Chapter 3

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...

"You died."

That bright red message seemed to taunt Chu Cheng, tempting him to lash out at the keyboard in frustration. But he held back, mindful of the keyboard's cost. Poverty brought peace of mind, after all.

As he mulled over the game's difficulty, Chu Cheng realized it was unlike any he'd played before. Its realism was uncanny, affecting his gameplay experience in unexpected ways.

Repeated deaths forced him to reassess the situation. Perhaps the minions weren't simply eagle-eyed; maybe they were reacting to sounds.

Batman's descent from a great height could generate noise, especially when he deployed his cloak to slow his fall. Even the ground beneath him could betray his presence—wooden floors or loose metal plates might produce telltale sounds.

Adapting to these challenges, Chu Cheng guided Batman with newfound caution. The Caped Crusader moved silently, crouching to minimize noise, resembling a stealthy predator.

With this approach, Chu Cheng successfully neutralized several armed criminals, subduing them with lethal efficiency. But his success was short-lived when one gangster unexpectedly turned around, catching Batman off guard.

In a tense standoff, Batman and the criminal locked eyes, each sizing up the other.

"Batman!" The gangster's cry broke the silence, alerting his companions who quickly converged on the scene.

Chu Cheng realized that mastering the game required a shift in approach. The minions weren't just adversaries; they were unpredictable and erratic, like Daredevil, challenging Chu Cheng's every move.

But he refused to be defeated. Drawing on his expertise, Chu Cheng dissected the game's mechanics, identifying key strategies to overcome its challenges.

First, he learned patience, opting for observation over impulsivity. Batman's vantage point provided valuable insights into enemy positions and terrain, allowing Chu Cheng to plan his moves strategically.

However, lurking in the shadows was essential. Exposed, Batman risked detection, disrupting Chu Cheng's plans. From high above, he remained vigilant, ensuring darkness concealed his movements.

Moreover, Chu Cheng understood the importance of silence. Batman's stealth relied on minimizing noise, avoiding actions that might alert the enemy. Even the launch of his claw gun, muffled though it was, could betray his presence.

Navigating the environment demanded finesse. Concrete offered relative safety, enabling swifter movement, while wooden or metallic surfaces required cautious, stealthy steps.

And timing was everything. The order and method of eliminating enemies were crucial. A single misstep could trigger an alarm, prompting a frantic search.

Faced with these challenges, Chu Cheng adopted a systematic approach. Armed with pen and paper, he meticulously cataloged each detail, leaving nothing to chance.

With renewed determination, Chu Cheng faced the game once more, poised to conquer its formidable trials.

Before each simulation round, he meticulously reviewed his notes to ensure he didn't miss anything. Despite taking a bit longer, he systematically took down each enemy, one by one.

But the simulation wasn't over yet. After neutralizing the seven armed gangsters, the warehouse door suddenly swung open, revealing a burly man charging in.

The screen prompted the next phase: a combat training program. The opponent, a formidable fighter, required Batman's direct confrontation.

The combat system resembled those in the familiar Batman series: a simple interface with attack and defense options. With a click of the left mouse button, Batman executed a seamless offensive strategy, leveraging his mastery of various martial arts styles. He swiftly identified openings in the opponent's defense, adapting his attacks accordingly.

When the opponent retaliated, a blue warning sign signaled impending danger. Chu Cheng swiftly clicked the right mouse button, prompting Batman to counter with precision. However, if faced with an unavoidable attack, indicated by a red warning sign, Chu Cheng had to maneuver Batman to dodge or roll to safety.

Though the gameplay was more challenging than traditional Batman games, Chu Cheng, with his impeccable gaming prowess, found it manageable. He dispatched the formidable opponent without sustaining any injuries.

Just when he thought the ordeal was over, a group of ninjas wielding knives and guns emerged. The system demanded Chu Cheng control Batman to face them simultaneously. Further tutorials on utilizing Batman's black technology props ensued.

Unexpectedly, Chu Cheng found himself stuck in the tutorial for nearly a whole day. Despite breaks for basic necessities, he remained fixated on mastering the challenges.

He couldn't help but declare it the most daunting novice tutorial he'd ever encountered. Its difficulty and length were unprecedented, even for someone as skilled as himself. He imagined others might struggle for days to navigate through it.

Finally, the long-awaited notification signaled the end of the simulations. As the warehouse screen reverted to the Batcave, Chu Cheng exhaled deeply.

Now, he hoped, he could finally dive into the real action.