Chapter 5
Looking behind me, I let Joker rest where I told the police they'd find him. His chances of losing a leg were pretty high, but honestly, I didn't care. The bastard had it coming, and I wasn't about to waste my energy worrying about him.
Turning around, I focused on the task at hand. The woman was still unconscious, but I was getting her to safety. The quicker I got to Martha Hospital, the better. With every stride, the weight of the night's events seemed to grow heavier, but I pushed through it. Gotham wasn't kind to anyone, least those who didn't play by its twisted rules.
My breath came faster as I increased my speed, weaving through the dimly lit streets of the city. The hospitals weren't too far, but it felt like an eternity with every step. Gotham had a way of making even the smallest of journeys feel endless.
Finally, I spotted the glowing lights of Martha Hospital in the distance. Relief flooded me for a moment, but the gnawing feeling in the back of my mind never let up. I'd just taken down the Joker, but that was just a drop in the bucket in Gotham's endless sea of madness.
Reaching the entrance, I burst through the doors, trying to keep the woman steady as I flagged down a nurse. "I need help. Now."
The nurse rushed over, taking the woman from my arms and immediately starting to work. As they wheeled her into the ER, I felt the weight of everything hit me like a ton of bricks. But it was all worth it. I'd done what I could, saved a life, and for a brief moment, the chaos of Gotham felt a little less suffocating.
Now, it was time to disappear again, but I couldn't shake the feeling that the Joker's game was far from over.
As I entered my library, the familiar silence welcomed me like an old friend. The five locks clicked shut behind me, and I felt the tension in my body start to unwind. Gotham's chaos was far from over, but for now, I had my sanctuary. I needed it. My body ached from the night's events, mana exhaustion weighing down on me like a heavy cloak.
The librarian's desk was always there, an imposing figure in the center of the room that had seen countless people come and go over the years. But for tonight, it was just me. Slumping into the chair in front of it, I let out a sigh. The soft creak of the leather was a welcome comfort, and I closed my eyes, leaning back, letting the fatigue seep into my bones.
The library was my escape—a place where time moves differently, at least that's how it feels to me, where I could slip into books that were my only true companions. Tonight, however, I wasn't thinking about any of that. I was just tired.
I let the sounds of the library fill my ears—quiet, soothing, untouched by the madness of Gotham's streets. My mind wandered, drifting like the pages of an ancient tome, but the image of the Joker and the moment I hit him still played over and over in my head. He had to have seen me... but if I hit him from the back, he might have never got a clear look at my face.
Still, he was persistent. He'd come looking for me, and I would need to be ready. But not tonight. Not while I was this drained.
I closed my eyes, trying to let go of the chaos of the city for just a few moments. The steady rise and fall of my breath became my focus, trying to block out the tension and exhaustion that gripped me.
Tomorrow will be another fight. But for now, the library was my haven.
Ping
Now what?
I cracked open an eye at the notification. Seems like battle or stress zones don't trigger notifications for me. I opened all the tabs and checked them one by one.
[You've reached Level 9]
[You have gained the skill Stealth]
[You have gained the skill Cold Resistance]
[You have gained the skill Danger Sense]
[You have gained the items:
WayneTech Grappling Hook Blueprint: A high-tech device for rapid traversal.
Blueprint: EMP Batarang: A schematic to craft a gadget capable of disabling electronics.
Smoke Pellets Blueprint: Small devices that create a smokescreen for escape or distraction.
Joker Gas Cure Instructions]
[You have gained 2 points in Dexterity, 1 in Intelligence and Wisdom]
I scanned through the notifications. The EMP Batarang could be useful for disabling electronics, and the Joker gas cure might come in handy. Also, new skills and a cool item that could improve my mobility and stealth. Not bad.
Opening the stats screen, I saw I had 18 points to distribute. I quickly got to work.
Strength (STR):
41 → +
Vitality (VIT):40 → +
Dexterity (DEX):42 → +
Intelligence (INT):31 → +
Wisdom (WIS):30 → +
Luck (LUK):10 → +
I thought it over for a second. Dexterity was the obvious choice for improving my agility and combat skills. Intelligence and Wisdom would give me more insight into my magic and the world around me. Luck wasn't a priority, and my Strength and Vitality were solid enough for now.
With that, I felt a little more balanced, and my energy had been better focused. Now, I could rest easy for a while, but I knew Gotham wasn't going to be quiet for long.
Ping
I opened my eyes and saw another round of notifications waiting for me.
[Your commitment to physical training has brought your body to an unprecedented level of strength .T he body now functions at its peak potential.
Requirements: Reach 40 in Strength.
Reward:
Athletic Body (Passive, Lv. Max):
Increases physical endurance and stamina by 50%.Reduces fatigue from physical activities by 30%.Increases recovery speed after physical exertion.
New Skill: Power Surge (Active, Lv. 1):
Activate to temporarily boost strength by 20% for 30 seconds. It cann be used once every 10 minutes.
]
[You've honed your vitality to unparalleled levels, transforming yourself into a beacon of endurance and recovery. Your body now withstands punishment with incredible resilience.
Requirements: Reach 40 in Vitality.
Reward:
Titan's Resilience (Passive, Lv. Max):
Increases total health pool by 40%.Reduces incoming damage by 15%.Increases recovery speed from injuries by 50%.Slightly increases resistance to poison, toxins, and diseases.
New Skill: Ironclad Fortitude (Active, Lv. 1):
Activate to reduce all incoming damage by 30% for 20 seconds. It cann be used once every 15 minutes.
]
[Your dexterity has reached unparalleled heights, allowing you to move with the grace and precision of a master athlete. Your reflexes and coordination are now sharper than ever, making you a formidable force in both combat and evasive maneuvers.
Requirements: Reach 40 in Dexterity.
Reward:
Master of Agility (Passive, Lv. Max):
Increases movement speed by 20%.Reduces the stamina cost of all acrobatic and evasive actions by 25%.Increases critical hit chance by 5% when using agility-based attacks.Doubles the success rate of dodging incoming attacks.
New Skill: Flexibility (Passive, Lv. Max):
Increases your overall flexibility, allowing for easier and more fluid movements.Reduces the chance of being restrained, trapped, or held by 30%.Improves your ability to slip through tight spaces or perform acrobatic maneuvers with ease.Reduces injury from sudden physical strain or awkward positions by 20%.
]
I let the notifications sink in for a moment, processing the new abilities and bonuses. My body was now operating on a level I didn't think was possible. The passive perks were insane, but the active skills—Power Surge and Ironclad Fortitude—would make a huge difference in a fight.
And the Master of Agility and Flexibility would make me even more dangerous when it came to speed and evasion.
I could feel the changes already, my body humming with energy and strength. With these new upgrades, I felt even more confident about whatever Gotham threw at me next.
Getting up, I went and took a shower, After the shower, I stared at myself in the mirror, letting the changes sink in. My body felt stronger and more defined. The near-formation of abs was noticeable now, a result of the intense training and physical enhancements from the system. It wasn't just about strength anymore—my entire body had become a weapon.
As I ran a hand over my damp skin, I caught a glimpse of some soap stuck behind my ear. It was one of those habits I'd never outgrown, no matter how many times I tried to be more "aware." A chuckle escaped me as I wiped it away, thinking about how some things just stayed with you, no matter how much you changed.
The reflection staring back at me was still familiar, but the subtle shifts in my physique and the newfound power felt different. This new version of me—stronger, faster, more resilient—was something I hadn't fully expected, but now that I had it, I couldn't help but feel a little more in control.
I wasn't just surviving anymore. I was ready for whatever came next.
Maybe I was just fooling myself. Maybe this newfound strength, this surge of confidence, was nothing more than an illusion—one that could easily get me killed.
But what the hell?
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had control over my fate. The doubt was still there, lurking in the back of my mind, whispering warnings about arrogance and overconfidence. But right now, standing here, feeling the power in my body, the precision in my movements, I couldn't bring myself to care.
If this confidence was dangerous, then so be it. I'd rather face the world head-on than cower in fear of what might happen.
I said in the back of my mind that Murphy wouldn't hear what I said and decided I had too good of a life here.
Deciding I looked at myself for long enough, I left the bathroom and went to sleep in my room.
Gotham - March 6, 2007
Waking up in the morning, I made myself breakfast. The simple act of cooking must have become second nature because a notification popped up.
[Cooking skill has leveled up to Level 5.]
Nice. Guess I'm getting better at this.
After finishing my meal, I headed to the gym. This time, though, I noticed my stats weren't increasing as much as before. I only gained 2 points in Dexterity and 1 point in Strength and Vitality. It seemed like my rapid growth was starting to slow down, but that was expected. The stronger I got, the harder it would be to improve.
Once I got home, I decided to go over my skills again, especially the one that intrigued me the most.
[Qigong Meditation] (Lv. 1)
Effect: A basic inner ki [MP] technique. It purifies ki and allows the user to store it within their ki [MP] center, enabling free manipulation of energy. Passively increases STR, DEX, VIT, INT, and WIS. These stats can be permanently improved through continued training. Actively increases STR and DEX while allowing the use of Ki Strikes when activated.
This skill had potential. If I could increase my mana reserves without needing to invest in Intelligence, it would be a game changer.
Finding an open space, I laid down on my back. Contrary to what most people thought, meditation didn't require the lotus position—it just needed focus. Closing my eyes, I turned my senses inward, feeling the energy flowing inside me. It was subtle at first, a slow-moving current coursing through my body.
Then, I pushed my awareness outward, trying to grasp the energy around me.
It was everywhere.
Not like air, though it occupied the same space. It was something deeper, something unseen but undeniably present. Once I recognized it, breathing became the most efficient way to draw it in. My skill could absorb it directly, but that method was much slower.
I adjusted my breathing rhythm, synchronizing it with the natural flow of energy. Little by little, I pulled it in, letting it merge with my own. My body tingled as the energy settled, filling me with a sense of clarity and balance.
[Qi Manipulation has slightly increased.]
[Your understanding of Qi has improved. Passive stat growth from training has increased slightly.]
A smirk formed on my lips.
This was worth mastering.
So, I went back to meditating and spent four hours in deep focus. During that time, I steadily absorbed energy. A notification popped up:
[Due to the ctheonstant absorption of energy, your MP has increased by 20 points. You now have 390 MP.]
[All physical stats have increased by 1.]
It was a modest improvement, but every bit helped. I took a moment to acknowledge the progress before getting up to continue with my day.
The next thing on my agenda was magic.
From what I remember from the comics, magic has two parts in its activation: an external and an internal component. The external component refers to incantations, runes, or a combination of both—essentially functioning like a mathematical formula that binds different magical elements together to achieve a desired effect. This part is relatively easier to grasp, requiring research and practice.
The internal component, however, is more complex. It represents the will to impose change on reality and the fundamental desire to rewrite the world through magic. Mastering this aspect is the hardest part of spell casting.
There are different categories of magic, but that's not important right now. What matters is that my rune magic falls under Order Magic. Understanding this should give me a solid foundation to work with.
From what I've seen in the comics and animated shows, the way someone like Constantine uses runes is different from how I do. He treats them as a language—giving direct instructions to reality, like writing out a mathematical formula for how gravity should work. Meanwhile, I use the concepts behind the words rather than their literal meaning, shaping magic through intent and understanding.
But no matter how much of a die-hard comic fan I am, I can't just rely on what I've read to learn magic. That's dangerous—I could accidentally summon Cthulhu or worse. What I need is a teacher, someone who understands magic firsthand.
And I know just the guy.
Opening my inventory, I searched for the card I had received from Jason Blood—a demonologist and a Knight of the Round Table. If anyone could point me in the right direction, it was him.
{ping}
[Quest Received: "The Blood Pact – A Magician's Trial"
Objective:
Studied under Jason Blood for four months to gain a foundational understanding of magic. Endure his rigorous training, decipher ancient texts, and prove yourself worthy of wielding mystical knowledge.
Quest Details:
Location: Jason Blood's Hidden SanctumDifficulty: HardTime Required: 4 Months (Accelerated Training)Requirements: Memorize the basics of spellcraft and magical theory.Understand Jason Blood's intense training regimen.S uccessfully perform a minor ritual under his supervision. Resist the lingering influence of Etrigan's chaotic energy.Rewards:1. EXP Reward: 4,000 EXP
Your knowledge and discipline have strengthened you in body and mind.
**2. Tome of the Follower of Quetzalcoatl
An ancient, leather-bound grimoire detailing spells and teachings devoted to the Feathered Serpent. Grants access to wind and lightning-based incantations, with deeper secrets locked behind further study.
3. Arcane Cipher Lens (Magic Item)
A monocle imbued with mystical sight, allowing you to decipher hidden messages, detect illusions, and perceive magical auras.
4. Enchanted Blood Sigil (Passive Buff)
Due to extended exposure to Jason Blood's arcane energy, your body has subtly adapted to magic:
Slightly increases resistance to demonic corruption and mental intrusion.Enhances your ability to channel mana efficiently, reducing spell cost by 5%.5. Warden's Binding Chains (Consumable, 3 Uses)
A set of three enchanted chains that temporarily bind a supernatural being or magic user, preventing teleportation and limiting their spellcasting. Duration varies based on the target's strength.
6. Mystic Embers (Alchemy Component)
A rare reagent infused with ancient power, useful for crafting or upgrading magical items. When combined with certain materials, it can enhance the potency of fire or light-based spells.
Bonus: Your time under Jason Blood has slightly refined your instincts, giving you a basic understanding of magical combat and how to counter hostile spellcasters.
Do you accept this challenge?
]
Seeing the notification pop up, I read through the details carefully. Four months under Jason Blood's training… That wasn't going to be easy. The guy was a literal Knight of the Round Table and bonded to a demon, so I could already tell his idea of "training" wouldn't be some casual classroom lecture. But the rewards? Those were worth it.
A grimoire connected to Quetzalcoatl, a lens for deciphering magic, resistance to demonic influence… Not to mention the knowledge I'd gainMagicic was a tool I needed in my arsenal.
I took a deep breath. No point in hesitating.
I selected [Accept].