In Claws Form, Alex's offensive was ferocious, every strike aimed at Steve's vital points.
Steve didn't possess any freakish regenerative abilities; a single mistake would result in being mangled by those claws, stripped of all power to resist. He knew exactly what the situation was, so he didn't dare take the initiative to attack, choosing instead to parry with his shield and wait for the right moment to counter-kill.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The claws raked against the shield, leaving trail after trail of scratch marks, but failing to damage it. Vibranium was arguably the hardest metal on Earth; as sharp as the claws were, they were still leagues behind Vibranium. After several exchanges, Steve spotted this weakness and began to quietly exert more force during his blocks.
"Is all you can do is block? Is Captain America worthless without his shield?" Alex, currently holding the absolute advantage, couldn't help but taunt.
Steve remained unfazed by the words, his defensive maneuvers still air-tight. Though he was temporarily on the back foot, his chances of a turnaround remained high. However, the agents lying in ambush nearby thought the Captain was in deep trouble.
"Snipers! Support the Captain! Fire at will when ready!" The agent in charge of field command ordered.
"Copy!"
"Copy!"
"Copy!"
Over a dozen snipers across several blocks received the order simultaneously, flipping their safeties and preparing to support Steve.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several consecutive gunshots rang out as bullets streaked toward the two combatants. But their movements were too fast; most of the bullets hit the surrounding pavement, save for one that, by a stroke of luck or fate, slammed into Alex's back.
"..."
Alex's brow furrowed tight, but he forced himself to stay silent, his attack patterns not faltering for a second.
"Fuck! Watch your aim! Only fire if you're certain! Do not hit the Captain!" Seeing the first round of fire fail, the agent couldn't help but bark a reminder. The snipers acknowledged, continuing to track the duo for an opening.
"Sigh... a fight should stay a fight. I hate backstabbers the most." Jason let out a sigh, set down his coffee cup, and drifted over like a ghost.
*
When Alex was hit by the bullet, he had actually felt a surge of despair. He had finally devoured over a hundred people to obtain his Claws Form, yet he still couldn't defeat Steve. Now, with snipers ambushing him from behind, he figured his luck had run out tonight.
Curiously, however, after another dozen exchanges, no more shots were fired.
Clang!
A crisp snap echoed. Alex's right claw finally shattered against the shield.
Perfect, now's the chance!
Capitalizing on the loss of Alex's right-hand lethality, Steve decisively grabbed his left hand, raised his shield high, and brought it down with a powerful cleave. The hard, sharp edge of the shield severed the left arm clean off. Agony surged through Alex, causing his body to lock up in a rigid stun.
In a fight between masters, details are everything. Even if you hold the advantage for ninety-nine moves, a mistake on the hundredth can lead to a counter-kill—and a body stun is the ultimate taboo in combat.
Steve seized the opportunity to transition from defense to offense. Swinging his shield, he first sliced off Alex's right arm, then dropped into a sudden crouch to sever both of his legs.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
The piercing pain sent Alex collapsing to the ground, writhing and howling. Yet, compared to the physical agony, the blow of three consecutive failures was the hardest thing for him to swallow.
"You... you lost!" Steve stood over him, panting heavily.
"I didn't lose... I didn't lose..."
"I suggest you stop struggling," Steve tightened his grip on the shield, his voice a threat. "If you make one more suspicious move, I'd rather fail the mission and take your head off right now!"
Alex acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to struggle desperately. Fearing he might actually lose control and kill him, Steve quickly radioed the SHIELD agents: "Come in. Get over here and inject him with the sedative!"
A few seconds passed. Not a sound came through the earpiece. Steve pressed the talk button harder, shouting, "Send someone to take him away, now!"
Still, silence.
Something's wrong! Steve's heart tightened as a sense of impending doom completely enveloped him.
Clap, clap, clap, clap...
The sound of clapping drifted from mid-air. Steve turned to look, watching as a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. A black trench coat fluttered in the wind, and a handsome face wore a wicked smile.
"You're... Jason Walter!" Realizing who it was, Steve felt goosebumps break out across his skin.
"Heh, I'm honored that even a World War II hero knows my name." Jason touched down on the ground and walked over slowly.
"You killed those snipers?"
Jason nodded. "Winning through sneak attacks? You should be ashamed."
"You're here to save him? Is he one of yours?" Steve glanced at Alex.
"Not yet, but he will be soon." Jason's tone was flat, yet brimming with confidence.
"I'm sorry, but I can't hand this man over to you!" Despite the power of his opponent, Steve dropped back into a fighting stance.
"You aren't even qualified to say those words to me!" Jason slowly extended his hand, palm facing forward.
Steve frowned, unable to think of any martial art that used such a starting stance. Jason didn't explain; he kept that faint smile as energy rapidly gathered in his palm, condensing into a ball of light the size of a fist.
"So that's your superpower!" Steve knew of Jason's abilities from reports, but seeing it in person was far more staggering.
"Get lost. I don't feel like killing you today!"
The moment the words left his lips, the energy sphere shot out. Steve instinctively raised his shield to block.
BOOM!
The rooftop erupted in an instant. Steve was sent flying hundreds of meters, disappearing completely from sight.
"Hmph..." Jason lowered his arm with a snort.
The explosion had ripped a massive crater into the roof. Amidst the rolling smoke, Alex had been tossed to the very edge of the building, nearly falling off. Jason walked over and asked, "Not dead yet, are you?"
Alex kept his back turned, saying nothing. Annoyed, Jason took a few more steps closer. Suddenly, Alex's back writhed, and several blood vessels shot out like spears.
"Hahaha! Jason, you were too careless! Once I devour you, I won't have to fear anyone ever again!" Alex laughed maniacally, his eyes bloodshot with greed.
He waited, but no flesh or power flowed into his body. He turned around to find Jason looking at him coldly; the vessels hadn't even pierced his skin.
"This..."
The piercing power of those vessels was comparable to a sniper rifle, yet Jason was unscathed!
"A nice thought, but you need the skill to back it up. I'll overlook this once, but try it again and I guarantee you'll be a corpse."
Jason grabbed the vessels. Surging energy instantly surged through them, turning the crimson veins into dust that scattered in the air. Alex was completely stunned.
"You heard me earlier. I'm inviting you to join the Joker organization. Give me a straight answer."
It sounded like a question, but coming from Jason, it felt like a command.
If I say no, I'll probably be a dead man in seconds.
Alex let out a bitter laugh. "I'm in."
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500 power stones.
Top 100. All time.