Chapter 4901

"I think that's about enough." Deathstroke looked at the freshly sealed window and said, "No need to go through the window — this thing can't stop them either. And those who do need to use the window, I can mince them all into meat paste without sealing the window."

Shiler inspected each gun on the side. If Red Hood's firearms were comprehensive, then Deathstroke was practically a mobile arsenal. He had brought nearly every type of gun in the world — rocket launchers, grenades, landmines...

And he himself carried several cold weapons too; that greatsword with its astronomically expensive maintenance, he even brought spare materials to repair it. Which could only mean one thing — Batman gave him a truly massive amount.

Clearly, Deathstroke had been living quite comfortably these days. He'd moved to the East Coast, working for Batman, earning a fortune. He practically threw Nth metal around like it was nothing.

Mercenaries take money to do jobs, and Deathstroke just happens to be extremely good at doing them. As long as you have enough money, he doesn't even need to rest. And what Batman lacks least is money. His workload during this period was second only to Batman's. Put it this way — if this kept up, even Superman wouldn't be able to stomach not inducting him into the Justice League.

And for the agent who gave him this suggestion, Deathstroke was equally generous. Everyone makes money together, so the Justice League gained two nuclear-powered donkeys. The agent didn't want money, but was also loaded up with all kinds of weapons, metals, and Bat-gear — he'd gotten his hands on the depths of Batman's armory too.

And coincidentally, Brainiac's game allowed bringing your own equipment, and the rules were similar to extraction shooters — bring whatever gear you want, but if you fail to extract, it all belongs to Brainiac.

So this is a large-scale gamble. To win the game you need to bring good gear, but if you bust, the gear is all gone. But actually losing gear is the small problem — if Bat-gear falls into the hands of that evil AI Brainiac, who knows what he might crack out of it.

But that's not something Deathstroke and the agent need to consider. The two of them geared up to the teeth just to come have fun. Base chosen in the lighthouse at the far northeast. This lighthouse sits on a cliff — can attack, can defend. Though the area is very small, it's perfect for lone wolf players.

By rights, if you want to slaughter, you should pick somewhere closer to the center, but this game's rule is: once a base falls, all resources and equipment inside are gone. So instead, picking a remote base is better — fewer monster invasions means you don't always have to defend, and can go out and farm to your heart's content.

The lighthouse has another advantage — once activated it can aggro monsters. Light and sound are guaranteed to attract monsters; if you really don't want to go out, you can play tower defense at home.

Deathstroke set up a machine gun on the rooftop. This wasn't something he fabricated — it was something he brought along. If Brainiac allowed vehicles, he'd probably have brought an armed helicopter.

"We're lacking some magical defense." Shiler said, "But no matter — once fighting starts we'll go sweep the Bishop for blueprints; defending against basic monsters shouldn't be a problem."

"You know where they are?"

"Definitely Gotham Cathedral." Shiler said, "He'd only choose there. And Brainiac's hint to us was also to get some magical power support there, lest after preparing for half a day we get taken out by a wave of mental corruption."

Just as they spoke, Brainiac broadcast another prompt: "Game system loading complete. Map system online... Mission system online... Hostile creatures and factions loaded... Players, prepare yourselves — the Mist Realm descends. Your task is to protect yourselves, save Gotham."

Everyone's personal terminal let out a sharp shriek. They raised their hands; holographic projections began flashing red. After a ten-second countdown, the projection automatically switched to the map interface — four red silhouettes with question marks appeared in the centers of Gotham's districts.

"Defeat the Four Kings, or be devoured by monsters."

Then the mission interface began flashing. Switching over, a massive main quest could be seen. This main quest changed depending on which district the base was in.

Shiler and Commissioner Gordon had just arrived when the game opened. Shiler picked up his terminal from the table, glanced at it, and frowned. His district had been assigned to the West District, and their squad's main quest was "Rainy Night Legend."

"Rainy Night Legend: Rumor has it, in Gotham's West District, around Gotham University, every rainy night a figure in a black suit holding an umbrella wanders the streets. Your task is to investigate and find this enigmatic figure, defeat him, or turn to dry bones in the cold rainy night."

Shiler's hand paused. He was about to say something when Brainiac cut in: "All missions and character prototypes in the game are purely fictional; any resemblance is purely coincidental and we bear no responsibility."

Gordon had just heard Shiler explain the game, picked up his terminal, and laughed upon seeing this quest: "This quest's great — no investigation needed at all, we head straight for the Gotham University Psychology Department professor's office..."

"Can't you read the description carefully?" Shiler said, "The description says he wanders the streets *in the rainy night*..."

"Then it's definitely the Mo Sen district." Gordon obviously knew the ropes, "When you first came to Gotham you always hung around there."

"The Mo Sen district isn't in the West District." Shiler was still arguing.

"Then it's the GCPD." Gordon sneered, "Wait till we go in and see a human-shaped Christmas tree..."

A terminal chimed; Tim picked it up to check. Their district had been divided into the South District. Tim thought carefully, then felt something was off: "Isn't our area the West District?"

Harley shook her head: "Don't forget, in reality the four districts' areas aren't equal — the North District is nearly four times the size of the South District. If divided by reality, the North District would run their legs off doing missions. Brainiac definitely redistributed."

Speaking, he opened the map — sure enough, the originally smallest East and South Districts had both been enlarged. Now the four districts, except the North District which includes islands and is slightly larger, were basically equal in area.

"Okay, let me see the main quest." Tim just opened the mission and nearly spat out a mouthful of water.

"Mystery of the Vigilante's Shadow: That figure who once stood atop Gotham has vanished without a trace. In this city of shadows within shadows, the knight who has returned once more — is he truly still a hero? Your task is to delve into the darkness, seek that long-lost figure, defeat him, or vanish into darkness alongside him."

Tim covered his forehead: "Brainiac, what the hell are you doing?"

"You can't really say," Pamela interjected, "What's written here really is Bruce. Because he only said 'stood atop Gotham' — how does posing for a promo photo not count as standing atop Gotham? If it were any other Batman, they'd surely write something like 'dark deterrence'..."

Tim was actually rendered speechless. But he still said: "Brainiac, can't you have some creativity? Can't you design an original BOSS?"

"It is original," Brainiac said, "Modified with magic on the basis of the prototype — you'll know when you see it."

"I'm fighting Batman?" Red Robin in the South District said incredulously, "Don't tell me, when we find him he'll flap his wings, summon a Barbatos, then slam all of us and the Darkest Knight into the wall."

Unlike the people of this universe, the main universe Robins were quite wary of the Nameless Bat. To be obsessed over by the main universe Batman for so long, even treated as archenemy — how could that be an ordinary person?

Not to mention, just on paper that's an Archangel plus Barbatos believer. Without serious chops, how could he punch a hole in the Source Wall? Brainiac wants them to shoot *that* Batman with guns?

"There is no Batman here," Brainiac emphasized, "Any resemblance is purely coincidental. I guarantee the difficulty is reasonable."

"I don't really trust your guarantee." Nightwing spoke bluntly, "If you really dare bring the Nameless Bat here, I'll go out and give you a bad review."

"If he were really here, main universe Batman wouldn't have let you come." Brainiac barely persuaded them. But it wasn't entirely because of that — the Robins felt Bruce had slacked off long enough and should get back to work; most likely he was causing trouble in some corner of the multiverse and temporarily had no time to return.

Deathstroke and the agent were in the North District. They also received a mission.

"Gunfire Echoes: For many years, those violent and cunning gang members ruled this city with guns and cannons. And that figure standing atop the gangs — perhaps he hopes someone will defeat him, restore Gotham's glory. Your task is to find the uncrowned king who once ruled this city, defeat him, or die miserably in the blood and fire of gunpowder."

"Falcone?" Deathstroke called out the name, "Surely not really fighting the Godfather?"

"He's not strong, right?" The agent said, "I mean personal combat strength."

"Personal combat strength indeed isn't strong," Deathstroke said, "But the trouble is, his gang members are endless. I've encountered contracts related to him before, but never took them — simply not worth it."

"If his strength is only ordinary human level, Brainiac will definitely modify him." The agent shook his head, "But gang members as small fry are still better than magical monsters."

"That's true." Deathstroke nodded, "But if divided into four districts, they can't possibly all be gang members — perhaps one or two districts will involve magic and the occult."

Deathstroke's prediction was correct. Constantine's side had also received a mission. The Cathedral was in the center but was assigned to the East District.

"Deadly Joke: That madman who once brought shadows to Gotham with laughter has returned, but his smile is no longer so pure. The sea became the cradle for that shattered body — who will laugh last? Your task is to investigate the East District, find the existence with the deadly smile, defeat him, or be blown to pieces by that terrifying joke."

"I'm fighting Joker?" The Bishop's eyes widened slightly.

"Probably not just Joker." Constantine said, "If I recall correctly, this universe's East District is the docks area. The docks are by the sea — mention the sea, what do you think of?"

The Bishop read the description again. When he saw "the sea became the cradle for that shattered body," he had an extremely ominous premonition: "Don't tell me... we're fighting an Outer God-enhanced Joker."

"Most likely." Constantine said, "But we're already here — can't exactly quit now, right?"

"Brainiac!" The Bishop looked up and shouted, "Can we forfeit the mission? Or move base now?"

"Sorry, no. But what do you think is wrong with the mission?"

"Did you forget?" The Bishop said rather darkly, "There is no Batman here."

?? is here!