Chapter 4900: There Is No Batman Here (Five)

So they chose Wayne Manor. After taking the terminal given by Brainiac, they walked into the fog. But there was no direction in the fog at all; they could only see the light pillar marked by Brainiac. Fortunately, it wasn't far, and after walking for a while, they saw Wayne Manor's iconic spire.

"Can you tell us the locations of the other bases?" Red Robin asked while marching, not forgetting to gather information.

"All bases are evenly distributed across Gotham on average. Currently, each region's base has someone assigned, including the East Docks, South Villas, West University, and North Manor—all already occupied by players."

"Is there anything we need to pay special attention to?"

"Someone has already chosen the central Gotham Cathedral base."

"Can the Gotham Cathedral base be chosen?" Red Hood frowned slightly, "I'm afraid there are no basic living facilities there."

"Each base's location and attributes are different," Brainiac said, "some lean toward defense, others focus more on offense. Some target physical monsters, while others lean more toward mental defense."

Everyone understood. Gotham Cathedral was clearly focused on mental defense. Choosing it as a base might grant a faith bonus. But this is still a very risky move, because Gotham Cathedral is the center of all Gotham and will inevitably face the fiercest monster siege. Without real skill, no one would dare choose it.

"Can you reveal player information?" Nightwing asked tentatively.

"No," Brainiac said, "in situations where mental attack is possible, communication between players must be as cautious and restrained as possible. If I were to publish the list, you might be misled."

Red Robin's hand paused, and he immediately realized the key: "Are there monsters disguising as players?"

Brainiac didn't answer. But that was the best answer, and it made the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

If it were a game about going out to search and build bases, it would be hard to avoid going solo. Even if not solo, if a two-person team gets wiped out after being disguised, they might get their base blown up directly.

"If the base is lost, can we reselect?" Red Robin asked.

"No, after the game finishes loading, unchosen bases cannot be used by players anymore. But you can choose to cooperate with others and retreat to their bases."

"Then that's good." Red Robin breathed a sigh of relief. Brainiac had already told them there was no player-versus-player combat segment. Being able to watch each other's backs is truly great.

"I think we should proactively contact other players," Red Hood said, "our team's equipment is excellent, and we've brought enough ammo—fighting physical monsters shouldn't be too problematic. But if we encounter mental attacks, we might be wiped out. I think we should actively seek out players skilled in this."

Everyone agreed. They had known before coming that this universe was no simple place, and everyone was fully armed. Though only Red Hood carried a gun, he had brought six of them, plus countless bullets. Without the magical storage item given by Batman, they might not have been able to carry it all.

Others also carried plenty of Bat gear, anticipating every possible scenario, even including the latest magical shields.

But unfortunately, none of them were truly skilled mages. As for the Elder Gods' mysterious nonsense, they understood even less. They were a rather one-sided team. Therefore, they should definitely seek out mages to form a strong alliance.

"Do you think the Supreme Mage will come?" Nightwing asked while walking, turning back, "I've heard he's very powerful."

"If he comes, we'll definitely know right away—he's very good at making a big scene," Red Robin said, "if there's any magical radiance somewhere, we'll rush over immediately."

"I've heard he has a bad temper," Red Hood added.

"He's just sharp-tongued. But if we really have trouble, he'll definitely help," Red Robin said, "he's already the best choice. Otherwise, who else could we count on? Constantine?"

"Oh, heavens, no." Constantine is a name that even makes Red Hood reluctant to mention. Not to mention the last multiverse war was lost because of him tricking them. This guy has been eyeing the Bat family for days, with Batman bearing the brunt. Every time he tries to flirt with Batman, only Batman can hold him back, while everyone else snaps apart.

"If we can see the commotion made by mages, we'll go find them. If not, we can try heading toward the Gotham Cathedral direction. Those who would choose that base couldn't possibly know nothing about mysticism," Nightwing suggested.

"What about Damian? Why hasn't he come yet?" Red Hood said, "Wasn't he supposed to arrive soon?"

"You also believe his 'soon'?" Red Robin shook his head, "Maybe he still won't have arrived after loading finishes, and then he'll be stuck outside the door, furious enough to want to kill someone."

They arrived at Wayne Manor, looked around, and found nothing changed from when they came before. It had been slightly expanded, with an additional lab building on one side—this was an unexpected delight.

"Can we use the things here?" Red Robin asked.

"You dare use them? Aren't you afraid the materials brought by that nameless bat are unreliable?" Red Hood couldn't help but say, "If you blow up your home, we'll become the laughingstock of the multiverse again."

"They can be used," Brainiac replied, "all initial materials provided are safe to use and pose no harm."

"I know that," Nightwing looked toward the central courtyard garden, "but what's with that slide that looks like it's been bitten?"

"That was done by Batman's daughter," Red Robin said, "that little girl needs to grind her teeth. Our universe's Batman even sent her a set of slides."

"Can the base be edited?" Nightwing asked, "meaning, based on our usage habits, we can do some disassembly and construction?"

They are all young people and have played video games. Although in the main universe's era, video games weren't particularly developed, some basic modes already existed. Moreover, the Battle Realm still has leading versions of various gameplay types from decades ahead, leading to high demands. Related basic functions must all be present.

"Yes," Brainiac said, "the base system has finished loading. You can modify the base via your personal terminal. Just point the terminal at what you want to modify, and you'll see the editable options."

Nightwing walked over to the slide, extended his wrist forward, and sure enough, a holographic screen popped up. The slide, bitten a few times, was marked as "Trash" and showed it could be dismantled. After Nightwing chose to dismantle it, the slide vanished with a "Boom," and the materials bar gained "Plastic" and "Iron Nails."

"Interesting," Nightwing commented, "can everything be dismantled?"

He scanned with the terminal and found that indeed, everything could be dismantled. Not only garden stones, trees, or fallen leaves, but Wayne Manor's walls could also be dismantled, as could all kinds of furniture and equipment. The recycled materials varied each time.

"There is a maximum construction limit," Brainiac said, "range and height are restricted. Construction must also follow physical laws. If you don't consider load-bearing, the materials will vanish when it collapses."

"But I don't see the construction menu," Nightwing stared at the holographic screen, "where can I see what can be built?"

"Free construction," Brainiac said, "but we provide a complete blueprint copying service. That is, you only need to hand-craft something, scan it as a blueprint, and then you can quickly build it. Existing buildings can also be copied as blueprints."

Nightwing suddenly understood. For example, if they now want to build a wall like Wayne Manor's wall, they just need to scan the wall, save it as a blueprint, and then place it anywhere for quick construction. But if they want to make other defensive facilities, they need to first craft one by hand, then scan it as a blueprint.

"First cut down the trees to board up the windows," Red Robin had already begun arranging, "then I'll make a wooden barrier, you scan it, and place it around the entire manor. If there's extra wood and iron, we'll make a few animal traps—always useful."

They each went off to busy themselves. Red Hood walked and asked, "If we scan magical items, can we also use them?"

"Yes," Brainiac said, "you can also go to others' bases to scan, and use their blueprints for quick construction."

"Good heavens," Nightwing exclaimed, "it sounds too fun. I've been eyeing the Supreme Mage's big pot for a long time."

"So if I want, I can place ten Jesus statues here?" Shiler looked at the cross in the center of Gotham Cathedral's preaching hall, "Then I'd have ten times the protective power?"

"Sorry, but if materials are insufficient, construction isn't possible," Brainiac said, "idols that provide protective power require special magical materials and must consume faith to take effect."

"Compared to building idols, our current urgent task is sealing the windows," the black-haired Constantine said, busy at the window, "if you were as decisive as your isotope, that'd be great. I should team up with him."

"What do you mean by that?" Shiler looked at him and said, "Is it you asking if there's a mage named Shiler, which is why I came?"

"If being a mage means burying corpses in the church backyard, then it's better not to be one," Constantine said, "too bad Jesus' back of the head doesn't have eyes. Or are you just thinking of doing this?"

"You've figured all this out," Shiler laughed, "otherwise, how would I be a bishop?"

"The cathedral isn't a good choice," Constantine sighed, "we only have two people—too few—and this place is too open. The location is also too close to the center. Too bad this universe's Gotham has no monastery."

"Nothing worth regretting," Shiler said, "you should know mages are ultimately few. Besides, Brainiac already warned others that Gotham Cathedral has been chosen. Everyone will know two mages have come here. This place will soon become lively."

"That's exactly what I meant," Constantine sighed again, "I don't think them coming to find us is a good thing. I'm more used to going alone; supporting others has never been in my plans."

"Perhaps they're coming to support us?" Shiler stood at the pulpit, flipping through the Bible, "they definitely lack mental and magical defense means. If they want our help, they naturally need to bring something."

"Hope so," Constantine said. He looked at the first window nailed shut and said, "Hope this can hold back the monsters."

"That teammate you wanted has also arrived," Shiler said again, "but he's teamed up with others. They likely chose a relatively remote suburban location—I don't know if they'll come over."

"Who did he team up with?" Constantine asked.

"The mercenary Deathstroke."