Rejuvenation

The residual warmth from the metal hatch of the Batcave still lingered, the cold light of the console reflecting on Batman's profile.

Data streams scrolled rapidly across the screen.

"Compared to Bruce Wayne's previous record, his comprehensive qualities have increased by approximately 3.7 times."

Hal leaned against the stone wall, turning his head to look at the computer screen in front of Batman, his eyes filled with a touch of shock.

"To think such a race actually exists. I must report this data comparison to Oa, otherwise they might not take Viltrum seriously enough."

Batman nodded, shifting slightly to make room. Hal immediately raised his ring and briefly read the information on the Batcomputer.

The Green Lantern ring began to transmit a signal, emitting a faint, almost imperceptible glow.

After finishing the transmission, Hal seemed to recall something even more serious, a flicker of worry crossing his brow.

"And that kid's compatibility signal has likely been recorded by a Yellow Lantern ring. Sinestro won't let such a promising prospect slip away."

"The Sinestro Corps are all currently hidden in the antimatter universe, making it difficult for us to even take preventative measures."

His voice took on a somber tone, a stark contrast to his previously carefree demeanor.

Glancing down at the Green Lantern ring, whose flashing frequency had quickened, Hal's expression relaxed slightly.

"Oa headquarters will dispatch several more Green Lanterns. They'll arrive in the galactic sector by tomorrow morning at the latest. They'll be lurking near the Solar System, ready to provide immediate support if any Sinestro Corps signals are detected again."

Batman didn't look up, his fingertips lightly tapping the touch panel of the console, bringing up a projection of the star map around the Solar System. Red warning lines crisscrossed the interstellar space like a net.

"The Justice League will be responsible for internal defenses on Earth."

His voice remained low, devoid of any extraneous emotion.

"Shane's immediate danger has decreased. I just gave him a communicator. If there's any sign of a Sinestro Corps surprise attack on his end, we'll coordinate immediately."

"Don't worry. If they dare to tear open a rift in the antimatter universe, I'll intercept them the first moment I can."

Hal raised his hand, the Green Lantern ring flaring brilliantly, enveloping him in a green light. He pierced through the hidden exit at the top of the Batcave and vanished into the night sky in an instant.

Silence returned to the cave. Batman continued to stare at the console until Nightwing's voice reached his ears.

Nightwing held an empty food tray, looking around. He swept some clutter off the table with his hand before placing the plate down.

He glanced in the direction of the empty corridor, his tone laced with a hint of helplessness.

"I tried to talk to that girl, but she's more vigilant than I expected."

Nightwing rubbed his forehead with his hand, adding, "She just ate steak and remained silent the whole time. When I asked about her origins or intentions, she didn't respond at all."

Batman listened quietly. He understood Nightwing's personality.

If Nightwing hadn't managed to get any information, he usually wouldn't have so much to say.

He would typically just slink away, perhaps reporting back through an encrypted channel later.

Seeing the man who raised him as stubborn and unyielding as a rock, Nightwing made several faces behind Batman's back.

Then, he reported in a more relaxed tone.

"Only when I mentioned Shane did the girl say she helped Shane accept everything he did on Viltrum."

Nightwing shrugged, casually pulled over a stool, and sat down.

"That's all. Nothing more."

Batman finally looked up, switching the monitoring feed for the Batcave hall. A faint trace of purple magical energy still lingered in the corner.

"Activate 24-hour global surveillance. Keep a close eye on her every move, without any oversight."

He raised his hand and retracted the surveillance and star map projections, then opened an anomaly alert program, his tone grave.

"Before Shane left, he subtly indicated to me that the girl's situation is similar to his. She has a more troublesome hidden threat behind her than Viltrum."

Nightwing's expression instantly turned serious. He sprang up and moved closer to the console, his gaze falling on the blurry energy trajectory Batman had displayed.

"More troublesome than Viltrum? Who exactly is she?"

"Shane said she came to Earth for help, but refused to disclose the core secrets to us."

Batman's gaze remained sharp, as if the man never tired, and even with various cosmic-level problems piling up, his judgment remained unaffected.

However, this time, Batman finally opened that encrypted channel again.

He contacted someone else.

"Oracle, closely track the interactions of those two, record any abnormal behavior, and report it promptly."

Meanwhile, in the deep alleys of Gotham, Shane and Rachel were walking side by side.

The streetlights at the alley entrance were old and faulty, their light flickering, casting irregular shadows of the two figures on the ground.

"Are you full?"

Shane asked, turning his head. Recalling the food tray Nightwing had carried back and forth, he couldn't help but smile.

These past few days in Gotham, relying on the endurance boost from his superpowers, he hadn't eaten on time much. Now, mentally, he felt a bit unaccustomed.

Rachel rolled her eyes, making no attempt to hide it.

The frozen steak wasn't heated long enough, it's not even as soft as the bread I brought myself.

She paused, her tone laced with mockery.

Is this what you call "mooching off the rich"?

Shane was taken aback for a few seconds, then laughed awkwardly after understanding.

You can't blame him for that.

He pointed behind them, in the direction of where the Batcave presumably was.

Think about it, a hidden base tucked away in a cliffside sewer would prioritize canned goods for storage. For frozen items, which are easier to preserve and last longer, you can't expect much in terms of taste.

They reached the alley entrance, and Shane stopped, his casual demeanor vanishing, replaced by a serious expression.

Rachel, if you don't want to keep wandering, why don't you team up with me?

His tone was sincere, without any hint of probing.

At least you won't have to steal to fill your stomach or make do with sleeping in abandoned corners.

Rachel's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she instinctively took half a step back, a faint purple magical glow emanating from her as she eyed Shane warily.

You've seen my memories, you should know how terrifying "He" is.

That demon could break through the dimensional barrier and find us at any moment. Anyone who gets close to me will be dragged into endless darkness. Why would you court death?

Shane was silent for a moment, then raised a finger and shook it.

You're talking about the one who wants to devour Earth, but the Viltrum fleet could also descend upon this planet one day. For this planet, both threats are apocalyptic.

Rachel froze. She remembered the planetary civilizations from Shane's memories, those that were tragically wiped out in the name of conquest and glory.

Honestly, while a single Viltrumite might not be as powerful as Superman, a few of their warriors could tie him down and keep the Justice League occupied.

The remaining Viltrumites would be enough to swiftly and completely purge the rest of Earth's ordinary population.

That kind of overwhelming destructive power was more direct and rapid than Trigon's dark corruption.

She couldn't be sure which of these two disasters would strike first.

In other words, her current situation and Shane's were essentially the same.

Carrying a fatal hidden danger, once the ordinary populace knew, they would surely be met with fear and rejection.

She knew better than anyone the loneliness of having no one to rely on and nowhere to belong.

Rachel's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. She no longer resisted Shane's approach.

What are your plans then?

She spoke, having already agreed to them teaming up.

Before I got your help, I just wanted to escape to Earth and live in hiding, because I've been suffocating under the nightmare of Viltrum.

He wasn't someone with a fiery spirit. Thirty years of ordinary life at the bottom had left an indelible mark on his middle-aged soul.

His past achievements on Viltrum couldn't shake the fact that deep down, he had already surrendered to life countless times.

It wasn't until Raven sewed the other half of his blood-red soul into his brain that Shane regained a mindset he had subconsciously scoffed at.

I want to become stronger than Superman.

He turned to look at Rachel, his expression finally free of the weariness of the past.

To prepare for the day Viltrum might arrive.

Rachel's deadpan expression remained unchanged, but she instinctively asked.

What if they never come?

Then I'll travel the universe looking for them. If not in this universe, then in another. I want to defeat everyone who opposes me until Viltrum exists in a different way.

As he finished speaking, Shane couldn't help but add.

Of course, at the very least, after I become strong enough, or when I'm fully prepared.

Shane was excitedly about to ask Rachel for her thoughts, but saw her staring at him with an expression that bordered on looking at an idiot, a hint of speechless disdain on her lips.

Who asked you about these vague, ethereal things.

Rachel rolled her eyes, her tone blunt and unforgiving.

I'm asking where you're going to live next. When I was alone, I didn't mind living in a warehouse or hiding in the sewers. You said you couldn't live like that anymore...

She paused, posing a more practical question.

And food. We can't always rely on me stealing, or dropping by Batman's place for frozen steak every few days, can we?

Shane's determined expression froze instantly, and he coughed awkwardly.

Well... I have an escape pod. It's not very large, but if we tidy it up, it'll be enough for two people to stay.

As for food, don't worry. I'll catch fish. You won't starve.

Rachel sighed and didn't say anything else, seemingly accepting the arrangement that sounded utterly hopeless and unappealing.

They walked a bit further, and Rachel suddenly added.

I really regret helping you. Your soul doesn't feel "fragrant" at all anymore. It's so young it's nauseating.