Relying solely on Batman's own strength, he could not clash head-on with Red Hulk; the intense heat radiating from the opponent also made Venom fearful.
However, under new tactics, relying on the strength boost provided by Venom's possession, Batman slammed into Red Hulk again and again using his legs, shoulders, and elbows.
The moment before each impact, Venom would retract into Batman's body, allowing Batman to use his own flesh to make the impact, after which Venom would re-emerge to repair his body.
Batman was treating his own body entirely as a continuously repairable cannonball, forcing Red Hulk closer to the cage at a pace of half a step—or even less—with every collision.
Batman had only one goal right now: to lock Red Hulk inside the cage first. Only then could he formulate a new tactic to subdue the Gamma Green Goblin.
As for The Leader, Batman still paid him no mind.
However, the multi-spectrum device continued to function. The composite spectrum, which Batman had adjusted specifically for Gamma rays, was affecting The Leader to a certain extent.
It was precisely because of this that Red Hulk, controlled by The Leader, had not made any effective counterattacks.
Barring any accidents, in another minute or two, Batman would be able to knock Red Hulk into the cage using these impacts.
But just as Batman knocked Red Hulk back a step at the cost of a broken leg, and then quickly retreated to let Venom repair his body, The Leader's laughter rang out:
"The substance on your body is that unknown organism that appeared at the F.E.A.S.T. shelter in Queens before, right?"
"It seems to fear high temperatures?"
The Leader wasn't stupid. Even though the distant multi-spectrum device constantly interfered with his train of thought—causing his thinking to stagnate for brief moments and preventing him from ordering the Gamma Green Goblin to attack while Batman was slamming into Red Hulk—he still noticed.
Through observation, The Leader had discovered Venom's overly obvious weakness and decisively initiated a counterattack plan.
The Leader's plan was very simple. He released his control over Red Hulk and the Gamma Green Goblin, increased the speed of the fighter jet he was piloting, and flew toward the Batcycle outside the Gamma Base.
The sound of an explosion from the distance occurred almost simultaneously with the Gamma Green Goblin and Red Hulk breaking free from control.
The multi-spectrum device was destroyed along with the Batcycle and the EMP bomb. Batman had almost reached a dead end.
"Batman!"
Red Hulk, having broken free from The Leader's mind control, was fully awake and let out a roar at Batman.
Then the ground trembled again. Fully in control of his own body, Red Hulk unleashed speed and power far greater than when he was controlled, charging over like an angry bull.
Where Red Hulk passed, the wind howled, leaving a thick trail of white water vapor in the air. His massive palms, carrying heat capable of melting everything, clapped toward Batman as if swatting a fly.
At the same time, it wasn't just Red Hulk; the Gamma Green Goblin, having shaken off the mind control, also disappeared from his spot, delivering a vicious claw swipe at Batman from another direction.
Then, having destroyed the multi-spectrum device, The Leader returned to the sky above the battlefield and looked at the cage that had transformed from the Batwing's cockpit.
Thinking of the scene just now where Batman struggled to ram Red Hulk toward the cage, The Leader smiled, baring his teeth.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
Beams of energy shot out from The Leader's fighter jet. One of the energy beams flew toward the cage, which lacked any mobility and was anchored to the ground by four thick alloy stakes.
Under The Leader's control, the other energy beams swept aimlessly across the Gamma Base. Where they passed, the ground exploded, and flames and white smoke rose continuously.
Clap!
Red Hulk's palms slapped together. He didn't hit Batman, but the gale force generated by his clapping hands still blew Batman toward the Gamma Green Goblin.
In that direction, the Gamma Green Goblin was crouching on the ground, ready to pierce Batman's chest with his claws at any moment.
In the nick of time, Batman, while in mid-air, used Venom to morph a massive pitch-black shield to block the Gamma Green Goblin's attack. However, because he was in the air with no leverage, his body was sent flying once again.
Before Batman could land, Red Hulk and the Gamma Green Goblin had already chased after him again, launching a barrage of attacks at him.
During this time, The Leader's energy beams continued to detonate, igniting everything in the Gamma Base and turning the place into a raging inferno.
When Batman finally found an opportunity to break free from the pincer attack of Red Hulk and the Gamma Green Goblin and half-knelt on the ground, he looked somewhat bedraggled.
The Venom suit on his body no longer possessed its previous sleekness and ferocity. Many areas burned by the high temperatures showed charred hardening; the edges curled and peeled off like burnt plastic, revealing the damaged Bat-armor underneath.
Venom was shivering. It could repair the host's body, but this was not limitless.
In reality, it was consuming its own strength to repair Batman's injured body. When the consumed strength reached a certain level without Venom receiving any replenishment, its healing ability became weaker and weaker.
"Dad, I want to eat chocolate..." Venom said pitifully to Batman.
Batman knelt on one knee, constantly analyzing the pain coming from various parts of his body to determine his remaining combat power.
"If necessary, you can hide inside my body."
Batman took a deep breath, stood up straight again, and raised his clenched fists in front of his chest.
The surroundings had completely turned into a sea of fire. Now, even without Red Hulk attacking, the fire alone limited most of Venom's room to maneuver.
The Gamma Green Goblin and Red Hulk had stopped attacking. The Leader had mentally controlled them to stand in place again, watching Batman, who had lost more than half of the symbiote matter, revealing the basic Batsuit underneath.
"I originally planned to find a chance to leave, but now it seems I still overestimated your strength."
"Why don't you stop? Why continue fighting? Facing Red Hulk and the Gamma Green Goblin, you don't have a shred of a chance at victory. Why persist?"
The Leader looked down at Batman from above, his voice full of temptation:
"You have done your best."
"Put down your fists and cooperate with me. You provide the body, I provide the intellect, and we can help all of humanity complete yet another evolution..."
Batman gritted his teeth. He clenched his fists even tighter, lowered his center of gravity to stand firmly, and then actively charged toward the Gamma Green Goblin.
The surrounding sea of fire was boiling. Venom could no longer provide assistance to Batman. And without dealing with the Gamma Green Goblin, Batman dared not rashly leap up to deal with The Leader; that would make him a sitting duck for the Gamma Green Goblin, who was far faster than him.
Bang!
The Leader released his control over Red Hulk and the Gamma Green Goblin, watching as Batman—deprived of Venom—was stomped by Red Hulk, causing the ground to buckle, and rolled aside in a wretched state.
"You know defeat is certain, yet you still swing your fists in vain. Why? Why?! Who are you? What exactly did S.H.I.E.L.D. give you?"
The Leader roared angrily at Batman:
"If you have family being coerced by S.H.I.E.L.D., I can help you save them! I can advance your strength even further and remove the weakness of the creature on your body! Why do you keep fighting?"
Batman climbed up from the ground once again. He spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the ground and clenched his fists anew, the raging flames of the Gamma Base reflected in his eyes:
"I am vengeance. I am the night!"
"I am Batman!"
Boom!
A loud noise erupted from the distant sky, and a massive sonic boom cloud appeared at the nose of a full-moon-shaped fighter jet.
Desperate Plan Phase Three—Batwing Two had finally arrived!
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