American comics: Starting with replicating Superman's talent

Chapter 76: They Will All Be Mine (Bonus Chapter)

Lauren continued recounting the origins of Gotham City.

He told Gino how the Court of Owls, under the leadership of the Elliott family, grew into a powerful and influential force, becoming a behemoth over Gotham City.

Lauren, his eyes closed in a daze, murmured, "Beware the Court of Owls; they're always watching your every move."

"Peeping into Gotham City from the shadows, hidden among low walls and attics."

"He is with you in your home, and with you in your bed."

"Never mention his name, or his claws will come for your head."

Lauren opened his eyes, looked at Gino with an indifferent expression, and said, "This nursery rhyme that circulates in Gotham is not a lie. The Court of Owls possesses wealth and power far beyond your imagination."

"They have the most powerful assassins in Gotham City, used to eliminate those who stand in the way of the Court of Owls."

"So." Gino ignored Lauren's praise of the Court of Owls and instead focused his attention on the last image.

On the painting, a disheveled figure stoops as he walks out of a dark hall.

The boy stared at Lauren with his bright blue eyes and asked, "The Elliott family has been expelled from the Court of Owls?"

Gino's words silenced Lauren, whose face flushed red as he retorted, "That was only because I left voluntarily!"

After listening to the old man's words, Gino understood.

A playful smile tugged at the boy's lips as he looked at Lawrence: "So, you're the one who got into trouble and got kicked out of the Court of Owls, right?"

Lauren didn't answer, but Gino paced around Lauren, saying, "Let me guess."

Why did you tell me about amber gold?

"You want me to help you fulfill your long-held dream of returning to the Court of Owls, right?"

Having his secret exposed by Gino, Lauren wasn't angry. The old man, who had been furious just a moment ago, regained his composure. He sat back down on the sofa, looking at Gino and saying, "Child, you are very much like me when I was young. I can see the ambition gleaming in your eyes. You crave many things."

"And the Elliott family name can help you."

Laurent explained his plan: "I originally intended for Thomas to carry on my wishes, but he only wanted to study medicine and become a stupid doctor."

"So you came to me?" Gino snorted coldly through his nostrils.

"Let me finish." Lauren gestured for Gino to be quiet, then continued, "I once did something stupid in the Owl Court and was expelled."

"But they gave me an opportunity and were willing to let my heir join the Court of Owls."

Lauren stood up again and took out a white owl mask from the cabinet.

He shoved the mask into Gino's hand: "Take this. You're half Gotham by blood. They won't refuse you. You can join that organization and enjoy the patronage of the entire city."

"The Claw Assassins will be at your command, and Amber Gold will prolong your life."

Gino picked up the mask that Lauren handed him. It was a thin, white mask with only a pair of eyes and nostrils showing.

He fiddled with the mask in his hand, turned to stare at Lawrence, and chuckled, "You were humiliated and expelled from the court, but they gave you a spot."

"Do you know what this behavior looks like to me?"

"It's like the owner throwing a bone to a dog that's been kicked out of its home."

Gino's voice gradually became sharp, and he slowly straightened his body, his tall and imposing figure exuding a terrifying aura.

"The Court of Owls is a property of the Elliott family."

The boy's voice gradually lowered, his blue eyes fixed on Loren as he said, "And now, you want me to take a dog bone and grovel before these thieves?"

"I'm sorry, I don't like accepting charity from others."

Gino gently tightened his grip on the mask in his left hand, and the pristine white mask shattered under the pressure, its ceramic-like fragments falling to the floor.

"No!" Lauren let out a shrill scream as he collapsed onto the carpet, kicking up clouds of dust.

The old man, trembling, picked up the mask fragments from the ground. He looked up at Gino and glared angrily: "Look what you've done!?"

"You've ruined our only chance!"

"No!" Gino's voice was louder than Lauren's. The old man was surprised to find that Gino's eyes were shining with a blue light, which was far more dazzling than the amber gold in the box.

A wisp of cold mist drifted down the boy's eye sockets and enveloped him, while the surrounding furniture was covered with a thick layer of white frost.

He heard his grandson say with a sneer, "What I want, I'll get myself."

Gino gazed at the oil paintings on the wall, seemingly talking to himself:

"Amber Gold, mine."

"The Claw Assassin will be mine too."

"The Court of Owls will be mine too."

"The secrets they possess will all be mine."

Gino cracked his neck, making a crisp sound: "Anything I want will be mine."

He couldn't understand why, when he could simply steal it, he would follow Laurent's example and go to someone's door to act like a dog.

If something is good, but its owner is a scoundrel, then just take it—that's Gino's style.

He has no mercy for a bunch of things that should be hanged from a lamppost.

Besides, the Court of Owls was founded by his mother's ancestors; taking it back is simply returning it to its rightful owner.

"You, you!"

Looking at Gino's blue eyes and his terrifyingly domineering aura, the well-informed old man realized that he seemed to have never really understood his grandson.

The boy in front of him was far more mysterious and terrifying than he had imagined.

The murderous intent emanating from Gino reminded him of the ruthless assassins in the courtroom.

Gino ignored Loren's current mood and leaned down to whisper in the old man's ear, "Now tell me, where is their hideout?"

Gino's words brought Lauren back to reality. He pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and said, "I don't know."

Gino frowned: "You really don't know?"

The old man said matter-of-factly:

"Of course, the Court of Owls is very cautious; they have hundreds of locations throughout Gotham's underground tunnels."

"The location changes every so often."

Gino listened in silence, inwardly thinking, "These rich people really have nothing better to do than build so many outposts."

Are you afraid of being caught and hanged from a street lamp someday?

Lauren sighed, "Originally, if you had kept the mask, you could have simply worn it around Gotham City and someone would have come looking for you. But now, you've ruined your only chance."

"You mean the mask?" Gino glanced at the shards on the ground, then looked at Loren, a new plan forming in his mind.

The boy pointed to the fragmented mask and said, "Then why not put it back together?"

"No, seeing the broken mask will only alert them and make them hide even deeper."

"Is that so?" Gino looked thoughtfully at the mask.

It seems the so-called Owl Court is being very cautious…

After thinking for a moment, the young man sneered, "Since they are unwilling to reveal themselves, then I will lure them out."

"Do you know what the Claw Assassin looks like?"

(End of this chapter)