How Many Times Must the Earth Be Saved?

Anton did not agree to let Jameson take out the Batcycle for the old man to play with, but he did promise to give him a movie prop motorcycle that looked roughly the same.

Only then was Jameson satisfied and stopped pestering Anton.

After exchanging a few simple words, Jameson headed to New York City Hall to handle some remaining matters from last night's Continental Hotel incident.

Only then did Anton meet the driver serving Jameson. It was none other than John Wick, who had unsuccessfully tried to assassinate him the night before.

That came as quite a surprise to Anton.

Of course, Jameson had his own reasons, and Anton calmly accepted the fact.

Besides, John Wick was highly skilled. In an increasingly dangerous New York, having the former King of New York Assassins working for the family was hardly a bad thing.

John Wick was planning to retire anyway. Wasn't it good to find a job to ease into retirement?

All he could do was marvel at the old man's foresight.

Watching Jameson leave the villa district in a vintage car driven by John Wick, Anton smiled faintly.

Telling the old man that he was Batman had actually been a decision made after careful consideration.

The whole Batman matter did not hold up well under scrutiny. If anyone dug deeply enough, it was practically an open secret.

Jameson was the person closest to Anton. There was no need to hide such things from him too carefully, and it would also let Jameson know that Anton now had the ability to protect himself and his family.

The only thing that needed to remain hidden was the truth of his transmigration.

Saying something that absurd aloud would only confuse Jameson.

Even Anton himself could not figure out whether he had taken over Anton's body, or whether the personality from his past life had awakened with the System's help and replaced the personality of this life.

In any case, Jameson was his closest family in this life.

After tidying up a little, he drove to the Daily Bugle.

"Anton, what happened at the Continental Hotel yesterday caused a sensation throughout New York and even the entire country. The New York Police Department has opened a case and is preparing to work with the San Francisco Police Department to investigate the Life Foundation."

When Betty saw him coming to work, she looked surprised as she reported, "Besides that, people are arguing all over the internet about the mysterious person who appeared at the Continental Hotel yesterday—the guy playing Batman."

"Is that so?"

Anton remained perfectly calm. "How big is the impact?"

He had already seen the morning news and the information circulating online.

As for Batman, the posts with the most views and likes were actually several photos of Batman appearing and leaping through the air from the Continental Hotel.

They had been taken with considerable skill. The lighting and composition were both first-rate.

Unfortunately, the photographer was not a Daily Bugle employee.

Anton was considering whether to poach them when Betty continued, "Because of this incident, tickets for Batman in New York City are impossible to get. Attendance in other places has also risen to seventy percent. Today's box office might even double."

Betty had specifically called the theaters and received that answer.

"Very good."

Anton did not seem surprised at all. Smiling, he said, "Congratulations. You've earned the bonus I promised you."

A moment later, seeing that Betty had not left, he asked curiously, "Is there anything else?"

"That Batman..."

As an internal member of the newspaper, Betty had naturally learned some detailed insider information from the reporters who had gone to the Continental Hotel to shoot footage the night before.

Curiosity scratched at her like a cat's claws, and she could not help asking, "Do you know who he is?"

"How would I know?"

Anton waved a hand, utterly unconcerned. "All I know is that he's a good man."

"Fine."

Betty snorted. Seeing through Anton's evasiveness, she left in annoyance.

In the office, Anton sat in his executive chair and reviewed yesterday's gains.

The armor's durability had dropped somewhat after yesterday's battle, but it could not be considered damaged.

After checking, Anton discovered that fan points could replenish the durability of armor and equipment. Even if something was damaged, it could be repaired with fan points.

That was not the most important thing.

[Thwarted the Continental Hotel. Reward: 2 million Justice Points.]

This prompt that appeared on the System panel, visible only to him, was what Anton cared about most.

He had not forgotten that he needed to deal with two metrics.

Fan points and Justice Points.

Fan points were used to exchange for DC heroes. Justice Points were used to exchange for the main template hero's special armor and unlock Batman's stronger forms.

Thermal Armor, Insider Suit, Battering Armor, Rabbit Armor, Bat-Enhanced Armor, Kingdom Come, Anti-Superman Armor, Fenrir Armor, Hellbat, the Sixth Dimension "Ultimate Armor"... All of them sat in the System space, making Anton's eyes burn with envy. Every so often, he had to go in and take another look.

If not for the invisible barrier keeping him out, Anton would have loved to lick them a couple of times and hug them to sleep every day.

Thermal Armor, Insider Suit, and Battering Armor were the cheapest, requiring 5 million Justice Points.

Then came tiers priced at 8 million, 10 million, 40 million, 50 million, and 80 million.

The most expensive, the Sixth Dimension "Ultimate Armor," cost 100 million.

If he exchanged for all those matching armors and assembled Batman's most complete and strongest lineup, then used the armor like Iron Man to set off fireworks for the sake of chasing women... The question was, how many times would he have to save the Earth?

Anton's eyes went dizzy just looking at it.

Last night's operation had been meant, on one hand, to warn the Continental Hotel and dig a pit for the Life Foundation. On the other hand, it was precisely for the prompt he was seeing today.

Justice Points!

Thwarting the Continental Hotel and cleaning up the city environment had earned him 2 million from the System.

Then taking care of the Life Foundation should earn him even more.

By then, could he exchange for a special armor set and alternate it with the basic one?

Anton could hardly wait.

He turned on his computer, opened his email, and sent Eddie a message saying that he had found help and would soon arrive in San Francisco to deal with the Life Foundation together.

After that, he pondered for a moment before calling Betty in again.

"If nothing unexpected happens, Eddie will be back soon. Your position as acting editor-in-chief will probably be replaced by him, the official editor-in-chief."

After Anton said that, Betty remained expressionless.

Surprised, he asked, "You're not angry at all? That doesn't sound like the Betty I know."

"Would being angry help?" Betty asked in return.

"No."

"Then that settles it."

"But if you were angry, I'd recommend you for a new job."

"What kind of job?"

"My personal assistant."

"Then I'll never dare get angry."

"Uh!"

Anton choked. "Seriously, Betty, newspaper work doesn't bring out all your talents. Why not become my personal assistant? I have plenty of work waiting for you."

"What could you possibly have to do besides chase women?" Betty eyed him suspiciously. "You're not trying to chase me, are you? You're not my type!"

"You think I can't find another woman besides you?"

Anton was somewhat annoyed. "Don't forget, I'm still a genius director! I have plenty of ideas in my head waiting to be brought to life."

"Let me think about it."

Betty put away her joking expression.

She understood what Anton meant. After pondering for a moment, she answered seriously.

"No problem."

Anton nodded. "You can tell me your decision after Eddie returns. Oh, and book me a flight to San Francisco. Preferably one for tonight."

"You're going to San Francisco?"

Betty was shocked. "That's the Life Foundation's territory! Anton, have you thought this through?"

"I'm going there to solve this problem at its source."

Anton waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. Just do as I say and book the ticket."

"You really do squeeze every last drop out of me."

Betty rolled her eyes at that.