CHAPTER 230: GRAND DEBUT

LexCorp’s conditions were surprisingly relaxed. There were almost no restrictions on a hero’s personal life. Yet, it was precisely this kind of freedom that made Steve feel uneasy.

"You have such little control over these heroes. Are you not afraid that people with extraordinary powers might do something terrible?"

Reid simply let out a cold laugh.

"Little control? True heroes deserve respect. As for the ones you’re referring to, they’re not even heroes, so they don’t count. Those kinds of people are dealt with depending on the situation. Captain, you can look into it yourself. Every week, several so-called heroes vanish quietly."

The moment he said that, Steve understood. All the benefits mentioned just now were only for real heroes.

Once a hero joined LexCorp, their lives became public. Constantly watched by both the media and the company. But as long as they did their duty and stayed in line, they would enjoy those privileges. LexCorp wouldn’t interfere too much and might even help them live better lives.

However, if one strayed from their path, stopped being a hero, and used their powers for crime, then LexCorp would make sure that fallen hero disappeared for good.

Steve actually agreed with that approach. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t forgive a hero who turned to crime either. At best, he might just hit them a little softer when taking them down.

"Now, Captain, you understand how we operate. After what you witnessed yesterday, you should have a clearer picture of what this era has become. So, are you willing to join Vought?"

After finishing the full explanation, Reid made his final offer.

And this time, Steve’s resistance had begun to fade.

Because based on everything he had seen and heard so far, he could not find a solid reason to refuse. In fact, the structure of this society ensured the safety of its people even more effectively than in his time.

"Captain, remember this. Maybe the world no longer needs Captain America, but it still needs heroes. As time goes on, you will learn more about the deeper truths behind it all."

"...I understand."

Reid’s words made Steve realize that this world wasn’t as safe as it seemed on the surface. There were still dangers lurking in the shadows.

So, he accepted the offer. He would become a hero once more, in this unfamiliar era.

"Good. Then we’ll move to the next phase."

With Steve agreeing, Reid smiled and pulled out a schedule.

"As per tradition, whenever a new superhero joins, Vought arranges an official debut. But considering your existing popularity, Captain, we don’t need to create a dramatic backstory. We just need to announce your return. That will be enough."

While speaking, he led Steve to the bedroom and pressed a hidden button beside the closet. With a soft mechanical hum, the wardrobe shifted aside, revealing a conveyor system rising from below.

But it was not meant to send people underground. It was retrieving something stored beneath the building: a red, white, and blue uniform patterned after the American flag.

"This is..." Steve muttered.

That familiar color scheme, that star-spangled pattern, the tight uniform—it all stirred memories deep inside him. He thought of the days when he led the Howling Commandos into battle against Hydra. Off fighting side by side with Bucky.

"What are you waiting for, Captain? This suit is made from LexCorp’s latest composite material. Go ahead. Try it on."

* * *

Today was a day of great excitement for all American media outlets.

Vought had announced it a day prior: a new superhero was about to debut. Not just any hero, but one who would represent America.

These days, superheroes were the biggest source of public attention in the nation. Even other countries were slowly getting swept up in the trend. So when word spread that a national symbol would step into the spotlight, both journalists and the public had been eagerly waiting.

This grand debut was arranged to take place at the plaza below the Fantastic Four’s apartment building, showing just how seriously Vought regarded this new hero.

One of the company’s PR representatives tried to step onto the stage to give a formal introduction, but before any reporters could even question him, the impatient spectators had already booed him off.

In the midst of this high-energy crowd, Reid stepped onto the stage.

Though he kept a low profile in the superhuman world, among ordinary people, he was still a well-known figure.

"Everyone, do you remember who America’s first superhero was?"

"Of course! Green Lantern, Hal Jordan!"

The question drew an instant reaction from the crowd.

In the past, maybe people might have kept their answers to themselves. Heroes had once felt distant. But now, after the rise of Vought and the Fantastic Four, they had become a part of everyday life. As such, the image of the first hero naturally came back to everyone’s mind.

Soon though, that shout was drowned out by other voices.

"Don’t be ridiculous. It’s Captain America. Green Lantern’s great, but he’s been off in space all these years. He never even came back to Earth."

"Yeah, Captain America is our real first hero!"

As the discussion returned to the main topic, Reid raised his voice.

"And now, I want to tell you all. Our hero, the one we believe in most, the one who truly deserves the title, has returned to stand with us again! Let us welcome him back... the one and only... Captain America, Steve Rogers!!!"

For a brief second, the entire crowd fell silent. It was as if the world had stopped breathing.

Then, from behind the stage, fireworks shot into the sky, bursting into shapes resembling the stars and stripes. And right from the center of the platform, Steve, dressed in his iconic red, white, and blue suit, slowly rose into view.

"Let’s welcome Captain America!"

The cheers that followed were deafening. All of New York seemed to erupt in celebration.

At that moment, every superhero in the city knew. The first true national hero had returned.

A living symbol from a time of war, now reborn in the modern age.

None of them could do anything about it. Even if they were jealous, even if Steve’s return stole their spotlight, they had no choice but to accept it.

After all, many of them had grown up listening to stories about Captain America.

If not for the fact that the Fantastic Four’s scope of action spanned the entire world, their position might have been shaken by his return too.

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