American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

After dealing with Taskmaster, Batman turned to face the indifferent Red Skull.

Since the moment Batman engaged Taskmaster, Red Skull had remained still. He didn't assist Taskmaster in battle, nor did he attempt any sneak attacks from behind. Instead, he seemed to be observing Batman with great interest.

"It's over, Skull."

Batman was ready for combat, his gaze fixed on Red Skull. Though he wanted to check on Red Hood's condition, he knew he couldn't afford to take his eyes off Jason at this moment. Doing so would signal weakness to the enemy.

"Over? Hehehe… Do you think charging in here will end it all?"

Red Skull sneered as he took two steps forward, wagging his index finger as if mocking Batman's overconfidence. "I've noticed your endless little gadgets. You certainly have a lot of interesting toys, but those playthings won't change the outcome."

"They're enough to deal with you."

Batman raised his hand and dropped three smoke bombs. In an instant, the entire execution platform was engulfed in thick smoke, smoke so dense that even the cold wind couldn't blow it away. The platform was now pitch-black, with no visibility at all.

This particular type of smoke bomb was designed by Batman specifically to counter extraordinary beings. The mixture of elements was potent enough that not even Superman's X-ray vision could penetrate it, let alone Hydra's standard thermal vision devices.

Though Batman was merely a human, even with his peak physical conditioning, his combat prowess couldn't compare to those with superpowers. However, the reason he could hold his own in battles with extraordinary beings and even stand as one of the Justice League's Big Three was his sharp intellect and tactical mind. He excelled at creating environments that favored him in battle.

This was thanks to Black Canary's assistance. Without her help, Alex's knowledge of chemistry wouldn't have been enough to create such effective smoke bombs, let alone bring the Justice League here.

As the smoke enveloped the area, Red Skull instinctively raised his hand to shield his face. He was soon swallowed by the pitch-black cloud, his vision completely lost.

In this pitch-dark fog, both Batman and Jason, who had undergone professional training, moved like fish in water. Using his keen hearing and memory, Batman swiftly threw a batarang in Red Skull's direction, then quickly headed toward Jason.

Crack!

The batarang hit the platform with a clear sound.

Batman knew he hadn't struck his target. Red Skull had obviously dodged the attack using some special technique. Uncertain of Red Skull's full abilities, Batman focused on the priority: rescuing Jason.

Batman quickly reached Jason's side, immediately retrieving a multi-tool from his utility belt and, despite the darkness, started unlocking Jason's restraints. His movements were so agile and swift that it seemed as if Batman hadn't lost his sight at all. In less than five seconds, he had completed the entire unlocking process.

"Now, this is more like it, Batman."

Red Skull's voice echoed from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint his exact location within the fog. But Batman didn't respond. He was fully focused on freeing Jason, trying to get him down as quickly as possible.

"Too bad… You have no idea what I'm capable of!"

In the darkness, a military knife pierced through the fog.

Before the words had even fully left Red Skull's mouth, the sound of a heavy impact followed. The blade, carrying an icy coldness, stabbed into Batman's unprotected lower back.

"I've seen heroes like you countless times. Did you really think a little visual interference would affect me?"

As he landed the hit, Red Skull's face twisted into a mocking smile. But that smile quickly faded. Something felt off. The sensation from the knife wasn't right. It didn't feel like it had pierced flesh but rather something else entirely.

Frowning slightly, Red Skull reached out with his left hand, pulling back the cape that was getting in his way. What he saw in the dim light was a blow-up dummy wearing Batman's cape. Behind it, something was flashing.

Narrowing his eyes, Red Skull leaned in, trying to get a better look at the blinking light. Suddenly, by the faint red glow, he saw a string of numbers ticking down.

"Damn it—"

Boom!

It was as if ten grenades had gone off simultaneously. The concentrated liquid explosives detonated, exploding violently in the small, confined area of the execution platform.

The wooden railings instantly turned to ash, and even the tough metal was torn apart, flying into the air. The entire platform shook violently, creaking as if it were about to collapse.

Bright flames burst from the smoke, illuminating the center of Times Square and drawing everyone's attention.

Beneath the platform.

Taskmaster hadn't been killed by Batman in one blow. Though he had fallen from a great height, he wasn't in any real danger.

Limping out from the wreckage below, Taskmaster flinched at the sound of the explosion behind him. He crouched down in alarm and glanced upward. The top of the platform was engulfed in flames, thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with debris raining down all around.

"Screw the promotion… I'm done."

Looking at the increasingly chaotic battlefield and the endless number of heroes showing up, Taskmaster's eyes were filled with nothing but fear. And from the flames on top of the platform, a dark figure shot out, the cape snapping open to form a sturdy triangle. Like a bat, it glided through the air, cutting through the wind.

"Is it… really you?" Jason's eyes widened as he felt Batman's strong arms around him.

Even though he had just been rescued, Jason still couldn't believe that Batman had really shown up before him, and even brought the Justice League members with him.

Batman's gaze remained resolute. He held Jason tightly, concentrating on steering them through the air.

Batman didn't answer Jason. He knew they were still in danger, and the battlefield was extremely hazardous. Especially now that he had just attacked the enemy leader, they would soon be targeted by everyone. He would never admit that his silence was also because he didn't know how to face Jason.

—!

Suddenly, a burst of cosmic energy shot from behind, racing toward Batman at lightning speed as he glided through the air.

Sensing a life-threatening danger, Batman reacted swiftly, retracting the wings of his glider instantly. He hugged Jason tightly as they plummeted from the sky, using the momentum and gravity to drop quickly.

The next moment, the spot where he had been was pierced by the cosmic energy, causing the air around it to distort under the immense power. Looking back, Batman saw, through the swirling mist and smoke rising from the execution platform…

"Where are you going, little bat?"

Red Skull hovered in the air, wearing a Nova Corps helmet and the tattered cloak of Doctor Strange.

Strange, twisting energies surged around him, forming a gray protective shield that enveloped him completely. Nothing could touch him.

.....

📢30 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
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250. Defeating the Super-Skrull!
251. Switching to the Main Account.
252. Still Six More.
253. Magic from Another World!
254. An Unfair Chess Game!