Chapter Eighty-Three: Beyond the Gods

[Sketch of the Construction of an Unknown Element]: A design sketch depicting the internal structure of an unknown element. White Item Card.

Kyle lowered his head, gazing at the element diagram in his hand, its lines heavily traced in pencil, and fell into deep contemplation. Although this was merely a theoretical construct deduced by Howard from the Cosmic Cube, Kyle was aware that this element was a truly novel energy source—an artificial isotope, akin in composition to the material of the universe's original stone.

The main power core for Iron Man's armor in the future would rely on this artificially synthesized element. A single small crystal of this energy reserve could sustain the high-tech suit’s ongoing consumption—laser strikes, jet propulsion, the JARVIS AI system, and more.

“To what level of scientific advancement must we reach before attempting to synthesize such a new element? I mean, what are the current technological barriers to creating this element?” Kyle set aside the design sketch, looking seriously at Howard beside him.

If artificial synthesis could be achieved and mass production realized, and this new element’s crystalline energy replaced the leftover energy blocks from the Infinity Stones...

Undoubtedly, it could serve as a prime material for blue-tier sacrificial draws!

“Constructing the specialized materials for an acceleration pipeline, and the apparatus to emit stable high-energy particle rays—these remain unsolved frontiers of science. They’re not obstacles that can be overcome in a few short years,” Howard replied, spreading his hands with a hint of helplessness, then joked, “Honestly, I’m considering putting this diagram away for my descendants to complete in the future.”

“You don’t even have a child yet,” Kyle retorted. Howard glared, twirling his mustache. “Tonight I’ll invite a few stunning young ladies out and get started on that.”

Poor Tony...

Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. The future genius engineer Tony Stark had yet to be born; it would be at least a decade before his arrival. Howard, his friend here, would become a father in his later years.

But even if Tony were born early, the limitations of current technology made it impossible to synthesize this element of limitless potential.

“So we really have to wait another half-century before we can even attempt its creation?” Kyle felt a tinge of frustration. The element’s structural blueprint lay before him like a treasure map, yet without the corresponding key to unlock its secrets.

Sacrificial draws were too random—there was no way to extract a specific item one needed.

“All right, don’t overthink it. Let’s take one step at a time. Who knows? In a few years, maybe a decade or so, the right materials and equipment might be invented,” Howard said, clapping Kyle on the shoulder in comfort. He had only felt regretful, but to see his partner so invested in the new element surprised him.

“That’s all we can do, then.” Kyle sighed, placing the design sketch back in the secret compartment of the safe. Just as he released it, a sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.

Wait... Lacking special materials? The limits of current technology?

Kyle’s eyes lit up slightly. It seemed he had forgotten a certain place.

With a smile, he said, “Howard, I just remembered a place that should possess not only the special materials needed to create this new element, but also the necessary scientific level.”

“Where?” Howard asked, momentarily stunned, then hesitantly added, “Don’t tell me it’s somewhere off Earth.”

“It’s right here on Earth, just hidden away from the world. Outsiders have no way of knowing its secrets, and ordinary people can’t simply step into that territory.” Kyle shrugged.

It was a land favored by the heavens, where certain rare metals were as common as dirt, and its science was decades ahead of the rest of Earth.

Having seen the epoch-defining technology Kyle had provided, Howard had no reason to doubt him. His interest piqued, he asked, “How do we get there? If there are special materials and sufficiently advanced radiation instruments, I’m confident I can create the new element.”

“No rush. It’ll take some time to prepare before we can go,” Kyle replied with deliberate vagueness.

For all its technological advancement, that place’s laws and customs were primitive and wild, and its people harbored a deep-seated mistrust of outsiders.

He couldn’t guarantee that if he and Howard barged in uninvited, they wouldn’t be immediately beset upon by the locals.

“Let’s wait until after the war. With military duties, I don’t have much time for personal endeavors,” Kyle said. With his current rank of major general, a sudden trip abroad would attract far too much attention.

And so, the matter of synthesizing the new element came to a temporary halt.

After reviewing the research results, Kyle and Howard returned to the sofa by the office window to savor the unfinished bottle of red wine.

“I almost forgot, I have a favor to ask,” Kyle said, recalling Logan waiting outside. He turned to Howard, “Logan, the man you just met—he was originally Canadian, but now he’s come to America with me. I hope you can arrange an American identity for him.”

Howard readily agreed. “That’s easy. Give me his full name and age; I’ll have someone take care of it tomorrow.”

“His name is ‘Logan Carr’,” Kyle provided the prepared name, hesitated for a moment, then muttered, “As for his actual age, I’d estimate he’s in his sixties...”

Howard, who had been sipping his wine like a gentleman, nearly choked on hearing Logan’s age. He quickly fished out a handkerchief to dab at his dampened trousers, exclaiming, “In his sixties? That bodyguard of yours looks just over thirty—if you overlook his abundant facial hair.”

Kyle chuckled. “I told you, he’s not an ordinary man. But to avoid others reacting as you did, let’s register his age as thirty-five.”

Age and appearance could not be measured by ordinary standards.

His super-soldier physique aged at a rate four times slower than normal, and with the regenerative factor’s vitality and extraordinary healing, plus several life-extending cards stacked, Kyle was confident that even a century later, his body would remain in its prime—neither his strength nor his appearance would show the slightest hint of aging.

The Red Skull had been right—since the genetic transformation of the super-soldier serum, they could no longer be considered mere “humans.”

If, in the future, he refused to bow before the snap of Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet, and if he would not let his life be dictated by those who fancied themselves as gods, then Kyle’s only path was the road of evolution and strength—a path he would follow to the very end, never looking back.