Chapter 34: A Dark and Windy Night
A gloomy night. Lights flickered faintly on buildings and streets as dark clouds shrouded the entire city, concealing the starlight and the moon. Occasional whispers could be heard on the silent streets, mixed with the meows of cats and the roar of car engines. A grim, ominous aura permeated the air.
In a corner of the city, dense smoke rose from the chimney of an old building. A tall and thin figure walked side by side at the entrance of a dark alley.
They were A.R.G.U.S. Agents.
A few days ago, a bizarre incident that science couldn't explain occurred in Gotham City. The vast majority of the city's population was dragged into a nightmare. A giant named "Ultraman" then appeared in the dream world and, with unimaginable methods, defeated the culprit behind the Nightmare, saving the city.
The incident naturally drew the attention of A.R.G.U.S. In fact, A.R.G.U.S. had been paying attention to Gotham for a while. Ever since the giant starfish Starro was turned into fireworks by a casually-formed beam from that red-and-silver giant, A.R.G.U.S. had been searching for any trace of the behemoth.
Therefore, when Ultraman next appeared, their sights were already set on Gotham.
These two agents had come for this very reason. However, they weren't on a top-secret mission; they were simply in Gotham to investigate and gather detailed information about the Nightmare.
They had just finished a late-night meal and were leaving the restaurant, heading toward their safe house.
"So, we've known for a long time that aliens really exist?" the Tall and Thin Agent asked in surprise.
"Of course. Why else do you think A.R.G.U.S. exists?" the Short Agent said, as if it were obvious.
The two were a classic veteran-and-rookie partnership. The Tall and Thin Agent was a newcomer who had just been transferred to A.R.G.U.S. this month and was clearly not familiar enough with their department's history.
"Uh, I thought our existence was more of a contingency," said the Tall and Thin Agent. "You know, like, broadcasting a message into the universe based on the possibility that aliens might exist."
"And then some alien tells you 'Do not answer!'?"
The Short Agent shook his head.
"You really need to go do your homework, rookie. In fact, A.R.G.U.S.'s first contact with alien affairs happened far earlier than you can imagine."
"You must have been with the Organization for a long time, big bro?"
"Not that long, just twenty years," the Short Agent said, puffing out his chest unconsciously. "But honestly, I have experienced a bit more than you. Back in the day, on a top-secret mission, I single-handedly took a gun and fought my way from Coast City to Metropolis without even blinking."
"Huh?" The Tall and Thin Agent was astonished. "Wouldn't your eyes get dry?"
The Short Agent snapped his mouth shut and shot him a deadpan glare.
*I say I kill people without batting an eye, and you ask me if my eyes get dry?*
The Short Agent immediately clammed up, his face dark as he continued walking in silence.
The Tall and Thin Agent said weakly, "Big bro?"
"Shut up," the Short Agent said coldly. "I don't want to talk."
"...But big bro, I think someone's following us."
"I said I don't want to... Hmm?"
The Short Agent raised an eyebrow.
The Tall and Thin Agent was right. Someone was watching them, following them from behind.
This in itself wasn't particularly strange. After all, this was Gotham, where people died every day. Heaven knows how many skeletons lay at the bottom of Gotham Harbor, and how many vengeful souls drifted there.
However, based on experience, the elderly, the weak, women, children, or lone pedestrians were much more likely to be targeted. Two grown men like them—who looked like they weren't to be trifled with—being targeted was relatively rare.
A mugging?
Or could it be... something else?
The Tall and Thin Agent touched his own handsome, fair face as a sudden realization seemed to dawn on him.
*If that's the case, then while Gotham's criminals are utterly depraved, they certainly have good taste.*
"Come on out," the Short Agent said coldly.
The two A.R.G.U.S. Agents were naturally not afraid of common thugs; they were even a little amused at being targeted.
But they never expected that the person who emerged from around the corner was a woman.
She was an exceptionally beautiful woman, seemingly exuding a powerful, magnetic aura. Her bright eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight, revealing a hint of provocative charm when slightly narrowed. Her slightly curled hair hung over her shoulders like a black waterfall, soft and bouncy. Her lips were full and alluring, occasionally curling up slightly, as if holding countless untold secrets.
Of course, this was something the Tall and Thin Agent only noticed later.
The first thought that popped into his head was:
*Holy shit, they're huge!*
Influenced perhaps by their recent conversation, an even more absurd thought followed.
*That big... could she be an alien?*
*If she wants to have her way with me, I could be persuaded...*
The Short Agent took a step forward. "Ma'am..."
But before he could finish, a figure flashed before him.
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the woman had appeared right in his face, as if she had teleported.
With no time to think, the woman's slender hand was already pressed against his chest. A shocking power, completely at odds with her appearance, erupted from that small hand. The Short Agent only felt a monstrous force wash over him like a tidal wave. With a muffled groan, he was sent flying backward, tumbling several times before hitting a corner of the wall and falling unconscious.
"Big bro!"
The Tall and Thin Agent was shocked and hurriedly drew his gun.
"Don't move!"
Though his words were "don't move," his hand was already firing.
Evidently, despite being a rookie, the Tall and Thin Agent was already well-versed in the core tenet of American policing: shoot first, ask questions later. No matter what, taking down the opponent first was never the wrong move.
But it was useless.
The bullets struck the woman squarely in the chest.
For a moment, the scene was... spectacular.
But that was all. Several flattened and deformed bullets clattered to the ground. The woman looked down and frowned, then raised her head and looked coldly at the Tall and Thin Agent, who stood before her with his gun raised.
The Tall and Thin Agent stared at the bullets that had bounced off her, his mouth agape, too stunned to speak.
*Not human. She's definitely not human...*
The woman raised her arm and slapped him casually. The Tall and Thin Agent's head snapped to the side, and he too collapsed, losing consciousness.
Both agents were unconscious. A moment later, another figure appeared in the alley. The Tall Strong Man walked over to the woman's side and looked down at the spot where she had just been shot.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," the woman said lazily. "As expected of a primitive planet with a civilization level of three. Its weapons are so backward. I didn't even feel it."
"Really?"
The strong man reached out his hand.
"I don't believe you, unless you let me check."
"We have business to attend to," the woman shrugged, then gestured with her chin toward the two unconscious agents. "Carry them back. We need to interrogate them thoroughly."
"Alright."
(end of chapter)