Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 79: My War Ended Long Ago

Alvin was in a great mood, even when Chief George called to yell at him, it didn't affect his good spirits.

"The Hand must be destroyed, so Chief George might have to endure for a while longer. After all, we're doing a public service, aren't we?"

Although sending JJ and Frank, two killing machines, to deal with The Hand might seem a bit cruel. The analogy of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut doesn't even begin to describe the power imbalance between The Hand and JJ and Frank.

These two are like steamrollers; once they find The Hand's base, they crush everything in their path. The opposition has no chance to resist, or their resistance is crushed before it even reaches these two killing machines. Even if they do meet, they'd be like nails getting hammered into the ground.

Who is Frank? A guy who can single-handedly wipe out an entire crime family!

And JJ? Well, he's just JJ, haha.

Ginny was delighted, flashing sweet smiles at Alvin while playing. Daddy wasn't going out today and could spend the whole day with her. Ginny was overjoyed!

Nick was rolling on the ground next to Dom, begging for a chance to become a wolf knight. Proud Dom wouldn't pay him any attention, pushing him away with a paw. "Are you kidding? You think you can ride on me, you little rascal? Do you want to lose another leg?"

The good mood lasted until the afternoon when Steve walked into the restaurant with a face full of sorrow.

Steve, who was in good spirits yesterday, seemed to have been hit hard. As soon as he walked into the restaurant, he sat at the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and downed it before Alvin could even greet him.

Curious, Alvin walked over and looked at Steve, saying, "Buddy, what's wrong? What happened to you?

Maybe you can tell me about it. I promise, I'm a good listener!"

Steve glanced at Alvin, poured himself another glass of whiskey, and drank it in one gulp.

Slamming the glass down on the bar, Steve stared at it and said, "I went to see an old friend today. She's dying, and she wants me to continue her work!

But I'm just an outdated soldier. I want to live my own life!"

Alvin could guess who Steve went to see today, but he had no say in the matter. However, Alvin was very dissatisfied with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s approach.

They were exploiting a veteran's emotions! And Agent Carter, Steve's former "girlfriend," was using her last bit of value to S.H.I.E.L.D., trapping this old soldier with past emotions.

Is Steve Rogers really that important? Probably not! No matter how strong Steve is, he can at most take on ten people. In a world not yet filled with superheroes and supervillains, having one more of him doesn't make much difference.

If they really needed a symbol, anyone could wear that silly uniform and become Captain America!

But S.H.I.E.L.D. cruelly wanted to squeeze every bit of value out of Steve. Just because he once injected the super-soldier serum, he was the best warrior. Or they saw Steve as their property, and property has no autonomy!

Alvin didn't say anything. Instead, he poured himself a glass of whiskey, clinked it against Steve's empty glass, and drank it all.

Steve smiled bitterly, lowered his head, and said in a voice only he could hear, "My war ended long ago. I just want to live my own life!"

Alvin poured another glass of whiskey for himself and Steve, saying, "Buddy, be yourself! Don't let others dictate your life. You are you!

You shouldn't live for others!

Think about it, are you really as important as you think?"

Steve looked up at Alvin, smiled bitterly, and said, "Maybe you're right. I need to think about it. Why does this world still need an old soldier like me? I can't even use a smartphone properly!"

Alvin glanced at the open door and the unfamiliar faces across the street.

In a cold voice, he said, "Steve, you need to figure out if they need you to lead the mission or just need a somewhat capable outdated soldier.

If it's the former, I'd advise you to give it a try. You might like it!

If it's the latter, if I were you, I'd rip out the heart of the person trying to convince me and see what color it is!

Buddy, we're flesh and blood, not tools."

Steve shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "You don't understand, Alvin. Some people value their country and mission more than their lives.

I missed the last dance of her life!

If this world needs me, I can't just stand by."

Alvin slammed his glass down, a bit agitated, and said, "Then wait until this damn world really needs you to do that damn mission!"

With that, Alvin rushed to the door and threw his glass at a car across the street. The thick glass shattered a window, revealing several panicked faces.

"Get out of Hell's Kitchen, you sons of bitches!" Alvin shouted angrily at the people in the car.

Steve looked back, feeling dejected, and drank the whiskey in his glass. He didn't know how to face those who monitored him under the guise of protection. He was confused, feeling that Alvin might be right, but then there was Carter...

Seeing Alvin so angry, Ginny rushed to the door, hugged her dad's leg, and bared her teeth at the people across the street, growling angrily.

Alvin saw this, shook his head with a smile, picked up the little girl, and kissed her on the cheek. "What a good daughter, helping Daddy fight. But it's not good to keep imitating Thor's growl. We're ladies, after all!"

Nick hopped over to Steve, patted his arm like a little adult, and said, "Buddy, what's wrong? Alvin rarely gets this angry. Did you cause trouble?"

Steve looked down at Nick, ruffled his hair, and said, "Alvin is a good buddy. Those people, they're my trouble. I'm sorry!"

Nick waved his hand generously and said, "It's okay, buddy. This is Hell's Kitchen. No one can mess with the guests of the Peace Hotel. I said so!"

Steve was amused by Nick's words, smiled, and gave him a high-five, saying, "Yes, buddy, this is the Peace Hotel!"

Nick, satisfied with Steve's reaction, continued, "I'm serious, buddy. Alvin will protect this place. If you have trouble, you can stay here. My dad's house has a few empty rooms. We can discuss next year's team tactics.

If possible, you have to let me lead the team onto the field in next year's games."

Steve, touched and amused, looked at the kid in front of him.

Pouring himself another glass of whiskey, he drank it all, seemingly making a decision for himself.

"Maybe Alvin is right. When the world needs me, I'll go without hesitation. But until then, I want to live my own life!

My war ended decades ago!"