Chapter 14: "Jump City"

Not long ago, a peculiar teenager appeared in "Jump City." His distinctive features were his green hair and clothing. He was the one who constantly "solved problems," always showing up at the right place at the right time. Days and weeks passed, and his popularity in the city grew. People on the streets began to recognize him, mistaking him for just another "Hero" and admiring his actions. The local law enforcement agencies had no way to influence the boy. Firstly, because he didn't directly break the law. Nevertheless, the police disliked the young man intensely due to their inability to control him. Secondly, he couldn't simply be caught. One moment he was there, and the next he wasn't.

As it turned out, I had managed to gain enough reputation in the world to open the "Auction" and the "Chat for Transmigrants." The Auction turned out not to be the easy source of freebies that I initially thought, and that was due to the special currency system of the market. Only gold coins dropped from Dungeons were accepted, and, as you might have guessed, they couldn't be duplicated. The other way to obtain an item was through a regular exchange. Messages like "Trading the Chaos Eye for the Sword of Orthodox Unity!" were plentiful. Advertising your sales/exchanges in the chat around the clock also came at a small cost. Although many claimed that all sales were processed very quickly in online mode. I had only about two hundred thousand gold coins from the Minotaur boss, and I had nothing to boast about with such a sum. A few ingredients of A or B rank alone cost that much, so I decided to postpone my purchases for now. The most interesting part was still the global chat. Some people shared their achievements in it. Others wanted to clarify necessary information. And someone, like me, just wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk and get free advice.

Naruto-World-Destroyer: Hey! Are you new here?

Green Fox: Yes, I've recently gained enough reputation... And are all of you... real?..

Naruto-World-Destroyer: If you're asking whether there are really as many of us as you see, then yes, that's true. I found out about the chat function myself not long ago and was extremely surprised at how many of us there are. You're in a DC Comics world, right?

Green Fox: Yeah! You're lucky! Seriously, dude. After reaching level one hundred, my world has become really boring. Especially if you're focusing on a specific build. Once, I talked to another transmigrant, and this idiot decided to become an Uber-Universalist. And guess what? Because he had so many useless abilities, his Pain just floored him.

Naruto-World-Destroyer: And why do you have that name?

Green Fox: Heh, you're not the first one to ask about it. You see, I became too powerful and, let's say, "accidentally" destroyed my world. I didn't die, but due to the immense stress, I wanted to end my own life. That's when the system offered me to become a kind of "moderator" and help newcomers adapt to their role.

Naruto-World-Destroyer: Adapt to their role...?

Green Fox: You're a Player and at the same time, a System Pawn. You have to play and continue to develop. Don't forget about that, and your life will be easier.

Naruto-World-Destroyer: I understand, but still. What are these worlds for?

Green Fox: To entertain the one who is observing us. Perhaps in the future, you'll understand what I mean, and you'll be ready to face the truth. But for now, it's better not to burden yourself with unnecessary thoughts. Do what you think is necessary, and let a series of events lead you further and further.

This short conversation filled me with determination to follow my path, despite the mystique surrounding it. Well, it's time to get to work.

Not long ago, information about a rapidly gaining popularity website called "Your Justice" leaked online. Exactly at midnight, it broadcasted a first-person walk of an unknown type. He behaved like an ordinary person who had gone out for some fresh air and could have attracted little attention, except for one important detail.

"... We're approaching a dark alley where they sell drugs. I've counted at least a dozen of these in the city. Dozens, hundreds of people buy this junk. They lose touch with their loved ones, with this world, just to see the world in new colors. I decided to start my "Hero" career with a simple yet quite original way to express my individuality. Instead of me, it will be you who decides what I need to do. There will be exactly one minute for contemplation, and after its expiration, I will do what was suggested. Just fifty meters away from me is a local drug dealer named Brand Fox. In just five minutes, he will sell his product to another teenager. Attention! Your choice!

First: I kill the drug dealer.

Second: I beat him to near death and hand him over to the police.

Third: I ignore what's happening, then tail him and find out who he works for.

Oh yes, one more warning. All decisions will have consequences, but you don't need to worry; it will be entirely on my conscience."

I think it's clear that this crusader against evil was me. And needless to say, the online chat was full of people thirsty for "justice," eager to punish the wicked drug dealer? My "show" was only gaining momentum, and even a hundred viewers was a decent turnout. The poll results were as follows: about twenty percent in favor of killing, about seventy percent for a regular beating, and only ten percent saw things much deeper than the others. I emerge from invisibility, delivering a "gentle" blow to the drug dealer's jaw, sending him flying towards the opposite wall. The shocked buyer staggered back. Realizing that they weren't going to touch him, he made a run for it.

"Who do you think you are?! The dealer could barely get up, coughing up blood, but he was still full of hatred towards me. Apparently, he didn't fully understand the situation.

"Are you deaf?! I asked you a question! Do you even know who I am and who I work for?"

"I don't care. After all, I'm just a tool of public opinion. Say 'goodbye' to our beloved audience."

"What?.." Approaching abruptly, I grabbed the dealer by the hair and, lifting him off the ground, smashed his head against the wall. As he slid down, I added a couple more blows to his stomach and chest. I noticed in time that another such blow would kill him. That wasn't part of my plan. After all, I had to keep my word, or people wouldn't understand it.

"So, how was it...? Did you like the performance?"

Pulling out a modern mobile phone, I recorded a huge number of comments praising the spectacle and saying that this was just what he deserved. People love violence, especially when it's justified.

On the next day, the consequences made themselves known. The same drug dealer I successfully handed over to the police was released right in front of the police station due to a lack of substantial evidence against him. It was clear that someone from "above" had intervened. That's the bad news. The good news was that my website was getting more publicity, and the viewership had tripled.

"...Yesterday, I turned in a drug dealer to the police, and what do you think happened? They just let him go. Now, the gang leader is looking for me, wanting to settle the score for ruining a few deals. It's not as simple as it seemed, is it? But don't worry, my dear viewers. I anticipated this outcome and have already found out who's behind it. Before we begin, I'd like to issue a warning. I won't be able to reach him without leaving a few bodies in my wake. Sadly, those types always have a bad habit of having a lot of security."

After a tedious five-minute one-sided battle with regular people...

"Don't come any closer!" one of the guards fired a shot from his revolver. It was effortless for me to deflect the bullet with the blade of my dagger, as if it were an annoying fly...

"The corridors are filled with bodies, and the smell of blood irritates the nostrils. I stand alone amidst the chaos in the office of this pathetic drug lord, who is experiencing primal fear in the face of his impending death.

"So, attention! Choice!

Option One: I simply kill him, thus preventing any possibility of his future release..."

"I-I-I won't stand in your way! And I'll never be involved in this business again, I swear!" the drug lord pleaded for mercy, his voice trembling.

"What do the words of a man who doesn't care about the lives of others matter?!"

"You mean it's my fault that people buy my product?! I didn't force them to come!"

"True, you didn't force them, but you started this. You destroyed their lives and turned them into pitiful versions of themselves."

"So, the second option: I beat him half to death and call the police. In this case, he'll get a good lesson, but here's the thing... Not everyone learns from it. After all, it won't be difficult for him to work through his connections and restart this cycle. Tick-tock! The minute is running again."

This time, people were determined to destroy him once and for all, and so their desire became my law...

Despite my soldiers and heroes not having the ability to use their voices, I still wanted to teach them to "communicate" with each other and with me. I decided to use sign language for this purpose, as it was accessible to them. Fortunately, the one who cursed them didn't seem to be aware of this possibility. I didn't need to teach each of them individually. Souls in my space had a mental connection with each other, so they could absorb the necessary information. The "Darknet" was a quite dangerous and well-known place, so many of those who watched my broadcasts wanted to meet me in person. Each of them was sent packing in all four directions because nothing interested me other than the city. Most likely, they were either those who wished for my death or those who wanted to hire me for "special" work. Hackers from the "Darknet" could easily track my phone via IP, but as I learned from the organization, it had been equipped with a protective system against such attacks, designed to ensure the safety of "valuable" mercenaries. I didn't consider myself a hero per se, as I did all of this for my plan.

At the organization Ras al Ghul, I decided to buy information about all the little-known "teenage heroes" who were operating in proud and dangerous solitude. I wanted to have all the cards in my hand for recruiting a future team of "Teen Titans." I was more than confident that Dick Grayson wouldn't stumble upon them just like that. He would deliberately seek them out in his database to offer them a chance for a more successful and safe hero career on behalf of their adoptive "father." There was only one remaining problem left unsolved. I had no idea when Dick Grayson and his future team would stop by this city. And would they stop at all...? I mean, even though this is a comic book world, the people here are real. Therefore, the decisions they make are not the will of the author but their own. Well, if he really was going to be with his team in another city, there was nothing I could do. I would have to pay him a visit...

Three Months Later...

As it turned out, I had worried for nothing, and Robin and his team showed up on the streets of my city. It all started with an experimental ant created by a mad scientist named Brad, who wanted to build a paradise for his future "Hive." He was a real thorn in my city's side because he exclusively used Giant Ants and put collars with pre-recorded speeches about human sins on them for his performances. He had been pestering me for two months now, sending his damn pets into the city every week. Each time, he endowed them with new features. The fact that his henchmen weren't human and that the recording device on them self-destructed upon killing, losing contact with the individual, or attempting to manipulate them already indicated that this individual was a crazy scientist but a rather clever one, and he clearly didn't want me to find him. Well, let's forget about that for now.

Red Arrow, Robin, Kid Flash, Beast Boy, and Bumblebee. A team of five teenagers in a jeep managed to reach the very ant that could now spit acid and successfully stop it through their collective efforts. Green Arrow hit its legs with liquid nitrogen, followed by a series of lightning-fast strikes to the head from Kid Flash, kinetic beam shots from Bumblebee's bracelets, and the final blow to the head with a folding steel staff from Robin. The ant couldn't survive such an attack, and its green blood splattered in all directions.

"Not bad. Quite good, actually. You're indeed a good team," a sly fox-like smile, applause, as a sign of respect and goodwill. But Dick Grayson apparently hadn't forgotten me and clearly didn't harbor warm feelings toward me. Only tension and readiness for a future battle.

"What do you want?"

"Is this how you greet the one who saved your girlfriend from being shot in the back? Oh well..." I shrugged, and his team exchanged puzzled glances between me and him.

"Robin...? What is he talking about?" Beast Boy asked.

"Not now. What matters is that he's a killer and possesses an unknown dangerous power."

They tensed up. The guy in the red costume even aimed his bow at me.

"You really do love using those words, ignoring the situation. That's exactly what annoys me about you, the 'Bats' family. But I'm not someone you can easily provoke with just a few words. I'm not a grudge holder. On the contrary! I'm quite polite, courteous, reserved, and I plan my actions a few steps ahead. You have two choices, 'Robin'," I said, hiding a smile and tilting up the brim of my fedora, revealing my right eye. "First: we, as the most civilized people, will have a dialogue at McDonald's over some delicious food. I'll cover all expenses. Second: you can ignore me and drive away in your wonder-mobile. I have to say, the idea... is extremely poor, as this time, I just allowed you to kill that ant. I wanted to see what you were capable of."

"'Allowed'? What does that mean?" Beast Boy still didn't understand. It seemed he was the only one who liked to voice his thoughts out loud.

After a minute of silent contemplation and deliberation, 'Robin' finally managed to convey his response to me.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

"Excellent, I was afraid your pride as Batman's student wouldn't allow you to speak to the 'Dreadful Killer,'" I said, making air quotes. "What's done is done."

Unlike his teammates, who chose not to order anything, Beast Boy once again displayed carefree behavior and made what he considered the right decision—fully taking advantage of my promise that he could order anything he wanted. Although I was somewhat surprised that Garfield was a vegetarian, considering his alias and his ability to transform into various animals and even insects. I wonder... what are the limits of his abilities? Well, that's not the focus right now.

"You still haven't answered my initial question."

"Alright, alright, I won't beat around the bush, and before we get to the main point, I'd like to clarify something with you. I noticed that construction of a tower began not far from here on a small island. I won't believe for a second that you really didn't know about me. Considering your financial capabilities thanks to Batman..."

"He only helped with the financial part. I handled everything else myself..."

Oh really! You're not as clever as I thought. Although... it's probably more about Dick Grayson getting tired of constantly being under Batman's wing. He decided to become an independent boy with his own special team, just like him. And because this desire was so strong, Dick completely forgot about caution and insurance. In short, "freedom" got to his head.

"How did you grow so fast...?"

"I ate a lot of veggies in the mornings. But now it's not about me, Robin. I want to offer you a job."

"Whaat?! A job?" The green guy was immediately outraged.

"That's right. A well-paying and respectable job. All you have to do is maintain order in the city. Sounds quite simple, doesn't it? I'll be your informant. I have some more important plans than trying to help the local people. This... let's say, 'contract,' won't last long. Let's say, until your tower is completed."

"And what if we refuse?"

It seemed that Robin still wanted to present himself as a strong leader, driven either by simple pride or for him.

"Of course, you can refuse. I don't want to force you to work for me. However, in doing so, you'll hinder my plans, and I'll do everything in my power to make your existence here... unnecessary."

"What plans...?"

"Seee-cret," I whispered, tapping my nose with my index finger.

"I refuse."

"Ha-ha-ha," I sighed heavily and snapped my fingers, activating my 'Final Warning' ability. "Guess I'll have to do it the hard way. I really didn't want to resort to threats and violence."

"Threa...?"

Another dumb question was cut short as a pair of double-edged blades suddenly burst forth from his chest. None of his allies were able to predict the sudden attack by summoned undead soldiers. They were all killed in a matter of seconds. Bumblebee's head was severed, three knights pierced and pinned Beast Boy to the ground from different directions, and a series of spiritual arrows that shot through Red Arrow's back turned him into a sieve.

"Arggh!" Robin and his team exclaimed in shock, and I maintained my usual smile on my face.

"What was that...?" Bumblebee finally managed to speak, holding her hand near her neck as if checking for her head.

"I simply showed you a future scenario where you chose to become my enemies. Just wanted to highlight the most disastrous consequences."

"An illusion...?" Robin guessed, to which I sighed again and, shrugging my shoulders, replied, "You could say that. In any case, I showed the difference between us. If you manage to become stronger and defeat me, in the end, you can easily send me away, try to put me in prison, or kill me. It's up to you."

"Why do you need all of this?"

"Maybe... because I'm bored? Why do you care, Robin? You're not my friend or comrade. So why should I explain anything? A typical and silly villain might tell you his plan before executing it, but I'm not like that. In any case, if you consider me dangerous, a horrible monster, you can always try to call your 'daddy.' Or come up with a brilliant plan to defeat me, handcuff me, and throw me in some prison."

"I can't trust you..."

"Are you afraid for yourself or, better to say, for your teammates? No need. As long as they don't get in my way, I won't touch them. I promise," I said, placing my hand on my heart as a sign of commitment.

"Fine, I guess I have no choice."

"There's always a choice. You just preferred the easiest and most accessible option. Alright, alright, I won't bother you with my moralizing. So, it's time for me to go. We'll meet again, 'Young Titans.'"

With a respectful bow and holding onto my hat, I activated my stealth mode for quick transportation. It's time to return to my hideout.