"So that's why you came to the Hero Alliance."
Aiden Cross placed two cups of coffee on the table, then leaned back into the sofa, his gaze calm as it settled on the man across from him.
Batman.
He hadn't expected this.
An organization like Umbrella appearing in this world as well… it was likely the result of some kind of butterfly effect. But compared to everything else unfolding, it wasn't the most pressing issue.
Bioweapons, after all, weren't terrifying because of individual strength.
They were terrifying because of infection.
"Coffee?"
"…Thank you."
Batman accepted the cup, but didn't drink immediately. His eyes swept over it methodically, analyzing every detail. Only after confirming there was nothing suspicious did he take a sip.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue—
His pupils shrank slightly.
"…!"
The taste was rich, smooth, layered far beyond any coffee he had ever experienced.
But more importantly—
Something changed.
His body responded instantly.
Muscles tightened.
Cells awakened.
A subtle but undeniable surge of strength coursed through him.
"…What is this?"
"This isn't a stimulant."
"Active Coffee," Aiden Cross replied casually. "A fantasy ingredient. It doesn't exist in this world."
He paused slightly.
"No side effects. Enhances your physical condition by about thirty percent. Duration—fifteen minutes."
Batman fell silent.
Even as Bruce Wayne, a man who had tasted the finest things money could buy, this was something entirely different.
"…Can I buy it?"
"I'll pay any price."
Aiden Cross shrugged lightly.
"It's not expensive."
"But we don't lack money."
There was no arrogance in his tone.
Just a simple statement of fact.
The Hero Alliance controlled resources on a scale that even Wayne Enterprises would struggle to match.
"…I see."
Aiden Cross leaned forward slightly.
"But I can give you some."
Batman's gaze sharpened.
"…Really?"
"Limited quantity," Aiden Cross said with a faint smile. "But—if you join the Hero Alliance, you'll have unlimited access."
Silence filled the room.
"…Join…"
Bruce Wayne lowered his gaze slightly, falling into thought.
Images surfaced in his mind.
A child standing in an alley.
Gunshots.
His parents collapsing.
A vow formed in darkness.
Years of relentless training followed. Traveling across the world, mastering combat, discipline, strategy.
By day, he was a careless billionaire.
By night, he became fear itself.
His justice was absolute, yet never blind.
He understood the world was not divided into pure black and white.
There were always gray areas.
"One person's strength…" Aiden Cross said calmly, "…has limits."
"But a team changes everything."
That sentence struck deeper than expected.
Because this time—
Batman had failed.
If he had allies, the outcome would have been different.
"…Alright."
He exhaled slowly.
"I'll join."
"Good."
"But I have one condition."
"Go ahead."
"I stay in Gotham. Unless it's a major mission."
"Accepted."
Aiden Cross didn't hesitate.
He understood.
Some heroes weren't meant to leave their cities. They were guardians of specific territories.
"Then we're done."
With a flick of his fingers, Aiden Cross sent something sliding across the table.
A bracelet.
Batman caught it effortlessly.
The Hero Alliance Member Bracelet.
The moment he put it on, it adjusted itself instantly, fitting perfectly against his wrist.
Then—
Information flooded into his mind.
Energy points.
Enhancement systems.
Upgrade paths.
"…Incredible."
For the first time, Batman saw a path clearly laid out before him.
A way to break past human limits.
"…This changes everything."
Before he could process further—
"Beep—"
A mechanical voice echoed through the room.
"Tony Stark, Peter Parker, and one unidentified individual—requesting entry."
"Approve?"
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx