Crime License

"I'm heading out. Remember, don't open the door no matter who knocks, and don't reveal your abilities."

"Go to sleep early—it's good for your health."

Night fell, and Li Ang gave a few instructions to Kara, who would be staying home.

"I know."

Kara pouted. "But how long do I have to hold back? If I see someone in trouble, am I supposed to just stand by and do nothing?"

That was a question worth exploring, but Li Ang was in a hurry to leave and had no time to dwell on it.

"Maybe."

He tossed back a casual reply, then closed the door.

Kara stared at the shut door, recalling the inspirational fluff she'd read in her textbook today.

"If you don't lend a hand to others today, tomorrow they'll watch you stand by unmoved."

Sometimes, she didn't know whether the Godfather was right or what the book said was correct.

Gotham was an island standing across from Metropolis, filled with Gothic architecture everywhere.

Like Metropolis, Gotham had many bridges and tunnels connecting its several administrative districts.

The Diamond District was located in the south of Gotham; a bit north lay Miller Harbor and the river cutting through the city.

Below that was the territory of the Street Demon Gang and the Scum Society, and further down was the infamous Gotham Port.

Li Ang knew this so clearly because on his first day on the job, he'd been told not to casually wander into other gangs' turf.

Gotham's nights were always overcast, as if thunderclouds were rolling in, ready to dump a torrential rain at any moment.

The gap between rich and poor was especially stark in this city, with all kinds of livelihood issues long past the point of repair.

Those who couldn't make it lived like ghosts of the city, appearing on the streets as soon as night fell.

Li Ang didn't dare walk toward places without lights or with few people.

Even if this was Penguin's turf, there were always those who didn't know their place.

After all, even the Wayne Couple, who almost controlled the city, had people daring enough to gun them down...

Walking all the way under the lights, Li Ang drew many stares, but because some people recognized him, he was perfectly safe.

But who would've thought, just as he was about to reach his workplace, two robbers burst out of an alley.

Both wore Joker Masks on their faces, seeming like diehard fans of the Joker.

"Asian, hand over anything valuable."

One held a switchblade, while the other kept a hand in his pocket, clearly gripping something.

Seeing those Joker Masks, Li Ang's heart skipped a beat, but he still spoke up: "Do you two have a Crime License?"

"A Crime License? Since when do you need a license to commit crime?"

The two robbers froze for a moment, exchanged glances, and found it ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Li Ang noticed someone approaching from the side and felt a bit more at ease.

Gotham City, with its simple folk, never panicked over a robbery.

Chaos was the daily norm in this city.

"So you don't have one."

Li Ang said calmly.

"So what if we don't? You looking to die? Hand over the valuables!"

The two Joker Mask guys closed in on Li Ang, waving the knife in the air to intimidate him, but Li Ang stood his ground.

"This is the Diamond District, Boss Cobblepot's turf. Without a Crime License he issues, no crime is allowed."

A big guy in a black suit came up behind the two, saying words that were hard to swallow.

But it was the truth.

The Boss Cobblepot the big guy mentioned was none other than the infamous Penguin.

On Penguin's turf, if you wanted to commit a crime, you had to have a Crime License he'd issued.

"Who's that?"

The two Joker Mask criminals immediately turned around.

But the moment they turned, the big guy made his move.

He drove a Knee Strike into the gut of the one on the left, instantly taking him out of the fight, then snatched the knife from the other's hand.

Reversing the grip, he grabbed the blade and stabbed it straight into that guy's shoulder.

"Pfft!"

"Ah!"

The masked criminal immediately howled in pain.

"Frank, watch out!"

At that moment, Li Ang quickly warned him.

The criminal who had been knocked to the ground by the big guy's knee strike pulled a pistol from his chest.

The next instant, Frank's massive foot stomped directly onto it.

"Crack!"

"Two idiots."

Frank showed no mercy whatsoever, smashing their heads together until both were instantly knocked unconscious.

Seeing blood was far too normal for them.

Even Li Ang didn't blink.

"Let them fend for themselves."

Frank, panting from his large frame, said, "Li Ang, want a ride?"

"Of course."

Li Ang happily got into Frank's car.

After all, the two were technically 'accomplices' to some extent.

But Li Ang would never acknowledge that title, stubbornly insisting they were just coworkers.

Once inside Frank's black sedan, it was much faster than Li Ang walking.

Before long, they had already arrived at the workplace.

'The Iceberg Lounge!'

Li Ang looked up at the massive nightclub, his heart utterly calm.

This nightclub had existed for a long time, originally just Penguin's attempt to shed his gangster identity.

Now, it had quickly taken on the functions of a bar and casino, instantly becoming a breeding ground for criminals and a place for Penguin to launder money.

People, don't forget your roots!

At the club entrance stood two burly men in black suits, just like Frank.

Boss Cobblepot had a rule: his underlings must dress in suits and ties, even if they were going to an internet cafe to play games, they had to wear suits and ties.

These men were 'suited thugs.'

The two security guards greeted Li Ang and Frank.

"The boss is already here, hurry inside."

Stepping into the Iceberg Lounge felt like entering a dance hall from the last century.

Penguin was a nostalgic man; the classical music and decor reminded him of the past.

But further inside, it got lively.

There was a massive 'iceberg' inside, from which the club got its name.

On stage, a beautiful woman was singing and dancing, while countless gambling tables were laid out below, offering every kind of game. Along the walls were slot machines and TVs for horse betting.

Countless gambling addicts and socialites moved through the crowd, waving their cash, shouting wildly in abandon.

Women dressed as socialites, in high-end gowns and high heels, clung to their male companions' arms, cheering them on.

Suited bodyguards kept a wary eye on the scene, while bunny-girl waitresses weaved through the crowd, letting guests take liberties, stirring up the hormones of the opposite sex.

Li Ang bid Frank farewell and headed toward the bar on the other side.

Frank, the big guy, was simple and honest but also violent, utterly loyal to Penguin.

As for Li Ang?

He was a bartender at the Iceberg Lounge.

Coincidentally, he had worked this job in his previous life, and since he was an undocumented person with no other way to make a living, he ended up at the Iceberg Lounge.

Most jobs in Gotham City were tied to the famous Wayne Enterprises, which controlled every aspect of the city.

From daily necessities to healthcare, from municipal projects to real estate, from pharmaceuticals to arms...

One could say that Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City was like the Umbrella Corporation in Raccoon City!