Chapter 621: I, Joker
Chapter 621: I, Joker (End)
Two hours earlier, in the Batcave.
"You're a smart man. You should understand my plan", Feng Bu Jue said as he donned the Batman suit, speaking to Qiao Yi.
"I do understand, but... is it really necessary?" Qiao Yi replied while preparing his own gear. "In my opinion, Gotham without 'super criminals' is already chaotic enough."
"Ahhh~ That's why you're still so far from grasping it", Feng Bu Jue countered. "A Gotham brainwashed by The_Bruce's faith for years won't change overnight. To make people accept the new Batman, we need time, patience... and..." He spread his arms dramatically, "...Fear."
"Then how is your approach any different from The_Bruce's?" Maya interjected.
"Oh, he uses sacrificial lambs with no real resistance for show", Feng Bu Jue sneered. "But me? I'm giving you all genuine adversaries."
"To succeed, you need friends", Xiao Tan unexpectedly chimed in. "To achieve monumental success, you need enemies."
"See? Even he gets it", Feng Bu Jue shrugged with a smirk.
...
Now...
Tap—tap—tap—
The measured footsteps echoed through the empty halls of Batmancastle.
A figure clad in Batman armor strode down the corridor toward the core Power Source chamber deep within the fortress.
The vast fortress was now eerily silent—because corpses make no sound.
"Hmm... Most were killed by firearms. Judging from wound locations and shapes, over 90% died by Xiao Ling's bullets", Feng Bu Jue muttered while scanning his surroundings. "Yet I've only seen 81 bodies so far—far fewer than Kliber's estimate. Looks like most surrendered or fled."
"Tch... What's that stench?" Feng Bu Jue paused at a corner. "Ah, intestines spilled out", he remarked, stepping past the bend to find a corpse slumped on the floor. "Definitely Ruo Yu's work. The cuts through bone and muscle fibers are razor-sharp. The sword qi pierced the neck, then through the lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines..."
Feng Bu Jue deduced these details instinctively as he walked. He didn't even need to "think."
To Feng Bu Jue's eyes now, the Terrifying Paradise data world appeared transformed—like the realm he'd glimpsed in his 【Demon God Descent】 state.
Gazing at any object long enough revealed flowing Matrix Code. Entering a chaotic scene instantly categorized every item in perfect order. At crime scenes, a single glance at a corpse reconstructed the victim's final moments. If enough clues existed, he could even replay the entire murder sequence.
Anyone standing beside Feng Bu Jue would notice his eyes flickering with dark data streams—unlike the white streams of derivative beings.
"Please enter the access code."
The electronic door's panel spoke as Feng Bu Jue reached the main laboratory.
"Long live Batman." He retrieved the 【Deceit Pocket Watch】 from his satchel, mimicking The_Bruce's voice.
"Code accepted. Voiceprint verification... Successful. Welcome, Brucemr." The door slid open.
Before Feng Bu Jue could speak, Ruo Yu grumbled, "Took you long enough."
"Hehe... Missing me already?" Feng Bu Jue teased.
Ruo Yu ignored the banter, his expression darkening. "The System signaled the hidden task's completion minutes ago. If Qiao Yi killed The_Bruce while you dawdled, we'd have only minutes left."
"Not a problem", Feng Bu Jue chuckled. "Even without further gains, retrieving Batcave resources makes this trip worthwhile."
Approaching the group, he asked Kliber, who was working at a lab bench, "Doctor, how's progress?"
"Routine procedures. I've done this countless times", Kliber replied without pausing, cigarette dangling from his lips. "Facial reconstruction in five minutes. As for the brain chips..." He glanced at an electronic cabinet. "These were secretly manufactured—no tracking functions. They replicate 95% of knowledge and personality while permanently erasing original memories and identities. Hehe..." He grinned. "I call these adorable little things 'demon souls.'"
"Excellent." Feng Bu Jue stood beside him, observing dozens of captured "Robins" on lab tables. "You truly deserve the title 'Great,' Doctor Kliber. Your genius transcends eras."
"Hehehe... Hahaha... Hahaha!" They erupted into cartoonish villain laughter.
Before them lay captured Robins. Soon, they'd become Joker, Two-Face, Penguin, Black Mask, Poison Ivy...
"Feng Bu Jue, I don't get it", Xiao Tan said. "We've already gained enough from the Batcave, and the hidden task is done. Why waste time on these irrelevant villains? Can't Qiao Yi become Batman without them?"
"Ah... The reason..." Feng Bu Jue pointed to a nearby monitor. "Watch and see."
...
Meanwhile, atop the castle's high platform.
The_Bruce's Batman armor was completely disabled, losing kinetic support. Qiao Yi's "Bane's Blood" had also worn off.
In the shadows, two men in standard Batman suits exchanged brutal blows—the rawest form of combat.
"Your 'super steroids' must be wearing off", Qiao Yi said, landing a punch on Bruce's face.
Bruce spat blood and a tooth, but stood firm. "About time", he sneered, retaliating with a spinning kick.
Qiao Yi blocked the strike, staggering backward. "Your persistence is admirable", he gasped. "But you know even victory won't make you a god again."
"I know", Bruce wiped his bleeding mask—actually his face. Years ago, he'd fused his visage with the Batman mask via Kliber's surgery to preserve youth.
"Yet you fight fiercely", Qiao Yi remarked.
"Hehe..." Bruce grinned significantly. "I'm helping you, Qiao Yi. Only by showcasing strength will the rabble become devout and reverent toward you."
"I don't want their faith!" Qiao Yi roared, charging with a football tackle that slammed Bruce against the platform's railing.
The_Bruce, drained of strength after that kick, could barely stand.
"Then kill me! Hahaha!" Bruce laughed. His Mantle was gone—Qiao Yi needed only push to end him.
At that moment, dawn's first light pierced the horizon. The bloodied Gotham King turned his head, glancing at his beloved city.
"No!" Qiao Yi released him, standing resolute. "I don't kill anymore. I am Batman."
He remembered Joker's earlier gaze and words before the fight.
"Gotham will witness Batman's birth", Qiao Yi declared, hauling Bruce up. "The Dark Knight is a guardian, not a judge or tyrant."
"Damn you! Kill me!" The_Bruce suddenly roared, surging with unexpected strength to slash Qiao Yi's neck with a forearm blade.
Qiao Yi, caught off guard, couldn't react. Who'd expect a man with no fight left to strike again?
Pew—
A beam fired from Qiao Yi's flank, striking The_Bruce's torso.
"Agh!" The scream echoed.
In the morning light, smoke rose from The_Bruce's head as his body tumbled from the platform.
"Ha... ha..." Qiao Yi gasped, turning to see Maya—her shotgun still smoking—standing where she'd landed. Again, she'd saved his life.
【The game ends】 the System announced. 【As The_Bruce fell from the high platform, the crowd fell into grotesque silence.】
【This moment marks the end of an era... and the birth of a new legend.】
【A god fell... and the rabble went mad.】
"Batman! Batman! Batman!" The city roared.
"No! I'm no god! Just a mortal!" Qiao Yi shouted to the live feed, raising his hands.
He tried silencing their prayers, but failed. He'd hoped to change their lives—only to give them a new idol.
But the adulation didn't last long...
"Hahaha! Hahaaha!" Feng Bu Jue (Joker) reappeared on screens, cackling. "Gotham citizens, the game's decided! The new Batman is born!" His tone darkened. "But... isn't this ending a bit dull for you, my dear Bu Jue?"
Before his laughter faded, dozens of metallic capsules launched from Batmancastle like missiles.
"Batman", Feng Bu Jue stopped using Qiao Yi's name. "Guess what I just sent into the city?"
Qiao Yi stared at the screen, silent.
"Hehehe..." Feng Bu Jue's voice grew maniacal. "The very people on your screens!"
The monitors split into dozens of faces—super-villains (excluding Joker himself).
Panic erupted again. Civilians screamed, crying "Batman!" for salvation.
"You know me... I'm no fraud like The_Bruce", Feng Bu Jue sneered. "My game's far more fun..." He grinned, teeth bared. "Last night, you witnessed Batman's revival. Now, at dawn, you'll witness... my revival... and theirs! Hahaha! Hahaaha!"
His signature laughter echoed, ushering in Gotham's new era...
(End of Chapter)
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