"Refuse? He actually refused?!"
Hearing Kyle's blunt answer, Carter was stunned. Her usually cool, composed face showed uncertainty and surprise. "Why? This is something every recruit in all the Training Bases dreams of."
Kyle smiled and slowly raised one finger, speaking casually. "First, this is still an experiment. I can't ignore the possibility of failure, even if the odds are low."
"I believe in myself. Even without the Super Soldier Serum, I can still become the finest and most outstanding soldier."
Kyle meaningfully raised a second finger. "Second, and this is the most important point."
"What is it?" Carter asked doubtfully, feeling such intense curiosity for the first time.
"Although I refused the chance to be the first Super Soldier test subject, I can recommend someone—Steve. He has potential no less than mine! I hope you'll give him serious consideration."
That was Kyle's final word.
After leaving the barracks dormitory, Carter remained in a daze.
In her eyes, Kyle had given Steve the chance to become the first Super Soldier. She did not know whether to call it foolishness or loyalty.
"But this means tomorrow's Super Soldier candidate is basically settled." Carter sighed. The top candidate, Kyle, had given up on his own, so that left the second candidate, Steve.
Inside the barracks dormitory, Kyle was still examining the Green Ability Card he had drawn from Carter when the door suddenly flew open with a bang and a thin figure rushed inside.
"Steve, why are you in such a hurry?" Kyle did not even look up. He already knew Steve had returned.
"Kyle! Why?!" Steve rushed excitedly to the bedside, his face full of confusion as he loudly demanded, "Why did you give the Super Soldier qualification to me?"
"Oh, you found out that quickly?"
"Dr. Abraham came to find me and told me."
"Then tomorrow, you'll be leaving the dormitory for the secret laboratory." As if he had expected it, Kyle smiled. "Isn't that good? For you, this is a chance to rise in a single step. If you become a Super Soldier, your entire life will be overturned."
"For me, of course it's a dream come true. But you need this chance too!" Steve said with difficulty.
"If you have to ask why, then all I can say is that this chance is more important to you." Kyle answered softly. Naturally, he had thought this decision through carefully.
As long as he had the Card Draw Ability, he could quickly draw other people's abilities without any risk. There was no need for him to gamble his life on the Super Soldier experiment.
Although Steve, the protagonist of Captain America: The First Avenger, had succeeded, that did not guarantee the Super Soldier Serum was flawless. Even if it worked, there was still a chance of ending up looking like that freak Red Skull.
And without Captain America, the main Marvel storyline would likely fall into chaos. Kyle did not want to see that happen.
"If you want to thank me, then do your best and complete the Super Soldier experiment for me. Don't disappoint me." Kyle smiled and sincerely patted Steve on the shoulder.
Brother, go work yourself to the bone and become stronger, then come back and let me draw your cards. It was an investment with endless returns—nothing beat getting something for nothing.
"Kyle, you're so good to me." Steve, who knew nothing of the truth, had tears in his eyes. Kyle shuddered in disgust and nearly kicked him off the bed.
The next morning.
Steve packed his things and secretly left the Training Base. None of the recruits knew where he had gone. Only Kyle knew that the Super Soldier Program had officially begun in some underground base.
Another day passed.
Captain Brant gathered all the new recruits at the Training Base and publicly announced that the Super Soldier project had come to an end, causing an uproar among the recruits.
Kyle knew that everything was proceeding along the normal track of Marvel history. The first artificially created superhero in Marvel history—Captain America—had quietly been born.
Inside the officer's office.
"It's a pity. The doctor is dead, and the Super Soldier Serum can no longer be made. Soldier Kyle, you have lost your only chance to become a Super Soldier." Captain Joseph spoke regretfully to Kyle. He truly felt it was a shame.
"This is God's choice." Kyle sighed on the surface, though inwardly he felt no ripples at all.
With the Card Draw Ability in hand, who said that without the Super Soldier Serum, he could not become a Super Soldier?
Kyle made a request. "Captain Joseph, I heard Steve succeeded. Can I go see him?"
"I'm afraid not." Captain Joseph shook his head and explained, "Steve is currently at the secret base, undergoing personal training to adapt to his body. General Chester has ordered that no one is to disturb him."
"Then when will his training end?" Kyle asked anxiously.
"I'm afraid it will be several months later," Captain Joseph answered truthfully.
"Several months." Kyle frowned. This was similar to the plot of Captain America: The First Avenger, except he had not expected the training to be completely sealed off from the outside. If he could not reach Steve, he could not draw the Ability Cards from him.
"A few months will pass quickly. Oh, right. General Chester also has a new assignment for you." Captain Joseph's expression turned grave. "Soldier Kyle, due to your outstanding performance during training, you are being sent alone as an elite recruit to the 102nd Regiment on the war front to take part in missions!"
"To the front?" Kyle's heart jolted. This sudden piece of major news had far exceeded his expectations.
"Kyle, you are about to face real war. Don't go dying so easily at the hands of the Nazis." After saying that, Captain Joseph placed a Combat Suit, a rifle and ammunition, as well as mission documents for the front line, on the desk.
"A soldier follows the general's orders." Kyle accepted the items, feeling somewhat unsettled.
He had not expected to be sent to the front so quickly and take part in World War II!
He had originally planned to obtain the Super Soldier Ability Card from Steve and face the war only after gaining powerful protection. He had not expected things to happen so suddenly!
This was also the downside of Kyle's exceptional performance over the past few days—it had caused him to graduate early from the Training Base and head to the front.
Captain Joseph waved in farewell. "A transport plane will come pick you up directly this afternoon. Go back and prepare early."
"Yes." Kyle nodded and left the office with the items in his hands.
"Come back alive, kid." Watching Kyle's departing figure, Captain Joseph sighed. In a massive war, no matter how outstanding a soldier was, there was always a high chance of death.
As he pushed open the door, warm sunlight poured over him from outside, sweeping away the gloom in Kyle's heart.
He loosened his grip on the Combat Suit and smiled freely.
When the boat reaches the bridge, it will go straight. Right now, whether in physique or skill, I'm elite even among special forces. With the Card Draw System in hand, there's no way I'll die in this mere World War II!
If I'm going to die, I might as well die to Thanos's snap in the future.
Kyle encouraged himself, regained his spirits, and strode forward with confident steps.
Before you continue