Chapter-15 The moment you hit me, you lost (Rewritten)

Bane remained silent after stepping onto the stage, causing the surrounding laughter to gradually fade away and become silent. The carefree and arrogant expressions on people's faces turned serious and calm, as if a hushed aura surrounded them. Even though they were Bane's followers, they knew that he would not hesitate to kill them if they disobeyed.

"Do you wish to see me?" Bane's sharp gaze swept across Talia al Ghul and Barbara Gordon before finally settling on Stephen. His voice was hoarse and cold, sending shivers down people's spines.

Talia al Ghul appeared harmless like a flower, but Barbara Gordon trembled slightly, unsure if it was due to despair or anger. In the distance, James Gordon had previously raised his gun several times to protect the innocent, but now he had to lower it. This was no longer just his daughter's personal affair; he couldn't sacrifice his daughter for the people behind him or for Gotham.

"Hey, I'm curious. What does it look like beneath your mask?" Stephen gazed at Bane with interest. "Do you have to remove it every time you eat or drink? What about kissing? Or brushing your teeth? Hmm... I have an idea. Take off your mask. I want to see your face without it."

Silence!

A deathly silence filled the air.

Although many people were curious about what lay beneath Bane's mask, none dared to ask him directly, let alone request him to remove it. It was almost akin to asking for death. Everyone looked at Stephen with a mix of bewilderment and horror, including Barbara Gordon. Is this guy insane? Even though he betrayed us, why would we provoke Bane?

"Humph."

Bane let out a sound that could have been interpreted as a laugh or a grunt. He raised his hand and stroked his mask, speaking hoarsely, "If you wish to see it, try to remove it yourself, if you think you're capable!"

"Why should I do it myself? It's such a bother."

Stephen murmured before releasing Talia al Ghul and Barbara Gordon, casually walking towards Bane as if he hadn't heard the menace in his words.

Idiot, he's asking for death.

Some eagerly anticipated witnessing Stephen's fate, while others couldn't bear to look directly at the scene, tilting their heads slightly.

Step by step, Stephen strolled leisurely, approaching Bane until they were face to face. He stood still and raised his head, addressing Bane with a polite smile. "Very well, here I am."

Bane's eyes turned gloomy as he glanced from Stephen to Talia al Ghul. They exchanged a brief look, and Talia al Ghul seemed taken aback before lowering her head, as if she nodded in agreement. Although Bane didn't understand why Talia al Ghul didn't want to reveal her identity at that moment, he already knew what needed to be done.

Observing Stephen recklessly attempting to grab his mask, Bane's eyes grew cruel and violent. His powerful arm muscles seemed ready to burst, and the veins in his clenched fists were visible.

The punch was thrown, accompanied by a whooshing sound. The fist neared Stephen's face with tremendous force.

At such close proximity and incredible speed, Bane was certain that he would crush Stephen's skull with a single blow.

Even Batman, also a member of the League of Assassins, couldn't defeat him and had his back broken. And Stephen? Bane didn't pay any attention to him. All he needed to do was kill Stephen and unleash his fury for Talia al Ghul!

Just as his fist was about to connect with Stephen, Bane suddenly realized that Stephen had vanished from his sight. The next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest as Stephen's kick landed, propelling Bane several steps back.

"How...?"

"Where does his slender frame draw such power from?"

Bane planted his left foot firmly on the ground, attempting to regain his balance and fight back in a fit of anger. However, when he looked down, he discovered that Stephen had disappeared once again.

What the...?

While Bane searched the surroundings for Stephen, the people on both sides were left dumbfounded.

How... how is this possible? Are our eyes playing tricks on us?

He actually managed to push Bane back?

And even leaped into the air.

This height couldn't be achieved by an ordinary person, could it?

"Over your head?"

Bane, being Bane, quickly reacted and looked up.

Under the dazzling sunlight, a figure descended from the sky.

In the instant Bane attempted his punch, Stephen had already replicated Bane's abilities. Yet even prior to that, his own fighting skills couldn't be underestimated. He had mastered the techniques of Catwoman, Batgirl, and Talia al Ghul. While Bane's fighting abilities came from the League of Assassins and other sources, it didn't matter. Stephen had no intention of mastering 127 fighting styles like Batman. The key aspect was his physical attributes.

Bane's strength!

Unlimited accumulation, twentyfold!

The twentyfold strength enabled Stephen to leap into the air by exerting force through his feet. As Stephen looked down at Bane, a smile formed on his face. Bane, who raised his head and clenched his fist, was bathed in the dazzling sunlight.

"Bane, do you recognize the hand that falls from the sky?"

Golden light enveloped Stephen's body as it descended. When the golden radiance faded, Stephen had already struck Bane's fist with his own.

Bane sank, and the stone ground beneath him cracked and caved in. The immense strength and pressure caused Bane's bones to shatter instantly. His legs couldn't support his robust frame, and he fell forward. His fists went limp, his arms bent and dangled.

Boom!

Bane's face slammed forcefully into the ground.

Soon afterward, a gentle breeze blew.

Under the scorching sun, a wounded Bane, his hand twisted in an unnatural manner, lay motionless on the ground. Stephen walked over and stood beside him, causing everyone to shudder and feel a chilling sensation.

As Stephen surveyed the surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers, some lowered their heads while others attempted to avert their eyes.

He bent down and reached out, gripping Bane by the back of his neck. Bane's eyes appeared vacant, filled with an incomprehensible disbelief. He was the same Bane, yet a single punch had broken every bone in his body?

"The moment you attempted to strike me, you were already defeated," Stephen whispered, pulling Bane's head closer. He extended his hand towards Bane's mask, giving it a forceful tug.

Snap!

Blood spurted, obscuring vision.

This brutal scene caused many to instinctively close their eyes and mouths, flinching slightly as if they were experiencing the pain themselves.

"Hmm, perhaps I used a bit too much force? Ah well, it's become boring again. I have no desire to see your face now." Observing Bane convulsing and spewing blood like a fountain, Stephen muttered before attempting to reattach the mask to Bane's face, only to find that it had become loose.

Crack!

Bane slumped to the ground once more.

Unconscious, convulsing, motionless.

Note: Yes, our protagonist, Stephen, is an overpowered lunatic who finds entertainment in anything, even though this is a Chinese novel. He isn't like those typical do-gooders. If you must compare him, consider The Joker or Deadpool with overpowering abilities.

Another possible reason for his behavior is that when he acquired Protégé's abilities, he may have also absorbed some of his personality traits, such as a childlike nature. Well, that could be another explanation.

Real Author: Marvel King

Translator: Zatch[King]Rex