The tranquilizing medication needs some time to work. The fear gas had gone straight into Jason's bloodstream, causing incessant hallucinating fragmentary images which left him unable to support his own body.
He watched as a pair of polished shoes stepped on the icy floor, coming closer and closer, its menacing presence even surpassing the fear induced by the deceptive scenes before his eyes.
But Shiller walked past him, and with a bang, the door was closed. Jason heard the sound of the door being locked.
"I have convinced Batman more than you think." Shiller's voice echoed behind Jason, "There is neither his surveillance equipment here. It's you, it's me, the only two able to escape Batman's sight."
"Impossible, he's just hiding." Jason would never admit this. Lying on the ground, he gritted his teeth and said, "If he told you there's no surveillance, it's just that he's confident you can't find it."
"Whether you believe it or not, I have a way to tell if there's surveillance here." Shiller stood in front of Jason's head. Jason couldn't see his face even if he tilted his head as far as he could, but he could feel his gaze.
"As I've said before, it's your good fortune that you didn't reveal your talents earlier." The man took another step towards the operating table.
In his somewhat confused thoughts, Jason was able to understand what Shiller meant. It seemed the doctor had an unfortunate childhood, but could his extraordinary talents really help him escape Batman's surveillance completely? Jason was still skeptical.
Now he was more curious about how Shiller swindled the Joker from Batman; Batman wouldn't give the Joker to anyone.
As if hearing his thoughts, Shiller spoke again, "Jason, you don't understand. The ability to lose and restore to the utmost can completely change a person. Batman is human, his hatred and love are just as plentiful."
"But he..."
Jason didn't finish his sentence because he didn't want to voice his opinion about Batman in front of a stranger. This was the Batman Family's business, and none of theirs. They didn't need to give others fodder for rumors.
"But he doesn't seem to hate the Joker." Shiller spoke for him, making Jason really wonder if he actually had the power of mind reading," Many times he doesn't seem to love you either. But you know how much he loves."
"Come on, Jason. Don't think you can distract me with this topic. Like I said, it's time to perform my duty as a psychiatrist."
The man walked over again, but this time didn't grab Jason's slightly aching neck. He grabbed him by the waist and tossed him onto the floor next to the operating table.
"Stand up, Jason, or do you want some more tranquilizer?"
"Give it to me, thanks."
Jason knew he didn't have time to be polite with Shiller now. If their clash was inevitable, then the current situation was too unfavorable for him. He had to get himself back in shape.
Shiller stuffed two more pills into Jason's mouth. The overdose allowed him to recover quickly. He raised his upper body using the strength of his arms, kneeled on the ground and exhaled, then supported himself on his knees and staggered to his feet.
Standing next to the operating table, he saw the man lying on it, his face twisted into a nauseating smile. Jason was all too familiar with this.
Shiller stood under the glare of the surgical lamp, cleaning his scalpel. The harsh light above made everything under his brow shadowed in black. Jason swallowed and said, "I can't do this. He's an innocent man."
"He won't be for long."
Shiller looked up at Jason and said, "His transformation is irreversible. He's destined to become the Joker."
"But he isn't right now."
"Do you know, Jason?" Shiller suddenly switched to a lighter tone and handed him the scalpel. "Do you know why Mr. Henry here is going to become the Joker?"
"Because the Joker changed him…"
"No, because Batman eradicated the Joker virus with his sheer will power, thus activating the Joker's backup plan, which leads to this man becoming the Joker."
Shiller spoke faster, and Jason's heart pounded even harder.
"Do you know how happy he will be when he wakes up as the Joker? Batman personally created him. Despite all the evil deeds he's done, he would be the happiest man in the world."
Jason clenched his fists.
He knew that Shiller was manipulating his emotions, but it was truly hard for him not to be angry. How could he not rage?
The damned madman had kidnapped him and tortured him for a whole year, making Batman believe that he had lost his son, spending over three hundred days in pain and guilt.
His disgusting plans caused two disasters in Gotham. Countless buildings and properties were destroyed, and countless lives were lost, yet he didn't have to pay any price.
Even worse, he had successfully obtained what he wanted most - everything related to Batman.
When he woke, he would ecstatically discover the immense gains. Batman's pain, Batman's guilt, Batman's attentive gaze, even Batman's personally crafted origin.
Jason closed his eyes tightly, but the cold light of the scalpel was too bright before him. It pierced his closed eyelids, staining his world blood red.
Shiller's voice echoed again.
"You've seen too many disasters, Jason. This is something you must never forget, even while being tortured by the Joker: the sense of being displaced, the struggle for survival."
"Those at the very bottom already have enough enemies: the high and mighty, the uncompassionate commoners... and the small fortune in their unfortunate lives that keeps them tethered."
"What really ignites your rage are those madmen who add fuel to the fire. The unnecessary disasters they create will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back."
"Again and again..." Shiller's voice traveled to Jason's side, resonating in his ear, "Many times they've repeated the same mistakes, yet nobody ever steps forward to change this."
"And on your quest for change, all you ever encounter is resistance. The high and mighty tell you that criminals have human rights, vigilantism is unacceptable, and superheroes can't fight violence with violence."
"But, Jason, you need to understand this."
Shiller's hand rested on Jason's shoulder, his voice coming from uncomfortably close.
"Morality only makes sense where there are people, visible crimes are what we call crimes, what's unseen is nothing."
Jason felt the scalpel being thrust into his hand. As Shiller held onto the back of his hand, he said: "Death is not always the best punishment. You have the power to transform it into a blessing."
What brought Jason to his senses was the sudden chill he felt at his neck, another scalpel was drawn across his throat, Shiller's tone instantly cold.
"Get to work, open the chest."
In the Gotham Police Department, Gordon stood at the end of the hallway, watching with icy disdain as Penguin Man sauntered out of the cell.
"Goodbye, Director Gordon. Oh, and I'll be discussing the matter of the Gotham Police Department's officer's mistreatment of prisoners with my lawyer. I hope that the next time I see you, it's not on the defendant's stand."
Having said that, the rotund Penguin Man took his cane from his assistant, donned his top hat, and strode towards the exit.
From the shadow behind Gordon, a figure emerged, but it was not Batman. Gordon turned to see Peter Parker's face.
Gordon turned his head back, not wanting to see the expression on this young man's face. He had already seen enough on the faces of Nightwing, Jason and Robin.
Of course, the kids would be disappointed. At their age, they could never understand why the bad guys never get the punishment they deserve and could even strut and taunt freely before the good guys.
Gordon knew he was powerless to change anything, so all he could do was maintain silence. When the members of the Batman Family asked him about this, he would let them blame it on his incompetence.
Peter came forward and patted Gordon's shoulder. Gordon turned to see him and ultimately decided to show some favour to Batman's new sidekick. He said, "A lot of Oswald's business is legal, he can be acquitted by legal means. This shows that our law has many shortcomings, but we still need this kind of public order."
Peter nodded and said, "I'll do my best to make it better."
But the Penguin Man who was ahead, halted his steps. Turning back, he looked at Peter and said, "I was as naive as you when I was young, kid, but one day you'll understand…"
At the hint of Gordon's gaze, several officers walked over. Penguin Man glanced at them with apprehension. In the end, he chose not to continue speaking and turned to leave.
Gordon was also worried about what extreme actions Peter might take, so he stepped forward, slightly turning his body to block Peter.
The night deepened. Oswald, who had just returned to his luxurious estate, was instructing his assistant to arrange the doctor's schedule for tomorrow. He had to find a way to remove the thing inside his chest.
As soon as the assistant left, the door was knocked. Penguin Man, who was taking off his coat, glanced back at the door and finally said, "Come in."
The door was opened by Peter Parker.
Penguin Man's movements froze instantly. Peter waved his fingers as a greeting.
Penguin Man's face darkened immediately. He stared intently at Peter and said, "Did Gordon send you? You know that private threats will only make it worse for him in court."
"You've got it wrong. It was Batman who sent me."
Peter strolled over to the sofa in the reception area and sat down. One hand lounging on the back of the chair, he turned his head to look at Penguin Man and said, "You can finish changing your clothes first. Then we can have a talk. Or we can do it like this."
Penguin Man was left somewhat baffled by Peter's actions. This young man seemed strange to him, quite different from the other members of the Batman Family he had encountered. He had felt this way during their time in the Batcave.
So, Penguin Man just took off his coat, tossed it on the other side of the sofa, came over in his shirt, and sat down. Looking at Peter, he said, "I don't have time to beat around the bush. Don't lecture me. What's the discussion about?"
But Peter's face showed a puzzled expression, as if looking at a fool. This scrutinising look from Peter made Penguin Man's skin crawl, and he couldn't help asking, "What? Is there something on my face?"
"Sorry, but I thought we had a secret code." Peter took a sip of water and said, "Did you really not understand anything I said in the Batcave?"
Penguin Man was taken aback, looking at Peter with a doubtful expression. Peter put down the water cup and said, "There were other people present at the time. I couldn't be too explicit. I thought you understood."
"You mean Wayne Enterprises..." Penguin Man ventured.
Peter nodded and said, "Batman should be in Washington by now, and I'm here to help him deal with some things."
"I understand now why he suddenly got a new assistant." Penguin Man squinted, "You're here to do his dirty work?"
"Are you implying that you're dirty?" Peter, smiling at Penguin Man, said, "Batman is a superhero. How could there be any dirty work for him?"
Penguin Man leaned back, hummed noncommittally twice but quickly assumed a serious posture again. He rubbed the rim of his cup with his finger and said, "Indeed, there's no dirty work for him when he's being a superhero."
At that moment, Penguin Man saw Peter pulling out a stack of documents from his coat pocket and pushing it across the coffee table.
With one look at the documents, Penguin Man was deeply drawn in – and in the next half hour, he saw a massive East Coast Crime Empire contained within.
In the end, his eyes landed on the signature on the document. It didn't sound like a real name, more like a codename.
The conclusion of the document was written clearly in somewhat rough cursive English – "Kingpin".