Chapter 65: System Privilege Elevation

Bruce Banner was more defensive than Adam Wayne had anticipated.

His aggressive demeanor and sarcastic tone were impossible to miss, even through Adam’s armor. But given what Banner had just endured, Adam wasn’t surprised. Growing up in the harsh slums of Gotham, Adam understood how trauma shaped people, and Bruce Banner was no exception.

“Dr. Banner,” Adam said patiently, “I know you don’t trust me right now. But believe me, I truly want to help.”

Banner’s eyes narrowed, his smirk growing more cynical. “Oh, really? And why would you want to help me? We’re not exactly family. Are you some angel sent by God?”

Adam sighed, his irritation barely held in check. He could see why Tony Stark and Banner got along—they were two sides of the same coin. Both geniuses, but both also insufferably sarcastic. If Adam didn’t need Banner, he would have left him to stew in his misery.

“Fine,” Adam said with a resigned shrug. “Think what you want. I won’t waste my breath explaining. But remember this: my name is Adam Wayne. If you ever need help, I’ll be watching.”

With that, Adam turned and began to walk away, his armored boots crunching against the forest floor.

As he left, Adam couldn’t help but reflect on the encounter.

Dealing with Banner now was too risky. The man was unpredictable, volatile, and his alter ego could emerge at any moment. Adam decided to let time smooth Banner’s rough edges. Someday, when trust was established, they could work together.

Just as Adam relaxed, the familiar chime of his system rang in his mind.

“Contact with plot character detected. Extracting technology…”

The voice faltered, almost like it was glitching.

“Extracting… extracting… ERROR! Unknown data intrusion detected!”

Adam’s heart skipped a beat. The system was his lifeline, his most precious tool. If it crashed now, he didn’t know what he’d do.

“System!” Adam barked. “What’s going on?”

“Emergency countermeasures activated. Psionic void engine temporarily engaged. Host, authorize immediate response!”

“Authorize! Do whatever it takes!”

The system sprang into action.

“Authorization confirmed. Psionic disintegration weapon charging… target locked… extradimensional interference initiating… strike execution underway.”

Meanwhile, across the universe, something ancient stirred.

In the Depths of the Universe

A blue crystalline beam shot through countless dimensions, shattering cosmic barriers as it homed in on its target.

The beam struck a forbidden realm at the edge of existence, a place known to the five great cosmic entities as Hell. At its center was an ancient being—an indescribable entity of madness and chaos known as OBA.

This realm, sealed by the marks of Eternity, Death, and other gods, had never been breached. But the beam passed through the seals as if they didn’t exist, piercing directly into OBA’s essence.

“No!” OBA’s voice echoed in despair as the crystalline energy consumed it, shattering its form into countless fragments. The once-indomitable entity was reduced to a shadow of its former self, its regeneration now a slow and agonizing process.

Back on Earth

Adam stood frozen, his mind racing as the system continued its relentless notifications.

“Target neutralized. Emergency countermeasures disengaged. System reboot complete.”

“Congratulations, Host! System privileges elevated to Inspector level.”

A new menu appeared in Adam’s mind.

“Inspector privileges unlocked. Select one reward from the following options:”

1. General knowledge of nuclear physics for a Type I civilization.

2. Gamma strengthening potion.

3. Universal knowledge of civilized creatures.

The system’s voice added, “Choose carefully. Options cannot be changed once selected.”

Adam’s excitement skyrocketed. Privilege escalation? This was a dream come true.

He didn’t even hesitate. “Gamma strengthening potion!”

With Hulk’s raw power at his fingertips, he could reshape the battlefield, crush his enemies, and protect Gotham like never before. Why waste time on theory when he could claim the ultimate weapon of brute strength?

The system acknowledged his choice.

“Gamma strengthening potion selected. Item delivered to the inventory.”

As Adam processed his windfall, he couldn’t help but grin. The future was looking brighter than ever.

“If strength is power, then I’m about to become unstoppable,” Adam muttered, his grin widening.

And deep within him, a new plan began to form—a plan that would shape the destiny of not just Gotham, but the entire world.?