Although he hadn't expected Todd and the other two to die so quickly, the moment Captain America Rogers saw the look in Richard's eyes, he immediately assumed a fighting stance.
Seeing Captain America raise his vibranium shield with vigilance etched across his face, Hawkeye Barton hesitated for a few seconds before retrieving a specialized arrow from his multi-functional quiver. However, he didn't immediately nock it or aim at Richard.
"Our mission was to assist the Mutant Affairs Department in capturing Richard," Hawkeye said to Captain America. "All the agents from Mutant Affairs are dead. Even if we retreat now, no one would hold it against us."
Though he was an Avenger, Barton had a clear understanding of his own capabilities and limitations. He could handle ordinary people and moderately powered superhumans with ease. But facing high-level fighters like Richard, whose strength far exceeded that of ordinary enhanced individuals? That was beyond his pay grade. Even with his arsenal of high-tech arrows, he was still just a mortal man.
After hearing Hawkeye's suggestion, Captain America replied quickly: "This isn't about whether we should retreat. It's about whether he's willing to let us leave." He paused, his expression grim. "My instinct tells me he doesn't want us walking out of here alive."
Captain America hadn't sensed any overwhelming murderous intent from Richard, but he trusted his intuition. His assessment was partially accurate—Richard wasn't projecting much killing intent at the moment, but for a simple reason: Captain America wasn't worthy of it. No one harbors intense hatred toward an ant they could crush at any moment.
Though Richard didn't exude strong murderous intent, Captain America had misjudged one thing: Richard didn't particularly care whether Hawkeye left alive or not. From a personal perspective, Richard's impression of Hawkeye wasn't especially negative. If Barton chose wisely, Richard wouldn't mind letting him return to his wife and children.
Just as Hawkeye was about to speak again, Richard's voice cut through the tension.
"Let me ask you something. Do you think I'm a deranged killer without mercy?"
Though he didn't know where this was going, Captain America answered without hesitation: "Whether you're a deranged killer or not, you know the truth in your heart." His eyes narrowed. "In just a few months, hundreds have died by your hand!"
Hearing Captain America's righteous response, Richard smiled and shook his head. This man truly deserved his reputation as America's moral compass—always so self-assured in his righteousness!
"Yes, quite a few people have died by my hand these past months," Richard admitted. "Though I haven't kept an exact count, I can say one thing with certainty: the number of people I've killed doesn't come close to those eliminated by the Department of Mutant Affairs, let alone those killed by U.S. military operations overseas." His eyes hardened. "In terms of body count, they've slaughtered far more than I have. You claim to be so righteous—why don't you stop them?"
Richard regarded Captain America with undisguised contempt.
"They were carrying out lawful operations," Captain America countered swiftly. "You've been killing innocent people indiscriminately."
"Lawful?" Richard's voice took on a mocking tone. "Do you even understand what law is?"
Both Captain America and Hawkeye struggled to follow Richard's train of thought. What was he driving at?
Without waiting for their response, Richard addressed Captain America directly: "Since you dropped out of high school, allow me to give you a free education. The so-called 'law' is created by the ruling class—a tool reflecting their will and maintaining their control. Law never inherently represents justice."
His voice grew colder. "If that's still too complex, let me be more specific. Even if I kill you right now, I could make your death a legally sanctioned action. Perhaps I wouldn't even need to lift a finger—your president and officials might proactively legalize your execution. You claim I'm killing innocent people, but that's merely because my actions don't conform to your narrow worldview."
Richard paused, studying Captain America with renewed interest. "Speaking of which, your dear friend Bucky Barnes has killed just as many as I have. Why aren't you hunting him down?" His lips curved into a knowing smile. "Don't pretend you didn't know he's alive. Not only are you aware, but you also know he's the real assassin who murdered Howard and Maria Stark."
Captain America's jaw tightened imperceptibly.
"You transformed from a sickly kid from Brooklyn into Captain America—and Howard Stark's contribution was instrumental. Without his technological innovations, the serum wouldn't have been half as effective. Without the vibranium shield he crafted for you, the Red Skull and HYDRA would have ended you long ago."
Richard's voice grew sharper. "Howard helped you immeasurably, and how did you repay him? By letting his murderer walk free, befriending his son Tony, and concealing the truth from him." His eyes glinted with disdain. "It's Tony Stark's misfortune to consider you a friend! I may not be a good person, but I'm better than you in one crucial aspect—I'm not a hypocrite, and I wouldn't forgive my father's murderer on anyone's behalf!"
This can't be true... can it?
As Richard finished speaking, Hawkeye instinctively turned to look at Captain America. As an experienced top-tier agent, Hawkeye wouldn't blindly believe Richard's accusations. However, seeing the expression on Captain America's face told him everything he needed to know. The charges were true. But how did Richard possess this information?
Captain America barely registered Hawkeye's scrutiny. Only one question occupied his mind: how did Richard know?
Richard's voice broke through the tension once more.
"Agent Barton, I have a favorable impression of you, and I recognize you're not as sanctimonious as Rogers." His tone remained even, controlled. "If you choose not to interfere, I'll grant you safe passage back to your wife and children. But if you insist on opposing me, don't blame me for what follows."
Richard fixed Hawkeye with a calm stare and waited patiently for his decision.
More than ten seconds passed in tense silence before Hawkeye's expression hardened with resolve.
"Rogers is my friend. I won't—"
BOOM!
Before Hawkeye could finish, a massive green figure crashed down from the sky, landing between Richard and Hawkeye with the force of a meteorite.
The new arrival was none other than the Hulk, carrying Black Widow Natasha in his enormous grasp.
As the dust from Hulk's landing settled, Richard addressed the green behemoth: "Big guy, you're not here to stop me too, are you?" His voice dropped dangerously. "If so, prepare to die here alongside them."
Hulk responded quickly: "Hulk doesn't want to fight you. Hulk just brought Natasha here."
Brought Natasha?
Richard's attention shifted to Black Widow. Compared to their last encounter, she was no longer wearing casual attire but a form-fitting black tactical suit that accentuated her athletic figure. Whether from habit or calculation, the zipper on her combat suit was pulled slightly lower than necessary, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of what lay beneath.
Noticing Richard's gaze, Black Widow spoke without hesitation: "I'm here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. to propose a truce. S.H.I.E.L.D. was merely cooperating with the Department of Mutant Affairs—it was never our intention to apprehend you."
After watching drone footage of Richard effortlessly dispatching Todd and his companions as if they were nothing, Nick Fury had immediately contacted Natasha, instructing her and Banner to rush to the Mutant Affairs headquarters to prevent a confrontation between Richard and Captain America.
Upon receiving Fury's call, Natasha had promptly asked Banner to transform into the Hulk and transport her to the scene.
"There's no need for truces or negotiations," Richard replied coldly. "I've made my decision to kill Rogers. If you wish to stop me, by all means, try."
With those words, Richard dismissed Natasha and teleported instantly, materializing directly in front of Captain America.
Octoslash!
Without hesitation, he unleashed Sephiroth's signature technique. The Masamune sword became a blur of silver lightning, striking the vibranium shield in Captain America's grasp.
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
In the blink of an eye, the Masamune slashed against the vibranium shield eight times, each strike flowing into the next like water.
As the final strike connected, Richard frowned slightly. Eight visible marks now scarred the vibranium shield, yet it remained intact.
Seeing this, Richard increased his magical output and performed Octoslash again. If the previous attack had consumed a normal amount of mana, this time he channeled three times as much.
Greater magical expenditure yielded greater destructive power.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
BANG!
After just five of the eight strikes, the vibranium shield in Captain America's hand shattered with a deafening crack, fragments scattering in all directions.
Though the shield lay in pieces, Richard didn't stop. The final three slashes of his Octoslash cut through Captain America's body like lightning.
The final strike severed Captain America's neck, cleanly decapitating him.
Propelled by momentum, Captain America's head soared upward like a macabre basketball, blood spraying from the severed neck. Richard ignored the flying head, using his telekinetic power to repel Captain America's headless body and the blood splatter away from himself.
Under the shocked gazes of Natasha, Hulk, and Hawkeye, Captain America's body flew backward more than thirty feet before crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.
[Mission "Devil's Son (III)" completed!]
[Mission reward Yamato has been delivered!]
[New weapon acquired: Yamato!]
[Yamato: A weapon wielded by Vergil, containing powerful magic bestowed by the legendary spellsword Sparda. It possesses the ability to "separate." A razor-sharp magical blade that can cut through demons as easily as paper!]
Looking at the information panel before him, Richard smiled with satisfaction. Though he had been content with the Masamune, that didn't diminish his desire for the Yamato. It was like owning a Ferrari but still wanting a Lamborghini, or having Wanda but still desiring Lorna.
...
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