The Bowery
He wasn't having a good day or a year, for that matter. Things had been going downhill for Jason Todd since his encounter with the young thief in that damned dark alley.
It's not like things were going smoothly for him before that either, what with Batman being busy tangling with League issues and that damned hussy who called herself Catwoman.
He barely got any time to interact with his father figure, leaving him both anxious to prove himself and in dire need of guidance and companionship.
He turned to the Teen Titans for these comforts, but his complicated relationship with the former Robin that with his own angst and anger issues, caused the teenage heroes to alienate him.
Batman noticed his blight and entrusted him with tracking down and investigating the Sionis crime family, another name Black Mask's gang. The caped crusader suspected they were up to something, giving the young Robin an assignment to keep himself busy and prove himself.
The assignment also served to train Jason's lacking ability as a detective.
And although Jason struggled at first, he still managed to find a lead after some effort, but all of his hard work instantly evaporated because of a single dumb decision made by a young thief.
Still, Jason couldn't bring himself to hate the young thief or be angry at him, for that matter.
The young Robin knew what it's like to have to resort to thievery to feed himself in a city like Gotham. He had experienced such hardships for himself before Bruce Wayne took him and inducted him into the crusade against Gotham's crime.
However, Jason couldn't accept the lack of reaction his father figure had displayed at his failure, even though it came as a result of circumstance, not incompetence.
It felt like Bruce was giving up on him, leaving him only more anxious to prove himself, and that's what he was trying to do right now. He managed to track down a rogue member of the Intergang into a meeting with the Black Mask gang and was keeping an eye on the place while listening to the bugs he'd planted in the restaurant earlier.
So it was reasonably understandable that Jason wanted nothing more than to beat the bastard who burst into the meeting spot and ruined everything within an inch of his life.
However, he couldn't do even that.
"Sorry, kid, but you'll have to make do with me until my student is done with his business," said a tall, well-built man with ginger, fiery beard and hair, crossing his arms, making Jason grit his teeth in frustration.
Jason didn't mince any words as he charged the man standing in his way, only for the latter effortlessly dodge his assault, picking him up and throwing him back right where he started.
"Damn it! Out of my way!" Robin exclaimed, and threw himself at the man.
...
Inside the restaurant
My eyes widened as I saw the gun pointed straight at my chest, and it didn't take me long to realize the shot would hit. I immediately activated my steel wire.
The wire shot out of my sleeve. It slightly tipped the gun upward a fraction of a second before the gangster fired, making his miss and giving me the chance to jump and dropkick the man into oblivion.
I didn't want to use my wire and would have preferred to keep it a secret for as long as possible, but I wasn't ready to get shot (probably fatally) for that conviction.
I kicked the gun away and jump-stepped back as another gangster came lunging at me with a foldable knife in his hand and a hideous sneer on his face.
I caught the gangster's hand and twisted it back, making him grunt in pain as he let go of the knife. Then I pulled him to the side and punched him in the chin, rattling his brain and knocking him out before hitting the ground.
Superhuman strength sure is handy.
The last gangster and the man hiding behind cover seemed to have realized the situation wasn't to their advantage and decided to flee. The second was even shameless enough to take a black duffle bag that likely had the money.
"BITHC! THAT'S MY MONEY!"
I exclaimed as I started running faster than I had ever run before in both my lifetimes, quickly tackling the shameless bastard. The first punch knocked him out just fine, but I gave him another one because I was pissed.
My momentary distraction made the only remaining gangster reconsider as he decided to reach for the gun I'd kicked away earlier. Luckily, I noticed him taking aim just in time to throw myself away before he fired.
I dodged the first one, but he continued to fire, and I had no cover to hide, so I gritted my teeth and charged the gangster, running in a zigzag and activating my wire as he kept firing.
Maybe it was my enhanced speed, or he was just that bad of a shot, or a mixture of both, but his shots all missed except for one that grazed me in the thigh, making me grunt as I disarmed the thug with my wire and kicked him into a nearby wall.
I let out a drawn breath as I looked around, making sure none of the gangsters was still conscious before my eyes turned to the bloodstain forming below me.
'Things just got complicated...'
I scowled as I took a piece of cloth to patch myself up and stop the bleeding. Then I started hauling the gangsters out of the restaurants, not forgetting to store the duffle bag in my inventory after looking to see if the money was there.
'Now to burn this place to the ground...' I mused as I reentered the restaurant, heading to the kitchen.
I'm not leaving any DNA for Batman or anyone else to track me down.
...
"Looks like my job here is done," Richard said as he looked over his shoulder at the restaurant, seeing the flames and finding no sight of his student.
Robin took advantage of his distraction and kicked at Richard, only for the latter to effortlessly dodge it with minimal movement. Richard moved forward, tripping Robin with his leg and pushing him face-first into the ground.
"Bastard!" Robin exclaimed through gritted teeth as he got up. However, he found no trace of Richard, causing him to start cursing up a storm.
...
'Well... that was easy, almost too easy...'
I mused, my hands tucked into my pockets as I walked back to my apartment. I kept looking over my shoulder most of the way, expecting someone to show up and summon Cthulhu right on top of my head or some other shit.
I had, of course, noticed Richard fighting Robin on top of a roof near the restaurant, and that's why I shamelessly took off without saying anything or bothering to wait for my teacher. He's a bonafide badass martial artist. He'll be fine.
But even with Robin's sudden appearance and getting shot, it felt too easy, and I couldn't help but expect something to pop up and shit all over my day any second.
Not only did I finish the primary quest objective, but I also finished a bonus one, and even my Brawling skill went up by one level.
'No use thinking about it... I'll deal with it if it comes...'
...
The Bowery
"What happened here?" Batman asked as he glided down next to Robin on a rooftop near a burning restaurant, gesturing towards the police officers and firefighters swarming the scene.
"Black Mask's people were meeting a rogue Intergang member," Robin replied, pointing towards the burning restaurant. "A new face crashed the party, beat everyone up, took the cash and the product before burning the place and disappearing," he added, turning the police officers who were cuffing and escorting the thugs into police cars.
Batman didn't say anything and merely sent his sidekick a blank stare that spoke a thousand words.
"I tried to stop him, but this other guy showed up..." Robin said with a shake of his head. "I couldn't do anything about him, the other guy..." he added, clenching his fists in frustration.
"Why didn't you call for backup?" Batman asked, crossing his arms, still showing no emotion.
"And hold you up from your important League business?" Robin replied with a glare, making a quote sign with his hands. His words had other meanings, and they both knew it, but Batman didn't take the bait.
"Even if I was preoccupied, Nightwing and Batgirl weren't," Batman asked, his tone turning slightly harsh.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?!" Robin snapped, gritting his teeth as he regarded his mentor with an angry scowl. "I don't need their help!" he added, harshly waving a hand to the side.
"This has gone long enough," Batman calmly said. "Go home, and until you fix things with Nightwing and are not go out on patrol," he instructed as he turned to leave.
"But I-" Robin objected, only for Batman to cut him off.
"Enough. Go home now," Batman said without bothering to turn around as he kept walking away.
"Don't fucking tell me what to do! You are not my father!" Robin finally couldn't take the disregard and snapped, causing Batman to pause.
The caped crusader turned to his sidekick. However, the latter was already leaving.
Batman hesitated for a few seconds but ultimately decided to give him space.
...
I paused in front of my apartment's door, taking a deep breath as I suspiciously inspected the area one last time before opening the door and walking inside.
'I just fucking knew this day wouldn't end well...'
I froze at the scene waiting for me inside as I regarded the figure sitting on my chair and eating my snacks.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in..."
My eyes twitched, and I felt the urge to turn around and walk away as I saw the shapely, leather-clad figure sitting in my chair and eating the snacks I had bought with my hard-earned money.
'WHAT THE FUCK IS CATWOMAN DOING IN MY APARTMENT?!'
"What's the matter, cat got you tongue?" she said, smiling in amusement as she took in my petrified appearance with great pleasure, leisurely crossing her legs.
'Ok, calm down, and think. What could Catwoman possibly want from me? Why is she here?'
I tried to think of something, but nothing came to mind, and I didn't feel like standing at my own door with a petrified expression all night.
When in doubt, play dumb.
"Look, lady, I don't know what kind of pervert you are, but if you try anything funny, I'll scream," I said as I regarded Catwoman with a weary look, feigning ignorance to buy time. "There's a security guard with a gun out there, and he isn't afraid to use it," I added, crossing my arms. Yup, gotta fake to make it.
'Think. Catwoman is a thief. What would a thief want from me? Maybe steal something from me?' I mused, resisting the urge to make a joke about Catwoman being here to steal my virginity or something along those lines.
I was a thief myself, but while I stuck to pick-pocketing people, she only did high-profile heists. I have nothing of high enough value in the apartment or my person to attract her attention.
"And what makes you think I'm a pervert? I could be a thief or a serial killer, for all you know?" Catwoman asked after a second's pause, giving what I can only imagine was a bemused look under her mask.
'So if she doesn't want to steal something from me, maybe she wants me to do something for her, something related to her profession, but what?'
There's nothing I could do in terms of stealing that Catwoman couldn't do herself, ten times betters. The only thing I could think of that could get her attention was my inventory.
"Your leather tights for once, only an exhibitionist would wear something like that," I blankly said, pointing at her leathery getup. "You snuck into a minor's apartment, and you're waiting in the dark like some kind of third-rate movie villain," I added, shrugging my shoulder.
'But even if that was the case, how did she know about it? I've been careful and never used in public unless...'
DAMNIT.
She must have seen me use the inventory when I stole the Electrocutioner's suite after Batman and Bane left.
"You have quite the imagination, but unfortunately for you, you're not my type," she replied, unbothered by my retorts as she smiled. "I'm here because I need you to do something for me," she said, sending me a leisurely smile.
'Here it comes... this is the part where I refuse, and she puts her cards on the table...'
"And why would I do that exactly? Who are you anyway?" I asked without outright refusing. I still wasn't sure what she wanted, and I didn't want to jump to conclusions.
"Because you're the person most suited for it," Catwoman said, grinning as she took out a cellphone from her leather suit. She turned it on and started a video as she turned the screen in my direction.
It showed footage of me in my mask and trench coat, making the Electrocutioner's suite disappear by merely touching it.
'Here's the stick as expected... will there be a carrot too?' I mused as I turned from the video to Catwoman, maintaining a neutral expression.
"One of those meta-human freaks? Is that supposed to mean anything to me?" I asked, feigning confusion as I alternated my gaze between Catwoman and the video. I needed more information on how she found out who I am.
"There's no use beating around the bush, so let's not play any games," Catwoman said as she stopped the video and put away the phone. "I took that video myself, and I wouldn't be here if I didn't know you were the same person," she added, dismissively waving to the side.
"I followed you here, after all," she added, smiling at my faked look of wariness. "So can we talk business, or do you want to keep acting oblivious?" she asked, resting a cheek on her hand.
"Not that I mind. It's almost cute," Catwoman concluded, an amused smile tugging on her lips. She sounded too sure of herself, and that honestly pissed me off.
'Time to make a choice...'
I could comply, which is probably the safest and smartest choice. Catwoman was many things, but she wasn't evil, and I don't think she'd push me past my limit, and she hasn't even threatened me yet.
Alternatively, I could take her on if I gear up; I'm faster and more powerful than her, the bulletproof coat would shield me from her whips, and the electricity attacks and steel wire could take her out if I use them in a surprise attack.
I don't know what Catwoman was capable of martial arts-wise, but I knew she's a baseline human, and we're currently in a tight space where she can't pull that acrobat shit, after all.
Lastly, I could try to negotiate, she knew my secret, but I knew her secret too. I knew her identity, and basically, every villain and thug in Gotham would be out for her blood to get to Batman if word about her real identity got out.
The first option is a no-go, simply because I refuse to be blackmailed by a fictional character I may or may not have masturbated to during my teenage years, even if it's in my best interest to let it happen.
The second is the most appealing. I must admit. But out of the millions of possible outcomes for this scenario, none would end without Batman knocking on my door one way or the other, and I like my arms and skull the way they are, not broken and without concussions, thankyouverymuch.
'Negotiate it is then... I need to take the lead in the conversation...'
"Oh yeah? Let's say I'm the guy in the video for argument's sake. What about it? What exactly do you want?" I asked, blatantly beating around the bush. I wouldn't admit simply for the off chance that she wasn't sure already or recording the conversation for evidence.
"Like I said, I have a job that would be a lot easier if I had someone, who can make things disappear like that helping me," Catwoman replied, shrugging her shoulders. "Of course, I'm willing to pay for such services," she added with an easy-going smile, splitting her face.
"Let's say I refuse, then what will you do?" I said, getting straight to the point. I needed to push her back towards the stick cause I'd only make a fool of myself if I got confrontational for no reason.
"I won't do anything, honey, but this footage could reach the wrong hands if I don't delete it..." Catwoman said, leisurely checking her nails as she shifted in the chair. "I hear Inspector Gordon is tirelessly searching for the criminal who stole the Electrocutioner's suit," she added, giving me a smug smirk that I will definitely enjoy wiping off her face.
"It's funny that you'd mention things that could reach the wrong hands or ears in this case..." I said, chuckling slightly, much to her surprise. She was probably expecting begrudging acceptance or something along those lines.
"Because I know how to make the day of every gang banger and supervillain in Gotham," I said, crossing my arms and enjoying myself too much to stop.
"Do you understand what I'm talking about, Miss Kyle?" I asked, and it took her no more than a fraction of a second to understand my meaning without me even having to emphasize her name or pronounce it in a different way.
To her credit, Catwoman only faltered for a second before calming herself down and resuming a smiling expression, but I didn't stop talking.
"I'd only need to whisper it in the right ear, and every thug whose limbs your Bat friend Broke, every villain he threw in prison, would be out for your blood," I added, smiling in amusement as her expression almost faltered again.
I really didn't know what I was talking about and merely bluffing. Even if I knew who Catwoman was, who would believe me anyway? But she didn't know that and wouldn't risk calling my bluff because it's too risky.
"So I'd consider rephrasing the last thing you said if I were you," I concluded, barely stopping myself from bursting into a peal of maniacal laughter.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I get the point," Catwoman said, having already composed herself, showing no hints of panic anymore.
"You know it's almost cute how you're acting oblivious," I said, cutting her off before she could continue. It was unnecessary and petty, but I didn't care. I'd have my payback, and that's that. No wanking material was going to tease me and get away with it!
However, Catwoman merely chuckled and shook her head at me using the words she mocked me with earlier against her, much to my dissatisfaction. Whatever, it was worth it.
"Like I was saying, I get the point. Things that could end up in the wrong hands are better left buried, like the footage here," she said as she took out her phone and deleted the video.
She had other copies of the video, and I knew it. She knew that I knew as well. She still did it regardless because it was a gesture that I'd won this one, and that's enough for me.
"The offer still stands. I'll leave you this," Catwoman said, smiling as she got up from the chair and took out a small paper. "Call me if you change your mind," she added, leaving the note and walking past me towards the door.
"I'll think about it."
...
'Well, that was... something...' I mused as I watched Catwoman leave, and as a self-respecting DC character, she naturally decided to take the window because why not? Doors are overrated anyway.
I messaged the back of my head, letting out a drawn breath as I plopped into my chair, turning to my system.
[Quest complete: Enter The Dragon II]
[Primary Objective: success]
[+5 levels to the Brawling skill]
[Brawling (level 14)]
[+3 levels to the Fighter class]
[Fighter (level 8)]
[+9 stat points]
[Bonus Objective 1: success]
[Reward: Pigeon Drone]
[Pigeon Drone: a pigeon shaped drone capable of reading brain waves in a kilometer-wide range to receive and emit signals and transmit visual input (those nutcases on the net might have been on to something)]
[Bonus Objective 2: fail]
'Foiled again by my greatest enemy; guns!' I mused, lightly chuckling. I wasn't bothered by not completing the second bonus objective. The reward would have definitely been nice considering what I got for finishing the first, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
I finished the fight on my own without Richard getting involved this time, and that was enough for me. Anything other than that is a bonus. Maybe if there's another quest, I'd finish it perfectly, but that's for the future.
One step at a time.
[New Quest initiated: Get Rich Or Die Trying (literally) II]
Get Rich Or Die Trying (literally) II:
You finally got a taste of money, but is that really enough to fill the black hole in your heart? You want, you need; it makes the world go round. Go for it.
[Objective: Gather $50,000 through any means]
[Rewards: [Random equipment] [+5 levels to the crime skill]
[Progress: $1,476/$50,000]
[Accept Quest: Yes/No?]
'Why the hell not? I'll keep making money away, so I might as well finish a quest along the way.'
I won't obsess over it and let nature take its course this time. I hope so, at least.
'But wait, why is the progress only at one thousand?! What about the 15k?!' I questioned as I finally turned to the progress bar. I swear to god if this is some system BS about that money not counting because I got it before the Quest.
I can't really do anything about it now that I think about it, but I'd still be furious and demand to see the manager.
[The host hadn't opened the duffle bag and confirmed its contents]
'The hell kind of bullshit is this? You almost gave me a heart attack!' I mentally grumbled, but I still took out the duffle bag and opened it to confirm its contents.
[+ $16,000]
I turned to the bar and nodded in satisfaction as I saw it rise. It Looks like Richard was wrong about the exact number, not that I was complaining, mind you.
'Hmm, what's this?' I titled my head at the black object at the bottom of the bag, previously covered by the cash. 'A USB stick?' I noticed as I picked it up and got a better look.
'Yeah, I'm not plugging anything Intergang-related into any computer.'
Intergang deals in technology, alien technology to be more specific, and this stick could have been a doomsday virus that could destroy the world's economy or flood the internet with pictures of Scarecrow in a thing.
'I'll pass it along to someone if I get the chance...'
I shrugged, letting go of the subject as I stored the USB stick in my inventory and turned to my character screen.
Name: Grayson Whitlock
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Class: [Thief (level 10 MAX)] [Fighter (level 8)]
...
Stats:
Body: 25
Mind: 25
Spirit: Locked
Stat Points: 36
...
Skills:
[Brawling (level 14)]
[Crime (level 25)]
...
Perks:
[Dormant Metahuman]
[Silent Step]
[Eidetic Kinesthesia]
[Superhuman Stamina]
...
Inventory: [Neuron Adaptive Steel Wire] [Bulletproof Trench Coat MK2][Reward: Pigeon Drone]
...
Quests:
[Get Rich Or Die Trying (literally) II]
...
I sighed as I turned to the surplus in my stat points. I still felt complicated about this whole thing, and honestly, it wasn't merely my fear of turning into a fictional character that stopped me from using them.
I needed the strength to survive, and at this point, after getting shot multiple times, I'd take being a fictional character over being a dead character any time of the day at this point.
But the idea that the system could give me strength by merely raising a number meant that it could take away what it gave me just as simply, and I probably won't be able to do anything about it, which is why I'm hesitant to rely on the system and its power-ups.
'But I guess I have to ensure my survival before worrying about the system or whatever being that created it...'
I let out a breath as I allocated 6 points into my Body attribute, raising it to 31, and 5 into my Mind, increasing it to 30 and leaving me with 25 stat points.
I couldn't increase my strength too much because it would be too obvious, and Richard had already made it clear he'd noticed my sudden improvement, and beyond that, it'd take time to get used to the new strength.
I didn't feel like crushing everything I touched because I couldn't control my own strength. Thank you very much.
I closed the system interface, and my eyes unconsciously drifted to the note Catwoman left behind, reminding me that I still haven't bought a damned phone yet.
'I'll buy one tomorrow,' I shrugged, storing the note into my inventory as I plopped into my air mattress, tucking my hands behind my head.
'Huh... the day didn't turn to shit for once... neat...'
...
The Tin Roof Club
She was freaking out.
Selina Kyle was freaking out as she anxiously paced around her nightclub, having dismissed all patrons early. She had made a mistake by underestimating a seemingly harmless meta-human thief.
She saw the young thief stealing the Electricutionr's suit by accident, demonstrating his ability to make things disappear, which she concluded was a storage power of sorts after observing the thief for a while longer.
She saw the trench coat and the mask he wore suddenly disappear after the thief left the scene, which only made her more convinced that the thief had access to an ability to store things he touches into a pocket dimension or something along those lines.
She was by no means an expert on meta powers and such complicated technologies. But she knew enough to recognize these things, which she did, both the power and endless possibilities behind it.
She couldn't let it go and pretend nothing happened, not when such an ability could be making her rich. The thought itself went against her very nature and personality.
She gave in to her impulse and acted after observing the young thief for some time. He wasn't an average person as expected, but nothing suggested he'd be a threat to her. And It's not like she intended to take advantage of the thief either. Not too much anyway.
Selina was many things, but heartless was not one of them. She'd definitely take the lion's share of the prize, but she'd still give the young thief his fair share.
She expected many things from the counter, but never in her wildest dreams did she expect the young thief to know about her existence, not to mention her real name and identity.
The way the young thief suddenly stopped playing dumb and went on the attack instead of passively reacting to her words sent alarm bells ringing in her head as she realized he was merely acting the entire time, trying to get rid of her.
Selina forced the issue and suffered for it. The young thief obviously didn't look like he wanted to do anything with her real identity, but now that she's put herself in his crosshair, she didn't know what he'd do.
What else would the thief know if he already knew her real identity without directly interacting with her? What was he capable of exactly? And more importantly, what the hell did she get herself into this time?
Her brain went wild with speculations and guesses as she continued to pace around the nightclub.
Her secret identity must not be revealed, no matter what, because she didn't have to worry about Batman's enemies alone. She had made her fair share of enemies along the way, and none of them were pushovers either.
So in a last-ditch effort, she left her number at the young thief's house, hoping to make friends with him as it was the safest way to make sure he wouldn't spill her secret.
"What's got you all hot and bothered kitty?" Came a bubbly feminine voice, snapping Selina out of her concern-induced daze.
She turned to the speaker and bitterly smiled at the twin-pigtailed blonde woman strutting towards her.
'Great, that's all I need right now..' Selina mused to herself, shaking her head.
"Is Batsy being mean to you again? Want me to get my bazooka?" The woman spoke, her hands on her hips as she regarded Selina with a smirk while blowing a gum bubble.
"I see Arkham Asylum is as unreliable as ever," Selina said with a sigh, massaging the bridge of her nose. "I was hoping I wouldn't see you for another two months at least, Harley..." she remarked, rolling her eyes in exasperation at the blonde.
"Awe! Don't be like that, kitty. It'll be like the good old times..." the woman, Harley, said, approaching Selina and putting an arm around her. "You, me and red..." she added, grandly gesturing with her free hand.
"And everyone else screaming for their mamas!"
...
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