"Clark, come out. I know you're back there."
In a Metropolis alleyway, Eric sighed, turned around, and spoke to a shadow in the night.
"I didn't mean to follow you, Eric."
Clark awkwardly emerged from the shadows. "I know you're planning to track down that escaping 'Talon.' I was worried something might happen to you, so I followed you."
"So, you're planning to protect me, Clark?"
Eric looked at his "big brother." "Generally speaking, I'm not the one who needs protection."
"I know."
Clark shrugged. "I'm often the one who messes things up, but I think an extra person means extra strength, right? If everyone goes into the river, the crocodile can't open its mouth."
"I didn't expect you to speak like Pete, using Black slang."
Eric teased Clark, "Have you been influenced by Pete's Black culture?"
"Anyway, Clark, you don't know what you'll face next, nor what methods the enemy will use. If you want to play detective games as a team, you can go find Chloe and Pete. They'd be more interested than following me around."
After saying the last sentence, Eric turned and left.
Clark glanced at a car speeding past the alleyway. "So, Eric, are you still upset about my harsh words earlier?!"
Hearing his brother's words, Eric turned around helplessly.
"Clark, I have no interest in playing childish games. If you're mature enough, don't dwell on apologies or grudges. It's pointless!"
Clark bowed his head in silence for a moment, then said, "I just want to help. I've fought those 'Talons' before, and maybe I can help."
"Because I just pulled you out of the rubble, you want to repay me by helping? I don't need that, Clark."
Eric replied impatiently to his brother.
He didn't understand why Clark was so intent on following him today.
Previously, he often came to Metropolis alone, and Clark never had the intention of following. Today, for some reason, he kept sticking to him.
Was it teenage rebellion?
After hearing Eric's impatient words, Clark exhaled, seemingly giving up the idea of following Eric.
He nodded, "Okay, if you insist, I'll go back. But be careful."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Eric continued in the direction of the fleeing "Talon" only after Clark's figure disappeared.
On the outskirts of Metropolis, an abandoned asylum called "Willford" stood quietly in the night.
In the early 20th century, "Willford" asylum was used as a tuberculosis sanatorium.
Given that tuberculosis was considered an "incurable disease" under the medical conditions of the time, it was more of a death house than a sanatorium.
In the 1960s, the Roman Catholic Church acquired it and transformed it into a mental institution for treating criminally insane patients, but it closed due to poor management.
Eric stood in front of the large Jesus statue at the asylum's entrance, deep in thought.
The Court of Owls uses this as a secret base?!
Using a place that buried 6,300 tuberculosis victims as a headquarters is certainly unique.
Following the trail of the deliberately released Talon, he walked towards the basement along creaky wooden stairs.
The dark night was silent, with only the hoarse cries of sinister birds accompanying the howling wind.
Following the observed operations of the Talon, Eric opened a hidden door and entered the "Owl's" lair.
Beyond the hidden door was a deep, endless maze.
An obstacle insurmountable to ordinary people posed no difficulty for him now.
With his X-ray vision penetrating thick barriers, he could see the end with one glance.
After observing with his X-ray vision, he headed towards the hiding place of the "Owls."
Passing through white walls adorned with black-and-white portraits representing those assassinated by the "Owls," and red coffins signifying Talons in slumber yet to be awakened, Eric moved forward with a mask taken from a dead Talon on his face.
The maze occasionally released hallucinogenic and fear-inducing toxins.
"Welcome to the Court of Owls!"
As Eric approached the end, a deep, surrounding voice echoed.
"Are you the Homelander?! Possessing immeasurable power and divine talent."
"It seems no one else would dare impersonate this name."
Eric glanced around, his tone indifferent. "The fears you've meticulously set in the maze haven't affected me. I think... if you have no other means, I'll find you soon. The final victory in this hide-and-seek game will be mine."
"I understand your talent and capabilities, but Homelander, you've underestimated our power and never understood the true meaning behind the Court of Owls. If you continue, you will bring about your own destruction. On the contrary, if you swear allegiance to the Court, join us, and you, the gifted one, will get everything you desire."
"Are you trying to recruit me?"
Eric pretended to nod. "Then... I want the entire Court of Owls to be under my control, so its power is mine. Would you agree?"
There was silence for a few seconds.
"Absurd! Ridiculous! Do not mistake our mercy and offers as fear. If you insist on opposing us, then proceed! The Owl's talons will eventually take your life!"
"Uh-huh."
Eric's eyes narrowed. "Since you refuse, I'll take it myself!"
He walked forward.
But before he could take two steps, a marble hand suddenly rose from the floor, gripping his legs tightly.
Eric immediately felt like he was trapped in a stone prison, unable to move.
Frowning, he exerted some force with his legs, breaking free from the stone hand and crushing it.
At the same time, he activated his super vision to locate the person who had ambushed him.
But in the next moment, a thunderous explosion erupted.
Lightning flashed within the chamber, and countless blue lightning chains, almost like a forest, appeared in an instant, forming a sea of lightning.
Eric was instantly thrown back by the blue lightning chains.
The lightning, far more powerful than usual, carrying some unknown chaotic energy, broke through his defenses.
His body was heavily slammed onto the floor, and the marble floor cracked from the impact.
Simultaneously, while temporarily paralyzed by the electricity, Eric heard an enraged roar.
"You dare!!!"
Bursting through the layers of shattered marble walls, Clark, with hatred, punched the man in the coat hiding in the shadows, sending him crashing through the marble floor into the underground.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
10 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/ReadingOasis
Make Sure to give a Review!