Pawns

Looking down into the Police Hall through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the second-floor Commissioner's Office, he saw only a handful of people staffing the vast room.

Phones rang one after another, and documents lay scattered across the floor.

Norman handed William a cup of coffee.

"Three days from now, Falcone will hold a reception at his Private Estate. You need to slip inside, retrieve a document from the safe on the third floor, and hand it over to me. You're new to the force. That unfamiliar face will be your best ticket in."

William smelled something fishy and cautiously asked a question.

"Is this an official assignment?"

He noticed Norman's brow twitch slightly.

"No, this is a private assignment. Falcone still has informants in the department. The more people who know about the plan, the greater the chance of exposure."

William got the picture. That old fox Norman was taking advantage of his ignorance.

But he didn't argue. Instead, he obediently nodded along.

"Yes, exactly. You mustn't tell anyone about this, especially James Gordon."

At that, Norman lowered his voice.

"I suspect he might be one of Falcone's informants. If you complete this assignment successfully, you could replace him as Investigative Sergeant."

Apparently, no matter the country or the job, dangling empty promises was always a boss's favorite pastime.

William accepted the assignment, then promptly told Gordon about it when his shift ended.

Gordon looked shocked.

In his eyes, Norman Steele was a trustworthy superior who cracked down hard on gang activity, cleaned up the department, and, most importantly, introduced plenty of policies that benefited officers.

Fuel expenses incurred on duty were reimbursed, closing a case earned an extra allowance, and capturing a major fugitive usually brought a bounty twenty to fifty percent higher than the amount on the wanted notice.

People were never simply black or white. Norman was a good boss, but it was also an indisputable fact that he accepted bribes to give the Falcone family's illegal businesses the green light.

William had heard all this from Maroni, so it was almost certainly true.

"So what are you planning to do?"

Gordon turned the car radio up to full volume to keep anyone from listening in.

"Play along for now and see what's actually in that document."

He could see Gordon's reservations, so he brought up Batman to reassure him.

"Don't forget, Bruce is still staying at my place. If I run into any trouble, he'll help me."

That successfully put Gordon's worries to rest.

Back at the apartment, William shed the day's exhaustion.

He had gradually grown accustomed to Gotham City in 1991 and immersed himself in its exciting, hectic life. If he had to find fault with it, there was probably only one thing left.

No phone to scroll on!

Right now, for instance, he was sitting on the toilet with nothing to do, reduced to picking up a bottle of drain cleaner and repeatedly reading the ingredients on the back.

The system, which had been silent for several days, seemed to sense its user's boredom and opened a dialogue box on its own.

[Little A has detected that you have nothing to do. Here are ten exciting novels guaranteed to keep you on the toilet until you get hemorrhoids...]

"If you've got that much time on your hands, you could give me some quest hints instead." William remembered his stalled quest.

He had found Bruce, but Bruce's memories hadn't returned.

What effect would a Batman with elite skills and intellect, but none of the morals or sense of responsibility to match, have on Gotham?

He didn't know the answer, and he didn't dare dwell on it.

[I'm sorry for the negative experience. However, for high-difficulty quests, I recommend preparing yourself mentally. Alternatively, you could explore your surroundings to unlock some easier quests.]

"What good is an apology? It's not like you're giving me any actual compensation."

[I'm sorry. In theory, that would be against the rules.]

William saw hope. Anything that wasn't allowed in theory usually had some room for negotiation.

Under his relentless wheedling, the AI assistant's defenses gradually crumbled.

[Having detected your dissatisfaction, I can offer you a small gift within my authorized limits to improve your experience. Is there anything you need?]

Before William could react, a menu popped up.

[These are all items available in the Beginner Shop. Once you have won over three targets, the Level One Shop will open to you. Winning over six will unlock the Intermediate Shop. There are five levels to unlock in total. I hope this will motivate you to keep playing.]

"Why didn't you tell me there was a shop?"

[During the beginner tutorial, Little A detected a story event in progress. You did not initiate any further communication afterward, and the number of characters you have won over has yet to meet the unlock requirements...]

"Then let me ask one more thing. Are there any features besides the shop?"

[Once the shop is fully unlocked, you can exchange surplus "Beacon Marks" for character attribute points.]

William nodded.

There was no need to learn too much about a feature he wouldn't be using until the very late game.

After all, Beacon Marks were rare items at this stage. Without quests to replenish them, every one he used was one less he had.

Next, he turned his attention to the shop menu.

This was a little loophole the system had opened for him. He only had one chance to make a purchase, so he needed to choose something that looked useful.

But after carefully going through the entire menu, disappointment spread across his face.

[Little A has detected your disappointment. Are you dissatisfied with the items? These products are all designed to help you win over your targets. For example, this 1982 Château Lafite would make a lovely surprise gift at a candlelit dinner with a girl. This CK cologne will show her your good taste. And this...]

"Enough!" William cut off the system's rambling.

He had almost forgotten that this was a romance system gone wrong.

But just as he was losing heart, an item at the bottom caught his attention.

"Wait, I want this!"

[Custom Fireworks? You truly are a born romantic!] Little A's mechanical voice carried no emotion, making it impossible to tell whether that was flattery or sarcasm.

William didn't feel like getting angry with an AI, so he selected the item.

The menu vanished, replaced by a new Mosaic Fireworks icon in his inventory.

Having milked the system for a freebie and even found something useful among a pile of junk, William pursed his lips, apparently quite pleased with his flawless maneuver.

Just then, a shrill telephone ring sounded outside the bathroom.

Maroni calling!?

William hurriedly pulled up his pants and flushed, but before he could leave the bathroom, he heard the click of someone picking up the receiver outside.

William cautiously poked half his head around the wall.

Stuart stood facing the bathroom, receiver in hand.

When did this guy come in? How hadn't he made a sound?

"I thought you'd be in there a while longer, so I answered it for you. But whoever was on the other end didn't say anything."

Stuart gestured at the receiver and shrugged, looking perfectly innocent.

"Why did you answer my phone without asking!"

"Got a little secret? Let me guess. A call from a gang? Planning to discuss something shady?"

Stuart had clearly done it on purpose. Having successfully irritated William, he looked immensely satisfied as he lay back on the bed with his hands behind his head, an obnoxious, roguish grin on his face.

Still, William had to admit that, as nasty as this guy's personality was, his instincts were frighteningly accurate.

"You guess right every time anyway, so why keep testing me?"

"So you admit it? Hoho, Mr. William Hans, your honesty is reassuring. But please don't be angry with me. We're partners now, and it's only natural to get a clear picture of your partner's connections..."

Riiing!!!

The ringing phone interrupted their bickering.

Maroni's voice came from the other end of the line.

Seething with pent-up anger, William simply pressed the speakerphone button so Stuart could hear every word.

After they exchanged their code phrases, Maroni spoke first.

"Who answered the phone just now? Why is someone in your apartment!"

"It's complicated."

"Then tell me in person. I have something to discuss with you anyway. My car will pick you up at two in the morning... Remember to bring that guy."

The click of Maroni hanging up cut off William's chance to make an excuse or refuse.

Great. Now he had to take Batman to meet a mob boss.

"Happy now?!"

He turned his head, a volcano on the verge of eruption lurking beneath his furrowed brows.