Chapter 47: Shark Pet, Nanaue
Stark Industries was officially established, with Allen Technologies acquiring a 30% stake. However, Howard Stark maintained full control over operations.
In reality, given the current technological landscape, Howard's research results couldn't be immediately commercialized. The company had to start by generating initial capital through everyday consumer products.
Of course, in the future, Stark Industries would become a military-industrial giant, especially after Tony took over, propelling it to new heights.
For now, their flagship products were hair removal cream and electric tricycles.
At present, America was undergoing FDR's New Deal, and citizens' financial situations were beginning to improve.
Women were once again donning silk stockings—an accessory that could conquer both men and banks alike. However, due to genetic factors, many had particularly thick body hair.
Frequent shaving only made the hair grow back thicker. Some women, desperate for smooth skin, resorted to extreme methods like using duct tape or even lighters to remove hair—going to brutal lengths in pursuit of beauty.
With the launch of hair removal cream, it sold out on the first day. Every day, merchants lined up, eager to become distributors.
The electric tricycles were even more popular, with orders booked solid through the next year.
Although the economy was recovering, people still didn't have much disposable income. Buying a car was a major expense. The sudden emergence of electric tricycles, which could carry passengers to work and transport goods, made them the perfect solution for the times.
Howard improved the battery's range, making the tricycles even more cost-effective.
---
Beach Retreat
Allen, Steve, Howard, and Wilson were lounging on the beach in their swim trunks, basking in the sun.
Allen squinted at the scene before him—gorgeous women in sexy bikinis splashing around in the water.
His expression was serious and judgmental as he righteously declared, "Hmph! The capitalists' sugar-coated bullets hold no sway over me! … I simply keep my eyes on them at all times."
He didn't blink once. No waves—literal or metaphorical—escaped his gaze.
"Old Steve," Allen said earnestly, "a true warrior must not indulge in lust. Desire is like a blade that cuts deep into the bones. Unlike you, I was born with the Supreme Bone—unyielding and utterly shameless."
Steve looked confused. "Why do you keep calling me 'Old Steve'?"
Allen, who viewed Steve as his "son" due to modifying the Super Soldier Serum, didn't bother arguing. After all, Steve was a madman—why waste time reasoning with him?
He simply smirked, saying nothing.
(He would never admit it was because Steve's old man version looked like a certain President "Biden.")
---
"Shark! Shark!"
"Ahhh!"
"Help!"
"There's a shark in the water!"
Suddenly, panic erupted on the beach as tourists screamed and fled toward the shore.
A dorsal fin was cutting through the waves, prowling the waters.
The human instinct to fear large carnivores kicked in, and everyone rushed to get as far away as possible.
"YAHOO! I've always wanted a pet shark!"
Allen, thrilled, dashed into the water.
However, Steve was a step faster, diving headfirst into the ocean.
A woman was being chased by the shark.
Perhaps due to the panic, she seemed to have cramped up, flailing helplessly in the water, unable to escape.
"Don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you!"
Fueled by his overwhelming sense of justice, Steve butterflied through the water, determined to fend off the beast.
"Help! My leg is cramping!"
The woman's voice was filled with terror. She was unable to move and looked utterly hopeless.
SPLASH!
Steve collided with the shark, engaging it in a brutal underwater brawl.
The woman, initially relieved, suddenly realized she was floating upward.
It was Allen. He had swum beneath her and hoisted her onto his shoulders.
…
"I think I'm turning into a zombie."
Allen looked up and saw majestic peaks swaying before him. His breathing turned heavy.
"A part of my body just went stiff."
On the shore, Howard and Wilson, who had been watching anxiously, took off their sunglasses, their eyes widening in shock.
"Impressive natural gifts."
"Truly… blessed."
Realizing the situation, the woman clutched her chest, turned, and bolted toward the hotel.
Allen, Steve, and Wilson sighed in disappointment—regretful that they hadn't had the chance to admire the wondrous sight for longer.
Meanwhile, nobody cared about Steve's life-or-death struggle with the shark.
---
"Shark King Nanaue!"
A few minutes later, Steve dragged a bizarre-looking shark onto the shore.
Allen's eyes widened. "Shit! That's Nanaue!"
The shark-man was holding a bikini top in his hand.
Allen immediately kicked him in the nose. "I can't believe you, Shark King! Stealing bikini tops?"
"D-don't hit Nanaue!"
The Shark King tried to cover his face with both hands, but they were too short, so he could only clutch the sides of his nose. He pleaded pitifully, "Nanaue was just trying to return what she lost! Nanaue would never hurt anyone!"
"A talking, humanoid shark?"
Howard was intrigued. "Is he a new species or a result of genetic mutation?"
"Nanaue's dad is the Shark God. His mom is human."
With his goofy demeanor, Nanaue quickly lowered everyone's guard.
"HOLY CRAB! He's one of the Old Gods' offspring!"
Allen instantly recognized Nanaue—the dimwitted villain from another world, down to his identical backstory.
"Old Gods?"
Steve gave Allen a questioning look.
"When new gods rise, old gods fade."
Allen, uncertain himself, bullshitted confidently, "They're like washed-up celebrities. Any half-decent wizard could slap an Old God silly."
"… And what about the New Gods?" Steve pressed.
"They're the hot new thing."
Allen casually explained, "Even the weakest of them can cause natural disasters, and the strong ones can poke holes through planets."
"…"
Honestly, Allen was being modest—plenty of them could destroy universes. At higher levels, multiversal beings surpassed all human comprehension.
Allen jabbed a finger into Nanaue's nose, glaring at him.
"Tell me—why are you in human society? If you don't talk, I'll BBQ you!"
"Nanaue ran away from home!"
The Shark King looked depressed, his little eyes dimming.
"Nanaue didn't want to marry the Hammerhead Shark Princess. Nanaue had no friends on Shark Island…"
"…Does the Shark God not understand biology?"
Allen jabbed his other finger into Nanaue's other nostril, declaring, "Great White Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks can't even breed! You should be mating with Pink Dolphins instead!"
"Master is a friend?" Nanaue asked innocently.
"Yes—but you have to obey me."
Allen grinned, lifting Nanaue's sharky face. "Pink Dolphins have smooth skin and sweet voices. I'll take you to catch one."
"Hehehe… Nanaue wants to catch a Pink Dolphin!"
Nanaue immediately agreed to become Allen's pet.
Howard, Wilson, and Steve stood frozen in disbelief.
Were sea creatures just… dumb?
A few words and it got completely fooled.
"Boss, one ice cream cone, please."
"Monster invasion!"
Walking up to a beachside ice cream stand, Allen was about to buy a cone for Nanaue when—
The vendor took one look at the humanoid shark and abandoned his ice cream cart on the spot, screaming as he bolted away.
"Where's the monster?"
Allen tensed up, scanning his surroundings. "Is Godzilla coming ashore?"
"Is there a chance... he was talking about Nanaue?" Steve awkwardly pointed out.
Woo-woo-woo...
Sirens blared as police cars roared onto the scene.
The beachside commotion had already led several tourists to call the authorities.
Numerous detectives took cover behind their car doors, shouting, "Don't move! Hands in the air!"
"Headquarters, headquarters, request a biological expert on site. We've encountered a humanoid shark."
"Repeat, a humanoid shark holding an ice cream cone."
Surrounded by officers, Allen raised his hands in surrender, and Nanaue, following his lead, did the same.
"Guys, relax! I'm on your side, working for S.H.I.E.L.D.," Howard tried to smooth things over.
Instead, a warning shot was fired into the air.
"This guy is preparing to assault an officer! If he makes a move, empty your mags!"
"F**k, I'm not even Black!"
Howard felt both wronged and furious, but he had no choice but to raise his hands and stay still.
Just then, another rumble approached from the distance.
A convoy of armored vehicles swiftly encircled the police cars.
Colonel Phillips' voice came through a loudspeaker:
"Stand down! They're important personnel from S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Tension filled the air as the military and the police faced off.
"S**t! Criminals can get their hands on armored vehicles now? Stay alert, people!"
"Mherfker! I'm Colonel Phillips of the U.S. Army! Are your eyes just for decoration?!"
"Holy crabs, and I'm the President of the United States! Get out of your cars and surrender now, or I swear I'll shove your head up your own ass!"
"I like you. You're good, really good."
"Flattery won't work. I will make you eat your own ass."
…
Seeing the stalemate, Allen decided to take action.
In a flash, he appeared beside the officer and, with a swift move—
A righteous, subway-judge-style backhanded slap!
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslation. Thanks for your support! Don't forget to send Power Stones—300 Power Stones = +1 bonus chapter!)