’s unsolved and easily exposed, you’re liable to lose your life.”

“I’ve considered that weakness, but right now, I have no way to change it. No matter how brilliant my mind, I’m still human—subject to aging, injury, and death,” Tony Stark admitted.

Piloting armor or a fighter jet—aside from his superior technology—holds little difference in the heat of combat. If the suit or jet sustains damage, the pilot is exposed to mortal danger. That’s why, at first, he wanted Colonel Rhodes to partner with him. Tony had the intellect; Rhodey had combat experience. Together, they could maximize the armor’s power. Yet Rhodey had rebuffed him, so Tony became his own pilot.

Harvey’s earlier words were deliberately meant to remind Tony of his vulnerability.

“You say ‘right now’—does that mean you have a method?” Harvey glanced at Tony Stark.

“I want to strengthen my body to address my greatest weakness—the research into genetics. But to develop a gene serum with no side effects, suitable for humans, the trials would inevitably violate ethical boundaries. That’s why I’ve never ventured into genetics,” Tony Stark explained.

“Tony Stark, what do you think qualifies a human as human?” Harvey’s eyes flashed as he asked.

Sometimes, people with powers different from ordinary humans strive to suppress themselves and fit in, yearning to be seen as human rather than an outlier. But even among ordinary people, differences abound—wealth, power. Many seize every opportunity to gain more, to control more.

Human nature is selfish and greedy; given a chance, people naturally seek to obtain and command more. When such opportunities arise, to deliberately suppress oneself and cater to the weak, wishing to be treated as ordinary—that strikes Harvey as a foolish, mediocre notion.

Though he had possessed the power of the Void for nearly three years without deep reflection, Nick Fury’s reminder had prompted him to reconsider. Realizing his power came from the Void, he accepted who he was.

“Desires? Are you talking about men or women?” Tony Stark asked, seeking clarity.

“My question isn’t about men or women, but what humanity fundamentally desires,” Harvey replied, turning to meet Tony Stark’s gaze, smiling.

“The essence of humanity can’t be summed up in a single category, since different people have vastly different desires and needs,” Tony Stark mused aloud.

“Some people are arrogant, some insecure, some kind, some selfish—but those are differences in personality, not essence. The essence of humanity is the desire to survive. To survive, people crave power, relying on it to obtain more of what they want: vast knowledge, strength, status, myriad talents. Anything that sets one above others is power.

“Throughout history, the world has mostly been dominated by men, but women have reached the top as well. That means women can crave power; it’s just harder for them to obtain it, so it’s rarer.

“But once someone has a slightly superior status or advantage, they’ll consciously or unconsciously distinguish themselves, refusing to associate with those far beneath them—even feeling ashamed to do so.

“History is full of such examples; even you and I are no exception. Do you still believe the essence of humanity requires dividing men from women?”

Harvey spoke slowly, gazing at the Iron Man armor.

Tony Stark wanted to argue, but upon reflection, found nowhere to refute. Indeed, personalities differ, but fundamentally, survival is paramount. Once survival is assured, people desire more—better living conditions, higher status, and so on.

“So you’re suggesting I violate human ethics?” Tony Stark, considering Harvey’s words, felt moved.

“I never said that. I’m merely reminding you of humanity’s essence. What you choose to do is your own concern. Though the essence is survival and gaining more power, when you seek greater power, ask yourself if you’re truly ready. If not, choosing to play it safe is no bad thing,” Harvey’s words, like a subtle enchantment, were quietly eroding some of Tony Stark’s ingrained beliefs.

Perhaps there would be no immediate effect, but when Tony Stark grew desperate for more power, seeking to overcome his greatest weakness, this wavering would influence his choices and actions.

“I’ve already eaten your dinner, so I won’t stay for a midnight snack. I helped you eliminate palladium poisoning—it was a casual gesture, but that doesn’t mean I’ll always help you if you get poisoned again. Don’t rely on luck. Make the most of your extended time and strive to find a new element to replace palladium and solve the root problem,” Harvey said, watching Tony Stark sink into thought, then turned and left.

Only Tony Stark remained in the underground lab, his gaze shifting and his mind whirring ceaselessly.