Marvel’s Shadowed Knight

He couldn't believe that something he had spent so much time thinking about had failed to spark even the slightest interest in Batman's eyes.

"You're such a 'great' friend!" Peter Parker gritted his teeth as he spoke to the Bat.

Even though Peter had approached Bruce with goodwill, Gwen couldn't help but find the man before her far too mysterious.

She knew that May Parker's home address was well-known in this world.

But the fact that this Bat had been able to lead them here directly—without hesitation—meant something.

He knew what they were after.

"Answer my question."

Gwen wasn't about to let Bruce off so easily.

Right now, she was deeply concerned—did this man have any ulterior motives toward them or someone among them?

But Bruce paid her no attention. He simply stood there, silently staring at Peter Parker.

That gaze of his—so intense and unwavering—even someone as experienced as Peter felt uneasy under its weight.

"I need your help to get us ba—"

Peter had just begun to explain when Bruce cut him off.

"Back to your universe."

"Yes! That's exactly it!"

Peter clapped his hands together, his voice filled with excitement.

"Wait… you knew I wasn't from this universe all along, didn't you?"

Peter leaned in slightly, trying to catch any sign of emotion in Batman's expression.

He might be getting older, but his mind was still sharp.

He remembered what Bruce had said to him before, and now it was clear—Batman had seen through him from the start.

"I told you—your situation is a troublesome one."

Bruce simply repeated what he had said before.

That brief exchange left Gwen and Miles utterly dumbfounded.

"So, you already knew about our problem?"

Gwen stared in disbelief at this imposing, cold figure.

"It was a simple deduction."

Bruce's words instantly made Miles feel awkward.

He had spent so much time questioning Peter, trying to piece things together. And while he had eventually reached the same conclusion as Batman, he had certainly not done so with the same level of calm confidence.

Looking back, it felt more like Peter had ended up figuring it out himself rather than Miles actually uncovering the truth.

"Wait a minute. If you already knew this was a problem, then why did you come to see us?"

Gwen frowned, her instincts kicking in.

"You said it yourself—Peter's situation is a troublesome one. And judging by your attitude, you don't seem like the type who wants to get involved in troublesome matters."

She didn't know what Bruce and the other Peter had discussed before, but one thing was clear—when someone called something a "hassle," they usually meant they wanted to stay far away from it.

Because people like that hated unnecessary trouble.

"Yeah!" Miles suddenly chimed in, recalling how Batman had disappeared so quickly after first meeting them.

If he really didn't want to get involved, why come back now?

Bruce took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Gwen.

"First of all, the Bat-Signal was lit."

He held up a single finger.

Standing at over six-foot-three, with a powerful, muscular frame, he loomed over Gwen entirely.

Gwen knew Batman didn't have any superpowers—he wasn't stronger than someone like Doctor Octopus.

But the sheer presence, the oppressive pressure he exuded, far exceeded that of any enemy she had ever faced.

She looked up into his piercing blue eyes.

There was no sadness in them.

And certainly no warmth.

All that remained was a pounding heartbeat.

The pressure emanating from this Bat was overwhelming.

With just a single glance, Gwen already felt like she couldn't bear it.

"You're scaring her."

Miles quickly stepped in front of Gwen.

But the moment he truly looked up and met Bruce's gaze, even he—someone who considered himself brave—couldn't help but take a step back.

To them, Bruce Wayne was like a specter of the night, a ghostly figure that stalked the world.

What radiated from him was an unshakable aura of fear, an all-consuming darkness that left an unforgettable impression.

"Secondly, your enemies are now my enemies."

Bruce withdrew his gaze and turned to Peter Parker.

Peter, who had raised his hands awkwardly, was at a loss for what to do. Clearly, he had been about to step in and stop Bruce from frightening the two younger heroes.

But to his surprise, Bruce had already backed off on his own—ending the oppressive moment before Peter even had the chance to intervene.

"So that makes us allies now."

Peter lowered his hands, stepping up beside Bruce. He reached out for a handshake and removed his mask.

"Peter Benjamin Parker, Spider-Man from another world."

Peter didn't ask any further questions. He understood that everyone had their own secrets. He had no intention of prying into why Bruce was going up against Kingpin.

Some things were simply better left unknown.

Gwen, after taking a few steady breaths, lifted her head and followed suit, removing her own mask.

"Gwen Stacy, also a Spider-Man."

Miles wanted to introduce himself as well, but he suddenly realized—he had spider powers, yet he hadn't truly earned the title of Spider-Man yet.

"So… you're not going to take off your mask and let us see the man hiding behind all this fear?"

Peter Parker glanced at Bruce, who showed no intention of removing his cowl, and couldn't help but tease him a little.

Gwen, too, was curious. What kind of man was hiding beneath that mask?

"One of you has yet to embrace the will of Spider-Man."

Bruce didn't say the name outright, but everyone present knew exactly who he was referring to.

Peter had expected Bruce to leave it at that—a simple, indirect remark.

But the next second, Bruce turned and faced Miles directly.

"Am I right, Miles Morales?"

Miles bristled at the statement.

He had been chosen by this world's Peter Parker as his successor.

Peter had even intended to train him—before he died.

He didn't like the implication that he wasn't truly Spider-Man.

And yet, when he met Bruce's gaze, his defiance faltered.

The words he had been preparing to say suddenly caught in his throat.

His hesitation made Peter sigh in disappointment.

He had high hopes for the kid.

From every angle—potential, ability, and spirit—Miles had everything it took to be a great Spider-Man.

But now, standing in front of the Bat, just one look from Bruce had shaken his confidence.

"Alright, alright. Let's focus on fixing this little gadget first."

Peter quickly gathered himself and stepped between Bruce and Miles, breaking the tension.

At the same time, he held up the damaged USB drive.

(End of Chapter)

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