Chapter 128: Destination, the Cosmic Stars (Please Subscribe)

A genetic mutation, and less than a year to live?

Kyle, sitting beside the medical pod, felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked; this was far too cruel for him to bear! He had just changed the course of World War II on Earth, ahead of schedule by nearly a year. He had just stepped into the pinnacle of his life in this era, armed with life-extension cards accumulated over five hundred years. He had just founded the Karl family, taken control of Stark Industries, single-handedly accelerated the rise of S.H.I.E.L.D., and devised long-term plans and strategies for the next fifty years!

And now, everything was reduced to zero.

The genetic mutation was irreversible. Kyle was now like a wheel rolling faster and burning brighter; unless he surged into the heavens to become an eternal sun, the only remaining outcome was to wait helplessly for the embrace of the Goddess of Death.

"Wait, surge into the heavens." Kyle’s dim blue eyes reignited with hope as an idea struck him. His mind raced, deep in thought. Sitting still and waiting for death? That had never been his style.

"Howard. This is the 'Infinite Formula' I obtained from the Red Room. Through continuous injection, it can extend life and halt the aging of bodily functions without side effects." As Kyle spoke, he waved his left hand, and the Infinite Formula vial materialized from a card onto the surgical table.

Upon hearing this, Howard hurriedly picked up the vial, exclaiming excitedly, "Then this might be able to save you?"

Kyle shook his head gently, not wanting to crush his hopes, but unable to lie. "This is useless to me. My Super Soldier physiology and healing factor already achieve the effects of the Infinite Formula."

The Infinite Formula, life-extension cards, and even the miracle healing beans of the past were all useless to him now; after all, a genetic mutation was not simply a disease.

"Then this..." Howard set the vial down, crestfallen. Kyle continued, "This is for all of you. Once you study and decipher it, you can attempt to replicate it for small-scale production, for yourself, Fury, and the members of the Karl family."

"You're still thinking about us at a time like this? Then what will you do? Forgive me, but I can't think of a solution right now." Howard said, pained by the limitations of his own knowledge.

"Don't worry. I haven't given up, and this isn't a final testament." Kyle waved his hands, his voice full of spirit. "I want to live more than any of you, to witness the future and see even more heroes and powerful enemies!"

Howard seemed infected by Kyle's confidence and asked eagerly, "You have always been able to create miracles; what idea or plan do you have this time? In my opinion, Earth does not yet possess the bio-medical level to resolve this kind of genetic mutation."

Kyle nodded, his eyes glowing with intensity. He dropped a bombshell: "That is why I cannot stay here waiting for death—I am going to leave Earth and venture into outer space to fight for that sliver of survival!"

"Leave Earth? Head into the cosmos?" Howard was dumbfounded, unable to keep up with Kyle's train of thought.

"Exactly. Only in the vastness of outer space will I find a way to save myself." Kyle said firmly. With his current Super Soldier physiology unable to withstand the pressure of the genetic restructuring, he would head into the cosmos. There, he would find the various races of the Galactic Alliance and the Asgardians who built the Realm Eternal. They surely possessed physical ability cards of a grade higher than blue! As long as his physical strength evolved further, he could withstand the mutation and complete his transformation, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.

"But how will you leave Earth? Humanity is still at a theoretical level in aerospace; we don't even have the capability to reach the moon." As a top scientist, Howard instinctively used scientific theory to debunk Kyle's "fanciful" plan.

"I have my own ways of leaving Earth." Kyle took a deep breath, pinning his hopes on the Space Stone. The Space Stone possessed the power to open the Bifrost, create spatial tunnels, and bridge any two points in the universe! Kyle decided to stake everything on the Space Stone, to gamble on his cursed luck, and attempt to control the opening of a Bifrost bridge to a planet where he might find salvation.

"I won't be leaving just yet. Before I do, I will clear away all obstacles on Earth for you and pave the foundation and the path ahead!" Kyle assured Howard that he still had several months to stay on Earth to prepare the way and guide them toward the future.

Though a bit saddened, Howard quickly pulled himself together and began to report on recent matters. "Smartphones and communications, computers and networks—these two technological categories will soon be exhibited at the World's Fair. By leveraging the economic recovery following the war, we can create the framework and the dawn of the Information Age. With this, Stark Industries can leap to the status of a top global enterprise within a few years!"

"Regarding the construction of the family base on the turtle-shaped island, I contacted the construction company this morning. They have secretly prepared the tools, materials, and a large number of workers. According to the blueprints you provided, it is expected to be completed in about a month."

"An old friend named Obadiah Stane is willing to manage Stark Industries for me. The specific shares have already been transferred to the Karl family. This will allow me to focus on logistics and research into Artificial Intelligence, which represents the technology of the future."

After Howard finished without leaving anything out, Kyle smiled faintly. "When you handle things, I am at ease."

"I wonder how Stark Industries and the Karl family will change the world in five years, let alone ten or fifty." Howard sighed, then looked Kyle straight in the eye and said sincerely, "Buddy, I will develop the Infinite Formula to ensure that I and the members of the Karl family live long lives, so we can see the technological beauty of the 21st century together!"

"But you must come back! Promise me!" Howard had a strong premonition, an uneasy feeling that if Kyle left Earth this time, they might never see each other again.

"I promise!" Kyle vowed. There were too many things in this world that he could not bear to leave behind. He would certainly return alive; that was beyond doubt!

"There is one more thing I need you to arrange." Kyle narrowed his eyes; he needed to pave a wider technological path for Howard and the Karl family as soon as possible.

"Tell me, I'll arrange it immediately." Howard nodded hurriedly.

"You know of Wakanda, right?"

"It should be an isolated, impoverished agricultural nation in northeastern Africa." Howard pondered his answer, wondering why Kyle would mention such a backward, independent country.

"As long as you know it, that's enough. By any means necessary, establish friendly relations with Wakanda." Kyle gave the order. Howard was confused, but he agreed quickly nonetheless. If it was valued by Kyle, then Wakanda must have something worth pursuing.

At some point, Howard, who proudly championed science, had come to believe in Kyle’s words without question. This was the charisma of Kyle's personality—enough to command the admiration and loyalty of those around him. Even if he were to journey into the stars, he would surely be the brightest and most glorious star of humanity.