Bang!
The man fired his Uzi submachine gun into the ceiling to intimidate everyone in the café.
(Why the hell did this bastard decide to rob this place right now?) Arthur thought, irritated.
Barbara frowned slightly, her gaze shifting between alert and frustrated. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she made a movement to get up and run to the bathroom to don her Batgirl costume. But her movement drew attention.
"Stay right there or I'll shoot!" the thug shouted, adrenaline in his eyes as he pointed the gun at her with shaking hands.
Startled, Barbara froze, raising her hands slowly. Her eyes searched for an escape, a strategy—anything to turn the tide in their favor. Her mind raced, but time felt like it was speeding up.
At that moment, Arthur took a step forward, calmly positioning himself between Barbara and the thug. His expression was cold.
The thug's eyes widened for a moment, then he sneered maliciously. He thought Arthur was trying to play the hero to impress the girl. Clanking steps approached, and without hesitation, he pressed the gun barrel to Arthur's forehead.
"You think you're brave, huh? Want to be a knight in shining armor? Hand over the cash. Now! Or I'll blow your brains out—and then your girlfriend's!"
Barbara's face went pale. Her instincts urged her to act, and she discreetly tugged at Arthur's shirt, trying to warn him, don't do anything, just cooperate. But he ignored her completely.
Arthur didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled—a cold, superior smile that oozed contempt.
"Oh… is that how this begins? Interesting. This is the first time a worm's had the nerve to point a gun at me," his voice calm but sharp as a golden blade. "I'll grant you a luxury I don't usually offer pests: two options."
The thug hesitated, confused by the sudden arrogance and composure of the man before him.
"First option: you drop that filthy gun and crawl to the nearest precinct to turn yourself in, like the trash you are." Arthur took a small step forward, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Second… ah, my favorite… you try pulling this ridiculous trigger, and with great pleasure, I'll tear this gun from your hand, break your arm in three places, and leave you screaming on the floor like a pig headed to slaughter."
Barbara watched in shock. Arthur's tone wasn't just arrogant—it was playful, savoring each moment.
"What did you just say, you bastard?" snarled the thug, moving his finger toward the trigger.
Click—
In a blur, Arthur snapped the gun from his hand with one motion, twisting it precisely. He seized the thug's wrist and forced his arm backward, the sick crack of bone echoing in the air.
"ARRRRRRRGH!!" the thug's scream reverberated—pain laced with desperation.
"You had your chance," Arthur murmured, chuckling lightly as if relishing the downfall of a worthless chess piece.
"You BASTARD!!" the thug roared with fury, reaching for another weapon at his waist.
But Arthur was one step ahead.
In one brutal motion, he kicked the weapon out of the thug's hand, then grabbed him by the head like a bothersome child and slammed him into the wall.
"You son of a—!"
CRACK!
Arthur interrupted the sentence with a dry impact, driving the thug's head into the wall. The man went limp, collapsing to the floor unconscious.
Arthur sighed and brushed imaginary dust from his suit.
"Pathetic," he muttered, gazing disdainfully at the body. Then he turned to Barbara with the same earlier smile—softer now, but still tinged with arrogance. "Sorry for the delay. Theatre takes time, after all."
Barbara was speechless.
Moments later, police arrived at the café. They knew Barbara very well.
(Maybe I overdid it just a bit…) Arthur thought as officers led the unconscious thug away.
Who would've guessed that the police commissioner's daughter had such a strong, courageous boyfriend?
After answering a few questions, the rest of the officers left.
(I have a feeling there's a misunderstanding here…) Arthur mused.
Suddenly, he felt someone tugging his shirt.
"Hey, Arthur, answer me one thing—how did you do that?" Barbara asked, looking up at him.
Despite the situation, Arthur had displayed significant strength and skill in that brief moment.
"Since you're so curious, I'll tell you—it's quite simple," he replied.
"Do 100 push-ups, 100 sit‑ups, and 100 squats every day," Arthur said nonchalantly.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? How could anyone—" Barbara pouted in annoyance, but before she could finish, her phone rang.
Her expression changed as she saw who was calling.
"Hello, Dad." Barbara answered immediately, turning her back to Arthur.
"Barbara, when did you get yourself a boyfriend? Why didn't I know?" Gordon's voice sounded displeased.
"Dad, it's not what you think—we just met today!" Barbara explained.
But Gordon wasn't convinced. Like his daughter would invite a total stranger for coffee...
"Okay, just don't come home late, and I don't want you dating right now. Bye." Gordon hung up.
"Ahem—sorry, Arthur. My dad was just teasing me. I'll explain everything to him when I get home," she said, forcing an embarrassed smile.
(One minute I'm breaking a criminal's bones, the next the commissioner thinks I have a boyfriend…)
"No worries. Unfortunately, I have to go now." Arthur stood, smiling.
"By the way, can I have your phone number? I have a feeling we'll meet again in the future." he said.
Barbara blushed and her heart raced.
She hadn't expected Arthur to be so forward.
She quickly jotted down her number on a napkin and handed it to him.
"Thank you very much." Arthur said as he took the napkin, then waved goodbye and left.
(YES!! You totally lucked out today, Barbara!!!) she thought excitedly as she watched him leave.
(I mean, he's not exactly perfect… but I can forgive his actions since they were to protect me… I think…)
---
Meanwhile, Barbara's Charming Prince was strolling the streets of Gotham.
[Mastro, you're a jerk.]
"Huh?" Arthur replied, confused.
[You're flirting with another girl besides Gwen and Jean], Ruby texted.
"Are you sure? I don't think so."
[Just know I'm always watching ಠಗಠ]
"…Err… okay?"
[By the way, Master, what happened to your hair and eye color? Are you going through a rebellious phase?] Ruby asked.
"Ruby, who told you that?"
[I saw it in a show that Gwen was watching.]
"Makes sense…" Arthur sighed.
"Anyway, regarding my hair and eye color—they changed after I recovered some old memories."
[Master… that doesn't make sense...]
"Ruby, a lot of things don't make sense—like us wandering the streets of another-universe Gotham…" Arthur said.
"And the worst part: I have no clue how to get back…" he groaned.
"Ah~ We'll deal with that later. I don't have a single cent on me—mind giving me a little help, Ruby?" Arthur asked.
[ಠ_ಠ Fine…] Ruby replied, as binary numbers began filling the screen.
(She's getting more expressive…) Arthur thought.
[Done.]
"Done? What do you mean done?" Arthur asked, but before he could continue, several bank app notifications popped up—account opened and a bunch of deposits.
"How'd you—"
[Secret]
"…"
---
Arthur continued walking while chatting with Ruby, passing down a back alley near a restaurant.
He noticed a suspicious van pulling into the alley.
Curious, Arthur deftly climbed onto a rooftop and began tailing the van.
He felt someone watching him as he followed.
A few minutes later, the van stopped outside an abandoned factory.
A classic spot for underworld dealing.
Men emerged from the van and opened the back doors.
Inside were several wooden crates. Opening one, Arthur was surprised to find a Colt M4A1.
This weapon is an upgraded version of the 5.56×45 mm NATO M4 carbine. Unlike the standard M4, its fire-selector now includes full-auto, and it has a RIS (Rail Interface System) rail at the top for mounting optics.
The other group carried two black briefcases—likely stuffed with money.
"I hope our cooperation is fruitful. Give my regards to Mr. Cobblepot." The two men shook hands—and then they heard a strange sound.
They turned toward the noise and saw a male figure approaching, masked in white with a hood covering his head.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."