"Steve, are you sure letting Matthew go alone is a good idea?"
Rumlow spoke, sitting across from Steve with a strange expression.
He held a special cigarette between his left fingers and a bottle of vodka in his right hand. On the table were a few pastries and two teacups.
By all accounts, it was almost mealtime; they shouldn't be making rash moves right now.
"Hellsing has tacitly approved of our actions. As much as I dislike saying it, we're here as S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel."
Steve picked up his teacup and took a sip, speaking with a hint of weariness.
Even though he and Nick Fury didn't get along particularly well, he still had to follow Fury's wishes in this matter.
This wasn't something pre-arranged, but a task that was bound to happen once they arrived.
Hellsing wouldn't easily trust their combat capabilities, even if he was the renowned Captain America.
And they wouldn't surrender leadership of the battle to Hellsing. So, to secure leadership in the upcoming fight, they had to resort to this somewhat troublesome method to decide.
Matthew was a good choice. Among the few present, Matthew possessed the strongest combat power.
Having trained with Raekor, Matthew was only weaker than the exceptionally talented warrior Roshua on Mount Arreat.
Moreover, only Matthew excelled at operating within the confines of rules.
"At this moment, I'm glad I left S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ranks, otherwise these matters would be my concern."
Rumlow took a large swig of liquor, then let out a burp.
"I remember you weren't like this before. Back then, you always had a serious, worried expression."
Steve looked at Rumlow, finding it somewhat amusing.
"People always change. It seems perfectly fine for me to want to live a freer life after leaving S.H.I.E.L.D."
Rumlow shook his head, then sat up straight.
"It's about to begin. I'm worried Luke and the others might intervene."
Steve glanced playfully in the direction of Luke and Jessica's room.
"Don't let Luke's seemingly foolish demeanor deceive you. Remember, he's the chosen heir of Ancestor Madoc. He's smarter than you think."
Rumlow stood up, apparently intending to rest.
"It should be starting soon. Matthew can handle it."
After dropping this remark, Rumlow left Steve's room, planning to get some sleep.
"What a hassle. We shouldn't be getting involved in political matters."
Steve drained his teacup and picked up his shield, preparing for battle.
While still trusting Matthew, this was Hellsing's territory. He wouldn't pin his hopes on others to quell the situation.
The Hellsing basement was filled with the scent of burnt cigars. The thick smoke made Matthew want to sneeze.
"Hellboy!"
Matthew had already gripped his weapon and held it before him, ready to charge.
It wasn't that Hellboy harbored hostility towards him, but the slumped red figure sitting on a bench, holding red wine, exerted immense pressure on him.
It wasn't a question of good or evil, but a thick aura of death and a chaotic sensation, as if millions of lives had been melted into a single crucible.
"You're... that warrior from the other day?"
Hellboy was cross-legged opposite Alucard. His massive size meant he wasn't much shorter than Alucard even while seated on the ground.
Hellboy extinguished his cigar, crushing it by his side. The pile of cigarette butts and ash on the ground already resembled a small mound.
He was surprised that Matthew was here.
"Who is that person?"
Matthew's face turned towards Alucard, who wore an expression of curious interest, asking Hellboy.
Compared to directly asking the dangerous individual, inquiring with Hellboy, a "familiar acquaintance," seemed more appropriate.
"Him?"
Hellboy turned his head to glance at Alucard, then naturally spoke to Matthew:
"Alucard, a vampire. But when did you get here?"
Hellboy touched the sawn-off horns on his head, asking Matthew with some surprise.
He had a deep impression of Matthew as a warrior; someone capable of bringing down the Ghost Rider in a head-on fight also possessed the power to defeat him directly.
Matthew's presence at Hellsing somewhat puzzled him, but thinking wasn't his strong suit, so he simply asked.
No sooner had Hellboy finished speaking than Alucard's voice rang out directly:
"Oh? You can sense my danger? How exciting..."
Alucard interrupted Hellboy and Matthew's conversation, swirling the red wine in his glass with an enigmatic air.
A pair of eyes hidden behind orange sunglasses began to glow red.
"Alucard, you haven't said a single word to me for days. Why are you speaking directly to him?"
Hellboy pulled out his last chocolate bar and began unwrapping it.
Alucard didn't answer Hellboy's question, only looking at Matthew with a rather unnerving smile.
"So, are you human! Tell me!"
Alucard stood up directly. His tall, slender physique and aristocratic demeanor gave him an eerie beauty.
As he rose, that dangerous, chaotic aura began to engulf Matthew like a tide.
"Monster!? Not a demon? You're not exactly evil, but kindness is far from you! How many people have you killed!"
Matthew's words were somewhat jumbled, his tone even sounding like an interrogation.
His feet were already pressing down with force, the muscles on his slender calves beginning to bulge. If a fight was necessary, Matthew could plunge his weapon into Alucard's body the next second.
"This is wonderful. You remind me so much of that man in my memories. It's fantastic! There's still such a powerful human in the world!"
Alucard's voice trembled slightly, and the shadows on the ground began to sway.
No one knew why he was excited, but the overwhelming aura put Matthew on high alert.
"Who are you!"
Blade's voice at this moment was somewhat sudden, instantly dispelling Alucard's intention to fight.
He wanted a battle, a desperate fight against a true human.
But he also didn't want to perform a show for an animal on a shabby stage.
That animal he referred to was Blade!
"A half-breed mongrel? You've come at the wrong time..."
A chill emanated from Alucard. His interest was completely ruined.
His pale, slender hand reached for a pistol on a small side table and pulled the trigger, aiming directly at Blade.
With a "bang!" the bullet left the barrel, only to be precisely cleaved in half by Blade's silver longsword in the blink of an eye.
The bullet fragments fell to the ground as if losing all momentum, but a chip appeared on the silver katana.
"Oh? Exquisite swordsmanship. I wasn't aware that such animals would learn such techniques."
This time, when Alucard looked at Blade, it wasn't with complete disdain, but with a hint of admiration.
Pure strength might vary due to bloodline and other factors, but skill was something that yielded results proportional to effort.
Even in the East, Blade's swordsmanship was worthy of being called that of a master swordsman. This power had nothing to do with bloodline; it was solely about talent and effort.
Alucard didn't dislike such individuals.
"What is your name? I'm interested in hearing it now. It's quite surprising that someone like you could emerge from the mongrels who stole the power of true vampires."
Alucard's tone carried an air of superiority. He maintained a minimum level of respect for humans.
That was the reverence of a semi-dead being for life.
But when facing Blade, who possessed half the blood of vampire scum, Alucard's respect was extremely limited.
Hence, his tone remained condescending.
"Eric Brooks. Who exactly are you?"
Blade's arm trembled almost imperceptibly. The bullet fired from that specialized pistol was incomparable to ordinary rounds.
Splitting that bullet had already proved difficult for him.
He hadn't even uttered his proud moniker, "Daywalker," at this moment. The crushing difference in life force filled him with a long-forgotten fear.
Even when Father Anderson had pinned him to the ground like a chital being speared, he hadn't felt this kind of fear. Back then, he only felt death approaching.
But now, this innate dread made him feel like a stranger to himself for the first time.
Blade was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of pistols in close-quarters combat. When facing an evenly matched opponent, supernaturals trusted their bodies and cold weapons more than pistols.
Alucard's fighting style indicated that he wasn't taking this fight seriously.
"Have those mongrels who stole my name forgotten who I am? Ah, well, that overgrown trash wouldn't dare pass on the truth.
Now, I'm done playing. If you want to fight, then begin."
Alucard didn't sit back in his chair; he simply poured himself another glass of red wine and raised it.
"Uh, Matthew, right? I remember that's your name."
Hellboy called out to Matthew. He had already found Matthew's name through the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense channels.
He knew Alucard's terror better than Matthew and Blade.
Although he didn't know why Alucard treated him with a certain degree of equality, he didn't want a fight to break out here.
"Why have you come to Hellsing? Surely not just for me?"
Hellboy didn't want to see a fight happen.
He understood Matthew's power level; it was indeed formidable, but compared to Alucard's terror, Matthew was like a grain of sand battered by waves.
A fight with Alucard wasn't just a fight; it should be called an unending war.
"We arrived here at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s request, solely to seek cooperation against the potential threat of Hydra. Director Nick Fury should have already discussed this with Ms. Integra of your organization."
Matthew stood in front of Blade, whose body had begun to tremble, his weapons resting at his sides.
Regardless, Blade was his temporary teammate. For this veteran of the Howling Commandos, and someone from whom he sensed no trace of malevolence, Matthew's stance was firm.
While still maintaining a combat posture, this was much better than his previous, almost charging stance.
"Then, you shall fight Seras. If you win, then you will have the right to act independently during the upcoming battle. If you lose, then you will fight according to Integra's arrangements."
Alucard genuinely wanted to fight Matthew himself; that fervor came from the bottom of his heart.
However, if a battle truly began, Alucard feared he wouldn't be able to heed Integra's arrangements. So, he might as well let Seras experience the power of a strong human.
The Alexander Anderson he had met before was also an opponent who could bring Alucard such excitement and anticipation.
Seras was still too naive, she hadn't even consumed blood once after becoming a vampire.
Such a Seras was just a "half-baked" individual in Alucard's words.
"Seras, come down. Bring your weapon."
Alucard called out to his "daughter" in a manner unique to vampires. This kind of superior-to-subordinate familiar call could transcend space.
Receiving the summons, Seras immediately moved, carrying her specially made large firearm.
Alucard's satisfied gaze was hidden by his orange sunglasses, but from his relaxed posture, he was quite content.
"I say, why are you still here? What are you waiting for?"
Alucard spoke to Hellboy in an odd tone, slowly pouring red wine down his throat.
"The last time we met, you looked at me with a peculiar gaze. I'm just waiting for an answer."
Hellboy replied to Alucard in a serious tone.
He had been in this basement for a long time, and he wanted to know the truth about his origins from Alucard.
For this, he was even willing to compete in endurance with an immortal.
"When it's time for you to know, you will naturally know. You are not yet worthy."
Alucard answered Hellboy with a somewhat perfunctory tone. He had no expectations for Hellboy.
Even if a fully awakened Hellboy possessed the power to fight him, Alucard wasn't looking forward to it at all.
"Only humans can kill monsters."
This was Alucard's enduring belief. He was willing to surrender his life, filled with sin, when facing a human, but he did not want to, nor would he, be defeated by another monster.
"Mr. Alucard, do your words represent Ms. Integra?"
Matthew stared at Alucard with his sightless eyes, as if he could see the other party.
The ever-present source of fear allowed Matthew to pinpoint Alucard's location without any other means.
That chilling aura filled with fanatical conviction, and a love that was almost pathological and twisted.
Millions of emotions surged from Alucard's body. The shadows on the ground seemed to flash with a red light!
"This was her request to begin with, Matthew. By the way, what's your full name?"
Alucard raised his glass remotely, toasting Matthew:
"Would you care to try my collection?"
For the first time, Alucard invited someone to drink with him, his tone filled with anticipation.
"My name is Matthew Murdock. Thank you for the offer, but no, I'm not accustomed to that."
Matthew finally lowered his guard, hanging his weapon at his waist.
Then, he took a clay pot from his backpack and broke the mud seal.
Instantly, a strong alcoholic scent filled the room.
Matthew raised his head and directly chugged half a pot of strong liquor. This was a graduation gift from Raekor, only three pots in total.
It was a gift from the Bul-Kathos of old to Raekor when she embarked on her journey, but unfortunately, Raekor didn't get to forge a legend.
After receiving the gift, Matthew used his savings to buy three cases of vodka as a return gift for Raekor.
Then he threw the remaining half-pot directly to Alucard.
"Try it. This is my most precious fine wine."
Matthew's body had adapted to the pressure of the place. With his display, a wild and rugged aura began to spread from him.
While still not comparable in magnitude to the aura Alucard unconsciously emitted, simply standing there so calmly was enough.
"This is truly surprising. It reminds me of days long past."
Alucard took the strong liquor and, without any elegance, directly guzzled it down.
Not a drop of liquor was spilled; it all entered Alucard's stomach.
That burning sensation made Alucard let out a long breath.
"I'm still very curious about the complexity of your being, with millions of lives merged into one."
Matthew couldn't convey this emotion with his gaze, but he could clearly express his meaning with words.
"You'll know when the time comes. Isn't that your objective in coming here?"
Alucard finished the strong liquor in the blink of an eye, placing the ancient clay pot on the ground.
"You know, blood is the currency of the soul. This jar of wine contains the blood of a powerful individual. It's a shame his soul isn't entirely complete, which somewhat dulls the wine."
Alucard looked at Matthew with a smile, speaking peculiar words.
This wine was given by Bul-Kathos to Raekor back then. As one of Bul-Kathos's earliest creations, it contained his blood to suppress the somewhat repulsive taste of demon blood.
Later, this method was replaced by the waters of the High Heavens.
"I wasn't aware of that. This was given to me by a respected elder."
Matthew had no interest in the matter.
Alucard, however, looked puzzled.
The statement that blood is the currency of the soul was entirely true, but the information he could glean from this small amount of blood was extremely limited.
Only a few fleeting images.
But the sense of a fragmented soul lingered, causing him to feel a sense of regret.
Alucard felt that this was bound to be a very troublesome matter, so he composed his expression.
His face was as calm as a wax figure.
"Master, did you call me?"
Seras appeared in the basement with her long spear, her golden hair tied back and the small fangs at the corners of her mouth looking somewhat playful.
Blade immediately looked at Seras, while Matthew didn't even turn his head.
He didn't need vision to confirm her identity; the complete absence of a heartbeat already indicated who the girl was.
A vampire!
But Matthew felt no sin from Seras, nor even a trace of mixed life.
Clearly, Alucard's mixed aura was an anomaly; at least not all vampires were like that.
"This gentleman needs a battle. I'm not quite suited for it. I'll leave it to you. Victory or defeat doesn't matter, just do whatever you can."
Alucard's magnetic voice rang out. He pointed to Matthew's position with his chin.
Though the gesture wasn't particularly polite, no one would care.
But Seras was momentarily taken aback.
She foolishly extended a finger and pointed at herself, like a child seeking confirmation from her "father."
"What is this lady's name?"
Matthew asked Alucard. He felt somewhat awkward asking such an innocent-looking girl.
"Seras Victoria! Get ready for battle, and then fight! He doesn't need your restraint or hesitation!"
Alucard called out Seras's name, effectively answering Matthew's question.
Seras stood ramrod straight, like a child who didn't understand why she was being reprimanded, yet chose to follow the instructions with confusion.
"Sir, although I do not know your name, please be prepared!"
Seras's clear voice rang out, and her long spear was already in her hands.
The excessively long firearm was clearly not something an ordinary human could wield; its massive caliber was almost a cannon.
Seras's attitude was full of earnestness; her unwavering obedience surprised Matthew.
"I will give it my all, but I won't aim for your head or heart."
Matthew nodded at Seras, then said seriously.
"Understood, sir! I cannot control the destructive power of my firearm, please be careful!"
Seras had already aimed the barrel at Matthew, ready to fire at any moment.
Although she hadn't consumed blood, her vampiric physical abilities were already at work!
Even if Seras currently lacked powerful close-combat skills, she could still pose a significant threat with her firearm alone.
"Ha!"
Matthew let out a war cry, his weapon already in hand, and charged at Seras with a wild rush!
There was no need to hold back when fighting a vampire. This attitude had been conveyed to Matthew with an icy presence when Alucard spoke.
With a "bang!" a gunshot, countless times louder than before, echoed through the basement.
Matthew directly struck the massive bullet with his mace, charged through the flames of the explosion, and plunged his weapon into Seras's abdomen.
Then, with a twist of his waist, he flung Seras towards the ceiling.
A dense array of blisters appeared on Matthew's skin, caused by the high temperature of the explosive projectile.
But Matthew seemed completely unfazed, turning his body towards where Seras was about to land!
"Bang!"
Another gunshot!
Seras had adjusted her posture as she was thrown, firing another shot just before hitting the ceiling!
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