Marvel’s Shadowed Knight

Based on Wayne's understanding, Oscorp, which was once considered a top-tier tech company in this world, had long been completely taken over by Kingpin's corporation.

Norman Osborn had even become one of Kingpin's lackeys.

If Wayne could take control of that company from Kingpin, he would own a powerhouse of a corporation—one that, while not on par with Wayne Enterprises, would still be among the best.

At the same time, Peter Parker was already dead, which meant that the young Black Spider-Man was about to emerge.

After all, only one Spider-Man could exist in a universe—that was a rule.

Even later on, when Black Spider fought alongside the Spider-Man of the main universe, it was because he wasn't originally from the main universe.

Taking a deep breath, Wayne tried to steady himself. "Looks like tonight will be another sleepless night."

Two nights in a row without sleep—any normal person would be mentally exhausted by now, Wayne thought.

But considering that he was essentially a half-baked Batman, this actually seemed pretty normal.

They called it the peak of human capability.

Yet Wayne had never seen a "normal" human survive in the vacuum of space without any equipment for half a minute.

If that was considered human, then maybe it was only in comparison to his teammates, most of whom were either Kryptonians or demigods.

He picked up his cowl, staring at the emblem that represented Bruce's fear and rage.

His fist clenched instinctively.

"With the Bat, things should get more interesting."

By the time Wayne reappeared, he was fully suited in the Bat costume.

Rolling his shoulders, he vanished from his home the next second.

If it were a rainy night, it would be the perfect time for a bat to take flight.

"This is so boring. Did the boss say when we can leave? I really don't wanna keep watching some old hag," one of the men complained.

Instead of spending the cold night with a beautiful woman, he was stuck monitoring an elderly lady—utterly frustrating.

His partner, sipping on hot coffee, was already immune to his whining.

"Anything unusual?" he coldly dismissed the complaint and closed his eyes, enjoying his moment of peace.

But the other man didn't respond.

"Anything unusual?" he repeated, but again, silence.

"Hey, answer me!" he finally snapped, opening his eyes in annoyance.

Before he could say another word, he felt a hand grip his throat, lifting him off the ground.

The next moment, he was slammed hard against the wall.

The sharp pain jolted his sleep-deprived mind into full alertness.

"Who…?"

Struggling to open his eyes, he tried to get a good look at whoever had done this.

A pitch-black mask, frozen in an expression of fury, stared back at him.

"What the hell are you?" he blurted out, instinctively categorizing Wayne as a freak similar to Spider-Man.

Only those kinds of mutants ran around in Halloween costumes at night.

Even though he was scared by Wayne's imposing appearance, the man refused to give up resistance.

He didn't care what the hell this guy was.

Even if he was another monster like Spider-Man—so what?

Monsters were still afraid of guns, weren't they?

His hand stealthily moved toward the pistol at his waist. If he got even a slight opening, he'd riddle this guy with bullets.

His movements were subtle, but not subtle enough to escape the Bat's notice.

Especially since, at night, the Bat didn't rely on sight.

Wayne's free hand swiftly caught the man's wrist just as he reached for his gun. In a fluid motion, he trapped the arm and applied pressure.

Crack.

The sickening snap of breaking bone echoed clearly in the night.

Before the man could even cry out in pain, Wayne tightened his grip around his neck, cutting off any chance of making a sound.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

His agony could only manifest as relentless coughing and the cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Who's your boss?" Wayne didn't expect to get any useful information about Kingpin from a guy like this.

But perhaps, by going a level higher, he could glean something useful.

Among Kingpin's subordinates, Prowler was clearly a lone wolf.

This world's Doctor Octopus—who could more accurately be called Doctor Octomom—had an entire research facility as her base of operations.

Scorpion? Who knew which sewer he was lurking in?

The only one who could possibly be their superior was Tombstone.

Even though Wayne had already narrowed it down, he still wasn't entirely convinced.

The guy clenched his teeth, refusing to utter a single word.

That familiar look—the kind that said, You could beat me to death, and I still wouldn't talk—was all too recognizable.

"Hmm?"

The next second, Wayne flung the man toward the edge of the rooftop. The impact was so forceful that, when he slammed into the low parapet, a mouthful of blood spewed from his lips.

"Pfft~"

Blood dripped from his mouth as he stared in horror at Wayne approaching him.

Wayne's gloved hand seized his throat once again.

An 80-kilogram man was effortlessly lifted into the air with one hand.

Below him—nothing but empty space.

Wayne dangled him over the edge of the apartment rooftop.

"I'm just an ordinary guy. I don't have Spider-Man's strength, so I get tired easily… and my grip might slip," Wayne said in the calmest tone, uttering the words the man feared most.

"I assume you know what happens when someone falls from the third floor?"

"If you land on your legs, you'll be paralyzed. But if it's your head…"

As Wayne spoke, he stepped forward again.

"Now, tell me—who's your superior? And their address?"

The man might have wanted to stay silent, but the problem was that the masked freak in front of him really did seem to be losing his grip.

He could feel Wayne's hand trembling slightly.

At any moment, he might just let go—freeing his soul for good.

"I only know he lives in a luxury apartment in Manhattan! I swear, that's all I know!" The man's intact left hand clutched at Wayne's arm desperately.

He had no intention of dying like this.

"What a strange universe—where even a villain's lackey can afford to live in overcrowded Manhattan," Wayne remarked before suddenly releasing his grip.

"Ahhh!!!"

This time, no one was there to stifle his scream.

"Thud~"

Wayne didn't even bother looking down.

According to his calculations, the guy would most likely just end up as a paralyzed crook.

Though, realistically, no one was going to let him keep being a criminal after this.

(End of Chapter)

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