Gamers Are Fierce

Li Ang, with his vertically pointed-eared cowl and ink-black cloak, looked rather high-end. However, beneath the cloak, the earthy-yellow bulletproof vest and gray high-top combat boots seemed utterly incongruous, like a cheap cosplayer who had wandered off a low-budget convention set on the outskirts of town.

"This city... has become filthy again...."

Li Ang's tone was frost-cold as he descended the stairs step by step in his high-top combat boots. His cloak gently brushed the rubble on the ground, not a speck of dust clinging to it.

"Despite my physical limitations, I have been Yin City's Batman for five full years. Do you know how I've spent these five years?"

Without waiting for an answer, Li Ang continued, "That's right. I undergo bizarre training routines every day, preparing for any crisis in Yin City. For example, opening beer bottles with my head, breaking bricks with my head, chopping bricks with my hands, chewing on lighters, eating raw bitter melon, chugging two bottles of baijiu simultaneously, eating wasabi, biting into hard sugarcane, and setting off firecrackers in my pants pocket. My motto is, 'Do the Clown's shtick, so the Clown has no shtick left to do.' They all honor me as the Laughing Bat of the 'Performance Art' movement, and say that I, a mere mortal, can rival the gods."

"???"

Not only were Ash and Wu Mu utterly baffled, but so was another player with them. Even the menacing Resentful Demon paused its pursuit, uncertain of this newcomer's strength.

This player cosplaying as Batman, draped in a cloak, seems a bit... dim-witted, the Resentful Demon thought. However, he must be at least a Level 10 player. This seemingly irrational behavior can only be some kind of hidden plot!

The Resentful Demon, hovering mid-air, silently pressed the Gulu Lugu nestled in its chest. The latter used its psychic-type skill to send it a telepathic message.

"Resentful Demon, I... I can't detect any hostility from him."

"Hmm? How is that possible?"

Doubts surged in the Resentful Demon's mind. It had been continuously monitoring the Lunar Phase Locator. According to the trajectory of the red dot on the Locator, the man in the Black Cloak was clearly the same person who had earlier worn a white 'cloak of justice.' Their two teams had even clashed violently, and the opposing side had nearly killed Gulu Lugu on the spot. How could there be no hostility?

Truth be told, the Resentful Demon wasn't afraid to attack directly. Even if this opponent wasn't affected by 'Controlled Hostility,' it was confident it could kill him outright. Besides, apart from this newcomer, the other three players couldn't land a direct hit on it. Unless the opponent possessed some kind of wide-area devastating skill capable of destroying the entire subway station in one go, 'Controlled Hostility' was virtually invincible until its Spiritual Energy ran out. Players at this level shouldn't possess that kind of destructive power yet.

The only thing preventing the Resentful Demon from acting was Li Ang's teammate, who had yet to appear. The Resentful Demon silently glanced at the Lunar Phase Locator again. On it, a red dot remained in a high-rise building over three hundred meters from the subway station entrance; they hadn't entered the station. Three hundred meters... just outside the effective range of 'Controlled Hostility.' In open terrain, three hundred meters would be a mere dash for the Resentful Demon. But Li Ang was inconveniently blocking the subway entrance stairs, exuding a profound and focused aura, with the resolute air of one ready to face death.

Just as silence enveloped the scene, a figure in red-and-white armor floated down from outside the station entrance, landing beside Li Ang within the subway station.

"Yo, Alfred, you made it!"

Li Ang nodded at the Red Armor. "Perfect timing. As they say, 'it takes brothers to hunt a tiger, and a father and son to go to war.' Today, we'll deal with these treacherous villains."

What in the world kind of Alfred is this?! Ash thought, utterly flabbergasted. Operatives of the Mobile Detachment monitored and recorded their surroundings during missions, uploading the data to the internal network. So, Ash knew Li Ang was the player who had previously worn the white 'cape of justice.' Judging from his behavior, he wasn't a villain, at least. Moreover, for him to dare appear here alone, he must have come prepared...

"Just saying, as a neutral observer, I think this Gotham Batman of yours somewhat resembles our Young Master," Miss Chai said, nodding to Li Ang. Then, she introduced him in a low voice to the other players, "No powerful family backing, no tragic childhood, no sturdy armor. Only the resolute soul beneath this Mask, using an ordinary, fragile body to take on one impossible challenge after another. That is the true Batman Spirit. He is the night. As the Dark Knight of Yin City, he will plunge the citizens of Yin City—ahem, my mistake—the villains of Yin City into nightmares."

Li Ang and Miss Chai's synchronized act left Ash, Wu Mu, and the other player with them completely dumbfounded. This other player seized the opportunity to pull a karaoke microphone from their inventory, simultaneously giving Ash a subtle wink.

Ash glanced at the silent Resentful Demon and immediately said to Li Ang, "Friend, I'm a member of the Mobile Detachment. We're all human; he's a demon. Please, help us—"

"What did you say?!"

Li Ang's eyebrows shot up as he roared, "Hearing you say that makes me tremble with rage! I'm breaking out in a cold sweat on this hot day, my hands and feet are freezing! Can this society ever get better? What more do we demons have to do to satisfy you people? Tears are streaming down my face! When will we demons finally be able to truly stand tall—"

Suddenly, Li Ang paused. He rubbed his chin, frowning in deep thought. "Wait a minute... I'm human. Oh, well, then it's fine."

With that, Li Ang flashed a smile and gave Ash a thumbs-up.

"???"

If utter bewilderment had a color, it would undoubtedly be the shade of Ash's face right then.

The Resentful Demon, feeling its Spiritual Energy and Sanity Value steadily draining, snorted. "Playing dumb."

Its bony fingers flicked, sending several green flames streaking towards Li Ang.

Li Ang stood perfectly still, but Miss Chai beside him sprang into action. With a flick of her toe, she sent several stones from the ground flying, precisely knocking all the green flames out of the air.

"Well, well. They just said you were a demon, and I was a bit skeptical. But now that I see you can conjure fireballs with your bare hands, I'm starting to have my doubts," Miss Chai said, addressing the Resentful Demon.

"Hmph."

The Resentful Demon waved its hand again. A dark, demonic wind filled with countless pallid skulls surged towards Li Ang.

Li Ang tapped the ground with his toes and agilely leaped up, nimbly bounding between the ceiling and walls near the subway entrance. His long spear, infused with Ripple Energy, stabbed into the demonic wind and churned it violently. He not only shattered all the pursuing, gnawing skulls but also completely dispersed the dark wind.

Li Ang landed lightly, his expression changing faster than one could flip a page. He immediately turned to the Resentful Demon and scolded, "You little punk! What goes around comes around, and I'm your consequence! As a demon, you dare to damage public property in Yin City? Now that I've caught you, you're done for! Prepare for some jail time!"

With that, Li Ang charged at the Resentful Demon, swift as a Thunderbolt, spear ready. Ash's expression changed dramatically. "Watch out—!" he cried, while the Resentful Demon revealed an icy smile.