Chapter 208: Establishing Authority!
Arrival at Green Lamb Town
The small town looked like it was stuck in the nineteenth century. There were no power lines, mailboxes, or phone booths. The muddy roads and low wooden houses gave the impression of crossing through time.
The town had few inhabitants. From a distance, only two plumes of smoke were visible. An old dog was tied to the fence near the village entrance. It lay on the ground, and when it saw the newcomers, it didn't bark, only watched them with indifferent eyes.
"Miss Magician, can you sense the magical energy fluctuations on other people?"
"I can only sense it if the person is actively using magic," she said, pausing to add, "And please stop calling me 'Miss Magician.' You may call me Ms. Zatanna."
Luke glanced at her full-figured clothes and shook his head. "The word 'Ms.' applies to mature, intellectual women. Your body fits the requirement, but your age is too young. If I recall correctly, you're not even twenty yet."
Zatanna pouted. "You talk as if you're so much older."
"You haven't tried, so how do you know I'm not?"
Zatanna: "..."
Is this guy flirting with me? Damn it, I'm being flirted with by a minor!
Luke cleared his throat. "I heard you know a spell that can read people's memories."
Zatanna was startled. "How do you know that?"
"It seems you do!" Luke chuckled. "It was definitely the right choice to bring you along. Having you with me will save a lot of trouble."
Zatanna's mind was a mess. Luke's words seemed pointed and made her uneasy. This guy wasn't just here for an expedition; he definitely had another objective.
After a moment of hesitation, she couldn't help but ask,
"What exactly are we doing here? I have to warn you, the magic I know is all low-level, and sometimes it even fails. Don't expect me to fight the magical creatures in the forest."
"Don't worry, Miss Magician. You'll be fine, and it won't be your turn to act. As for the objective, you're better off not knowing."
The ultimate goal of this operation was to gather criminal evidence against President Joel Nash for colluding with a cult. This was highly classified information. Not only was Zatanna in the dark, but the supporting FBI agents were likely unaware as well.
A Violent Introduction
Talking and laughing along the way, the three walked into the town. Despite the sparse population, a tavern was still operational, which was odd.
The tavern's name was striking: "Green Abyss." It looked ancient. Leaning against a wooden post outside the main entrance was a lean, weather-beaten man in tactical outdoor clothing. Judging by his attire, he was an adventurer too. The man, about thirty-four or thirty-five, had a cold, impassive expression, and his tightly knit eyebrows gave off an intimidating sense of ruthlessness.
Seeing Luke, he frowned slightly.
"This isn't a place for kids."
Luke ignored him and stepped toward the tavern. The middle-aged man expressionlessly examined the three. After lingering for a second on Luke and Zatanna, his gaze settled on the tall, heavily built Adam. The two men had a similar cold demeanor, but the difference was that the middle-aged man's coldness stemmed from countless fights, while Adam's came from his lack of human emotion—he was an undead creature.
The middle-aged man's brow furrowed tightly, his muscles bunching up like a hunter who had encountered a rival, exuding a sharp fighting spirit.
Zatanna stuck out her tongue, thinking how terrifying this man was.
Luke was annoyed by his scrutiny. He turned back.
"Give him a lesson."
Adam surged forward. His massive fist shot out with unimaginable speed.
The middle-aged man instinctively raised his arm to block.
Thud!
Fist met forearm. The sheer force made the middle-aged man's face contort. The wall behind him cracked. He stumbled backward, rolling into the hall with a shower of splintered wood.
The fight was so sudden that the FBI team eating breakfast looked up, startled.
Luke walked through the door and spread his arms for a beautiful girl with purple eyes and purple hair sitting at the bar.
"Emily, long time no see."
"Lu—Luke, what... what are you doing here?"
Luke strode forward, cupped her delicate face, and kissed her hard. "Miss me?"
The girl was stunned, her cheeks flushing visibly. She was completely bewildered. Sensing the strange atmosphere around them, she quickly pulled away, looking like a startled rabbit, unable to lift her head.
Luke laughed heartily, putting his arm around Emily's shoulder and whispering secrets only they understood.
The atmosphere was bizarre. Everyone looked at each other, their minds full of questions.
What's happening?
Who is this teenager?
Nelson Durk, the supervisor of the Greenwood Plan and Jack Harvey's confidant, extended his right hand.
"Hello, Ghost."
"Don't use the name 'Ghost.' My face is so handsome that everyone here will recognize it eventually, even if they don't now."
Luke scanned the room, his indifferent eyes landing on every person. "My name is Luke Shaw, codename Ghost. I am the person you've been waiting for. From this moment on, you will all follow my command."
Everyone's expression changed instantly. They were all elites, the best of the best from various departments. Even if conscripted by the Director, they wouldn't easily take orders from a mere boy.
Nelson frowned.
"That is not protocol."
Luke scoffed. "Your boss brought me here to set the protocol, not to follow it. If you want to win, you'll follow my arrangement. If you refuse, the door is wide open; feel free to walk out."
The middle-aged man, knocked down by Adam's punch, stood up.
"Why should we listen to you? A boy who hasn't even fully grown."
Luke snapped his fingers.
"Adam!"
Adam stepped forward. His huge hand grabbed the middle-aged man's face. Using his immense strength, he lifted him one-handed into the air, then balled his right hand into a fist and punched him hard in the abdomen.
With just one hit, the middle-aged man lost all ability to resist, shaking violently like a cooked shrimp.
Hearing the commotion, the tavern owner, an old man about sixty with salt-and-pepper hair, a thick beard, and filthy clothes that smelled from a distance, rushed downstairs.
"Damn it, what are you doing? No fighting in my tavern! My wall! Who knocked down my wall?"
Luke glanced at the owner's filthy hands, then pointed to the struggling middle-aged man and explained,
"These two gentlemen had successive relations with a certain hot-bodied woman last night, and then they ran into each other again this morning. And then, well, you know..."
Everyone: "..."
The Old Man: "..."
"I don't care what you're here for. If you smashed my wall, you have to pay for it. And you..." The old man sized up Luke. "Kid, are you here camping?"
"No, I'm here to catch people."
"Catch people?" The owner frowned, confused. "Catch who?"
Luke pulled up a chair and sat down, saying slowly, "I hear the Swamp Forest is hiding a group of cultists who worship a demon. My goal is to capture them, chop them up, and toss them into the sea for the fish."
When his voice faded, the air fell into an unnerving silence.
Not only the local tavern owner, but even the accompanying FBI agents were completely dumbfounded.
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