31 Chapter 31: Overwhelming

Chapter 31: Overwhelming

Coulson stared resentfully at Nick Fury, who frequently used the loss of his own left eye as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of not readily trusting others. However, Fury had the audacity to lose his eye while simply interacting with a cat. Could his recklessness be any more absurd?

Ignoring Coulson's resentful gaze, Nick Fury experienced a tinge of unease. Inside the office, Natasha vented her frustration. "Fury. Ghost Rider refuses to intervene."

"Stand by," said Nick Fury coldly, a furrow forming on his brow. Should he consider seeking assistance from the X-Men?

Meanwhile, significant developments were unfolding with the Count Raptor. A contingent of vampires approached, unleashing a fanatical assault on the superheroes while bellowing, "Blood God above all!"

"Excellent," exclaimed the Count Raptor, delighted. However, Whistler aimed his eyes on them, and from which emanated a purple light that disintegrated several vampires, reducing them to ashes.

"Impressive," declared Iron Man. Should he try that.

The Count Raptor's expression soured momentarily. After a brief pause, another group of vampires arrived. Just as Whistler was about to act, the Count Raptor opened his mouth and forcefully sucked, causing the blood from the vampires' bodies to fly out and enter his own mouth.

Everyone was taken aback. Iron Man incredulously remarked, "You even consume your own kind?"

"I am the Blood God, the god of all Vampiric creatures. They willingly offer themselves to me. Isn't it only natural?" The Count Raptor chuckled, displaying incredible agility. Even when confronted by a group of superheroes, he held his ground. In fact, were it not for the superheroes' mutual support, no one would stand a chance against the Count Raptor in one-on-one combat.

"Convey to those vampires that they shall only serve as sustenance should they dare approach," Nick Fury bellowed loudly upon witnessing the Count Raptor's continuous "replenishment." It was a sound strategy, but unfortunately, it proved futile as the vampires simply refused to believe them.

On one side stood their adversaries, while on the other loomed the hybrid vampire leader. As long as the vampires' minds remained intact, they knew where their allegiance lay.

Nick Fury could only direct his agents to intercept the vampires to the best of their abilities and prevent them from drawing closer. Unfortunately, their efforts fell short, as Lizardmen summoned by the Count Raptor also joined the fray.

Although the number of Lizardmen was relatively small, their strength far surpassed that of the vampires. Moreover, they lacked the vulnerabilities of their vampiric counterparts.

The Count Raptor ordered the Lizardmen to engage the superheroes while he made his way to another street. Howard and Iron Man noticed his retreat and swiftly pursued him, while the others found themselves hindered by the Lizardmen.

"run!" shouted the civilians as soon as the Count Raptor appeared, scattering in fear.

While the Count Raptor prepared to feast upon their blood, Howard unleashed miniature missiles towards him. The Count Raptor snorted and unleashed a burst of bloodlight, obliterating the missiles.

"Howard and Trask, despite being top-tier scientists, are ill-suited as commanders. My Hell requires a genuine tactical leader," Andrew shook his head, establishing contracts with the fleeing civilians. Subsequently, a multitude of robots descended from the sky, evacuating those under contract.

"It's you again," seethed the Count Raptor, furious. Ten bloodlights shot forth, aiming to pierce through both the robots and the contractees.

Howard and Iron Man did their utmost to intercept the bloodlights, but their efforts proved insufficient against such overwhelming numbers. Fortunately, the considerable presence of robots allowed some of them to voluntarily intercept the bloodlights. In the next instant, these sacrificial robots shattered, falling to the ground in fragments.

It is worth noting that only the physical constructs were destroyed; their incorporeal essences remained unharmed, returning to Hell.

"The situation is spiraling out of control. It seems that this catastrophe must come to an end," sneered Andrew, prepared to take matters into his own hands. Having pledged to protect the contractees, he would not allow any harm to befall them. He was not Mephisto; when he made a promise, he would follow through.

At that moment, witnessing the dire circumstances, Susan couldn't help but turn to Andrew and implore, "Andrew, while it is unwise to act impulsively, Iron Man and the others are unable to restrain that monstrosity. You are the only one capable of saving Manhattan at this moment."

"You know I am willing to assist for your sake," Andrew grasped Susan's hand, rising to his feet and whispered in her ear, "However, you must..."

Blushing, Susan playfully struck Andrew, prompting him to burst into laughter. Suddenly, the French windows behind him swung open wide (modified with S.H.I.E.L.D. funds), and he gracefully leaped out.

On the ground, a fully prepared Hellcycle awaited his arrival. Andrew landed on the motorcycle, his body igniting with fierce black flames. As he turned his head, a bone-white half-face mask materialized upon his visage.

Andrew did not mind revealing his identity to others, but if everyone knew, it would diminish the element of amusement.

"Let the performance begin," Andrew revved the throttle, and the Hellcycle roared with a thunderous sound. Natasha, pleasantly surprised, swiftly reported, "Fury, the Ghost Rider has set off."

"Excellent," Nick Fury reciprocated the delight. "Iron Man, Barton, prepare to cooperate with the Ghost Rider."

"Ghost Rider? You mean that fiery rider?" Iron Man was taken aback, then cursed, "Coulson, you lied to me. You agents aren't deserving of trust."

Coulson felt somewhat embarrassed and glanced at Nick Fury, as if to convey, "Don't blame me. I learned from someone."

In due course, Andrew arrived on the battlefield, a blazing inferno accompanying his imposing presence. As the superheroes gazed upon his awe-inspiring figure, they stood in profound admiration.

"It's an angel," the remaining humans and even the television viewers exclaimed with jubilation. The Ghost Rider had arrived, signaling the imminent end of the disaster, just like before.

Tony, feeling overshadowed, sarcastically remarked, "Whoever heard of an angel wreathed in black flames? It is clearly associated with Hell, isn't it?"

The Count Raptor also took notice of Andrew. From him, the Count Raptor detected an immense threat, which both surprised and enraged him. After all, he considered himself a god—the epitome of strength.

"Go to hell!" The Count Raptor unleashed his full speed, dividing into three and charging at Andrew from different directions. Andrew halted the motorcycle, exerting tremendous force as he stomped on the ground. Countless chains of scorching flames erupted from the earth, entwining the three illusory Count Raptors.

Upon contact with the chains, the two illusions instantly dissipated. The Count Raptor was taken aback, swiftly evading with lightning-like speed. However, his swiftness paled in comparison to Andrew's keen eyes. Within a mere seconds, the Count Raptor found his limbs ensnared by the chains, suspended in mid-air.

Desperate to escape, the Count Raptor attempted to transform into blood, but the fiery chains under Andrew's control held a binding enchantment. His transformation was thwarted, rendering him unable to employ any further abilities. Andrew raised his hand, and the flames on his arm surged, coalescing into a colossal flaming sword. With a mighty swing, the sword cleaved through the sky, bisecting the Count Raptor diagonally.

____

STONES STONES STONES STONES STONES

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