"He doesn't look quite right," the Night Owl said, frowning at the screen, "To be precise, he has never been right. At first, he was somewhat like the Shiller I once encountered, but then he became increasingly strange. What's going on?"
"You've met him?" said Mad Laugh, looking intrigued.
"Yes, in a certain copy. I encountered two Shillers, supposedly counterparts from different universes. One had a radical style, while the other was always plotting in the shadows. I thought today's Shiller would be the radical one, and initially, he did seem like it, but later it felt off. Now he looks even less like it."
"In any case, he cannot escape the labyrinth." An ethereal voice echoed from the empty seats, "He will be forever trapped in my city. Either he accepts his failure and leaves, like the previous Batman, or he perishes along with the dead in the city."
"Don't be too confident," said the Night Owl, "The previous Batman was just strong, but this guy is really bizarre. It's hard to figure out his ways. We should be prepared for the worst."
"The worst preparation is just to fight him, isn't it?" said Mad Laugh with a slight pout, "Do you think you can't beat him? But then again, since the beginning of the plan, no one has been able to break through Ghost City's blockade. You all haven't had much chance to make a move. If this guy really breaks out, we can have some fun with him."
"I have a premonition," a pale, thin Batman sitting in the corner dressed in a dark Mage Robe said, "This time things are not that simple, it won't end quickly."
Shiller and Batman walked towards the center of the city. But what puzzled Batman was that, although the city was devoid of any light. With the nano-equipment, he had night vision ability and naturally wasn't afraid of the dark, but Shiller was also walking leisurely. From his expressions and posture, one would think he was strolling in his own backyard.
Batman was worried because he remembered last time in such an atmosphere, monsters emerged endlessly in the darkness. Even with the nano-equipment, it had been difficult to move. Walking so boldly was really okay?
Just as Batman thought of this, he saw a shadow at his feet begin to stir. He was about to speak up, but Shiller turned around, his gaze landing precisely on the shadow.
"Can your nano-equipment attack this thing?" Shiller asked with interest.
"Anything with a physical entity cannot," Batman shook his head, "Whether bullets or nanobots, none of them can deal with these spirit-like entities."
"Blood?"
"What?"
"Blood, your blood," Shiller repeated, then said, "Hand."
Batman hesitantly extended his hand. Shiller produced a dagger and made a cut on his index finger, then held the blood-stained dagger up to his eyes and scrutinized it. After a while, as if confirming something, he said, "The sins in one's soul during life are heavy, but after the soul leaves, they become insignificant. Do you cry?"
Batman was completely baffled by what he was hearing. Standing there blankly, Shiller impatiently said, "Give me a tear, and it better be heartfelt."
This was indeed quite difficult. Batman tried recalling sad things, but still couldn't cry. He could only use nanobots to stimulate his tear glands and then wiped his eyes with a corner of his cape.
Shiller watched the damp fabric for a long time, shook his head, and said, "Sadly, it's not the Saint's Tears either. This is a bit troublesome, let's go to the church."
Shiller's words were incredibly disjointed. Batman not only couldn't understand a single sentence but felt Shiller was utterly insane. When Shiller took a step in a certain direction, his footsteps hesitated.
Shiller paid him no mind, marching onward without looking back. Batman had no choice but to follow. After a moment, he asked Shiller, "What you just said, was it related to religion? Do you think what's attacking us are really spirits, and things related to the church could repel them?"
"That depends on what he thinks," Shiller's tone was excessively steady. He lightly twirled his fingers and said, "Have you played chess? This is like we are playing Go, but he suddenly switched to a chessboard for international chess. How does that sound?"
"Incomprehensible," Batman remarked.
"That's what they want," Shiller said earnestly, "They know Batman is good at Go, completely helpless, even extremely averse to international chess. So, they insist on changing the board, thus completely restricting Batman."
Batman seemed to understand a bit, saying, "Both I and the previous Batman excel at physical attacks, but neither of us understand mysticism. In most cases, we consider it far-fetched. So, they deliberately concoct things related to mysticism, leaving us only to be passively beaten and clueless."
"Exactly," Shiller nodded, "To call it mysticism is not entirely correct; this is more like a form of idealistic power. In Ghost City, the city's will determines how various things present. The shadow that attempted to attack us was what he perceived as an effective means of assault. So, what do you think he has set as effective countermeasures?"
"Definitely not firearms," Batman said, "If they were just targeting us, all physical attacks would be immune. So, is it because the master of Ghost City doesn't allow it, our physical counterattacks are invalid?"
"Yes," Shiller said, "But the fairness rule won't render all countermeasures ineffective; there must be one that is effective. But since it's a sham fairness, this effective countermeasure is definitely one Batman cannot use."
"Ah, I see. So, it can be inferred that the effective countermeasure is likely related to religion and mysticism. But I really don't understand that aspect, I'm afraid I can't help. Do you know anything about it?"
"I'm pondering," Shiller said, "The Death Angel was once your disciple, but for some reason he betrayed you and killed you. Does this story sound familiar?"
"Jesus and Judah?"
"That's right. But now you are using his body. It's like the Savior's soul has entered the body of the betrayer, which might produce some curious reactions, but it could also make both parties impure. Currently, it seems the latter is more likely."
"What's the point of this? What should we do?" Batman was obviously full of questions. He understood nothing, not even the explanation. He even doubted if Shiller had really explained anything.
"The blood of saints and the tears of sinners are very important. But if reversed, they are not very useful." Shiller mumbled, then turned to glance at Batman and said, "We need to go to the church and see what God thinks of this."
They moved forward. But perhaps because the previous challenges weren't too intense, the creatures lurking in the shadows didn't pounce on them like they attacked Arkham Batman. Instead, they brewed in the darkness, ready to strike but restrained, eagerly waiting.
This gave them a moment to catch their breath, allowing them to traverse through the darkness. Who knows how long they walked, Batman was already disoriented, but Shiller's steps were resolute, as if he knew exactly where the church was.
Finally, just as Batman began to feel weary, he saw the spire of the church. But this church was entirely unlike the previous Gotham Cathedral. It was several times larger, more like a Gothic castle. The outer walls were dark and profound, its spires like the fangs of monsters, but inside there was a faint light, like a beacon lit in the night, or a light used to ensnare prey in the depths of an abyss.
Shiller went straight in, with Batman following behind him.
The gigantic hall was empty. Though candles were lit on the walls, they were not enough to illuminate such a vast dark space. Just as they entered, the statue of Jesus nailed to the Cross at the front slowly lifted its head.
"Come here." Shiller stood on the podium and motioned to Batman, saying, "Place your hand on the Bible."
Batman walked over and saw a Bible laid on the podium. He reached out his hand, but just as he was about to touch the Bible, he felt a burning pain on his fingertips, causing him to instinctively retract his hand.
"As expected." Shiller said, "Judah betrayed Jesus and became a sinner. Ever since, anything related to the Savior, he cannot touch. This is the characteristic of this body. Read it."
Batman looked at the Bible Shiller had opened. He casually read a few lines, but suddenly he discovered the surrounding space seemed to brighten.
"Jesus suffered for all. He is the true Savior. When he spread the truth, God's blessing and chanting descended together. This is the characteristic of your soul. Don't stop."
Batman glanced up at Shiller but continued to read. Until the space in the church grew brighter, he realized it was he who was glowing. The light even outshone the candles.
He did not expect that the solution would be so simple. But for Batman, this was indeed difficult. No matter how perilous the situation, no Batman would rely on reading the Bible during a crisis and hope for God to save him.
Especially not an Arkham Batman. They always believed in relying on oneself rather than heaven or earth. The stronger the Batman, the stronger this mentality. Making them kneel and pray in a crisis is worse than killing them.
"So is this a psychological trap?" Batman asked softly.
"It's a false fairness," Shiller said, "It seems to provide a way out, but it deliberately steps on Batman's psychological blind spot. And even if you find this path, he won't let you out."
Batman could hardly help but look around, finding there was no change, except that he himself started glowing. There wasn't any illusion collapsing, meaning they were still in Ghost City and hadn't gotten out.
And in the reflection of the Holy Light, the darkness in other places did not weaken, but instead grew denser. The creatures in the shadows finally began to reveal their true forms.
One shadow after another wavered on the edge of the Holy Light, incessantly encroaching towards the center. Bit by bit it consumed the light, constantly devouring, closing in step by step on Batman at the center.
"What do we do next?" Batman asked.
"Continue reading," Shiller turned and looked at the statue of Jesus behind him, then surveyed the environment of the hall. He looked around but seemed unable to discern anything, as if there was no solution.
The Night Owl watched Shiller's actions in the scene, clicked his tongue, and said, "I didn't expect him to actually clear this level."
After speaking, he glanced at the empty space. The other person seemed to sigh appreciatively, saying, "You're right, this guy is peculiar. When he headed to the church just now, I kept altering the paths of the streets, but nothing could stop him, it was as if he foresaw everything. But it doesn't matter, even if he can use the Bible to fend off those monsters for a while, he can't possibly escape..."
Boom—boom—
As soon as the deep engine rumble sounded in their ears, a frightened gasp came from the vacant seat.
Bang!!!!
Chairs and tables were knocked flying. The wall with the bell tower projection was smashed into a big hole. Among the flying bricks and dust, a Batmobile as black as ink roared and then stopped steadily in front of everyone. A figure clad in metal armor got out of the car, carrying a heavy killing intent, cold as the ceaseless rain in Gotham.
"Long time no see, everyone."