Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

The fortifications were initially completed, and the early warning system had entered the commissioning phase. Although the armory still reeked of a mixture of metal, dust, and a faint smell of disinfectant, the unsettling sense of temporary construction had diminished considerably, replaced by an atmosphere of orderly fortress. However, Chen Haotian and Tony both understood that sturdy fortifications and sensitive alarms were merely passive defenses; true security lay in the ability of those within to respond efficiently and in unison to any sudden crisis.

"Alright, our 'home' now has basic security measures in place," Tony said, brushing non-existent dust off his hands and glancing at the sensor wiring he had installed himself. "But these metal lumps and wires alone aren't enough. Those 'enthusiastic' neighbors outside won't stop visiting just because we've fixed the door."

Chen Haotian, who was putting away the last tool, nodded calmly upon hearing this. "That's right. Passive defense always carries the risk of being breached. We need to maximize our combat efficiency and teamwork, especially considering the characteristics of these zombies." He walked to the weapon rack, picked up a military dagger, and weighed it in his hand. "Their weaknesses are clear, but they feel no pain, are fearless of death, are numerous, and there may even be mutants we don't fully understand. Conventional human combat thinking needs to be adjusted."

Tony raised an eyebrow; he liked this kind of efficiency in getting straight to the point. "So, the training plan? I thought you were going to suggest we hide inside and study those samples and crystals until the end of time."

"Survival and research aren't contradictory, Tony," Chen Haotian said with a faint, teasing smile. "Ensuring we can conduct our research alive is the most important prerequisite. Besides, don't you think it would be interesting to combine your combat philosophy with the 'uniqueness' of this world?"

These words struck a chord with Tony. Ever since encountering that incredibly fast mutant, ideas about exoskeletons, enhanced mobility, and targeted weapons had been swirling in his mind. Now, with a relatively safe environment and basic resources, it was the perfect time to put those ideas into practice, even if only in their initial stages.

"Interesting? Absolutely!" Tony snapped his fingers and walked enthusiastically toward the "tech zone" they had marked out, where various parts and tools he had salvaged from generator sets and armory inventory were piled up. "Before we get to the 'traditional' stuff of physical conditioning and tactical coordination, let's do some Stark-style preparation."

For the next few hours, Tony was completely absorbed in his "inventions." Chen Haotian didn't disturb him, but instead used this time to carefully review the armory's inventory of weapons. Based on his previous experience with zombies, he selected several of the most suitable types: fire axes and entrenching tools of moderate weight for quick slashing and hacking; shotguns and matching ammunition for mid-range deterrence and clearing out mobs; and rifles and pistols with simple silencers for precision shooting and dealing with special situations. He also found some sturdy canvas and leather and made several simple carrying devices for quick access to weapons and tools.

As Chen Haotian finished his preparations, Tony also came over with his "results." He was holding two somewhat rough-looking arm guards made of metal and composite materials, as well as several small, irregularly shaped devices about the size of a palm.

"It's a basic product, don't be put off," Tony handed Chen Haotian a pair of arm guards. "They were modified from materials from our stock of bulletproof vests. The key areas have been reinforced, especially the forearms, which can effectively block any claws or bites from those things. Due to limited materials, we had to strike a balance between lightness and protection."

Chen Haotian took the arm protector; it was quite heavy, but still within an acceptable range. He skillfully put it on his arm and moved it around a bit; the joints were fairly flexible. "Very good, a top-quality product for emergency use."

“As for this,” Tony picked up a small device, pressed a button, and the device immediately emitted a low but highly penetrating hum, the frequency constantly changing. “A sonic jammer. Based on my initial observations of those things’ auditory systems. I’m not sure if it will work on all individuals, but theoretically it can interfere with their perception, creating temporary confusion or attracting attention. The effective range is about fifteen meters, and the duration depends on the battery; currently, it can work continuously for about ten minutes.” He then pointed to several other similar but slightly different small devices. “These are trigger-activated; they can be set to tripwires or delays, serving as warnings or creating chaotic traps.”

Chen Haotian carefully examined these simple yet ingenious devices, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. Tony Stark's genius mind, even in such a resource-scarce environment, could be quickly transformed into practical combat power. "Very valuable. Whether it's breaking through, setting up an ambush, or evacuating, it can play a crucial role."

With the initial equipment upgrades complete, live-fire training officially began. Chen Haotian designated the training area as a relatively spacious open space within the armory.

The first item was physical fitness and reaction training. There were no complicated equipment, just the simplest and most effective basic exercises: shuttle runs, push-ups, squat jumps, and targeted dodging drills. Chen Haotian personally demonstrated, his movements precise and efficient, his breathing rhythm steady. Although Tony spent years in the lab and at parties, his basic physical fitness was still there; he was just initially a little unaccustomed to this pure physical exertion. Seeing Chen Haotian's effortless demeanor, even with a relaxed smile, he couldn't help but feel competitive and gritted his teeth to keep up.

"Keep your rhythm and watch your breathing," Chen Haotian instructed steadily as he ran alongside Tony. "In a post-apocalyptic environment, endurance is often more important than bursts of speed. What we need is the ability to fight continuously and traverse long distances."

Tony, panting, didn't speak, but simply adjusted his breathing, trying to keep up with Chen Haotian's pace. He had to admit that his adopted younger brother was indeed exceptional in terms of physical management and willpower.

After the physical warm-up, there was specialized dodging training to address the zombies' attack patterns. Chen Haotian found some sandbags and discarded tires with weights and volumes similar to human bodies to simulate the zombies' pounces, scratches, and encirclements. He instructed Tony to dodge within a limited area using footwork, rolling, and blocking (mainly relying on the newly made arm guards), and to find openings to counterattack.

"Don't try to wrestle with them, it's a waste of energy and extremely risky," Chen Haotian calmly explained while moving the sandbags to simulate an attack. "Use their relatively stiff movements and inflexible turning to dodge by sidestepping, sliding, and crouching low. The goal is to avoid their attack path, not to confront them head-on."

Tony was initially a bit flustered, accustomed to high-tech equipment and long-range attacks, and found this close-quarters, primitive combat style very difficult to adapt to. However, after being "gently" bumped into by Chen Haotian with sandbags several times to indicate defeat, his genius learning ability began to show. He quickly grasped the rhythm, was able to predict the trajectory of "attacks," and make effective dodges. He could even occasionally use his arm guards to cleverly block, creating space for himself to counterattack.

"Not bad, you have a strong learning ability." Chen Haotian gave timely affirmation, but the simulated attacks in his hands became increasingly tricky, and he began to simulate multiple "zombies" attacking at the same time.

Next came weapons training. Chen Haotian focused on explaining efficient techniques for using melee weapons like axes and shovels against zombies—aiming at vulnerable areas like the neck and joints, using the kinetic energy of the swing to inflict maximum damage, and how to use them safely in confined spaces. Although Tony preferred his high-tech gadgets, he understood the irreplaceable role of melee weapons in situations with limited ammunition or close-quarters combat, and he studied very diligently.

Regarding firearms, Chen Haotian did not conduct extensive live-fire exercises (ammunition was precious), but instead focused on training muscle memory for rapid drawing, aiming, and firing, as well as techniques for maintaining shooting stability while moving. He also particularly emphasized how to use a sonic jammer to create an attack window in complex environments.

Finally, and most importantly, is the tactical drills involving the two of them.

Chen Haotian set up several hypothetical scenarios: encountering a small number of zombies in the passage; being surrounded by a horde of zombies in an open area; needing to cover the retreat; setting up an ambush using a sonic device, etc.

"I'll engage in close-quarters combat to hold the line, you provide mid-range fire support and coordination." "Use sonic attacks to draw attention, we'll flank from both sides." "You create chaos, I'll find weaknesses to exploit." "Alternating cover, move towards the designated extraction point."

Chen Haotian's instructions were clear and concise, which Tony quickly understood and executed. Both were highly intelligent, and their communication efficiency was extremely high. Tony's imaginative thinking and Chen Haotian's meticulous calmness began to collide and merge in continuous drills. Tony would propose some unique tactical ideas based on his knowledge of physics and engineering thinking, while Chen Haotian could quickly assess their feasibility and risks, optimize them, and integrate them into actual combat drills.

For example, Tony suggested using a specific combination of frequencies from a sonic device to try to guide the direction of the zombie horde, while Chen Haotian immediately devised a tactic to use this characteristic to lure the zombie horde into a pre-set trap or away from the target.

In a simulated scenario where Tony was surrounded by multiple "zombies" (sandbags and moving targets), he instinctively tried to rely on his speed and agility to handle the threat on one side alone, but almost exposed his back to an "attack" from the other side. Chen Haotian quickly used an entrenching tool to deflect the simulated attack and calmly reminded him: "Remember, we are a team. Trust your teammates, cover their blind spots, and leave your back to me."

Tony paused for a moment, looking at Chen Haotian's calm and serious eyes. The distant and scrutinizing gaze he often saw in Stark Tower softened slightly. He nodded without saying anything, but in the ensuing cooperation, he clearly paid more attention to coordinating his position with Chen Haotian and providing mutual cover.

Sweat soaked their clothes, and their muscles ached from the intense training, but their eyes shone brighter and brighter. A tacit understanding, unspoken yet deeply felt, gradually blossomed in each rehearsal. From initial awkwardness and tentative exploration to later seamless coordination, they began to truly understand each other's fighting styles and thought processes.

When the final drill ended, the two stood back to back, slightly out of breath, looking at the training area they had "messed up" with, both showing a hint of satisfaction on their faces.

"Looks like we're not such a bad team after all." Tony wiped the sweat from his forehead, a hint of barely perceptible approval in his voice.

Chen Haotian smiled and stretched his slightly sore wrists. "At least, next time we encounter those 'friends,' we won't be as embarrassed as the first time. The foundation has been laid; now it's just a matter of continued practice and real-world testing."

Outside the armory, the twilight of the apocalypse descended once more, while inside, the temporary team of two transmigrators had honed their claws to an even sharper edge.