The Joker of the Past Time

In an unknowable dimension.

A truly indescribable existence was waiting to coalesce.

And on the other side.

The man who had received his archenemy's call immediately made a judgment from the other party's voice and tone.

Bruce's fingers tightened in an instant, and the phone's metal casing gave a faint groan. Of course he recognized that voice.

The most extreme embodiment of Gotham's madness.

His eternal mirror image and enemy—Joker.

"How did you get this number?" Bruce's voice was so cold it could freeze the air, but his mind was rapidly analyzing every possibility.

Had the communications network been hacked?

Had someone on the inside leaked it?

Or had Joker used some stranger, nontechnical method?

"Oh, Batsy, your questions are always so unimaginative~" Joker clicked his tongue on the other end of the line, his voice rising and falling as if it were dancing. "The point is, I got it! Just like I always get the toys I want! Now, let's talk about something more interesting, like—your 'glorious achievement' tonight?"

There was a touch of exaggerated amazement in his voice.

"Hmm?"

Batman forced himself to calm down.

Joker would never call just to show off or chat. He knew very well that the other party had to have some purpose, or—had already done something.

"What show are you trying to announce this time? What's your target?" Although Batman wanted to think calmly, the influence he had named [Pollution Force] was genuinely difficult to suppress.

As a result, Bruce found it hard to concentrate, and his emotions were difficult to steady.

"Announce? No, no, no, my dear, you've got it wrong."

Joker's voice suddenly turned syrupy and eerie. "Tonight's lead actor" isn't me. It's you, Batman. You're the one committing the crime, not me."

"Surprised? Caught off guard? I sure was