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Chapter 52: Underworld Of Roses II
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"Ehh? What's going on??" And by Ian's surprised expression and words, this didn't seem to be part of the script.
The first reason that occurred to him is that it happened due to whatever is within the main office.
So he walked inside pushing the door that seemed to try to shut by itself as if there is something heavy pushing it in that direction, and indeed there was something.
There was a body behind the door, even paler than the rest, they even seemed crusty and dry as if he was at his deathbed. Ian noticed a large red spot on his nearly bald head, and it all clicked.
"Why how so stupid?" Ian was confused. It was hard for him to fathom someone hiding behind the door as a trap, like, he could see the potential but he could also see the risk, and it's definitely not worth it.
In fact, what happened to him was quite mild because Ian could've just fired at the door a few times in caution, but he didn't need to be because what's the worst that can happen, he dies? Sure.
Instead, the door was kicked with such force that it collided with his head, knocking him out.
"Oh well." Ian shrugged his shoulders before looking around the room. He didn't have much time, so he got to work quickly and started searching the room thoroughly, and putting all the things he wants in his backpack.
He then brought a bottle of water from the top of the desk and walked up to the unconscious man, then poured it on his face, bringing the bald man awake.
What followed is an act of kindness as Ian slapped the man's cheek, making his mind clearer, "I don't have much time, so shut up and listen. I want you to tell me what each symbol of these means.
If I have even a sliver of suspicion about the truthfulness of your words, I'll take you with me to the torture room where you'll live for the rest of your life.
Now, you might've noticed that your mind-controlling ability doesn't work on me by now, so you can imagine what someone with my powers can do to make your life hell, and I bet you've met creatures of hell, so you know what that's like."
Just a little bluff, using what the man fears the most made him spill the beans in fright, not at all noticing the holes in Ian's words. The latter however did investigate his target for nearly a month, getting a deeper understanding of the man than the man himself.
"I.. I i, its basemen."
Yet another slap was delivered to his cheek, "Everything is gonna be alright. You know we have quite the patience, so calm down and speak clearly."
"Yah, the book! The book is in the basement."
Ian let out a gentle smile, "And where is the basement?" A basement existing in this place is news to him, but that's even better... if the man is speaking the truth of course.
Ian stared at the man's eyes for a few seconds after the man told him. Then he pulled the trigger, killing the man. he stood up before unloading the entire magazine on the dead bald man just to make sure.
That guy is after all not someone normal. Moreover, he noticed that the man has a problem with his intelligence, almost like a muddle brain idiot.
'I should still have a few minutes, even more if the war is extreme, but just to be sure.' Ian sent a message to Ralf, telling him to initiate distraction number four and five, possibly six and seven also if he didn't contact him after a while.
He made his way to a specific bland room and directly pushed one of the desks aside. He took off the carpet beneath it, uncovering the attic ladder which he then opened.
It strangely wasn't locked, perhaps the bald man just had that much trust in his mind-controlling power, or perhaps it eroded his brain.
He climbed down the ladder, finding himself faced with quite the treat, "Hmm nice. Even better than expected... Such gorgeous scenery."
What lay before him was a very small chamber with faint red light, extinguished candles everywhere, and a strange symbol, drawn on the ground, seemingly by blood?
"A pentagram of demonic nature, exquisite." Ian brought out his phone and started taking pictures before touching anything, he especially focused on all the symbols in the chamber.
He then picked up a bunch of papers scattered on the side, and a book placed on a small table, well kept and positioned.
The book wasn't thick by any means. It had very large pages, but not many pages. Its cover was simple, just a brown rough leather with a pentagram symbol carved on it.
Ian opened it and looked through it for a second before placing it in his bag. He then walked up to the only thing he didn't check, a door.
Within was exactly what he expected from a devil-worshiping fanatic that has gone too far, a bunch of body parts and canisters of blood. They weren't just humans but also animals, there were also a bunch of horns situated to the side.
All Ian did was casting his eyes around before closing the door. His face was twitching, "Holy fuck the stench."
He shook his head and took one last look at the chamber before making his way outside... Only to hear a faint sound behind him. He turned his face instantly and leaped in fright while exclaiming, "Anti death Jesus Christ!!!"
However, all he saw is a candle slightly swaying as if it had just fallen, and he recalled it being up, so he called, "Hello! Is anyone there?"
He looked around with caution for a few seconds before letting out a sigh of relief, "Nothing? Hmm, it must've been the wind."
He then climbed up the ladder, 'What does anti death Jesus christ mean? Why did I say that? Ok, Ian stop... Stop thinking about it. This is classic horror movie formula. The more you think about it the... Stop.'
He didn't walk far before bringing a bottle from his backpack and pouring it on the most flammable thing near a certain window. He could hear the sirens of police all around the place, probably preparing to breach.
He brought out a piece of paper and used a lighter to light it on fire before throwing it on top of the flammable liquid. His purpose was obviously to burn the entire building down.
He then threw a few grenades far away towards the main exit, creating a distraction in his usual style.
Amidst that distraction, he grappled away and did so again just in case someone saw him... Then did so as he planned, reaching a certain alleyway.
He passed by what looked like a beggar, and the charitable person Ian is, he couldn't help but throw his backpack at him... For the greater good.
The beggar was used to such charitable actions as he naturally pulled the backpack to the side and covered it with a dirty cloth. Gotham is such a good supportive place after all.
Just as Ian started walking away through the alleyways, he heard a shout behind him, "Stop! What have you done??" It was Nightwing.
Ian narrowed his eyes and turned around. His gloved hands were in his jacket, he wants to say he didn't expect this, but... Batman is just that smart, and this was his classic distraction tactic that everyone knows about, but can't do much about.
'He sure came fast. I almost thought I am out clean. Batman must've instructed him to check any strange incident today with Batgirl while he handles the main stuff.'
Ian wasn't really surprised because he himself told the Bat of the war that was happening now a while ago. His network of information got him enough clues to predict it, and he used it not only to perform a few operations but also to end the war, well, Batman will be the one ending it.
Ian didn't speak but just started approaching Nightwing. He wanted to see how he will fare off against someone personally trained by Batman.
He himself had a lot of training in the past months, he was already well-versed in boxing, so he decided to pursue other forms of martial arts.
He brought his hands out from his jacket pocket, a signal for Nightwing of how this will go. He was even baffled by the opponent starting a fistfight out of nowhere, "Wh? Are you?"
By the time he finished talking, he found a kick almost reaching his head, one he was barely able to evade, "This is how you want to go huh? If you are who I think you are, then I'm gonna enjoy this."
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