Chapter Twenty-Four: The Poor Rely on Mutation

The super soldier ability was an essential link in the chain. No matter how great the limitations, Kyle had no reason to give up on drawing it. Moreover, these restrictions applied only to blue rare quality ability cards; blue cards lacking rare attributes could still be drawn. However, given the current era in the Marvel world, there weren’t many individuals possessing ultra-green tier abilities or above for him to draw from.

The half-hour duration required for card extraction forced Kyle to expend considerable effort, painstakingly explaining to Steve and Carter the details of their previous counterattack operation. Of course, matters such as the Stealth ability card, the Hellhound creature card, and residual gem energy were conveniently omitted.

“…So, I infiltrated the munitions depot of that major base… Unexpectedly, I encountered the enemy commander in the basement of the warehouse. After eliminating him, I planted timed explosives throughout the depot,” he recounted.

“From there, things became straightforward. All I had to do was evade the pursuit of the German soldiers and detonate the explosives after leaving the warehouse. With the base’s internal defenses compromised, it became difficult for them to repel our hundred-strong assault force,” Kyle continued, deliberately spinning the tale to prolong the card extraction process.

His throat parched, he took a sip of water, only then realizing that Steve and Carter were still absorbed in his vivid account of the battle.

“A solo infiltration, dismantling the enemy base’s defenses single-handedly—truly remarkable,” Steve praised, his eyes glimmering with envy.

This was the kind of experience he had always dreamed of.

“You actually dared to go into the base alone. Are you crazy?” Carter summarized coldly.

“Have you ever heard this phrase—if one loses their passion, the rest of life will be dull and dim,” Kyle replied confidently, gazing at the two before him. “Even if I had another chance, I’d still stake my life on the path filled with both rewards and risks.”

“Rather than being a mere star beside the moon, I’d choose to blaze across the cosmos, shining and burning as I challenge the sun itself.”

It didn’t matter who the protagonist was, or how invincible the villain; anyone who blocked his path would be dealt with just the same.

As long as he existed, Marvel would have no main character.

This was Kyle’s creed in this world—no one could force him to submit or yield.

Looking at the man before her, whose conviction and charisma were overwhelming, Carter’s beautiful eyes couldn’t help but reveal a hint of emotion.

“Kyle, you’re right. Life should be lived with such passion and excitement,” Steve murmured, clenching his fists, as if injected with adrenaline, eager to rush to the front lines and challenge a base single-handedly.

“Don’t worry, Steve. Gold will always shine. Your strength is genuine, and you absolutely have the right to fight alongside me—I’m certain of that,” Kyle said with a smile.

After all, as one of Marvel’s representative heroes, Steve with his shield was nearly an equal match for anyone.

“By the way, Carter, you stick so closely to Steve. Are you two…” Kyle teased, winking playfully.

Carter gave him a cold look. “This is just work—to collect follow-up data on the super soldier.”

“Exactly, Kyle. Don’t make assumptions,” Steve chimed in, quickly clarifying.

“You two make a good pair. Are you sure you don’t want to consider it?” Kyle persisted.

A metallic clang rang out as Carter tossed her spoon onto the tray. Unable to contain herself, she stood up and declared, “I’m finished,” before heading toward the cafeteria’s exit.

Steve sighed and complained, “Kyle, that was a bit too blunt.”

“I’m just creating opportunities for you,” Kyle replied, patting him on the shoulder. He gestured toward the door. “Are you sure you don’t want to go after her?”

“Uh… Got it. I’ll find you later this afternoon,” Steve said. Thanks to the super soldier serum, his mind was sharper now, and he quickly nodded and chased after Carter.

Once they had left, Kyle finally let out a deep breath, pressing his hand tightly against his chest as sweat poured from his forehead.

Super Soldier ability—extraction complete!

The rare blue ability card had just entered his card space, immediately dominating the top of his collection.

Simultaneously, a piercing pain radiated from within, as if Kyle were being forged repeatedly on a grill.

He knew that the super soldier card, being a physical enhancement, was now completely transforming his genes and constitution.

“I need to find somewhere safe to finish this genetic metamorphosis,” Kyle muttered, immediately thinking of a secure place.

The training base’s public showers.

Since the stage performance was still ongoing, the showers were deserted at this hour.

Entering a private stall, Kyle stripped off his clothes and gear, turned on the shower, and let cold water cascade over his battle-scarred, muscular body.

Yet the pain and heat in his body only intensified. Even his bones creaked audibly.

Something inside was breaking, tearing, and then forcibly reshaping!

“Ugh!” Kyle’s eyes were bloodshot. He materialized his card-transformed Nepalese knife and bit down hard on its blade, using it as a stress outlet to prevent any cries of pain from escaping.

Had there been an observer, they would have seen Kyle’s bare body gradually expand, then recede, as if being adjusted toward its most ideal form.

Veins pulsed and bulged, muscles became more defined and solid after the swelling and contraction.

The mutation lasted three minutes.

“Ha!” Kyle opened his mouth, letting the knife fall to the ground. Its steel blade now bore a row of clear tooth marks.

His pectorals still twitched, but were settling down; steam rose from his skin, and the scars and wounds that had once marred him seemed washed away, leaving no trace.

Metamorphosis complete!

Kyle was acutely aware of it, for he could feel a surge of power in his body that he had never possessed before.

“Though the super soldier is hailed as the ultimate human physique, I suppose I can no longer be considered human,” Kyle mused. His age, vitality, cell longevity, physical strength, learning and memory, and speed of thought all now far exceeded human limits.

He was, in essence, a humanoid monster.

“I finally have a trump card to firmly stand my ground in this world,” Kyle breathed, relieved of much of his burden.

Previously, though he had the card-drawing ability, he was still subject to human limitations—one bullet was all it took to end him. Now, even if struck by gunfire, it would be but a minor wound, no longer a mortal threat.

Thus, the super soldier ability marked a major—and indispensable—leap in Kyle’s strength.

After showering, Kyle donned his officer’s uniform, only then noticing that he’d grown taller—nearly 185 centimeters.

His physique and abs were now even sturdier, stretching the uniform taut and lending him a more commanding presence.

Truly, the poor must rely on mutation.

Kyle sighed to himself and leisurely left the showers.