Chapter 134: The End of an Era

Whether it is through genetic mutation, the mastery of extraordinary sorcery, or the profound knowledge of advanced black technology, all those capable of transcending the limitations of ordinary humans are collectively and simply referred to as "Evolvers."

Evolution can be described as the primal instinct inherent in all living things—the drive to be stronger than one's peers and to live longer. Even the Ancient One, who commands the arcane mysteries of the universe and remains dedicated to protecting Earth, cannot escape the necessity of utilizing the power of the Dark Dimension to forcibly extend her life.

Transcendence, supernatural ability, and immortality—these are the ultimate goals of evolutionary progress for any species in the universe!

Kyle tells every new "Card Disciple" quite bluntly that within the Karl family, they can attain not only wealth, fame, sorcery, and black technology, but even the opportunity to possess a lifespan ten or even a hundred times that of an ordinary human.

The "Super Agent" blue-tier ability card provides the disciples with the threshold to enter the path of the Evolver. Now, Kyle illuminates the steps of the pyramid for them, showing them the ultimate goal at its peak. If they wish to reach that summit and gain the chance for continuous evolution, they must rely on their own hands and feet to climb, step by step, within the Karl family.

By opening the door of opportunity for his disciples and providing them with a motivation worth striving for a lifetime, how could Kyle not drive them to madness?

The children adopted by the estate are desperate to become family members—to become "Card Disciples." Those who have already attained this status are even more energetic and driven, shouting every day about their desire to become powerful evolved humans and achieve eternal life.

Consequently, not long after taking up the role of deputy instructor at the estate, Natasha began to realize something truly terrifying: every new Card Disciple possesses physical capabilities no less than her own. Furthermore, they have a terminal goal and have begun engaging in healthy, cutthroat competition from a young age.

In less than half a month, it seemed to Natasha that the base-level combat strength of the Karl family had begun to catch up to that of the Red Room, even accounting for the fact that the disciples were so young and lacked real-world combat experience. The problem is that the Red Room will always remain at the peak of ordinary organizations, having long since lost the ability to break through to higher levels. The Karl family, however, possesses the perfect soil for evolution and strength, endlessly cultivating true, hero-level powerhouses.

Witnessing this, Natasha began to panic. She had assumed that as a super agent from the Red Room, her status upon joining the Karl family would be secure. She had not expected that in such a short time, these new disciples would be sprinting to chase down her own shadow.

Natasha understood clearly that in the eyes of the Karl family, should she lose her potential value, her status as a latecomer would inevitably plummet. Thus, she quickly discarded her condescension toward the disciples, faced her own remaining advantages in experience, and threw herself wholeheartedly into her work as deputy instructor.

...

The basement of the estate’s storage warehouse stood with its entrance sealed shut.

The room, which had once been cluttered with useless debris, had been meticulously cleaned and treated with disinfectants and fresheners. Under the bright glare of daylight lamps, it was clean, empty, and devoid of shadows.

A cutting-edge, cross-century cryogenic chamber, custom-processed and modified by Howard Stark, stood alone in the center of the dark room. The open hatch spilled white frigid air, which permeated every corner of the basement.

Two young men stood beside the chamber, silent and lost in their own thoughts as they watched the white mist.

Kyle raised his eyes, gazing at Bucky, who was dressed in his Winter Soldier gear, and asked for confirmation: "Bucky, have you truly made up your mind?"

He paused before continuing, "Once you enter this chamber, you might sleep for ten years, half a century, or even a century before anyone opens it again. Before that happens, is there any unfinished business you have?"

To slumber across the expanse of time is no different from traveling into the future; it is a cruel prospect.

Bucky did not answer immediately. He raised his mechanical left arm, resting it lightly on the icy door of the chamber, and finally retorted, "Do you think Steve Rogers is still alive?"

"I don't know," Kyle replied, shaking his head. "But that guy... I believe he wouldn't die so easily. Perhaps he, too, is sleeping in some corner of the world. One day, he will wake up and return."

"I think so too. That is why I have chosen to enter this chamber." Bucky nodded and stepped forward, lying down inside as he faced Kyle. "The Second World War has ended, and I have no desires left. It is better that I remain frozen here, slumbering with the end of the war."

"If Steve is still alive, perhaps we will meet in the future, finish those victory drinks we never had, flirt with the girls we never got to, and talk about the world peace we never had the chance to discuss."

Much like the vast quantities of firearms and ammunition from the Second World War, which many nations began to clear away after peace was established, Bucky, who had become the Winter Soldier, began his journey in war and would end it in the aftermath of war. It was a choice, at the very least, to limit his actions and ensure he would never fully become a killing tool for others to exploit.

"Then farewell, Bucky Barnes." Kyle operated the instrument’s controls, and the hatch began to close slowly. He shrugged and said, "I hope you have a comfortable and peaceful sleep."

"You, too, must live well, Major Kyle, Sergeant Bucky, Sergeant Steve. I believe the three of us will eventually..."

The hatch closed firmly, cutting off Bucky's words. Through the glass, one could see Bucky’s eyes closed in slumber, while the frigid air within quickly coated his skin in a thin layer of frost.

Bucky Barnes. At the end of 1944, he was frozen in the basement of the Karl family's original estate, unknown to the world.

Kyle sighed. He was saying goodbye to his old comrades of the Second World War one by one. Soon, he would have to leave Earth himself, heading toward the unknown reaches of outer space.

They were not merely standing at the peak of an era; their very existence represented that era itself! An era of iron and blood, of war and fire!

Regrettably, it was time for this era to come to a complete end alongside the war.

"Captain America, Winter Soldier," Kyle whispered. A faint trace of sorrow flashed through his azure eyes before vanishing without a trace.

In its place was a chilling resolve, a burning fighting spirit, and an unwavering conviction.

"This era ends with me as its witness."

"And as for my own battle, my own journey... it has only just begun!"

Kyle turned resolutely, opened a portal that seemed to burn with fire, and stepped through without looking back. He was determined to embark on his journey into the star-filled cosmos soon. No matter how dark or distant the path might be, he would reach the other shore, even if it meant risking his life, to achieve a rebirth of evolution!

After Kyle departed, the lights in the sealed basement dimmed and extinguished. In the darkness, the cryogenic chamber, carrying the slumbering Winter Soldier, seemed to sink silently into the vortex of time.