Crimbark moved swiftly through the city, his mind focused on the name he had wrested from the Syndicate operative: Veronica Kane. She was the key to unraveling the Syndicate's plans, a figure who managed communications between the lab and the criminal organization. If Crimbark could find her, he could begin to tear down the Syndicate's operations from the inside.
Metropolis had always been a city of secrets, and as Crimbark made his way through its twisting streets, he felt the weight of those secrets pressing in on him. The city's decay was more than physical—it was a moral rot that had spread through its core, infecting its people, its institutions, and even its heroes. Crimbark had once been a symbol of hope, but now he felt more like a relic of a forgotten time, a reminder of what the city had lost.
Veronica Kane wasn't hard to find. She was known in certain circles, a figure of mystery and allure who frequented the city's more exclusive establishments. Crimbark's informants, remnants of the old guard who still held a flicker of loyalty to the city's fallen hero, pointed him to a nightclub on the edge of the city's affluent district. The club, "Eclipse," was a place where the rich and powerful mingled with the shadows, a place where deals were made and secrets were traded.
Crimbark approached the club with caution. The line outside was long, filled with people eager to lose themselves in the music and the night. He bypassed them easily, slipping into the shadows and making his way to a side entrance. His senses were on high alert, picking up the pulsing beat of the music, the smell of expensive perfume mingled with sweat and alcohol, and the faintest hint of something more sinister—something he couldn't quite place.
Inside, the club was a maze of flashing lights and pounding music. Crimbark's eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the room for any sign of his target. Veronica Kane was said to be a regular, and it didn't take long for Crimbark to spot her. She was seated in a VIP section, surrounded by bodyguards and sycophants, her presence commanding attention. Her beauty was striking, but it was her aura of power and danger that truly set her apart. This was a woman who thrived in the darkness, who knew how to navigate the treacherous waters of metropolis's underworld.
Crimbark knew he couldn't approach her directly, not without drawing too much attention. Instead, he needed to find a way to isolate her, to get her alone where he could extract the information he needed. He watched her for a while, studying her movements, her interactions with those around her. She was careful, controlled, every gesture and word measured. But Crimbark was patient, and he knew that even the most guarded individuals had moments of vulnerability.
His opportunity came when Veronica excused herself from her entourage and made her way towards the back of the club, likely heading to a more private area. Crimbark followed, staying in the shadows, his every step silent. He moved like a predator, his eyes fixed on his prey, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Veronica entered a private lounge, dismissing the guards who followed her. Crimbark slipped in behind her just as the door closed. The room was dimly lit, the walls lined with plush furniture and ornate decorations. It was a place meant for intimate conversations, far from prying eyes and ears.
Veronica sensed his presence almost immediately. She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the man before her—the man who was more beast than human, the man who had once been the city's savior. "Crimbark," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "I've heard the rumors, but I didn't believe them until now."
Crimbark stepped forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "You know why I'm here," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You're going to tell me everything about the Syndicate's operations. The lab, the shipments, the leaders—I want it all."
Veronica's lips curled into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You think you can intimidate me? I've dealt with men far more dangerous than you, Dog Man. The Syndicate isn't something you can fight. It's bigger than you, bigger than this city."
Crimbark's eyes glinted with a fierce determination. "Maybe. But I'm not here to fight the whole Syndicate. Just you."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension thick between them. Veronica was the first to break, her smile fading as she realized that Crimbark was not bluffing. "Fine," she said, her voice clipped. "I'll tell you what you want to know. But understand this, Dog Man—you're walking into a trap. The Syndicate doesn't play by the rules, and they won't hesitate to destroy you."
Crimbark leaned in close, his voice a low growl. "Let them try."
Veronica began to speak, divulging the secrets Crimbark needed to know. She spoke of the lab's location, the experiments they were conducting, and the powerful figures behind it all. As she talked, Crimbark's mind raced, piecing together the puzzle that was the Syndicate's web of corruption.
When she finished, Crimbark stepped back, his mission clear. He had what he needed, but he knew the battle was far from over. The Syndicate was powerful, but they had just made a critical mistake—they had underestimated the beast within him.
Without another word, Crimbark turned and left the club, his next move already forming in his mind. The hunt was on, and he was ready to tear through the Syndicate's web until there was nothing left.