The Multiplicity

"He was known internally as The Multiplicity."

"Four days ago, he appeared and robbed the vault at the Central City Wells Fargo Bank branch, taking jewelry worth a total of thirty-five million dollars, as well as 3.2 million dollars in cash."

Mark took off his glasses, his gaze stern and serious as he continued, "His methods were very straightforward."

"Based on surveillance footage and eyewitnesses at the scene, we can be certain that he possesses abilities beyond those of ordinary people."

"He could instantly create countless duplicates of himself. Those duplicates forced their way into the vault at the Central City Wells Fargo Bank branch, blew it open with bombs—brutal, simple, without the slightest bit of technical finesse."

"He brazenly took jewelry worth thirty-five million dollars, including a rare purple diamond necklace, the Dream Star."

Alex studied the case file intently. With the light from outside the window reflecting across the pages, he turned to the final page, a few doubts arising in his mind.

Why had The Multiplicity appeared in Central City? And what about Firestorm?

Alex had not seen any newspaper reports about Firestorm emerging as a superhero. Had they not successfully merged yet? Or had something gone wrong?

After thinking about it briefly, Alex cast those thoughts aside.

This was a real world. It would not be strange for accidents to happen. It was unrealistic to expect every villain and hero to remain in one city. It was normal for The Multiplicity to come to Central City. He stopped worrying about Firestorm's safety and recalled what he knew about The Multiplicity.

There had only ever been one Multiplicity in the DC universe. Unlike other villains and heroes, whose mantles had been inherited across several generations until even the timelines were muddled and it was impossible to tell who was who.

There was only one Multiplicity.

Danton Black.

He was a nuclear physicist under Stagg Industries, assisting Martin Stein with nuclear experiments. On the eve of the nuclear power plant's activation, Dr. Stein discovered that Danton had been stealing blueprints and selling experimental equipment, so he fired him. After being dismissed, Danton turned around and accused Dr. Stein of stealing his research results.

One night, he infiltrated the laboratory to steal the experimental blueprints and fabricate evidence that he had developed the experiment first. That happened to be the night Dr. Stein activated the experiment.

The experiment went wrong and affected three people: Dr. Stein, Danton, and a student named Ronnie Raymond. Ronnie and Martin merged into the hero Firestorm, while Danton gained the ability to duplicate himself and became the villain The Multiplicity.

The Multiplicity was also Firestorm's first villain.

"Is that all the information there is?"

Alex lightly tapped the closed case file with his fingers. It was thin, only five pages long. They listed the stolen jewelry, estimated the number and range of The Multiplicity's duplicates, and little else. They did not even know what Danton Black looked like.

That was because Danton Black had kept his face covered throughout the crime. When he duplicated himself, the duplicates appeared to possess some sort of skin mimicry, copying the original's clothing and keeping their faces covered as well.

All they could infer from shoe size and surveillance footage was that he was around 1.82 meters tall and weighed roughly eighty kilograms.

Those traits fit countless people in Central City.

With so little information, unless Danton Black showed his face while selling the jewelry, anyone who managed to find him would be unbelievably lucky.

"Yes. In addition, Patty, the police department's forensic expert, is matching fibers from clothing left behind by The Multiplicity and analyzing bomb residue. You can ask Patty about it later," Mark said.

Alex's fingers paused. Patty... she was Barry's girlfriend, wasn't she?

Alex had nearly forgotten that he would have to deal with her.

Still, it was only official business.

"Is there a problem?" Mark asked when he noticed Alex's expression freeze.

"No. I'll go get the results from her later," Alex replied calmly.

Mark continued, "To make bombs capable of blowing open a bank vault, this criminal must be highly educated. The department has been searching for several days, but there has been little progress. The situation is not optimistic, Alex."

"I know you've always understood these superpowered people well, and you've been gathering information on them. The entire department will cooperate with you to capture him. If necessary, I authorize you to shoot him dead."

Mark's brows were tightly furrowed, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"I know some gangsters and have a few sources. Don't worry, Mark. I'll have people in Lower City keep an eye out for any large-scale jewelry transactions lately."

Alex nodded. He had not yet confirmed whether The Multiplicity was the Danton Black he knew, so he did not dare make any promises. He could only look into the department's remaining clues and investigate on his own before making further plans.

The police department also had some informants in Central City's underworld, but no news had come in so far. The longer this dragged on, the greater the pressure on Director Mark. Central City's news outlets had already begun criticizing the department's incompetence in dealing with superpowered individuals.

The Central City Wells Fargo Bank branch was also constantly pressuring him, leaving him overwhelmed. That was why he had brought Alex into the department so quickly and established the Special Ability Handling Team, hoping it could achieve results.

But now there were no leads, and they could not even find the man. Even if Alex had the strength, he had nowhere to use it.

Mark nodded and reminded him, "Alex, I hope you can bring me good news as soon as possible. The media and the mayor have been putting a lot of pressure on me lately."

"I understand, Mark."

Alex understood Mark. As the police director, he knew how much pressure Mark was under from the overwhelming news coverage and the newly emerging superpowered crimes.

He also understood Mark's way of dealing with someone possessing abilities beyond ordinary people: if they could not capture him, they would shoot him dead. There was no room for mercy.

For the peace of Central City.

After discussing Bert and Al Swan, along with introducing some details about the police department, Director Mark stood up, opened the office door, and led Alex outside.

Clap, clap...

Director Mark clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the many officers gathered in the hall. Curious, they all looked toward Alex.

Alex stood calmly beside Director Mark with a faint smile, his gentle but polite gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Everyone, let me introduce you."

"Alex Liang will serve as the captain of the Special Ability Handling Team."

"I believe Alex will work well with all of you, and that together, you will strive to serve Central City."

Director Mark introduced him with a smile.

Clap clap clap clap clap...

Naturally, no one present would refuse to show respect. They applauded in welcome. Those who did not know Alex looked at him curiously, while those who did smiled, gave him thumbs-up, and praised him.

Being able to take the captain's position of the Special Ability Handling Team from Al Swan was worthy of their praise.

After Alex had calmly and gently introduced himself, meeting and shaking hands with everyone one by one, Director Mark handed him over to Jenson and had Jenson first show Alex around the department and introduce its various divisions.

After seeing Director Mark return to his office, Jenson unceremoniously punched Alex in the chest. Grinning broadly, he praised him, "Good kid, the student has surpassed the master! You've already surpassed your father!"