What a Loser!

After Downton's declaration fell, the private room fell completely silent.

Falcone had not heard a declaration as certain as Downton's in a very long time.

For the past thirty years, he had stood at the very top of Gotham, witnessing far too much madness and hysteria.

But madness did not frighten him, nor did hysteria stir his pity. Only Downton's calm certainty made him realize that he had grown old.

Watching Falcone's gaze gradually settle, Downton lazily leaned back against the sofa.

Falcone was considering how to deal with him, while Downton was thinking exactly the same thing.

If an enemy like himself appeared before him, how would he deal with him?

The silence lasted for a while, until a knock came from the door.

Downton and Falcone instantly focused on the door. Falcone watched Downton, while Downton gripped his gun.

"Come in."

Falcone finally gave permission, and the door was slowly pushed open.

A moment later, a woman carrying a silver tray appeared before Downton, with a figure and face beyond reproach.

Seeing the woman, Falcone first relaxed, then could not help frowning as he asked,

"Why you?"

At the same time Falcone spoke, Downton froze slightly before blurting out,

"Anne Hathaway!"

"It's Selina Kyle."

Setting Falcone's question aside, Selina gave Downton a bright, energetic smile.

"So even outdated pickup lines can leave a deep impression. I hope you remember my name. It would be my honor, sir."

Only after responding to Downton did Selina look toward Falcone and bow slightly.

"Mr. Falcone, a room with only you and Mr. Downton in it is rather oppressive. All the other girls were terrified, so only I was suitable to bring these in."

"Leave."

Watching Selina give him the same perfunctory smile as always, Falcone frowned slightly and waved her away.

Driven off by Falcone, Selina nodded slightly, then gave Downton another curious look.

Was he the Wraith who had made her so-called father wary?

The ability to return from the dead, a brain that seemed decent enough, and reckless methods like those of a brute?

That combination was indeed somewhat interesting, but why would Falcone fear him? Did he have ambitions similar to Falcone's?

Selina disliked ambition. The sky and freedom were her only loves and pursuits.

Still, if Wraith could help her take revenge, then even if he was unpleasant, she could make some contact with him.

Besides, Wraith was young, which was good news for her.

So when she reached the door, she happened to turn back, as though she had only just noticed that Downton had been watching her all along, and gave him a perfectly timed, shy smile.

Little men were the easiest to hook~

Beside them, Downton watched Selina leave, her black-stockinged legs crossing one over the other.

He blinked appreciatively.

Across from him, Falcone noticed the appreciation in Downton's eyes and gave a light cough.

"What are you coughing for? An old man like you can't relate to a young man like me anymore?"

Downton waved Falcone off, then continued staring at the closed door.

"Look at that broad just now. She was fucking hot—I could barely keep from bending over.

A woman like that must be incredible in bed. I'm sure every man who sees her thinks exactly what I do, but hypocrites just refuse to say it.

And you, do you dare say you've never thought that?

Old Carlo, can you still get it up?"

Mocking Falcone, Downton picked up the red wine and poured himself a glass.

Listening to the wine splashing into the goblet, Falcone tapped his fingers against the table.

"If I were you, I would not say something like that in front of me, because she is my daughter."

"Pfft!!!"

Hearing Falcone's words, Downton, who had just taken a sip, violently sprayed it out.

Holding the glass in disbelief, Downton stared wide-eyed at Falcone.

"Selina Kyle is your daughter?!!"

"Why are you so surprised? Her mother was as alluring as she is. Couldn't the younger me have made a mistake?"

Falcone furrowed his brow suspiciously. At that moment, he was certain that Downton knew this daughter he had never acknowledged, but...

What channel had he used to obtain all this information?

That channel was far too interesting. He even knew about the covert cooperation between Falcone, the Court of Owls, and the League of Assassins, yet he did not know Selina was Falcone's daughter?

At that moment, Downton could not help laughing too. What a hodgepodge Gotham was!

He had only been here for a single day, yet look at all the people he had met.

The Penguin and Falcone from the Gotham TV series, Selina Kyle from Nolan's trilogy, Alfred from the Arkham City game—and Selina Kyle's relationship with Falcone was actually from the new Batman movie!

Downton was incredibly curious now. Which version would the Batman who had yet to appear be?

No way, could it be the Ben Affleck Batman from Justice League?

That thing was vicious as hell!

Then again, Batman had always been vicious as hell!

For a moment, Downton could not help imagining what it would be like when he met Batman.

With his ability, plus Batman's sense of responsibility...

Wouldn't Batman have to catch him eight times a day?

Joker at least waited a year or half a year between prison breaks, but he never even waited overnight!

Downton began to look forward to it. If he alone consumed all of Batman's time, how would Batman deal with that?

Just as Downton laughed to himself, someone knocked on the door again.

In an instant, Downton gripped his gun tightly once more.

Since the previous knock had brought the wine and food he wanted, this knock should bring the person he wanted!

But for some reason, Falcone no longer had that heavy feeling from before. Watching Downton prepare to kill, Falcone instead smiled faintly.

Click.

After the door was pushed open, Victor and Sabatino entered one after the other, while Selina Kyle, standing guard outside, peered curiously into the room.

Noticing that only Downton's glass contained wine, Victor naturally stepped forward, picked up the bottle, and poured Falcone a glass.

Just as Victor was pouring, Downton suddenly stood up.

Victor reacted quickly. The instant Downton rose, he instinctively moved to restrain him.

But Falcone reacted even faster than Downton. He directly pressed down Victor's hand, stopping him.

Downton strode up to Sabatino and asked, meeting Sabatino's scrutinizing gaze,

"You're Sabatino?"

"That's me. You're the one who had the boss bring me here...!"

Bang!

Downton shot Sabatino in the thigh, blasting him straight to the floor.

Planting a foot on Sabatino's chest, Downton fired three more shots, hitting Sabatino's other limbs.

Amid Sabatino's incredulous scream, Downton bent down and smashed Sabatino's face with the butt of his gun.

"I have to thank you, pal. If it weren't for your war with the Dimitrov Family, I wouldn't have known I was immortal.

Look at us, what a connection we have. Since you helped me uncover my immortality, I have to help you uncover what makes you special!"

With that, Downton stuffed the barrel of his gun into Sabatino's mouth, choking off his scream.

At that moment, Sabatino stared in utter disbelief at Falcone, who sat calmly in the distance.

He could not understand why Falcone would actually tolerate someone killing him right in front of him!

Even if Falcone wanted him dead, he should never have allowed him to die before his eyes!

What the hell had happened to this world?

Bang!

With the gunshot, Sabatino went to hell, still confused about the world.

After admiring Sabatino's death, Downton sneered and shook his head.

"Looks like you had no talent."

After saying that, Downton pulled the gun from Sabatino's mouth and beckoned toward the slightly startled gaze outside the door.

Whoosh!

That gaze instantly disappeared, while Downton returned to his seat across from Falcone.

Setting his pistol on the table, Downton exhaled in satisfaction and said to Falcone,

"Consider it a favor you're owed. Even if we become mortal enemies, I'll pay it back someday."

"No. Since you admit you owe me a favor, why must you wait until someday to repay it?"

Falcone interrupted Downton, leaning forward with both hands on the table in interest.

"You made me lose a fairly capable subordinate. That loss is far too great, so I've decided to use your favor right here.

Become my son-in-law. Bring your talent into the Falcone Family, Downton!"

"What the fuck are you talking about???"

Facing Falcone's proposal, Downton slapped the table with an amused laugh.

"Are you kidding me?"

"This is not a joke. But rest assured, I will not insult you by offering a bastard daughter like Selina. You will marry a legitimate daughter of the Falcone Family."

"That's fucking worse than Selina. Your joke has gone way too far!

If you had my ability, you'd know we could never sit together. A lion can only face its throne after defeating another lion.

The strong thirst for war. Only small men hope to inherit, old man!"

Downton irritably downed a glass of red wine, then hurled the glass against the wall.

"I was planning to have a proper meal here. I haven't eaten decently all day, and even the only steak I had, I ate in a rush.

What a shame. You old bastard who originally seemed so reliable has gradually become unreliable, and you're ruining my appetite.

Anyway, Sabatino is dead. It's time for me to find my next debtor.

This fucking Gotham is getting more absurd by the minute!"

With that, Downton tucked his gun back into his waistband and swaggered out the door.

Noticing Selina standing guard at the door with a wonderfully expressive look on her face, Downton grinned and grabbed her cheek.

As he pinched the flesh of Selina's cheek beneath her shocked stare, Downton said irritably,

"You still have the nerve to smile? Your dad just said marrying you would be an insult, you stupid bitch.

If I were you, I'd storm in there and carve a few good ones into his face. Let him know those manicured nails of yours aren't just for show!

What a loser!"