Chapter 168

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"Fifty million dollars!"

Nick Fury's eyebrows twitched sharply; this devil's price was indeed outrageous. Even though SHIELD was a vast organization, it couldn't withstand such enormous expenditures. This sum of money was significant for any organization, and concealing the perfect transfer would take some effort. Considering Satan's prowess, what else could Fury do?

"As a mercenary, your price is completely out of the norm," Fury remarked softly to Zhou Cheng.

"My prowess is also out of the norm, isn't it?" Zhou Cheng shrugged confidently. "That's why I'm here."

Fury nodded in agreement. Having someone of Satan's caliber as a mercenary was indeed a waste, significantly raising the standard of the entire industry.

"Same old rules: I move once the advance payment is received," Zhou Cheng's voice rang out again, prompting Fury for the payment without any unnecessary chatter. Fury nodded, took out his phone, and made a call. In just a few minutes, Zhou Cheng confirmed that the advance had indeed been credited to his account. Doing business with Fury had its perks; the man never delayed payments.

"Okay, I'm ready whenever you are," Zhou Cheng said, spreading his hands towards Nick Fury.

"Wait for my message," Fury replied, giving Zhou Cheng a quick nod before leaving to make further preparations.

"Meet at the given location at 2 PM."

Seven days later, Zhou Cheng received a message from Fury with the specified address. With the advance happily paid, Zhou Cheng wouldn't mess up. He donned his uniform, put on his mask, and set off for the given location. What Zhou Cheng didn't know was that by the time he was en route, a group had already assembled at the meeting point. That group consisted of the original Avengers: Captain America, the Red Guardian, Tony Stark (the Destroyer), Hawkeye, and Black Widow. The only one missing was Bruce Banner.

Banner's condition was still unstable. After being manipulated by HYDRA to take out Iron Man, he had left once again. Under SHIELD's arrangement, he was in a desolate location, practicing yoga and self-cultivation. According to Fury's observations, things were going well. At least, until now, Banner hadn't lost control. Considering this, Fury hadn't involved Banner in the current mission, deciding instead to gather the other Avengers. Despite hiring Satan for a high fee, Fury wanted to ensure foolproof success by assembling the Avengers. Besides, it was a rare training opportunity since the New Mexico incident.

"We finally have a mission after so long! It's exciting!" said the Red Guardian — now known publicly as the Peace Warrior — already geared up, his excitement evident.

Worth noting, after secret training, the Red Guardian was no longer a paunchy middle-aged man but a mighty warrior.

"This mission isn't simple. If I were you, I wouldn't be saying 'exciting'," Black Widow couldn't help but retort.

"Natasha, who are we? We're the Avengers!" Red Guardian's eyes gleamed with excitement, "Simple tasks don't deserve our skills!"

"Is this really our team for this mission?" Hawkeye, looking grim, approached Captain America for confirmation. He had reviewed the mission details; if they weren't exaggerated, it was clear the risk was huge, potentially beyond their capabilities.

"No, Nick said there's someone else who should be here soon," Captain America shook his head, answering, "Satan. Have any of you heard of this name?"

"Satan? What kind of person dares use that codename? That's way too exaggerated!" the Red Guardian couldn't help but sneer. 

"Is it really him?" Black Widow smiled, suddenly confident.

"I knew it," Tony Stark declared confidently, "Nick wouldn't turn to anyone else but that guy."

"Are you talking about the legendary mercenary?" Hawkeye asked, curious, confirming with Black Widow and Tony.

Unlike the duo who knew Satan's background, Hawkeye had only heard of Satan and wasn't as familiar. Their demeanor aroused Captain America and Red Guardian's curiosity. Aside from them, everyone knew Satan, and all spoke of him with high regard. Who exactly was this Satan?

"Wait a minute!" the Red Guardian interjected, waving his hand, "Who are you talking about?"

Captain America, equally curious, didn't voice his question but shared the same curiosity.

"A recently famous but powerful mercenary whom Nick has worked with before," Black Widow briefly introduced Satan without giving too many details, "With him, our chances of success have significantly increased."

A mercenary?

Captain America and the Red Guardian immediately understood. But a mere mercenary, gaining such reputation and Nick Fury's trust, clearly wasn't ordinary.

Just when they wanted to say more, a sound broke through, making everyone instinctively turn. A figure in a uniform and mask appeared, unmistakably Satan.

Tony and Black Widow, knowing Satan's identity, were composed, while Captain America, Red Guardian, and Hawkeye instinctively observed Zhou Cheng. This is Satan?

As they scrutinized Zhou Cheng, he also carefully studied them under his mask. His expression was equally intriguing.

These guys had already assembled against the Asgardian Destroyer last time and were now together again against the Extremis warriors. Could Nick Fury have already formed this alliance? Avengers, already in action? Plus, an addition from Black Widow's solo movie, the Red Guardian? What's going on here!

"Guess you're Satan," Black Widow stepped forward, greeting Zhou Cheng, "I'm Natasha."

Zhou Cheng nodded; he knew who she was.

"Captain America, Steve Rogers. No need for an introduction. And this is Tony Stark, Barton, and Alexei," Black Widow introduced her teammates to Zhou Cheng. Of course, she knew it was unnecessary as Satan knew everyone but felt the formalities were essential.

"You can call me Satan," Zhou Cheng greeted the Avengers briefly, marking their official introduction.

"Alright, team, let's move out!" Captain America wasted no time, rallying everyone. They began their journey in high spirits.

Though Zhou Cheng could've used the Captain's compass to teleport and fly swiftly to the destination, given the mission's requirement for teamwork, he decided against it and contentedly followed along, leaving everything to Captain America and the others.

As good as a vacation.

First, they took the Quinjet, then switched to vehicles.

After about three hours of efforts, they finally arrived at Killian's secret base.

"Action begins!"

With Captain America's command, the Avengers went full throttle and infiltrated the base comprehensively.

The result was predictable.

Given the Avengers' abilities, dealing with the ordinary security personnel was a piece of cake.

They effortlessly dismantled the security forces and penetrated the core of the base.

"According to the intel, once we pass this building, their laboratory is ahead."

"What we need to do next is to completely destroy that evil lab!"

In the main hall of the base, Captain America surveyed the scene and addressed the Avengers seriously.

Initially, Cap hadn't planned to execute any mission for Nick Fury until Fury demonstrated the Extremis virus experiment, which convinced him. 

However, it was unfortunate that while the Avengers were formidable, Killian and his crew weren't pushovers either.

"Sorry, there's nothing you can do!"

Before Cap could finish his sentence, a chilling voice echoed.

A middle-aged man with a buzz cut appeared on the second-floor balcony, leaning on the railing, looking down at the Avengers arrogantly.

The Avengers immediately recognized him. He was Eric Savin, the Extremis warrior known as Coldblood.

"Where's Killian? And where are the others?" Captain America demanded, glaring at Coldblood.

"Captain America wants to see you. What do you think?" Coldblood scratched his face and called out behind him.

Footsteps sounded, and several figures emerged to stand beside Coldblood.

The Avengers' faces turned grim. They even felt immense pressure.

There were eight of them, all Extremis warriors from the intel!

"I never expected Captain America to survive. Could you sign something for me?" Coldblood's voice rang out again, casually. "Might help me impress girls."

"You sure?" A long-haired woman next to him shrugged. "I planned on beating up Captain America myself. That'd be fun."

"Whatever, just saying." Coldblood shrugged.

Their banter indicated they didn't take the Avengers seriously.

Their arrogance was off the charts.

"Stomping on you like ants would be more fun."

Tony Stark, inside his suit, retorted.

"Destroyer, tsk, tsk."

Coldblood shook his head coldly. "You better hope your iron shell is thick enough!"

Swoosh!

Boom!

Coldblood leaped from the second-floor balcony, landing heavily in front of the Avengers.

Boom, boom, boom!

Other Extremis warriors followed, similarly landing heavily in front of the Avengers.

Each of them emanated a fiery red energy, like heated metal rods.

"Capture them!"

With Coldblood's command, he charged at Tony Stark.

The other Extremis warriors similarly found their targets and began attacking.

The battle between the Avengers and the Extremis warriors erupted fully.

Sshh... Bang!

Tony was the fastest to react.

He blasted Coldblood charging at him with a repulsor from his palm.

Direct hit to Coldblood's chest.

Coldblood was flung back, but only for a moment.

He stood up as if nothing happened, his chest glowing with red energy that healed the blast wound instantly.

Coldblood cracked his neck, "That actually hurt!"

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Despite his words, Coldblood lunged at Tony again, faster than before.

Bang, bang!

Tony fired two more repulsor blasts, but Coldblood dodged and reached Tony.

Tony swung a heavy punch, but Coldblood caught his iron arm effortlessly.

Clang!

Tony's iron arm was held in mid-air by Coldblood's single hand!

"Damn it!"

Tony was shocked. Coldblood's strength was on par with the Winter Soldier.

Additionally, Coldblood had an ability the Winter Soldier lacked: heat emission.

Tony felt a burning sensation.

He noticed Coldblood's arm was scorching red, heating his iron arm.

Tony tried to break free but couldn't.

He swung his other fist, but Coldblood caught it too.

Now, both of Tony's iron arms were caught and being heated to red-hot.

In desperation, Tony activated his thruster system.

He flew up, dragging Coldblood and crashing into a nearby wall.

This knocked Coldblood off.

After this experience, Tony focused entirely on fighting Coldblood, but Coldblood was too strong.

Other Avengers faced similar challenges.

Bang, bang, bang!

Black Widow fired repeatedly at an Extremis warrior, but bullets healed instantly, not affecting him.

On the other hand, a single punch or kick from him was lethal for Black Widow, forcing her to dodge desperately.

Hawkeye faced similar struggles. His arrows were ineffective, and he was being suppressed.

Only Captain America could still fight systematically, thanks to his indestructible shield.

The Extremis warriors couldn't melt the shield, and Cap perfectly blocked every attack, but he couldn't inflict lasting damage either.

Red Guardian without a shield was in worse shape than Cap.

The Avengers were all in tough battles, complaining internally.

Except for Zhou Cheng.

For Zhou Cheng, this situation was trivial.

Facing an oncoming Extremis warrior, Zhou Cheng casually waved his hand.

A force energy blade slashed out.

Thunk!

The Extremis warrior's head flew off.

Thud!

It rolled on the ground.

What?!

He waved his hand and killed an Extremis warrior?

The Avengers watching were shocked.

Is this Satan's power?

So strong!

This was too exaggerated.

While they struggled fiercely, almost beaten down by the Extremis warriors, Satan easily ended one.

The gap was enormous, making them feel like they were getting obliterated.