Chapter 6 - Unexpected Encounter

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Chapter 6 - Unexpected Encounter

Quinn ran decisively. Originally, he had only planned to go and investigate the situation without any intention of facing off against supervillains like Black Mask.

He was well aware of his current position. With Toya Lake, he could handle street-level criminals without superpowers or equipment, but facing villains like Penguin would be a challenge. Penguin's Penguin Umbrella was no less formidable than Myriad Manifestation Umbrella, with layers of traps.

So, in this initial stage, what Quinn should be doing wasn't bothering Mr. Wayne and his team but rather earning points by dealing with street thugs. Gotham was never short of street crimes, and Batman wasn't on 24-hour duty. As the name "Batman" suggested, he usually lay low during the day and operated at night.

However, Edward's unexpected appearance disrupted Quinn's plans. Battling an opponent who could control water in a damp environment put Quinn in a risky situation.

But even so, stabbing people to death was way too off-the-charts and completely contrary to the comic book style. Quinn looked at the wooden knife in his hand, realizing that he had been influenced by Toya Lake.

As a weapon with only one and a half stars in quality, Toya Lake seemed to be a supermodel now. Not only was it sturdy in material, but it also came with White Yaksha's combat techniques, making it almost perfect. However, after this battle, Quinn hesitated to use the knife again.

The effect of the Warrior's Soul was undoubtedly powerful, but it could also make Quinn behave like a character from Gintama, involuntarily making humorous gestures and actions. While this negative effect might seem harmless, it was, in fact, full of pitfalls.

In the comedy anime, characters are invincible, but Quinn was not. Being funny in the dark and gritty DC world was not like telling jokes in Hell. It was easy to overturn and dig one's own grave when facing slightly stronger enemies.

Quinn and Toya Lake's previous owner were worlds apart. The previous owner was capable of combat against formidable foes like yato tribe, a battle hungry race.

Quinn slowed down and looked back. He couldn't see any pursuers now, and he furrowed his brows. "Shook them off, but why hasn't the Warrior's Soul effect been lifted? More importantly..."

The points haven't been added!

"I defeated someone like Edward, who is suspected to be a magician. Shouldn't that be worth fifty points? Come on, system, don't tell me you took some of the benefits."

No matter how much Quinn called in his mind, the system didn't respond, leaving him no choice but to give up.

"If it's not a problem with the system, could it be that I misunderstood Edward? Can't he be a bad guy?"

The only explanation that Quinn could think of was that. Doing good deeds earned points, and doing bad deeds earned nothing. He had tested it during the six months since the system's activation.

But Edward was undoubtedly one of the main culprits in the arms smuggling case. How could he possibly be a good person?

"It seems there's something hidden behind all this. I need to ask Edward to get a clear answer. But before that... Come out!"

Quinn held Toya Lake in his hand and shouted into the empty alley. "I know you've been following me since the earthquake."

Quinn's fast pace was to shake off this unknown stalker. However, no matter how many circles he turned, the eerie gaze persisted. Quinn decided to stop running because he had lost the strength to fight back.

After Quinn's words, the air seemed to stagnate. Not seeing the stalker come out, Quinn sat down on the ground, hugging Toya Lake.

Wait, then. Let's see who can hold out longer!

The stalker saw that Quinn had stopped running and was a little dumbfounded. Its small brain couldn't handle complex thoughts, but it sensed that the terrifying woman was nearby, and it couldn't care about anything else now. It removed the concealed barrier from its transparent body.

Its transparent body gradually returned to its original cerulean color, and its body emitted ripples as it swayed. Compared to its petite figure, its arms were longer, and the red agate stone on its chest exuded a mysterious aura.

"Manaphy!" (Please help me!)

Quinn understood the meaning conveyed by Manaphy and saw its true identity. He was shocked, and even the wooden knife slipped from his hand.

"Manaphy... Manaphy! How could you be here?"

"Mana Mana Manaphy Mana"

(Someone wants to capture me, please help me!)

Manaphy kept swinging his arms, and his two tentacles pointed to the east.

Quinn's face changed upon hearing this, and he grabbed Manaphy and ran towards the main road. Gordon and the others should have arrived.

Regardless of who Manaphy was referring to, if even this magical Pokémon is afraid of it, Quinn would definitely not be a match for them.

What Quinn didn't notice was that as he passed under a house, a sunflower on the roof threw a seed downward, and it fell into Quinn's pocket with precision.

Not long after Quinn left, a red-haired woman appeared at the spot where he and Manaphy had met. She was Gotham's famous thorny rose, the sexy and beautiful Poison Ivy.

"A step too late."

Her eyeballs were now dyed bright red, and Poison Ivy staggered back two steps, rubbing her temples vigorously with her fingers.

"I'll find it, don't cry, and don't invade my mind without permission!"

In an instant, the struggling grass in the cracks grew into thick vines, cracking the rooted walls. The buildings on both sides collapsed, and dust filled the air.

Poison Ivy stood on the ruins with her arms folded, the ivy leaves on her body trembling, her allure looming.

"The seed of life has been planted, you can't run away."

...

Quinn returned to the main road, where the scene was blocked by the police. He also met Gordon, as he had hoped.

"It's been a tough day, Quinn. You should know that everyone didn't get a good rest last night."

This Gotham tough guy held a cup of instant coffee, and his brows couldn't hide his fatigue.

Quinn shrugged his shoulders. "Who would have thought that Chief, we would run into the Black Mask when he took me for a drive."

Speaking of the Black Mask, Gordon looked a little serious. This dangerous individual had caused great damage to Gotham's order, and Gordon wanted to arrest him every day.

"When we arrived at the scene, we only saw a pond, and the Black Mask left us nothing. Quinn, tell me what you saw." Quinn narrated his story, and Sergeant Gordon had a headache. "Edward can control water flow, so can he walk on water? God, are you kidding me, God..." Walking on water was one of the miracles performed by Jesus.

Sheriff Gordon and Batman were old partners. They knew that magic existed in this world, but this was the first time they encountered it on the job.

"I have to notify Batman."

Under normal circumstances, Gordon would not take the initiative to contact Batman, but things like magic were obviously beyond the scope of what the police could handle.

Gordon wanted to lean into the police car, but Quinn stopped him. "Boss, there's no need to bother Batman about Edward's matter. I have fought against him before, and he's very strong. The reason he lost to me was entirely due to carelessness and mercy. Edward may not be as bad as we imagined." Gordon thought for two seconds after hearing this and still sent a message to Batman, which disappointed Quinn.

The old sheriff comforted, "Son, it's not that I don't believe you. You are still young. People have two sides. A good person may not always do good things, and criminals may also do good deeds. One moment of good or evil does not define a person entirely. I'm afraid the same goes for this guy. No one can tell."

Seeing that Quinn was relieved, Gordon was glad he could offer guidance to the young man. He turned around to command the team to return to the police station.

The discussion about the case came to an end, and Gordon chatted with Quinn like a kind elder. "I heard from Kevin that you haven't found a place to live yet?" 

Quinn scratched his head and vaguely replied, "There are a few candidate houses, but I need to see them in person before making a decision." Quinn had only two requirements for a place to live.

"It's not decided yet. Do you want to stay at my house temporarily?" Gordon surprised Quinn.

"I'm ashamed to say that the police department's secrecy of police officers' identities is very, very inadequate. You offended Penguin and Black Mask when you first arrived, and you are in a very dangerous situation. Although my house is not a fortress, the security is still commendable."

Quinn knew that after he tipped off the news, Penguin had probably already identified him as the informant, not to mention the loss of his ammunition and getting beaten up by Batman. Penguin would definitely come after him.

Not to mention the Black Mask, who covered up his actions by blocking the road and was outsmarted by Quinn, keeping quiet afterward.

Looking at the forces he had openly and secretly offended when he first arrived in Gotham, Quinn looked up at the sky. Although he couldn't see it with the naked eye, he knew that Manaphy, whose body was transparent, was constantly circling.

Including the people chasing after this little guy, there were four factions after him—ones that he had offended.

Suppressing his refusal, Quinn shook Sergeant Gordon's hand with great emotion.

"I want it!"