Screams echoed through the air as people fled in terror. Bruce Wayne caught sight of the Joker just as he was about to intervene—when a voice stopped him.
"Hey there, Mr. Bruce Wayne. We might need a bit of your money," Harley Quinn said, leveling her gun at him. The pair had come to rob a bank, but stumbling upon Bruce Wayne was an unexpected bonus. He might no longer be the richest man in the city, but he was still incredibly wealthy—too good a hostage to pass up.
Bruce slowly raised his hands in surrender.
"Out of the car," Harley ordered impatiently. "We need a vehicle to move the cash."
Obediently, Bruce stepped down, standing aside as he quietly assessed the situation and considered his next move.
Then, a dark figure dropped from the sky.
Colin's arrival was impossible to miss—he crashed down like a cannonball, the impact splitting the air with a thunderous boom that declared the coming of the world's true master.
Harley, who had been about to start the engine, froze. Then, muttering under her breath, she climbed out, smoothed her skirt, and flashed a dazzling smile.
"Hi there, Mr. Superman! I got this car ready just for you. Pretty slick, huh? Perfect for picking up girls and heading straight to a hotel tonight." Her words spilled out in a fast, teasing rhythm. When Colin didn't respond, she went on, voice dripping with mischief. "Of course, if you'd rather date me, that's fine too. I don't like you, but hey—I can't really resist you. I'll just endure it, looking all humiliated while you have your fun."
Bruce found himself staring—Harley Quinn, obedient? That was new.
If it were Clark standing there, she'd already be firing shots. But before Colin, she acted like a docile pet. Could there be something strange between them?
"Don't get the wrong idea," Colin said sharply, rubbing his temple. Truthfully, he still wasn't comfortable getting too close to anyone. Ever since his vision had shown him every flaw and impurity beneath human skin, intimacy had been… revolting. Even now, though he'd dialed his vision down to a normal level, the thought of physical closeness still made his skin crawl.
But Harley just leaned forward against the car hood, sticking her hips up playfully. "If you really want me, Mr. Superman, and I can't fight back, then… go ahead~. Though, uh, my dear puddin' over there's watching. Bit embarrassing, huh?"
She glanced coyly toward the Joker.
Colin sighed, massaging his forehead. "Enough. Both of you—get yourselves to prison. Now."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Superman." Harley raised her hands and marched toward the approaching police.
The Joker followed suit, smirking. As long as they didn't die, prison was just a temporary inconvenience.
Bruce watched silently as the two were cuffed. Only when they were escorted away did he speak.
"I know how you work. Whatever you want, name your price—if I can afford it, it's yours."
Colin looked at him. Even if he took all of Bruce's fortune, the man would probably earn it back in no time.
"I don't think I'm short on money," he said lightly. "But if you're that eager to pay, then use it to help people who need it."
If Bruce Wayne invested in the poor, those people might grow, succeed, and—unknowingly—generate value for Colin. Either way, he would never lose.
"Why refuse the money?" Bruce asked, frowning. "I thought you charged for every favor."
Colin smiled faintly. "Everything in this world already has a price tag."
Everything already has a price tag?
Bruce pondered those words deeply.
Seeing his thoughtful expression, Colin added, "Sometimes helping others feels good, you know? And even if I took all your wealth, what would it matter? If I wanted riches—or beauty—they'd come to me on their own."
After a short exchange, the two went their separate ways. Bruce later documented every word Colin had said and compared it to the man's past actions, studying the differences between those he helped for free and those he charged.
The pattern was unmistakable.
Those Colin helped for free treated him like a divine being. They were devoutly grateful, worked harder, and often went on to help others.
Those who paid, however, resented him bitterly. Their lives grew harsher, consumed by anger and envy.
Colin charged according to people's attitudes toward him—those respectful or sincere were often spared, while the arrogant and corrupt paid everything and suffered for it.
A capricious, unpredictable god—that's what he was.
For the first time, Bruce's perception of Colin shifted. The man wasn't entirely evil.
Still, the fact that he stood above the law didn't sit right with him. Crime, Bruce believed, should be judged by justice, not one man's whim.
Yet Colin's words echoed in his mind—everything already has a price tag.
That implied there was something deeper—a system at play. If helping others benefitted Colin, then perhaps…
Bruce's eyes narrowed. The Joker and Harley Quinn—they must know something.
He had to find them.
That Night
Batman moved swiftly across Gotham's rooftops, cape fluttering in the wind. He soon cornered the Joker and Harley Quinn, who had already escaped from prison.
"What do you know about the Superman—Colin?" he demanded.
The Joker only laughed, mocking him before lunging into combat. Harley joined in, but neither stood a chance against Batman's gear and skill.
Within minutes, the Joker abandoned her and fled.
"Don't leave me, puddin'!" Harley screamed, betrayed and furious.
"Ha-ha-ha! If you love me, hold him off! I'll come back for you!" the Joker shouted as he vanished into the night. Of course, he wouldn't return.
Harley's anger turned to giddy devotion. "I'll wait for you, puddin'!" she cried, blowing kisses after him.
"Talk!" Batman barked, tightening his grip. "What do you know about Colin?"
"Ow—okay, okay!" Harley squealed. "It's obvious, isn't it? The real ruler of this world is that Silent God Superman, Colin. We've done the research. It's the only conclusion that fits!"
Bruce murmured, "So that's how it is…"
"Smart of them," Colin said softly, reclining in his villa as Monica's hands worked gently across his shoulders. He had given them just enough clues to piece things together.
Maybe I shouldn't have made it that easy, he mused.
Monica didn't respond. She was used to Colin talking to himself—it usually meant he was lost in thought. Her hands traced the lines of his back, admiring the sheer perfection of his physique. For her, it was the ideal form.
She'd only recently begun learning massage. When Colin once mentioned wanting to get one, she'd taken it upon herself to study. Whenever she had spare time, she practiced diligently—and now, her skill was finally good enough to be confident.
She didn't mind massaging him. In fact, she enjoyed it. How could she not, when the man before her had such a flawless body?
Still, her thoughts began to drift. What if I took things a step further…?
The idea flickered briefly—then she pushed it away. She wasn't going to gamble on something like that.
If Colin ever came to like her, that would be wonderful. If not, she'd still be fine—she was making good money every month.
Still… the work was tiring. Maybe she needed an assistant.
END OF CHAPTER
TL NOTE: IM GOING TO CHANGED THE "black-haired Superman" TO "Silent God Superman" BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE CORRECT — IT'S WEIRD CUS THEY BOTH HAVE BLACK HAIR BRUH. HAHAHAH ANYWAY THANKYOU GUYS FOR THE SUPPORT HOPE U GUYS ENJOY THE STORY SO FAR. I'M GONNA APPRECIATE IF U LEAVE A REVIEW AND "ADD TO LIBRARY"