Chapter 4

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...

Batman perched halfway on the rooftop's edge, gazing at the brightly illuminated modern skyscraper across the street.

The towering structure bore a circular bat emblem above it, reminiscent of the iconic bat signal from the comics, casting its symbolic shadow on the clouds.

This familiar sight mirrored the classic Batman series' mechanics, guiding players to the action while paying homage to the source material.

For Chu Cheng and many gamers alike, narrative intricacies often took a back seat to practicalities: where to go, who to confront, and how many adversaries awaited.

Yet, having navigated the grueling tutorial, Chu Cheng now approached the game world with newfound caution, understanding that recklessness would only lead to defeat. No longer would he charge headlong into danger, realizing that strategy trumped bravado.

Instead, he opted for a cautious approach, manipulating Batman to observe the building's surroundings meticulously using the detective mode.

This advanced feature, a hallmark of Batman's arsenal, painted the scene in cool shades of ice blue, while highlighting points of interest crucial for stealth.

The building's main entrance, guarded by two security personnel and surveilled by cameras, stood out among the marked locations. However, Chu Cheng dismissed it as a last resort, as Batman seldom resorted to such conventional methods.

After all, when had Batman ever knocked on a door?

Although a recent "New Batman" movie contradicted this notion, Chu Cheng remained steadfast in his belief in the Dark Knight's unconventional tactics.

In the film, Batman, portrayed as a rookie still learning the ropes, finds himself at a bar owned by the notorious criminal, Penguin, seeking information. Contrary to his usual stealthy approach, he knocks on the door and barges in with a quip about needing a meal before throwing punches and kicks at Penguin's bodyguards, clearing the way for his entrance.

This departure from Batman's usual stealth tactics gave Chu Cheng a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of playing Assassin's Creed. It seemed as though the new Batman had forsaken stealth in favor of a more direct approach, resembling a heavily armed, bulletproof meathead rather than the shadowy vigilante of old.

However, Chu Cheng's experience in the game's tutorial taught him that the Batman controlled by the game remained a traditional assassin, emphasizing the importance of careful route planning. Such audacious, guns-blazing tactics might befit a character like Superman, but not the Dark Knight.

As Chu Cheng delved deeper into the game, he realized its departure from the Batman series he was accustomed to. Unlike many other games, this one offered true freedom of action, allowing players to choose their approach rather than follow a predetermined path.

Scouting the building in detective mode, Batman marked at least seven alternative infiltration routes, each presenting its own challenges and opportunities. Chu Cheng could opt for any of these routes, or even forgo them altogether in favor of a more direct approach.

Ultimately, Chu Cheng recognized the intelligence of the game's AI and abandoned the berserker approach in favor of one of Batman's carefully marked routes. Batman pried open a window leading to what appeared to be a utility room, slipping inside unnoticed. Even here, detective mode revealed the presence of a camera outside the door, marked in a conspicuous color, a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

Chu Cheng deftly tapped the number keys on his keyboard, summoning one of the small gadgets from Batman's utility belt—the universal decipher.

In the game's visuals, Batman crouched down, utilizing the decipher to disable the camera monitoring the corridor outside. With precise movements of his black leather-gloved hands, he manipulated the holographic interface of the decipher, leaving Chu Cheng in awe as the camera was swiftly neutralized.

With the coast seemingly clear, Chu Cheng guided Batman to push open the door and confidently stride down the corridor, undetected thanks to the disabled camera.

Approaching the corner, Batman spotted a security guard nonchalantly making his rounds. Using the perspective function of detective mode, Chu Cheng waited patiently as Batman crouched at the corner, anticipating the guard's approach.

As the guard approached, Batman unexpectedly flashed out of the corner. The guard saw a blurry black shadow flash out, and in the next second, a powerful large hand grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall on one side. The guard instantly fell to the ground and went silent.

True to Batman's work ethics, Chu Cheng knew that lethal force was not an option. In the DC world, Batman incapacitated foes without causing permanent harm was the name of his game. Thus, while players could unleash a flurry of blows and creatively incapacitate adversaries, death was never an option.

Having successfully infiltrated the building, detective mode revealed a cluster of heat signatures congregated in an upstairs office, likely engaged in a meeting.

Opting for a classic approach, Chu Cheng guided Batman to the ventilation ducts. Yet, to his surprise, the game's commitment to realism extended even to the ventilation system, complete with intricate details that added to the immersive experience.

For instance, the somewhat exaggerated accumulation of dust, the mold thriving in the condensation, and the rodents and assorted bugs skittering across the screen from time to time made Chu Cheng shudder, even from behind the screen.

Indeed, the life of a covert superhero isn't as glamorous as it appears in movies. While ventilation ducts in films and games were often clean, the scene within this duct now prompted Chu Cheng to empathize with Batman, imagining it as a test of endurance akin to "as long as you don't vomit, you win."

But Batman was unfazed, undeterred by the choking particles of dust or the crawling creatures.

Reaching the end of the duct, Chu Cheng hesitated to emerge immediately. He could hear the murmurs from the conference room, potentially vital to the plot.

However, the suited figures weren't speaking; instead, they seemed engaged in some sort of activity.

A man with a crew cut stood at the end of the table, a small box before him. Each person at the table rose, retrieved something from the box, and returned to their seat.

Chu Cheng activated Batman's reconnaissance function, zooming in to see that they were drawing lots.

The crew-cut man inspected the note of the blond man who stood up. "So, who's the lucky guy today?" he inquired.

A stocky blond man rose, catching Chu Cheng's attention.

The crew-cut man patted his back. "You're a lucky guy, Edge," he announced.

Edge approached, and a flat-headed man passed him a blade, unmistakably a samurai sword. All eyes fixated on Edge as he gripped the handle.

What unfolded next on the screen would linger in Chu Cheng's mind for days.

Edge, without hesitation, swung the sword in an unusual manner.

A sharp, slicing sound filled the air.

Edge's head fell, landing squarely in his own left palm.