Chapter 358
The figure waiting at the abandoned shipyard was none other than Blade, the vampire hunter who'd fought Batman hand-to-hand three days earlier.
Watching Batman casually slap the metal container with one hand and send the vessel—easily weighing a ton or more—skidding across the shipyard floor, carving a shallow furrow in the concrete, Blade's eyebrow rose behind his sunglasses.
He raised one hand just as casually and stopped the container's momentum with a single palm.
BANG.
The impact of flesh meeting metal rang out dully.
Feeling the massive force transfer from the container through his arm, Blade's eyebrow climbed higher.
He didn't immediately open the container to see what was inside. Instead, he cocked an eyebrow at Batman. "You were definitely holding back when we fought the other night."
Three days ago, Batman's strikes had never exceeded five hundred pounds of force. While that made him a genuine strongman compared to ordinary people, it paled against the minimum one ton of force Batman had just used to launch the container across the floor.
Clearly, three days ago Batman hadn't been operating at full capacity.
As Blade gauged the force transmitted through the metal container, Batman studied him with equal attention.
Hearing Blade's observation, Batman's voice dropped low, though without excessive severity: "So were you."
Batman had lost access to Peter Parker's abilities during that rainy confrontation. His body had been severely taxed by prolonged high-intensity work and combat. He hadn't been able to deploy his full strength.
But Blade hadn't employed lethal techniques during that rainy night either. He didn't use killing force against non-vampiric targets.
"Ha ha ha!" Blade's mouth split in a wide grin as he barked out laughter.
CLICK.
Mid-laugh, Blade reached into his pocket and produced a flat metal case. He flicked it open with his thumb, popping a cigarette into the air, then tilted his head slightly to catch it perfectly between his lips.
"Want one?" Blade raised the case toward Batman.
"No." Batman shook his head slightly, stepping forward to stand beside Blade. He gestured at the metal container. "Want to see what's inside?"
"Absolutely." Blade exhaled a smoke ring.
This metal container differed from the deployment pod Batman used for his Arkham suit. It contained no rapid-assist mounting brackets or mechanical arms.
But when Blade saw what lay inside, even in the darkness Batman could sense the vampire hunter's eyes light up.
A complete set of form-fitting base layers. A full suit of black combat armor designed to wear over them. A heavy, long leather coat. A silver longsword gleaming coldly in the night.
Beyond that: ten boomerangs shaped identically to the throwing blades Blade had used before. A dagger that appeared to be wooden. Two pairs of armored combat boots. Even a pair of sunglasses.
Aside from firearms and ammunition, the container held everything needed to arm Blade from head to toe.
Looking at the cold gleam emanating from the silver sword's point, Blade felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. For a moment he had the distinct impression that blade was pointed directly at him.
He glanced sideways at Batman. Seeing the other man nod, Blade flashed a smile full of white teeth, then lunged forward and seized the longsword.
WHHHHM.
Sword in hand, Blade executed a casual flourish, testing the weapon's perfectly flawless balance and feel. He couldn't help but look at Batman. "You made this?"
Batman didn't answer, merely indicated with his eyes that Blade should continue examining the other equipment.
"Whoever forged this sword is a world-class weapons master. Only someone with profound mastery of both swordsmanship and metallurgy could create something like this."
The sword had been in Blade's hands for barely minutes, but he was already captivated. His eyes grew brighter with each passing second.
Compared to this blade from Batman, the sword Blade currently used was laughable.
But while his mouth lavished praise, Blade's hands never stopped moving.
The sword-light danced as he directed the blade toward the metal container, the edge passing over both the long leather coat and the combat armor in the blink of an eye.
"The coat's material incorporates specially designed metal wire threading. The overall weight is substantial, but it provides effective protection against bladed weapons," Batman explained.
The sword-light vanished as Blade sheathed the weapon. He removed his sunglasses to examine the coat more closely. "Metal wire? You applied tire manufacturing techniques to clothing?"
Batman's mouth curved slightly upward as he continued describing the other items. "The armor uses the most advanced memory fiber technology and Kevlar weave available. It's lighter than the coat, but durable enough to let you withstand direct bullet impacts."
Blade ran his fingers lightly across both the coat and the Kevlar armor. His touch detected no trace of the cuts his sword had just made.
His earlier flourish had genuinely tested both items' resistance to cutting. He hadn't used significant force, but the complete absence of marks on either the coat or armor demonstrated their defensive capabilities were truly exceptional.
Blade looked down at his own coat and armor—both shredded from his fight with Batman. Without hesitation, he began stripping his equipment off piece by piece right in front of Batman.
Batman retreated one measured step, watching impassively as Blade stripped down to nothing but boxer shorts.
Blade's body displayed sharply defined musculature. Countless scars of every description layered over one another across his skin.
He showed no self-consciousness about undressing in front of Batman, systematically removing every piece of old gear and replacing it with Batman's gifts.
Longsword. Belt. Combat boots. Coat. Boomerangs. Dagger.
Everything went on methodically. Once fully equipped, Blade held up the sunglasses from the container, his mouth quirking sideways at Batman. "These don't have some kind of high-tech integration, do they? Because I don't want them."
"Just ordinary sunglasses. Simply more shatter-resistant."
Hearing that, Blade didn't hesitate. He flung his old sunglasses away into the distance and settled the new pair on the bridge of his nose. "Cool."
Batman crossed his arms over his chest, observing Blade's martial bearing with approval. "Very good."
From start to finish, Blade had maintained neither paranoid vigilance toward Batman nor suspicious second-guessing.
Seeing the container open to reveal a complete equipment upgrade from head to toe, Blade hadn't engaged in false modesty or obstinate refusal. Instead, he'd stripped naked on the spot and changed into everything immediately.
"You weren't afraid I'd take advantage and hurt you?" Batman asked, watching Blade caress his new armor with obvious affection.
"Are you kidding?" Blade showed all his teeth in a broad smile. "I've spent my whole life arming myself. Never thought some cape-wearing freak would forge me a new set. If you're willing to give it, I'm willing to wear it."
Batman met Blade's eyes. The vampire hunter had lowered his head slightly, looking over the frame of his sunglasses. His gaze held no wariness whatsoever—only the mutual respect between warriors and knights.
"I'm Blade. You treat me like a person, so there's no reason for me to act like a monster."
***
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