Chapter 23: The Key
"How about I kill you here?"
Joker stared straight at Quinn, his lips curling up.
"You seem very eager to kill me."
Quinn's offense didn't make the Joker angry; he found it amusing. He could tell that Quinn was deliberately provoking him, trying to draw hatred and find an opportunity to kill him.
"I have few enemies, but many people want me dead. However, very few have the courage to act on it. But you, young man, you have that courage."
When it came to intelligence, the Joker might not rank high in the DC universe, but when it came to understanding human nature, he was undoubtedly among the top three. That was what made him formidable and the lifelong archenemy of Batman. He clearly saw through Quinn's intentions.
Quinn covered his mouth, which had a habit of speaking without a filter, and checked his entire body. What was going on? Did Wonder Woman put the Lasso of Truth on me? Words kept popping out of my mouth.
Joker continued talking to himself, "People here also want to kill me, but they don't dare. Not because they fear me, but because they fear the bat. They don't dare to interfere with our game."
"And you're not afraid of him, are you?"
The Joker appeared very lucid, not at all like a madman - but such rational remarks from the Joker only accentuated the contrast.
"Batman would never resort to killing. If Poison Ivy ended up like this, it must be your doing, huh? Looks like you are either a superpowered freak or in possession of alien technology. That wristwatch..."
Well, Quinn retracted his thoughts about the Joker's lack of wisdom in DC. He was undoubtedly stronger than him. Seeing that the Joker was about to reveal the color of his underwear, Quinn quickly interrupted.
"I'm a righteous cop. How could I randomly kill people? I was just joking."
Quinn looked left and right with an expression of "He's slandering me."
But the gazes of the others had already changed, especially Clayface. At this moment, he was extremely vigilant towards Quinn. According to the Joker's words, he was undoubtedly one of his targets.
"Hehe!"
The Joker revealed his signature smile, which made Quinn feel relieved. At least he seemed normal now.
"It looks like I have to be careful when I get out of here. I wouldn't want you to find a reason to shoot me."
Wait, when he gets out? Quinn was about to ask further, but the door to the ward suddenly fell, and the Joker's joyful laughter gradually disappeared into the darkness.
Quinn turned to the female doctor who closed the door. She stood with her arms crossed, staring at him disapprovingly. "Don't talk to my patients casually."
"Can't I joke around with crazy people?" Quinn didn't have the self-awareness to be led by others.
"People here are already crazy, and yet you still provoke them!"
The female doctor spat at Quinn and operated the control system to lock Poison Ivy's ward.
Quinn felt like saying something, But he held it back.
"Are you the Joker's primary physician? After that incident, they still dared to send a woman to 'treat' the Joker. Aren't they afraid of creating another Harley Quinn?"
"Do you know that just based on your words, I can accuse you of gender discrimination, boy."
The female doctor flicked her blue hair back and kept tapping on the screen. Arkham's electronic system was designed to be extremely cumbersome, making it difficult to lock or release patients. Each step was necessary, and this could effectively delay the patient's escape, giving Batman and the Gotham police time to arrive.
"Just because of Harley Quinn, now the Joker's manipulation techniques are called as legendary. Each and every one of the psychologists avoids him. Hmph, but it's still me, a woman, who steps forward."
Once the medical staff had secured Poison Ivy, they quickly left, fearing to stay even one second longer. The two guards also stood outside the door, avoiding the super villains inside.
In the special ward area, only Quinn and the female doctor were left.
Quinn was curious. "Aren't you afraid of becoming like Harley Quinn?"
The female doctor hummed a tune she had heard somewhere, turning her head with a smile.
"I will never be corrupted by the Joker."
He didn't know where she got her confidence from and could only silently mourn her for three seconds in his heart.
The female doctor rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Alright, no need to beat around the bush. I know what you want. You want to establish a good relationship with me and then suggest having a private conversation with Poison Ivy, right?"
Quinn smiled sheepishly, "Is that okay?"
The female doctor replied unkindly, "Next time, just say it directly. Every time Batman sends someone here, it's routine to interrogate them. I'm used to his rough methods."
Although Quinn didn't know who the major shareholders of Arkham were, Bruce Wayne was definitely one of the investors. Batman freely entered and treated Arkham like his own restroom, which wasn't the first time.
"I'll talk to the guards about the questioning. I've already completed all the steps. After you finish, press this button, and the ward door will close."
The female doctor walked toward the door with small steps. When she passed Quinn, she patted his butt,
"If you need anything else, remember to call me..."
Leaving behind a trail of fragrance, the female doctor left, and Quinn didn't even know her name.
"Gotham is so liberal;."
Quinn didn't have much thought about ordinary people. After all, he was a transmigrator. His future partner had to be a Kryptonian at least; otherwise, how could he justify his transmigrator identity?
"Poison Ivy, I spared your life not to set you up as a matchmaker for me."
After closing the doors to the other wards, Quinn approached Poison Ivy's lifeless body and saw her tempting figure, which triggered a primitive impulse within him.
But Quinn remained unmoved, "Quickly disperse the pollen. Aren't you afraid I'll take advantage of the situation?"
Poison Ivy suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Quinn with a seductive gaze.
"In romantic stories, if you save someone's life, they should repay you with their body, right?"
Quinn chuckled, "So you released the pollen to entice the doctor, expecting her to return the favor?"
"I can't get pregnant, so I can't offer you anything. I can only ask for help." Poison Ivy was self-righteous.
Hearing this, Quinn was sure Poison Ivy had already awakened. However, she was now truly a plant-human hybrid, able to breathe through her skin, and pretending to be dead to lower vigilance, so she can find an opportunity to escape. Unexpectedly, Quinn personally sent her to Arkham.
"I spread most of the pollen on you, and yet you resisted. Are you really normal?"
…
The guard at the door glanced over and casually chatted about tonight's news.
"Have you heard? The Black Mask Club was blown up by Batman. Maybe we'll see the Black Mask tonight."
"I'd rather not have so much excitement tonight."
They had been in Arkham for quite some time and had seen all kinds of scenes. Batman's interrogation methods were much more intense than this.
"Don't distract me. Tell me, what do you know? During your fusion with the Green, what did you see?"
Poison Ivy gritted her teeth, anger in her eyes as she stared at this unyielding guy, "Hmph, you felt it too back then, but you certainly didn't see it clearly. Even if you lock me up in Arkham, you can't change Gotham's fate of destruction."
Quinn rested his chin on his hand, "Gotham's destruction, huh? Is it related to Pokémon? It's not that guy who's coming, is it?"
With a guess in his heart, Quinn took out Lake Toya, causing Poison Ivy to back out, reminiscing the pain.
"Poison Ivy, let's make a deal."
Quinn conjured a potion out of thin air.
[Name: Super Potion]
[Type: Medicine]
[Quality: ★]
[Special Effect: Healing]
[Description: A spray-type healing potion that restores 60 HP. Do not use it during combat.
PS: This potion is common in its world, but this particular one is quite special. Please use it carefully.]
The last four words were in bold letters.
This was an item Quinn obtained using his last chance to extract from the Pokémon world – a Super Potion.
"I'll help you treat your injuries, and you tell me everything you know."
Poison Ivy could self-heal, but this required nutrients, and all her nutrients were drained by Quinn.
Although Quinn didn't know how much HP Poison Ivy had, after spraying the Super Potion, the wound on her chest quickly healed.
Quinn turned his face away to avoid direct eye contact, as the green vines on Poison Ivy hadn't grown out yet.
Poison Ivy looked at this police officer who pulled out his gun at the slightest provocation. He could have killed her entirely, but he didn't hesitate to heal her now.
He was indeed a naive little guy. Who negotiates terms before fulfilling their promise? Seeing that Quinn hadn't put away Lake Toya, Poison Ivy suddenly felt uneasy.
"Their existence is threatened, Quinn. If you can't stop them, Gotham, the world, will face its end. Be it in Arkham or anywhere else, it's the same."
Poison Ivy's eyes were filled with sorrow. She could communicate with plants, and during the time she was away from Arkham, all the plants conveyed the same emotion to her - fear.
That almost drove her crazy.
"Manaphy, the child is the key. When the power of the ocean and plants merge, it may be possible to resist the impending disaster."
Poison Ivy's mind was filled with the images transmitted by the Green of all things - Gotham, Arkham, everything no longer existed, and a red figure stood atop the ruins.
In front of him were three dim lights.
Just recalling this scene, fragmented whispers echoed in Poison Ivy's mind, her body began to shake violently, and her eyes rolled back.
"Ding Ling Ling~"
A pleasant bell rang, dispelling the effects of the whispering. Poison Ivy gasped for breath uncontrollably.
"Thank you for providing the information," Quinn hung the soothing bell on the ivy of her left arm.
"Consider this little bell as a gift. I hope it can calm the anger and hatred in your heart. Humans don't only persecute plants; in fact, many people also plant trees... Well, don't mind what I said. You can find out for yourself."
The door closed, and Quinn left Arkham.
Listening to the fading footsteps of Quinn, Poison Ivy controlled her vines to bring the bell in front of her and murmured:
"You took my heart away. This little thing can't satisfy me."
Poison Ivy pressed her left chest, but it felt hollow inside.
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