Chapter 1012: Scarecrow's Misfortune (Part 1)

In DC World With Marvel Chat Group : Table of Content/Chapter List

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

"Bruce, perhaps what you don't know is that I've been observing you in secret for much longer than you imagine. It dates back to the very first time you arrived at Gotham University."

Jonathan sat in his chair, while Batman stood silently at the door, neither stepping forward nor responding to any of his remarks.

Yet Jonathan continued, lost in his own thoughts. "On your first day here, Schiller and I both knew what kind of person you were. So, we faced a choice together - to leave or to stay."

"The person you understand as Professor Schiller is the same as I am. We are remarkably similar yet different."

"When you appeared on the campus of Gotham University, we both understood at the same time that students with such personalities would undoubtedly become our enemies."

Jonathan sighed. "Perhaps you know that I've been conducting cruel experiments on human subjects. Unfortunately, Schiller isn't any better than me. I know he took away my fear gas. So, where else could he use it?"

"I assume you've experienced the power of fear gas. It's my masterpiece... But I digress. Let's get back to the point."

"We both know we shouldn't be doctors. We should be inmates in a mental hospital wearing straitjackets. And you, Batman, you're no different. You're clearly a patient, yet you imagine yourself as a doctor."

"Such individuals are very troublesome, especially you, Bruce Wayne." Jonathan seemed fearless as he directly acknowledged Batman's identity, but Batman remained unmoved, silent and unresponsive.

"I acknowledge that in this regard, I am no match for Schiller. When I learned this fact, I entertained thoughts of retreat." Jonathan sighed softly again, took a sip of water, and continued:

"I don't have full confidence in being able to cure you, nor do I delude myself into thinking I could eliminate you. So, staying in school and confronting you head-on is not a good choice... And Schiller, he's even crazier than me."

"Your mentor..." Jonathan shook his head, as if recalling something, and said, "Only a true lunatic would choose to stay in such a situation, only someone truly insane would want to cure Batman."

"And what's even crazier is that he's actually making progress." Jonathan turned his head to look at Batman, as if appraising a rare gem. His possessiveness and madness couldn't penetrate Batman's composure.

"So, I chose to step aside and leave Gotham University, while Schiller chose to stay, to deal with you and try to cure you." Jonathan took another sip of water, tilted his head, and looked at Batman. "Are you not tired of standing there? Come, sit down."

And to his surprise, Batman actually walked into the room and took a seat across from the table, even pouring himself a glass of water.

Earlier, Jonathan had spilled water from the glass onto the desktop, leaving a puddle. He dipped his fingertips in the water, drawing on the desktop, then said, "Do you know, Batman? The results of my experiments, which cost hundreds of lives, resulted in my prized fear gas. And Schiller took away a lot of it, at least as much as a warehouse full. What do you think he would do with all that fear gas?"

Batman lowered his gaze, looking at the calm surface of the water in the glass beside his hand, then looked back at Jonathan. "How did Schiller acquire this fear gas?"

Jonathan's fingertips stiffened for a moment. He took a deep breath, then gritted his teeth. "...He's a despicable thief, who stole my research..."

"How did Schiller steal the fear gas?" Batman asked again.

"He entered my warehouse where I stored the goods and took all the fear gas!" Jonathan's tone became somewhat trembling, but Batman remained calm and nodded. "So, where is your warehouse?"

"Morrison District, of course, it's in Morrison District..." Jonathan began, then suddenly realized. He thought Batman was trying to trick him, but Batman shook his head. "There are no professional warehouses in Morrison District. You didn't just randomly stash your research in some basement and call it a warehouse, did you?"

Batman lifted his eyelids, maintaining steady eye contact with Jonathan. "At least Schiller has one advantage over you. He values his research and wouldn't just toss them into some slum's basement..."

"Or shall I say, within your circle, I mean, the circle of both psychologists and mental patients, of doctors and murderers, such careless behavior really doesn't tarnish your reputation?" Batman stared into Jonathan's eyes as he asked.

Jonathan's breathing quickened, but then he made an effort to calm himself, his expression growing stern as he said, "It seems Schiller has taught you many things. But have you ever considered that his treatment of you is based on his use of fear gas..."

"All your emotional fluctuations in his presence are actually because you've been affected by the hallucinogenic effects of the drug. Your every genuine emotion, to him, is merely a sample data under the influence of the drug."

Unexpectedly, Batman nodded, then asked, "You also have fear gas. So why don't you want such sample data? Don't you like it?"

Jonathan's fingers tightened instantly into a fist. He looked at Batman with a stern expression and said, "Do you know, you've become just like him. Like the lunatics and criminals you detest the most, you know how to use words to pierce into people's hearts, and then watch them as if they're a joke with a cold attitude."

"Do you want to hear a joke?" Batman asked again.

Jonathan tilted his head slightly, slowly loosening his fist and placing his palm on the desktop. "It seems he not only cured your illness but also taught you a lot of knowledge. I have to say, for a psychologist, that's a commendable achievement for a lifetime."

"But it's useless, Batman. You can't save Gotham. Do you not know where the darkness here truly comes from? Do you not realize that the criminals you hate the most are actually innocent civilians transformed by the forces of darkness..."

Batman squinted slightly, listening to Jonathan's tone. It seemed he knew something others didn't. Indeed, Jonathan continued, "Unlike Schiller and me, although I am a psychologist, I am not just a psychologist. I am also a chemist, and one of the world's top ones..."

"Your criminal record already proves this point, and I think, besides that, your skills might even surpass his." Batman remained calm. "Otherwise, how did you escape from Schiller's tenure as the chief doctor at Arkham Asylum?"

With a thud, the cup was knocked over, and Jonathan's entire arm began to tremble. His chest heaved violently because Batman had struck a nerve once again.

Originally, Jonathan and Hugo had been chased relentlessly together in Arkham Asylum, another part of his past he didn't want to revisit.

"So, what fascinating conclusion does the world's top chemist have?" Batman asked.

Jonathan squinted at Batman. His facial features were very young, his eyes shining blue. When the faint light from the window fell on them, they shimmered like ripples on the sea.

This appearance was completely different from that of the professor, yet the negotiation skills and attitude Batman displayed made Jonathan see another figure within the dust particles illuminated by the light in the room.

With this impression, Jonathan's confidence in what he was about to say dwindled.

Initially, he thought he was dealing with a recent college graduate, full of psychological flaws and mental illness, but in reality, although he hadn't seen Schiller for a long time, he found himself reuniting with him once again.

"After four years of your extensive investigation, you should have reached a small conclusion, that Gotham's rain is problematic. But do you know what the problem is?"

"What's the problem?" Unexpectedly, Batman didn't launch into a lengthy exposition to preempt Jonathan's conclusion, but humbly sought advice like a student, causing the scene Jonathan had rehearsed of point-by-point refutation and pressure did not materialize.

Jonathan always had a feeling that Batman was exceptionally adept at dealing with such situations.

He knew that in negotiations, there was an optimal state. It wasn't being overly nervous, overly cautious, or overly relaxed and disrespectful to the opponent.

A true negotiation expert would combine these two states, not yielding an inch at the most critical moments, but actively bringing up light topics to ease tension and express a relaxed and unguarded attitude, like someone flying a kite, constantly letting out and pulling in the line to wear the opponent down mentally.

However, negotiation was not like doing a math problem; it wasn't dealing with stiff and rigid theoretical questions, but dealing with a living, breathing person.

The human psyche was the most marvelous thing in this world, and no matter how many psychological tests and background checks were done, one couldn't predict what the other person would say.

While some people had exceptional talent in this regard, truly mastering the art of flexibility could only be achieved through relentless practice.

Seeing more, hearing more, suffering more losses would naturally teach one what strategy to adopt when facing a certain type of opponent, in order to defeat them.

To hone such skills, one had to engage in high-intensity confrontations in a short period, while also lengthening the battle line to gain experience over time.

But Batman, with his seasoned demeanor, didn't seem like someone of his age at all, leaving Jonathan wondering what kind of experiences allowed Batman to develop such negotiating skills within four years.

It was like a child who ranked last in the class in first grade, but then went on to be admitted to university on a scholarship in sixth grade.

Jonathan stared closely at Batman, observing every subtle change in his expression, and then, he saw a kind of boredom on Batman's face, instantly making Jonathan feel like his heart had been stabbed.

Suddenly, his face turned red, his breathing reached its peak, and he struggled to breathe, swallowing saliva every three to four times per ten seconds. The muscles on his shoulders trembled along with his fingertips.

"Professor Klein, you should calm down." Batman looked at Jonathan, expressionless. "The whole world doesn't want you to die of a heart attack on the eve of delivering your great academic conclusions."

"Shut up... Schiller!"

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

Next Chapter>>Chapter 1013: Scarecrow's Misfortune (Part 1)