American comics: Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who worry about their fathers!.

Chapter 1059 Peter Talks About the Bat That Laughs

Upon hearing Peter's words, Zatana and Artoria also realized that something was wrong.

The vampire-like monster leaped high into the air, its right arm hardening instantly, and with a piercing shriek that tore through the air, it slashed down at Peter's head.

Peter didn't even make any obvious defensive move when faced with the monster's fatal blow.

He simply turned slightly to the side, dodging the opponent's attack, and grabbed the opponent's throat.

"Look at their joints!"

Peter pointed to the “vampire monster” and said to the two of them, “There’s no trace of flesh and blood, it’s energy-driven, hydraulically powered, these are mechanical creatures.”

Artoria listened to Peter's explanation and nodded.

She raised her holy sword and slashed at a vampire flying towards her.

"laugh--!"

The vampire monster's forearm was severed by Artoria.

The broken section spewed out a viscous liquid with a pungent chemical odor, along with sparks flying from the cable.

The mechanical monster, its arm severed, did not stop moving at all, as if it felt no "pain," and its other claw suddenly grabbed at Artoria's throat.

But Artoria reacted quickly, stepping aside to avoid the claw attack, while her other hand shot out with lightning speed and grabbed the monster's head.

"Crack!"

A sickening metallic cracking sound rang out as the vampire monster's hideous head instantly deformed and shattered under the Knight King's terrifying power.

What the monster revealed was not a brain, but a circuit board with sparks flying and a core processor flashing a crazy red light.

The headless "vampire" convulsed violently a few times, the red light at its joints quickly dimmed, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

All this happened in a flash of lightning.

The magical light that Zatanna had gathered at her fingertips slowly dissipated, and a look of shock appeared on her face.

Looking at the twitching mechanical wreckage on the ground, and then at the surging army of "vampires" all around, he saw...

"Not a vampire..."

Zatanna took a deep breath and said, "It's... machines, sir. Someone created them, killing machines that mimic the form of vampires."

Are they mimicking the form of vampires?

Artoria shook the slime off her hands and asked Peter curiously, "Who created them, Peter?"

Peter did not answer immediately. He took a step forward, and an invisible force field spread out from him, violently blasting away several mechanical monsters that rushed towards him.

"It's not known yet, but the person who made them should be a wealthy person like Bruce."

Peter shook his head and said to her.

"Whoever made it, take them out first."

Zatanna floated up, her hands quickly forming hand seals in front of her chest, and magical runes lit up around her.

The mechanical vampire army, accompanied by a grating screeching sound, surged forward once more.

"Buzz!"

At this critical moment, a deep and abrupt engine roar tore through the cacophony of the mechanical army.

Zatana looked up and saw an advanced armed helicopter with sleek lines, a low-key matte black paint job, and no markings, hovering less than twenty meters above their heads.

Even more surprisingly, the moment the helicopter appeared, a "click" sound rang out.

The mechanical vampires seemed to have their power cut off simultaneously, or as if they had received a top-level command; their movements froze instantly.

The entire space instantly fell into an eerie stillness.

Only the roar of helicopter rotors churning the air echoed in this deathly silence.

Peter narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze piercing through the dust kicked up by the rotor blades and locking onto the open door of the helicopter.

A shiny bald head was the first to peek out.

Lex Luther then nimbly leaped from the helicopter, his expensive custom-made suit and leather shoes making a slight "crunching" sound as they stepped onto the dusty ground.

He ignored the grotesque, solidified mechanical creations around him and strode towards Peter.

“Mr. Peter”.

Luther's voice was loud and clear. He walked excitedly to a few steps in front of Peter, stopped, and bowed slightly.

"I never expected to meet you here. It's so good to see that you are safe and sound."

His gaze swept quickly over Artoria and Zatanna behind Peter, lingering for a moment on Artoria's armor and holy sword, which seemed out of place in the era. A hint of inquiry and wariness flashed in the depths of his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Luther's gaze caused Artoria to furrow her brow imperceptibly.

The knight's intuition made her feel slightly uneasy.

She didn't like the bald man.

Zatanna hovered in the air, staring in surprise at the bald man who had suddenly appeared.

"Luther."

When Peter saw Luther appear, he immediately realized that this monster was created by Luther.

That's true, besides Bruce, only this guy has the financial resources to do that.

Peter coughed and said to the other person, "Why don't you explain?"

He pointed to the frozen mechanical army around him. "These...you created them?"

"Yes, Mr. Peter."

He readily admitted it, even with a touch of pride like someone showcasing a discovery, and walked to the nearest frozen mechanical vampire. Extending his white-gloved hand, he pointed to the menacing shoulder armor and explained:
"This is the prototype of the 'Night Hunter,' a product of my emergency plan that I created after the vampire crisis broke out."

His voice became deep and persuasive.

"You know, when those 'heroes' and 'villains' with superhuman powers are transformed into bloodthirsty monsters, ordinary human weapons are like toys in front of them, conventional armies collapse instantly, and social order crumbles."

"Humanity needs a completely new force to combat supernatural threats."

He looked up and stared intently at Peter.

"I analyzed the vampire's physiology, behavior patterns, and weaknesses... and combined them with cutting-edge bionics, liquid metal technology, energy weapons, and a hive-like AI command system to create them."

Luther pointed to the stationary killing machines around him. “They are not afraid of sunlight, are not tempted by blood, and possess powerful physical destructive force, energy weapons, and efficient cooperative combat capabilities. They have only one goal: to eliminate the vampire threat.”

He paused, a hint of regret in his voice: "But... I didn't expect that, thanks to your and many allies' efforts, the situation would reverse so quickly, and most of the converted superhumans have returned to normal."

He shrugged and continued, "These 'Night Hunters' haven't even had a chance to be deployed in large-scale combat yet, and most of their targets have already disappeared. Now, their main task has shifted to tracking down the remaining stragglers hiding in the shadows to prevent them from resurfacing."

Luther's explanation was logically clear and his motives were noble, leaving Peter somewhat speechless.

This kid still cares so much about the survival of humanity.

Compared to his father, Reno, Luther seems to have a greater sense of responsibility.

Of course, there was one thing that annoyed Peter: this kid, just like his father, would secretly investigate him.

I pretended not to know because I thought he still had some sense of responsibility as a human being and hadn't done anything harmful to me; otherwise, I would have dealt with him and his son long ago.

Peter internally scoffed, but his face remained expressionless.

Only after Luther finished speaking did he say, "Well done, Luther. Eliminating the threat and protecting civilization, your goal is clear."

He changed the subject, his gaze fixed on the distorted sky deep within the forest. "We're going to see Alec Holland now, the Swamp Monster. The power of the Green of All Things is the key to purifying this land. If you're free, come with us."

Luther paused slightly upon hearing Peter's words.

See the swamp monster, that walking plant consciousness, the green of all things?
This is an absolutely fantastic opportunity to uncover the deepest secrets of the world!
Lex was instantly overjoyed.

But he soon began to worry again.

Was Mr. Peter's easy acceptance of him a sign of trust, or a test?
"It is my honor to travel with you, Mr. Peter!"

Luther reacted with astonishing speed, his face instantly plastered with a sincere, flattered smile, and he agreed without hesitation.

He turned to his helicopter and made a gesture.

The helicopter pilot immediately started the engine, which roared as it took off and quickly disappeared into the gaps in the steel jungle.

"Zuckerupt".

Peter's gaze shifted to Zatanna.

Zatanna understood and said no more.

Spatial runes lit up at her fingertips once more, and this time, the coordinates she locked onto also included Luther within the teleportation range. Luther felt a gentle yet irresistible force envelop him, and the scene before him instantly distorted.

The humid air, thick with the pungent smell of decaying plants and mud, instantly replaced the cold, metallic scent of the mechanical vampire.

Beneath our feet lies soft, black humus soil, saturated with moisture.

The towering ancient trees stand like silent giants, their gnarled roots exposed on the ground like giant pythons, entwining moss-covered boulders.

This is the heart of the Louisiana wetlands, the very heart of its verdant landscape.

Luther stepped onto the soft mud, and his expensive leather shoes immediately sank in, becoming covered in black mud.

He frowned slightly, looking a little uncomfortable, but his eyes were filled with wonder and a desire to explore this primitive, mysterious energy field.

He observed his surroundings discreetly, trying to analyze the strange life energy permeating the air.

Artoria, on the other hand, appeared much more at ease. Her eyes scanned her surroundings warily. Although the Holy Sword had not yet materialized, the knight's senses were heightened to the extreme.

She could feel the "breath" of the forest, a grand and ancient consciousness watching over her.

Zatanna hovered a few inches off the ground, attempting to communicate with this ancient will.

Peter stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the depths of the swamp.

There, the water surface was covered with a thick layer of green duckweed and algae, and huge water lily leaves floated on it like emerald green discs.

“Gurgle…Gurgle…”

The sound of a bubble bursting broke the silence.

Then, the thick, green water began to surge.

A large amount of duckweed, algae and silt were pushed aside, and a huge "human shape" made of twisted and entwined vines, gnarled tree roots and slippery moss slowly rose from the depths of the swamp.

The other party was so tall that it almost blocked out the already sparse light, and its body emitted a deep green light that seemed almost tangible.

Alec Holland, the embodiment of all green—the Swamp Monster—appeared before everyone.

The swamp monster's gaze immediately locked onto Peter, who was standing at the very front.

Upon seeing Peter, tangible ripples emanated from the swamp monster, spreading out instantly and causing the air throughout the wetlands to tremble.

Countless vines twisted unconsciously, and the ancient trees around them rustled with a low, groaning sound.

"you……"

The swamp monster said in a deep voice.

Its giant hand, made of roots, rose slightly and pointed at Peter. "You are Peter Patrick?"

Peter nodded. "That's me."

"You are the world's...unexpected event."

The swamp monster spoke as it slowly approached.

"The threads of time twist, entwine, break, and regenerate within you. You do not belong to any established life chart. Your very existence... disturbs the green of all things and the consciousness of this planet."

Peter: "."

How come this guy is just as charlatan as Lady Shangdu?
On the other side, Luther held his breath for a moment, and his eyes flashed with an unprecedented glint.

An unexpected event in the world has disturbed the verdant world?

The look in his eyes as he looked at Peter was filled with shock.

Mr. Peter is definitely not a normal human being!

Artoria and Zatanna also looked serious.

Peter remained calm as he faced the swamp monster.

He simply nodded slightly and said in a steady voice, "Thank you for your prophecy, but we have important business to attend to this time, Alec Holland. We need the power of the Green of All Things. The sunlight is blocked, the forests are crying, and the earth is being eroded by filth. The wounds of this planet need your comfort."

The swamp monster stared at Peter and remained silent for a moment.

The surrounding plants seemed to hold their breath in its silence.

"I will answer the call of life."

Finally, the swamp monster's sighing voice rang out again, "The sun will shine again, the forest's lament will turn into new life, and the filth will be buried, decomposed, and returned to the cycle."

Its promise carries the power of nature, leaving no room for doubt about its authenticity.

However, it suddenly changed its tone, its eyes becoming deep and solemn, as if it had seen an extremely terrifying scene.

“But Peter Patrick, the unexpected man… this is not the end.”

Its voice suddenly rose in pitch, carrying an unprecedented sense of warning, like the mournful cry of a forest before its end:
"Darkness, a deeper, older, and more greedy darkness, has set its sights on this world. Like maggots clinging to bones, it is gnawing and polluting, and the green veins of all things... are being eroded."

As it spoke, some parts of the originally pure green vines and roots on its massive body began to faintly reveal an unsettling grayish-black hue, like necrotic tissue.

There was even a small area covered with a layer of sticky filth, emanating a putrid smell.

"what?!"

Luther could no longer contain himself and cried out in alarm.

He asked in shock, "Who are they?! What are they?!"

Artoria gripped the invisible hilt of her sword tightly, her knightly intuition sensing a threat more terrifying than vampires or mechanical armies.

Peter paused for a moment, then instantly understood what he meant.

The swamp monster ignored Luther and looked at Peter. "You know what this is, don't you, the unexpected one?"

Peter paused, looking at the glaring stains on the swamp monster's body, and finally slowly spoke:
"Yes, I know what they are. They... come from the other side of the 'wall,' from the dark multiverse."

"Darkness...multiverse?"

Luther repeated the phrase with difficulty; the concept was beyond the boundaries of his existing knowledge.

Zatanna asked Peter in shock, "What is that, sir?"

“Imagine that.”

Peter's voice carried a calmness that guided them to recognize the horror.

"The universe as we know it is like a single, bright lighthouse floating on a boundless ocean, while beneath the deep, dark abyss beyond the reach of the lighthouse's light... lie countless distorted reflections, filled with pain and despair—these are the Dark Multiverse."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the shocked faces of the crowd, and slowly began to speak:

“Every dark universe is born from a central, irreversible moment of tragedy.”

"When the despair, pain, resentment, or wrong choice of an existence in a universe reaches a critical point, like cancer cells devouring all the light of hope, that universe will 'fall' from the bright multiverse, sink into the sea of ​​darkness, and become a dark universe bubble filled with endless nightmares."

Everyone was stunned by Peter's grand narrative.

Zatanna swallowed hard and asked Peter, "Sir, have you ever seen a universe like that?"

"Yes, I've seen more than one."

"Is that kind of universe?"

Peter shook his head. "Not yet."

Luther walked over, his face full of disbelief, and asked Peter, "Sir, could you tell us about that kind of universe?"

Driven by a sense of crisis, he wanted to understand these forces threatening the Earth.

Peter thought about it and realized that the Dark Multiverse was eyeing his universe, so informing Luther in advance so he could prepare was a good idea.

After all, this guy considers himself an Earthling, so he's always the most enthusiastic about resisting aliens.

"I have seen the darkest universe."

After a pause, Peter slowly began to recount: "There is a universe... designated Earth-22. In Gotham City of that universe, Batman, Bruce Wayne, experienced a more complete... collapse than anything we in this world can imagine."

Peter's tone became unusually solemn, as if he were uncovering a taboo wound.

"That Joker in the universe is more...successful than any known Joker."

"He captured some of the most important people in Bruce's life—Alfred, Dick, Barbara… and even Commissioner Gordon. He didn't simply kill them; he spent a long time, with the most extreme pain and madness, slowly, bit by bit, in front of Bruce, 'transformed' them."

"Transformation?" Artoria asked doubtfully, "To a vampire?"

"Not becoming a vampire."

Peter's gaze deepened. "Instead, it was some kind of 'laughing gas' virus... originating from the depths of darkness, mixed with the Joker's madness. It twisted their will, turning their love, loyalty, and concern for Bruce... into the most vicious hatred."

(End of this chapter)