Delaying Time

In the movie, Superman's body was buried in a cemetery, but in the real world, that was impossible.

Whether for research or to turn him into a biological weapon, this world was full of ambitious people.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Bruce denied it. There was nothing he could do now except buy time.

"Pamela, sorry for the trouble."

"No problem, darling."

Pamela controlled the Vines, binding Bruce before spitting a cloud of mist into his face.

"Tell me, where is Superman's body?"

"I... I don't know."

Bruce's eyes looked slightly dazed, but they remained clear.

Pamela was a little surprised. What incredible willpower.

"Release Master Bruce."

Pamela spat a cloud of mist at the old butler. The next second, he staggered and collapsed.

"As expected of Batman."

Kino pulled a ring from his pocket.

Mind Amplification Ring: It could enhance the wearer's psychic power, allowing them to place one or more people under mental control and transmit commands to them mentally. However, it could affect only one person at a time, and its effective range was ten feet.

Kino put the ring on his finger, focused his mind, and activated his ability on Bruce.

Bruce's eyes instantly became vacant. Then he slowly opened his mouth and said, "Superman's body is in the underground Batcave beneath Wayne Manor."

Kino and Pamela exchanged a glance, excitement surging in their hearts.

They had finally found Superman's body. Kino stood up and said, "Take us there."

Bruce rose mechanically and led them toward the underground laboratory.

The underground laboratory was filled with high-tech equipment. Superman's body lay quietly inside a massive crystal coffin. Kino looked at Superman's body, awe filling his heart.

"Just as I thought. It was in your hands."

"Yes. The one in the cemetery is a substitute, meant to draw attention away." Bruce spoke without expression.

"Open it!"

"Yes."

When the crystal coffin opened, Kino pressed his hand against Clark's body. Black tendrils entered through his pores.

[His cells are still active. He isn't dead; he's merely in a state of suspended animation.]

"Bruce, did you know Clark wasn't dead?" Kino asked.

Bruce struggled, and only after Kino strengthened his control did he slowly speak.

"...Yes. His brainwaves are extremely weak, but they still exist. His body is also continuously absorbing solar radiation. As long as he is placed under sunlight, he will revive within five years at most."

As expected, the Mother Box was an ultimate weapon created by Apokolips. How could it possibly possess the power to resurrect someone?

Superman could revive because the Mother Box had repaired his body and then used an enormous amount of energy to stimulate and awaken him.

"Then why didn't you revive him?"

"He can't appear in this world yet. He needs an opportunity."

Pamela looked at Bruce in confusion. What did he mean?

Kino, however, understood somewhat. The earlier Kryptonian invasion and the recent Doomsday incident had both been resolved, but they had also caused enormous losses to the world, while Superman's power had been exposed.

The world's leaders were all afraid of Superman's power. Superman had to remain dead until a global crisis gave him the chance to appear and save the world once again.

"No matter the world, it's always the same. Good people are destined to have guns pointed at them."

At that moment, a golden rope wrapped around Bruce and yanked him into the air.

"That was why heroes like us appeared."

The newcomer was Wonder Woman, Diana. She caught Bruce.

Bruce's consciousness recovered under the effects of the Lasso of Truth.

"You're late. I sent you a message half an hour ago."

"Do you think Washington is right next door?"

Diana rolled her eyes at him, then looked at Clark's body, her expression turning cold. "And you owe me an explanation."

Bruce did not reply. He ran toward his equipment vault.

"All right. Whatever your purpose is, get that thing off him!" Diana drew the Sword of Vulcan and stared intently at the black tendrils covering Clark.

Kino asked Venom inwardly, How much longer do you need?

[I need a little longer. I've only analyzed half of it.]

I'll buy you time.

[Wait...]

With that, Kino severed his connection with Venom.

"Bruce was right about one thing. You're late!"

Kino's body instantly turned green. He swept both hands outward, and several Vines surged toward Diana like enraged pythons.

The Vines were thick and powerful, lined with sharp thorns that whistled through the air.

"You made the wrong choice."

Diana swung the Sword of Vulcan, its blade flashing with scorching light.

Her movements were as swift and fierce as a raging storm. Every strike precisely severed the Vines charging at her. Yet the severed Vines instantly transformed into countless smaller branches and continued winding toward her.

Countless Vines burst from the ground, crazily turning the gloomy Batcave into a green ocean.

The ocean churned violently, every Vine seeming alive as it lunged at Diana with bared thorns.

Diana swung the Sword of Vulcan. No matter how many Vines she cut apart, new ones surged in from every direction.

Every attack carried tremendous force, slicing the surrounding Vines into several pieces as green sap splattered everywhere.

But the severed Vines seemed to possess endless vitality. They rapidly regrew and launched another attack at her.

Pamela immediately joined the battle. She waved both hands, controlling even more Vines to surge toward Diana from the ceiling, walls, and floor.

The Vines intertwined, forming a massive green net that tried to trap Diana inside.

Although Diana was powerful, she gradually began to struggle under the endless assault of the Vines.

"Do you think this can stop me?"

Diana crossed her arms, making the Bracelets of Submission collide.

A layer of golden light formed around her body and instantly blasted away the surrounding Vines.

The Vines hurled away by the shockwave slammed into the walls and equipment, producing dull thuds.

Seeing this, Kino immediately changed tactics.

Pamela would control the Vines while Kino strengthened them.

As green light lit up around Kino, the surrounding Vines became thicker and tougher, reflecting a metallic sheen.

"Fuck, what a nuisance."

Cursing, Diana continued swinging the Sword of Vulcan and slowly fought her way toward the two of them.

Just as the two sides reached a stalemate, Bruce charged out of the equipment vault.

He wore the black Batsuit and tightly held a canister. He threw it into the center of the green ocean.

Bang—

After a loud explosion, a dense mist of water erupted and quickly spread through the area. The Vines it touched gradually began to wither, as if they had lost their vitality.

"Herbicide! The Batcave even has this stuff?"

"Kid, look over here."

By then, Diana had finally reached her target. She sheathed the Sword of Vulcan, raised her shield, and swung it viciously at Kino's head.