The Test

"If I were you, I'd assess the situation before acting rashly," the man in black spoke, his voice unnaturally low, clearly altered.

Jay held back the instinct to leap forward, opting instead to listen to what this enigmatic figure had to say. Observing Jay's restrained reaction, the man in black commented flatly, "Wise decision."

"Who are you?" Jay demanded. "Are you the ones looking for me?"

Instead of answering, the assailant spoke on his own accord, "As you can see, it would take but a slight motion of my knife to end this woman's life. I've slit countless throats in my career and have little doubt that I'd falter now. You must realize that my belt is rigged with a quantum field barrier, triggered by any aggressive move you make towards me. You might break through with one punch, but that's enough time for me to kill her."

"Let her go," Jay gritted, "you want me, don't you?"

"I apologize, but that's not possible. Her involvement is a crucial part of this," the voice remained unfeeling, robotic, "However, you're not without options. I'm aware of your penetrating heat vision. It would be the only thing fast enough to hit me before I execute the hostage. But remember, you have only one shot, and it must be lethal."

Jay was unnerved by the bizarre ultimatum, starting to wonder if he was dealing with a madman. It seemed the man was provoking him to kill... himself.

"Now, the question is," the black-clad figure continued coldly, "do you have the courage to do it?"

His voice was chilling, devoid of emotion, but the tangible intent to kill was palpable. Jay had no doubt this lunatic would act, and Helena would die because of him. Damn, he was just starting to like her, in a way.

In Helena's eyes, Jay saw a hint of expectation—perhaps she believed he could resolve this dire situation, although he wasn't at all confident. Taking a deep breath, Jay said, "There's no need for this. If it's me you want, leave unrelated people out of it."

"Ten seconds," the man in black replied implacably, pressing the blade ever so slightly more against Helena's throat, "that's all the hesitation time you have left."

The man wasn't lying. Jay's scan confirmed an incomprehensible high-tech device on the assailant's belt, emitting particles invisible to the normal eye—likely capable of activating a one-time shield. Perhaps he could burn out the device with his heat vision, but the man cunningly kept Helena as a shield. Jay's only sure shot was at his head.

Considering the man's proposal, Jay felt it wasn't a bad deal. A direct blast through the man's head with his heat vision could stop the brain's functions before any nerve could even signal. These killers, as Helena described, were drenched in blood—removing one from the world wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

The man's count was down to five seconds.

It seemed like an easy choice, no longer worth hesitating over. Huntress, a current government agent, and former superhero, was a good person. To sacrifice a random killer for her life seemed fair, especially since this bizarre scenario was the madman's own design.

Jay was almost ready to act, murderous intent flashing in his eyes with the surge of his heat vision. It was a straightforward equation; what was there to hesitate about?

Yet he hesitated for another two seconds.

Was this truly just a transaction? If he were to justify his action as "trading a worse life for a better one," did that mean he had the right to decide whose life was more valuable?

He didn't even know who this guy was.

He felt the need to at least see the face of the person he was about to kill. No matter how horrendous the man was, he thought one should at least remember a face.

Jay tried to see through the black mask, but found he couldn't. The mask must have been lined with lead, obscuring the man's face. He then examined the body and was genuinely surprised.

While not a surgeon, Jay was quite certain the man's X-ray didn't align with the word "normal." The assailant's bones were patched up like a quilt, fractures too numerous to count, cracks webbing across joints, the wear on the knees making Jay wonder how he could move at all. The signs of a healed spinal fracture nearly made him gasp aloud.

Such physical damage, yet so agile—was this man made of iron?

This startling revelation led Jay to think of someone, sparking a possibility in his mind like lightning. Was it all too coincidental? Helena showing up at the game to warn him, followed closely by this black-clad killer. And given Huntress's skills, was it likely she wouldn't have a chance to resist?

Now that he thought about it, both the assassin and Helena seemed to be presenting him with puzzles, observing his reactions and problem-solving methods. Maybe from the start, it was all just a test.

With only one second left on the countdown, Helena still looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Jay inhaled deeply, tension unavoidably tightening inside him. He was young, inexperienced outside the confines of school, and this was his first encounter with such stakes. His decision bore the weight of Helena's life, an unprecedented burden for him.

What if he was wrong?

The countdown ended without Jay making a move.

"Time's up. Is this your answer?" the man in black scrutinized Jay's eyes.

Jay returned the piercing gaze with unwavering resolve, stating firmly, "No, I won't kill you, but I am willing to make a deal."

"Let's hear it."

"If you hurt her, I promise, I'll make you regret it. I won't kill you, but I'll ensure you pay a price," Jay declared. "Release her now, and I assure you safe passage out of this parking garage unscathed."

With those words, Jay stood still, locking eyes with the man in black, trying to mask his own uncertainty with feigned confidence. The man remained silent, maintaining the stare, and with each second passing, Jay felt more exposed beneath the sharp scrutiny.

After a moment, it was Helena who spoke, "I think that's a pass, right?"

The man withdrew the knife, offering a cryptically approving remark, "Almost as naïve as 'he' was."

Helena, rubbing her neck where the blade had rested, replied with a smile, "But isn't that what you were hoping for?"

Jay exhaled, his guess confirmed.

Then the man in black tore off his mask to reveal another—still entirely black, with white-lensed goggles and pointed ears standing erect above a stern, stubbled chin.

He was Batman.