Battle Of Gods

Chapter 19 : Professor's Final Attack

Leonard sat in stunned silence, absorbing the weight of Karl's story. The harsh fluorescent light of the hideout cast sharp shadows on the professor's face, emphasizing the lines of anguish etched into his features. Leonard's heart ached for the man who had suffered so much loss and injustice.

"I can't believe it," Leonard said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "You went through all of that, and no one did anything. No one cared."

Karl nodded, his expression grim. "After the massacre, I was consumed by grief and rage. I couldn't let it go. I started digging, researching everyone involved in the incident. I found out who was responsible, who covered it up, who made sure there was no justice for those kids."

Leonard felt a pang of empathy. He couldn't help but relate Karl's relentless quest for vengeance to his own actions the previous year. The memory of his fight against Polar, the secrecy, the desperate need to protect those he loved—it all resonated deeply with him.

"I get it," Leonard said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've done things, too. Things I had to keep secret to keep people safe. I understand why you did what you did."

Karl's eyes softened for a moment, a brief flicker of understanding passing between them. But the moment was short-lived. The professor's gaze hardened again as he turned to Adolf, who was bound and gagged in the corner of the room.

"It's time to get some answers," Karl said, his tone icy.

Adolf's eyes widened in fear as Karl approached him. Despite his bravado, the man was visibly trembling. Karl began questioning him, demanding to know the whereabouts of the Ashes boss. Adolf remained stubbornly silent, his loyalty to his gang unwavering.

"You're not going to talk?" Karl asked, his voice dangerously calm. "Very well."

What followed was a brutal session of torture. Leonard watched, conflicted and horrified, as Karl used every method at his disposal to break Adolf's resolve. The man's screams echoed through the hideout, each one a testament to Karl's unyielding determination.

After what felt like an eternity, Adolf finally broke. His voice ragged and filled with pain, he revealed the location of the Ashes' main hideout, where their elusive boss was hiding.

"It's in an old castle on the outskirts of the city," Adolf gasped. "Everything you need to know is there."

Karl said, "very well then. Now you rot here." Adolf was left unconscious due to severe pain and injuries.

Karl nodded, satisfied. He secretly walked over to a small table and mixed something into a glass of water. 

He handed the glass to Leonard. "Drink this. It's a pain medicine"

Leonard hesitated, but the intensity in Karl's eyes left him little choice. Reluctantly, he took the glass and drank. Almost immediately, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. His vision blurred, and he struggled to stay upright.

"What did you...?" Leonard managed to say before the world went dark around him.

Karl caught him as he fell, gently lowering him to the ground. "You'll be out for two days," he murmured. "I'm sorry Leonard. You are good kid. And I know you mean to help, but I have to do this alone. I can't risk your life."

Turning back to Adolf, Karl's face hardened once more. Without hesitation, he electrocuted the man, ending his life. There was no mercy left in Karl's heart for those who had a hand in the massacre.

With Leonard unconscious and Adolf dealt with, Karl gathered his equipment and left the hideout. His mind was set on one thing: finding and destroying the Ashes boss.