I'm doing bidirectional science popularization in American comics

Edward Nigma leaned back in the back seat of the taxi, looking somewhat lost.

He himself sneaked into Arkham Asylum for fun.

Yes, nobody bothered to arrest him!

As an archivist for the Gotham City Police Department, Edward was already tired of his uninspired job and the sarcastic remarks from his colleagues.

Just because I like riddles, those guys go to great lengths to mock me.

This also led Edward to awaken his second personality, a personality with exceptional intelligence who was passionate about crime and liked to leave clues at crime scenes.

Edward usually refers to him as... the Mysterious Great Sage.

In Gotham Police Department records, this guy who likes to leave evidence and question marks at crime scenes is more commonly known as the Riddler.

When the Mysterious Great Sage's personality controlled Edward to enter Arkham Asylum without permission, he was surprised to find that he seemed unable to escape.

The dean named Joseph seemed to be in a similar situation to himself, both possessing two personalities.

Furthermore, Joseph's Joker personality is quite similar to his own, but even more insane and terrifying.

This is why Edward was never able to escape Arkham Asylum.

After all, the Joker is still too much of a threat.

One wrong move and I could be killed by this madman in the asylum.

Until a few days ago, he finally left Arkham Asylum with the help of a mysterious person.

The moment Edward returned home after leaving the mental hospital, he said to his Mysterious Demon personality, "Don't cause any more trouble for me. I just want to live my life peacefully, understand?"

In the mirror, the Mysterious Great Sage revealed a wicked smile and said, "Alright, if that's really what you think, then please let me commit this crime one last time, just once."

Just once?

Just once!

"Fine, after you've done something bad tomorrow, don't bother me again!"

"A word is settled!"

Fortunately, he had been wearing that human face mask to change his appearance.

Therefore, even now, no one knows the Riddler's true identity: Edward Nigma, the Gotham City Police Department archivist who disappeared two months ago.

Edward was starting to feel a headache coming on as he pondered how to explain his two-month disappearance to Chief James Gordon.

Information is also trending; have you gone on a trip?

Why didn't you ask for leave in advance?

After getting married, did you go on your honeymoon?

But he didn't have a wife at all!

Are you sick and have been hospitalized?

Why don't you just apply for sick leave subsidies?

"This is a real headache. James isn't some idiot who can be easily fooled!"

Edward muttered to himself, but suddenly realized that the taxi was heading in a direction that didn't seem to be his home!

"Where are you heading?" Edward asked angrily. "This doesn't seem to be the direction I specified. Don't tell me this is a shortcut. I'm a native of Gotham City!"

Upon hearing this, the driver chuckled and said, "I'm sorry, sir, unlike you, I'm not a native of Gotham, and I'm not familiar with these streets at all."

"You're driving a taxi if you don't know the area? Stop the car right now, I need to switch to a taxi driven by a local driver!"

Edward pounded on the car window and shouted.

But the other party not only did not stop the car, but also locked the car doors from the inside.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Edward Nigma, I can’t let you out of the car right now. And please be quiet.”

"See me? Then why not let that son of a bitch come himself!" Edward said, then asked suspiciously, "How do you know my name?"

The driver chuckled and said, "I not only know your name, but I also know your true identity... the Riddler!"

Upon hearing the words "Riddler," Edward didn't show any panic. Instead, he sneered, "I think you can call me the Great Sage of Riddles!"

"Almost there, we're almost there. I'm sure you won't refuse our boss's invitation." The driver said, stepping on the gas as he drove toward a hotel in downtown Gotham City.

Edward remained silent, watching the taxi drive away from the city center, then circle back, somewhat speechless.

"Perhaps, I am destined never to go back to my previous life."

In the hotel room, Edward looked at the burly man who was over two meters tall in front of him and couldn't help but feel a toothache.

"Were you raised on hormones? How come you're so tall and strong!"

Upon hearing this, Bain smiled and said, "I wasn't born this way. I only acquired such a powerful physique after undergoing trials and tribulations that are unimaginable to ordinary people."

Edward didn't seem too interested in this and asked bluntly, "Why did you have that skinny monkey bring me here? Or rather... why did you rescue us from Arkham Asylum?"

“What a clever man,” Bane said. “I need you to deplete Batman’s power so that I can destroy him completely without lifting a finger.”

"You want to attack Batman?" Edward asked in shock.

Batman is the ultimate nightmare for all the criminals in Gotham City.

It is the source of fear for all villains!

And now, this man in the black mask is saying he wants to completely destroy Batman!

This is something that even Edward, or rather, the Great Sage Riddler, wouldn't dare to imagine.

After all, Batman's strength and intelligence make him a formidable opponent.

Edward would never do something so self-destructive before his thoughts were completely integrated with the madman, the Great Sage of the Mysterious Sky!

But now...

If this man can save himself from Arkham Asylum, does that mean he also possesses the power to destroy Batman?

Although he might not be able to manage alone, he could manage with the guys in front of him and the other lunatics from Arkham Asylum.

If everyone works together, we might actually be able to catch the bat!

“So, what is your answer?” Bain asked.

With this in mind, Edward extended his hand without hesitation and said, "It's a pleasure to do business with you!"

Chapter 256 The Riddler? Isn't that so-and-so?

"By the way, I still don't know your name or where you're from."

Edward, dressed in a hospital gown, lay in bed and spoke to Bane, who was holding GL11 Venom beside him.

Upon hearing this, Bain poured the liquid in his hand into the syringe. "My name is Bain, and I come from the Republic of Saint Priscilla."

“San Priscilla?” Edward recalled. “I seem to have heard of this place. Apparently, there was a coup d’état many years ago.”

Upon hearing this, Bane said with some surprise, "I never expected you to know these things. You truly are one of the smartest guys in Gotham."

Hearing Bane's compliment, Edward didn't show any smugness. Instead, he said with considerable displeasure, "No! I'm the smartest guy in Gotham City, bar none!"

"You're right."

Bane didn't bother to argue, and instead plunged the syringe needle containing GL11 venom into Edward's wrist.

Soon, the green potion was completely injected into Edward's body.

GL11 Venom reacted swiftly and violently, and Edward soon began to lose consciousness and went into shock.

Seeing this, the zombie asked, "Was the dosage a bit too high? This guy won't die right away, will he?"

Bain tossed the syringe into the trash can, saying nonchalantly, "So what if he's dead? Consider it a failed experiment. To be honest, I had no hope that this guy could withstand the venom."

Upon hearing this, the zombie immediately understood that Bane didn't care about the Riddler or Arkham Asylum at all; all he cared about was how to kill Batman.

If the Riddler can withstand GL11 Venom, then his side will gain a powerful ally.

It's like adding icing on the cake.

If the riddle-maker can't hold on... then there's no real loss, since he's not one of our own.

But just as Bain finished speaking, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck.

"What did you just say?"

Edward, who had gotten up at some point, was now holding a scalpel against Bane's neck, his expression mocking.

His physique had become even stronger than before, his muscles almost bursting out of his shirt.

Before Bane could speak, the zombie couldn't help but say, "Put down the knife! Do you know what you're doing?"

Upon hearing this, Edward scratched his head and said, "To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. I just feel incredibly excited, as if I can control everything! Most importantly, it seems like someone was just talking badly about me."

"Hahahahaha!"

With a sharp scalpel pressed against his neck, Bain showed no anger; instead, he laughed heartily.

"It seems I was wrong, Riddler. You are indeed a powerful ally."

Bane crumpled the scalpel at his neck, then turned to Edward and said, "Let's turn Gotham upside down, and then... completely destroy Batman!"

Seeing this, Edward squatted blankly on the bed.

After a moment of silence, he threw away the scalpel that had shrunk to a ball, then said with a bright smile, "This is truly... something that makes me tremble with excitement!"

After Edward finished speaking, he started running around the room like a giant, muscular cat.

It wasn't until half an hour later that he completely calmed down.

Edward changed into clothes that better suited his current figure from Bane's, and calmly asked, "By the way... is that thing you injected me with permanent or temporary?"

“I didn’t think you were that cautious.” Bane handed Edward a briefcase and said, “There are twenty vials of venom in here. I think you’ll need to inject one every twelve hours.”

Edward took the briefcase and nodded, "So that means this thing is only effective for twelve hours. Then... does it have any side effects?"

Bain said, “If you don’t give yourself one in twelve hours, you’ll become weaker than usual until you get another dose. Also, if you inject more than one dose at once, you’ll gain even greater power, but it will make you lose your mind and go crazy. I think you’d better not push yourself to that point.”

"Lost your mind? Go insane?" Edward said dismissively. "Then even if I die, I won't inject more than one dose. After all, compared to physical strength, I still think my brain is more useful."

The riddler's arrogance and pride in his intelligence are fully displayed in this short dialogue.