As soon as Axel stepped out of the elevator, he couldn't help laughing loudly in the lobby.
The gathered security guards all visibly flinched at his voice.
Axel noticed how they shrank away, and with a goofy wave he said,
"Alright, buddies, I'm in a good mood now, so I won't pick on you guys. I have this feeling my new friend Bruce is gonna surprise me again, and I'm actually looking forward to his next present, haha!"
Axel laughed as he walked past the guards toward a cluster of receptionists surrounded by uniformed police.
Standing among them, Chief Gordon let out a heavy sigh the moment he saw Axel.
"Why is it always you?"
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his eyes landed on Axel's missing finger.
"Wait… is that…?"
He stared at the severed digit in disbelief, then couldn't resist glancing at the Wayne Group elevator.
Axel clapped Chief Gordon on the shoulder with an overly cheerful grin.
"Don't worry, man. No one at Wayne Tower can touch me right now. I just loaned Bruce and the others my finger so they can do some research."
Then Axel pointed at the chaos behind him and continued with a grin,
"Gotham was pure madness last night. Tens of thousands dead, right? And I didn't see you at the worst fights! But today, not a single death here at Wayne Group. I only broke a dozen legs, and the Deputy Police Chief shows up instantly! Am I wrong, or… have you been disappointing me too, Chief Gordon?"
Chief Gordon exhaled weakly.
"Last night I was too focused on cleaning up the mess you left at Wayne Tower. Once I dealt with that, the Mayor called and needed me to advise on the city's situation.
Of course, I wanted to be out there on the front lines, whether it was saving the kids at Evanston High or trying to stop your gang members from going insane. But what happened? You already know — this world doesn't revolve around me. I've never had the right to do what I wanted!"
His voice turned grim as he drew his pistol and pointed it right at Axel's head.
"I've tried so damn hard. I've done everything I could. But I still can't change anything, and I can't influence anything! Now I'm being laughed at by you! There's something I've wanted to say for a long time, Wraith. Even if no one arrests you, I swear I'll put you in prison!"
Chief Gordon's finger tightened on the trigger.
Axel didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled and nodded.
"Well said, Chief Gordon. I think only someone as genuinely good as you is fit to be Gotham City's next Police Chief!"
Then Axel gently guided Chief Gordon's hand so the barrel was pressed right against his own forehead.
He yelled out to the reporters in the distance,
"Hey, you damn paparazzi, get over here!"
"Here! Here!!!" the cameras buzzed, rushing to capture the moment.
Axel grinned and patted Chief Gordon's pistol.
"You all know how to take pictures, right?"
"Yes… we know!" the reporters said in perfect unison.
Axel nodded proudly then turned his head, bringing his forehead closer to the muzzle for dramatic effect.
The cameras clicked nonstop, capturing close‑up shots from every angle.
Once the flash barrage had peaked, Axel yanked the gun from Chief Gordon's hand and casually pulled handcuffs out of Chief Gordon's pocket, cuffing himself.
He posed for the cameras and gestured broadly to scoop up every last photo.
After an endless stream of camera clicks, Axel released Chief Gordon and, with both hands, shoved him playfully in the chest.
Just then a smart reporter handed Axel a microphone.
"Mr. Wraith, what are your thoughts on the death of Gotham City's former Police Chief, Mr. Savage, and the selection of the next Chief?"
Axel grinned wickedly.
"What thoughts could I have? Savage's body was so loose with fat he practically fell apart with a gentle tug."
There was an awkward silence.
"…haha, just kidding, don't record that part!"
He leaned in with a grin, tone changing smoothly.
"I knew Savage for a long time. We had a life‑and‑death friendship. That's real friendship — no one understood his mind better than me. And I can guarantee that losing a good Chief like Savage sucks for Gotham. But Deputy Police Chief Gordon? He is the man for the job.
I'm sure every decent Gothamite will agree with that. And if anyone disagrees, speak up — I'll personally visit them to debate and explain exactly why Chief Gordon's integrity makes him the right choice!"
Axel patted the reporter's shoulder and then casually snapped the handcuffs open and stepped free.
Chief Gordon watched, bewilderment turning into outrage.
"Why the hell are you doing this?!"
"Because I want you to be Chief, Buddy," Axel said warmly. "Can't you feel my sincerity?"
"But if you do this, who would choose me as Police Chief? You're Gotham's biggest agent of chaos!"
"So you do want the job after all, huh?"
"Of course I… wait, no I don't… no… I… damn it!!!"
Chief Gordon's beard trembled with frustration as Axel slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Take a group photo of us," Axel instructed the reporters,
"Make me look good, and Chief Gordon doesn't need it. He's gonna be Police Chief, and sincerity is his brand. We respect that!"
Axel yanked one reporter closer and continued without missing a beat.
"Buddy, do another exclusive interview with me. My views on the next Chief are simple — it has to be someone as solid as Chief Gordon!"
Then Axel shoved the nervous reporter aside like a light breeze, leaned into Gordon's ear and shouted confidently.
"Don't worry, my friend, I'll make sure you get what you want! Even if someone else ends up snagging that Chief spot, I guarantee they won't live more than thirty minutes after! So let's congratulate our future Chief Gordon in advance!"
Axel applauded first, and slowly the stunned reporters and police officers followed.
Amid hesitant applause, Axel let go of Gordon and marched through the police ranks.
Outside, on the road, he swaggered up to a sleek Lexus and yanked the driver's door open.
Leaning over the trembling man inside, he announced,
"Buddy, I have good news and bad news for you. Which one do you want first?"
"Bad… bad news…" the driver stammered.
Axel nodded.
"The bad news is you just got robbed. The damn Wraith wants your sweet ride."
The driver swallowed hard.
"Okay… what's the good news? Are you letting me go?"
"The good news is I called the police for you. The damn cops aren't far away now!"
With that, Axel lifted the driver and hurled him toward the approaching officers.
Then Axel jumped in the Lexus, rolled down the window, started the engine, and stuck his left hand out, flipping everyone off as he drove away.
Watching the car fade into the distance, Chief Gordon swallowed hard.
Behind him, his partner clapped him on the shoulder with a weak smile.
"Looks like I'm calling you Chief Gordon from now on!"
"Don't be silly," Gordon muttered, already overwhelmed. "My head's already big enough!"
He waved off his partner and moved toward the driver who was getting up and the cop who had been knocked down.
But his partner followed eagerly.
"Buddy, times have changed. Wraith's words in Gotham matter more than the Mayor's now. Even if the Mayor wants someone gone, he has to try every option. But Wraith doesn't want to harm people — he just does it without hesitation.
With Wraith backing you, you'll probably be Chief by tomorrow or the next day at latest, old Buddy! Once you're in, you've gotta help me change my job. I don't wanna patrol anymore. Office work suits me!"
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