Marvel: Apocalyptic Beginning, a High-Level Game!

Chapter 33: The War Begins!

The talismans have been distributed.

The Rat Charm: It breathes life and energy into still things—it allowed Loki to "come back to life."

The Ox Charm: Grants infinite power—held by the new Captain America, John Walker.

Tiger Talisman: Balancing the forces of division—held jointly by Alexei the Red Guard and Shang-Chi, the Ten Rings Messenger.

Rabbit Charm: Grants extreme speed—delivered to the Moonlight Blade.

Dragon Charm: Energy absorption, shaping, release—wielded by the Valkyrie.

Snake Charm: Grants invisibility - used by the Death Merchant.

Horse Talisman: Removes all abnormalities and heals injuries and illnesses - Hold during the Cold Dew season.

Sheep Talisman: Astral projection, mental control—also controlled by Hanlu.

Monkey Talisman: Transforms into form – carried by the Cold Dew.

Chicken Talisman: Mental Power – Temporarily maintained by Ant-Man Scott Lang, whose only remaining head is still intact.

Dog Charm: Superb adaptability, enhanced life force - preserved during the Cold Dew season.

Pig Talisman: Energy Release - also in Hanlu's hands.

The Sheep Talisman was "created" by Hanlu through the ability of the Eternal Clan member who was skilled in mind control.

Rather than creation, it was more accurate to say that the energy form of the talisman was temporarily solidified by the spiritual energy field of that Eternal.

This power isn't exactly heaven-defying, but it can project illusions or establish mental connections at specific times. It's decent, but not entirely useless.

The Chicken Charm was given to Scott Lang, who only had a head left and was able to move around by relying on a magic cloak.

Despite losing his body, he still strongly requested to participate in the war.

Hanlu handed him the talisman she had been carefully keeping—with the ability to manipulate telekinesis, this lonely head, along with the magic cloak she had left behind, would at least have some self-defense and mobility.

Scott rolled up the talisman with his magic cloak, his mood unusually high, despite the rather eerie scene.

The Dragon Charm was given to Valkyrie because she was one of the most experienced warriors among them, adept at using cosmic energy, and the raging flames could be used to their fullest tactical value.

As for the remaining talismans, Hanlu chose to carry them with her.

He trusted his own judgment and knew that these forces must be concentrated on the most critical fulcrum.

As John Walker, shield in hand, led the way and prepared to turn back and lead the group toward the assembly point in the central hall of the prison, Hanlu stood at the very back of the line with Loki and Zemo.

"Zemo," Hanlu's voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone in front of her pause in their tracks, "Can I trust you?"

The abrupt question caused the atmosphere to freeze instantly.

Everyone turned around, their gazes focusing on the perpetually enigmatic former villain and the cunning Asgardian prince beside him.

"Even if I said 'yes,' you probably wouldn't believe me." Zemo twitched the corner of his mouth, his tone revealing no emotion.

Hanlu took out two talismans from her bosom—one was a monkey talisman, and the other was a dog talisman.

He handed them directly to Zemo.

This move took everyone by surprise, even Zemo himself was stunned.

He raised an eyebrow, asking with genuine surprise, "What do you mean?"

"If...we really can't come back," Hanlu's voice was calm, yet heavy as a thousand pounds, "I want to ask you, using the Monkey Talisman's transformative power and the Dog Talisman's granted longevity, to lead the remaining people—"

Whoever it may be, they will leave this place through the portal to find a new home in the universe and continue the flame of humanity.

You are the smartest among us, and the one who best knows how to plan for survival in dire situations. You were indeed a "bad guy" in the past, but I understand that. I just hope... you can at least remember that you are also a human being.

Before considering victory, consider defeat.

This is one of the plans that Hanlu (the character in the poem) has kept deep in his heart.

Even he himself was somewhat surprised that he would entrust this last "way out of the world" to a character like Zemo.

Zemo stood at the edge of the building's shadow, watching these so-called heroes who were about to head towards the place of dazzling light—or perhaps the furnace of hell.

He remained silent for a moment before accepting the two warm yet powerful talismans.

"I will," he finally said, without any fervor, only an almost cold acceptance.

The heroes walked past him one by one, heading towards the sunlight streaming down into the square.

John was the first to pass by. He paused, then reached out and patted Zemo on the shoulder forcefully. Next came Red Guard, who patted him in return. Then came Spider-Man, Kamala Khan, Kate Bishop (Hawkeye 2), Lily Williams, Moonblade, Daredevil Matt Murdoch, Old Wong and his two sorcerer apprentices, Icarus, Thor… and finally, Cold Dew.

"Smile," Hanlu whispered to Zemo as she passed by, her gaze fixed on the surging crowd ahead. "Regardless of the outcome, you could become one of the most unexpected saviors in human history."

Zemo turned around and glanced back with a complicated expression.

All the heroes had stepped into the light of the square, but he suddenly felt that beneath this light, the shadows were so thick they were suffocating.

He was never someone who was easily swayed by emotions, but Hanlu's actions just now had indeed pierced his heart with a sharp thorn, a mixture of heaviness, sorrow, and resolve.

Below the high platform, survivors who had been searching for and gathered from all over the world had already gathered.

White people, Asians, Black people, and even a few Skrulls who chose to coexist with humans.

At this moment, here, they share only one common label: living people struggling to survive.

John took a deep breath and gripped the shield firmly in his hand; the red and blue star stripes gleamed in the sunlight.

As he stepped onto the platform and his figure came into clear view of the crowd, a wave of surprise, anticipation, and unease swept through the crowd below.

Captain America, an image that has been promoted and shaped into a spiritual symbol for decades, has long been deeply rooted in people's hearts, becoming an inextinguishable ray of light in despair.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" John began, his voice amplified through the loudspeaker, silencing the noise in the square. "Many of you may recognize me—I am John Walker."

What I'm holding is that shield. I don't want to say things like "I'm Captain America," but right now, my friends want me to shoulder the responsibilities of captain and lead everyone... on one last try to pull this world back from the brink of destruction.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces below, some blank, some fearful, some expectant.

"But, to be honest—I can't do it."

"Huh?" A murmur rippled through the audience. Whispers turned into shouts.

Superheroes are their last psychological defense, the basis for their belief that the world will not completely fall apart.

They saw Thor, Spider-Man, and those legendary figures standing on the stage, but the first thing this man holding the shield said was, "I can't do it."

Spider-Man and the other young heroes on the stage also looked astonished. Was this... a pre-battle mobilization?

Why does it sound like you're admitting you're powerless?

"I don't want to deceive anyone," John raised his voice, quelling the commotion, "I must tell you the truth. This war will be extremely brutal. We may be heading to the final battlefield."

The enemy is far more powerful than we imagined. We are isolated and helpless. So I stand here, not as Captain America giving orders, but as John Walker, a living, breathing human being… pleading for your help.”

"Why should we face those monsters?" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Aren't you superheroes? You should be protecting us!"

"There's no way we can win!"

"Who do you think you are? You're not the real Captain America!"

Discouraged, questioning, and angry voices rose and fell, causing the originally solemn atmosphere of departure to plummet to freezing point.

"I know! I know everything!" John roared, his voice booming like a tangible force, instantly silencing the crowd.

Many people recalled the horrific scene of him wielding the Ox Talisman and smashing zombies with ferocious power.

"This war is no longer as simple as superheroes versus supervillains!"

John's voice was a little hoarse with excitement, "Now, everyone standing here—whether on or off the stage—our only common point is that we are 'alive'!"

The enemy won't let you go just because you're civilians! I'm standing here asking for help simply because we need more people, more hands!

This is not anyone's order; it is a plea from a living man named John Walker!

He paused again, his chest heaving violently.

"At least... for yourselves, for this land beneath your feet that holds all our memories, for our identity as 'human beings'..."

We must fight with everything we have! Because there are still many things in this world worth cherishing, things worth defending with our lives!

"Wow!"

A childish voice suddenly rang out.

A skinny boy squeezed out of the crowd, holding a dirty Captain America doll high in the air.

But he was immediately pulled back by his tearful parents—in this apocalypse, it was a miracle that a child could survive.

"Wow! I'm Spanish, and my grandfather was a member of the International Brigades!" A bearded man raised his arm.

"Count me in! I'm a Party member! If we lose all our people, how can we talk about liberating all of humanity?" another voice said firmly.

"Wow!"

"I'm going too!"

"Let's give it our all!"

The responses began sporadically, then spread rapidly like wildfire.

More and more people raised their hands and shouted out.

The fear in his eyes had not completely dissipated, but was covered by something deeper and more resolute.

Hanlu watched this scene from the stage, feeling a sense of joy in her heart.

After all, sometimes, God helps those who help themselves!

John turned around, looked at his companions behind him, and flashed a bright, untroubled smile, revealing his white teeth.

At this moment, he was no longer anyone's shadow.

"Then," he turned around, facing the massive, enthusiastic crowd, and slammed his shield heavily onto the table, producing a crisp and resolute metallic clang.

"Let's start the war!"