The Joker strode toward Gotham University, his steps confident and unhurried.
Before he could reach the gate, two security guards moved to intercept him.
Even in Gotham, a random stranger couldn't just waltz into a university unchecked—or perhaps, given that this was Gotham, security was actually tighter than usual.
Then, without hesitation, the Joker pulled out two guns and fired several shots into the sky.
The guards immediately dove for cover, pretending not to see anything.
Only after the Joker had vanished inside the campus did they scramble to call the police.
Of course, relying on the Gotham PD was about as useful as relying on a piece of burnt toast.
Other than Commissioner Gordon, the force had long been reduced to background extras—most were either corrupt, inept, or so traumatized by Gotham's criminals that they acted more like pawns than law enforcement.
Shin followed casually, waving his hand to cast a subtle Genjutsu over the guards, making them forget he was ever there.
Then, he continued inside.
The Joker clearly had a destination in mind—as if he had researched Gotham University long beforehand.
It wasn't long before they reached a large laboratory.
Without hesitation, the Joker kicked the door open.
The moment the door swung open, a thick cloud of green gas spilled out.
Shin recognized it immediately—fear toxin.
At the center of the room stood a man in a tattered scarecrow mask, his posture tense as if about to speak.
Then, without warning, the Joker lunged forward, grabbed the hood, and punched him in the stomach.
Before the Scarecrow could react, the Joker yanked the entire mask off.
"No… No!"
Jonathan Crane's eyes widened in terror.
The irony?
Without his mask or any protective gear, he was completely exposed to his own fear toxin.
Within seconds, he collapsed to the ground, writhing in terror.
Shin barely had time to process the scene before a strange shift rippled through the air.
A low, screeching noise filled the lab.
Then—they arrived.
Several figures materialized out of thin air, stepping straight into the toxic green fog.
Shin's eyes narrowed.
"Parademons? They just… teleported in? Without a Mother Box?"
This wasn't how they were supposed to work—at least, not in most DC universes.
But Shin had long since learned not to fully trust established lore.
In a world of alternate timelines and parallel realities, sometimes things just worked differently.
Hell, in one version of DC, the Joker manipulated Superman into ruling the world.
In another?
Batman was turned into Doomsday and killed the Man of Steel.
Nothing was set in stone.
There were four demons in total, each covered in battle scars.
They didn't hesitate.
The moment they saw Dr. Crane, they charged forward—but the Joker reacted instantly.
BANG! BANG!
Two perfectly placed shots hit the first two demons directly in the eyes, dropping them on the spot.
The remaining two?
One lunged at the Scarecrow—only for the Joker to press the plastic flower on his chest.
A thick, corrosive liquid sprayed out, melting the demon's head into a puddle of sludge.
The last one grabbed Dr. Crane, seemingly trying to carry him away—but before it could escape, Shin raised a finger and fired a compressed air bullet straight into its skull.
The Parademon's head snapped backward, and its body collapsed.
Before the dust could settle, more figures appeared at the edges of the laboratory.
Judging by their muscular builds, they were definitely not students—most likely Scarecrow's henchmen.
However…
The moment they saw the Joker standing unharmed in a cloud of fear gas, their faces went pale.
Without a second thought, they turned and ran.
Because if there was one thing every criminal in Gotham knew, it was this:
If Batman catches you, you go to prison.
If the Joker catches you?
You pray for a quick death.
Even with his makeup wiped off, the Joker's pale skin and green hair were unmistakable.
They weren't taking any chances.
Within seconds, the lab was completely deserted.
Dragging the Scarecrow across the floor, the Joker frowned.
"These demons… they seem to have some kind of attack protocol."
Shin glanced at him.
"Meaning?"
The Joker narrowed his eyes.
"It felt like as long as I didn't attack first, they ignored me completely."
Shin folded his arms.
"Maybe it's because you don't feel fear."
Even though the Good Man Drowning Spring had changed his morality, it hadn't changed his mental state.
His chaotic thought process remained intact, and he could not still experience fear.
It made sense that the Parademons didn't react to him.
The Joker hummed thoughtfully.
"That means this fear gas isn't just a weapon—it's a beacon."
Shin nodded slowly.
"It's a guiding light for Apokolips," he said.
The more fear spread across Earth, the easier it became for them to locate the planet.
This was probably why they attacked after Superman died—the fear and uncertainty his death caused made Earth an easy target.
And once the Mother Boxes were activated?
A full-scale invasion would follow.
Shin looked down at Jonathan Crane, who was still shivering on the floor.
"What should we do with this guy?"
The obvious answer?
Kill him.
Shin wasn't a superhero, and he had no qualms about removing a dangerous threat.
Even in the DC universe, only a handful of heroes truly followed the no-kill rule—Superman, Batman, and the Flash.
The rest?
Aquaman, Green Lantern, Cyborg? They were flexible on the matter.
And Wonder Woman?
She had zero hesitation about ending threats permanently.
But while superheroes could be lenient, they still had lines they wouldn't cross.
If Shin killed Dr. Crane, it wouldn't benefit him in any way.
At best, it would eliminate a minor threat.
At worst?
It would cause problems for him later.
"Tch."
Shin sighed.
"Looks like I have to play by their rules for now."
Because even if Dr. Crane deserved to die, Apokolips was coming regardless.
And killing him wouldn't change that.
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