Bruce Wayne's expression changed the moment Li Jie mentioned it.
"The underground warehouse of Wayne Enterprises?" he repeated quietly.
Alfred, who had just returned, froze in place.
Gordon's face darkened. "Weapons that could destroy Gotham?"
Bruce was silent for several seconds.
"That information was classified at the highest level," he finally said. "Only Alfred and I had full access."
Catwoman folded her arms. "Well, the Joker knew."
Bruce's jaw tightened.
"That means there's a breach somewhere I haven't identified."
Li Jie watched him carefully. Bruce Wayne had just returned from death, yet his mind was already moving at full speed.
"Wayne," Li Jie pressed calmly, "what exactly is down there?"
Bruce looked at him.
Then at Gordon.
Then at Selina.
Finally, he spoke.
"It's called the 'Failsafe Protocol.'"
Alfred closed his eyes briefly, as if hoping the name alone would be enough explanation.
Gordon wasn't satisfied. "Explain."
Bruce nodded.
"Years ago, I prepared contingency plans for every possible scenario—rogue metahumans, alien invasions, global viral outbreaks." He paused meaningfully. "Including one where I lose control."
Li Jie raised an eyebrow. "You mean if you went rogue?"
"Yes."
Selina blinked. "You planned for yourself?"
Bruce's voice was steady.
"I plan for everyone. Including me."
He continued.
"The underground vault contains a city-scale electromagnetic pulse device, WayneTech satellite override controls, and a prototype atmospheric dispersal warhead."
Gordon stiffened. "A warhead?"
"It was designed to deploy a nanite-based neutralizer across Gotham," Bruce clarified. "In theory, it could shut down all infected neural activity within a ten-mile radius."
Li Jie understood instantly.
"You built a citywide reset button."
Bruce didn't deny it.
Catwoman stared at him. "You were willing to wipe out the whole city?"
Bruce met her gaze.
"If Gotham ever became irredeemable, yes."
Silence fell.
Even Li Jie felt the weight of that answer.
Alfred spoke softly. "Master Wayne always hoped it would never be necessary."
"It wasn't finished," Bruce added. "The nanite dispersal system remains unstable. If activated now, it could collapse Gotham's infrastructure entirely. Power grids, medical equipment, communications—everything."
Li Jie nodded slowly.
"So the Joker was bluffing. He didn't have a clean apocalypse button. Just something catastrophically unpredictable."
Bruce's eyes narrowed. "Did he try to access it?"
"No," Li Jie said. "He just bragged."
Gordon exhaled. "Good. Because we have enough problems without accidental extinction."
But Li Jie wasn't finished thinking.
A nanite dispersal system.
Citywide neural neutralization.
That wasn't just a bomb.
That was potential resurrection infrastructure.
If modified correctly…
He suppressed the thought.
Too early.
Bruce stepped closer to Li Jie.
"You asked about it for a reason."
Li Jie shrugged lightly. "Curiosity."
Bruce studied him.
"You're thinking about the future."
Li Jie smiled faintly. "I usually am."
Selina tilted her head. "You're not planning to blow up Gotham before you 'go home,' are you?"
"If I were, I wouldn't ask permission."
That earned a faint smirk from Bruce.
Gordon rubbed his temples. "Let's refocus. The city is unstable. Supplies are limited. We have infected zones spreading. And now we know resurrection is possible—but only with the Dionysian Factor."
At the mention of it, everyone glanced subconsciously at Li Jie.
He kept his expression neutral.
The last known vial had already been used.
But the system's new "Superhero Resurrection Reward" notification echoed in his mind.
One hundred thousand gold coins.
If resurrection triggered rewards…
Then saving certain heroes might be more profitable than defeating them.
Bruce crossed his arms.
"How much Dionysian Factor remains?"
"None," Selina said. "What we found was the last stash."
Bruce looked at Li Jie.
"You absorbed some, didn't you?"
Li Jie didn't deny it.
"I confirmed its regenerative properties personally."
Bruce nodded once. "Then we need to analyze your blood."
Alfred immediately objected. "Master Wayne, he is not a laboratory sample."
"I'm aware," Bruce replied calmly. "But if the Factor integrated into his system, it may be replicable."
Li Jie's eyes flickered.
Replicable.
Mass production of resurrection medium?
That would change everything.
But there was risk.
If others learned that killing and reviving heroes generated power spikes… chaos would follow.
He chose his words carefully.
"I'm willing to cooperate," he said. "On one condition."
Bruce gestured. "Name it."
"If replication works, we don't weaponize it recklessly. No forced experimentation. No 'necessary sacrifices.'"
Bruce didn't hesitate.
"Agreed."
Gordon nodded approvingly. "Good."
Selina looked between them. "You two negotiate like generals."
Bruce gave a faint smile. "That's because we're at war."
Outside, distant explosions echoed from somewhere deeper in Gotham.
A reminder.
Bruce turned toward the exit.
"Alfred, prepare the cave."
"Yes, Master Wayne."
"Gordon, coordinate remaining precincts. Establish secure zones."
"Already working on it."
"Selina—"
"I'll handle supply routes," she said before he could finish.
Bruce finally faced Li Jie.
"And you."
"Yes?"
"You said Gotham doesn't need Batman. It needs Bruce Wayne."
"That's right."
Bruce stepped closer.
"Then stay long enough to see if that's true."
Li Jie met his gaze steadily.
He wasn't planning to stay forever.
But leaving too soon would mean missing opportunities.
Superman was still out there.
If Kryptonite weapons now existed in his inventory…
If resurrection could be repeated…
The game had just evolved.
"For now," Li Jie said calmly, "I'll stay."
Bruce extended his hand.
"Welcome to Gotham."
Li Jie shook it.
In his mind, however, calculations continued.
Defeating heroes gave experience.
Resurrecting heroes gave wealth.
And somewhere beyond Gotham, stronger beings waited.
The apocalypse wasn't the end.
It was the beginning of a much larger board.
....
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