First Meeting with a "God"

"Sir, the trip to Metropolis has been arranged. The Daily Planet has confirmed that they are deeply honored to conduct an exclusive interview with you regarding the 'Blüdhaven Urban Renewal Plan.' The reporter handling the interview is their star journalist, Clark Kent."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom cruised smoothly along the highway toward Metropolis as Alfred's voice came through the encrypted communication channel.

"Good." Bruce leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes to rest.

Clark Kent... At last, we were going to meet.

He did not feel particularly excited. In his previous life, Superman had been one of the heroes he admired most. But now, viewing Superman as Bruce Wayne, his perspective had changed completely.

Superman was a variable. An ultimate variable powerful enough to destroy Earth in an instant, yet innocent to the point of near naivety.

His very existence posed the greatest threat to Earth's existing order. Not because he would commit evil, but because if he ever lost control or was exploited by someone with ulterior motives, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Luthor's obsession was not entirely without reason. His methods were simply disastrously wrong.

I need to understand him, analyze him, and find his weaknesses. Not to deal with him, but to... lend him a hand when he needs help. And to stop him when he loses control.

That was the true purpose of Bruce's trip.

Metropolis.

Completely unlike Gotham's eternal gloom and darkness, this was a city bathed in sunlight, brimming with a sense of the future. Towering skyscrapers rose into the clouds, their sleek lines and gleaming glass facades shining brightly. Elevated railcars moved between the buildings, the streets were clean and orderly, and most people wore confident, optimistic smiles.

This was the "City of Tomorrow," a utopia protected by Superman.

The Daily Planet headquarters' enormous golden globe emblem gleamed brilliantly atop the building in the sunlight.

When Bruce Wayne entered the Daily Planet lobby surrounded by bodyguards, he immediately drew everyone's attention. He wore an expensive light-gray suit today, with the perfectly charming smile of a playboy on his face. Every gesture radiated the poise and allure of elite old money.

The newspaper's editor-in-chief, Perry White, came out personally to greet him.

And behind Perry White, one tall, slightly clumsy figure drew all of Bruce's attention.

He wore a cheap suit that did not quite fit, black-rimmed glasses, and meticulously combed hair. His face carried a trace of shyness and nervousness. He looked like a simple young man fresh from the countryside, trying hard to fit into the big city.

Clark Kent.

The smile on Bruce's face did not change, but his "tactical master mind" and the miniature scanner built into the Arkham Knight Armor had already completed a preliminary analysis of this "ordinary reporter" in an instant.

[Target: Kal-El (Kryptonian name) / Clark Kent (Earth name)]

[Biological traits: Kryptonian. Under Earth's yellow solar radiation, his body cells possess extraordinary energy absorption and conversion abilities.]

[Scan results: Bone density: unable to measure (beyond instrument limit). Muscle strength: unable to measure (beyond instrument limit). Neural response speed: unable to measure (beyond instrument limit). Heartbeat: 6 beats per minute, steady and powerful, like the pulse of a stellar core. Heat vision: a high concentration of biological energy is present in the eyes and can be activated at any time. Super hearing: detected that his auditory structure is receiving and processing all sound-wave information within several kilometers, including but not limited to sirens, the beating wings of birds high in the sky, and... the standby signals emitted by the miniature listening devices beneath our bodyguards' leather shoes.]

Bruce's heart tightened slightly.

Sure enough, he was a monster-class existence.

But his expression remained that of a carefree playboy. He took the initiative, extending his hand as he walked toward Clark.

"You must be Mr. Clark Kent. I've heard so much about you." His voice was rich with charisma, his smile flawless. "I'm Bruce Wayne. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Clark was clearly flattered. He hurriedly extended his hand and shook Bruce's.

"Mr. Wayne, hello, hello! I... I'm the one who's heard so much about you!" He sounded slightly tongue-tied, and the strength in his hand unconsciously increased.

Bruce could feel the terrifying power contained within that seemingly ordinary palm, enough to crush diamonds. Yet he accepted it without changing expression and even grinned jokingly.

"Whoa! Mr. Kent, you must work out often."

Only then did Clark realize he had overdone it. He quickly released Bruce's hand and scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry, Mr. Wayne. I'm a little... nervous."

The instant they shook hands, a specially designed ring on Bruce's finger—not the Yellow Lantern Ring—had already used a microscopic probe to discreetly collect trace cellular samples from the surface of Clark's skin.

The interview proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere. Clark had clearly prepared thoroughly, and all his questions were highly professional. Bruce, meanwhile, effortlessly played the roles of the "generous philanthropist" and "shrewd businessman," lavishly praising the Blüdhaven Urban Renewal Plan and portraying himself as a perfect wealthy man who cared for ordinary people and dared to take responsibility.

During a break in the interview, Bruce asked as if casually, "Mr. Kent, I've heard that Metropolis has a 'Superman' protecting the city. What do you think of him?"

At the mention of Superman, an imperceptible gleam flashed behind Clark's glasses.

"He... he's a hero." Clark's voice became serious. "He's only doing everything he can to help everyone who needs help."

"Is that so?" A meaningful smile curved Bruce's lips. "But I've heard Gotham has a 'hero' too, called Batman. He seems to prefer solving problems with fists and fear. Which of their methods do you think is more effective? A guardian who stands above all, omnipotent like a god, or a judge who walks in the darkness and fights violence with violence?"

He delivered the question to the "Superman" before him with the precision of a scalpel.