"Help, help..."
"No, don't kill me, we're all from the evil faction!"
"Get out of the way, all of you, get out of the way!"
Screams echoed from all around as people desperately tried to flee. Some scrambled over walls and escaped into the streets, while others were caught by the toxic tide, trapped and screaming in agony. As their life force drained away, they grew older and older, eventually becoming withered corpses, bobbing listlessly in the poisonous waves.
Meanwhile...
Bai Ye stepped into the Investigation Bureau.
Upon entering, Bai Ye glanced around and couldn't help but tut twice.
This clown was truly ruthless, having blown up the Investigation Bureau again. The office area adjacent to the lobby was a complete mess. Tables and chairs had collapsed, fires still smoldered everywhere, and debris mingled with scattered documents. The fire alarm blared incessantly, a piercing sound. From the ceiling, sprinklers doused the area, creating puddles of water on the floor.
Suddenly...
*BANG!*
A metal door on the side was kicked open, and a man stumbled backward out of it. He wore a purple, tattered suit, his hair slicked back in a green pompadour. His face was painted stark white, with a blood-red mouth split to his ears, a truly grotesque clown costume. With such a distinctive appearance, it was unmistakably the Joker.
As the Joker staggered out, a bearded man emerged from behind the door. He looked like a middle-aged biker still clinging to his rebellious youth, clad in a black leather jacket with garish embroidery, tight leather pants, and studded leather boots. His short, spiky blond hair stood on end like a hedgehog's quills, and his beard looked rugged. He carried a medieval greatsword.
"Madman Robin?" Bai Ye chuckled as he recognized the man.
He knew this guy.
More accurately, Bai Ye had known him well in his previous life. Robin Derykes, nicknamed "Madman," was one of the chosen from the steampunk world. In Bai Ye's past life, Robin had been one of the last powerful survivors, clashing with Bai Ye multiple times. Coincidentally, Bai Ye remembered that Madman Robin had ultimately died at the hands of Situ Chicheng.
In this life... Situ Chicheng was already dead, killed by Bai Ye.
So, had he saved Madman Robin? Or... should he finish what Situ Chicheng had started and send Madman Robin on his way?
As Bai Ye's thoughts drifted, the Joker cackled and lunged at Robin, a switchblade suddenly sliding from his sleeve. He flicked it open and plunged it towards Robin's face.
Then...
Robin casually raised a hand and grabbed the Joker's wrist. He then delivered a knee strike to the Joker's abdomen, causing him to double over like a shrimp, spitting up blood. In the next instant, Robin grabbed the Joker's hair and tossed him to the ground.
Bai Ye covered his face. What pathetic combat power! As Batman's most troublesome adversary, his eternal nemesis, the nightmare of the City of Sin, the Joker's fighting ability... Bai Ye felt that "trash among trash" wasn't descriptive enough. This was the level of a "trash grub." A strong ordinary person with a bit of combat training could probably beat the Joker soundly.
However, in a way, it only highlighted the Joker's power and madness. The Joker, without exceptional combat skills, had managed to toy with Batman using only his intellect. That was his terrifying nature. But Batman was a rule-follower. Even when using violence, he never killed. Bound by order, these rules constrained Batman and provided the Joker with opportunities.
But...
The chosen ones were not such well-behaved children. Even the chosen ones of the Order faction, representing justice at this moment, couldn't hide their bloody aura. How many people who survived the world battlefield could be considered benevolent? Especially those who had done well in the world battlefield.
"Perhaps I should chop off your legs," Robin said, looking down at the Joker on the ground. "Either way, I just need to send you back to the detention center. It doesn't matter if you're crippled, and it doesn't matter if you die in there."
As Robin spoke, he raised his greatsword, intending to bring it down on the Joker's legs.
But at that very instant...
*Clang, clang, clang!*
The sound of dragging chains suddenly rang out. Robin looked up sharply and saw a massive stone sword flying towards him. He quickly brought his greatsword up to block.
*Clang!*
The Everlasting Southern Desolation struck Robin's greatsword with a crisp clash. The immense force sent Robin stumbling backward several steps. After steadying himself, Robin looked up at Bai Ye, who was approaching.
"Sorry, you can't do that," Bai Ye said, pulling out and slowly putting on a Predator bio-mask. "If he loses his legs, it'll be very inconvenient for me to take him with me."
Biological scan initiated...
Biological scan completed...
Robin Derykes (Chosen) (Health Status): Chosen from the steampunk world.
Strength: 90
Speed: ??
Stamina: ??
Spirit: 88
Intelligence: 13
Weakness Search: ??
Possessed Items (Incomplete): Hex Sword (Weapon), Mechanical Holy Scarab (Item), Silver Scorpion Tail (Weapon), Spiral Robot II (Companion)
Abilities (Incomplete): Master Craftsman (Ability), Mechanical Creation (Ability)
Bai Ye scanned Robin's information. Not much detail was available regarding his physical attributes, only his Strength, Spirit, and Intelligence. Intelligence could be ignored. With Strength at 90 and Spirit at 88, while not as high as Bai Ye's, it was still a very respectable level.
As expected, Robin had his reasons for surviving until the end in his previous life. While it was possible for some to suddenly rise to prominence by acquiring treasures, most powerhouses had accumulated their strength step by step since entering the world battlefield. Regardless of the era, they were undoubtedly among the elite.
On the other side, Robin stretched his limbs, then looked at Bai Ye. "You got in so easily, found the clown so easily. I thought the evil faction had no masters, which was making me a bit bored. But it seems there's still some fun to be had!"
As Robin spoke, his expression grew increasingly excited, even showing a hint of madness.
Then...
*Bang!*
Robin stomped on the ground and charged at Bai Ye.