Clack!

Bruce Wayne's expression froze instantly, a faint twitch tugging at the corner of his mouth.

This man—he actually knew his true identity?

He knew that he was Batman?

How could that be possible?!

Aside from Alfred, not a single soul in Gotham should know the truth.

Bruce's heart lurched in shock.

But he wasn't just some spoiled playboy.

Within seconds, he regained his composure.

"Batman?" Bruce let out a casual laugh, pretending amusement. "You mean that guy in the bat costume who flies around the city at night? You're funny. I didn't take you for a comedian."

"Is that so? So you're not Batman?"

Alex raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with mischief.

"In that case," he added lightly, "I'm rather curious what would happen if I put on the batsuit and went for a stroll around Gotham. What do you think?"

Bruce's mouth twitched again, his smile faltering as his face darkened.

He'd seen Alex kill—coldly, decisively, without hesitation.

This wasn't just banter.

It was a threat.

A naked, unmistakable threat.

Bruce shuddered inwardly. The idea of Batman—his symbol—turning into an executioner under Alex's hands was unbearable.

"I don't know who the real Batman is," Bruce said quietly, his tone sharp as a blade, "but I can tell you this much—he's nothing like you."

"You could never be Batman."

Bruce's gaze bored into Alex's with hidden meaning.

"How do you know if I don't try?" Alex replied lazily, taking a sip of his drink. "Maybe you could just lend me your suit."

"If you really want one, I could have a custom batsuit made and sent over," Bruce said, voice cool and mocking. "For someone like me, that's easy."

Alex chuckled. "No need. I think I'll just go to the Batcave and grab one myself. What do you say?"

Bruce nearly lost his composure. His expression turned grim.

He—he knew about the Batcave too?

That was impossible!

Even if Alex had somehow figured out his identity, there was no way he could know that much.

"Who the hell are you?" Bruce demanded, his voice low and sharp as steel.

His mask dropped completely—there was no point pretending anymore.

If Alex knew about the Batcave, then he already knew everything.

"No matter what answer I give," Alex said evenly, "you won't believe me. So why waste the effort?"

He gave Bruce a look—one that pierced straight through him. "You've been investigating me these past few days, haven't you? Found anything yet?"

Bruce's face hardened.

He realized that before this man, he had no secrets at all.

His habits, his personality, even his ultimate secret—Alex knew everything.

And Bruce knew absolutely nothing about him.

That imbalance gnawed at him—it was infuriating.

And more than that… it made Bruce afraid.

This man was too powerful.

Too mysterious.

Without another word, Alex grabbed Bruce's hand and pressed the mysterious fragment into his palm.

"As I said—find out what this is, and locate the other fragments."

Bruce looked down at his hand, then back up with a faint, mocking smirk.

"You really expect me to help you?"

"Unless," Bruce said slowly, "every criminal in Gotham disappears."

"That's your condition?" Alex asked, amused.

"That's right." Bruce nodded firmly. "You make that happen—and I'll help you."

"Remember your words, Bruce."

Alex left that hanging in the air, then turned and walked away.

Bruce stared after him, momentarily speechless.

That wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go.

He'd thrown out that "condition" to make a point—that he had no intention of helping. It was meant to end the conversation.

It was impossible, after all.

No sane person would take that literally.

But Alex… had agreed.

Just like that.

Bruce blinked, then let out a soft, incredulous laugh.

"What an arrogant bastard."

He watched Alex's retreating figure, a cold smile curling on his lips.

Did Alex agree just to save face—to avoid backing down?

Or did he really think he could do it?

Either way, it didn't matter.

Making every criminal in Gotham vanish? That was beyond impossible.

No one—no matter how strong—could achieve that.

Still, as Bruce mulled it over, he decided Alex was probably just bluffing.

Just a show of pride.

He shook his head, the faint amusement returning to his eyes.

The "bet" wasn't something he took seriously.

For now, his attention shifted back to the small fragment in his hand.

What was this thing?

Whatever it was, it had been important enough to drive a man like Alex to threaten Batman himself.

Bruce's curiosity stirred despite himself.

Under normal circumstances, he might have been intrigued enough to investigate.

But tonight?

He chuckled quietly and shook his head.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed the fragment aside.

"Whoever wants to look into it—be my guest."

Hum!

The smile froze on his lips.

Because the fragment didn't fall.

It just… hovered there.

Suspended in midair.

"What the—?"

Bruce's eyes widened. "What kind of magic rock is this?"

Before he could react further, the shard suddenly shot forward—

—right back toward Alex.

In a blur, Alex caught it effortlessly and gave Bruce a wry smile.

"That was rather rude of you, Bruce," he said lightly. "But fine—I suppose I was a bit hasty myself."

With that, he pocketed the fragment and walked away, utterly calm.

Under Bruce Wayne's watchful gaze, Alex strode out of the hall as if nothing in the world could stop him.

There was no denying it—this mission had been a failure.

Alex hadn't managed to win Bruce's cooperation.

But he'd gained something else—

a clear line in the sand.

Bruce had set the terms.

And Alex had accepted the challenge.

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