There is no Batman in Gotham City comics.

Chapter 61 Jason Todd

When Jason pulled the Gotham University acceptance letter from the brown paper bag, the pent-up pressure burst into a triumphant roar.

This big boy has a unique affection for Gotham, or more precisely, for the Lower District.

Love or hate, or both.

When the Romans moved into the lower district and imposed rent terms that were "more outrageous than robbery," Jason fired the first shot of resistance.

They would put on red hoods, stick close to the walls of dark alleys, and strike lone Romans with a blow to the head. Then they would strip these well-dressed men naked and throw them out onto the street.

He showed the people of the lower district that gangs were not invincible. Inspired, they spontaneously took out their red hoods from the cupboard and shook off the dust.

Jason single-handedly rallied the disorganized Red Hood gang.

Sparks landed in a dark, unnoticed corner, instantly transforming into a raging inferno. Perhaps he didn't know that every step he took at that moment was treading on the footprints left by "that man."

But when the locals successfully halted the Romans' advance, Jason pulled off his hood.

Even after doing so much for the lower district, he still desperately wanted to leave this hellish place.

The escape plan was finalized when his mother left. The boy used the stolen money to buy all the college course books, which filled an entire wall of bookshelves.

He used them as a brush, trying to tear off the putrid sludge clinging to his back so he could leave this filthy place forever.

This was destined to be a difficult road, and Frank, William, and Carl, his former street-smart friends, utterly despised it. Sometimes the protests were empty cans thrown at the window, sometimes spitting on that bewildered face.

In Gotham, where the gap between the rich and the poor is enormous, what separates the upper and lower classes is hatred that is like an original sin that cannot be washed away.

To everyone else, Red Hood is a hero, but Jason Todd is a traitor who abandoned the culture and honor of the Lower District.

Even if what they see as culture is just a ridiculous way to attract fans.

As for the honor, that's bullshit—to be shot through the skull during a robbery, especially if the bullet came from a policeman's sidearm. Those who receive this honor are taken back to the Lower District, where a sacred ceremony is held in front of the Furendia Cathedral to cremate their bodies.

When Jason witnessed the group throwing the body into the fire and then singing and dancing around it, he questioned the reality of the world more than once.

One of us, me or them, must be crazy.

Later… but not long after, while Jason was studying late into the night for his college entrance exams, Frank drowned himself in a ditch due to a drug overdose. A few months later, in a street brawl, a sharp piece of glass from a bottle slit Carl's throat.

Finally, there's William, who participated in a robbery of a beef burger shop, and the owner emptied his magazine based on William's terrified face.

The world has fallen silent again, a silence that is almost cruelly quiet.

……

Is life always this painful, or is it only like this when you're a child?

"It's always like this."

On rainy days when he had free time, he liked to curl up on the sofa alone and watch the movie tapes his mother had left behind. "Lyon" was his favorite movie among them.

Not every Matilda will meet Léon.

……

Oswald's fist landed on Jason's face, sending a blood-soaked, rotating molar flying high into the air.

Jason realized his fists were dull, and before he could even process that, Oswald had already kicked him to the ground.

The shoes stepping on his face were made of mud from the lower area, and the pebbles and sand embedded in the treads of the shoes hurt his face.

"Jason, you're too old!" Oswald, wearing a mask, announced his award declaration in a high-profile manner.

old?

I'm only twenty years old, why do you say I'm old?

Jason hastily got up after pushing Oswald's foot away, seemingly more concerned about his opponent's opinion than the loss itself.

In fact, it wasn't just Oswald; even Qin Wei noticed Jason's problem. Several times, this big boy could have knocked down the penguin with one punch, but he always hesitated at crucial moments.

However, Qin Wei didn't want to delve into this issue, because just now the side quest refreshed, and just like when he started the Dick quest, he found another comic book in his pocket.

The second Robin from American comics—his superhero career started by stealing Batmobile tires… well, that's a decent summary.

The comic details how this young man named Jason Todd met Batman, from his rebellious Robin days to his gradual torment and death at the hands of the Joker.

Perhaps it was the scene at the end of the comic book where Bruce was holding Jason and crying that was too shocking, but Qin Wei felt a tightness in his chest.

Meanwhile, Jason, sitting in the audience, pressed his finger to his lower lip.

At a loud whistle, dozens of armed thugs in red hoods poured into the garage.

Can't beat him? It doesn't matter, Jason isn't here for an interview anyway.

The riots a few days ago caused heavy losses to the Red Hood gang, and the Lower District was turned upside down. Even now, the smell of burning can still be smelled on the streets.

The Romans were the culprits behind all of this!

Look at these red-hooded men, their masks stained with dried blood, their eyes burning with fury. They lost brothers and loved ones in this riot, and this hatred desperately needs to be washed away with blood.

But how could Qin Wei not have foreseen today's situation? Distributing flyers in the lower district in a high-profile manner would inevitably attract the Red Hoods to come and cause trouble. That's why he chose a closed auto repair shop as his base and deliberately climbed to the upper floors, just to take advantage of the situation and wipe out this group of annoying flies all at once.

After the Red Hoods stormed into the factory, he pressed a button, and with two iron doors slamming down, the Red Hoods' escape route was cut off. As for Oswald, he followed the plan and slipped out through a small corner door while the Red Hoods were in disarray.

Once he locked the small door from the outside, the plan was complete, and the turtle in the jar had no way to escape.

Jason's worst fears came true. He had repeatedly advised his men to think twice, but those hormone-fueled brats wouldn't listen. Nominally the Red Hood leader, he had far too little control over the gang.

Therefore, he could only first calm his agitated subordinates and blend into the interview crowd to get a feel for the situation. If the other party was too aggressive, he would signal to retreat.

But Qin Wei, the enemy hiding in the shadows, was even more cunning than he had imagined, never acting until he saw the benefit.

Jason hurriedly directed his accomplices to climb the stairs, hoping to capture the leader of the gang in one fell swoop, but the Red Hoods trembled and fell to the ground as soon as they touched the handrail.

The stairs were also electrified.

Qin Wei clapped his hands, and the Romans who had been lying in ambush on the third floor of the factory appeared, armed with heavy weapons: rocket launchers and assault rifles. These were simply a matter of dimensional reduction against the pistols and submachine guns of the Red Hoods.

The cosplay game is over, little ones!

The Red Hoods huddled together, their dilated pupils betraying their inner fear despite the masks they wore.

"What do you want to do!"

Jason clenched his fists, his muscles trembling with tension. More than fear, he felt self-blame. It was the same on the night of the riot, and it was the same in this operation. Because of his chaotic command, his comrades had been repeatedly put in danger.

"What do I want to do?" Qin Wei asked himself.

Before getting his hands on the comic book, he naturally wanted to eliminate the problem completely, but now he's changed his mind.

A little thought reveals that there is no conflict between him and Jason; they are, in fact, fellow passengers on the same boat, all yearning for a bright future without Maroni.

Furthermore, recruiting key characters has always been his goal.

"Put down your gun, and I'll let your men leave safely."

"Why should I believe you?" Jason retorted.

"I suggest you use your brain before asking questions. The initiative is mine, so why should I try to gain your trust?" Qin Wei gave Royce a look, and the latter raised his gun and drilled a smoking bullet hole in front of Jason's feet.

Jason took a deep breath, calmed his anger, and quickly came to his senses.

If Qin Wei really wanted to go on a killing spree, he could easily crush them with his equipment; there was no need for him to lie and put down his gun.

He stood at the front of the crowd, pressing his hands down to signal his subordinates to be quiet.

"Put down all the guns!"

"Boss, they are..."

"I told you to put down your guns!"

The red-hooded men wanted to argue, but Jason's roar silenced them, and they hesitated before handing over their guns.

The garage door opened as promised, and the Red Hoods scattered in a swarm.

Jason wanted to leave too, but Qin Wei stopped him.

"Hey~ Interested in sparring with me?"

Jason was initially hesitant, until Qin Wei took off his suit, revealing a shirt that was filled out by his full and muscular physique.

"Okay! Come on!!"