"Never underestimate an old military-industrial corporation. You've still got a lot to learn, kid."
Tony Stark spoke with a grin.
The new Stark Industries had shifted its focus toward light industry and energy products, but that did not mean it had lost the ability to manufacture military equipment.
"Mr. Vale, I have a question."
Susan spoke up directly.
Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic himself, had been rejected from joining the Superhero Association. That decision had left the other members of the Fantastic Four deeply confused. Because of it, Susan had effectively become the representative of their small team during these discussions.
"Go ahead, Invisible Woman."
Drex Valen turned toward her.
"There's no denying that this system is advanced and practical."
Susan began diplomatically.
"But if things continue this way, the Association will inevitably become bloated and corrupt over time. It'll turn into the same kind of rotten institution we've seen countless times before."
"The heroes will start fighting for personal利益."
"They'll claw over each other just to climb higher."
The concerns Susan raised immediately resonated with everyone present.
Or rather, they had already seen too many organizations fall into exactly that pattern.
They had joined the Superhero Association because Drex Valen had stepped forward and called for it. They wanted to uphold justice, not become the very kind of people they once despised.
"I know," Drex Valen nodded before continuing, "there's no such thing as a perfect system. And even if a flawless system did exist, people would eventually twist it out of shape."
"So what we need is a structure that's as complete as possible. A clear ranking system, rewards and punishments, operational rules, accountability, all of it."
"More importantly, we need a truly selfless leader. Someone who oversees every aspect of the Association and prevents internal power struggles driven by greed or ambition. A capable leader can guide the organization toward something better."
"And beyond that, there needs to be a supervisor."
"A Sword of Damocles hanging overhead. Someone whose job is to punish those who fall into corruption."
"Not a bad idea," Tony Stark said thoughtfully. "But that also gives the person in charge far too much authority."
Drex Valen remained calm.
"That's why I'll be the one leading it."
"I already possess wealth, fame, and power. Very few things in this world still interest me, and there's practically nothing left capable of tempting me."
"As for the supervisor position..." He paused briefly. "That seat will remain vacant for now."
Inwardly, Drex Valen was already considering digging Captain America out of the ice sooner or later. A man like Steve Rogers would fit the role of overseer perfectly.
No one present could really argue against Drex Valen's reasoning.
Tony Stark clicked his tongue in mild annoyance, but there was little he could do. The Superhero Association belonged to Drex Valen, and public support for it was already massive. Even if Tony went off and created some kind of "Hero Alliance" of his own, there was no chance it could compete.
"Drex, the reporters are waiting."
Urd walked over and quietly informed him.
News about the Superhero Association had already been released ahead of time. Naturally, their own Global Daily had secured exclusive first-hand coverage, beating every other newspaper agency by nearly an entire day.
Now that the Superhero Association headquarters had finally been completed, it was time for the official media announcement.
The moment Drex Valen stepped into the conference hall, a storm of camera flashes exploded around him, bright enough to blind an ordinary person.
But Drex Valen had weathered far greater storms than this.
Wearing the polished smile of a corporate emperor, he calmly walked onto the stage and raised a hand for silence.
Several female reporters immediately found that smile dangerously attractive.
Though admittedly, billions of dollars tended to add a special glow to a man's face.
"Mr. Vale!" one reporter suddenly shouted. "Shouldn't the identities of the other superheroes within the Superhero Association also be made public?"
It was a sharp and aggressive question.
Drex Valen said nothing at first.
He simply stared at the reporter.
"…What?"
The man immediately felt a terrifying pressure under the cold gaze of one of the world's most powerful capitalists.
"What exactly do you mean by that question, sir?" Drex Valen asked coolly. "Are you asking out of simple curiosity, or for some other reason?"
"It's not gossip!" the reporter hurriedly snapped back. "I'm not some third-rate entertainment journalist!"
"Really?"
Drex Valen's expression did not change.
"In that case, I can only assume you're connected to criminal elements."
"What?! What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you?" Drex Valen raised an eyebrow. "If not, why are you so eager to know the real identities of superheroes? What exactly are you planning to do with that information?"
The accusation hit like a sledgehammer.
Nobody could casually shrug off a label like that.
"I just… I'm curious. It's human nature."
The reporter's voice became noticeably less confident.
"Is that so?"
Drex Valen looked toward the other reporters.
"Are the rest of you curious?"
"A little, sure."
"But we wouldn't ask that kind of thing in public."
"You do realize how dangerous it would be if their identities were exposed, right?"
Clearly, most of the reporters present were extremely reasonable people.
Or perhaps extremely well-funded reasonable people.
The unfortunate journalist immediately found himself isolated from the rest of the room.
"As an organization, you even accept donations!" he suddenly shouted, desperately trying to fight back after being cornered. "What's wrong with demanding transparency about who these heroes are?"
"No," Drex Valen replied calmly, "you're mistaken."
"The Superhero Association accepts absolutely no donations. Blade Tech Industries fully finances everything."
His tone was firm and righteous.
"As long as I exist, and as long as Blade Tech Industries exists, that is enough."
"The identities of the other heroes will remain classified at the highest level unless they personally choose to reveal themselves."
"It's already enough that heroes bleed for society. I refuse to let them face knives in the back or endless suspicion while they're risking their lives."
Drex Valen placed both hands on the table and leaned slightly forward as his eyes swept across the room.
"Any other questions?"
Only then did the troublemakers in the audience suddenly remember something very important.
The Dark Knight Drex was not an easy man to provoke.
Beyond being a superhero, he was also the founder of Blade Tech Industries, a colossal corporate empire.
Offending a man like that just for a sensational headline or a moment of verbal satisfaction was a terrible idea.
The so-called "uncrowned kings" of the media sounded impressive when speaking to ordinary people.
But against true giants of capital?
That title suddenly felt paper-thin.
"You… you think you can do whatever you want just because you're rich?!"
The reporter finally exploded in anger.
Faced with Drex Valen's towering presence, magnified by absurd wealth and influence, the man felt fear, humiliation, and resentment all at once.
Drex Valen smiled.
"Sorry. When you're rich, you really can do whatever you want."
"Though I suppose that's a lesson you'll never understand in your lifetime."
As one of the world's greatest capitalists, Drex Valen had to admit...
This feeling was fantastic.
And technically, he was not even exaggerating.
What did it cost to build a Superhero Association?
Compared to his current assets, practically nothing.
Not to mention the newly acquired oil field.
Secondary Kryptonite alone had already become a monstrous money-printing machine for Blade Tech Industries.
Especially with the endless demand from overseas buyers, who were purchasing Secondary Kryptonite by the gram without hesitation.
Even at ten thousand dollars per gram, they still bought every shipment Drex Valen released onto the market.