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Harley was blowing bubble gum nearby, but she couldn't help but stop her movements when she heard this.
"And then?" Homelander asked expressionlessly.
"And then Clark returned." Bruce opened his eyes, which were filled with pain. "He happened to witness that scene."
"In that moment, the Man of Steel's heart broke."
"Darkseid took that moment to change him..."
"It's the Anti-Life Equation, a mathematical formula capable of stripping all sentient life of their free will," Victor Stone, Cyborg, stepped forward to explain. "It proves that hope, love, and free will are all meaningless. It can directly rewrite a biological brain's logic, forcing one to unconditionally submit to the user."
"From that moment on, Superman died," Bruce took over. "The one who survived is Darkseid's most loyal general."
"The Justice League... collapsed on that day."
Bruce pulled up a list of the fallen.
"Diana... Wonder Woman."
"She led the Amazons in resistance and fell in battle. Her remains were taken back to Themyscira for cremation, and Themyscira subsequently sank into the ocean."
"Arthur Curry... Aquaman."
"He died by his own weapon in the battle against Darkseid. His Trident is now in the hands of Mera, the last exile of Atlantis."
Bruce turned off the holographic projection, and the hall fell into dimness.
"This is the current situation."
"Over the past few months, 80% of the global population has disappeared. They either died in the fires of war or were captured and transformed into mindless Parademons."
"Superman has established a totalitarian empire. He has an army of fanatical puppets wearing Nazi-style uniforms with the'S' emblem, hunting down all resistance in the ruins."
"But that's not even the worst of it," Cyborg added, projecting a massive black tower in the air.
"That is the information transmission Base located in the center of Metropolis. Superman's regime used technology from Apokolips to modify Earth's existing satellite, broadcast, and internet systems."
"They converted the Anti-Life Equation into electronic signals, broadcasting them 24/7 into all receiving devices. Anyone who hears or sees that signal will have their will gradually eroded until they eventually become the walking dead."
"We estimate..." Bruce paused slightly, "...that the surviving human population globally may only be around a billion. And that number is rapidly decreasing by the minute."
"A billion, huh..."
Homelander nodded thoughtfully.
This number made him breathe a slight sigh of relief. Although it was much less than he had expected, it was still a massive figure.
As long as it was managed correctly, the popularity value provided by these billion people in despair would definitely be high-quality and fanatical.
"The situation does sound quite dire." Homelander nodded, his tone carrying sincere concern. "So, our next task is simple, right?"
He pointed to the projection of the black tower.
"We charge into Metropolis, take over that transmission Base, and stop that equation thing from continuing to turn people into idiots."
"No." Bruce rejected the proposal outright.
"That's useless. As long as Superman is still there, as long as Darkseid is still there, that signal can be rebuilt at any time. Moreover, with our current strength, a frontal assault on Metropolis is suicide."
"Is that so? Then what is your plan, Bat?" Homelander raised an eyebrow, looking at him with great interest.
"We need to find Kryptonite." Bruce looked into Homelander's eyes. "It's the only thing that can hurt him."
"Kryptonite?" Homelander raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. If I were Superman, I would never allow such a thing to exist."
"Exactly," Cyborg added. "I've searched all known global networks and black market data. Superman's regime has destroyed all Kryptonite stockpiles over the past few months."
"That trap earlier was the last lead."
"It's gone?" Homelander spread his hands. "Then what the hell are you planning?"
"No, there's still one piece left." Bruce's voice lowered.
"Where?" Cyborg asked.
"No, it's not a place," Bruce shook his head. "It's a person."
"In this World, there is one madman who would absolutely keep that thing for himself and has the ability to evade Superman's search."
Bruce turned around, his gaze passing over everyone and landing on Harley, who was playing with her baseball Bat.
"The Joker... he's the only one who can help us now."
"Clang!"
The baseball Bat in Harley's hand fell to the ground.
As soon as that name was mentioned, the previously laughing Harley Quinn bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Don't mention that name to me! Batsy! I'm warning you!"
"I will absolutely not go to that bastard for help! Not in this lifetime!" Harley screamed, filled with extreme disgust and anger.
"If I see him, the only thing I'll do is shove this Bat down his throat! All the way into his stomach!"
"Harley, calm down." Bruce tried to soothe her, but his voice remained stiff. "To save the World, we need that Kryptonite."
"To hell with the World!" Harley covered her ears, shaking her head frantically. "I'm not listening! I'm not listening! Bat! You promised me!!"
She suddenly turned and grabbed Homelander's arm, looking up with her large eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful.
"You'll support me, won't you? Mr. Milk Candy?"
"You won't force me to find that bastard, will you?"
Homelander looked down at Harley's tear-streaked face. He reached out and gently wiped away her tears.
"Of course, dear." He looked up at Batman, the tenderness on his face turning to ice.
"Bat, didn't you hear the lady?"
"She said no."
"Since Harley hates that Joker guy so much, he must be a complete scumbag and an irredeemable villain. Right?"
Bruce fell silent.
Though Homelander's logic was that of a bandit, the conclusion was correct. The Joker was indeed a collection of those adjectives.
"See, your expression says it all."
Homelander spread his hands as if it were a matter of course.
"Since he's a perverted scumbag, why should we place the hope of saving the World on him?"
"It's not logical, and it's certainly not just."
"But without Kryptonite, we..." Bruce began.
"No buts!" Homelander interrupted Bruce.
"The reason you think you need that stone is because you are afraid."
"You've been scared out of your wits by that alien imposter."
Homelander pointed to himself, a confident smile on his lips.
"But now, I am here."
"You don't need to find any Joker, and you don't need any damn stones."
"I will deal with that imposter."
"I will show him what real power is!"