"Zanpakuto? Soul!"
Steve Rogers stared wide-eyed at the cross emblem clenched in the other man's hand, as well as the blade extending from its tip.
Since Allen had considered the fact that ordinary people could not see soul energy when designing it, a harmless white glow outlined the blade's general shape.
Unlike the uniform Asauchi form of un-released Zanpakuto in the world of Death, this was a typical Napoleonic-era saber.
Combined with its built-in lighting effects, it felt somewhat like a Jedi lightsaber from Star Wars.
But unlike a lightsaber, it had no physical form and could neither parry nor block. Its only ability was Reishi Impact, which had awakened only recently through harvesting the souls of Hydra members. Using it required tremendous courage, since one careless mistake could get its wielder killed.
Of course, the opponent had to face a weapon that could not be defended against either.
Coulson gave a wry smile and nodded. "That's right! Souls. In fact, when we traded with Allen, souls were part of the payment alongside resources and mysterious items. The souls of many vicious drug dealers and death-row inmates were harvested when they were executed. Otherwise, with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s financial resources, we could never have traded for so many things."
"Damn it! That sounds like making a deal with the devil. Other than the devil, I really can't think of anyone who would collect souls." Captain America could not help commenting.
"No, you're wrong. Allen collects souls simply because he sees them as a form of energy. I've seen Sky City's Soul Furnace. They turn human souls into a substance called Reishi, then shape and utilize it. Besides, those people who were captured had all committed heinous crimes in life. Ordinary execution alone could never make up for the trauma they inflicted on