Chapter 219: The Bat Is Dead—The Batman Who Laughs Is Reborn!

Thud.

Batman released his grip and stared blankly at the corpse on the ground.

The mad Joker was dead, yet an eerie smile remained on his pale face.

It was as though death were merely the beginning of another game.

"No. The nightmare is over."

Batman shook his head.

Death was the end of everything—the one form of equality shared by all things.

The Joker was no exception!

But Bruce could not stop yet. At the very least, he needed to restore order to the rioting city.

...

Several days later, Superman appeared inside the Batcave.

He had come to comfort his friend.

"You crossed your final line, but perhaps Gotham will finally experience true peace."

"Maybe some good will come from this."

Bruce's expression remained completely calm.

Clark released a quiet sigh of relief, although he still felt that something was wrong.

After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject.

Arkham Asylum had been destroyed, and there was nowhere to house the Jokerized children created that night. Clark wanted to take those unfortunate children to S.T.A.R. Labs.

Perhaps there was still a chance to save them.

But Bruce rejected the proposal and stubbornly insisted on treating the children himself.

He also continuously muttered strange statements such as, "I don't regret his death," "He wanted to combine the best qualities of both of us," and "These children aren't actually that bad."

At that moment, many of Gotham's villains felt an inexplicable chill.

Anyone with functioning eyes could tell that something was terribly wrong with Batman!

Had the dead Joker done this?

But how had he accomplished it?

And when?

The uncertainty made it even more terrifying!

Superman hesitated. Gotham's medical infrastructure was already in terrible condition, and those children were extremely dangerous.

Just yesterday, one girl had nearly bitten through a psychiatrist's throat.

"Hehehe..."

Clark suddenly turned around, but all he saw was Bruce sitting expressionlessly before the Batcomputer.

Yet that laughter had not been an illusion. With his senses, Clark was absolutely certain he had heard it.

And that realization sent chills down his spine.

Clark soon departed. The Batcave made him deeply uncomfortable, and naturally, he failed to take the Jokerized children with him.

Marvel EU World, S.H.I.E.L.D.

Nick Fury shook his head slightly.

In his opinion, Superman's personality possessed a serious flaw!

It was not weakness.

He was simply too softhearted.

The man had clearly noticed that something was wrong, yet because Bruce was his friend, he had chosen not to investigate further!

Perhaps he was still hoping everything would improve on its own, trusting that Batman could overcome the problem.

With all due respect...

That was incredibly foolish.

Three days later...

Batman summoned Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and every other member of the Bat-Family to the Batcave for combat training against robots!

Perhaps because they had stopped training after becoming experienced superheroes, they struggled terribly against the machines. Batgirl nearly had her throat cut open!

However, they quickly realized that something was wrong!

Their skills had not declined. The robots had clearly been upgraded far beyond their former level!

They had also been training at this extreme intensity for more than three hours. Everyone was physically exhausted, and casualties could occur at any moment!

Fortunately, Batman finally deactivated the robots and ended the session.

He then gathered everyone around him and solemnly explained why he had summoned the Bat-Family and forced them through such brutal training.

Over the past several days, he had noticed changes occurring within his brain.

And the source of those changes was the Joker.

When Bruce killed him, he had inhaled the pale green mist released from the Joker's mouth.

It was a nanoscale Joker virus capable of invading the brain and transforming its victim into a mad clown!

Bruce had spent the past several days resisting it through sheer willpower.

But as time passed, his resistance weakened. Sometimes, he could no longer distinguish whether he was Batman or the Joker.

If this continued, he might retain his former intelligence and thought processes, while his moral core was replaced entirely by madness and evil.

Therefore, the Bat-Family had to become stronger so they would be ready to eliminate him at any moment!

Nightwing and the others were frightened by his words, but their mental fortitude allowed them to react decisively and immediately begin considering solutions.

Perhaps rebuilding Arkham Asylum and confining Bruce there until they found a cure would be the best choice.

As they discussed the matter enthusiastically, they even felt a faint sense of pride at the thought of protecting Gotham independently.

But then Batman suddenly released a pained groan, clutched his abdomen, and bent forward!

Nightwing and the others immediately gathered around him in concern, afraid that his condition had suddenly worsened.

Outside the screen!

Bruce Wayne's eyes widened violently. His expression twisted as he stared at Nightwing's figure and roared:

"No!"

"Something's wrong! Run, Dick!"

"Run!!"

The heart-wrenching cry frightened Barry.

Clark and Arthur also could not understand why Bruce was reacting so strongly!

But in the next second, a horrifying scene unfolded!

The pained groan transformed into chilling, maniacal laughter!

Batman abruptly threw open his cape, revealing two submachine guns concealed in his hands, and opened fire upon the completely unprepared group!

In an instant, flames erupted from the muzzles and gunfire thundered throughout the cave!

By the time the final shell casing struck the ground, the metallic scent of blood and the fragrance of gunpowder had filled the entire Batcave.

Batman looked down at the bullet-riddled corpses beneath his feet, an eerie smile covering his face as he admired his masterpiece with satisfaction.

At some point, his lips had become as bright and crimson as the Joker's, creating a sight that chilled the soul!

Outside the screen, countless worlds fell into deathly silence!

There was no doubt!

Everything Batman had said earlier had been deliberate!

He had forced the people most familiar with him into exhaustion, lowered their vigilance, and then launched a sudden attack when they were completely defenseless!

What a terrifying mind!

What a horrifying plan!

Inside the House of Mystery...

Constantine suddenly understood everything.

Batman had not killed the Joker.

The Joker had deliberately allowed Batman to kill him!

His game had ended in victory.

Or rather...

The Joker's ultimate objective had succeeded.

Gotham's symbol of justice had shattered the restraints of his humanity and been implanted with the heart of a clown!

Batman was completely dead!

The Batman Who Laughs had been born!

From this moment onward...

True evil and chaos were about to descend.