Night of the Owls

Ah...

Roar!

Boom!!!

"Watch out, Tommy!"

"That big thing's coming at me..."

Ace Chemical Factory was in chaos. Countless beasts rampaged in every direction, and the police were completely unable to hold them back.

A Tyrannosaurus Rex charged toward the police car barricade. Bullets struck its body, leaving holes no bigger than flies. They were utterly insignificant.

It sprang up on its powerful hind legs, and before the stunned eyes of the officers, a police car was crushed flat beneath its feet.

Immediately afterward, its thick tail swept across, sending another police car flying.

Behind the Tyrannosaurus Rex came large beasts such as rhinos and brown bears. In just a few minutes, they had wrecked every police car blocking their path.

Smaller mutated beasts like wolves, deer, dogs, and rats immediately rushed into the crowd. Relying on their speed and agility, they constantly bit down police officers and left them injured.

Vultures, eagles, and owls circled overhead without pause. They screeched harshly as they swooped down, dragged people into the sky, and dropped them. The police quickly found themselves unable to hold on.

"We can't keep this up, James! Without heavy firepower, the casualties are too high! The boys can't hold the line!" an older officer roared at the top of his lungs.

As the chief of police, Gordon naturally saw it all. The men he had brought were officers with justice in their hearts. Watching them die made his heart bleed.

"Where's the National Guard? Why haven't those bastards shown up yet?"

A young officer, his face covered in blood, ran up to Gordon. "Commissioner, I've requested reinforcements three times in a row, but the National Guard said they haven't received orders from above and can't deploy."

"Bullshit! Are their radar satellites blind? How could they not see something this serious? Give me the phone!"

Commissioner Gordon snatched the phone from him and quickly dialed a number.

"Mars, what the hell are you doing? Gotham is rioting. A pack of prehistoric monsters is destroying everything. Why haven't your people shown up?"

On the other end of the line, Mars sounded completely calm, unlike the frantic Commissioner Gordon. "Sorry, Gordon. I haven't received any orders."

"To hell with orders! Are your surveillance systems blind? My men are dying every second, and you sons of bitches are still waiting for orders?"

"I'll say it again. Without orders from above, the National Guard cannot deploy. Sorry!"

"Mars! Mars! Wait, Mars!"

Beep...

A busy signal came from the other end of the line.

"FUCK! You're all sons of bitches!"

Furious, Gordon smashed his phone to pieces.

At the top of Boris Tower, second only to Wayne Tower in Gotham City, more than a dozen members of the Court of Owls dressed in suits and formalwear had gathered. At the center of the group sat an old man in a wheelchair.

The wind atop the building was strong. Men of status like those in the Court of Owls would normally never appear in a place like this, but today, no matter how fierce the wind was, it could not conceal the heat and excitement in their hearts. After tonight, the owls would completely control Gotham.

The old man coughed several times, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Has the list been sent out?"

The man behind him nodded. "It has. After tonight, Gotham will be cleaned up."

"Good. What about the troublesome ones?"

"Everything has been arranged. Batman and the Gotham Police Department have gone to Ace Chemical Factory to deal with the League of Assassins and the Foot Clan. We've already paved the way with the National Guard, and there's no need to worry about the military. They're even less likely to interfere."

The old man nodded and went over the possible loopholes once more. Feeling that everything was under control, he calmly spoke three words. "Begin the operation!"

As soon as he said that, sharp whooshing sounds suddenly rang out behind him. From the shadows, more than a hundred Talons in Owl Suits moved at once, racing between the skyscrapers and scattering in every direction to deal with their targets.

After they were awakened, each of them had received a list. The names on it belonged to those who opposed the owls or refused to join them. They all held a certain degree of influence in Gotham—either wealthy tycoons or political elites—and would obstruct the Court of Owls' rule.

For example, the first name on the list was Bruce Wayne. Below him were Grand Justice Ihamesson, Sidney Elliot, head of the Elliot Family, and even Oswald, the Penguin.

At Ace Chemical Factory, the Gotham Police Department had already suffered more than fifty percent casualties. James Gordon could no longer bear the losses. Behind these hundreds of officers were hundreds of families, and they were the foundation for changing Gotham's police force. They absolutely could not all die here.

Gordon glanced into the chemical factory and silently apologized before shouting, "Retreat! Everyone, retreat immediately!"

But police officers were only human. Fear had long since spread through their ranks, and there was no need to continue a meaningless battle. The thought of retreat had already taken root in their hearts. Once the commissioner gave the order, they withdrew as quickly as possible.

After the police retreated, the mutated beasts also began advancing toward the city center. Destroying Gotham would happen today.

"Hahahaha... Let you have a taste of my knee too!"

Two-Face howled as he sprang in front of Nightwing. He drove his raised knee hard into Nightwing's abdomen. Even Nightwing could not withstand that mutated strength. He coughed up blood and was sent flying backward.

The Foot Clan ninjas immediately swarmed forward, several steel blades slashing down at his body at once.

Just then, a burst of rapid gunfire rang out. Dozens of bullets swept out in a fan-shaped barrage, killing all the ninjas surrounding Nightwing at the same time.

Then, a figure in a fitted combat suit and red mask charged in, holding two Uzi submachine guns.

"You look pathetic, Nightwing!"

Nightwing glanced at the newcomer, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said, "You came at just the right time, Red Hood. Things aren't looking good."

"They're not just not looking good. They're downright terrible. The Gotham Police Department has been crushed, and those monsters are charging toward the city center."

"What!" Everyone was shaken.

Bruce threw out several Batarangs and forced Shredder back. "Hold him off. I have to capture Ra's al Ghul. Only then can we salvage this."

Although Red Hood often clashed with Bruce, deep down he still respected and loved his old man. He clicked his tongue in disdain, but his body honestly charged straight at Shredder.

"Kid, you think you can stop me? Keep dreaming!"

Shredder was extremely displeased that Batman had abandoned him. He did not think much of Red Hood and turned to pursue Batman.

But gunfire suddenly erupted behind him. Shredder could only stop chasing and kick off the ground, leaping onto a shipping container.

Red Hood said in a cold voice, "I'm not like them. To me, killing is the best way to solve a problem."

"I can see that. Then I'll deal with you first!"

Many readers have asked for the development of advanced technology. I've actually already written that in my drafts, but the protagonist will only have time to work on it after this incident is over.

Also, thank you all for your support, and thank you to Jiuluo Xingyu for the donation.

Finally, being a new author isn't easy. I humbly beg for all your support for this new book.