The Dark Knight Of Another World

The small room Bruce had rented in Eryndor's outskirts was sparse but functional. A simple cot, a wooden table, and a cracked mirror were all it had to offer. The walls were damp, and the window overlooked a narrow alley, but it was enough. He needed a space to plan and regroup.

Bruce stood before the mirror, studying his reflection. For the first time since waking in this strange world, he took a closer look at himself. His face was younger, perhaps in his early twenties. The lines of age and experience were gone, replaced by smooth skin and a more youthful intensity in his eyes.

But it wasn't just his face. His body, while still lean and muscular, was noticeably less developed than it had been. Years of grueling training and discipline had built him into the physical and mental peak of humanity. Now, he felt… incomplete.

He clenched his fists, silently cursing Bat-Mite. "He thinks this is a game," Bruce muttered.

The weight of his batsuit, hanging slightly loose on his frame, was another reminder. The armor felt heavier than it should, its bulk interfering with his movements in ways he wasn't used to. He shifted his shoulders and adjusted the cowl, feeling the slight gap between the fabric and his skin.

Bruce sighed, pulling up the system interface.

[Shadow Points Available: 150]

[Stats:]

• Strength: 8

• Agility: 10

• Endurance: 9

• Intelligence: 15

• Stealth: 11

• Shadow Affinity: 5

"Let's make this count," he muttered, considering his options carefully.

Strength would rebuild some of the raw power he had lost. Agility would make up for the slight bulkiness of the suit. Endurance was vital for stamina, and Stealth would keep him unseen in a world where he was already an anomaly.

He distributed the points logically.

[Stats Updated:]

• Strength: 12

• Agility: 14

• Endurance: 12

• Intelligence: 15

• Stealth: 14

• Shadow Affinity: 7

The moment he confirmed the changes, Bruce felt a faint surge of energy ripple through him. His muscles tightened slightly, his movements becoming a little smoother and more responsive. It wasn't dramatic, but it was a start.

...

Next, Bruce turned his attention to his batsuit. He had already removed the cape and chest armor, laying them out on the table. The material was designed to protect against firearms and bladed weapons, but it was too conspicuous for this world.

"This won't work here," Bruce muttered, running his fingers over the chest plate's iconic bat symbol. It would draw too much attention, and the weight was impractical for the quick, agile movements he'd need in this new environment.

He removed the gauntlets next, studying the worn mechanisms. The grappling hook launcher and shock emitters were functional, but their weight slowed him down. He'd have to modify them—or rebuild them entirely—once he found the right materials.

Using a small knife he had looted from the bandits, Bruce began to cut away excess fabric. The cape was shortened, reduced to a more manageable length that wouldn't catch on branches or rubble. The chest armor was stripped of its outer plating, leaving only the lightweight inner layer.

By the time he was done, the batsuit was less a symbol of Gotham and more a practical tool for survival. It felt strange to alter something so iconic, but necessity outweighed sentiment.

Bruce stood back, rolling his shoulders and testing his range of motion. The suit was lighter now, allowing for smoother movements. The changes weren't perfect, but they would do for now.

He stepped to the corner of the room, where he had pushed the cot aside to create a small training space. Dropping into a series of push-ups, Bruce tested his body further. The loss of muscle mass was noticeable, but his movements were still precise, his form unwavering.

As he transitioned into pull-ups using the doorframe, his mind drifted. He could hear Bat-Mite's mocking voice in his head.

"I made you young again, Bats! You're welcome!"

Bruce gritted his teeth, pulling himself up with more force than necessary. "If I ever see him again, he won't be laughing for long."

After an hour of training, Bruce sat cross-legged on the floor, his breathing steady. He had regained some confidence in his body, but there was still much work to do.

The system chimed.

[Skill Unlocked: Physical Conditioning]

Effect: Training efficiency increased by 25%.

Bruce smirked faintly. At least the system recognized his efforts.

...

Night fell, and the city grew quiet outside his window. Bruce stared at the Shadow Map, his eyes tracing the path to their next destination. The quest to investigate Abyssal activity near Eryndor loomed, and Lyra was expecting him at the city gates.

As he stood and donned his modified suit, Bruce felt a renewed sense of purpose. Bat-Mite's interference had put him at a disadvantage, but he was no stranger to overcoming impossible odds.

"Let's see what this world has to offer," he said, stepping into the night.