Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5672 - 4696: Deadly Escape (29)

"What is this?" Harley pulled out a strip of cloth from the edge of the door gap, evidently torn from a piece of clothing. Though written in blood, the handwriting suggested it wasn’t drawn by a finger but rather etched with a sharp object dipped in the crimson liquid.

A significant distinction exists between the two methods; finger-painting results in larger, broader strokes, whereas a pointed instrument allows for numerous words to be inscribed within a confined space. The writing on this particular cloth mirrored the latter, indicating the author had meticulously considered their message.

"You haven’t traveled back in time. This is simply a locked-room kidnapping scenario. I can hear movement within the walls, and the mechanisms are powered by modern energy sources."

Even rendered in English, the message was brief, yet the cloth was exceedingly small. It was filled to capacity, with certain sections smudged and difficult to decipher, even when written with a blood-dipped stylus.

Pamela leaned in for a closer look and then remarked, "We are already aware of the first two points."

"Precisely. However, not everyone possesses our level of vigilance," Harley countered. "Some might have been startled without realizing it, let alone detecting anything peculiar about the torches. This message could be intended to alert the average individual. It underscores the caution of the person who left it, as a misjudgment of the era could lead to disastrous outcomes."

Pamela let out a chuckle and commented, "Indeed. To stand before the mastermind and believe you’re confronting a medieval knight, only to face modern security personnel fully armed, that’s a scene straight out of a Chaplin comedy."

"In that case, the final two points should prove useful as well," Harley deduced. "I suspect it presents two potential strategies: either devise a method to apprehend the individuals within the walls or find a way to sever the power supply."

"Which approach do you deem more effective?" Pamela mused, her brow furrowed. "I would still favor the latter. Neither of us is Batman; our hand-to-hand combat skills are not particularly exceptional, and furthermore, the individuals within might be armed. The inherent risks in confronting them directly are simply too substantial."

Harley nodded in agreement. "Quite so. Had they not alluded to the initial two points, subsequent individuals might have been more inclined towards the first option. Alternatively, perhaps some unfortunate souls have already miscalculated the era, engaged with the personnel, and met a grim fate."

"It merely highlights the deceptive nature of the decor," Pamela sighed. "Without actual medieval inhabitants present, the sight of such dungeons certainly evokes a sense of the bygone era. One might even imagine they had journeyed back in time, prepared for a medieval adventure."

"However, disabling the power source is hardly a simple undertaking," Harley countered, her expression clouding. "Firstly, we observed no exposed wiring. The orchestrator behind this elaborate locked-room scenario would undoubtedly have employed a competent electrician. Moreover, merely severing one or two conduits would be insufficient; how can we guarantee a complete power disruption to the confined space?"

"Hold on, do you recall?" Pamela interjected suddenly. "You once peered through a small aperture at a junction and glimpsed someone below."

"Naturally, but the opening was too minuscule to ascertain their identity, and they departed swiftly."

"What do you surmise they were engaged in?"

"Likely engaged in equipment maintenance," Harley surmised. "Based on their location, it should be in proximity to the balance mechanism. Although I couldn't observe their specific actions, they were undoubtedly occupied. We have already progressed beyond that stage; there’s no necessity to tamper with the balance unless the mechanism itself is malfunctioning."

"Correct, they were undertaking repairs. Is it feasible to mend a metallic mechanism without cutting off the power supply?"

"But the torch illumination remained functional..."

"You clearly lack sufficient experience in laboratory environments," Pamela stated matter-of-factly. "The electrical supply for critical apparatus and the lighting grid are typically independent. Disrupting power to the equipment would not affect the illumination. Otherwise, in the event of an experimental mishap, if cutting the power also extinguished the lights, how would one effect an escape?"

"That makes sense. Therefore, damaging essential mechanical equipment would compel them to interrupt the power for repairs?" Harley’s eyes brightened with realization.

At this juncture, a shared glance passed between the two, and a prudent silence ensued. After all, a confined space of this magnitude was undoubtedly outfitted with surveillance cameras; it would be wisest to refrain from openly discussing their emergent strategy.

Batman directed his gaze upward towards the ceiling, and Superman followed suit. Superman inquired, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Batman replied evasively. He had evidently perceived something but elected not to divulge it. Just as Superman was about to press further, Batman offered a subtle look, and Superman immediately understood.

Batman must have uncovered some sort of clue, but out of concern for potential surveillance, he chose not to elaborate further. Superman, naturally showing his support for Batman, inquired with concern, "Is your dizziness improving?"

"I'm quite alright now," Batman responded. He then took hold of Superman's arm, discreetly using his fingers to etch words onto Superman's palm.

"A code?" Superman deciphered the message Batman was writing. His gaze drifted back to the ceiling, where he observed peculiar marks on specific bricks, suggesting something had been lodged there.

Superman immediately surmised that this was a cipher Batman had deciphered. He was curious about the code's content, but understood that conveying it through this method was tedious, especially given Batman's current weakened state; it wasn't worth the expenditure of energy.

Withdrawing his hand, Superman offered Batman a reassuring nod. Batman returned the gesture, his attention then shifting to the cage situated in the room's center.

The cage was a rectangular structure, approximately two meters in height, with a width only slightly larger than a grown man's shoulders. It hung suspended a half-meter above the floor, secured by an iron chain anchored to the ceiling. This height made it easily accessible to step onto. The top and all four sides were constructed from open iron bars, and a solid board formed the base.

The cage door stood ajar, implying an intended occupant, though the subsequent events remained uncertain. Batman made several circuits around the cage before directing his gaze upward towards the wall, appearing to have grasped a significant lead.

Superman followed Batman's line of sight, spotting a drainage fixture at the room's apex. This feature, reminiscent of a previous trial, made its purpose readily apparent.

"Playing with water again?" Superman's brow furrowed. The memory of their previous confinement in the water prison was distinctly unpleasant, and he was disinclined to repeat the experience.

"What could be the connection between the water and this cage?" Batman mused aloud. "This standing cage must serve a specific function. Is it designed to regulate the water level?"

"This level shouldn't be about testing physical strength," Batman continued. "If it were, there would likely be a pulley system on the side: water is released on one end, and someone pulls the cage upward, preventing one's partner from drowning..."

"Hiss...." Superman winced, glancing at Batman. "Don't give them any ideas."

"They shouldn't employ the same tactic twice," Batman countered. "Besides, this chamber doesn't appear to be operating under a time limit..."

"Yet, we should still expedite our efforts. Have you forgotten about the balance games? While that particular challenge wasn't favorable to the initial participants, the dynamics might shift later. It's prudent to proceed with haste."

"That's precisely their intention. Through the balance game, they've communicated to us: one may pause, but it's best to maintain a long-term perspective. Impatience will drive us forward relentlessly, and the more we rush, the less progress we'll ultimately make."

Batman's focus remained fixed on the cage. Within the room, apart from the cage itself, no other mechanisms were apparent. It seemed as if the occupant of the cage was the sole participant, while the other individual appeared to have no assigned role.

However, this was not the case; for if the water were to drain, the other person would be able to swim. But to what end, and for what purpose?

The cage, elevated half a meter from the floor, coupled with its internal height of 1.8 meters, created a combined height exceeding two meters. The rate at which water drained from the outlet was uncertain, but reaching a level over two meters would undoubtedly require a significant duration. During this time, the other individual would be compelled to act. Otherwise, upon submersion, the countdown to survival would commence.

After an extended period of searching, no definitive clues emerged. Batman paused in contemplation before stating, "It appears this situation necessitates our improvisational abilities."

"But how do we determine who enters the cage if we're unaware of how the mechanism operates?"

"It's straightforward: the one with the smaller physique enters," Batman declared. "A smaller frame allows for more clearance within the cage; if one is sufficiently short, they might even be able to float with the rising water and prolong their survival."

"Indeed," Superman concurred, adding, "Then you should go in."

Batman offered no argument, as his build was indeed less substantial than Superman's. Yet, he refrained from voicing his additional thought: confinement within the cage did not necessarily equate to a period of rest. Given that the challenge wasn't purely physical, additional tasks might await the individual remaining stationary.

Batman stepped inside the cage. To his astonishment, the structure was remarkably light; his mere entry caused it to sway for an extended duration. A vague sense of disquiet settled upon Batman.

Once he was inside, Superman paused, contemplating whether he should secure the door.

If the door remained unlatched, the challenge might not initiate. Batman offered a nod, and Superman proceeded to close the door.

In the subsequent instant, the water outlet commenced draining. Batman turned to observe the outlet, his hands instinctively gripping the cage bars. The very next second, a cry of pain escaped him; his entire body tensed rigidly before he dared to move again.

Even Batman couldn't suppress an expletive; the architect of this trial was utterly unscrupulous, having rigged the cage with electricity!

Fortuitously, the platform beneath their feet provided insulation; escaping the electrifying sensation, however, would soon become a secondary concern. Batman soon discerned a more perilous issue: if the rising water reached them, both he and Superman would face electrocution.

"Batman, are you alright?!" Superman's voice, laced with worry, prompted him to move closer. "Don't come any nearer! The cage is electrified; stay away!" Batman's urgent warning cut through the air.

He then observed the rate at which the water level ascended. It wasn't rapid, taking dozens of seconds to rise half a meter. Should a solution elude him within that timeframe, their window for action would shrink drastically. Superman would then be forced to operate under a constant threat of shock, where any misstep could spell their demise. Swift action was paramount to ensure sufficient time for subsequent maneuvers.

This particular challenge lacked intricate riddles. The walls and floor remained bare, while the ceiling bore markings that Batman dismissed as the work of other participants rather than official clues, thus they could be disregarded. The contraption's simplicity was deceiving; many would find themselves lost, scrutinizing every detail for hints that weren't there.

Yet, guided by scant evidence and a well-honed intuition, Batman deduced the puzzle's core element—the cage.

The room contained only a cage, which naturally became the focal point. The crucial detail, however, was its suspension from the ceiling, rather than being grounded on a platform.

While a suspended cage might seem logical, the presence of a supporting board underneath made a floor-based platform a feasible, even simpler, alternative.

The chains suspending the cage from above were intended to grant greater maneuverability within the room, not within the cage itself. This created a larger operational space relative to the cage's position.

Batman's gaze lifted, fixating on the chain attachments. A faint outline of a circular iron plate was discernible, though its height obscured a clear view. "Clark, can you discern anything on that disk?" Batman inquired.

Superman directed his gaze upward towards Batman's indicated point, but the sheer height and dim overhead illumination rendered the surface inscrutable.

"I see," Batman declared. "We'll have to wait for the water to rise for you to swim up and investigate. However, that seems rather inefficient; perhaps we can attempt a different approach."

"What approach?" Superman asked, his tone urgent.

"The Exhaustion Method."