Catwoman could manipulate men's feelings for her, effortlessly playing them in the palm of her hand. No matter how many powerful men she toyed with—including Batman—they all had one thing in common: they played by the rules and upheld gentlemanly conduct.
To be honest, though, when faced with someone like Bane or Kratos, who seemed to disregard rules, she felt utterly powerless.
Hearing Kratos' voice, Catwoman shivered, her mind racing.
She barked sharply, "Mr. Atreus! Is this really a good idea?"
Despite being called by his real name, Atreus wasn't the least bit flustered.
Catwoman was never an idiot. After all, when he gave her that expensive necklace, the note attached contained clues about his identity.
Atreus was certain she had no evidence.
A broad hand reached from behind, caressing Catwoman's neck. Suspended in midair by webs, she squirmed a bit before giving up on resisting.
Her slight tremble betrayed the fear in her heart.
"Do you know? That idiot Daggett also thought he could control Bane by throwing money around…" As Atreus said this, every hair on Catwoman's body stood on end. He continued, "Guess what Bane said to Daggett?"
"I-I don't know."
"Bane asked, 'Just because you paid me, does that mean I have to listen to you?' Then, Mr. Daggett's neck got twisted to the right, and it never went back."
That was a lot to take in.
Catwoman had been hired by Daggett to steal Bruce Wayne's fingerprints. Daggett didn't pay her by clearing her criminal record, as promised. Bane's threat had made her too afraid to confront Daggett.
Now that Daggett had been eliminated by Bane, that was one thing. But the fact that Kratos knew the whole story?
With that reasoning, Atreus was probably just a pawn of Kratos.
If that were the case, then she, Daggett, Batman, Bane, and Atreus were all just pieces in Kratos' grand scheme?
Atreus spoke slowly, his voice low but with a gentle tone. In Catwoman's ears, it was far scarier than anything Bane had ever said to her.
Kratos wasn't just some brute anymore; he was a mastermind controlling everything!
As the thick hand stroked the skin on the back of her neck, Catwoman's whole body was covered in goosebumps, and her uncontrollable shivering gave her away.
Her brain was working like an overclocked CPU, running so fast it was almost smoking.
In the end, she made her decision by arching her back.
A perfect S-curve told the story of her choice.
"Please, don't kill me. I'll do anything to get out of Gotham's dark underworld."
"Gotham's dark underworld? Ha! Those guys are nothing." Atreus casually threw something onto the web in front of her.
It was an ebony mask, shimmering with a strange light.
Catwoman swore she'd never forget it for the rest of her life.
A look of shock and awe appeared on her face.
Her expression was a spectacle, as if she'd experienced every emotion in just a few seconds.
After the extreme shock, every muscle in her face relaxed, and she let out a string of light, bell-like laughs.
This wasn't the seductive laugh meant to tease a man!
It was pure joy, with even a hint of relief.
"Hahahaha! So it was Mr. Kratos who took down Black Mask? Why didn't you say so earlier? If you'd shown me this from the start, there wouldn't have been so many misunderstandings." She bent her back again as she laughed, her body once more arching, and she gently turned her head, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. "Maybe you've killed too many people to remember, but do you know what Roman Sionis—Black Mask—did?"
"Hm?"
"I once accidentally disrupted Black Mask's business. He didn't catch me, but he found my sister and her husband. That bastard had them tied up, and in front of my sister, he had her husband's bones broken, one by one, with a baseball bat. It took three hours for him to die, and then he forced my sister to eat her husband's corpse. She went insane…"
Catwoman's eyes blazed with fury and hatred for Black Mask, but also with relief that her revenge had been taken.
"Black Mask sent me the execution tape. I only had the courage to watch it once…" She began crying, recounting this painful past, and when she finished, she collapsed.
Atreus untied her. There was no need to keep her bound.
Fate, indeed, was a strange thing. He'd risen by killing Black Mask, but who knew that along the way, he'd gain so much more?
Catwoman took off her mask, revealing a face so perfect that no man could resist. She climbed onto Kratos' shoulder, testing a kiss on his pale lips.
Atreus didn't refuse.
On the contrary, he had a hunch.
If history and this world were to follow their natural course, then he, this "dutiful son," was now fighting over a girl with his wild "father."
Almost the instant their lips touched, a system notification appeared.
**[Congratulations, Host! You have completed the second stage of (Rebellion Against the Magnificent King). Your soul strength has increased to 25 points, unlocking the (Soul Plunder) ability.]**
**[(Soul Plunder): The Host can plunder and devour the souls of powerful individuals, strengthening themselves. Note: Some high-level artifacts require specific soul attributes and strength.]**
Atreus suddenly recalled the red souls he'd absorbed after defeating his enemies. It turned out this wasn't just for enhancing power—it was the key to mastering high-level artifacts!
But the most shocking part came next…
**[(Rebellion Against the Magnificent King) third stage unlocked. Mission Objective: The Host must become the leader of the Justice League.]**
Was this really the task?
A son paving his own path, leaving no road for his father?
How awkward!
Still, for both Atreus and Bruce Wayne, there was no turning back in this life. With Batman bankrupt, he had lost his wealth. Without money, even Batman's genius couldn't produce high-tech weapons.
If Batman was to avoid weakening, Atreus would have to take over.
It seemed that everything was connected.
As Atreus pondered, Catwoman made her move, but soon they both realized that neither was fully focused.
Atreus laughed.
Cats love homes, and dogs love people.
Cats often don't care who owns the home.
This applied to Catwoman, too. Atreus had avenged her sister, earning her gratitude. But did it spark some sudden, passionate love?
Sure! But how much? Perhaps not even Catwoman knew how much of her kiss was genuine and how much was an act.
Atreus patted her lightly on the butt. "I know you're eager, but don't rush. Let Bane have his fun for a while. Once everything settles, take some time to reflect on your heart, then decide whether or not to stay with me."
Elsewhere, Bane had captured Batman and was finally launching his grand plan to destroy Gotham City.
(End of Chapter)