The Stark Family's Inheritance

By the time Luke and Bucky left Rogers' home, it was already dusk, the sun dipping below the horizon.

The last rays of sunset bathed New York, layering a mottled golden glow over the towering skyscrapers that stood all around.

"Don't be so stubborn next time. Luke and I won't always be there in time."

Bucky slung an arm affectionately around Rogers' shoulder, while the scrawny little man wore a stiff, awkward expression and stayed silent.

The bruises on his face weren't severe; after a bit of cleaning, only faint discolorations remained.

The trio from Brooklyn, now dressed in fresh new clothes, prepared to head to Stark Industries' Tomorrow World Expo, and to see Bucky off in the process.

"I want to join the 107th Infantry Division just like you. That's where my father served."

Rogers wore a troubled frown, still bitter about being unable to enlist.

Driven by the fervor of public opinion, most young people at the time were eager to join the army, march onto the battlefield, and earn medals symbolizing honor.

Rogers and Bucky were among them.

But unlike the robust and powerful Bucky, Rogers was frail, weighing less than a hundred pounds, and even suffered from mild asthma.

Forget enlisting—even running a few kilometers left him gasping for breath.

So, no matter how many times Rogers changed his address or forged his identity to seek opportunities at recruitment stations, he was always rejected.

His physical exam rating was perpetually 4F—a score of complete disqualification.

"There's always a chance."

With his hands in his pockets, Luke walked behind them and smiled.

He was pondering whether he could find a way to get his hands on the Super Soldier Serum.

Years of continuous training had pushed the progress bar to ninety-nine percent, just one step away from activation.

An instinct deep within told Luke that it might take an external force strong enough to reach one hundred percent.

For now, the easiest and most accessible option was the Super Soldier Serum.

As a transmigrator who roughly understood the flow of events, Luke naturally knew that tonight would be a turning point for Steve Rogers.

This scrawny little man would meet Dr. Abraham Erskine—a German scientist who had defected to the Allied Nations and the creator of the Super Soldier Serum.

Moved by Steve Rogers' heartfelt words, Dr. Erskine would give him the chance to enlist.

After that, Rogers would catch the military's attention and be chosen as the recipient of the Super Soldier Serum injection.

"Should I sneak my way in?"

Luke, walking behind, focused his thoughts.

If he could develop quietly, he definitely wouldn't choose to enlist.

After all, the battlefield was a hail of bullets and a nest of dangers.

Even following Captain America and the Winter Soldier didn't guarantee safety.

But the fact that his cheat hadn't arrived yet was giving Luke a headache.

With no other options left, he'd have to take a gamble.

Sure, in his past life, many people thought he was as steady as a defensive tower.

But for the sake of the cheat he'd bought with microtransactions, taking a slight risk wasn't so hard to accept.

Lost in thought, Luke followed Rogers and Bucky to a small tavern on the street corner.

They ordered a few beers and some snacks, chatting aimlessly as they waited for the Stark Industries Tomorrow World Expo to begin.

Rogers still seemed a bit downcast, clearly not having let go of his desire to enlist.

Bucky, oblivious, was already lost in a dream of defeating the Nazis and the Allied Nations' triumphant victory.

"Let's go. I specially arranged for some pretty girls to meet you!"

Checking the time, Bucky pulled Rogers out of the tavern.

The streets outside were pitch black, with only the brightly lit venue of the Tomorrow Expo standing out conspicuously.

World War II was raging fiercely at the time, and like the European nations, America was caught in the storm.

To conserve energy, the military had imposed blackout restrictions.

Neon signs and colorful billboards were all dimmed and shut down once night fell.

Every evening, the city would frequently experience power outages, prioritizing electricity for military bases and government facilities.

Even New York was no exception.

Tonight, thanks to Stark Industries' Tomorrow World Expo, the military had granted special permission to relax the restrictions.

Otherwise, New Yorkers wouldn't have been able to see the dazzling, bright neon lights.

"What a lively scene."

Bucky let out a cheer.

Inside the exposition hall, it was bustling with excitement.

The crowd surged like a tide, fireworks blazing brilliantly.

Everywhere, young men and women were locked in embraces, the air thick with the scent of hormones.

Luke and his group stood beneath a massive metal globe, silently enduring the display of affection as they waited for the girls they'd arranged to meet.

Before long, three lively, youthful girls arrived right on time.

They wore brightly colored cotton dresses and flat shoes, looking both enthusiastic and reserved.

"Ladies, these are my friends."

Bucky waved, gesturing to Luke and Rogers behind him.

The lively, youthful girls automatically ignored the scrawny little guy and fixed their gazes on Luke.

At this point, Steve Rogers was far from the future Captain America with his massive chest, nor did he boast the so-called American ass, so naturally, he couldn't catch the attention of young, pretty girls.

Luke, on the other hand—

He had a decent appearance.

With his clean, sharp black hair and a slightly stern young face, he easily stirred the fiery enthusiasm of young girls.

"Don't keep such a stiff face! Rogers, you've gotta learn to have fun!"

Bucky hooked an arm around the scrawny little guy's shoulders, patiently coaching him.

Up ahead, Luke was surrounded by the young girls, listening to their chatter about trivial topics.

The group crossed the plaza with the metal globe, passed some minor pavilions, and entered the core area.

"Welcome to the Modern Wonders Pavilion—"

The narrator's voice paused briefly, then grew emphatic: "The world of the future! A greater world! A better world! It all begins with Stark Industries!"

The passing crowd murmured in admiration, their eyes gleaming with wonder.

Steel mannequins in glass display cases, airplane models suspended from the ceiling, glass walls looping Howard Stark's speeches...

These were undoubtedly cutting-edge, eye-catching new products for the time.

But Luke wasn't particularly impressed.

He himself came from the twenty-first century, and in his past life, he'd watched countless sci-fi movies.

The little trinkets on display could hardly spark his interest.

Yet the young girls clinging to his arms, one on each side, acted like they'd discovered a new world, chattering nonstop with gasps and exclamations.

It gave Luke a bit of a headache.

He wished he could be like Rogers, strolling slowly in the back with a bucket of popcorn, enjoying a moment of peace.

As if sensing Luke's mood, the solitary Rogers popped a few kernels into his mouth, a smug, teasing grin on his face.

But Luke's relief came soon enough.

The two girls flanking him suddenly let out shrieks like fangirls and rushed to the stage of a nearby exhibit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Howard Stark!"

The host's words landed, and the curtain drew back.

Several beautiful women in tight corsets and black tailcoats made a grand appearance in front of a red car.

Then, mustachioed Howard Stark stepped onto the stage.

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.

Howard Stark—the young tycoon of the era.

A young genius with a brilliant mind, a playboy navigating the fields of romance.

His scandals, gossip, and other rumors had never ceased.

Howard emerged gracefully from backstage, not greeting the audience, but instead locking into a deep kiss with one of the beautiful women on stage, flashing a confident, charming smile.

No wonder he's Iron Man's dad...

Luke silently gave a thumbs-up from below the stage.

Thinking of how the future Iron Man once famously slept with every single cover girl in a magazine over the course of a year, it seemed that womanizing ran in the Stark family bloodline.