Chương 27: Chapter 27: The Confused Riddler

The splitting of the Eight Light Wheels combined with telekinesis tracking is considered a highly advanced maneuver, even among newly graduated Ultra Warriors from the Land of Light Academy. Only a few from an entire class could pull off such a spectacular feat.

Shen You was delighted to discover that he hadn't lost his touch; the Ultra slicing technique he had painstakingly practiced hadn't been left behind when he crossed over. Splitting the Light Wheels into five was challenging enough, not to mention simultaneously controlling them telekinetically to chase five different targets. Moreover, if Ultra Warriors typically locked onto giant monster entities during regular combat, this time, the five demon spirits were roughly human-sized, requiring a much higher level of precision.

Even Shen You couldn't help but give himself a mental score of ninety out of a hundred.

After achieving a one-hit kill, he casually scanned the area. The Ultra vision in his transformed state was far superior to his human form, and a quick sweep soon locked onto a long-abandoned haunted house in the amusement park, where he spotted several figures through the walls.

They were children.

Locked in a cage deep within the haunted house, the oldest looked about eight or nine years old, all covered in dirt and looking pitiful, some with tear stains on their faces.

These demon spirits even captured children?

Shen You quickly recalled that the bat demon spirit possessing Maroni last time had a similar history, so such depraved behavior wasn't surprising. It only confirmed that these demon world creatures were beyond redemption.

With a single punch, the strength of his Ultra form pierced through layers of obstacles, smashing into the location where the children were held. The children in the cage looked up, mouths agape as they gazed through the hole at the giant outside, their young minds deeply shocked.

Outside the amusement park, in a nearby building.

A strange man in a green suit, wearing a green bowler hat, sat arrogantly in a chair with his legs crossed, his back to the window. A green mask covered his cheekbones, and he held a peculiar cane with a distinctive question mark on its tip.

Edward Nygma, codenamed the Riddler. Obsessed with riddles, he was a high-intelligence supercriminal who had been playing a game of wits with the novice Batman for the past week, making him the first madman the new Dark Knight had encountered.

"Always moving forward, back and forth in between. Put me back in my place, and I'll make it more chaotic. Who am I?" the Riddler smiled as he waved his cane.

"We don't have time for your riddles, Nygma," said Sal Maroni, a crime boss and one of the actual rulers of the city. Several of his underlings were spread around the Riddler.

The Riddler glanced at them, smiling.

"Batman, right? You want Batman, that's why you're here."

"You're stating the obvious," Maroni replied coldly. "That bat freak has caused me tremendous losses over the past month. He's captured my men, dismantled my bases, intercepted my shipments. If he thinks he can walk away after all that, he clearly doesn't understand what Gotham is."

"Yes, yes, that's why we're on the same boat. Because we both hate bats," the Riddler said.

Maroni remained expressionless. "You said you could take care of Batman tonight. But all I've seen is you sitting here, flaunting your boring riddles."

"That's because you're too slow to keep up. I'm already in action. Why else do you think I called you here?"

The Riddler laughed.

"The riddle just now was a clue."

Maroni frowned, clearly not understanding. He looked at his men, but those muscle-bound guys were unlikely to guess the answer.

"The answer is electricity, geniuses," the Riddler chuckled. "The haunted house in the amusement park—I've locked the kidnapped children in there and left clues for the Dark Knight. Of course, he'll decode the riddle and find this place because he's smart, almost as smart as I am.

But I've studied his patterns. I've wired all possible entry points—skylights, vents, doors—with high voltage. Enough to give him a real shock."

Maroni pondered for a moment.

"My people say he's tough to deal with," Maroni said. "I'm not sure high voltage will be enough."

"That's just the appetizer. I've set up more surprises inside. To save the children, he'll have to navigate through all my deadly traps—none of which any human could survive. Not even Batman. He has no chance."

However, as the Riddler enthusiastically elaborated on his plan, he didn't notice the flash of bright light outside the window. The dark amusement park was suddenly illuminated, and a red and silver giant soared into the sky.

Maroni and his men were stunned, their mouths agape, filled with question marks.

The Riddler, still oblivious, continued to revel in his plan: "Tonight marks the fall of the Dark Knight. Although he was a worthy opponent, I'll miss him. But this haunted house will be his tomb."

One of Maroni's men, dumbfounded, pointed outside: "You mean that haunted house?"

"Huh? Obviously, which one else—WTF!?"

The Riddler sprang up from his chair, eyes wide with disbelief. The red and silver giant had punched through the haunted house's roof, ignoring all his carefully laid traps, and pulled the hostage children out as easily as plucking chicks.

The giant seemed completely unfazed by the so-called "lethal" high voltage.

For the first time in his life, the Riddler was utterly confused.

What is this? Have my evil deeds earned divine retribution?

Even as the giant's form was surrounded by a holy white light and dissolved into points of light, the Riddler remained lost in deep existential doubt.

Who am I? Where am I? Who am I supposed to fight?

Is this thing really my opponent?

"This is definitely a trap, Master."

Alfred's voice came through the Batmobile's communication system.

"A trap ceases to be a trap when you know it's a trap. It becomes a challenge," Batman said coldly, flooring the accelerator.

"Have you forgotten our earlier conversation? You don't have to face this alone. You could leave a message for the GCPD, or if you don't trust them, at least contact Commissioner Gordon! The Riddler has surely set a deadly ambush waiting for you. Going to that amusement park alone is suicide—"

"I'm here."

Batman cut him off, stopping the car and stepping out. The Batmobile's sliding door opened, and he jumped out.

He walked fearlessly towards the dark amusement park, his black cape billowing in the wind like a knight facing his final battle.

A minute later, Batman stood before the haunted house with its roof punched through, half of it collapsed and deserted.

After triple-checking the decoded clues, he was sure he had found the right place.

But his eyes showed a hint of confusion.

Where is everyone?