LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 73: Chapter 73
(1/3)
Metropolis.
This was a true metropolis, with blooming flowers, towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and crowds of people flowing like endless tides.
The energy of the lively crowd radiated warmth, infusing the entire city with vitality.
This was not just a city—it was the city. Vibrant, full of life, and one of the world's greatest urban marvels.
Even begging here had an air of dignity compared to the despair of the suicide slum. Of course, there were no beggars on the streets, only street performers with violins, guitars, or saxophones. They added charm to the urban landscape, standing beside empty cases waiting to be filled with appreciation.
This was a city of art and technology.
The people here were cultured, polite, and charming, each brimming with confidence and talent.
Their voices carried conviction and eloquence.
It was hard not to be drawn to such a place.
Bardi stood by the window, gazing at the bustling streets of Metropolis below. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he found himself amused by the scene.
This city was starkly different from Gotham. Where Gotham was dark and oppressive, Metropolis was bright and lively. They were polar opposites, almost as if the world were constantly caught in a tug-of-war between justice and evil, light and darkness, order and chaos.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Bardi shifted his gaze to the blue sky above.
Behind him, Lex was deep in negotiation with a rotund man who had a ruddy face and an air of wealth. The man, Noy, was discussing the sale of his company, Noy Biotech.
The day before, Bardi had brought Lex Luthor to Metropolis, a world away from the dirty, chaotic streets of the suicide slum. The contrast couldn't have been more striking. Every corner of Metropolis was clean, orderly, and infused with culture and liveliness.
For Lex, the transition had been overwhelming. At just thirteen, he had stepped out of the hellish slum and into a new world, a place full of opportunities and possibilities. It left him excited, wide-eyed, and utterly fascinated.
They were staying in the Galaxy, a five-star hotel that towered above its surroundings, one of the most luxurious buildings in the area. From their high vantage point, they could see the city in all its glory. The previous night, Lex had stood by the window, trembling with excitement as he gazed at the blurred rainbow lights of the city, the endless streams of car headlights, and the glittering constellations of urban life. His eyes shone with ambition, and his body seemed to vibrate with the sheer thrill of being in this place.
This, Lex had thought, was where people were meant to live.
Bardi had silently observed the boy, noting the fire in his eyes and the way he barely suppressed his trembling. That radiance of ambition, it was exactly what Bardi had hoped to see.
The corner of Bardi's mouth curved into a subtle smile.
At the table, Lex sat across from Noy, the expensive steak in front of him untouched. It wasn't that he wasn't hungry, it was simply that the task at hand consumed him entirely.
This was the first task Bardi had entrusted to him, a business negotiation. The night before, Bardi had handed Lex a set of documents with a simple directive: make the deal.
Lex had spent the entire night poring over the information, his adrenaline keeping him awake and alert despite the exhaustion.
Failure wasn't an option. He couldn't return to the slum. He couldn't allow himself to fail.
This negotiation was a test, one that could shape his future in Bardi's eyes. Lex was determined to prove himself.
Noy, meanwhile, looked visibly dissatisfied. Cutting into his steak with exaggerated slowness, he chewed without a word, his face impatient as he glanced at the boy sitting across from him.
Finally, Noy turned to Bardi, who was still standing by the window, his shadow stretching long in the sunlight.
"Mr. Bardi," Noy began, his tone tinged with disdain, "it seems you're not taking this acquisition seriously. Sending a boy to negotiate on your behalf? It doesn't inspire much confidence."
Bardi didn't turn around. He tilted his head back slightly, letting the sunlight warm his face as he spoke.
"The boy represents me. Whatever price he decides, higher or lower than what I'd consider acceptable—I'll honor it. The decision is his."
Noy's eyes lit up with greed.
A child negotiating? This would be easy.
Dabbing the corner of his mouth with a white napkin, Noy forced a smile and looked at Lex with thinly veiled condescension.
"Well, in that case, let's settle this. Twelve million… no, let's say fifteen million dollars. That's a fair deal! After all, Noy Biotech is a leading biotechnology company."
Lex's expression didn't waver. His gaze remained locked on Noy, sharp and unwavering.
"A leading biotechnology company?" Lex replied evenly. "That might have been true fifteen years ago. Now it's on the verge of bankruptcy and can't even pay its employees' salaries."
Noy's smile froze.
This boy… was far more difficult than he'd anticipated.
"Well, that's a bit exaggerated," Noy said, his voice faltering slightly. "The company's profits may have dipped, but we're far from struggling."
Lex didn't blink. "Eight million dollars."
The room seemed to tense at those words.
Lex had spent the day researching Noy Biotech, as well as Noy himself. The man was flashy, appearing in numerous magazines and news articles, but Lex had picked up on subtle hints that his financial situation was dire.
The lack of jewelry or expensive watches, a stark contrast to his public persona spoke volumes.
Lex knew Noy was desperate.
"I can't accept that," Noy said, flustered. "Eight million? That's absurd!"
Lex leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but firm. "Your company owes seven million dollars to the bank and in unpaid wages. Taking over your company means starting with a massive debt."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"But if you're willing to fill that hole yourself, we wouldn't mind paying fifteen million to acquire it."
Noy's lips trembled. He had no money to fill such a gap.
"The equipment—" Noy began, grasping at straws.
Before he could finish, Lex interrupted.
"The most valuable genome sequencers, biological safety cabinets, and transgenic electrophoresis equipment have been sold off by you to pay your debts," said Lex.
Noy stared at him in shock. "How do you know?"
"It was just speculation," Lex replied calmly, "but now you've confirmed it."
Noy's expression grew grim. He had been an incompetent man from the start, squandering the family business his father had left him over the past decade. Lately, his gambling habit had spiraled out of control. Out of desperation, he had sold the company to clear his mounting debts.
Every word Lex spoke hit like a dagger to his heart. After a brief but tense standoff, Noy found himself completely outmaneuvered by Lex's pressure and persuasion. Ultimately, under the guise of "reluctant" kindness, Lex convinced Noy to sell the company for $9.5 million.
Noy finally exhaled in relief, knowing his debts were now cleared.
After the deal was sealed, Noy even developed a surprisingly favorable impression of Lex, going so far as to claim they had become friends.
Standing by the window, Bardi took a sip of vodka, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Lex Luthor. A smart man. Not bad at all."
---
At the headquarters of the Hundred—a luxurious nightclub—gangsters and criminal figures milled about. In this era, it was common for criminal organizations to use nightclubs as their bases of operation. These venues not only served as their lairs but also catered to the wealthy and influential, offering pleasures far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Eldridge Whale, head of the Whale family, had received an invitation earlier that day. The infamous Bardi from the Suicide Slum had invited him to the Galaxy Hotel at seven o'clock the following evening to discuss control of the Metropolis underworld.
Eldridge's son, Tobias Whale, stood beside him. A towering figure with massive hands and a body resembling a mountain, Tobias had a rough, menacing face and pale skin so unnaturally white it seemed corpse-like. Though his features might suggest a dead man, his sheer size and presence radiated power and intimidation.
Tobias was not an ordinary man. Born with albinism, he was fundamentally different, stronger and more dangerous than most people. To those who knew him, he was practically a supernatural being with terrifying physical power.
"Father, are we going?" Tobias asked, his deep voice laced with anticipation. "I've heard rumors about Bardi. They say his body is invulnerable, his strength is monstrous, he can leap forty meters in a single bound, and he's strong enough to kick a helicopter out of the sky." A fierce, predatory light gleamed in Tobias's eyes.
Eldridge snorted in disdain. "It's nothing but theatrics, a made-up story to build a false legend. But I won't let him encroach on our territory in the Suicide Slum. That's our domain, and he's not qualified to take food from my table."
"And yet, you're not going to the meeting?" Tobias's tone grew colder.
"Why bother?" Eldridge said dismissively, tossing the invitation into the trash.
Tobias's eyes narrowed as his breath became slow and deliberate. Without warning, his pale, oversized hand shot out, grabbing his father by the neck. Eldridge's face twisted in shock and terror as Tobias effortlessly snapped his neck with a single, brutal motion.
"Father," Tobias said coldly, watching the lifeless body fall to the floor. "You're outdated. You don't understand what true power means. But I've seen it."
He bent down and retrieved the crumpled invitation from the trash, his eyes burning with ambition.
---
Elsewhere, in a luxurious villa, Mannheim, the leader of the Intergang, sat in thought. Squinting at the invitation Bardi had sent, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. Several assassins he had hired to eliminate Bardi had vanished without a trace.
The rumors were troubling. It was said Bardi possessed extraordinary strength, and his body was impervious to bullets.
After deliberating, Mannheim made his decision. He would not attend the meeting himself. Instead, he would send his son as his representative.
---
In a dimly lit conference room, a long, dark red rectangular table dominated the space. Seated around it were the wealthy elite, aristocrats, tycoons, and influential figures. None of them had fortunes below $100 million, as such meager wealth would not grant entry into this exclusive circle.
Had any reporters managed to sneak into the room, they would have recognized the faces of these individuals from the pages of Metropolis Magazine, where they were often hailed as industry leaders and titans of power.
Discussions filled the air, a blend of arrogance and pragmatism:
"The Suicide Slum is still in chaos?"
"My antiques are waiting to be shipped."
"The smuggling operations need stable routes."
"We need to restore order there."
"We can't allow the Suicide Slum to stabilize, it would ruin our operations."
"Pressure the police and the government. Have them send in the military to deal with these criminals."
"The assassin organization failed again. Five elite killers dead, and they still couldn't take down Bardi."
"What a joke. How can they call themselves assassins?"
At the head of the table sat Vincent Edge, one of the most powerful men in the room. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, instantly silencing the chatter.
"We're not a gang," Vincent said evenly. "This is just a playground for us. Don't take it too seriously."
He paused for effect before continuing, "Since everyone's attention is focused on the Suicide Slum, we shouldn't overextend ourselves. There's no need to waste resources or attract unnecessary trouble."
"These bugs aren't worth our time."
He glanced around the table, his voice cold and authoritative. "I'll contact the League of Assassins and have them take out Bardi. It'll serve as a warning. Let the chaos in the Suicide Slum sort itself out over time."
The assembled figures nodded in agreement. For them, patience was a virtue. As members of the upper class, they had no desire to dirty their hands with the insignificant worms below.