Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 78: Ch.77 Observation

"This is not some prank, but a carefully calculated optimal solution based on rational analysis." Su Ming patted Barry's shoulder, causing Barry to stumble slightly, forcing him to grab onto the trees in the rainforest to maintain his balance.

"Umm, I don't know... they're not good people, right?" Barry scratched his temple, feeling a bit confused.

Su Ming patted him again, his tone becoming slightly serious. "To avoid drawing Barbatos' attention to Earth -11, we can't create too much of a commotion. Those two might be scumbags, but they are the only ones who can stabilize the world's armies right now."

"I support your approach," Bryce said as she reached a cliffside, pulling aside some vines and plants to reveal a small cave. "Our top priority now is to stay as hidden as possible."

"Time is short. We don't have the luxury of installing some benevolent ruler," Su Ming said as he patted Barry on the shoulder and walked into the cave. "What we're doing now, since it doesn't directly threaten their lives, is still within Olympus' tolerance. In fact, promoting unity between the Amazons and Atlanteans is something they might even welcome. If you want to replace the rulers of this world, the entire Olympian pantheon would become our enemies."

Bryce nodded in agreement as she followed them inside. "That's true. In this world, the gods exist. Whether the Amazons or the Atlanteans win, they still worship either Zeus or Poseidon, remaining under the gods' control. That's why they've always been observers."

"But if you try to let anyone else seize control of this world, the Olympian gods will undoubtedly unite against us. I'm not confident we can silently eliminate millions of soldiers and a group of gods."

Su Ming smiled and shook his head. He knew Barry hoped the people here could live better lives in the future, but in the original story, these people were supposed to be entirely wiped out. Under his plan, if they could survive, what more could they ask for?

"As long as Earth endures, there's always hope," Bryce said, pulling up her cloak to cover the entrance.

She had previously set up this place, arranging simple micro-surveillance devices, lighting equipment, and some grass mats for rest.

However, all the lights were shaped like bats, casting a bat-shaped glow, which made it somewhat amusing.

Barry was curiously looking around the cave, feeling the walls and exploring. He seemed fascinated by the geology of the place, trying to understand the origins of Dinosaur Island. Meanwhile, Su Ming and Bryce huddled around the monitors, watching the two captives in the hut.

Inside the dimly lit hut, sunlight filtered through the cracks in the tree bark and leaves. The Sea Queen and Dane were curled up on the ground, gasping for breath.

Su Ming's punch wasn't that heavy. He only needed to knock them down so he could leave.

But they had never been without their divine power. This was the first time they had felt like this. Normally, even if they were cut a few times, they wouldn't feel pain. But now, just from taking a punch, they felt like they were about to vomit up their stomach acid.

Pain, an unprecedented pain, spread throughout their bodies. They clawed at the sand on the ground, struggling but still unable to stand up straight.

"Did you hit them too hard?" Bryce asked, watching the screen and hearing the painful groans through the receiver, turning to Su Ming.

"No, I think it's just right. Let them experience the pain of being human," Su Ming said nonchalantly as he drew the Sword of Ares, lifting his shirt slightly to gently wipe the blade.

These people, blessed with extraordinary abilities, actually had a lower tolerance for pain than ordinary humans. Even if Batgirl took a punch like that, she could still fly around the city as if nothing had happened. But these demigods, without their divine power, couldn't even stand up.

This unprecedented experience would only deepen their fear.

Bryce nodded slightly, accepting Su Ming's explanation. They continued to watch the surveillance feed from the hut.

The Sea Queen turned over to face down, finally managing to crawl up on all fours. She was covered in yellow sand but could only lean against the wall, clutching her stomach as she panted.

Dane was slightly better off. Despite his effeminate demeanor, he had undergone rigorous military training from the Amazons. Though it was his first time experiencing such pain, he was adapting a bit faster.

"Heh, pfft," he said, leaning against the wall, gasping for air, his lungs burning. "Fish-head, look what your people have done."

The Sea Queen glared at him. What did he mean, her people?

"Clay-doll, who are you talking about?!"

Dane turned around, leaning against the wall, his eyes full of contempt. "If it weren't for you constantly building up your military, rebelling against our rule, how could their plan have succeeded?"

The Sea Queen, also leaning against the wall, slowly moved closer to Dane. "Nonsense. If it weren't for you polluting the oceans and slaughtering marine life, the Atlanteans wouldn't have opposed you. We can't live on land for long."

"Why didn't you surrender earlier? Don't you eat small fish too? Hypocrites." Dane sneered. He rarely ate fish; he hated the bones.

"Humph, Atlanteans are naturally superior to fish. Eating fish is no problem. But fish are more noble than you Amazons, who are nothing but clay dolls molded by Zeus," the Sea Queen retorted, exposing the Amazon's origins.

"And what about you? Poseidon's lapdogs. I heard he turned you into fish. Did your intelligence become fish-like too?" Dane wasn't to be outdone, revealing the dark history of the Atlanteans.

Su Ming calmly wiped his sword, looking up at the blade's tip. He swung it a few times to test the weapon's balance and chatted with Bryce beside him. "Don't they know in your world that Zeus and Poseidon are brothers?"

"They do, but they refuse to acknowledge it. The gods' disputes have trickled down to them, while the gods just watch them fight," Bryce said, sitting on a rock with her arms crossed, eyes fixed on the phone screen serving as a monitor.

On the screen, the two were already grappling with each other. But without their divine power and wearing the Medusa bracelets, they were too weak, looking like children play-fighting.

Neither could hurt the other. They were just rolling around on the floor.

"Progress is good. When they realize they can't hurt each other, they'll start looking for ways to coexist," Su Ming said, sheathing the Sword of Ares. He then took out Dane's headband from his backpack and handed it to Bryce. "This is for you—the Starlight Diadem, a symbol of Amazonian royalty. You'll know how to use it when the time comes."

"Let's hope that day never comes. I'll keep it safe." Bryce didn't refuse. These two were indeed trouble. If things deteriorated in the future, she could use this as a Plan B.

Su Ming was just dividing the spoils fairly, giving each one a piece of the divine gear. Whether Bryce used it or not was up to her. "If you can find a way to integrate divine blood, I think you'd make a good ruler of this world."

Bryce: "..."

She had no interest in ruling the world. Hearing Su Ming's words, she remained expressionless.