Captain America Steve's Death

"The equipment is fine, we can begin the serum enhancement."

Howard, adhering to scientific rigor, meticulously adjusted and checked the equipment multiple times to ensure the experiment would proceed without error.

At this moment, all eyes turned to Steve, the protagonist of the day.

If the experiment succeeded, America would forge an army of superhumans, capable of sweeping through the Axis powers with overwhelming force.

"Don't worry, old man. In eighteen years, you'll be a strong man again," Allen said with a comforting smile.

You're really quite kind.

Steve, with a complex mix of emotions, walked towards the serum fusion instrument and lay down inside the space-capsule-like device.

The numerous researchers were also extremely nervous. If it failed, it wouldn't just be the loss of one life; the entire project could be shelved, and all their hard work would turn to dust.

As the cabin door closed, Steve shut his eyes, awaiting the results.

Dr. Erskine took out the metal case containing the super-serum and retrieved the preserved serum agent.

He was only responsible for researching the serum; the injection and fusion were Howard's task.

He installed the vials into the injection port interfaces one by one, then turned to the waiting Howard.

"Phase one, prepare."

Howard shouted, and the staff controlling the power pushed the main switch.

Immediately, indicator lights on multiple devices illuminated, confirming the power connection was normal.

"Allen, do you think it will succeed?"

Wilson looked expectantly at the serum instrument.

He was an amateur in biological enhancement research, but that didn't mean he lacked curiosity.

"If he dies, things will get less interesting."

A mysterious smile played on Allen's lips.

At this moment, Wilson's eyebrows shot up. He had a premonition that something was definitely amiss.

Having known each other for so long, he understood Allen's personality to some extent. Allen couldn't possibly remain calm; it just wasn't like him not to stir up some trouble.

Of course, he didn't press for details. If nothing unexpected happened, Allen would likely jump out and boast about it himself.

For instance, he was a prime example; the moment he boarded S.H.I.E.L.D.'s disguised freighter, he announced the truth.

"Initiate phase two!"

At that moment, the serum flowed through tubes into the fusion instrument.

Simultaneously, through the instrument's glass window, the light inside was seen to be gradually intensifying.

"Old Howard is using an optical transmission method for fusion. It's much safer than conventional injection, and the advantages are more complete absorption and balanced enhancement."

Allen stroked his chin, discerning the principle behind the instrument's operation.

"How do you know so much?"

Wilson looked at him in disbelief. Allen was supposed to be a mechanical engineering expert, yet he seemed to be proficient in energy-related knowledge.

"Arson, read more books," Allen commented. "The disadvantage is that the light energy is unstable; a slight mishap and it'll be burnt on the outside and raw on the inside."

"..."

While it was understandable for others to advise reading more to gain knowledge, hearing it from someone with a mental illness felt rather odd to Wilson.

In reality, Allen had been diligently cramming knowledge to level up his skills.

"Initiate phase three!" Howard commanded.

As the power output increased, Steve's face was no longer visible within the instrument, as if it were filled with bathhouse light bulbs.

"Ah..."

At this moment, Steve let out a pained groan.

Everyone present felt their hearts leap into their throats.

"Stop it, he'll die," Dr. Erskine anxiously urged.

On one hand, he worried about the person's safety; on the other, he feared the experiment's failure, which would lead the military to cut funding for the research.

"Don't stop, I can endure it."

Steve's determination fueled the experiment's continuation; he refused to admit defeat easily.

He didn't want to return to his frail past and wished to fulfill his aspirations.

Everyone's tense expressions were evident, constantly vigilant for any sudden developments.

So far, the experimental process was proceeding smoothly, but the question was whether the test subject could endure it.

"Why aren't you nervous at all? You've been quite close with Steve these past few days," Wilson asked curiously.

If Allen latches onto someone, he can really mess with them.

Actually, he rather hoped Allen would cause trouble for others.

Allen clenched his fist and struck a pose of encouragement: "Success is never accidental; it's always inevitable. Oh yeah!"

Suddenly, the equipment's power supply was weakening.

Howard had set a threshold, and after multiple calculations, the process for fusing the serum was sufficient.

Once the threshold reached its critical point, the equipment automatically reduced power.

Poof!

Deflating and depressurizing, the cabin door opened.

The originally scrawny Steve had undergone a complete transformation, becoming a one-meter-eighty-eight muscular hunk.

Breathing heavily, he walked out of the machine, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

Carter, the only woman present, looked at him with eyes practically melting, her hand involuntarily touching his taut pectoral muscles.

"The patient has severe gynecomastia, already reaching a C-cup. Dr. Allen recommends wearing a 'Magic Lift' for physical therapy."

Steve and Carter both looked towards Allen, who was spouting nonsense with a serious expression.

"Steve, how do you feel?" Carter asked, concerned.

"Never better."

Steve looked at his powerful arms and the eight-pack abs he'd never even dared to imagine.

"It seems the surgery was a success. The after-effect is 'delusional self-importance syndrome'."

Allen adjusted his non-existent monocle: "I recommend conservative treatment: regular humiliating beatings for two hours to suppress the syndrome from spiraling out of control."

"..."

Please be a decent human being. Being beaten for two hours, would anyone even be recognizable afterward?

Bang!

A sudden explosion.

Instantly, sparks flew and glass shattered.

The onlookers descended into chaos.

Amidst the confusion, a hidden spy agent quickly approached the remaining vial of super-soldier serum.

"Protect the serum; it's the only one left," Dr. Erskine urged anxiously.

He saw the results of his years of painstaking research as something surpassing his own life.

Bang, bang, bang...

Three gunshots, and the spy agent shot and killed Dr. Erskine without hesitation.

This was clearly to prevent America from forming an army of super-humans.

The spy agent was well-prepared and, upon success, immediately retreated.

He made a swift escape along a pre-planned route.

At this moment, everyone from S.H.I.E.L.D. was concerned about Dr. Erskine's safety.

"Retrieve the serum; it cannot fall into the hands of the Axis powers."

With that, Dr. Erskine breathed his last.

Upon hearing this, Steve chased after the direction the spy agent had fled.

Meanwhile, Allen looked at the deceased Dr. Erskine, wondering if he had indirectly caused his death.

He had only told the Soviet Union about the serum, and according to the normal plot, it should have been an Axis agent making the fatal move.

It seemed he would have to wait for the investigation results, otherwise Allen was prepared to shed three tears as an apology.

Carter and Colonel Phillips pursued to provide support.

However, in a small alley, they found Steve lying on the ground, shot.

"The Axis powers stole the serum. The small submarine he escaped in had Axis markings, and another group was also trying to get the serum. They shot me."

Steve held on long enough to deliver useful information before falling unconscious.

"Steve, hang in there!" Carter cried out urgently.