Chapter 233. The Meaning of Being Human (Part1)

"Bucky, get everyone out! It's a trap, he's not Schmidt!"

Catching the shield, Steve shouted at the rest of the group. The bullet hit "Johann Schmidt" in the face, taking away a large part of his skin and revealing a completely unfamiliar face. Steve rushed back and used the shield to smash the fake "Johann Schmidt". The situation was obvious. They were in hydra's trap and had to escape as soon as possible.

"Dio, cover me!"

Blocking the vampire's attack, Steve couldn't help but cry out a little.

Although the vampire's strength couldn't compare to Steve's, with Dio's help, he could at least block the distant Hydra soldiers and give the team members a chance to retreat without incident.

In fact, although the vampire's attack was dangerous, it wasn't at a point where Steve was helpless against it. With the enhancements from the Super Soldier Serum and the vibranium shield, given enough time, Steve could stall or even kill the fake "Johann Schmidt".

Unfortunately, it was only if he was in a one-on-one battle.

At the moment, Steve's movements are clearly restricted by the large number of Hydra soldiers attacking him. He had to fight the fake "Schmidt" while dodging the attacks of Hydra's soldiers.

At this point, Steve was glad that he was holding a vibranium shield. If he was holding his previous shield, it wouldn't last under the bombardment of attacks.

"Hurry, hurry! Where's Dio? I don't see him!"

Bucky told the rest of the group to escape while he continued to fire his gun at the vampire in the distance. However, his bullets had no effect. Looking at the vampire, who was covered in bullet holes but still moving easily, Bucky's expression turned ugly, "Damn it! What kind of monster is this? He won't stay down!"

Even the undead army that they faced on the front lines wasn't this difficult to deal with.

"Bucky, look out!"

At that moment, from a location not too far away, a blue beam shot out at Bucky.

Seeing that, Steve didn't hesitate to throw his shield out. It blocked the beam in mid-air. However, he himself was slashed by the vampire's sharp claws. It left a bone-deep wound in his arm. If Steve's body wasn't enhanced by the Super Soldier Serum, his arm would have been severed.

Rolling on the ground to avoid the vampire's next attack, Steve covered his injured arm. His face scrunched up in pain.

The injury to his arm had undoubtedly eroded some of his combat ability. Such a thing would obviously be quite bad in the battle at hand.

Bang bang bang --

Stimulated by the blood, the vampire's bloodlust was clearly agitated. He was about to lunge at Steve with a fierce attack, but crisp gunshots suddenly rang out.

Tap, tap, tap~

With the sound of footsteps, Dio walked down from the second floor. He was holding a pale mask in his hands, "This... this kind of inhuman fight is what I've been looking for, Steve."

[Reputation points from Captain America +235]

[Reputation points from Bucky Barnes +185]

"Dio!"

Seeing Dio's sudden appearance, Steve and Bucky looked dismayed, and they noticed the Stone Mask in his hand. Listening to his words, Steve said, "This isn't the time to talk about that, Dio."

"No, Steve, you're wrong."

Rudely interrupting Steve, Dio stepped over Jim's body and held up the mask, "Remember this mask? I've always believed that it held a secret that no one knew about.

I studied it for a long time, and finally I found the correct way to use it. As long as the mask touches human blood, its ability will come out ..."

"That's just your assumption, Dio."

"No, Steve, all this time, as I was fighting beside you, I've learned something. Steve, being human means having limits. The more carefully you scheme, the more unexpected events come along. Such schemes are nothing in the face of great power. No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to surpass you... Unless I surpass humans."

"What the hell are you talking about, Dio?!"

Dio's words made Steve frown, he had a bad feeling in his heart.

Wiping the mask in his hand over the wound on Jim's chest and putting it on his face, Dio bellowed, "... I'm throwing away my humanity, Steve!"

[Reputation points from Captain America +1705]

[Reputation points from Bucky Barnes +835]

At this moment, [Dio Brando]'s vampire powers broke out completely, and the eyes exposed under the mask glowed a terrifying red.

Crack --

The mask fell from Dio's face and landed on the floor with a clatter.

Immediately afterward, Dio's body moved in the blink of an eye and appeared in front of Steve's stunned face. He swung his fist down with great force.

In the face of Dio's powerful attack, Steve had no time to think. He subconsciously raised his healthy arm and blocked.

Bang --

Crack!

With a dull impact, Steve flew backward, and Dio's arm, which had been raised high, fell as if it was broken.

"Dio! You're crazy!"

Seeing Dio attack Steve with a heavy hand, Bucky's expression suddenly changed. He aimed his gun at him.

However, facing Bucky's muzzle, Dio didn't show any fear. With a single leap, he appeared in front of a Hydra soldier. He grabbed the soldier's head, his fingers piercing into his skull midst of the struggle. Then everyone saw the soldier's body rapidly drying out under Dio's hand. His broken and twisted arm was quickly recovering.

"Was this the power you were looking for, Dio?! To be a monster!"

Steve held his arm, looking pale. He stared at the body of the dead Hydra soldier.

"No, I'm not a monster. I'm just a better creature than humans! In fact, Schmidt was right. Why hide yourself when you have powers beyond humans? A phoenix does not keep company with a pheasant. To be honest, Steve, I've had enough of your pathetic resolve! You have superhuman strength, yet you are willing to be controlled like a clown."

"We don't need too many extraordinary people in this world, especially stupid ones like you. You should take your pathetic resolve and go straight to hell!"