American Comics: Something's Wrong with This Superhero World

Chapter 256 Calling for Help (Bonus Chapter)

Bruce narrowed his eyes, looking at the Joker, and said, "What else do you know?"

The Joker met Bruce's gaze without flinching and said, "What's the fun if I told you everything now? You just need to know that I know enough to shock the entire city of Gotham."

Bruce's expression grew even more serious: "You're playing with fire, Joker. Is it worth it for a woman? You're so famous, you have plenty of fans willing to sleep with you."

The Joker flashed his signature maniacal grin: "Hahaha~ You weren't like this when Rachel cheated on you. And now you're telling me this?"

Bruce's expression suddenly turned cold: "Since that's the case, you forced me to do it."

Bruce swiftly pulled a syringe from his pocket, his movements so fast it was almost impossible to react. Before the Joker could even dodge, Bruce had already injected the drug into his neck.

The clown took a few steps back in surprise, touching the injection site: "What...what is this?"

Bruce replied coldly, "Truth serum."

The clown's eyes widened, as if he realized the seriousness of the situation.

Bruce approached the Joker, his eyes sharp: "Now tell me, what information do you know? Who's contacting the major superhero companies for you?"

The Joker seemed to be struggling against the effects of the drug; he covered his mouth with his hand, but clearly had something to say. Bruce grabbed the Joker's hand and forcibly pried it open.

"It's no use," Bruce said, staring into the Joker's eyes. "No normal human can withstand the effects of Veritaserum."

The clown's expression was contorted, a mixture of pain and struggle. His lips trembled, as if he were making a final stand against his own will.

Bruce continued to press: "Speak, Joker. Tell me everything you know."

The clown's face was contorted in pain. His body trembled slightly, as if he were struggling fiercely with the drugs. Finally, he spoke, word by word:

"The intelligence... is all with Rachel."

Bruce frowned. The name was indeed annoying, but Rachel wasn't an uncommon name, so it wasn't surprising to have someone with the same name. Batman pressed on, "Which Rachel?"

The Joker continued, struggling to utter the words: "Your...ex-girlfriend...Rachel, the one who cheated on you."

Bruce froze upon hearing this. He finally realized he had been tricked.

"You!" Bruce's face instantly turned red, burning with rage.

Just then, the pained expression on the clown's face vanished without a trace. He stood up straight, and his signature eerie smile reappeared on his face.

"Looks like I'm not quite right," the clown chuckled. "Hahahaha!"

Bruce stared at the Joker in disbelief and said, "How...how could you possibly resist the effects of Veritaserum?"

The Joker looked at Bruce, that unsettling smile on his face. He spoke slowly, a hint of pleasure in his voice:

"Oh, Bruce, you're right. Not answering is really painful. It feels like countless ants crawling in your veins and dancing in your brain."

The Joker paused, his eyes deepening. "If it were the Arthur of the past facing this kind of pain, he probably would have given in long ago. That poor, weak Arthur."

Bruce frowned, clearly not expecting this answer.

The Joker continued, his voice growing increasingly excited: "But now I am the Joker. This level of pain? He chuckled, "It only brings me pleasure. Pain is my old friend, Bruce. It shaped me, it perfected me. Hahahaha~"

"You forced me to do this." Bruce looked at the crazed Joker and realized that he was completely insane now, and it was basically impossible to get information from him. Harley was not in his hands, so there was no hope for a normal transaction.

The clown raised an eyebrow, a curious look on his face: "Oh? My dear Bruce, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Go ahead and use them, I won't even flinch."

Bruce didn't answer, but instead pulled a specially made communicator from his pocket. The Joker's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing the device, as if he had realized something.

Bruce pressed a button on the communicator and said, "Superman, it's me. I need your help."

"??!!!" The Joker was furious when he saw Bruce Wayne calling for reinforcements. What was wrong with the King of Gotham calling for reinforcements all the time?

A red and blue figure suddenly appeared on the roof of Wayne Manor. Superman slowly descended.

"You got here really fast, Superman," Bruce said.

"Who told me to sign with your company? I don't want your scandals to ruin public perception of me," Superman said, walking up to Bruce. "I just didn't expect you to be so careless. You're always telling me to be careful."

"No choice, we've run into a madman." Bruce shrugged, pulling a USB drive from his pocket. "Here's the Joker's recent movements and a list of people he's been in contact with. Use your super eyesight and hearing to see who has the information we need."

"A piece of cake," Superman said, taking the USB drive, a glint of blue light flashing in his eyes. "However, after it's done..."

"Don't worry, you won't be treated unfairly." Bruce waved his hand and took out a few more photos. "While you're at it, look for these girls, especially Harley Quinn. They were rescued by a superhuman."

Superman glanced at the photos and gave a disdainful smile, saying, "They're all young girls, Bruce. Your taste isn't very good. Let me tell you, women are like fine wine; they get better with age."

"Louise is quite young, isn't she? How about we get you a different one?" Bruce Wayne quipped. "Diverse aesthetics are all the rage these days."

"Never mind, after all, we have a foundation of feelings for each other, and I don't mind that she's young." Superman shook his head, then took to the air and disappeared into the night sky in an instant.

Bruce gazed in the direction Superman had flown away, but did not leave. He simply drank his wine and calmly enjoyed the night breeze.

Sure enough, less than a minute later, Superman flew back again, and this time he wasn't alone; he was carrying someone in each hand.

Superman roughly threw the two unconscious men to the ground.

"This is the guy who kept the evidence for the Joker and was also in charge of contacting other superhero agencies," Superman said coldly.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Looks like you've found the people we're looking for. Just leave them here; someone will come and take care of them later."

Bruce then asked, "So, what about Harley and the other girls? Have you found them?"

Superman shook his head. "No. I haven't found a single trace of them. To be honest, I think they're probably dead."

Bruce frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer: "I don't think so. I suspect someone hid them, and made it impossible for you to find them."

Bruce gave Superman a meaningful look and said, "You haven't told anyone about your inability to see through lead, have you?"

Superman's expression instantly turned wary. He stared at Bruce, a dangerous glint in his voice: "Of course not. Do you think I'm stupid? Why would I tell anyone something like that? But you and your employees, you didn't leak this information, did you?"

(End of this chapter)