Chapter 273: Mantlescramble Battle (8)
Chapter 273: Mantlescramble Battle (8)
"Director Gordon will arrive at this factory tonight, only to be captured by Freeze. Twenty-four hours later, there will be a plot where Gordon defeats Freeze elsewhere." Feng Bu Jue didn’t rush into the factory building. Instead, he first surveyed the terrain and potential escape routes around it.
"Come to think of it… the starting time point for this scenario seems too early. None of the critical events have occurred yet. The prison convoy transporting Arkham inmates hasn’t been hijacked. That will happen first, followed by Black Mask ordering the prisoners to rob Two-Face’s firearms and attack the Gotham City Police Station in a series of actions. The heroes’ Mantlescramble Battle will coincide with all of that…" He mused inwardly, "To catch up with these events, I’d need to stay in this scenario for two or three days. But that’s obviously impossible. In this Non-Sleep Mode scenario, staying too long would exceed the gametime limit… In other words, the system isn’t giving us much room to alter the main quest plot in this kill game mode. It’s merely borrowing the Gotham City setting to provide us with a battlefield for combat."
His understanding of the scenario’s framework was accurate. The task before him was undeniably arduous…
For Feng Bu Jue, the weakest combatant among the six players, reversing his disadvantage and securing victory required leveraging every available resource within the scenario.
While reading newspapers at the inn, he had devised three strategies. The first: kill and impersonate Black Mask, take his place, manipulate the Arkham inmates to attack the other players. The second: infiltrate the Batcave, steal a massive amount of equipment to bolster his combat capabilities. The third: raid Freeze’s Frozen Pulse Rifle.
The first strategy was the optimal choice, but execution was extremely difficult. Though Feng Bu Jue knew the Second Generation Black Mask’s true identity and his plans, locating the man’s hideout, killing him, replacing him, and accelerating the prison break schedule involved too many variables. Each step carried a high risk of failure.
The second strategy was a middle ground. Time wasn’t an issue, but the risks and difficulty remained problematic.
There were two Batcaves in current-day Gotham City. One was in Wayne Manor, the other in the collapsed subway ruins of the city’s basement levels (formed after the earthquake during the No Man’s Land incident). Both Bruce Wayne’s Batcave and Jason Todd’s Diy "knockoff cave" likely housed numerous pieces of equipment, all of at least fine-grade quality…
Locating either Batcave wouldn’t be difficult for Feng Bu Jue. With his reasoning ability, checking maps and urban transportation records would suffice. The problem was: entering was easy, leaving was hard.
Currently, all the "Net of Gods" heroes treated the Batcave as their base. Barbara (Director Gordon’s daughter, former Batgirl paralyzed by the Joker in The Killing Joke, now operating as "Sage") also permanently stationed herself there. Sneaking in would be disastrous if he encountered any superhero.
As for Jason Todd’s Batcave, it was usually unoccupied, but if someone was present… Feng Bu Jue’s infiltration would be a death sentence. Todd was essentially a gun-wielding, lethal version of Batman. The canonical description of the Third Robin was clear: his combat style was brutally aggressive, his martial arts techniques masterful, his marksmanship divine-grade, and his movements undetectable in shadows. Criminals encountering him couldn’t even perceive his motions…
Attempting either Batcave would likely result in Feng Bu Jue never returning.
Thus, he settled on the third strategy—yielding the smallest gains but highest certainty.
Freeze’s combat power was average, and his weakness to heat was glaring. Avoiding direct confrontation while he wielded the Frozen Pulse Rifle made defeating him straightforward. Even a commoner like Director Gordon could manage it.
Moreover, even if Feng Bu Jue subdued Freeze before the police arrived, it wouldn’t impact the world’s main quest. It would merely result in Victor Freeze being arrested a day earlier. After all, Freeze was destined for Cold Steel Mountain Prison, unrelated to the Arkham storyline.
"If only this scenario’s time limit were longer… If I could connect with a powerful antagonist, provide them intelligence, I could even destroy the Justice League’s headquarters and gift the other players a few nuclear bombs…" Feng Bu Jue muttered as he completed his perimeter check and returned to his starting point. "Hmm… Entering through the second-floor window seems like a solid choice…"
"Ah, I see. You’re planning to steal Freeze’s Frozen Pulse Rifle, aren’t you?" A voice interrupted Feng Bu Jue’s thoughts.
Hearing this, Feng Bu Jue’s heart tightened. Instantly, he realized he’d encountered another player.
"From your words… it seems you’ve been tailing me for quite some time", Feng Bu Jue said calmly, slowly turning to face the voice. "Why didn’t you ambush me?" He smiled. "I hope you don’t say something like… ‘It wasn’t necessary.’"
Zhao Ying Wang’s unremarkable figure emerged into view. Calmly, he replied, "Even an ambush requires the means to execute it." As he spoke, he withdrew a handgun from his satchel. "For me, ambushing you would rely on this."
Feng Bu Jue’s guard rose—only to watch Zhao Ying Wang casually return the handgun to his satchel.
"Heh… Unfortunately, my shooting proficiency is only F-grade. At a distance, I’d likely miss you eight times out of ten", Zhao Ying Wang chuckled. "And for a close-range ambush, with my E-grade martial arts proficiency, I’d still lack confidence.
"Besides, we’re both around level thirty. Do you think I could sneak close enough without you noticing? Based on my observations, you’re extremely cautious. Anyone approaching within five meters of you would draw your attention—even a slight arm movement, let alone drawing a weapon."
As Zhao Ying Wang spoke, Feng Bu Jue studied his expression. After the explanation, Feng Bu Jue responded, "I see no signs of deception on your face. That leaves two possibilities… Either you’re a master-level liar, or your words are genuine." He paused, locking eyes with Zhao Ying Wang. "Assuming you’re truly a player with poor martial arts and shooting proficiency, your presence here suggests two possibilities." He raised one finger. "First: you’re weak, so you’re seeking an alliance to confront other players in this scenario." He lifted a second finger. "Second: your mechanics, spirit arts, or summoning proficiencies must include at least one exceptionally strong skill, giving you confidence to defeat me."
"Oh?" Zhao Ying Wang’s interest seemed piqued. "Arrogant, yet accurate." He replied. "Any more?"
"Of course." Feng Bu Jue’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Whether walking or riding in a taxi, I’ve constantly monitored for tails. I noticed nothing. You must know your tracking methods are undetectable to me. In this situation—where you’re hidden and I’m exposed—why reveal yourself? If you wanted to kill me, wouldn’t it be better to wait until I confronted Freeze?"
Feng Bu Jue paced, stroking his chin. "Combining your information, I’ve formed this hypothesis… Regardless of your tracking methods, your combat style must be extremely conspicuous."
Zhao Ying Wang’s eyes flickered.
"Like massive robots, grandiose spirit arts visual effects, or monstrous summoning creatures", Feng Bu Jue continued. "This makes things logical." He added coolly, "If you acted in the city, even if you killed me, you’d inevitably draw the police, superheroes, and other players."
Feng Bu Jue sneered. "Using such combat methods, there’d be no reason to wait until my clash with Freeze. You could strike here." He pointed along his arrival route. "This factory area is distant from the city, sparsely populated. I suspect you prepared to attack as soon as I entered this zone by taxi. You maintained a long distance while tailing, only approaching and revealing yourself after I completed my perimeter check."
Zhao Ying Wang scanned Feng Bu Jue up and down. "You're... [Mad Bu Jue]?" Since Shiva, Wu Si Can Xuan, and Seven Kill all displayed their guild names on the Combat Power Leaderboard, and [caibupainenotafraid] was clearly a female nickname, Zhao Ying Wang made this deduction based on Feng Bu Jue's "Hell Front" emblem.
"Tha~t's~ me~" Feng Bu Jue drawled, his tone dripping with smugness as if he were a legendary figure himself.
"Sharp analysis. I'd like to team up sometime", Zhao Ying Wang said. "But right now, you're as good as dead." Beneath his ordinary appearance, a terrifying Momentum surged. "Players ranked outside the top ten in combat power can't possibly defeat me."
"Oh? Judging by that tone, you're on that leaderboard too, but anonymously?" Feng Bu Jue baited him.
Zhao Ying Wang didn't hide it. "Nineteenth place. Title: 'Shadow Within,' Zhao Ying Wang."
"Nineteenth place, yet you claim no one below the top ten can beat you?" Feng Bu Jue smirked. "Well then, let me share a secret..." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Though I don't even make the Combat Power Leaderboard, not a single ranked fighter can defeat me."
"Hmph... Think I'm bluffing?" Zhao Ying Wang smiled, drawing a dagger from his satchel.
Feng Bu Jue was ready—he was the one bluffing. His Death Poker was already summoned, prepared to activate [Shield] if Zhao Ying Wang attacked.
In a flash, Zhao Ying Wang stabbed himself in the abdomen...
"Hey... buddy..." Feng Bu Jue frowned. "Trying to scare me to death? Let me warn you—no one scares me."
"Heh... Sorry, but I need fresh blood for this technique", Zhao Ying Wang chuckled bitterly, blood dripping from his lips. "At first, I slashed my arms and legs randomly. Wasted so many healing artifacts. Later, I learned—aim for the liver..." He coughed violently, spewing more blood.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Feng Bu Jue pulled out [Moxxi's Bad Temper] and fired. "Looks like you're using some high-cost skill!"
Feng Bu Jue's D-rank shooting proficiency was perfect for this range. Dozens of bullets tore through the air, all finding their mark—only to shatter against an invisible barrier surrounding Zhao Ying Wang.
"I bought a full set of [Refraction]-attribute armor specifically for bullet defense", Zhao Ying Wang grinned. "Just to buy these few seconds..." His blood spread across the floor, pooling into a perfect circle.
Suddenly, his eyes gleamed.
The blood erupted like boiling water.
Feng Bu Jue didn't reload. Seeing bullets were useless, he holstered his gun and summoned Death Poker. A "Straight Flush" burst forth. Simultaneously, he launched himself forward like an arrow chasing the cards.
Zhao Ying Wang staggered backward, clutching his wound. His movements slowed to normal human speed—clearly unable to dodge the combined assault.
As Feng Bu Jue charged, he pulled out a Folding Stool, ready to strike once Death Poker broke through.
Unexpectedly, as the Straight Flush reached Zhao Ying Wang, a massive blood-red arm erupted from the blood pool. A crimson energy wave shattered the attack's trajectory.
Feng Bu Jue pivoted mid-air, redirecting around the arm to strike Zhao Ying Wang directly.
Caught defenseless, Zhao Ying Wang took the full hit.
Whack-Whack-Whack!
The Folding Stool rained blows. Feng Bu Jue wielded the weapon with masterful precision.
"Figured you were a [Summoning Proficiency] user! And [Martial Arts Proficiency] E-rank too! You're pathetic!" Feng Bu Jue mocked while pummeling him.
In Feng Bu Jue's mind, antagonists always failed for two reasons:
First, monologuing when winning. Like movie villains who point guns at heroes' heads but waste time gloating instead of shooting, letting the hero escape.
Second, overcomplicating things. Like villains who bind heroes to bombs instead of just shooting them—like divorcing before taking a mistress.
Feng Bu Jue avoided these mistakes. When Zhao Ying Wang self-harmed, he opened fire immediately. Now, he followed one principle: never stop attacking until the opponent disintegrated into white light.
But this "dominance" was an illusion...
"Muahahaha!" Zhao Ying Wang crouched defensively, battered yet laughing.
"Masochist much?" Feng Bu Jue switched to a pipe wrench, smashing it into Zhao Ying Wang's skull. "First stabbing yourself, now enjoying this beating?"
"How much vitality value do you think your attacks drained?" Zhao Ying Wang asked, his arm shattered by the wrench. Blood and bone splattered, yet his voice remained calm. "80%? 90%?"
"Tell me then!" Feng Bu Jue drove his elbow into Zhao Ying Wang's jaw. The pipe wrench's tip pierced intracranially. Feng Bu Jue expected instant death—until Zhao Ying Wang dropped his guard, revealing his mangled face.
"I... cough... vi... vi... still have... per... cen... tage... gou... ten..." Zhao Ying Wang slurred.
"You're actually telling me? Pointless showboating!" Feng Bu Jue realized the truth, turning toward the blood arm rising behind Zhao Ying Wang.
Now, the entire monster emerged.
Five meters tall, humanoid, with a muscular frame resembling the Hulk. Semi-solid blood plasma armor covered its body in crimson and gold waves. Its face bore two hollow eyes and a mouth—horrifying only in its overwhelming presence.
"Since earlier, my vitality value has been shared with this Blood Golem", Zhao Ying Wang's voice returned to normal.
Feng Bu Jue retreated to avoid being flanked. Zhao Ying Wang's wounds healed visibly.
"Don't worry, I'm genuinely weak", Zhao Ying Wang said. "But if you keep focusing on me while getting punched from behind, I won't hold back."
Feng Bu Jue glanced at the Blood Golem, thinking, "What kind of freaks are at the top of these rankings?"
(End of Chapter)
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