"Indeed, damn it, we hate freelancers like you the most!" one of the security guards barked, echoing Manager Lyne's warning.
"Why don't lone wolves like you stick to convenience stores to gain experience? You just arrived in Gotham, right? I haven't heard of any new Asian around here. Seeing that you've got guts, put down your gun, and maybe I can take you to see the boss. Who knows, we might even become colleagues."
He nodded to his two companions, and the remaining guards advanced on Axel.
Axel patted Manager Lyne on the shoulder. "Lyne, your life doesn't seem very important to them, huh?"
"They're not my subordinates; we're partners. They're just guarding their family's money and valuables," Lyne replied helplessly.
Lyne's tone softened as he tried to reason with Axel. "You should put the gun down before things get out of hand. You're alone, inexperienced, and you haven't controlled the lobby. If anyone escapes and calls the police, the Maroni Family will get angry. Maroni is Falcone's right-hand man. You know the Roman, right? He donates three or four times the daily police payroll. Gotham cops jump at his call."
Axel grinned, spinning the gun in his hand. "Then let's finish before the cops even get a whiff."
He leveled his pistol at the approaching guards. "Buddy! I didn't expect you security types are actually a gang. Makes sense—a gang is far more dangerous than ordinary security. But no matter who you are, money talks, right?"
Axel's voice grew theatrical, pacing the lobby. "Two paths stand before you. One is tough. Even if you kill me, maybe one or two of you die with me. Risky, yeah? Or can you guarantee it won't be you?"
He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Path two is more interesting. Even though your family's valuables are here, I'm not touching them. I'm robbing the bank's money, and I'll share some with you. You turn a blind eye, and you get a cut. I take all the heat from the cops and your family. No risk, huge reward. So help me out—get those tellers moving. Move fast!"
Axel waved his gun theatrically, keeping the guards' attention. They glanced at the surveillance cameras—confirming they were dead—and exchanged nods.
"Yeah, he's right. Bank money only, family valuables untouched. Boss won't punish us. Hell, we might even get a cut," one of the guards admitted.
"Exactly. This Asian guy's got potential. Survives this, he could be big in Gotham," the other agreed.
The guards left two behind to watch Axel while the remaining two hustled the tellers into action. The employees were flustered, frozen like dried longans, unsure how to react.
Lyne, still pressed against Axel, whispered, "Sir… if you don't mind, maybe more people can become partners? Customers and employees alike? Fewer haters, less resistance, and more efficiency."
Axel chuckled, clapping his hands. "Lyne, you're a talent. Everyone, hear that? We're partners now. Hurry and grab the cash—it's ours! Bags, pockets, whatever you can fill. Life isn't just fighting and killing. Harmony, comrades, harmony! I'm not a capitalist—I'm sharing the wealth!"
The lobby erupted. People scrambled for cash, bags stuffed, pockets filled, even plotting ways to slow or misdirect the police.
In less than two minutes, a young pregnant woman carried a travel bag brimming with money to Axel.
"Well done!" Axel praised, smiling at her. "You did especially well."
The woman clutched the bag to her chest, tears in her eyes. "I never thought… I'm pregnant, and the father vanished. All my money wouldn't cover my surgery or care. I had no way out, until you. With this… I can survive, give birth or… whatever needs to happen. Thank you, Axel."
Axel laughed, slinging the bag over his back. "Axel of Downton Manor, at your service, haha!"
He pushed Manager Lyne forward. "Go get your share, Lyne."
"Thanks, Boss Axel!" Lyne said, his excitement matching the pregnant woman's, even stuffing bills into his shirt.
Outside, the security guards had stopped aiming. Their lives were their own, the cash now everyone's. Axel leaned against the bank door, bag on his back, watching the chaos with amusement.
Once everyone's pockets and bags were full, Axel clapped. "Buddies, party's over. Three minutes gone—time to go. If no accidents, you'll hear my name again. Or maybe another codename. Don't forget our cooperation—and don't forget, I never cheat or stingy. Word's bond enough!"
The crowd cheered. "Boss Axel!" "Thank you, Boss Axel!" "Maybe one day I'll really call you Boss—if you survive the Maroni Family!"
Amidst the chaos and cheers, Axel opened the rolling shutter, pushed through the main door, and strode out.
The police hadn't arrived. Onlookers peeked from shops, bewildered. People in Gotham had never seen a bank robbery like this. Cheerful, organized, almost festive. Axel grinned. Hotpot and karaoke next? Why not?
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