The League of Assassins Appears, Another Player Enters the Game!
Deep within the massively funded Underground Base, a laboratory comparable to Wayne Enterprises Applied Sciences Division is operating quietly.
Link stood in front of a huge holographic screen, his eyes focused.
On the light screen, a microscopic cellular structure is being repeatedly disassembled and analyzed, with countless data streams cascading down like a waterfall.
This is a blood sample he obtained from the "Talons" assassin.
"The cell regeneration rate exceeds that of any biological sample in the known database."
"The cell structure exhibits high instability, presenting a 'pseudo-immortality' state forcibly maintained by external forces."
A cold, synthesized electronic voice continuously reported the analysis results.
Link's finger lightly swept across the light screen, bringing up a new set of data models.
"Conduct extreme environmental stress tests, simulating all conditions such as low temperature, high temperature, high pressure, and radiation, to determine its collapse threshold."
"Command received, simulation test begins..."
However, just as the test Programs was started, the entire Underground Base was suddenly engulfed in a piercing alarm.
Blood-red lights replaced the original soft lighting, flashing wildly in every alloy tunnel.
"Bang!"
The laboratory door was violently kicked open.
Harley Quinn rolled in, carrying two heavily modified revolvers with exaggerated calibers, her face contorted with bloodthirsty excitement.
"Some idiot barged in? Honey, how about we twist his head off and use it as a chamber pot?"
Link waved his hand, signaling her to be quiet, his gaze remaining fixed on the main monitoring screen.
"Don't be nervous, it's not the enemy."
Harley followed his gaze and froze.
In the center of the base's entrance hall, dozens of automated defensive turrets hidden within the walls extended, their Black Hole muzzles pointed at the same target.
But in the center of that barrage of fire, a ninja dressed in black night clothes, with only his eyes showing, was kneeling on one knee, his posture humble, as if he were oblivious to the deadly weapons around him.
He held a letter aloft in his hand, sealed with dark red sealing wax.
"This is... the new deliveryman? His service is amazing!" Harley blinked and remarked.
A playful smile curved Link's lips.
To be able to break through the outer defenses so silently, pinpoint the base entrance so precisely, and then adopt this posture, is definitely not something a deliveryman could do.
This is a greeting from another force.
Link turned off the alarm and strolled into the lobby.
The automatic turret slowly retracted into the wall, leaving only him, Harley, and the kneeling ninja.
The ninja presented the letter with both hands, without uttering a word.
Link took it.
The envelope had an ancient and sturdy feel, and a hideous demon's head was branded on the dark red sealing wax at the closure.
A faint scent, mixed with the smell of sand and blood, emanated from the letter.
He tore open the seal and pulled out the letter inside.
The handwriting above was in an elegant yet sharp font, each stroke exuding an arrogant condescension.
"To the New Storm Rising in Gotham City:"
"Your arrival has stirred up this stagnant pool, which is good."
"The Court of Owls is rotting flesh festering in Gotham's marrow, a malignant tumor that must be surgically removed. We deeply appreciate your offense against them."
"Let me introduce ourselves. We are the League of Assassins, the Restorers dedicated to maintaining the world's balance through Purification and destruction."
"Your goal is money and power; our goal is Order and Purification. In this corrupt city, we share a common enemy."
"The Demon the Mentor, Rayshy O'Gu, invites you to a meeting to discuss the grand plan to Purification Gotham."
The letter was brief, but contained a wealth of information.
League of Assassins! Thundercloud O'Gu!
Information about this legendary organization instantly flashed through Link's mind.
An ancient assassin brotherhood that has existed for centuries, dedicated to "cleansing" human civilization across the globe.
Their leader, Leixiao O Gu, is an ancient monster who has lived for centuries thanks to a mysterious spring called the "Lazarus Pit".
Even Batman was once his student and one of his most formidable enemies.
Unexpectedly, his probing attack on the Court of Owls had drawn out these real "demons".
"The League of Assassins? That sounds like a name some chuunibyou (delusional teenager) came up with." Harley leaned over for a look and pursed her lips.
"No, they're not immature teenagers."
Link casually tossed the letter onto the table, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He picked up the white feather he had taken from the Talons, then looked at the hideous demon head on the envelope, his smile growing wider.
The Court of Owls, the uncrowned kings beneath Gotham, ancient and mysterious.
The League of Assassins, the world's Cleaner, ruthless and powerful.
Now, both of these behemoths lurking in the darkness have turned their attention to Gotham because of their appearance.
This is much more interesting than playing house with those street thugs in Black Mask.
"They want me to be a pawn, to fight the owls?" Link muttered to himself, a cold sneer in his eyes. "Too bad, I've never been a pawn."
"I only play chess."
A crazy and audacious plan took shape in his mind like Flash.
Drive away the tiger to devour the wolf!
Since you all want to use me, then let's see if you fight each other to the death first.
"Honey, what mischievous idea are you thinking of? You're laughing so happily." Harley looked at Link's familiar, mischievous expression and got excited too.
Link turned around and pinched Harley's cheek.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to invite all the big shots in Gotham to watch a good show."
"A good show of... dogs fighting."
He gave the ninja, who was still kneeling on the ground, a kind smile.
"Go back and tell your master, the demon the Mentor."
"I accepted his invitation."