Chapter 799 "The Killer Cat"
In the early morning, Catwoman, all dressed up and carrying a small bag, leaned over to ask Jerry, who was nestled in the cardboard box.
Jerry opened his eyes and lifted his head, marveling at the vast size difference between humans and cats. After a moment's consideration, he shook his head in refusal.
"I'll pass. I want to continue my training," Jerry replied.
The conversion of magic power through the Little Red Star was a crucial process, aiding him in absorbing energy more efficiently.
However, the subsequent transformation and strengthening of his body, along with the expansion of the bell universe, demanded his undivided attention and time.
Shopping and leisure held no appeal for him. The primary soul of the Marvel world was currently engaged in daily relaxation and amusement.
Just moments ago, he had been chasing Hermione on the beach with a water gun.
"Alright, suit yourself. I'll leave you to it," Catwoman acquiesced.
She couldn't quite comprehend Jerry's notion of "practice," often mistaking it for mere sleep. Nonetheless, she dared not disturb him during these sessions; Jerry's temper was notorious, and the repercussions of disturbing his practice could be severe.
One night, out of boredom, she had interrupted Jerry during his practice. In response, he had bound her with a magically conjured rope and suspended her from the ceiling for the entire night, rendering her speechless.
As Catwoman's departure registered, Jerry resumed his practice, delving his consciousness once more into the cat bell adorning his chest.
Previously, he had only crudely fashioned a bell universe, with many imperfections. Now, whenever time allowed, he dedicated himself to refining the bell universe, making adjustments and enhancements.
Expanding its scope, introducing flora and fauna, and establishing basic ecological systems with insects and plants – were among his ongoing tasks.
Presently, his focus shifted to the creation of the first batch of intelligent races.
Given the limited area of the bell universe, just over 100 square meters, the creation of human-sized intelligent beings was impractical. Such an endeavor demanded an unsustainable amount of magical energy.
Thus, the intelligent race he intended to create would be no larger than an ant.
Drawing inspiration from a race encountered during his cosmic travels with Star-Lord, Jerry sought to replicate their achievements.
Despite their diminutive size, these beings had developed a sophisticated society and wielded advanced laser weaponry – a fascinating feat.
Having conducted thorough research and acquired a comprehensive understanding of their genetic makeup during his encounters, emulating them posed no significant challenge for Jerry.
The motive behind Jerry's endeavor to create an intelligent race was intricately linked to his restoration of magic.
Jerry's remarkable surge in magical prowess within the Marvel Universe owed much to various factors. Alongside siphoning some of Dormammu's potent magic and consuming the entirety of the Ego star, a significant portion of his power surge stemmed from magical lending.
As residents of his ring universe increasingly borrowed magic from him, Jerry accrued more substantial returns, resulting in an exponential acceleration of his magical potency.
Though his bell universe was in its nascent stages, Jerry possessed the requisite experience to fashion an ant-sized intelligent race, replicating previous endeavors with ease.
"We need to separate a few cats to prevent them from harming the fledgling beings as they develop."
Presently, Jerry's bell universe still housed his feline mother and three siblings from his native realm. Being of the tabby cats, these kittens were exceptionally lively.
Without intervention, these creatures posed a threat to the nascent life Jerry sought to nurture.
To mitigate this risk, Jerry erected a magical barrier to partition the bell universe, allocating one side for the four cats' habitation while reserving the other as a sanctuary for the burgeoning life forms.
As night descends, Catwoman dons her leather jacket and grabs a small whip for some nocturnal amusement while Jerry unfurls his wings to embark on another quest for earning little red stars.
Just after dispatching a corrupt senior official who had colluded with a gang and employing mind-reading to compile evidence of his misdeeds and planting it on the body, Jerry notices a drone hovering outside the window.
The festering corruption that plagues Gotham City isn't solely attributable to its populace's moral decay; rather, it's largely fueled by the nefarious machinations of certain high-ranking individuals within its corridors of power.
The recurrent wave of criminal activity in Gotham finds its roots in the unholy alliance between these nefarious elements and the city's elite. As long as self-interest reigns supreme and unscrupulous entrepreneurs and officials continue to exploit the system for personal gain, Gotham will remain mired in its cesspool of vice and depravity.
However, for Jerry, these shadowy figures pulling the strings behind the scenes, masquerading as upstanding pillars of society, inadvertently present an opportunity to amass more little red stars.
Unmoved by their status, wealth, or influence, Jerry views them all as mere ants—prime sources of his coveted little red stars.
So, while thwarting criminals, Jerry employs mind-reading to uncover the masterminds behind them, opting for more surgical strikes over widespread brawls across the city. Yet, his endeavors often intersect with Bruce's surveillance drones.
Fortunately for Jerry, dealing with Bruce's drones proves no significant obstacle. Upon spotting them, he swiftly dispatches them with a cutting spell, vanishing before Bruce can intervene.
After a week of relentless pursuit, Jerry amasses a considerable cache of little red stars, bolstering his strength significantly. However, this spree poses a significant challenge for Bruce and his ally, Commissioner Gordon, who doggedly pursues him.
Night falls on Gotham City, and atop the Police Department building, Gordon anxiously activates the bat signal, hoping to summon Batman.
Gotham, unlike other cities, has never known true peace. Yet, this week has been particularly tumultuous. First, a formidable thief descends upon the city, targeting the treasures of affluent families. Witnesses describe her as a woman in her thirties, clad in a leather jacket and sporting a peculiar cat-themed headgear.
Everyone named her "Catwoman."
At first, the emergence of "Catwoman" seemed like a typical theft case involving some lost diamonds and jewelry. Wealthy families could easily recover from such losses, and as the director, Gordon didn't feel particularly pressured.
However, the situation took a darker turn with the appearance of a murderer within the same week.
Numerous gangsters, their leaders, and even some fugitive criminals met their end in various gruesome ways across Gotham City. Each victim bore evidence of their crimes.
What intensified the situation was not just the targeting of gangsters, but also the killings of respected entrepreneurs and senior officials within the sanctity of their homes.
While the evidence against the victims was undeniable, this wave of vigilante justice angered the city's top brass. They exerted immense pressure on the police force to apprehend the perpetrator.
Their stance was clear: regardless of guilt, individuals should face trial under the law, not be summarily executed. Vigilantism was deemed criminal, and justice demanded arrest and due process.
Batman's code of conduct, restraining him from taking lives, was acceptable to the authorities. However, this unknown murderer's ruthless actions stirred a collective outrage that Gotham City could not abide.