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Reid didn't know much about the man.
Before his journey into this world, he had avoided the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series due to its complexity and had never delved into the details of Howard's life, particularly the events following World War II leading to his death.
But he did understand one thing: Howard Stark was a genius on par with his son, Tony. If this man was sneaking around, there had to be a plan in mind.
Realizing this, Reid wasted no time. Using every ounce of his strength, he launched himself off the ground and threw a punch toward the Winter Soldier's face. Even as a sharp pain from a gash on his arm, inflicted by the assassin's dagger, shot through him, he didn't hesitate.
However, his punch was ultimately caught by the Winter Soldier, who, with his metal arm, gripped the fist tightly. The pressure from the arm intensified, and Reid felt his bones groaning under the strain, as though they might be crushed at any moment.
"Let go of me!!" He yelled in desperation, but his voice, mixed with the excruciating pain, also helped mask Howard's approach. The genius inventor was moving silently, careful not to alert the enemy to his presence.
At the very moment when the Winter Soldier was about to plunge his dagger into Reid's heart, he made his move. He swiftly reached out, placing a strange device against the assassin's ear and activating it.
A shrill, piercing sound erupted from the device, a sound so loud and intense that it felt like it could shatter bones.
The harsh sound waves emitted from the device caused the Winter Soldier, who was closest, to immediately clutch his head. Even though he tried to cover his ears with his hands, he couldn't stop the blood that was flowing through his fingers.
The brutal assassin, trained by Hydra, who had been so resolute and unflinching just moments before, now faltered. The conditioning and mind control that kept him focused on his mission began to crack under the intense waves of sound. With his mental state slipping, the Winter Soldier ceased focusing on his target and the witness to the attack. Instead, he bolted toward the roadside bushes and disappeared from sight.
However, just because the he had left, it didn't mean everything was over.
Howard, who was also not far from the ultrasonic device, collapsed to the ground in pain. Even with his hands pressed to his ears, he couldn't stop the sound waves from penetrating. Already injured, his breathing grew weaker, and if this continued, the playboy who had survived since World War II would die on this desolate, unremarkable road.
Smack!
Just as Howard was struggling to breathe, Reid slapped the ultrasonic device, shattering it into pieces.
Huff... huff... huff...!!
With the sound waves stopped, Howard gasped for air, clinging to the last lifeline like a drowning man.
"Th-thank... thank you..."
"It was nothing... just a small effort," Reid replied.
He extended his hand and helped the man to his feet. His condition wasn't much better. The same sound waves that had caused the Winter Soldier to lose control were also fatal to him.
Blood was still trickling from his ears. He had been just moments away from losing his hearing completely.
'I can't take such risks again,' he thought.
Supporting Howard, he slowly made his way toward the Stark car, as that was the man's wish—he needed to check on his gravely injured wife, Maria.
Meanwhile, Reid opened the system panel that only he could see.
His "Alfred" role-playing progress had risen from 1% to 15%.
"Only a 14% increase?"
"....."