"There's no difference between gods and humans, only a disparity in power," Axel said. "Even God, that old geezer, has his own perspective, his own destiny, his own worries and plans. Aside from knowing more and being infinitely powerful, he's no different from an ordinary person. And watch this—I can contact Him right now."
He stuck his middle finger at the sky through the car window, voice dripping with arrogance. "If you're truly omniscient and omnipotent, then the moment I appeared, you should have seen my past and my future. I don't claim to be good; I'm a supervillain beyond supervillains. But I'm still standing here. Doesn't that prove I've already received your acceptance—or at least that I'm not your enemy?"
Axel stood up fully, adrenaline and audacity in every movement, and shouted at the sky. "Jehovah, look at me! Prove your existence!"
Crack!
A bolt of lightning tore through the Sky Rail carriage, striking Axel directly.
Selina, hair standing on end, instinctively leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the strike herself. Victor's phone instantly lost signal, and the thunderous blast made him spin toward Axel, who had seemingly been reduced to ashes.
Victor panicked, shouting. "What the hell just happened? Was that some electromagnetic weapon? An assassin? Why was Axel struck by lightning?"
"I don't fucking know!" Selina yelled back, smoothing her frizzy hair. "Maybe he just proved God exists!"
Meanwhile, somewhere in a bathhouse, Axel opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by countless women.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, laughing and spreading his arms. The women gasped at the sight of him. "Girls, stop screaming. No matter how loud you yell, it won't help me. Just tell me where this is."
He clapped his hands loudly. "I've given you a full view. You've seen me head to toe. You've benefited plenty. Now it's your turn. Tell me where I am."
Gradually, the women calmed. One stepped forward, timidly.
"Are you asking for the gym's location… or the city?"
"The city, of course. Even the country. Am I still in America?"
"Yes, you are in America. This is the Crown Fitness Center, 316 Ashford Street, South Central City."
"Perfect," Axel said, nodding. "Central City it is. Seems the world is my playground. I never appear where I don't feel free. But Central City is a bit far. For now, I consider freedom to be within five meters of Selina and Victor. No women, no bald men around—I'm so not free."
Raising his middle finger to the sky, Axel reappeared on the Sky Rail, fully naked. Selina quickly tossed him her coat, which he tied around his waist as he sat casually, waving. Victor approached, still shaken.
"Axel… what just happened?" he asked.
"Didn't you see? God gave me a punch and tossed me across the universe. I teleported billions of times in an instant, traveled through countless corners of existence, and then returned to Central City. He moved me, I moved back. We had a good time playing. But you can't play forever. Once I confirmed I wasn't in Gotham, I had to come back. Couldn't leave you two worrying, could I?"
He draped an arm around the trembling Selina. She bit his chest nervously.
"Are you fucking insane? You knew He exists—how could you provoke Him?!"
Axel smirked. "How do you know I was provoking Him? I've already surpassed rivals. When you reach God-level power, everything becomes a game. Provoking, cursing—it's all fun. Weak people need to prove themselves. True powerhouses enjoy life their way."
He waved twice at the sky. Somehow, a ray of sunlight pierced Gotham's overcast sky, illuminating the Sky Rail carriage.
Victor swallowed hard, dropping to his knees in awe. After a solemn prayer, he returned to Axel's side, voice trembling.
"Axel… if He exists… then Hell…"
Axel patted Victor's shoulder, amused. "Buddy, what's the rush? You'll see Hell soon enough."
Victor groaned, rubbing his bald head. Selina also swallowed hard.
"I've stolen so much… do I… ugh!"
Axel laughed, pulling her closer. "Relax. After you die, I'll talk to Satan and get him to look after you. Maybe you'll even become a succubus."
"You shut up!" Selina swatted him, then for the first time in her life, seriously prayed.
Axel scoffed. "See? Without people like me, no one would believe in God. Darkness makes light meaningful. I'm basically His collaborator."
He kicked Victor playfully. "Stop bowing. Bowing won't get you into Heaven. You're marked for Hell enough to be a minor demon lord. Now, have you found Diana's information? God can exist all he wants, but that won't feed you or keep you alive. Do your job!"
Victor exhaled and contacted his subordinates. Minutes later, he returned.
"Boss, I found it. Diana Prince arrived in Gotham from London on the first flight this morning. She was invited to a Wayne Group seminar. Over the next few days, many theologians and archaeologists will attend as well."
"Damn it!" Axel cursed. "I knew it. Bruce is actually using theology to deal with me!"
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