Bruce stared intently at Kino, his gaze so sharp it seemed capable of piercing every disguise. He tried to find even the slightest clue in Kino's face, expression, or movements, but the result left him utterly confused and frustrated.
The man seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no trace of a past and no background that could be investigated.
Bruce secretly wondered, Could he be an alien? From some distant galaxy, descending upon Earth with an unknown purpose?
Or perhaps, like Diana, he had always lived in some isolated place, never coming into contact with the outside world?
This uncertainty made Bruce uneasy. He was accustomed to controlling the situation, accustomed to seeing through everything in the darkness.
Yet Kino's appearance made him feel as though he were standing in a fog, unable to find his way.
Kino looked straight into Bruce's eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Am I making you very uneasy? Other than copying Superman's power, I've never done anything bad in this world. Besides, I helped you find your son."
Bruce's gaze grew even sharper. "This world? You're from another world."
Kino nodded in admission. "That's right. My name is Kino, and I'm from the Marvel Universe.
"In the future, an extremely powerful villain will destroy half the life in the entire universe. That's why I came to your world to find enough power to protect myself."
Bruce frowned upon hearing this, his eyes filled with confusion. "If I remember correctly, Marvel is a comic-book company. Did you come out of a comic?"
Kino nodded again. "More or less."
Bruce's gaze grew sharper still as he pressed on. "Then you also learned my identity from the comics?"
Kino said slowly, "Your universe is called the DC Universe."
"I see. Then I should be the sort of character who's a protagonist."
Bruce's tone was steady, and his expression remained utterly calm. The possibility that his world might only be a comic did not cause him the slightest panic or dismay.
Kino looked at Bruce, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes. "That's right. In your universe, you're indeed an extremely important figure."
"In every Gotham, there will be a Batman who destroys evil. Most of them are Bruce Wayne. A small number are your father, and there are also your brothers."
Bruce furrowed his brow. "I have brothers in other universes?"
Kino nodded, his expression serious. "That's right. In one universe, Little Thomas Wayne killed you and your parents, becoming Owlman in Gotham—what you call the Owl."
Bruce's expression grew complicated, as though he were imagining that completely different version of himself and his family. "It's difficult to imagine that something like that could happen in another universe."
"Can I travel to your universe?"
Kino refused. "Everyone in this universe can leave, except you."
"Why?"
"You have a deep connection to someone. I can't defeat him for the time being. Besides, if you leave this world, Gotham might be destroyed as well," Kino said.
Barbatos regarded Bruce Wayne as the key to opening a passage to the positive-matter universe. Once he disappeared, no one knew what might happen.
"...I understand."
Kino stood up, intending to leave.
"I've already answered your questions. Come find me in five days."
After Kino left, Bruce sat on the sofa like a statue, his brows tightly furrowed as he sank into deep thought.
"A deep connection to some major figure, and an indirect threat to Gotham. Then the reason behind all the evil in Gotham is also connected to that person. What is his purpose?"
These questions continued to circle through his mind, yet he could never find an answer.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
"Young Master Bruce."
Bruce abruptly snapped out of his thoughts, only then realizing that night had fallen without him noticing.
"Alfred, come in!" His voice carried a hint of exhaustion.
Alfred entered with Damian, who had changed his clothes. The little boy's face still held a trace of unease and confusion. They came before Bruce, and Alfred said gravely,
"Miss Talia has already left. And you should take a look at this."
As he spoke, Alfred gently rolled up Damian's sleeve. The thin arm beneath was covered in scars of varying depths, old and new wounds crisscrossing one another in a horrifying sight.
Bruce's gaze fell upon the scars, and pain flashed through his eyes.
"Does it hurt?"
Bruce's voice was low and gentle. His fingers carefully caressed the scars bit by bit, as though he wanted to smooth away the pain of the past.
Damian looked up at the man before him, revealing a vulnerable expression.
His mother had said that this was the strongest man in the world. As his child, he had to grow stronger constantly and defeat this man.
But this man was covered in openings, and the emotions in his eyes were so unfamiliar. Yet Damian did not hate him.
The feeling left Damian somewhat lost, and his young heart wavered at that moment.
"It doesn't hurt anymore."
Alfred said at that moment, "Young Master, when I was bathing Damian just now..."
Bruce listened, looking at Damian with an unreadable expression.
"Damian, what do you think of the man from before?"
"Strong. Frightening."
"Do you hate him?"
"I don't hate him."
"I understand."
Bruce made a decision in his heart.
Elsewhere
Kino randomly landed in a bustling city. The moment he touched down, Venom's familiar figure quickly appeared and leaned affectionately against him.
"Venom, for the next three days, we're going to enjoy this private world for two," Kino said with a smile, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Kino, why come here? Wouldn't Gotham do?"
"Gotham is oppressive and dangerous. It really isn't suitable for us to relax." Kino chuckled and shook his head, then took Venom's hand as they joined the bustling crowd.
After successfully obtaining a human body, Venom had somehow gained a human sense of taste as well. Although the food provided no real nourishment for her, she was full of curiosity and wanted to try the delicacies Kino loved.
The two walked side by side, sharing their food bite by bite wherever they went.
A satisfied smile spread across Venom's beautiful face, while Kino looked at her indulgently.
Behind them, a young man could not help casting an envious glance their way and sighing inwardly, "To have such a beautiful girlfriend—this man is truly lucky."
Before you continue