An anti-hero with Rimuru's abilities in dc

The subway station buzzed with an energy that had been absent for years. The group of survivors gathered around Rimuru, their faces alight with cautious hope. The information he had retrieved from the Regime outpost now sat displayed on a makeshift screen he had crafted from spare materials, a glowing holographic map of Gotham casting soft light across the room.

"These," Rimuru said, pointing to red dots scattered across the map, "are Regime surveillance points. Drones launch from these locations, and patrol schedules are updated here. If we take these out strategically, we'll cripple their ability to monitor us." 

Elena leaned against a support beam, her arms crossed. "Easier said than done. You saw what it took just to hit one outpost." 

"That's why we don't do it alone," Rimuru replied. He tapped a cluster of green dots. "These are resistance safehouses. They're scattered, disconnected, and on the defensive. If we can bring them together, we'll have the manpower to take larger targets." 

The scarred man, who Rimuru had learned was named Marcus, stepped forward. "You make it sound simple, but those groups don't trust easily. They're paranoid for a reason." 

Rimuru nodded. "Which is why I'm going alone to the first one. If they're suspicious, better they aim that suspicion at me than you." 

Elena frowned. "That's risky. What if they see you as a threat and shoot first?" 

"I'll handle it," Rimuru said with a faint smile. "Trust me, I'm harder to kill than I look." 

---

Hours later, Rimuru approached the location of the first safehouse: a boarded-up church at the edge of the city. The structure was barely standing, its stained glass shattered and its steeple leaning precariously. He could feel the presence of people inside—nervous, tense, and armed. 

He stepped into the open, deliberately allowing the crunch of gravel underfoot to announce his arrival. Almost immediately, a voice called out from within. 

"Stop right there! Hands where we can see them!" 

Rimuru complied, raising his hands and stepping closer. "I'm not here to fight," he called. "I'm here to help." 

A figure emerged from the shadows, a rifle trained on him. The man was lean and wiry, his face hidden beneath a makeshift mask. "Help? That's a funny way to describe walking into our territory uninvited." 

"I know you're with the resistance," Rimuru said. "I've seen the work you've done—keeping people alive, fighting back where you can. I want to make that easier for you." 

The man's grip on the rifle didn't waver. "And why should we trust you? For all I know, you're with the Regime, trying to bait us out." 

Rimuru smiled faintly. "If I were with the Regime, would I do this?" 

He extended a hand, and a small orb of light formed above his palm. The air shimmered as the energy expanded, forming a translucent barrier around the church. The tension in the man's posture eased slightly as he realized the barrier was protective, not aggressive. 

"What is this?" the man asked, his voice tinged with awe. 

"A shield," Rimuru said. "It'll block Regime scans and give you some breathing room. Consider it a gesture of goodwill." 

---

Inside the church, Rimuru sat across from the resistance leader, a woman named Serena. Her sharp eyes scrutinized him as he explained his plan, her fingers drumming against the table. 

"You're asking us to trust a stranger," she said finally. "That's a tall order in this world." 

"I understand," Rimuru said. "But you don't have to take my word for it. Look at the shield outside. It's proof that I have the power to help you." 

Serena leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Even if we believe you, uniting the resistance isn't as easy as you make it sound. There's bad blood between some of the groups. Old grudges, mistrust… It's a mess." 

"Then we clean up the mess," Rimuru said firmly. "One step at a time." 

He placed the crystal containing the Regime's data on the table. "This is everything I've gathered about their operations in Gotham. Patrol routes, strongholds, weaknesses. With this, we can start planning a real resistance." 

Serena picked up the crystal, her eyes narrowing. "If this information is accurate, it's a goldmine. But if it's a trap…" 

"It's not," Rimuru said. "You'll see for yourself." 

---

Rimuru spent the next few hours helping Serena's group analyze the data. They cross-referenced it with their own observations, and the pieces began to fall into place. The Regime's stranglehold on Gotham was formidable, but not unbreakable. 

"This could work," Serena admitted reluctantly. "If we can get the other groups on board, we might stand a chance." 

"I'll handle the outreach," Rimuru said. "Focus on reinforcing your position here. The shield will hold for at least a week, but I'll upgrade it before then." 

Serena raised an eyebrow. "You're confident for someone who just walked into this war." 

"I have to be," Rimuru said. "This world doesn't need more doubt. It needs action." 

---

On his way back to the subway station, Rimuru reflected on the encounter. Serena's group was small but resourceful, and their knowledge of the city would be invaluable. Convincing the other safehouses would be harder, but he was prepared for the challenge. 

As he neared the station, he sensed something amiss. The air was heavy with tension, and faint whispers of fear reached his ears. 

He quickened his pace, dissolving into mist to slip past the barrier and reappear inside. 

"What happened?" he asked, his voice sharp. 

Elena turned to him, her face pale. "Marcus went out on a supply run… and he hasn't come back."