No one knew when it started, but a rumor suddenly spread through every street and alley of Gotham.
They said there was a superhero with the code name Deadshot. He had just saved Gotham, not only stopping the plan of a terrifying witch who wanted to destroy the world, but also took care of Gotham's biggest problem, the Joker.
When the rumor first appeared, many people sneered, thinking Deadshot was just bragging and trying to make himself look good.
For ordinary people, the name Deadshot might sound unfamiliar, far less famous than Batman or the Joker.
But in Gotham's underworld, Deadshot's name was not small at all.
He had once been the number one assassin, and many underground forces had dealings with him.
Still, saying that Deadshot could save Gotham, and even deal with the Joker who troubled both the underworld and the law?
Not many believed it.
Especially those who had felt how troublesome the Joker was—they simply did not believe Deadshot could defeat him.
But the rumor kept spreading, with more and more details that sounded real.
For example, at the site of the old Church in southeast Gotham, there were marks that could not be faked. The most update n0vels are published on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
Some people went there to see, and found the church had turned into ruins. The ground looked like it had suffered an earthquake of magnitude eight, covered with cracks.
Some superpowered people even felt terrifying traces left in the air.
As more people investigated, they began to realize it might be true.
Not long ago, a powerful witch really had been carrying out some evil ritual, serious enough for A.R.G.U.S. to send in their forces.
Deadshot was released from prison by A.R.G.U.S. just to deal with that witch.
And in the end, Deadshot not only finished the job, but also got rid of the Joker.
This was something even A.R.G.U.S. admitted internally, though they didn't make it public.
But walls have ears, and soon, A.R.G.U.S.'s admission also spread out.
Only then did people start to believe the rumor that had once sounded so absurd.
Inside a mansion on the outskirts of Gotham—
Bruce Wayne, better known as Batman, had just stepped off the treadmill. After taking a towel from Alfred and wiping his sweat, he asked casually:
"What do you think about the rumor going around Gotham lately?"
"You mean, you think it's false?" Alfred asked back instead of answering.
"No, it should be true." Bruce Wayne shook his head. "Knowing the Joker, if it were a lie, he would have jumped out right away to make those rumor-mongers regret being alive…"
"But now he hasn't shown up. That proves there's a good chance something really happened to him."
"I checked the files on that so-called world-ending 'witch.' She's the Enchantress, the secret weapon A.R.G.U.S. once had."
"For Deadshot to deal with the trouble caused by Enchantress, and at the same time take down the Joker, that's something I truly did not expect…"
Bruce Wayne looked both thoughtful and puzzled.
After all, it was he who had personally sent Deadshot to prison. He knew Deadshot's situation better than anyone.
From what he knew about Deadshot, Bruce Wayne could not believe Deadshot had the power to deal with either Enchantress or the Joker, let alone both.
But now all the facts pointed to one thing—this was real, not a rumor.
That gave him a strange feeling.
"Are you worried he might come after you for putting him in prison?" Alfred asked.
Bruce Wayne shook his head. "Deadshot, deep down, isn't truly evil. He has his own rules and limits…"
"Besides, this time he stood on the side of 'justice.' It's unlikely he would suddenly turn against it."
"Then what are you worried about?" Alfred pressed.
"So you noticed too…"
Bruce Wayne gave a small smile, then grew serious. "The fact that Deadshot could defeat Enchantress and the Joker surprised me, but it wasn't impossible to accept. What really bothers me is how quickly the whole story spread across Gotham. Don't you find that strange?"
With Alfred, who was like both father and friend, Bruce had no need to hide his thoughts.
Deadshot suddenly becoming stronger was surprising, but not impossible. After all, in this world many heroes had grown powerful through chance encounters. Maybe Deadshot had some kind of opportunity while in prison.
At first, Bruce found it hard to believe. But after confirming it again and again, he had accepted it.
What truly caught his attention, though, was the speed and force of the rumor's spread.
Normally, rumors—even online—wouldn't be so widely believed.
The internet was full of false news, and even true news would often be doubted if not confirmed by an official source.
But this Deadshot story broke all the rules.
There were no official reports, no public confirmation from any authority.
And yet, countless people believed it. The story spread through every corner of Gotham—underworld and high society, online and offline.
It was as if some invisible hand was pushing it forward from the shadows.
The Wayne family, as one of most powerful family in Gotham's, had wealth, power, and a vast network.
But even with all that, they could find no flaws in the story.
Everything looked perfectly normal—too normal.
And for Bruce, too normal was the biggest red flag.
Something that seemed so unreasonable, yet left no trace to question—wasn't that the strangest thing of all?
"You mean, there could be some hidden force in Gotham, one that can shape the city with ease, and still stay unseen?" Alfred asked in a low voice.
"Logically, yes. But in reality, I can't find any proof. Do you think… maybe I'm overthinking this?" Bruce hesitated.
"I trust your judgment." Alfred gave a slight bow.
He hadn't answered directly, but his meaning was clear: Bruce should trust his own instincts.
"I understand. I'll keep looking into it." Bruce nodded.
He had already decided in his heart. Speaking to Alfred was just his way of organizing his thoughts.
"I just wonder," Bruce murmured, "whether that invisible hand has anything to do with Deadshot…"
Join to read 30+ chapters ahead!