**Chapter 59: Conjugated Father and Son**

"Is this the conjugated father-son relationship, similar to the Great British Empire ?"

Atreus's single sentence elevated the conversation to a level it never should've reached.

Not exaggerating, with his 40 perception points, he was certain that wild father before him was clenching his fists.

Almost as soon as he spoke, he received a system prompt:

[Congratulations to the host for completing the first stage of the mission (Rebellion against the Glamorous King). The host's soul integrity is now at 100%, and you are officially fully integrated into this world. A new special attribute has been added: Soul Strength. The host's current Soul Strength is 18.]

[If the host can complete the second stage of 'Revenge' on Bruce Wayne, there will be an opportunity to further increase Soul Strength.]

Atreus felt a bit awkward.

It seemed like his actions were correct.

The original host had a love-hate relationship with this father.

Honestly, the guy had a rough time too. For example, the father of the Huntress was another version of Bruce Wayne's history. Grandpa genuinely taught his children with heart—at least, he taught the Huntress martial arts.

Atreus calculated that there were indeed many opportunities left to make Batman suffer.

Despite Bruce Wayne being a very composed person, even if he wished he had left certain people on the wall, he always maintained a graceful facade.

"Your ideas are getting worse," he muttered softly.

"I'm honored. I thought you were going to accuse me of a crime and call the police."

"..."

Watching as the bank employees deferentially unloaded the car, Bruce raised the keys, deliberately changing the subject: "Anyway, thank you, Mr. Atreus."

He didn't mention anything about being a sugar daddy.

Of course, that's just Batman.

Personal gains and losses are always secondary to him. Even in such dire circumstances, his overwhelming sense of justice prioritized investigating Bane's plans.

They could compete, but not to the death.

Seeing Bruce retreat in frustration, Detective John Blake couldn't hold back. He stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Atreus, Mr. Wayne is a good man. You don't need to humiliate him like this."

Atreus was taken aback, looking at this righteous but somewhat ineffective detective. He leaned in, also covering his mouth: "I'm Bruce's illegitimate son."

John's expression immediately became quite spectacular. "Uh, well, it's none of my business."

If Atreus had dared to do this before, he would have been smacked dead by Bruce on the spot.

But times had changed, and being semi-public about it would actually help him gain control of Wayne Enterprises.

Without the "money power," Batman's strength would greatly diminish. But without Bruce, Wayne Enterprises would become a hollow shell, filled with greed, which would be meaningless in a world threatened by zombies.

Atreus didn't intend to push his wild dad too far. When the time was right, he'd return some financial power to Batman, just enough to keep things balanced.

For now, he'd let events unfold.

As Atreus was basking in his victory outside the building's main entrance, the second-largest shareholder, Daggett, was losing his temper in his office.

After all, he was the one who brought Bane in to deal with Bruce Wayne and take over Wayne Enterprises.

"What is this? Bane! You robbed the stock exchange, and yet I still can't get Wayne Enterprises?!"

Bane's towering, 7-foot figure loomed over Daggett, especially as his bear-like hand rested on the man's shoulder, causing Daggett's voice to drop suddenly.

"Sorry, I was too loud."

"Daggett, I shattered Bruce Wayne's control, and then you didn't have enough money. Atreus bought the stock at auction. What's there to say?"

"You... You could help me deal with Atreus too."

"No need. Your construction team helped me hollow out the city, and my plan is complete."

"Wait! I gave you a lot of money," Daggett said, looking at Bane with fearful eyes.

"Just because you gave me money, I have to listen to you?"

Before Daggett could respond, Bane's bear paw made a swift neck-twisting motion.

Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne, as predicted, made some foolish choices.

It was the classic case of "a beauty mistreats me a thousand times, but I fall for each one."

In his bankrupt and desperate state, faced with Miranda, who had always supported his clean energy project, Bruce had no resistance. A few moves, and they were in bed together.

At least, unlike history, Alfred and the other servants were still around.

The old butler, seeing Bruce rejuvenated, was happy. He even thought that if they had a child, it wouldn't be a bad thing for Wayne to have another heir.

At the same time, Catwoman received a call from an unfamiliar male voice.

"You know the consequences of playing tricks."

Then, the call ended.

Selina Kyle's face turned pale.

On the other end of the line, the Lance sisters watched Atreus with curiosity.

"How was it? Do I make a good fake Batman?"

Sara cautiously asked, "Won't this make Catwoman misunderstand?"

"It shouldn't… right?!"

Atreus clearly remembered that in "The Dark Knight Rises," this was the point where Catwoman sold out Batman, leading to his downfall.

With so many uncertainties now, he couldn't let Bruce get captured.

Whether it was another timeline where Bruce became the "Batman Who Laughs," or a zombie Batman like in the zombie universe, losing the core of the Justice League was unacceptable to Atreus.

Catwoman longed for a computer program to erase her criminal record and free herself from the underworld. That's why Daggett and Bane manipulated her.

Batman, needing her help, dangled the same bait to get her to betray Bane.

But Atreus didn't think that bait would work, so he added his own spin to the story.

Now, it seemed a bit risky.

Thinking it over, he sent a group text.

The next night, in one of Gotham's subway tunnels, Catwoman sat cross-legged in the middle of the passageway, her keen senses detecting the man's arrival.

"Stop hiding, don't be shy!" she teased, her voice laced with flirtation.

This was her—sexy, unpredictable, and alluring!

Batman stepped out from the shadows.

It wasn't their first interaction, and Catwoman raised a delicate hand. "Where's the thing I want?"

She was referring to the program to erase her criminal record. Earlier that day, Bruce Wayne had hinted that Batman would help her.

"That depends on the situation. I don't want it falling into the wrong hands."

"So you don't trust me, huh."

With his usual cold, deep voice, Batman replied, "Take me to Bane."

"Hmph!" Catwoman turned, walking away with her signature strut, showing off her elegant curves to the man behind her.

They casually took out several guards along the way.

Before they knew it, they reached a gate.

As Batman stepped through, Catwoman pulled the lever.

The heavy metal gate came crashing down, and Catwoman's lips paled.

"If I didn't do this, they would've killed me!"

As she spoke, the lights flicked on, revealing a massive underground dome. On the other side of the narrow passage stood the hulking figure of Bane. Armed henchmen filled the dome's corners, their fanatical eyes focused on their leader, eager for the grand battle.

A trap!

Batman's eyes narrowed.

Once again, he'd been betrayed by a woman.

But now was not the time for regret. Without hesitation, Batman launched a fierce attack on Bane.

With a flick of his wrist, half a dozen Batarang`s were in the air. The sharp metal projectiles spun in arcs, striking from impossible angles. One even skimmed the ground before abruptly rising toward Bane's throat.

But Bane moved with startling agility for someone of his size, stepping forward silently, avoiding all the Batarangs' paths.

Batman gritted his teeth and lunged at Bane, a dark blur of speed.

Like an eagle, his attack was swift and elegant—until it wasn't.

On impact, Batman realized something was wrong.

Bane wasn't human. Batman's 500-pound kick felt like it had hit a stack of tires.

This wasn't a battle of equals.

No matter how hard he fought, Batman was utterly dominated.

Within 10 minutes, the sight before everyone was of a barely conscious Batman, beaten and broken.

"Oooohhhh—"

"Bane! Bane! Bane—"

The henchmen cheered wildly, their guns raised high, their leader's name echoing off the underground dome, reaching the surface of Gotham.

Catwoman silently slipped away. Her mission was complete, and Bane's men let her pass without resistance.

But as she entered a distant underground passage, a cold, murderous voice echoed from the shadows: "I warned you—'you know the consequences of playing tricks.'"

Catwoman's face drained of color. "Wait! You're not one of Bane's men. Didn't you warn me not to betray Gotham's underworld?"

"..."

(Chapter Ends)