In one neighborhood in Queens lay the Dark Territory Bucky had built. Chaos and evil had become its hallmarks. Everyone there had cast off the restraints of order, becoming beasts wearing human skin.
Outside the neighborhood, Steve slowly approached with a calm expression. Only a thin boundary separated the outside world from the Dark District, but crossing it felt like entering another world.
The moment Steve entered the Dark District, an inexplicable chill washed over him, making his brow furrow.
After finalizing their plan yesterday, S.H.I.E.L.D. had moved swiftly into action today. For this operation, Steve had mobilized almost all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superhuman forces.
It was only almost all because Doctor Doom, Mephisto, and the third member of their group were not taking part.
After all, they were too powerful. If they intervened, they might cause even greater destruction, making the losses outweigh the gains.
Once inside the Dark District, Steve did not rush into action. Instead, he carefully observed his surroundings, hoping to learn more about the situation there.
After all, no matter how thorough the intelligence reports were, they were ultimately just words on paper. Some things could only be discovered by seeing them firsthand.
While Steve was observing the Dark District, Bucky, deep within it, received word of his arrival almost immediately.
The Dark District was territory he had painstakingly cultivated. Not the slightest disturbance escaped his notice. Whenever he wished, he could monitor the every move of everyone within it.
After hearing his subordinate's report and learning that the visitor was Steve, Bucky froze for a moment. A trace of complicated emotion spread across his face.
He did not know why Steve had come, but he knew exactly what he himself was doing now. He could already foresee how this would end.
At that thought, Bucky