Captain America had been asleep in the ice for about seventy years. When he awoke again, the World had already changed drastically.
The once familiar streets and buildings were replaced by towering modern structures, and the roar of old cars turned into the low hum of high-speed new vehicles.
People's clothing, way of communication, everything was vastly different from what he remembered.
He eagerly sought out the familiar faces, only to receive the news that Peggy had grown old.
When he learned that Peggy had remained unmarried her entire life, Steve surprisingly felt a sense of relief.
But when he instantly came to his senses, he felt an immense disgust at his own selfish thoughts.
He saved the World, but he failed Peggy.
In this bustling and unfamiliar World, Steve felt an unprecedented sense of loneliness and confusion. HYDRA had disappeared, and this World no longer needed his salvation.
Although a Black man had been inviting him to join a new team, he refused.
During this time, he had been taking care of Peggy, refusing to engage with the outside World.
Every day, he prepared three meals for Peggy, chatted with her to relieve boredom, and pushed her for walks in the garden. The sunlight bathed them, but it couldn't illuminate the gloom in Steve's heart.
Although Peggy kept trying to persuade him, Steve was as stubborn as a bull and refused to leave.
He was afraid to face that completely unfamiliar World, afraid of losing the only warmth left by Peggy's side.
Until yesterday, he overheard the Nurses' conversation.
"The Demon Group is selling some amazing elixirs: healing elixirs, limb regeneration elixirs, and even youth elixirs. Each one is miraculous."
"I heard that the Demon Group's Youth Doctor is also researching longevity elixirs. I wonder if we'll have a chance to buy them."
Steve quietly returned to the ward, looking at the sleeping Peggy, a complex emotion in his eyes.
Everything was too coincidental. Although he had been out of touch with this World for a long time, his instincts had not deteriorated.
This was clearly someone intentionally saying it for him to hear.
But he wanted to try, even if it was a trap, it didn't matter. Peggy didn't have much time left.
At the thought of this, Steve's heart felt as if it was tightly gripped by an invisible large hand, making it hard to breathe from the pain.
Peggy looked at the building with the Demon logo getting closer and closer.
Although she had been retired for a long time, she was still aware of the recent major news.
"Steve, you can't go there, that place is..."
Steve placed a hand on Peggy's shoulder and gently pressed it, as if to convey his strength and determination to her.
"I know, Peggy, trust me."
His voice was steady and firm, his gaze fixed forward.
"Hmm..."
Steve pushed the wheelchair into the building. The front desk was a Black-haired beauty.
Although she was a bit puzzled by this duo, she still offered a professional smile.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"I want to see the Demon King."
"I'm sorry, our Demon King is not currently available. If you have a need, you can schedule an appointment with our acting president. Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Then I'm sorry, please apply for an appointment first before you can meet."
"My name is Steve Rogers, I am Captain America, please inform him."
The Black-haired beauty at the front desk was slightly stunned. In this period, she had seen all sorts of people, but it was her first time seeing someone impersonating Captain America.
"I'm sorry, unless it's Captain America himself, I can inform him. Otherwise, please leave here."
Her face still held a polite but firm smile, thinking, it doesn't matter how much he looks like him, this job can't be easily compromised.
Flint also walked over expressionlessly. He had dealt with too many people wanting to see the Demon King like this recently.
As for the old lady, he thought he would be gentler.
"Hahaha, Steve, you're being suspected of being fake!" Peggy, sitting in the wheelchair, couldn't help but laugh.
Steve also felt a bit helpless.
He pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and gripped them tightly, veins bulging on his arm.
When he let go, the coins were all deformed and stuck together.
"Does this prove my identity?"
"...Yes, I'll inform him."
The Black-haired front desk attendant's eyes widened, and she quickly began to contact the acting president.
Captain America himself, alive.
Flint watched Steve warily, thinking, even if it's Captain America, if he dares to make a move here, he'll be smashed into a meat patty.
Tom quickly came down, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, he hurried to Steve.
"Hello, Captain America, and this must be Agent Carter! I've heard your story since I was a child. I'm Tom, the acting president of the Demon Group."
He extended his hand enthusiastically, a warm smile on his face.
"Hello, Tom."
Steve responded, looking at the enthusiastic Tom, feeling a bit unaccustomed, his expression slightly stiff.
Tom said, "The leader is away on important business, and I am handling the Group's affairs. Please follow me."
Steve pushed Peggy, following behind him.
Flint also returned to his original post; his protection was not needed inside the company.
They arrived at a spacious and bright conference room. Tom invited them to sit down, then had coffee and refreshments brought over.
"Steve, what brings you here today?" Tom asked.
Steve looked at Tom and said with a firm gaze, "I heard your Group is researching a longevity elixir. I want to get the elixir for Peggy."
Tom smiled slightly, without the slightest surprise.
"Of course, elixirs are meant to be sold once they are researched. Although it's not the release date yet, Steve, you are a hero of this country, and I am willing to make an exception for you."
His tone was sincere and warm, his smile growing even brighter.
Steve's eyes lit up, he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.
But Peggy frowned. She had dealt with countless bureaucrats and businessmen and knew their true colors.
Giving in so easily meant either the price was astronomical, or he wanted far more than just money.
Her gaze became solemn, and she gently tugged at Steve's sleeve, signaling him not to be happy too soon.
Steve asked, "I want to know how much the longevity elixir costs."
Tom smiled and held up two fingers. "It only costs 2 billion."
"2 billion!"
Steve couldn't help but exclaim.
This was an astronomical figure he could never have imagined in his life.
"Yes, the longevity elixir is an elixir we specifically sell to the wealthy. Each dose can extend life by ten years. Buying ten years of time for 2 billion is very cheap."
Tom still had a smile on his face, his tone relaxed, as if discussing an ordinary commodity.
Initially, he wanted to sell it for 10 billion, but considering the potential for World unrest and its impact on the leader's plan, he decided to sell it for 2 billion.
It was just at a critical threshold, and the longevity elixir could only be used once, so even some old immortals couldn't infinitely extend their lives.