dmims Chapter 16 [Slaughter] and [Wizards]
Chapter 16 [Slaughter] and [Wizards]
"It's you?!"
This is what Jaeger heard from the other party when Jaeger descended from the sky through the [gate] and, together with the messenger, intercepted the counterfeit from both sides.
The counterfeit voice changer was obviously not as good as the real Batman's. Although it used the noisy electrical sound to cover up the real voice, it could not hide the obvious excitement when seeing Jaeger.
"So it was you... But who exactly are you?!... A wizard disguised as an ordinary person? A sorcerer? Or a damned charlatan?!"
The counterfeiter spoke in a fierce tone, clearly harboring great hostility towards Jaeger.
"Who do you work for?! Some old gangster who should have gone to hell with the Romans long ago? Or some new force trying to stir up trouble in Gotham?"
Upon hearing this, Jaeger couldn't help but squint.
This statement from the counterfeit product at least indicates one thing: the other party does indeed have someone behind them, and is very likely leading a certain force.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why the counterfeiter's first reaction upon seeing Jaeger was that Jaeger came from some kind of force—after all, he himself was in the same situation.
This confirms Jaeger and Batman's earlier speculation that the other party was using Batman's name to kill people, but it was definitely not as simple as "killing those sinners who should have died".
Those who were killed by counterfeit goods must have been people who, to some extent, hindered the forces behind them.
Thinking of this, Jaeger straightened up and straightened his collar, which had been disheveled from the multiple teleportations: "—Whom do I work for? What do you think?"
The fake remained silent. Even through the goggles, his gaze was as if he were actually scrutinizing Jaeger, perhaps assessing whether the forces behind Jaeger were formidable and what their purpose was in obstructing him.
Unfortunately, Jaeger has zero backing; at most, he has only one powerful figure behind him: Bruce Wayne, a well-known Gotham tycoon. Unfortunately, Wayne has already driven away, leaving only a large, black bat to follow up.
Speaking of Batman, Jaeger genuinely hoped Batman would arrive soon. One reason was that his own combat power was zero; in other words, his built-in magic deck seemed impressive at first glance, which was why the other side attacked without even meeting him.
Once a real battle begins, Jaeger can only try to use an active skill card that he hasn't used yet.
However, judging from the skill effects he was frantically reading on the Batmobile just now, that only card that could potentially become a fighting force is not easy to master, and its effects are likely to be unstable.
Besides that, there was an even bigger problem with that card.
For some reason, Jaeger always had a strange intuition... that using that card would be dangerous.
Therefore, he would not risk using that card unless absolutely necessary.
The second reason is that counterfeiters aren't stupid either, and they'll probably soon realize that Jaeger is bluffing.
Sure enough, the next second, the fake suddenly looked up as if he realized something: "No, there can't be anyone behind you."
Upon hearing this, Jaeger clicked his tongue inwardly and straightened up to look at the other person.
"Ha, I almost fell for your trick, you charlatan."
The imposter, realizing what was happening, glared back defiantly, his tone sinister, as he slowly reached into his cape: "I shouldn't have forgotten this—you just saved that rat with Batman. You're clearly in cahoots with that naive bat who thinks Gotham City's laws can judge criminals, that weak, incompetent bat who can't even kill a human!"
"I won't judge anyone's principles, especially those of a vigilante willing to sacrifice himself for a better city," Jaeger retorted. "But what about you, 'Batman'? You mock the naiveté and idealism of the real Batman, but can your own actions truly be considered a judgment?"
"You—!" The counterfeit seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and became visibly angry.
Jaeger continued, "Stop fooling yourself. You didn't kill only guilty people. You're just using what you think is righteous as an excuse to kill for the people behind you and for your own personal gain."
"You can't possibly be unaware of this, can you? You've really fooled yourself, thinking you're some kind of messenger of justice?"
"So Batman is Batman, and you? ... You're just a fake using someone else's name."
"...That's all." Jaeger shrugged.
"Shut up, shut up! ...What do you know?!" The effect was remarkable, and the fake immediately roared in exasperation—ironically, his anger at this moment really did have a bit of a Batman vibe.
"Out-of-towner! Damn it! You charlatan, a damn swindler who deserves to go to hell and meet Satan! ...I'll see if your little tricks are faster, or my bullets are!"
With that sound, the fake man abruptly pulled his hand, which had been inside the cloak, out, the cold glint of the pistol muzzle flashing and disappearing in an instant.
Oh dear, he's getting anxious. Jaeger took a step back, and at the same time, he heard the familiar sound of shuffling cards:
You have triggered a sudden event card.
【"Fake Fury" has been added to the game table】
[Description: You've angered the counterfeiter! He'll make you pay!]
Objective: Survive the battle against the counterfeit (Time limit: 30 minutes).
[Note: This event card belongs to the combat-related emergency event category. Should we update the mission objective to trigger the main card [Slaughter] card quest for this round?]
As expected, just as I had guessed, the [Slaughter] card could only be triggered in a battle against the counterfeit.
The card-folding mission was not to be missed, so Jaeger decisively accepted the updated objective.
[Event card target has been updated]
[Objective: In the battle against the counterfeit, defeat and subdue the counterfeit single-handedly without accepting any help from others.]
Jaeger: "..."
Excellent, I should have known that the [Slaughter] card wasn't so easy to discard.
And this was supposed to be a solo mission?! Can I urgently retract a message hoping Batman arrives quickly?
Before Jaeger could have any more time to internalize his thoughts, the fake had already raised his pistol.
But the other side did not fire immediately—the reason was simple: the messenger, though silent, had been present the whole time.
The fog it created surged wildly the instant the fake gun was drawn, under Jaeger's mere glance. The grayish-white fog enveloped the entire rooftop, forming a fog field that could be described as a domain.
With such low visibility, let alone shooting Jaeger, even the part of the fake's hand above the elbow would be swallowed up by the fog.
Even if the fake gun is furious, it's impossible for it to waste bullets by firing indiscriminately under such circumstances. This is why Jaeger remained so calm when the fake gun was pulled out.
As expected of a smoke grenade, a common tactic in FPS games, it works well in real life too.
"...Get out here! You charlatan!!" The fake voice rang out from the other side of the fog, sounding furious. "If you've got the guts, come out and face my gun, damn it! Weren't you so bold just now?! Now you're just hiding in the fog and not showing yourself?!"
Jaeger, of course, chose to ignore the fake and took the opportunity to put something Batman had just given him on his ear.
It was a miniature communication device with a tiny bat logo printed on its surface.
"Batman, this is Jaeger."
"It's an emergency. I don't know how much Mr. Wayne told you, but I have special needs and must deal with the counterfeit alone... If you come to help, I'll only get myself into trouble."
"...Is this also part of a commission where you'll die if you don't complete it?" Batman's voice came from the other end of the communicator. It seemed he had indeed learned a bit about the prerequisites for Jaeger's investigation from Bruce, and his reaction was quick.
“That’s right,” Jaeger said quickly. “You’re discussing the counterfeit information with Mr. Otis? Then you can continue with that. I’ll contact you again if anything comes up, Batman.”
"Roger that," Batman said in a deep voice. "Maintain communication. Notify us immediately of any unforeseen circumstances."
"Understood." Upon hearing this, Jaeger didn't waste any more time, his gaze immediately shifting to the unstable active skill card—
[Active - Wizard]
[Level: 1]
[Description: When using this card, switch to "Wizard" state, in which you can use magic of the corresponding skill level.]
Level 1 – Can use basic magic equivalent to a novice wizard, possesses some basic knowledge of mysticism, and has enhanced inspiration.
[Note: Do as you please, and that will be your law.]
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Note: Do what you will be, that is the law. —The Book of Law