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Chapter 18: Kid Shoots Gordon?
A pristine white suit that highlighted a waistline sexy enough to make any woman jealous, a monocle over the right eye that seemed to perpetually reflect a mysterious light, and a confident smile that never faded.
"It's... Phantom Thief Kid!"
"I was just wondering about him, and he actually came!"
"Quick! Photographers, snap pictures! Whether we get the headline tomorrow depends on you!"
Many guests were reporters from major news outlets. Upon Kid's arrival, they jumped up in excitement, grabbing cameras and phones to frantically snap photos.
"That's Phantom Thief Kid? So he really exists. I thought he was an urban legend made up by the GCPD like Batman."
Other guests stared in astonishment. They hadn't believed Kid was real.
The return of the Goddess's Tear had convinced them that "Phantom Thief Kid" was a publicity stunt by the museum to attract tourists. After all, no thief in the world steals something just to give it back. Even the lunatics in Arkham wouldn't do something so contradictory.
Except Two-Face. But he only robbed; he didn't steal.
"Wow! It's really him! He looks even handsomer than the photos!"
"So magical. I can't see his face clearly, but for some reason, I just feel he's incredibly hot!"
"Coming to the banquet with Dad was the right choice! I actually saw Phantom Thief Kid! Totally worth it!"
There were plenty of young women among the guests. They cared little for the Vanaver family history, but a mysterious, dashing, handsome man...
"Robin! The surveillance feeds in Vanaver Manor all went black. What happened over there?"
In Tim's ear, Oracle's anxious voice sounded.
"We were played. Kid cut the power to the manor. The hall is pitch black now." Tim explained the situation.
"So it's a power outage. I thought Kid blew up the manor with a bomb. As long as no one is hurt. But without cameras, I can't give you effective support, Robin," Oracle said apologetically.
If her legs still worked, she would be there fighting beside him. Now, she could only help from the rear.
"I'm hacking into the street cameras near the manor. If Kid flees outside, I'll let you know immediately."
"It's okay. That's enough."
After replying, Tim sprinted away from his spot.
Running, he thought angrily, So that's it! I finally understand the notice completely. Damn you, Kid, playing word games!
The moment the lights went out, Tim understood everything.
The "Shaking Heavenly Road" he and Oracle agonized over was actually the simplest part. It had no metaphor—it was literally a "rainbow."
The real trap was the second line!
Baldr, killed by mistletoe, was the God of Light, but he wasn't the Sun God!
Baldr's death didn't bring night; it brought darkness!
That was why Kid didn't appear at sunset. With the lights on, the room was still bright.
Only when the power was cut and true darkness fell was it time for Kid's debut.
Result-wise, Kid hadn't violated his notice. He did exactly what he said.
Caught off guard by the sudden blackout, even Tim was stunned for a moment. The others, including the dozen plainclothes officers hiding in the crowd, were even more shocked.
They only recovered when they heard the first camera shutter click.
"Phantom Thief Kid! This manor is surrounded. Whatever you're planning, you can't escape!"
Gordon rushed to the stage, raising his gun at Kid.
"Surrender now, and we won't hurt you!"
The plainclothes officers quickly followed, surrounding Kid on the podium.
"Surrender? Sounds like I don't have another choice."
Facing over a dozen dark muzzles, Kid showed no panic.
"But I refuse!"
Kid smiled.
"Mere pistols? Who are you scaring? I have one too."
With a flick of his right hand, a peculiar-looking white pistol appeared out of nowhere.
Kid twirled the gun stylishly as he conjured it.
Swish! He aimed the barrel at Gordon.
"Sorry, Commissioner Gordon. If you move, you might die~"
A gun!
Kid had a gun!
Gordon stared in disbelief at the strange white pistol. Although it looked like a toy, in Gotham, the weirdest weapons often had the most unimaginable power.
Gordon didn't dare bet on whether the gun was real. No one dared.
"Phantom Thief Kid! What are you doing? Before, it was just theft... attempted theft. But using a gun puts the crime on a different level—" Gordon warned grimly.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
Gordon felt a sharp pain in the center of his forehead and fell backward.
Kid fired!
He actually fired!
"Commissioner!!!!"
The plainclothes officers screamed, eyes wide with rage. They pulled their triggers simultaneously, vowing to avenge Gordon.
However...
Not a single bullet fired.
"Think it's strange? Why are there no bullets?"
Kid's lips curled up. He extended his left hand, clenched in a fist, and slowly opened it.
"Simple. Because they're here."
A cascade of bullets slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with a clattering sound.
The hall fell silent.
Logically, one hand couldn't hold that many bullets, but no one cared about that detail now.
"...Even my gun is empty. I checked it half an hour ago. How did you do it? When did you do it?"
After a long pause, someone asked.
Upon hearing this voice, the officers and all the guests froze.
"Isn't that... the Commissioner's voice?"
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