Chapter 328: Chuck: I'm Really Not Batman, Nor Daredevil!
The Bay Harbor Butcher had intended to find this friend who had "reached out to him" and have some fun together, but to his dismay, he learned that the matter had already been handled, which he found utterly unacceptable.
It felt like being cockblocked after everyone else had already gotten naked.
For him, this feeling was even stronger.
His relationship with his current girlfriend was entirely a cover for his dark passenger.
After all, he was a forensic specialist dealing mainly with cops. A blood spatter analyst who was indifferent to women and only interested in violence and blood was simply too conspicuous.
And indeed, even with the foundation and connections built by his cop adoptive father, there was still a detective at the station who saw through his true nature and was constantly targeting and monitoring him.
He forced himself into a relationship to create an image, to gain the approval of most of his colleagues, and to prevent the detective's suspicions from being validated.
Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't be able to maintain his cover any longer.
Because once he was suspected and targeted, for his safety, he'd have to give up his nightly hunting.
And without regular hunting, he couldn't suppress his dark passenger.
So even though he felt nothing for the living, he still met his current girlfriend through his sister's introduction.
She was a single mother of two, suffering from intimacy issues due to repeated domestic abuse by her ex-husband during their marriage. Now, she only wanted relationships to develop slowly, very slowly.
The Bay Harbor Butcher perfectly fit this description. He could act as her public boyfriend and be a considerate partner to her emotional needs, hence the slow, non-coercive approach.
This relationship lasted six months with barely any physical contact, yet their relationship was surprisingly good.
His girlfriend felt she'd never met such a considerate man, willing to restrain his desires so much—what else could this be but true love?
But their relationship hit a snag tonight.
A few days ago, the Bay Harbor Butcher witnessed a series of corpses disposed of by a serial killer. To outsiders, this was horrific, but to him, it was an art form of exquisite skill.
Then, on his way home from a date with his girlfriend, he was still thinking about those images as they said goodbye, and without realizing it, his hand unconsciously became too aggressive.
This immediately triggered painful memories for his girlfriend, who angrily left.
He didn't know what happened, but he felt he might have to find another cover.
However, the next day, after thinking about his girlfriend all night, remembering his 'true love' for her, and feeling she couldn't find a better man, she called him over early the next morning, suppressed her fear of the past, and proactively said, "I want you."
The Bay Harbor Butcher was so shocked he didn't know how to react, and could only stammer, "Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome?"
His girlfriend could only say awkwardly, completely killing the mood, while taking the initiative.
Just when the Bay Harbor Butcher was wondering if he could continue the act, a life-saving call came, interrupting his girlfriend. Turns out her kid had gotten sick at the babysitter's house, so things had to stop, letting the Bay Harbor Butcher off the hook.
He couldn't help it!
He was completely indifferent to matters between men and women.
And now, something that truly stirred his emotions had suddenly stopped, making him somewhat anxious.
But as if understanding his current state, his phone vibrated again. He quickly opened it and found a new file.
It contained all the information about a wealthy, flashy trust fund kid in the city who'd committed heinous crimes and completely made a mockery of the law.
"Phew."
After looking at the photo of his 'new playmate,' the Bay Harbor Butcher finally let out a long breath, temporarily suppressing his dark passenger and anxiety.
Outside the bayside apartments
The refrigerated truck stood there, watching for a long time before finally starting to drive away.
Chuck naturally followed in his car.
Hailey was still bickering with her second brother Frank, mostly teasing him about his indelible experience of being 'taken down by a girl.'
"I won't let you have all the fun later—I'm doing it this time!"
Frank, annoyed by his younger sister Hailey's teasing, said on the other end of the phone.
"No way, please..."
Upon hearing this, Hailey immediately objected. She didn't want to miss this opportunity to personally demonstrate her combat prowess to Chuck. She instantly switched personalities, becoming the adorable little sister, showering him with sweet talk until Frank, on the other end of the phone, knew it was all fake, but still couldn't stay angry.
The refrigerated truck stopped in front of an abandoned building. The driver got out and went inside before Chuck's car pulled up.
After it stopped, another car arrived. The door opened, and a muscular figure climbed in.
"Frank!"
Hailey, sitting in the back, wasn't surprised at all, calling out cheerfully to the man sitting next to her.
"Hmm."
Frank replied with a stoic expression.
Well, when there's trouble, it's 'second brother,' when there's no trouble, it's 'Frank!'
And this proud man refused to admit to Chuck that he'd accepted his half-sister.
"Alright, let's get started."
Chuck glanced at his younger siblings in the rearview mirror and reminded them.
"Alright! Just watch!"
Hailey pulled up her red hoodie, opened the car door, and got out, head down, disappearing into the night like a crimson phantom.
"Is she any good?"
Frank watched her go, recalling his past attitude toward Chuck, and deliberately made a sarcastic remark. Then, knowing that this target was no joke, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. "Should we back her up?"
He didn't hear a reply, and subconsciously looked back at the driver's seat, only to find it empty.
"Where is he?"
"What do you think?"
Chuck's calm voice came through the earpiece.
"Damn it!"
Frank realized that his older brother had followed sometime earlier. Even though it wasn't the first time, he still got out of the car and crept over, muttering to himself, "When did you leave? Why didn't I notice?"
"I'm not Batman, and I'm not Daredevil!"
Chuck's calm tone came through the earpiece again.
"..."
Frank's lip twitched, speechless. "When did I say you were Batman or Daredevil?"
But despite saying that, every time he saw Chuck appearing and disappearing in the night, this superhero—practically the Punisher himself—never noticed.
He couldn't help but compare Batman and Daredevil, those superheroes who could appear and disappear in the darkness, to his older brother.
Hmm.
In some ways, they really were similar!
"So it's not my fault."
Chuck said seriously.
Frank: "..."
If Chuck didn't have Batman or Daredevil's superhuman stealth abilities, there was another possibility for this situation: he was slow to react. He was incompetent!
(End of Chapter)
[Reader Support Milestones]
500 Power Stones → +1 Chapter
10 Reviews → +1 Chapter
Enjoyed the read? Leave a review.
30+advanced chapters on P1treon Soulforger