Chapter 37 Don't have to feel uncomfortable around me. (Rewritten)

"Whom are you talking about?" Stephen responded casually.

"You mean the person whose perfume I can smell on you?"

"Really? I thought I took a shower. Maybe it was affected afterward," Stephen tried to sniff, but he didn't smell anything. Wow! Sometimes a woman's nose is better than a police dog's. He hugged Felicity, bringing her close, and said with a smile, "In the morning, I supervised Laurel's training. In the afternoon, I helped that person get rid of the bodyguards at the park, and I took a ride with that person to Central City. I just got back."

"This is the sonic equipment I bought for Laurel. Please check it to see if there are any problems inside," Stephen handed the sonic equipment to Felicity and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll take another bath. Is there anything to eat at home? I'm starving. Could you get something for me? I haven't eaten anything yet."

Seeing Stephen walking naturally towards the bathroom, Felicity responded with a blank expression.

"Sonic equipment?" Looking down at the equipment in her hand, Felicity went to the kitchen to heat up something for him before returning to the living room to check the sonic equipment.

As she thoroughly inspected the sonic device, Felicity was amazed at its design. It was delicately crafted and powerful at the same time. The size was compact and easy to carry. The sound wave power had different levels. This thing could be very effective if used with caution.

"Did you find any problems with it?"

Stephen came to Felicity's side and hugged her after taking a shower and having something to eat.

"It's a very powerful design, and there are no defects in the equipment structure," Felicity said. "But there is one thing: when the device is activated, it also affects the user. So the user needs to be prepared for the feedback in advance."

"That's alright, then. We don't need a locator. Just focus on the issue you mentioned, and if possible, get a pair of earplugs with lower volume," Stephen said disapprovingly.

"Yeah," Felicity nodded.

Professional equipment requires professional materials. Although Felicity could make earplugs that met her needs, it would be difficult for her to do so without the necessary resources. She didn't have the money, equipment, or materials. Stephen planned to let Laurel find ways to acquire her own equipment in the future.

After asking Felicity to provide him with Talia Al Ghul's phone number, Stephen went out to meet Laurel at the same small hotel as yesterday. It happened to be the same room.

"Why did we have to come here again?" Laurel asked Stephen, feeling embarrassed.

"What? Are you afraid of being seen by others?" Stephen asked with a smile.

"I don't have enough money to book a room with you here every day," Laurel said bitterly.

"Then make money. If you want to be a hero who protects the city and punishes the wicked, you can't be short on money. Oh, I almost forgot. Take this. It's the equipment I personally acquired for you yesterday," Stephen took out the sonic equipment and handed it to her.

Laurel was stunned. "What? You acquired it again? From whom? From where?"

"My dear, get used to it. If not, then try to stop me if you have the strength!" Stephen explained the usage of the equipment and continued, "But for the time being, you won't be able to use this stuff. I'll keep it for now, and only when you've laid the foundation, I'll give it back to you. Okay, now don't get lazy and let's start today's exercise."

"In the morning, you'll do physical exercises, and in the afternoon, I'll personally teach you fighting skills."

Life is always tough, and we can't resist it, so why not enjoy it? Although Laurel didn't know if Stephen's words held a deeper meaning or not, she had no choice but to accept them as they were.

Silently taking off his coat, Laurel saw Stephen lying down on the bed again. She gritted her teeth and continued.

Just like yesterday.

To avoid being shocked by Electric Laurel, she was focused and meticulous. But even so, after the morning training, she had been shocked numerous times. She felt that she would become immune to electric current in the future.

After taking a shower and taking a short break without eating, the afternoon fighting training began.

Laurel had no prior fighting experience, so Stephen chose several fighting techniques that could leverage her physical advantages. They mainly included Muay Thai and French kicking, combined with freestyle fighting and taekwondo.

Adding Wing Chun would have been ideal, but unfortunately, the person he copied didn't know how to perform it. And he didn't bother to learn it. He would have to wait for Batman to come back. Nevertheless, these techniques were enough for Laurel to learn for the time being.

Stephen didn't seem to have the concept of being tender and protective towards women (lián xiāng xī yù). Even if he knew about it, he wouldn't show mercy just because Laurel was a woman or because she was without clothes. When the training eventually concluded, Laurel's once-white body was now covered in bruises.

"Alright, you can go back now and rest early. Don't be late tomorrow," Stephen said to Laurel from the hotel.

"I may not be able to come tomorrow," Laurel hesitated.

"Why is that? Is something wrong?"

"I'm planning to move out of my parents' house, and I'll have to move tomorrow," Laurel explained.

"Living on your own, huh? That's fine. It'll be more convenient then. Just wait until you finish moving."

"Okay."

Laurel responded and limped away, exhausted.

Stephen went around to find a public phone booth and called Talia Al Ghul.

"Hey."

As soon as he called, he heard Talia Al Ghul's cold snort and teeth gnashing on the phone.

"It's you again!"

Stephen chuckled softly. "Impressive. You still remember my voice so vividly. Does Bruce Wayne know about it?"

"What do you want?" Talia Al Ghul asked coldly.

"Not much. I just want a uniform made of the same material as Batman's. I'll provide you with the size and requirements. Can you remember them correctly?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"..."

Stephen paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Yes, I am threatening you. If you don't comply, I'll expose your identity and release the photo I took. How about that? Are you scared now? Don't you think I'm shameless? Or do you want to kill me? Under what circumstances do you feel so uncomfortable around me? You really don't need to feel uncomfortable around me?"

...

Marvel King [author]

Zatch[King]Rex [translator]