HAHAHA~~
Amidst the eerie laughter, a massive, terrifying maw appeared in the dark sky.
A long tongue lashed out from the black-toothed mouth, threatening to swallow the entire world.
Seeing this, Charlie unleashed the Omega Beams without hesitation.
ZZZT~
BOOM!!!
The crimson beams zigzagged through the abyss-like maw, automatically tracking the enemy hidden in the darkness.
Finally, as the Omega Beams plunged into the void, a shrill scream echoed across the sky.
AAHH~~
"Damn bug, die!!"
The cursing voice was piercing, inhuman, and the entire world began to swell violently.
In that moment, Charlie sensed something was wrong.
"This is…"
He detected a distortion in spacetime, his expression shifting.
To destroy an entire world just to eliminate one pitiful bug?
"What kind of joke is this?"
His lips curled into a grim smile.
…
Remaining 148 retries.
Restart!
Back to the routine of seeking Darkseid to negotiate terms.
Upon returning to Earth, Charlie kept tabs on Clark while also monitoring the newsstand.
Batman vs. Joker! He suspected the thing from before was the DC Universe's classic villain, the Joker.
Recklessly using the Omega Beams to cross timelines could cause uncontrollable disasters.
But Charlie didn't think it was his fault.
After all, the Flash had time-traveled more than once before him.
There might even be multiple Flashes lingering in this timeline right now.
Charlie preferred to believe they caused the Joker's "resurrection."
With a fleeting thought, he activated the Omega Beams in his eyes.
ZZZT~
The crimson beams pierced the void, opening a portal. Charlie was about to step through.
He planned to travel back a month to witness Superman's battle with the Joker.
But the portal was forcibly shut down.
At the same time, Darkseid's voice rang in Charlie's mind.
"Whether past or present, Clark is protected by the Source Wall. You'd better not take the risk."
Charlie feigned shock. "Where are you?" He looked around, playing the part expertly.
"I'm still on Apokolips."
Darkseid said, "I can sense your actions through the Omega Beams."
Charlie kept up the act. "You don't trust me!"
"That's normal, isn't it?"
"Fine! I'll handle Clark."
As he spoke, the red glow in his eyes faded.
Under Darkseid's surveillance, he didn't explain his attempt to open a time portal.
"Shirking duty" could bring serious consequences.
But no matter. He had ways to tie the two together.
With that, Charlie began his plan.
"Clark, I'll help clean your farm."
"Clark, I'll help you propose…"
"Clark, I'll help you…"
After a series of chaotic antics, Charlie arrived at Batman's estate.
His excuse? Getting sponsorship for Clark.
"It's you."
Seeing Charlie, Bruce Wayne's eyes narrowed.
"You may have driven off the Parademon army, but that doesn't make you my friend."
Wayne glanced at the door. "Next time, use the front door."
Charlie shrugged. "I know. I'm here to make friends."
He plopped onto the sofa, picking up a newspaper.
"You know Clark's proposal failed."
Wayne got up to make coffee, not looking back. "I know. You screwed it up."
Charlie: "…"
"Don't sweat the details. I saw the paper—your fight with the Joker was intense," he said casually.
Wayne paused.
He turned, warning Charlie, "Don't dig into my business. It's none of your concern."
"I know, just chatting. I'm not interested in you."
Charlie's words belied his observation of Batman's odd behavior.
In previous retries, he'd only dealt with Wayne early on.
Later, he barely paid attention to him.
But now, Wayne's temper seemed much worse.
That wasn't right.
"Alright, since I'm not welcome, I won't bother you."
Charlie didn't press further. He left but secretly deployed nano-spiders to monitor Wayne's every move.
As the Joker's archenemy, keeping tabs on Batman would lead to the Joker.
This time, he'd uncover the truth early.
But the truth was… One day remained until the month's end.
On a dark, windy night, Batman donned his suit.
He left Gotham, appearing on a New York rooftop, his gaze growing increasingly crazed as he overlooked the city.
SCREECH!
Wayne's lips curled into an eerie grin, his white teeth gradually turning black and sharpening.
BOOM!!
As Wayne dove into the night, a chilling laugh echoed through the sky.
HAHAHA~~
WHOOSH~
A shadow flickered. Lois, at the restaurant's entrance, looked up, her eyes filled with fear.
"No!!"
RUMBLE!!
As the shadow swooped toward Lois, a golden fist blazed with light.
The shadow retreated, and Lois saw an invincible figure.
"Spider-Man!" Lois breathed a sigh of relief.
Charlie glanced back. "I've notified Clark. Don't worry."
He looked up at the dark bat circling the sky, frowning.
He hadn't expected Batman to turn corrupt.
The Batman Who Laughs shouldn't exist in the cinematic universe.
What was going on?
Before he could act against the corrupted Wayne, the surrounding space twisted, and Charlie was pulled into a strange world again.
A universe of ruins, where the Statue of Liberty's torch was still replaced by a Joker mask.
A massive maw emerged in the sky.
This time, Charlie saw the face hidden in the darkness.
A bat mask, eyes covered with spiked metal goggles, lips smeared with bright red lipstick, and a mouth full of chilling black teeth.
Bruce Wayne! The Batman Who Laughs!
"It's really you!"
Seeing him clearly, Charlie unleashed the Omega Beams from his eyes.
ZZZT~
HAHAHA~~ Damn bug!
Under the Omega Beams' assault, the eerie laughter turned to roars. Wayne detonated the entire world, burying Spider-Man completely.
…
Remaining 147 retries!
Restart!
On a New York street, Wayne drifted his sleek Batmobile.
He'd gotten word that a Parademon invasion was imminent. He needed to find other superheroes to stop the disaster.
His destination: Diana's apartment.
"Hey, it's me. Buy that apartment building before I get there."
After the call, Wayne floored the gas, but his hands trembled briefly.
SCREECH~~
His loss of control sent the Batmobile skidding, crashing into a bridal shop.
BOOM!!
Beep beep beep~~
Glass shattered, and the shop's alarm blared.
Wayne gripped the steering wheel, breathing heavily.
HUFF~ INHALE~
He steadied himself, sweat beading on his forehead.
The Batmobile's safety systems kept him unharmed.
But the fear deep within gnawed at him.
He was running out of time.
In his final moments, he'd do everything to stop the coming disaster.
It was all he could do.
Calming himself, he prepared to restart the Batmobile and leave.
The shop's damages? Wayne would pay triple compensation.
But as the engine roared, a strange figure appeared in the passenger seat.
"You okay?"
The sudden voice startled Wayne.
"Oh, sh*t, it's you."
Recognizing Charlie, Wayne rubbed his brow.
"I was just coming to find you."
"I know, the Parademons."
Charlie said, "But that's not important. What matters is you, Bruce Wayne. You're in bad shape."
"I'm fine."
"I know the truth."
Charlie locked eyes with him. "You've been infected by the Joker, haven't you?"
Wayne instinctively turned away.
"No such thing." He knew his condition but wouldn't admit it.
Charlie spread his hands. "Fine. You don't know the consequences of being infected."
Wayne frowned. "You do?"
"Of course."
Charlie shook his head. "You think it's just death? Or turning into a regular lunatic?"
"It's not?" Wayne's face darkened.
He finally admitted he wasn't okay.
Charlie tapped his head, looking at Wayne.
"If Batman's mind goes wrong, he becomes the most terrifying criminal. After all, Batman once killed Superman."
Wayne gritted his teeth.
"No. Before I go completely mad, I'll end it."
"You can't control yourself."
Charlie said seriously, "I've seen the future. This corruption is subtle. You can't tell when it starts or crave its end."
"What?"
Wayne was shocked. "You—"
"Alright, I get it."
He exhaled. "I know how wild Spider-Man's powers are. I believe you.
But the crisis now—"
"I'll handle it. Go home and wait."
"Fine."
Wayne didn't hesitate. He knew how strong Spider-Man was.
Half an hour later, Wayne returned to Gotham.
In his estate's study, he paced, his wine glass untouched.
Finally, Spider-Man arrived.
"Hey, open the window."
A shadow flashed outside, Charlie tapping the glass.
Wayne sighed, set down his glass, and opened the window.
"You could use the front door next time."
"It's a habit."
Charlie leaped into the study. "I need to know what happened."
"It's simple."
Wayne said, "In my last fight with the Joker, he provoked me. I… killed him."
His mood sank. "He did it on purpose. He made me break my no-kill vow. I paid the price.
He planned it. He turned himself into a mobile virus source.
Whoever kills him becomes the next him.
And he chose me."
Wayne stared at Charlie. "He wants me to become the next Joker."
Charlie mused, "Joker Virus. Interesting."
Simply put, the Joker Virus turned normal people into lunatics.
It didn't grant the carrier stronger powers.
But the problem was, the infected wasn't just anyone—it was Bruce Wayne, Batman, the DC Universe's fan-favorite "dad."
Well, Superman's the "son."
Reformed, you're weakened by a third; corrupted, you're ten times stronger.
For Batman, corruption meant absolute disaster.
Not ten or a hundred times stronger—thousands, millions.
Recalling the Batman Who Laughs' lore, Charlie felt uneasy.
Only by stopping Batman from becoming the Batman Who Laughs could Spider-Man survive.
This guy was a universe-slaying monster.
But… Charlie looked at the weary Wayne. "Ever heard of Doctor Manhattan?"
Wayne frowned. "Who's that?"
"You don't know."
Charlie pondered.
In another version, Batman became the evil Batman Who Laughs, gaining Doctor Manhattan's powers to destroy universes.
Only then could the Batman Who Laughs' corruption kill Spider-Man.
Right now, Wayne was in the early stages of corruption, far from capable of killing Spider-Man.
Maybe… Charlie had an idea.
No time like the present!
CRACK!
Under Wayne's incredulous gaze, Charlie snapped Batman's neck.
THUD!
As Batman collapsed, Charlie grinned.
"Sorry, you die for a bit. Let me enjoy winning the Resurrection Match. I'll save you later."
He sparked magical flames, incinerating the body to prevent revival.
Done, he left the estate.
Then, the usual routine: make a deal with Darkseid and pester Clark.
Time flew.
The final day arrived.
Charlie awaited victory.
But trouble struck.
"Bad news—Lois has been kidnapped," Clark messaged.
Charlie's face grew serious.
When he reached Liberty Island, the space around him twisted, as expected.
He was pulled into the ruined world again.
HAHAHA~~
A terrifying laughing face appeared, its eerie cackle making Charlie clench his fists.
"Bruce Wayne, I'm here to negotiate terms!" he shouted.
Wayne: "…"
That line sounded weird.
The sky's laughing face paused, then dissipated.
In the ruins, the Batman Who Laughs, clad in black, bared sharp teeth in a grin.
"Spider-Man, I've been watching you for a long time."
Wayne's voice was shrill, devoid of his usual calm and security, only endless indulgence and madness.
Charlie's heart stirred. "You're not this universe's Batman?" he probed.
The Batman Who Laughs froze. "Obviously not."
Charlie: "…"
Damn, he killed the wrong Batman.
"What's your goal?" he asked.
The Batman Who Laughs laughed again. "Kill Superman first, then corrupt this world's Batman, make him join my Laughing Legion to rule all universes—"
"This world's Wayne is dead," Charlie interrupted.
The Batman Who Laughs roared in fury.
"How did he die?"
"I killed him."
"Damn bug, die!!"