Chapter 183: Embracing Darkness, Yearning for Light

In the serene chamber atop Star Ring Tower, wisps of smoke curled through the air. The delicate fragrance of premium sandalwood wafted from a finely crafted copper incense burner...

Dressed in her red and black bodysuit, Elektra knelt on a Japanese tatami mat, her eyes gently closed as she immersed herself in her daily meditation practice.

This was part of the training regimen Sean had designed for her...

The power of the Black Sky originated from the demon 'god' worshipped by the Hand. Elektra had once been possessed by The Beast, which awakened the darkness within her, turning her into Alexandra's killing machine.

Later, with Sean's help, she overcame the bloodlust induced by the Black Sky, locking the malevolent will of The Beast deep within the cage of her mind.

Since then, Elektra had followed Sean's advice, meditating daily to strengthen her mental fortitude and tame the beast within. She believed that one day, she would fully harness the power of the Black Sky.

Occasionally, she would spar with Sean, both in and out of bed...

His growth in strength was something Elektra couldn't comprehend. After absorbing the Dragon Bones coveted by the Hand, Sean seemed to transcend human limitations, evolving from an equal sparring partner to an overwhelming force.

In a remarkably short time, he had undergone an explosive transformation. Elektra sometimes felt as though she was facing a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex... his strength, speed, reflexes, and overall physicality had shattered human limits, elevating him to a superhuman level.

As the sole leader of the Hand, Elektra had delegated most of her responsibilities to Wesley. She relished the thrill of power, but had no interest in burying herself in mundane affairs.

Whenever she gazed down at Hell's Kitchen from above, she was deeply drawn to its dark allure. The bustling streets and shadowy corners all lay beneath her feet. The most vicious thugs, the most arrogant crime bosses, and the most lawless desperadoes all had to play by her rules.

This was the freedom Elektra craved... no longer bound by Stick's commands or shackled by morality and rules. As her thoughts shifted, the power of the Black Sky roared violently within her...

Taking a deep breath, the current leader of the Hand suppressed the surge of bloodlust.

This constant mental struggle only made her stronger. And with Sean as her ultimate safeguard, the risk of losing control was minimal.

After subduing the beast within, Elektra received a message. Her brow arched slightly as she picked up a short sword from the weapon rack and strode out the door...

...

Meanwhile, the Daredevil, now transformed into the Ghost Rider, had stormed through the building, reaching the 32nd floor...

His entire head was engulfed in flames, and his hollow eye sockets blazed with fire. The Spirit of Vengeance, having absorbed countless sinful souls, let out a bone-chilling cackle.

"James Wesley! The root of Hell's Kitchen's corruption!"

Daredevil's voice was hoarse as he gripped Wesley by the throat, roaring, "Bring me that man!"

Matt Murdock hadn't forgotten the mysterious figure who had turned Hell's Kitchen into a private kingdom.

It was he who had led Elektra into the abyss of darkness, single-handedly defeated the Defenders, crushed the street-level heroes, coldly executed Danny Rand, the Iron Fist, and secretly controlled all the gangs, cloaking their crimes in a veneer of order.

"I've gathered evidence of your crimes. Once the source of this evil is destroyed, Hell's Kitchen will return to normal!"

Wesley avoided the fiery gaze of Daredevil's hollow eye sockets, forcing a cold smile, "Return to normal? You mean, let the gangs run wild again, fighting to the death over street corners and port territories? Then you costumed vigilantes can swoop in, playing hero and basking in the adoration of the people?"

Though his voice trembled, Wesley showed no fear...

He knew Daredevil's origins... a blind lawyer who had once fought Wilson Fisk, nearly dying at the hands of Bullseye, and later clashed with the Hand. It was only after the arrival of that young boss that the street-level heroes had been thoroughly driven out.

"Is that how you justify your actions? Draping yourself in righteousness?" Daredevil's raspy voice sent chills down Wesley's spine.

He lifted Wesley into the air, slamming him against the sturdy glass wall, "Look at this place! Hell's Kitchen! Has it become better under your rule? I've investigated Ramon Phillips. The Hand, through Rand Enterprises, has been greedily seizing land, trying to turn this place into a private kingdom for criminals and thugs! Developing shipping routes to smuggle contraband, weapons, and drugs!"

"...The crimes you've committed are countless. The poor are driven out, families torn apart, left to wander the streets. Meanwhile, you criminals live in luxury, indulging in decadent lives! You trample the law, scorn morality and justice, bribe officials, and threaten civilians with violence... yet you still get to play the philanthropist!" Daredevil's voice was filled with rage.

He was willing to make a deal with the devil, betraying his faith and principles, all to restore true peace to the neighborhood he had grown up in.

Blind from birth, Matt had been sent to an orphanage after his father was killed by gangsters. Mocked for his disability, he later met Stick, who taught him Eastern martial arts. A kind-hearted director sent him to public school, but as a poor kid, he was often bullied. The introverted Matt buried his pain and anger, silently enduring it all.

With his exceptional intellect, he excelled academically and was admitted to Columbia University to study law. Back then, Matt had aspired to be an upright lawyer, striving to uphold justice. But reality dealt him a harsh blow.

"So what will you do, Daredevil?" Wesley gasped and struggled against Daredevil's grip, his eyes filled with mockery, "Kill us, let Hell's Kitchen revert to its old ways, and then what? Keep fighting gangs, sending greedy businessmen to prison? Will that eradicate evil?"

"...Tell me, Daredevil, what's your grand plan? Maybe you can curb crime for a while, but can you eliminate the selfish desires in people's hearts? Even God can't do that!"

Daredevil fell silent for a moment, the flames in his eye sockets dimming. But the Spirit of Vengeance within him roared in anger, craving more souls to fuel its wrath.

"At least I won't let evil run rampant," Daredevil's voice was devoid of human emotion.

Gazing out at the glittering city, the flames in his eyes flared brightly, "None of you understand. I can make this city better! So, before that happens, I'll wipe you all out!"