At some point, a previously ferocious vampire froze in place, unable to move.
Its expression was one of sheer terror—as if it had seen a ghost—though they themselves were the monsters.
At the entrance, a tall Black man in a pitch-black trench coat, wearing a special bulletproof vest and sunglasses, stood motionless like a towering mountain.
Steve immediately recognized him. Isn't that Blade, Marvel's number one vampire hunter?
Blade smiled, his white teeth striking against his dark skin. "Ready to die?"
Coulson glanced skeptically. "Director, is this an agent you recruited?"
Fury's face twitched. What does this have to do with me? Both are Black, but that's where the relation ends.
"I don't know him. Let's wait and see," Fury muttered, recalling some reports on vampires he'd skimmed while preparing for Steve's rescue.
At the time, it hadn't seemed urgent. Now, Blade's appearance was like a sudden shock—a small knife to the butt.
The vampires panicked. "Is it him? Impossible! Run! It's Blade!"
Among their ranks circulated terrifying rumors: a godlike hunter had recently struck vampire nightclubs, eliminating dozens of vampires at a time. Even elite guards had been powerless.
As a vampire attempted to flee, Blade pulled out a pistol and fired.
"Ah!"
Special bullets coated with garlic extract struck the fleeing vampires, turning them instantly to ashes.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents watched in stunned silence. Vampires weren't as invincible as legends said.
Steve, however, remained solemn. These cannon fodder vampires weren't the problem. The real challenge would be the elite vampires—they were far more dangerous.
Quinn, enraged, bared his fangs. "Damn you, Blade! Everyone, attack him!"
Blade smiled again, flashing his teeth, and drew a specialized katana.
Several vampires charged with steel pipes and machetes, one aiming directly at his abdomen.
Bang!
Blade fired his pistol.
"Despicable!" the vampire hissed.
Blade's katana moved in a blur, parrying and slicing with deadly precision. Steve silently nodded in approval.
Formidable… just slightly less than me, he assessed.
Black Widow chuckled from beside him. Perhaps Captain America was indeed stronger.
The vampires either fled or fought desperately. The once-crowded ballroom now had nearly thirty dead vampires.
Quinn, frenzied, leaped at Blade with a machete.
Bang!
Blade dodged and kicked, sending Quinn flying into the counter.
Fury's eyes twitched. Blade's combat skills and physique were extraordinary. He had a clear hatred for vampires and seemed perfectly capable. Perhaps he could be recruited.
A few vampires tried to flee. Blade turned, producing a boomerang, then exploded a fist into their heads.
"Hmm? Another expert?" Blade realized Steve had thrown the punch.
Before Blade could question it, the vampire leader attacked again.
Blade drew a custom shotgun. Bang! A wooden stake pinned Quinn to the wall.
"Ah!" Quinn screamed, chanting in an unknown language, whether a curse or prayer.
Click! Another stake pinned his right shoulder.
"YES!" Blade, oddly childish, clenched his fist in victory while holding the gun.
Seeing the cannon fodder dealt with, Fury stepped forward. "Excuse me, sir. We are S.H.I.E.L.D., and this area is now under our control.
If you're interested, we can talk. Your actions against vampires are admirable, but you must be accountable to the law."
Blade looked at Fury, then flicked a lighter and fuel over Quinn. "Not interested. You are no match for vampires."
Quinn, pinned and immobile, was lit aflame. "Long time no see… I've killed you so many times, how do you still survive?!"
"Ah! Blade! May you die a horrible death!" Quinn screamed as the fire consumed him.
Outside, footsteps approached. A team of armed S.H.I.E.L.D. special forces entered cautiously.
"Director, Team One reporting in!" A muscular man in headphones saluted. This had to be Crossbones.
Fury nodded, ready to call Blade for discussion—but Blade had vanished, leaving no trace.
Fury frowned. "Steve, why didn't you stop him?"
Steve stretched leisurely. "Please, I'm on vacation! Off-duty hours—no work talk, thank you."
Slacking off for a while felt refreshing. Always slacking off was even better.
Hill turned away, stifling a laugh. Her husband was ridiculous—but amusing.
Fury's expression darkened. Captain America—upholding justice, righting wrongs, chasing criminals… Where did that go? Are the rumors wrong?