Chapter Thirty: A Rare Opportunity

"Harvey Amberlaca, can you answer a question for me?"
Tony Stark looked at Harvey, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

"Tell me what it is, and I'll consider it," Harvey replied, his eyes flickering slightly as he did not immediately agree.

"After you treated me last time, my body improved by several times, not just a little. Not only did I become a few years younger, but my physical condition has also been significantly enhanced. Is there any way for your powers to strengthen my body without making me look younger, so that no one notices the change?"

Tony Stark's gaze was evasive as he spoke. Ever since Harvey had treated him, Tony could clearly feel that his body had undergone tremendous changes. His senses had become sharper, his strength and stamina had increased remarkably. Although his speed wasn't at the absolute peak of human potential, it was far beyond that of ordinary people. In the past, if he worked late for several days in a row without proper rest, his thirty-eight-year-old body would have collapsed. But after the treatment, he only needed three or four hours of sleep each night to clear any fatigue and remain energetic. His mind was also more agile than before, which was why he had been able to rapidly iterate and upgrade the Iron Man suit in just two months.

Most importantly, after two months, Tony Stark had not experienced any side effects. This made him realize that Harvey Amberlaca's abilities went far beyond mere healing and rejuvenation—they could directly strengthen the body, and not just as a temporary boost. The last time Harvey treated him, he had merely strengthened Tony's body as an afterthought, yet Tony could already leap over two meters with ease. If Harvey focused on enhancing him further, Tony wouldn't need to develop gene therapies or conduct morally questionable experiments.

"Tony Stark, didn't I tell you before? If you want to gain something, you often have to pay a price. So your desire to have it both ways is impossible," Harvey said calmly, immediately understanding Tony's yearning for power.

Tony wanted to possess a stronger body while maintaining his current appearance, without anyone noticing the change. Clearly, that was impossible. Even Harvey himself could not achieve such a balance. Ever since he awakened his system and gained powers from the Void, three years had passed. His appearance had not changed much since reaching adulthood.

Harvey believed that not just three years, but even after ten, fifty, or a hundred years, his looks would remain unchanged. The power of the Void had transformed his existence beyond that of a human. In time, his extraordinary nature would be revealed, no matter how much he tried to hide it. But by then, his abilities would have evolved to a point where nothing could threaten him, so he would not care.

"Is there really no way at all?" Tony Stark asked in disappointment.

"Tony Stark, I've told you before. My powers aren't superpowers, though to you they may seem beyond understanding—you can think of them as a kind of superpower," Harvey said, his voice indifferent.

"If they're not superpowers, then what are they?" Tony asked, puzzled.

"Though your current abilities haven't surpassed human limits, your physical condition is already extraordinary. For someone who was once merely ordinary, isn't that enough? If you wish for further enhancement, your body will not only step beyond the bounds of human knowledge, but your lifespan will too—you could live for hundreds or even thousands of years, or longer. I can help you, even grant you power you never dared to dream of. To me, it's a trivial matter. But are you sure you're ready for it?" Harvey looked at Tony Stark, speaking slowly.

"I could become like you—possessing immense, unbelievable power without relying on technology?" Tony Stark was shocked, hardly able to believe what Harvey had said.

"You could wield power beyond imagination, but you'll never reach my level," Harvey replied, shaking his head. "As for the reason, I won't explain. If you truly wish it, you'll understand once you gain it."

Harvey did not deliberately hide anything, nor did he elaborate. He did not know what abilities Tony Stark would gain if he pledged himself to the Void. Having undergone two hundred and eighty-three evolutions, Harvey's power was already terrifying, and this was only the beginning. It was impossible for Tony Stark to catch up.

Tony Stark fell silent. Possessing abilities beyond ordinary people would make others see you as remarkable, like those world-class athletes who break records again and again. Such feats inspire admiration rather than fear. But once your power exceeds the realm of human understanding, people will see you as a freak and become afraid of you.

Tony wanted Harvey to enhance his body without making him look too young, so others wouldn't realize he was different. That was why he had asked Harvey Amberlaca, but the answer was impossible.

To have a long life and power beyond human comprehension was the dream of countless people. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many imaginative movies and animations. Now, when such a chance to obtain fantasy-like power was within reach, Tony Stark hesitated.

If he accepted, even Pepper, whom he admired and trusted deeply, might look at him differently. And several centuries or even longer of life sounded wonderful, but as time passed, he would remain young while those around him aged and died. Just imagining that scene made Tony Stark feel sorrowful.

But if he refused, he might miss an opportunity to completely change his life.

"Harvey Amberlaca, thank you for offering me this chance. But could you give me some more time to think it over?" Tony Stark said, apologetically.

"If you're truly ready, just bring it up again. I'll consider it then," Harvey replied, neither urging nor refusing Tony Stark.

Harvey understood Tony's concerns. But he knew that once Tony Stark began to desire greater power, he would eventually embrace the Void.

"Whether I accept or not, thank you for giving me this opportunity," Tony Stark said, his eyes flickering with gratitude.