Bruce stared intently at Qinuo, his gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through all disguise. He tried to find even the slightest clue from Qinuo's face, demeanor, and movements, but the result left him utterly confused and frustrated.
This person seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no past traces, and no discernible background.
Bruce secretly wondered, could he be an alien? From a distant galaxy, descending upon Earth with an unknown purpose?
Or was he like Diana, having lived in some isolated place, never having had contact with the outside World?
This unknown made Bruce feel uneasy; he was accustomed to controlling situations, to discerning everything in the darkness.
But Qinuo's appearance made him feel as if he were lost in a fog, unable to find his way.
Qinuo looked directly into Bruce's eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Do I make you very uneasy? Besides replicating Superman's power, I've never done anything bad in this World. And I even helped you find your son."
Bruce's gaze grew sharper, "This World? You're from another World."
Qinuo nodded in acknowledgement: "That's right, My Lord, I am Qinuo, and I come from the Marvel Universe.
In the future, an extremely powerful villain will eliminate half of all life in the entire Universe, so I came to your World to seek power sufficient to protect myself."
Upon hearing this, Bruce frowned, his eyes full of confusion: "If I remember correctly, Marvel is a comic book company. Are you from a comic book?"
Qinuo nodded again and said, "More or less."
Bruce's gaze became even sharper as he pressed, "Then you also learned my identity from a comic book?"
Qinuo said slowly, "Your Universe is called the DC Universe."
"So that's it. Then I must be a protagonist-type character."
Bruce's tone was steady, his expression utterly calm; he showed no panic or discomposure at the thought that his World might just be a comic book.
Qinuo looked at Bruce, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "That's right, in your Universe, you are indeed an extremely important figure."
"In all of Gotham, there will be a Batman, eliminating evil. Most of them are Bruce Wayne, but there are also a few who are your father, and also your brother."
Bruce frowned and asked, "My alternate Universe self has a brother?"
Qinuo nodded, his expression serious, and said, "Yes, in that Universe, the young Thomas Wayne killed you and your parents, becoming the Night Owl of Gotham, also known as the Court of Owls."
Bruce's eyes became complex, as if imagining that vastly different version of himself and his family, "It's truly hard to imagine such a thing happening in another Universe."
"Can I go to your Universe?"
Qinuo refused, saying, "Everyone in this Universe can leave, but you cannot."
"Why?"
"You have a deep connection with a certain fellow, and I can't defeat him for now. Moreover, once you leave this World, Gotham might also be destroyed," Qinuo said.
Barbatos views Bruce Wayne as the key to opening the positive matter Universe channel; once he disappears, no one knows what will happen.
"...I understand."
Qinuo stood up, intending to leave.
"I have answered your questions; I will come find you in five days."
After Qinuo left, Bruce sat on the sofa like a statue, his brows tightly furrowed, lost in deep thought.
"A deep connection with a major figure, and indirectly threatening Gotham. Then the reason for so much evil in Gotham is also related to that person. What is his purpose?"
These questions swirled in his mind, but he could never find the answer.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"My Lord Bruce."
Bruce was startled awake, only then realizing it was already evening.
"Alfred, come in!" His voice carried a hint of weariness.
Alfred walked in with Damian, who had changed clothes, the little fellow's face still showing some unease and confusion. They came before Bruce, and Alfred said with a solemn expression:
"My Lord, Miss Talia has left, and you should see this."
With that, Alfred gently pulled up Damian's sleeve, revealing the small arm covered in scars, some deep, some shallow, old and new marks intertwined, a shocking sight.
Bruce's gaze fell upon the scars, and a look of heartache flashed in his eyes.
"Does it hurt much?"
Bruce's voice was low and gentle, his fingers carefully stroking the scars little by little, as if he wanted to smooth away the past pain.
Damian looked up at the man in front of him, a vulnerable expression on his face.
Mother said he was the strongest man, and as his child, he had to constantly become stronger to defeat this man.
But this man was full of flaws, the emotions in his eyes so unfamiliar, yet, not unlikable.
This feeling made Damian somewhat confused, his small heart wavering at this moment.
"It doesn't hurt anymore."
Alfred the butler then said, "Young Master, when I was bathing Damian just now..."
Bruce listened, looking at Damian with an unreadable expression.
"Damian, what do you think of the man from before?"
"Powerful, afraid."
"Then do you dislike him?"
"No."
"I understand."
Bruce made a plan in his heart.
On the other side,
Qinuo randomly landed in a bustling city. As soon as he landed, the familiar figure of Venom quickly appeared, leaning intimately beside him.
"Venom, for the next three days, we're going to enjoy this exclusive time together," Qinuo said with a smile, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Qinuo, why come here? Isn't Gotham okay?"
"Gotham is a depressing and dangerous place, not suitable for us to relax," Qinuo chuckled, shaking his head, and took Venom's hand, blending into the bustling crowd.
After successfully acquiring a human body, Venom miraculously gained a human sense of taste. Although these foods held no real nutritional value for her, she was full of curiosity and wanted to try the delicacies Qinuo loved.
The two walked side by side, sharing food with each other at every place they passed.
Venom's delicate face was beaming with a satisfied smile, while Qinuo looked at her with doting affection.
Behind them, a young man couldn't help but cast an envious glance, sighing to himself, "To have such a beautiful girlfriend, this man is truly lucky."