Stark Industries was established, with Allen contributing technology in exchange for a thirty percent stake, while Howard handled all operations.
In the current environment, Howard's research results could not yet be commercialized. They could only start by accumulating seed capital through everyday products.
Of course, the future Stark Industries would become a leader in military manufacturing, especially after Tony took over and sent it soaring.
For now, hair removal cream and electric tricycles were their flagship products.
America had gone through President Roosevelt's New Deal, and the public's assets had improved slightly.
Women began wearing stockings again—stockings that could conquer both men and banks—but because of racial differences, their body hair was especially thick.
Frequent shaving with razors only made it grow back coarser.
Quite a few women went to extremes, using tape or lighters to remove hair. When it came to beauty, they could be ruthless even with themselves.
Once the hair removal cream hit the market, it sold out on the first day, and merchants came every day seeking dealership rights.
Orders for the electric tricycles were already booked through next year.
With the economy recovering slightly, people did not have much money on hand. Buying a car was still a major expense, but the suddenly introduced electric tricycle could carry people to and from work and haul cargo as well. It was the perfect fit for the times.
Howard improved the batteries, solving the electric tricycles' range problem and making them even more cost-effective.
A beach team-building event.
Allen, Steve, Howard, and Wilson wore nothing but shorts as they basked in the sun.
Allen narrowed his eyes at the gorgeous women in sexy bikinis playing in the water in the distance.
His little eyes radiated solemn criticism as he declared righteously, "Hmph, I don't care about capitalism's sugar-coated bullets. I've been keeping my eyes on them the whole time."
He did not blink once, determined not to miss a single heaving wave.
"Old Man's eldest son, a martial artist's taboo is indulging in beauty. Lust is a blade that scrapes the bones. You're not like me—I was born with a Supreme Bone, hard and cheap." Allen earnestly advised him.
Steve looked baffled. "Why do you call me Old Man?"
Allen regarded him as his son only because of the improved Super Soldier Serum, so he did not argue too much. After all, the man was mentally ill. How could he possibly listen to reason?
Allen merely smiled without saying anything.
Naturally, he would not say that Steve looked like the elderly Biden, the guy who pooped his pants.
"Ah..."
"Help!"
"There's a shark in the water!"
Suddenly, tourists on the beach fled toward shore in terror.
At some point, a shark fin had appeared on the surface, circling through the water.
Deep in their instincts, humans feared large carnivores and naturally chose to flee from them.
"Yo, I've wanted a pet shark for ages."
Allen excitedly charged into the sea.
However, Steve dove into the water before him.
The shark was chasing a woman.
Perhaps she had been too anxious to escape. The woman seemed to have gotten a cramp in the water and could only struggle in place, watching helplessly as the shark closed in.
"Don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you!"
Filled with righteous indignation, Steve surged toward the shark in a butterfly stroke, intending to drive off the beast alone.
"Help! My leg cramped up!"
The woman screamed in terror, unable to use her legs and looking on the verge of tears.
Bang!
Water sprayed everywhere.
Steve intercepted the shark, and a fierce battle erupted in the sea.
The woman immediately felt relieved, only to panic the next second when she realized she had risen above the water.
Allen had swum beneath her and hoisted her onto his shoulders.
Mm...
"I feel like I'm turning into a zombie."
Allen looked up at the majestic mountains before him, breathing heavily through his nostrils. "Part of my body has already gone stiff."
At that moment, Howard and Wilson, who had been anxiously waiting on the beach, had taken off their sunglasses. Their eyes were wide as they stood petrified.
"Gifted beyond measure."
"Great capacity makes greatness."
The woman came to her senses and covered her chest. The moment she reached shore, she ran straight for the resort hotel.
The expressions of Allen and the other two could not help but turn disappointed. They secretly regretted not getting to admire that spectacle a little longer, completely ignoring Steve, who was still battling in the sea.
A few minutes later, Steve dragged a strange shark onto shore.
"Shit, he's Nanaue."
Allen noticed the bra in his hand and kicked him in the nose, angrily scolding, "I never thought you were this kind of Shark King, stripping off other people's bras."
"Don't hit Nanaue."
The Shark King tried to cover his face with both hands, but his arms were too short, so he could only hold the sides of his nose. He explained pitifully, "Nanaue only wanted to return something she dropped. Nanaue never wanted to hurt anyone."
"A talking humanoid shark." Howard was full of curiosity. "Is this a new species, or a genetic mutation?"
"Nanaue's father is the Shark God, and Nanaue's mother is human."
Nanaue's simple, adorable appearance made everyone lower their guard.
"Holy crab, I knew he was the offspring of an Old God."
Allen confirmed that he was the goofy villain Shark King. Even his background was exactly the same.
"Old God?"
Steve shot him a puzzled look.
"When New Gods appear, Old Gods fade away."
Allen was not sure, but he still loved spouting nonsense. "They're a bunch of washed-up stars with no fans. Any old wizard could beat an Old God one-handed until they cried dame."
"Then what about New Gods?" Steve pressed.
"They're currently popular trash."
Allen casually explained, "The weak ones can cause natural disasters, while the awesome New Gods can poke through planets with a finger."
"..."
That description was actually rather conservative. There were plenty who could casually destroy universes, and above them were beings on the level of multiversal dimensions, existences entirely beyond comprehension.
Allen shoved one finger into Nanaue's nostril and viciously asked, "Talk. What are you doing in human society? Otherwise, I'll barbecue you."
"Nanaue ran away from home. Nanaue doesn't want to marry the Hammerhead Shark Princess. Nanaue has no friends on Shark Island."
As he spoke, Nanaue became depressed, and even his tiny eyes dimmed.
"Doesn't the Shark God have any common sense? Great white sharks and hammerhead sharks have reproductive isolation. You should mate with pink dolphins instead."
Allen stuck a finger from his other hand into Nanaue's other nostril and domineeringly said, "Recognize me as Master, and I'll introduce you to some pink dolphin girls."
"Is Master a friend?" Nanaue asked innocently.
"Mm, you can understand it that way, but you have to listen to Master's orders."
Allen held the shark's head and said animatedly, "Pink dolphins have smooth skin and lovely voices. I'll take you to catch dolphins."
"Hehe... Nanaue wants to catch dolphins with Master. Nanaue likes pink dolphins."
Nanaue happily agreed to become a pet.
The three people beside them were dumbfounded. Were creatures from the sea really that brainless?
A few words, and he had been completely fooled.
"Boss, one ice cream cone."
"Monster attack!"
When they reached an ice cream stand by the beach, Allen had intended to buy Nanaue a cone.
The stall owner saw the humanoid shark and immediately abandoned his ice cream cart, screaming as he fled in a panic.
"Where's the monster?"
Allen nervously looked around. "Did Godzilla come ashore?"
"Is there any chance he meant Nanaue?" Steve reminded him awkwardly.
Woo-woo-woo...
Sirens sounded as police cars raced over.
After the misunderstanding on the beach, quite a few tourists had called the police.
Numerous detectives used their car doors as cover and shouted, "Don't move! Put your hands up!"
"Headquarters, headquarters, send biological experts. A humanoid shark has been discovered at the scene."
"Repeat, it's a humanoid shark holding an ice cream cone."
The police surrounded them. Allen raised his hands in surrender, and Nanaue copied him by raising his hands too.
"Easy, guys. I'm one of you. I work for S.H.I.E.L.D."
Howard tried to make friendly conversation, only to receive a warning shot into the sky. "This guy is preparing to assault the police. At the first sign of trouble, empty your magazines."
"Fuck, it's not like I'm Black."
Howard was both aggrieved and furious, but he could only raise his hands and dare not move again.
At that moment, another rumble approached from afar.
Armored vehicles swiftly surrounded the police cars. Colonel Phillips spoke through a loudspeaker, "Stand down. They are important S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel."
For a moment, the military and police faced off.
"Shit, criminals can get armored vehicles now? Don't trust them too easily, everyone."
"Motherfucker, I'm Colonel Phillips of the Army. Are your eyes just decorations?"
"Holy crab, I'm President Roosevelt. If you don't get out and surrender with your hands on your heads, I'll shove your head up your ass."
"You're impressive. Really impressive."
"Flattery won't work. I'll make your head and ass meet."
Seeing both sides deadlocked, Allen decisively chose to act.
In a flash, he appeared beside a police officer and backhanded him with a righteous subway judge slap.
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