Chapter 607: I, Joker (6)
Chapter 607: I, Joker (6)
On that day, the people of Gotham City finally remembered... the horror they once ruled over.
That laughter hadn’t echoed across Gotham’s skies in decades.
A century ago, Batman and Joker suddenly vanished together, never to be seen again.
And today, these two figures would return—truly return.
“Hmph… this guy… he’s definitely not the one I captured…” The_Bruce remained composed even as he crashed. Once his breathing stabilized, he shook out his Mantle and activated its gliding function, swiftly soaring toward a nearby skyscraper’s rooftop. Simultaneously, he used the communication device embedded in his right cheek to connect to the castle’s command center. “Gordon, did you see everything?”
“Y-yes…” Gordon replied shakily. “All the mobile cameras captured it…”
“Is there anything you need to tell me?” Bruce pressed.
“This…” Gordon hesitated.
“Kliber! Speak up!” Bruce barked.
“We’re still analyzing, Mr.,” Kliber’s voice cut in quickly. “But based on current observations, there are two key points: First, he’s flying without any artifacts. Second, his strength and speed exceed your limits by about 30%.” He paused. “Oh, and by the way, that ‘Harley Quinn’s’ combat power isn’t far behind his.”
“Damn it… what’s going on here?” Bruce muttered under his breath.
“Mr., I think… it’s time to end the game,” Kliber said.
“I know!” Bruce snapped, his frustration flaring.
Boom—
A deafening explosion grabbed his attention. Bruce turned to see his Batman aircraft already plunging into the bay. The “Joker” in the sky had already rescued Two-Face from the vehicle.
“Kliber, prepare the ‘combat armor-plated’ suit. I’ll need it the moment I return,” Bruce ordered. He knew chasing after them now would be pointless. Adjusting his course, he flew toward his castle. “Gordon, assemble the Robin unit. Stand by.”
“Yes, Mr.,” both responded.
“See you in a while,” Bruce said, cutting the transmission.
Though outwardly calm, a flicker of fear stirred within him: “Who—or what—is that ‘Joker’? Could there really be an evil spirit in this world… revived tonight?”
………
At the same time, elsewhere in the city.
“It’s been a while since I last saw those hawk-shaped cameras…” Ruo Yu leaped across the city skyline, her mind racing. “Even those flying saucer patrol boats are keeping their distance…” Her icy gaze swept every street and shadow. “There must still be some fixed cameras tracking me, but… everyone’s attention is already on Bu Jue, right?”
Ruo Yu had seen the earlier chaos on the street’s giant screens. Whether Feng Bu Jue’s actions were deliberate or impulsive, her mission remained clear: reach the police station as Feng Bu Jue instructed.
“Hm?” Suddenly, something caught her eye.
After a two-second pause, she halted mid-leap, pivoting gracefully to land on the street below.
“Hey!” Xiao Ling waved from the entrance of a dark alley a dozen meters away.
From a player’s perspective, teammates’ appearances remained unchanged (except when viewed through surveillance devices or mirrors). Ruo Yu immediately recognized Xiao Ling.
“How did you find me?” Ruo Yu asked, walking forward.
“It’s a long story. Here, take this first,” Xiao Ling said, quickly handing her a [Signal Jammer].
Ruo Yu glanced at the item description before murmuring, “So that’s why I kept getting tracked.” She finally understood why destroying every visible camera hadn’t fully shaken her pursuers.
“Follow me. We’ll take the basement levels,” Xiao Ling said, leading Ruo Yu into the alley.
The alley was short, its lone camera already shattered by Xiao Ling’s bullet. At the end stood a sewer entrance. Qiao Yi waited there. “Hello, Ms.,” he greeted Ruo Yu.
“This is Qiao Yi, leader of the Resistance Organization,” Xiao Ling introduced quickly before shouting at Qiao Yi, “Don’t just stand there—go, go, go!”
Obediently, Qiao Yi moved the sewer grate aside and climbed down the ladder.
The two players had no trouble following. A few meters’ drop wouldn’t hurt them. Xiao Ling led the way, vaulting down with a handstand. Ruo Yu followed.
Inside the sewer, Maya, a red-haired woman in her twenties, stood beside Qiao Yi. Her beauty was undeniable.
“This is Maya, also part of the resistance,” Xiao Ling added.
“Hello,” Maya greeted.
“Hello,” Ruo Yu replied.
As they exchanged greetings, a task prompt chimed in both players’ ears: [Current task completed. Main quest updated.]
They immediately opened their game menus.
The previous task, [Survive the pursuit and reunite with at least one teammate], was checked off. Below, a new one appeared: [Kill The_Bruce].
Ruo Yu and Xiao Ling exchanged puzzled glances. Why such a sudden task?
Narratively, The_Bruce was likely the final boss. If killing him cleared the scenario, the story would be absurdly short.
[Hidden task triggered.] Two seconds later, another system prompt appeared, easing their doubts.
The hidden task read: [Help Qiao Yi.Colin inherit Batman’s legacy].
“Alright, let’s head to the police station and regroup with the commander first,” Xiao Ling said after reading the tasks.
Ruo Yu nodded. “Agreed.”
Xiao Ling turned to Qiao Yi. “How about Dal and the others?”
“They’re already gathering near the police station, waiting for us,” Qiao Yi said, checking his device.
“Let’s move then,” Xiao Ling said, leading the way.
Ruo Yu followed swiftly.
Qiao Yi lingered a few seconds, glancing at Maya. “Strange… since when did she take charge? I’m the leader here, right?”
“She’s stronger than you,” Maya teased, then followed.
Qiao Yi shrugged. “I can fly a glider too…”
………
Minutes later, north of the bay.
After rescuing Xiao Tan, Feng Bu Jue carried him away using moon-step, escaping the crowded area. Now on an empty street, they landed.
“Feng Bu Jue, why didn’t you kill The_Bruce earlier?” Xiao Tan asked as he landed. “Didn’t the main quest update when you blocked that plane?”
He was right. The moment Feng Bu Jue stepped onto the Batman aircraft, both their main quests had updated. No hidden tasks appeared for them. In other words… Feng Bu Jue had every reason to strike.
“What if killing him ends the game immediately?” Feng Bu Jue countered.
“So?” Xiao Tan frowned. “Wouldn’t clearing the game be great?”
“Great? This scenario has rare freedom and low boss difficulty. Ending it now would be a waste,” Feng Bu Jue said.
“Oh…” Xiao Tan pondered. “Right. Clearing too fast means less experience, money, and skill points. Better to stay and explore skills and equipment.”
“Exactly,” Feng Bu Jue said. “Now, step one…” He pointed to a power cabinet by the road. “Go touch the live wire first.”
“What?!” Xiao Tan paled. “I’d like to ask you too… earlier, you recited poetry and got electrocuted. What was that about?”
“The poetry was for transmitting intelligence,” Feng Bu Jue replied calmly. He raised his hand, pinching his temple with two fingers. “The electric shock… was to destroy the implant chip in the brain.”
“What chip?” Xiao Tan pressed.
“Stop asking. Like I’d explain it and you’d understand,” Feng Bu Jue said, though he wasn’t sure himself. “Just touch the wire.”
“Fine…” Xiao Tan reluctantly walked to the power cabinet, unsheathed his sleeve sword, and pried it open. “Hey… like you, just touch and let go, right?”
“Obviously. Touch it a few seconds longer and you’ll be dead,” Feng Bu Jue laughed.
Xiao Tan grimaced, hesitated, then shoved his hand in.
“Aaaaahhhh—”
Crack!
“Stop screaming like an idiot?” Feng Bu Jue walked over, smacking his forehead. “Do you even know where the live wire is? You grabbed a plastic switch!”
“Huh?” Xiao Tan looked back. “No wonder I felt nothing…”
“Touch this one,” Feng Bu Jue pointed. “See it?”
“Okay…” Xiao Tan reached again.
Crack!
Feng Bu Jue smacked him again.
“What now?!”
“Gloves! Gloves! Gloves!” Feng Bu Jue roared, kicking Xiao Tan’s leg.
“Alright, alright! I’m sorry!” Xiao Tan hurriedly removed his gloves, took a deep breath, and reached in.
This time, he finally got properly electrocuted…
(End of Chapter)
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