Chapter 10: Wayne's Inquiry Skills
Wayne knew that Oscorp, once a global technology leader, had been absorbed by Kingpin's vast enterprise. If Wayne could acquire Kingpin's current corporate structure, he would possess a company that, while not matching Wayne Group, was still formidable.
Furthermore, with Peter Parker dead, the universe was making room for the next Spider-Man—Miles Morales. Wayne operated under the strict rule that a universe could only support one active Spider-Man at a time.
"It seems tonight will be another sleepless night." Taking a deep breath, Wayne forced himself to maintain focus. He had run on minimal rest for two consecutive days, a pace that should be impossible for a normal man. But then again, he was no longer a normal man; he was half-Batman.
He was pushing the limit of human endurance, yet he knew no ordinary human could survive even thirty seconds in the vacuum of space without gear, as he once had. If this was considered human, he was only comparable to his former Kryptonian or demigod teammates.
Picking up the cowl, Wayne looked at the scowling face that embodied Bruce's inner fear and anger. He clenched his fists.
"With the cowl on, things should get more interesting."
Wayne reappeared in the full Bat-suit. He moved his shoulders, and in the next second, he vanished from his house. If the night had been rainy, it would have been the perfect time for the Bat to hunt.
On a rooftop overlooking Aunt May's residence, a guard complained bitterly. "This is so boring. The boss didn't say when we could leave. I don't want to keep babysitting an old woman." He could have been spending this cold night with a woman, yet he was forced to monitor a gray-haired senior citizen.
His companion, drinking hot coffee on the other side of the parapet, was immune to the complaining. "Did you see anything unusual?" he asked, rejecting the man's complaint outright, before closing his eyes to enjoy his brief respite.
The complainer didn't reply.
"Did you see anything unusual?" The coffee drinker repeated, opening his eyes impatiently.
Before he could say anything more, he felt himself snatched up by the throat, instantly slammed against the wall behind him. The severe impact shocked his surveillance-dazed brain awake.
"Who?" he gasped.
He forced his eyes open to see who had performed such a feat. A pitch-black mask frozen in an expression of perpetual anger was inches from his face.
"What kind of monster are you?" He instinctively branded Wayne a mutant freak, not unlike the Spider-Man the organization had just dealt with. Just another costumed nuisance.
Despite his fear, the man didn't give up. He wouldn't care what the man in front of him was. A freak like Spider-Man was still vulnerable to a bullet. His hand crept toward the pistol holstered on his hip, aiming to shoot the attacker full of holes.
The subtle movement didn't escape the Bat's notice. At night, the Bat didn't rely on sight alone.
Wayne's free hand shot out, grabbing the man's wrist. He locked the elbow joint and applied pressure.
CLIK.
The sound of bone snapping was sickeningly audible. Before the pain could erupt into a scream, Wayne tightened the grip on the man's neck, strangling all possibility of sound.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
The pain was internalized, manifesting as spasms and cold sweat.
"Who is your superior?" Wayne knew this low-level thug wouldn't have information on Kingpin, but he might reveal the identity of a mid-level manager.
Kingpin's known associates included Prowler (a lone master thief), Doctor Octopus (or "Octopus Mother" in this world, who commanded a research facility), and Scorpion (whose location was unknown). The most likely ringleader would be Tombstone.
But Wayne wouldn't rest until he confirmed it.
Seeing the thug grit his teeth, clearly determined to withstand the pain, Wayne acted. He hurled the man directly toward the edge of the rooftop. The immense force sent the thug slamming against the low parapet wall.
"Phhh!"
Blood erupted from his mouth. He looked at Wayne, who was walking toward him, with absolute horror.
The hand in the black glove grabbed his neck again. The 250-pound man was lifted effortlessly and dangled over the edge of the apartment building.
"I am an ordinary man. I don't have Spider-Man's super strength, so I tire easily and let go." Wayne spoke in a calm, flat tone that maximized the terror.
"You should know what it feels like to fall from a third story," Wayne continued. "Your legs will shatter, causing paralysis. And your head...?"
Wayne took another step forward, the ledge crumbling slightly under his boot.
"Now, tell me: Who is your superior? And what is their address?"
The man struggled, trying desperately to grab Wayne's arm with his intact left hand. He truly believed the masked monster was losing his grip.
"I only know he lives in a high-end Manhattan apartment! I don't know anything else!" he screamed. He was terrified of the free-fall.
"It truly is a strange universe," Wayne muttered. "A scoundrel can afford to live in crowded Manhattan."
Wayne released his hand the very next moment.
"WHAT!!!"
This time, there was no one to muffle the scream.
BAM.
Wayne didn't even bother to look down. Based on his calculations, the thug would be a paralyzed cautionary tale. And given the ruthlessness of the organization he worked for, no one would be around to let him continue being a bad guy for long.
(End of Chapter)
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