The breakthrough in cracking the Ultron network mechanism was finally within reach.
Anton let out a sigh of relief.
These past days, the public frenzy over the Ultron Chip had not escaped his observation.
Though he allowed the situation to escalate, it wasn't because he didn't care.
In previous events, Anton had often allowed crises to unfold. Partly because of his sense of justice, and partly because that how the narrative was supposed to go.
In the end, justice always triumphed over evil. Whether Anton intervened or not, the resolution was inevitable. The only difference was that it would ultimately be the Justice League who saved the day.
But the current situation had veered entirely off-script.
Although Ultron was still at the center of it, the combination of the Extremis Virus and Ultron, and the subsequent creation of the Ultron Chip, had pushed things to an extreme.
Official intervention had made it nearly impossible for Anton to step in directly.
Even if he tried, it would likely backfire.
Tony Stark wasn't some small-time player who couldn't counter Anton moves.
As the chairman of the most valuable company in the world, Tony had access to resources that rivaled Anton.
Furthermore, public sentiment was overwhelmingly in Tony favor. Anton, as Batman, no longer held the overwhelming advantage.
Tony had the upper hand.
It was better to wait.
Yet even as he waited, Anton feared the situation might spiral beyond control.
If even a fraction—say, ten percent—of the global population adopted the Ultron Chip, the consequences of a crisis would be catastrophic.
Therefore, cracking the Ultron network mechanism and removing Ultron control over the chip had become Anton—and by extension, the Justice League—top priority.
Only then could they have a chance to turn the tide when the crisis erupted.
Now, with the research nearing completion, the Justice League finally had a tool to counter Ultron. Anton could finally breathe easier.
He could afford to sit back and watch events unfold with a smile.
No matter how far the situation escalated, it wouldn't shake his confidence.
Because now, the Justice League had the means to deliver a decisive blow to Tony.
The success of the Ultron Chip on the market was entirely within Tony expectations.
No one could resist the allure of the Ultron Chip.
Even though it wasn't entirely without risks, its benefits far outweighed its dangers in the eyes of the public.
The entire world was basking in the revolutionary changes brought about by technological advancement.
Especially those who had already adopted the Ultron Chip.
The chip was hailed globally as the greatest invention of the modern age—an accolade that had been thrown around in the media before, but this time, everyone genuinely believed it.
Tony Stark, the creator of the Ultron Chip, was celebrated as the father of modern invention.
At the same time, the military announced plans to procure Ultron Chips in large quantities and integrate them into their forces to create an unbeatable army.
Good news followed one after another.
Yet Tony remained calm, as if he had foreseen this outcome long ago.
However, alongside the rapid and unstoppable adoption of the Ultron Chip, certain anomalies began to attract the attention of specific individuals.
Hell Kitchen.
Since the Justice League had taken control of New York, the once-infamous Hell Kitchen—an area everyone had feared and avoided—had started to change.
Though its residents were still from society lower rungs, with homeless people sleeping in the streets and prostitutes, dealers, and thugs still roaming about, the crime rate had dropped by seventy percent. People had begun to follow the rules.
Despite its imperfections, Hell Kitchen was undeniably cleaner and more orderly than before.
Until the emergence of the Ultron Chip, this city had begun to descend into madness once again.
New York was home to Stark Industries headquarters.
While the Ultron Chip could be administered in other cities, such as Los Angeles, New York remained the top choice for most adopters.
The surge in population flow and the inexplicable confidence shared by New Yorkers made the city spiral into chaos.
Especially after receiving the Ultron Chip, and being enhanced by the Extremis Virus, users became more attractive, stronger, and even younger. These visible transformations only fueled people obsession with the technology.
Crime rates began to rise amidst this fever.
The most obvious reflection of this was the rise of robberies and thefts in Hell Kitchen, once again giving the NYPD a headache.
Living in the heart of this chaos was Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil, who felt the changes firsthand.
He contacted Anton.
There was no reason to keep secrets. Anton explained to Matt the dangers of the Ultron Chip, the potential for Ultron to gain self-awareness and betray humanity, and the Justice League ongoing efforts to counter this threat. Beyond that, there was nothing else they could do for now.
Matt, cross-referencing the recent news he had gathered, gained a clearer picture of the situation.
But he had a different perspective.
He didn't harbor any real animosity towards Tony Stark, nor did he believe Tony was inherently a bad person.
So, Matt decided to meet Tony himself, hoping to convince him to rein in the chaos caused by the Ultron Chip.
Stark Tower.
Wearing his signature sunglasses and holding his cane, Matt walked steadily into the crowded lobby.
Though blind, his exceptional hearing allowed him to map out his surroundings.
The loud chatter and countless labored breaths told him that the lobby was packed with people waiting in line for their Ultron Chip implants. About a third of them were from out of town, and a small portion had even traveled from other countries.
It was a testament to just how terrifyingly infectious the Ultron Chip craze had become.
Matt frowned.
The Ultron Chip felt like a virus spreading at an unimaginable speed, clouding people judgment.
The benefits it offered blinded everyone to its potential dangers.
People failed to realize that after receiving the Ultron Chip, not only was their personal data and privacy compromised, but their very lives could be controlled by someone else.
Moreover, the Ultron Chip was a product born from the integration of Ultron and the Extremis Virus.
The Extremis Virus...
As a member of the Justice League, Matt was well aware of what the Extremis Virus was.
It was effectively a human enhancement serum.
Though seemingly without side effects, Matt had gathered enough information over the past few days to understand that it was subtly breaking down the users mental stability.
Worse yet, the effects of the Extremis Virus weren't permanent. Users had to keep spending money to maintain its benefits.
The enhanced youth, beauty, and strength it offered were addictive.
People couldn't bear the thought of reverting to their former selves.
This low-cost, instant "cosmetic project" was reshaping society, driving it into a shallow pursuit of vanity.
People were becoming emptier, more reckless.
Matt didn't deny the Ultron Chip was a remarkable invention with undeniable benefits.
But its hasty mass adoption was a mistake, and it had pushed society into blindness.
That was why Matt wanted to speak with Tony—to convince him not to be so hasty.
"Sir."
Suddenly, Matt was stopped by a security guard at the entrance of Stark Tower.
"You can't go in. This area is restricted. The queue for implants is to your left. I can guide you there."
The guard spoke politely.
"I'm not here to queue. I'm here to see someone."
Matt replied, "Tony Stark. I need to see him."
The guard hesitated, glancing at the blind man with the cane and sunglasses. He was both amused and skeptical.
"Sir, Mr. Stark doesn't take walk-in guests."
"Tell him my name is Matt Murdock. I'm a lawyer."
Matt said calmly, "He'll see me."
The guard frowned slightly.
While Matt was well-known in legal circles, the guard had never heard of him. He certainly didn't know if Mr. Stark was acquainted with this man.
Just as he was about to dismiss Matt, a voice crackled through his earpiece, making his heart skip a beat.
"Let him in."
It was a voice he recognized immediately.
It belonged to Happy Hogan, Tony Stark personal head of security.
"Wait at the entrance. I'll come down to meet him."
Happy said before the line went silent.
"Understood."
He stepped aside and gestured for Matt to wait at the entrance.
Shortly after, Matt followed Happy up to the top floor of Stark Tower, arriving at Tony private penthouse.
"Mr. Murdock, Mr. Stark is waiting for you inside," Happy said, glancing at Matt cane. "Do you need me to guide you in?"
"No need," Matt replied politely.
To Happy surprise, Matt navigated the room effortlessly, avoiding glass displays and furniture before sitting calmly on a sofa across from Tony Stark.
"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil."
Tony raised an eyebrow, sipping his drink with a smirk.
"Well, I didn't expect the first Justice League member to visit me would be you."
Matt picked up the glass of wine Tony had poured for him and took a sip.
"I'll get straight to the point. You've noticed the rising crime rate in New York. It disrupting people lives."
Tony shrugged. "You think this is my fault?"
"The Ultron Chip is the root of all this chaos," Matt said firmly. "You're exploiting human nature."
Tony expression turned serious. "No, I'm controlling human nature."
Matt frowned. "You call this control? People are stealing, fighting, and risking everything for your chip. You're playing with fire, Tony."
Tony leaned back. "Revolutions always come with a price. This one no different."
Matt stood, his face cold. "I can't accept your vision for the future. And I'll stop you."
Tony smirked. "No, Matt. You won't."
Tony stared at Matt retreating back, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"You'll come back to me tomorrow. And you'll join me."
The Next Day.
Matt awoke to sunlight streaming through his window, illuminating his bed.
He turned his head and froze.
The wardrobe, dining table, gray-white room, punching bag, and gym equipment—all vividly clear before him.
His eyesight had returned.
He could see again.
And he instantly remembered Tony words from the day before.
"You'll come back to me tomorrow. And you'll join me."