Chapter Nine; INVESTIGATION

I landed before a two story building in a run down neighborhood at Canary's instructions. Then went in together and I followed her upstairs.

What we found was a destroyed lab. Not destroyed like wiped off the face of the earth level, but almost everything useful looking was smashed apart. Glass instruments lay broken, overturned tables were riddled with bullets, strange chemicals lay in puddles on the ground. "I am not a detective but this looks like two group of people trying very hard to kill each other," I said.

"My cover got blown," Canary shrugged snooping around the room for something.

"What are you looking for?"

"Dunno, something that might help us if the detective was not successful on apprehending the mad doc, which is the more likely possibility to be honest."

"Mad scientist you mean?"

"Sure,"

I looked up at the paper ceiling and the fluorescent light above in interest. "How long have they been staying here anyway?"

"Don't know,"

"We should ask the neighbors later then,"

Canary gave me a strange look from behind her domino mask then pursed her lips. "We are not the cops Jimmy. I have enough problems with the cops than to go borrowing their work,"

"Then how do you propose we do this?" I wondered. Black Canary was at the desk at the far wall, she opened the drawer under the desk carefully then started riffling through some files. I lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "They have files?"

She glanced at me. "Ain't that surprising if you think of it. Nazi or no, they need to document stuff too,"

"I guess,"

"You are not adept at this are you?" Her lips quirked with an amused smile.

"Actually, I think I am doing great," I grunted.

"I am sure you think so," she rolled her eyes.

I ignored her contemptible tone and decided to see if I could find something worth taking. I live for the loot after all. I opened drawers and cabinets on the walls only to be met by empty flasks, beakers, dust and cobwebs wasting my time. "You found anything?" Canary asked walking over.

"Not exactly," I shook my head.

"Okay, I am done here," she lifted the stack of papers she was holding. "I am gonna get this thing de-encripted,"

"You mean translated?" I lifted an eyebrow as I noticed the writings on the document was in a foreign language.

"I know what I mean smart pants," she snapped. "Half of this thing is written in German, the rest are symbols."

"Let me see that," I said and she handed the documents to me, I scrolled through them realizing what she said is true. "These are mathematical formulas,"

"Of course they are," she rolled her eyes.

I frowned at her. "I meant this is no documents of sells or anything... This is probably the secret to making the birdman gas,"

"Oh," she paused before it back. "Then I should get this to Wayne corporation so they can start working on a vaccine." she walked to the door then stopped and turned. "Hey, if you are still here when detective Bradley returns tell him to pay me a visit."

"Sure,"

She nodded and left. I waited for about two minutes to make sure she was really gone then grinned. I grabbed a sample bag and started loading it with lab instruments. Pipets, beakers, safety googles, flasks and funnels and more. After that I decided to leave before the cops arrived.

I slung the straps of the bag over my shoulder and walked back down stairs. I had just left the building and was about to fly off when I saw Canary returning. I suppressed a grimace and sighed then waited for her to walk over. "Forgot something?" I asked.

"Nope..." She said. "What's with the bag?"

I was hoping she wouldn't ask. "Evidence... I want to give them a better look. Its science stuff," God I hate myself sometimes.

Canary gave me a weird look but nodded. "I found something,"

"What?"

"Come with me,"

Wondering what it could be, I followed after her. We walked up the quiet street ignoring the looks the few there gave us. We took an intersection into a deserted street. Black Canary stopped before a manhole which had a tie tied on the cover. She crouched down and touched the tie that was flapping in the wind. She has a fine ass, I noted idly.

"This is Bradley's," she said.

"So you think he went in?" I asked. "Maybe he followed the Nazis into the manhole and wanted you to know where he'd gone in case things turn bad,"

"Not bad Greek, we can make a detective out of you yet,"

"You are hardly a detective yourself," I said skeptically.

"Why?" her lips quirked into a smile. But it was a dangerous kind of smile. "Because I am a woman?"

"I didn't say that," I frowned.

"Then what do you mean?"

"Dunno, can we drop this topic?"

"No,"

I glared at her and she laughed. "Damn man, you are one stuck up dude,"

"You were messing with me," I grunted putting down my bag. "Anyway, do we go inside and investigate?"

"Do we really have a choice?"

"I guess we don't, I'll go down first,"

"Invincible man huh?" She grinned at me. I sighed. I hate getting teased but I could take my licks. I pulled open the manhole then floated down.

After Canary descended into the sewage too, we discovered a problem: light. It was dark in here, and the only light came from the manhole above. A solution soon revealed itself though as I noticed the miniscule light the glow of the purple force field surrounding me gave.

I gathered light in my hand and with a little tweak, I could use it to shine the surrounding like a purple flashlight. "Impressive," Canary said.

"It's just a flashlight," I said flippantly but I felt satisfied with myself. I pointed the light this way and that then decided to go forward. The shallow water below was gross and the smell bothered me, but I reckon I should just avoid getting it on my body. Which would be hard if I get into a fight.

We went forward for 15 minutes, through the long tunnel before we noticed something. I shinned the light on it. A person lying on the ground. Canary rolled the body over. "Dead," she said.

"You know him?" I asked.

"One of the guards in the lab,"

Ahead we found more dead bodies, all Nazis but no sign of Bradley or Dr Poison. We stopped at an intersection where the tunnels branched out in three sides. Studying each tunnel gave us no inkling as to where to follow. "Where do you think we should go, detective?" I asked.

"Working on it," she grumbled.

I grinned. "Hurry it up. I am tired of the smell,"

"Damn, just shut up!"

I laughed. After sometime we decided to just continue straight. "What do you think happened here?" I wondered.

"Sword wounds on the bodies, got any idea?" She scoffed.

I looked back at her. "League of assassins?"

"You know them?"

"Who do you think I am?"

"How do you know so much stuff? Many people?"

"What do you think?"

"Fine, don't tell me," She pouted. "At least tell me this, are you JSA?"

"Those pretentious fuckers? God forbid," I looked around shinning my 'homemade' flashlight at the walls. This place was odd. Shabby wooden doors lined the walls leading to unknown places. A faint silver glint caught my eyes. I stooped over and picked it. A watch. "Bradleys?" I questioned.

"Yeah," Black Canary nodded. "So we can assume they went this way."

It was dropped before one of the doors. They went into this door...? How convenient. "I am starting to like this guy," I said skeptically, "he's been leaving us a trail."

"Well..."

Something crashed into the puddle covered ground and I turned just in time to see a sword swung at Canary. She tilted to the side avoiding it but the movement splashed the sewage water on me. I wanted to help her but another crash landed to my side. More sewage water. I spun to see a masked man swinging his sword at me. Reflexively I shot a bolt from my hand but he blocked it with his sword and closed the distance. Up close he appeared to be a ninja in dark robe and eye mask.

I flew backwards before he could stab me, then kicked the ground, to the splash of water, and shot back forward with a superman punch. I struck the ninja straight in the jaw sending him flying to crash against one of the doors and fall into a passage beyond. That guy is definitely dead. More crashes resounded as several more doors opened and an army of swordmen poured fought.

Black Canary had repelled her attackers and we stuck our backs together.

The ninjas surrounded us. All dressed in dark robes, all with owl eye masks, their swords drawn. It was dark but I have night vision so I didn't mind, though I wondered how the ninjas and Black Canary would fare. They was a moment of silence as we just studied each other, confirming to each other we didn't mind the darkness, then I flicked my booster watch and they attacked.

Swordmen came at us from every direction but I didn't feel scared or even intimidated. I blasted a few away with pinpointed bolts but more filled those holes in their ranks. If not for Black Canary being here I could have been completely unworried and reckless. Because in the end I believe there's nothing they could do to me. Though I have been proving wrong on many occasions so take that with a grain of salt if you wish.

Thick bolts of purple energy shot out of my hands again. Zoom, zoom, zoom. Two avoided, but it still sent two others flying. I wish I was alone, I could have just released the energy in a circle like I did in Black Tower Island to take them out at the same time but I suspected Canary would not survive that. So I have to do this the inefficient way, I guess.

Though fighting ninjas could not be the worse of things, it could be fun too, I admitted.

Two from the flanks closed up on me swinging their swords. Reflexively I blocked with my arms to prevent them from hitting my head. I felt mild pain, probably they had cut me. I also absorbed some 'negligible' amount energy from the attack. But that wasn't the point, the point was to pull them in.

They pulled their swords back and tried to swing again but I blocked one with my hand while blasting the other away with a bolt of light. Afterwards I punched the first one square on the jaw sending him flying away with a crack. With that little respite, I glanced at my patner. Black Canary surprised me. She had procured two swords from her attackers and was meeting them blow for blow, holding them back. Using their advantage against them she thrived in the little congested space, making them get in each others way. She's competent isn't she? Relieved I looked back to my front.

Four blades descended on me from the front, left and right. From watching Canary I got an idea, adapt. "I have had enough of this!" I said rising to the air while ignoring the swords.

This time I released my energy in a curve in front of me, sending the ninjas flying with pained groans. Suddenly, no one was standing in front of me. I turned around just in time to see Black Canary about to be overwhelmed as they used the same all direction attack on her. Thinking quickly, I flew and crashed into the Ninjas attacking her from the left, knocking them away while shooting bolts at the others.

With my help, Black Canary got in the offense and we routed them. Some dead, others decapitated, three escaped into the doors at the side of the tunnel. Soon we were left alone in the dark stink of the tunnel. I used my arcane flashlight to shine the tunnel. "So, I assume these are the guys that killed the Nazis and abducted the detective,"

Black Canary frowned. "But who are there?"

Court of owls, I thought but didn't know if I should tell her. The way the Court works are in mysterious ways. But one thing is certain, if you know of their existence you'll never be safe from them. Not even Batman could deal with them in a convincing fashion, and even then with great difficulty. Their talons are all immortal and their have the resources to make anyone suffer except maybe god tiers.

I peered into the door they supposedly took Sam Bradley through, seeing only another tunnel. Though this one was well tiled with touches on the walls illuminating the place. "We should head back," I said.

"Why?" Black Canary questions.

"For your sake, and Bradley's," if I was alone, and with no hostage to care about I could have powered through. But now I have to think of how my decisions could affect my allies. Besides, I shouldn't just aggravate such a powerful organization in Gotham without knowing their goal, if I still want to live here. Yes they might have Dr Poison with them, but who said they are friends with the Nazis?

But if they are with the Nazis I won't hold back.

I grabbed one of the groaning ninjas from the ground and slapped him twice to get his attention. He looked at me, bleary eyed and confused. "Tell your masters I want to talk. I have giving them enough respect by not charging further don't you think?" I leaned closer and added in a whisper. "Tell the court of owls that I know about them," I tossed him on the ground and turned to see Canary looking at me curiously. "What do you say we get the hell out of here?"

I carried Black Canary in my arms as I flew over the city. "I can't believe you are taking me to your house,"

"Technically you are the one taking me there," she said.

"Sophistry is a bad trait"

"I am full of questions,"

"I know... and I'll answer them when we are in a secured location... and not smelling like sewage definitely,"

"Like my house, the shower is free,"

I lifted an eyebrow. "Are you inviting me into your home?"

"Dunno, what could I have meant?"

"Don't you care about your secret identity?"

"I already decided to show you that." She rolled her eyes. "Besides, we are working on this together. It'll be faster if we don't separate for foolish reasons before we decide on our next course of action. There's a birdman bomb out there, time is ticking eh?"

I nodded. Even though there are telephones, this is not an era where communication is easy as I am used too. Plus, as she said, judging by the importance of this case it's better we don't waste time. "Fair enough," I said.

"Okay, over there," she pointed at a house down there and I started descending.

"Here we are," I landed on the balcony before easing her down. I looked around. It was a decent neighborhood but the trees in the garden blocked much of the view of the back of the house from the surrounding. Black Canary had me take off my shoes at the door and she did the same so we don't take the filth from the sewers indoors.

We walked into a bedroom, but quickly past it into a hallway where she led me into another room. "You can use the bathroom here, I will bring you a change of cloths and a towel,"

I nodded and watched her disappear out the door. I opened the door and peered into the bathroom as I started disrobing leaving me in only my boxers. She returned just then with the cloths and towel just as she promised. I was startled by her appearance. She had ditched the domino mask and her hair was now black. The blond is a wig? I thought in surprise though I masked it by picking the cloths she dropped on the bed; a simple gray shirt and black pants. "Boyfriend's?" I asked.

"My father's,"

"And he wouldn't mind if I wear his cloths?"

"He's kinda dead you know,"

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that,"

"Yeah," she said then disappeared again. I sighed then picked the towel and went into the bathroom.

Clean, dressed, and feeling good, I went out of the room. "Downstairs!" Canary called. I found her sitting lazily on a couch in slacks and a sweater. She pointed at the two sitter opposite her and I sat. "So, ready to tell me now?"

I gave her a look mulling over what to say. "You know, I want to tell you," I said. Best she understands. "But I am torn between... Ah, thing is, if I tell you this I put you and your loved ones in danger. The guys I am talking about are the big bad, nothing good comes from even knowing their names. Do you still want to know?"

"Yep," she grinned.

"Fine," I shrugged. "They are called the Court of Owls, know them?"

"Never heard of them. What are they, cultists?"

"Cabal. A dark Cabal controlling Gotham from the shadows."

Canary gave me a skeptical. "That's... unbelievable,"

"Then who do you think those ninjas are?"

She frowned. "How do you even know these things?"

"That's a good question. Anyway, I asked one of our attackers to tell his masters my request for a parley, they might contact me soon then I can ask about the detective and the evil doctor,"

"You mean evil scientist?"

I rolled my eyes.

"And what if they don't contact you?" She added.

"Then I return to their tunnels, and this time without given them face. In the mean time we need information about the Nazis and their allies here in Gotham so we are better prepared for whatever,"

Canary nodded. "I have been thinking," she said. "Since this happened underground we should ask someone that thrives underground,"

"Who?"

"The Whisper Gang,"

I frowned, I know the name somewhere... "The smugglers?"

"Yes," she grinned. "We are gonna pay them a visit tonight big guy, I have scores to settle with them, I think this is long coming, for now just sit tight here, I am gonna take the files we found in the lab to Wayne Corporations."

Night

Me and Black Canary crouched atop a rooftop watching the back of a two story building across the street. Canary held the binoculars as she studied the building. "Two guards at the door, five more at this side, the Bertinellies sure take their security serious,"

"Why are we here again?" I asked.

"Marco Bertinelli, he's going to tell us how to meet the Whisper gang, they're one of his allies,"

"And who is he in particular? The Don?"

"I thought you knew everything," Canary teased.

"I have my short comings," I grunted.

"Well, I am relieved," she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah so who's he?"

"The Don is Alfredo Bertinelli, Marco is his brother,"

"Okay sure... And why would he help us?"

"Because he owes me a favor," Canary tossed the binoculars away and straightened. "Come on big guy," she spread her hands and leaped off the roof. I frowned then flew after her. She landed with a roll and seconds later I alighted lightly beside her. Together we walked towards the bar.

A big man, even taller than me in black suit and hat was at the door. He stepped in our way as we approached. "Entrance is over there," he said pointing at the bend, out front.

"Yeah, I got that figured out big boy. But we are here for business," Canary replied.

"What kind of business?"

"I wish to meet Marco, he owes me for harbor,"

The man regarded us with hard eyes before knocking on the door and said something in Italian. The only thing I understood was 'Canary' and a grunt from behind the door. After sometime a reply came. The bouncer turned to us. "Marco will see you," He pulled the door open and stepped aside to let us in.

We came into a dim hallway, a man was standing ahead. "Come with me," he said.

We followed the new guy up a creaky set of stairs. Black Canary was ahead while I brought up the rear. The sound of music from the club room filtered in here. Finally we stepped unto a landing into a hallway, we walked past two doors before stopping before another door. Our guide knocked. "Come in," a voice said.

Our guide stepped to the side. Black Canary opened the door and walked in, I followed after, slipping in smoothly.

It was an office. Four guys were in it. Two lounging on a couch by the left, two others behind a desk at the focal point of the room. One was sitting rather lazily smocking a cigarette, the other was standing attentively behind him. No one drew their guns but they were poised to do so in a moment of 'disagreement' judging by their body language.

The guy sitting behind the desk, who I assume was 'Marco' was a skinny middle aged guy with sunken eyes and messy black hair balding at the front. He wore a black coat missing several buttons and kept glancing at the revolver sitting before him on table. "So, so the Black Canary," he drawled. "I heard you came to collect debt,"

"I need a favor," she said pulling a chair and sat at the table, opposite him.

He gestured to me to sit too but I shook my head. "I am alright," I said standing by the door.

"Skittish?" Marco sneered.

"Of what bro?" I scoffed.

He scowled. "Who the fuck do you think you are? I give you hospitality and you spit on my name,"

"I am called Greek," I shrugged. "And it is not my intention to disrespect you. I don't really know stuff about your 'culture' and shit,"

"This is has nothing to do with culture..." He paused as the guy behind him leaned over and whispered something to him. The look in his eyes changed as it brightened. He cleared his throat and turned to Canary, completely ignoring me. "So you want a favor?"

"Yep,"

"Unfortunately if you are looking for something big I cannot oblige. I am in big trouble as it is,"

"The Falcons?"

"Those upstarts? They'll require three heads to strike me here. I have bigger problems." He took a drag and puff of the cigarette before pulling the drawer underneath his desk and took out a newspaper which he tossed on the table. I drew closer to have a better look. [Gotham harbor killings]

"What is this?" Canary asked.

"He calls himself Wrath," Marco said in between a puff of smoke. "He's been, by his words, cleansing Gotham. The truth is we haven't clashed with the Falconies for days now, he'd been the one dropping us. We just couldn't let it be known we are being dropped like flies by one guy. Sorcery or not, that's why we say it's the gang war we are still fighting,"

"They was never a gang war," I corrected. "Pardon me if i am wrong, but he's killing both of your people so you made up a gang war to avoid looking weak," Marco gave me a sharp look. I shrugged. "You can deny it,"

"Don Alfredo is sure out of his depth huh?" Canary smiled, taking pleasure in their troubles. She had told me once how she despises the mob and crime families and how she hates more working with them. But she's too weak to clean up Gotham.

Marco scowled. "What is it you wanted anyway? I hate hanging in your depth, quick, rid me of it,"

"I want to meet Alex Volk,"

"The Whisper Gang?"

"Yeah,"

Marco paused for a moment, his expression conflicted. Though I doubt those were his real expression. He's a crime boss god damn it, I will put big money he's showing us exactly what he wants us to see. Finally he sighed and shook his head. "I wish you had asked something else," he said. "Tell me to kill the mayor, Richard Wayne or even my friend, I would have considered but I cannot help you here. As you can see, it's a bad time,"

"We just need a guide into their tunnels,"

"With him?" Marco pointed at me. "Don't think I don't know he's the guy that has been flying around Gotham for weeks now poking his nose into other people's business. The Whisper gang survive by being covert, I wouldn't want their location known to any of your silly costume friends with more power than the gods and half the wit of a goat,"

"Well, that was hurtful," Black Canary frowned. "Can you at least arrange a meeting outside their base with me? I'll consider your debt settled,"

Marco furrowed his brows and tapped his fingers on the table. "Or I can get you a guide to the Whisper Gang's base anyway,"

"Ah Marco, what are you playing at?"

"I don't want to betray a friend but I could, if you could stop the Wrath,"

"Well," Canary said. "How strong is he?"

"Very, nothing harms him. Not even bombs,"

Black Canary turned to me. "You up for it big guy?"

I shrugged with confidence. "Where can we find him?"

Marco grinned. "No need, he's coming right to us,"

"What do you mean?"

"He always tells which place he's hitting next. As you can see, my friends have mostly deserted me,"

"I think you got a fair number of them," Canary pointed.

"Not enough. Unfortunately, Alfredo will not help me, he's busy bunkering down in his mansion and wouldn't let me in,"

"You are meant to delay the enemy,"

"I believe so,"

I glared at the guy. "Then why are you conducting business today?"

"It's said the Wrath has misgivings about hurting the innocent,"

I pulled the seat and sat facing him. My hands were trembling as I tried to hold myself. You can hurt me, I wouldn't care, but the innocent... "You are gonna use them to slow him,"

"Yeah..."

"Clear the club or I won't help you,"

Marco frowned. "Very well," he waved his hand and one of the guys on the couch rose and left. "Okay, so..." Fast as a viper I grabbed Marco by the back of the neck and slammed his face down on the table. His men pulled their guns immediately.

"Wait!" Marco screamed, waving his hand at them. "Don't shoot him!" I lifted his head and slammed it down again. "Fuck, fucking stop!" I released him and he shrank away, rubbing his face. "You fucker, what was that for?"

"You know what, you imbecile!" I groaned.

"Fucker," he took out a handkerchief and started wiping his face. "Feel better now?" He asked sarcastically after some time.

"Yeah," I said. "You?"

He grinned under bloody nose and squinting eyes. "I get to live, what do you think my friend?"

After the club cleared out, the three of us walked downstairs. Well four, including the goon behind Marco. Four guys and two girls were cleaning the room. "What are they doing?" I asked.

"Cleaning after business,"

"Is that necessary?"

"Well, I guess we all crave a sense of normalcy." He sighed. "Come my friends, have a drink, it's on the house,"

Marco Bertinelli led me and Black Canary to the bar where we sat on stools. He motioned to the bartender, a greasy guy with long black beard dusted with gray. "Show them hospitality,"

"What kind Marco?" The guy asked.

"The good kind, these two are our life savers,"

"Sure boss," the man grunted. He turned to us. "What would you like?"

"Volka," I replied. Canary asked for rum which she didn't touch. I nursed my drink leisurely, taking my time. In truth my mind wasn't in it, I was deep in thought. The Nazis... the boldness of their repeated attacks, now the 'Court of Owls' and a mysterious vigilante_ I have to face tonight_ that kills the Mafias are in the equation. I'd have thought comic knowledge will give me an invincible edge over everyone, but all that future knowledge, while giving me an advantage, is quite useless if events don't happen serially, following a particular series.

Underwhelming huh? Who would have thought.

I came out of my thought and looked at the door as a guy in black suit rushed into the the club. He went straight to a table and whispered into Marco's ear. The crime boss suddenly straightened. "He's here." He said staring at me grimly. "You'll meet him outside, I don't want my club being destroyed."

"Yeah, let's see this guy," Canary grinned.

A crash resounded outside right after, followed by gunshots. Me and Canary hurried outside to check on it. Gunshots resounded in the night, mob members screamed obscenities in both English and Italian. At the receiving end of it all was a man of strange white skin, standing shirtless, wearing only a green speedo and green cape.

His eyes were malevolently red and the words he spoke promised grim prospect. "I shall destroy all evil, I am the wrath of god!"

Spectre, one of the most overpowered characters in the DC universe. The guy I'd have to fight. Talk of pressure.

Spectre released a beam of green energy sending a group of mobs shooting at him flying. Then he blurred taking a few ones out as he crashed at the two dudes with a bazooka on the roofs. I stared up at him.

"Stay out of this," I told Canary.

"You sure?" She said.

"Yeah, I can take this guy," I flicked my booster watch then rose to the sky and called, "Spectre!"

The embodiment of wrath turned to me. His eyes cold as the coldest winter yet burning like a volcano at the same time.

"This is not the way to go!" I told him. What do you want me to do? I can't just attack him without attempting dialogue.

Spectre studied me. "And who might you be?"

"Greek," I said, "I am one of the good guys,"

He scoffed. "I don't have time for your kind," he waved his hand blasting more mobs to death then zoomed to the club, appearing before the building in an instance. I realize I might not be able to talk my way out of this, which was alright. At least I tried.

Without hesitation, I shot a light beam at Spectre's back. It struck him sending him flying unto the club's roof. I sighed as I looked down at him. "I am sorry buddy but I can't let you do that, I need Marco to save the city." Besides I can't just let him kill the Bertinellies before deciding how I want to shape the future. Seriously this business with time is a headache.

He floated to his feet, his burning eyes on me. I heard a boom and a strong impact in my stomach, then I was sent flying. Fuck, I didn't even see the punch coming! I broke into a building disoriented more than anything. This is a punch from Spectre! I struggled to my feet.

I was back to 100 percent as the energy in my veins_ plus the one I just absorbed_ healed and invigorated me. I flew out of the building. Spectre hasn't moved. He lifted an eyebrow as he saw me resurface. "Quite resilient aren't you?"

"And you are quite the talkertive eh?"

BOOM!!!

Another punch sent me flying to whence I came from, this time smashing through the building entirely. It collapsed as I went past its center. I hope there was nobody in it. I bounced on the asphalt then stopped in the middle of an empty street. Good news is most streets are empty this night because of the curfew, gang wars, and rising insecurity. Bad news is, I had broken a fire hydrant and it poured water on me, soaking my cloths. "Fuck," I groaned rising to my feet.

Spectre flew down like a rocket. This time I could follow his movement though barely despite absorbing more energy. But well, I'd be there before long at the rate he's charging me. I dodged two of his punches and blocked a cross with my arm. He struck me in the stomach. I was sent flying yet again but I quickly steadied myself in the air to avoid destroying more of the city. That turned out to be a bad idea_ or a good one_ as Spectra zoomed on me and connected an uppercut to my chin. I few upwards to the dark sky like a cannon.

BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM!!!

He followed, bashing me here and there, up and down. The world twisted around me, clouds covered me, lights like fireflies flickered in my vision. In truth, I could avoid many of his attacks and even counter attack, but why should I?

We went around the city like that, as I received superpowered punches while occasionally pretending to strike back. The punches didn't hurt anymore at this point as my body had grown sturdy from the energy in my body, my opponent had slowed too, at least to my perspective. I was considering calling it quit on this farce and start kicking his ass when he suddenly stopped.

Spectre drew back and stared at me with his brow furrowed. "You have been drinking up the energy in my attacks!"

I grinned, straightening. "You are very preceptive,"

"Not fast preceptive enough..."

I shrugged. "My turn," I zoomed to him with a punch. It struck him straight on the jaw sending him skipping through the air. I glanced at the city below with its night light glittering like stars then shot after him.

I started beating him, kicking and punching him around the city sky as he did me earlier. He didn't just sit back and received the beatings though, he's the Spectre after all. He dodged some, blasted me with green arcane bolts and sometimes use a construct shield to block.

But I was in something like my 'binary mode', invincible, that I kept beating him either way. Finally, he flew away from me and just vanished from thin air. I frowned and looked around but couldn't spot him. I shrugged. He's not the first person with a mysterious escape technique. But it's worrisome this keeps working.

Wotan, Gundra, now Spectra. I'd have to find a way to put these guys down quickly and efficiently. Something to train for?

Anyway, I turned and flew back down to the city.

THAT'S THE CHAPTER

THANKS for READING.

Anyway, I think we are making progress, moving the story forward. I know most of you have misgivings about MC's decisions but he's just starting so of course he's going to make a few mistakes. He's new to all this so he's pragmatic, that might not change, but he's going to get more forceful as he gains confidence.

DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY HONESTLY. JUST CHECK OUT MY ORIGINAL NOVEL ON ROYAL ROAD. A LITRPG CALLED THE ALL POWER.

AND IF YOU WANT TO DONATE, WHICH WOULD BE APPRECIATED. HERE'S THE LINK; Link; . com / Ensii99