Seeing that Lucas was still unmoved, Bruce Wayne continued calmly,
"I'm certain that, in the future, Earth will face extraterrestrial threats more and more frequently."
"And for that very reason, establishing a specialized rapid-response organization would allow us to deal with such crises far more efficiently."
"It would not only protect the assets under your name—"
"But could also safeguard the lives of civilians."
"I can help you draft comprehensive regulations, as well as strategic response plans tailored to different kinds of extraterrestrial enemies."
Lucas let out a soft scoff.
"What you're saying isn't wrong," he replied.
"But it still doesn't truly move me."
Bruce Wayne was ruthless—whether driven by personal pragmatism or genuine concern for humanity.
If Lucas were Clark, he would never have been able to resist such an offer.
But he wasn't Superman.
He was the Terminator—Lucas.
Lucas placed his cup down, a trace of disdain appearing in his expression.
"You've talked for quite a while," he said lightly,
"but aren't you forgetting something?"
"Have you forgotten… my strength?"
Bruce answered confidently, "I'm well aware of it."
"But can you guarantee that you are invincible in the universe?"
"If you can, then pretend I never said anything."
Lucas suddenly burst out laughing.
"Not bad, Batman. You really do know how to hit straight at the heart."
For the first time, Bruce Wayne's eyes shifted slightly.
"You're right," Lucas continued.
"My strength is great, but in the universe, it's nothing special."
He shrugged casually.
"But you think your intelligence can help me?"
"No—you're overestimating yourself."
"I acknowledge that your intellect is extraordinary," Lucas said, his expression growing serious.
"But in front of certain existences, your intelligence is still… Mortal."
"Like the strongest ant standing before an elephant—"
"No matter how strong it is, it's still just an ant."
Bruce Wayne had run out of options.
If the person in front of him were anyone else, he could have devised a thousand ways to persuade them.
But with Lucas, none of that worked.
"…Fine."
Bruce let out a long breath and stood up.
"Then let's pretend I was never here."
"Humans fighting among themselves accomplishes nothing."
"I only reclaimed Gotham—something that originally belonged to the Wayne family."
"The war with Atlantis destroyed Gotham completely. You know how much my family lost in that disaster."
"Yes, my methods in securing those projects were not honorable."
"But don't forget how much the Wayne family paid over the years to build those relationships."
"I'm willing to give you a share of my profits—because you deserve it."
"But if you insist on crushing me completely—"
"Then come."
"Even if I fail utterly, I'll make sure you don't walk away unscathed."
Bang!
In an instant, Bruce Wayne's vision blurred.
The next moment, he felt a massive hand clamp tightly around his throat.
Despite possessing peak human physical conditioning, he couldn't move at all.
Lucas's expression was calm—but his voice carried unmistakable killing intent.
"Let me remind you of something."
"I may seem easygoing most of the time—"
"But I absolutely despise being threatened."
"And when someone threatens me, my usual method is simple."
"I erase them completely."
"Don't think rules can restrain me."
"If I ever sense that you're trying to use me—"
"I'll kill you without hesitation."
"And don't try to bind me with anything."
"Because I'll make you pay a far greater price."
Although Bruce couldn't breathe, his expression remained unchanged.
He could hold his breath for nearly twenty minutes—and more importantly, he was certain Lucas wouldn't kill him.
Lucas suddenly spoke again.
"You think I won't kill you, right?"
"Congratulations—you guessed correctly."
"I won't kill you."
"But as Batman, you should know something better than anyone else."
"Death isn't true suffering."
"Sometimes, it's a release."
"Living forever in fear—"
"That is the real torment."
Bruce Wayne's expression finally changed.
Because those words mirrored his own creed as Batman.
Lucas released his grip.
Bruce staggered as he landed, nearly losing his footing, but forced himself to stand upright.
"Alright," Lucas said calmly.
"You can go now."
"Bruce Wayne, you must have investigated me thoroughly before coming here."
"You thought that by studying my past actions, you understood my character and mindset."
"And that you could use that understanding to persuade me."
"If that's the case, I suggest you go back and keep studying."
"Because I'm genuinely curious—"
"Just how far you think you can analyze me."
"You can leave."
Lucas turned back toward the kitchen and pulled a crate of oranges from the refrigerator.
With a flicker of light at his fingertips, eight oranges peeled themselves instantly—clean and flawless, without a trace of pith.
With another gesture, dozens of grapes flew into the air, their skins and seeds separating mid-flight.
More fruits followed, all sliced into fine pieces by invisible blades in an instant.
The fruit hovered in midair.
Lucas rotated his fingers slightly.
The pieces gathered together, spinning faster and faster—like entering a transparent blender.
In seconds, they merged into a perfectly mixed liquid sphere.
The sight left Bruce Wayne deeply shaken.
Despite all he had seen in his life, this was the first time he had witnessed such an ability.
"Why," Lucas asked casually,
"aren't you leaving? Do you still have something to say?"
With a flick of his finger, the floating liquid sphere dropped neatly into a cup.
Bruce remained silent for several seconds before speaking.
"I know you founded a secret organization called the Guardians, didn't you?"
Lucas didn't respond.
The organization wasn't public, but it was never meant to be absolutely hidden either.
"I've heard that each Guardian is responsible for protecting a single city."
"If a problem arises that one Guardian can't handle, the others will come to assist."
"But under normal circumstances, Guardians don't interfere in each other's territories."
Lucas's expression remained unchanged, though inwardly he was speechless.
When did these people invent so many extra rules?
He finally spoke.
"First of all, the Guardians are an organization I created."
"You're not wrong about their general principles."
"But as the founder, I have the authority to override those principles at any time."
"I can forcibly intervene in any Guardian's actions."
"And I also have the right to strip someone of their Guardian status."
"Once that status is revoked—"
"Every Guardian will automatically treat that person as an enemy."
..
New fic is out. Douluo dalu: Ascension To Godhood