According to Wayne’s understanding, Oscorp, once one of the world’s leading technology companies, had long since been completely absorbed by Kingpin’s corporation.
Norman Osborn had even become one of Kingpin’s loyal subordinates.
If Wayne could seize control of that company from Kingpin, he would own a corporation that, while unable to rival Wayne Enterprises, would still rank among the world’s elite.
At the same time, Peter Parker was now dead, which meant Miles Morales would soon become the next Spider-Man.
After all, there could only be one Spider-Man in each universe—that was the rule.
Even later, when Miles fought alongside the Spider-Man from the main universe, it was only because Miles wasn’t actually that universe’s Spider-Man.
“It looks like tonight will be another sleepless night.”
Wayne took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
He had already gone two straight nights without sleep.
Any normal person’s mind would probably be breaking down by now.
But then he remembered he was now a half-fledged Batman.
Suddenly, it didn’t seem so strange anymore.
People always called Batman “the peak of human ability.”
Yet Wayne had never seen an ordinary human survive thirty seconds in the vacuum of space without any equipment.
If Batman counted as “human,” perhaps it was only because everyone around him happened to be Kryptonians, demigods, or other monsters.
Picking up the cowl beside him, Wayne stared at the symbol that embodied Bruce’s fear and rage.
His fists slowly tightened.
“Things should get a lot more interesting… now that the Bat has arrived.”
When Wayne appeared again, he was fully suited up in the complete Batman costume.
Rolling his shoulders, he vanished from his house the very next second.
If only it had been raining.
A rainy night was the perfect time for the Bat to hunt.
“This is so boring. Did the boss ever say when we can leave? I don’t want to spend another night watching some old lady.”
One of the surveillance men complained.
He could have been spending the cold night with some beautiful girl.
Instead, he was stuck monitoring a white-haired old woman.
His companion calmly sipped hot coffee, long since immune to the constant whining.
“Anything unusual?”
He coldly ignored the complaint and continued enjoying his quiet break with his eyes closed.
No answer came.
“Anything unusual?”
He repeated the question.
Still silence.
“Answer me.”
Finally annoyed, he opened his eyes.
Before he could say anything—
He suddenly felt his body lifted off the ground by his throat.
Bang!
His back slammed violently into the wall behind him.
The intense pain instantly cleared away the fatigue from hours of surveillance.
“W-Who are you?”
He forced his eyes open.
The first thing he saw…
…was a pitch-black mask permanently frozen in an expression of rage.
Instinctively, he assumed Wayne was some mutant freak like Spider-Man.
After all, only people like that wandered around at night dressed in Halloween costumes.
Although frightened, he had no intention of giving up.
He didn’t care what this masked freak was.
Even if he was another Spider-Man…
He could still be killed by bullets.
His hand slowly reached toward the pistol at his waist.
If he got even the slightest opportunity…
He’d turn this freak into Swiss cheese.
The movement was subtle.
But nothing escaped Batman’s notice.
Especially at night.
The Bat didn’t rely solely on his eyes.
Wayne’s free hand instantly seized the man’s wrist.
Twisting it into a lock—
Crack!
The sound of snapping bone echoed through the rooftop.
Before the man could scream from the agony, Wayne tightened his grip around his throat.
Every possibility of making a sound disappeared.
“Cough…! Cough…!”
His screams became nothing but desperate coughing and cold sweat pouring down his face.
“Who’s your boss?”
Wayne never expected someone like this to know anything about Kingpin directly.
But perhaps he’d know someone one level higher.
Among Kingpin’s lieutenants…
The Prowler mostly worked alone.
This world’s Doctor Octopus—more accurately, Lady Octopus—had an entire laboratory serving as her headquarters.
As for Scorpion…
Who knew which gutter he was hiding in?
The only likely superior was Tombstone.
Even though Wayne had already guessed as much, he wasn’t willing to rely on assumptions.
Looking at the thug stubbornly clenching his teeth without saying a word…
The expression of “Kill me if you want. I’ll never talk.”
…was far too familiar.
“Hm?”
The next second—
Wayne hurled the man toward the rooftop’s edge.
The tremendous force slammed him into the low concrete barrier.
“Pfft!”
A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.
Terrified, he watched Batman calmly approach.
The gloved black hand wrapped around his throat once more.
An eighty-kilogram man…
…was lifted effortlessly with a single hand.
Below his feet—
Wayne was holding him over the edge of the apartment building.
“I’m just an ordinary human.”
Wayne spoke with absolute calm.
“I don’t have Spider-Man’s strength.”
“So I get tired.”
“My grip slips.”
“I think…”
“You know what happens when someone falls from the third floor.”
“If you land on your feet…”
“You’ll spend the rest of your life paralyzed.”
“But if you land on your head…”
As he spoke…
Wayne deliberately took another small step forward.
“Now.”
“Tell me.”
“Who’s your boss?”
“Where does he live?”
The man wanted to keep resisting.
But the masked monster before him…
Actually seemed to be losing his grip.
He could feel Wayne’s hand trembling ever so slightly.
Maybe…
Maybe the next second…
Batman would accidentally let go.
“I—I only know he lives in an upscale apartment in Manhattan!”
“I don’t know anything else!”
Using his uninjured left hand, he desperately grabbed Wayne’s arm.
He didn’t want to die.
Not like this.
“What a strange universe.”
Wayne said calmly.
“A lackey working for a criminal…”
“…living in crowded Manhattan.”
As soon as he finished speaking—
He released his hand.
“AAAAAHHHHHH!!”
This time, no one covered the man’s mouth.
Thud!
Wayne didn’t even bother looking over the edge.
According to his calculations…
The man would most likely survive.
As a permanently disabled criminal.
And somehow…
Wayne doubted anyone would let him return to a life of crime.
(End of Chapter)