At dawn, tired and frustrated, Batman decided to hide the suit. He found a suitable roof and left it in a secluded place, safely hidden from prying eyes.
He then walked down to the street and disappeared into the crowd. He was just Bruce Wayne, an ordinary man trying to survive in this crazy world.
He walked down the streets of Watson and his heart filled with disgust.
People were having sex right on the street, in back alleys. Homeless people slept right on the road, their bodies covered in dirt and lice. Some vomited on the sidewalk, ignoring passersby. Many drank alcohol and took drugs, trying to forget their problems.
Watson was like a huge dumping ground where all the scum of Knight City flocked.
Bruce realized that information on the Internet was not enough. He needed a fundamental knowledge of Knight City's technology, history, and culture. He needed to immerse himself in this world to understand its rules and patterns.
He decided to head to the library. He remembered that in his hometown of Gotham, libraries were oases of knowledge and tranquility where he could find answers to any question.
He asked passersby where the nearest library was. They pointed him to an abandoned building on the outskirts of Watson.
"A library?" - One of them grinned.
"Who goes to libraries these days? Everyone reads online."
As he approached the building, he saw that it was in poor condition. The walls were covered in graffiti, the windows were broken, and the doors were boarded up.
Bruce thought the library was closed. But then he noticed a small sign at the entrance that read "Open."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. A picture of desolation and ruin appeared before his eyes. Books were lying on the floor, shelves were broken, and the smell of dust and mold lingered in the air.
But despite all this, the library was still functioning. An elderly woman with glasses was sitting at a desk reading a book.
Bruce walked over to her and said hello.
"Hello," he said.
"I'm looking for books on Knight City technology and history."
The woman looked up at him and simply pointed her middle finger at the books.
"You've come to the right place," she replied.
Bruce, like a gentleman, started looking for what he needed.
There was a vast array of books, from old textbooks and encyclopedias to modern studies and reports.
In the few hours he spent in the library, Bruce immersed himself in the world of knowledge, carefully reading the pages of the books. He chose books that could give him an idea of the basic aspects of life in Knight City, absorbing information about the technology, history, and culture of this new world like a sponge.
The History of Knight City: "From Founding to Concord." This book gave him a complete picture of the city's founding, its rapid growth and transformation into a corporate-run metropolis. He learned about the wars and conflicts that influenced the development of Knight City and the role different factions and personalities played in them.
The State of Cybernetic Implants: Body and Machine. This book covers the basics of how implants function, from simple augmentations to complex neural interfaces. It looked at the types of implants, their advantages and disadvantages, and potential health and mental health risks. He began to realize why cyberpsychosis is such a serious problem in Knight City.
Cybersecurity: "Defense in the Age of Networks." This book introduced him to the basics of cybersecurity and data protection. He learned about the different types of threats, hacking techniques, and ways to defend against cyber attacks.
Types of Weapons: "From airsoft to plasma." This book introduced him to the variety of weapons available in Knight City. He learned about the different types of firearms, explosives, energy weapons, and cybernetic weapons.
Bruce realized that he was only at the beginning of his journey. He didn't become an expert in any of these areas. But he had gained the basic knowledge that allowed him to navigate this world and understand events. He went from zero to entry level or maybe a little higher.
He closed the last book and looked out at the dawn breaking through the dirty library windows.
He had a lot of work ahead of him.
But now he had an idea of where to start.
In the few hours he had spent in the library, Bruce had realized how much he still had to learn. The basic knowledge gained from the first four books was only a starting point. He needed to delve deeper into the subject, to learn all the details and nuances to become truly competent in Knight City's technology.
He approached the elderly librarian and asked for a few more books - detailed manuals on cyber defense, neural networks, and implants. He was willing to spend the whole night reading, just to get the knowledge he needed.
But the librarian looked at him with annoyance.
"We're closing," she said gruffly.
"I don't have time to mess around with you and your books. Take them and go fuck yourself."
He took his four books and walked out of the library.
He looked up at the roof of the building and decided that was the best place to continue reading. He climbed onto the roof and settled in a secluded corner.
He opened the first book and started reading. He tried to ignore the cold and tiredness.
A night of reading on the roof had been productive, but Bruce was beginning to feel the effects. Fatigue, cold and most importantly hunger were taking their toll.
Bruce was used to discipline and control over his body. Ever since his training in the League of Assassins, he had learned to endure long periods without food or sleep, to focus on the task at hand, and to ignore physical needs.
But even his hardened body had its limits. He needed food to maintain energy and keep his mind clear. Reading complex technical texts required concentration and focus, which was hard to maintain on an empty stomach.
He closed the book and rubbed his eyes. The hunger had become unbearable.
The sky of Knight City was habitually clouded with smog and the glow of neon signs when the silence of the night was shattered by a deafening explosion. The ground shuddered, a wave of heat burning Bruce's face, even from several blocks away.
Instantly, all attention was drawn to the source of the explosion - a huge column of flame and smoke soared into the air, painting the sky purple. The sound of sirens, previously a distant hum, became unbearably loud as it approached the epicenter.
Batman's instincts, honed by years of fighting the madness of Gotham, kicked in instantly.
Bruce quickly donned his costume.
Regardless of who or what was behind this, there were surely victims out there in need of help.
It was becoming clearer by the second that this was no ordinary explosion. The smell of burning grew stronger, and with it the smell of chemicals, unfamiliar and unsettling. Something was wrong.
Surveying the scene from above, he was able to see a clearer picture of what had happened. The streets were blocked with burning debris, people were rushing around in panic, and the sounds of gunfire could be heard in the distance.
But the most important thing that caught his attention was the military vehicles moving towards the epicenter of the explosion. The armored vehicles bore the inscription "Militech", the name of one of the largest corporations in Knight City specializing in military equipment and security.
"Militech..." - Bruce muttered.
" So it's serious."
If they were involved in this, then things smelled like a major scandal here.