12

Chapter 12: Speed of Life and Death

"60%—"

"70%—"

"What..."

As the dose continued to increase, a suppressed humming sound emerged from within the device, which soon escalated into a heart-piercing scream.

The pain exceeded the limits of human endurance.

"Quick, turn off the machine!"

Abraham shouted, and Howard Stark scrambled to the power switch, but Steve's voice came from inside the apparatus, gritted through clenched teeth: "No! Don't turn it off! I can handle it!"

Howard gritted his teeth and pushed the dosage to the maximum.

"80%—"

"90%—"

"100%!"

"Crack——"

The surrounding machines erupted with sparks, taking several seconds to stabilize.

The door of the apparatus slowly opened, and the formerly lean and short figure had transformed into a muscular bodybuilder with an eight-pack.

The doctor helped the transformed Steve to his feet and asked, "How do you feel?"

Steve stretched his limbs, adjusting to his new body: "It feels like... I've grown taller..."

Warm applause filled the room as a crowd of excited onlookers gathered. The atmosphere in the laboratory was jubilant.

Unnoticed, a congressman named Fred quietly retrieved a lighter.

"Crack——"

"Boom—"

A bomb, deliberately left on a seat, was detonated. Amid the chaos, Fred drew a pistol and shot Dr. Abraham in the chest, then grabbed the remaining reagent and fled the laboratory.

At the entrance of the antique shop above the laboratory, a car awaited. Fred dashed out, jumped into the vehicle, and sped away.

Moments later, a shirtless, muscular man emerged from the laboratory.

In the original plot, his clothes had been worn by Peggy Carter...

…

"I have a showdown to make, I am Thor!"

A black line appeared on Peggy Carter's forehead.

"Really, I am not from Earth. I am Thor Odinson, the son of the Norse God King from Asgard, the next king of Asgard."

More black lines appeared on Peggy Carter's forehead.

"What's with that look? What I'm saying is true. I am the Thor the Vikings believed in, over 1,500 years old. For some reason, I was exiled by my father, King Odin..."

Peggy Carter looked bewildered.

"Hahaha..."

Miss System's gleeful laughter echoed in her mind.

Peggy Carter rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on, and said helplessly, "Can't you come up with a more believable story? You're just making things up!"

Thor felt equally helpless; no one seemed to believe the truth these days...

Peggy Carter shook her head, about to say something when a sudden screech of brakes and gunshots interrupted them.

"Squeak—creak—"

"Bang bang bang..."

As a top agent, Peggy reacted immediately, grabbing her pistol and rushing outside, where she saw the lifeless body of the agent she had stationed.

A car, accelerating rapidly, was barreling towards her.

An intermittent voice crackled over the communicator: "...the spy...serum samples were taken..."

She made a swift decision, raising her pistol and firing two shots.

"Bang—bang—"

The car's sturdy glass shattered, but the car was already upon her, about to strike...

"Crack——"

There was a tearing sound behind her. Thor had stepped in front of her, using the metal door panel he had just pulled down to intercept the car, which caused it to overturn violently.

With one hand, he reached into the car window, seized Senator Fred by the collar, and yanked him out, throwing him to the ground with a "bang."

"Boom—"

The car tumbled and rolled across the ground...

Peggy Carter stared at Thor in astonishment, murmuring, "Oh my god! I actually kind of believe what you said is true..."