Three months later, winter had arrived, and snow covered the streets of Gotham.
The Joker had disappeared again. The Scarecrow hadn't shown himself either. For a brief period, Gotham City experienced three months of rare peace.
Of course, that peace was only relative.
If one ignored the daily sounds of police sirens chasing gangsters through the streets, Gotham could almost be considered calm.
This place was located on the East Side of Gotham, on a street known as Park Street.
But there was a narrow alley nearby that was far more famous.
Ever since the Wayne couple had been murdered there, the alley had gained a new name known to everyone in Gotham:
Crime Alley.
A beautiful blonde girl wearing a trench coat slowly walked past the entrance of Crime Alley.
She stopped for a moment, looking into the alley with curious eyes.
After all, anyone in Gotham knew about the tragic murder of the Wayne family.
After hesitating for a moment, the girl exhaled warm breath into her hands, trying to warm them against the cold winter air.
Then she stepped into Crime Alley.
She wanted to take a closer look at this infamous place.
What she didn't realize was that someone had already set his eyes on her.
A man with a sneaky expression glanced around cautiously. After confirming that no one was paying attention, he quietly followed the girl into the alley.
The girl had no idea she had already stepped into danger.
A life-threatening danger.
"If that tragedy hadn't happened…"
"Maybe the Wayne family's influence would have made Gotham a better place."
She murmured softly to herself.
For generations, the heads of the Wayne family had been known as both powerful industrialists and generous philanthropists. They had played a significant role in building Gotham City.
Perhaps, in her imagination, if the tragedy had never occurred, Wayne Enterprises might have turned Gotham into a far better city.
Suddenly—
She heard footsteps behind her.
The girl quickly turned around.
A man stood there.
He pulled a pistol from his pocket and pointed it directly at her.
"Hand over everything valuable!"
Panic instantly filled the girl's heart.
This was the first time she had ever faced such a situation.
For the first time, she realized how close she was to death.
With trembling hands, she hurriedly took out her wallet and phone, handing over everything she had.
But the man seemed dissatisfied.
He glanced around the alley before looking back at her with an evil smile.
"You know… this is the place where those two rich idiots died."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Want to experience it for yourself?"
The girl's pupils shrank instantly.
Her legs began trembling uncontrollably as she slowly stepped backward.
The overwhelming feeling of helplessness made it hard for her to breathe.
Finally, she slowly closed her eyes.
As if accepting her fate.
"Don't give up your life so easily."
Suddenly, a calm and magnetic male voice sounded beside her.
The girl opened her eyes and looked toward the source of the voice.
A shadow flashed past her.
The speed was so fast that the thug couldn't even react.
"Boom!"
Jin's fist slammed into the man's jaw.
All of the thug's teeth shattered instantly as his body flew backward through the air in a perfect arc.
That moment—
That figure—
Was deeply imprinted in the girl's memory.
A memory she would remember for the rest of her life.
When Jin turned around, the girl's heart trembled slightly.
To be honest, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.
His appearance perfectly matched her sense of aesthetics.
"You really have guts."
"You walked into this alley alone so late at night?"
"That's extremely dangerous."
Jin stepped forward and gently pinched the bridge of her nose.
The girl instantly blushed.
She pouted slightly and looked at him with a mixture of embarrassment and dissatisfaction.
"Huh."
Jin chuckled softly.
Teasing cute girls was still one of his favorite things to do.
Especially when he could run away afterward.
"Do you need me to take you home?"
The girl shook her head.
Jin assumed she was simply being cautious toward a stranger, which was perfectly reasonable.
"Alright then."
"Be careful."
He turned around and prepared to leave.
But just as he did—
The girl suddenly ran forward and stood in front of him, spreading her arms to block his path.
Jin looked at her in confusion.
He had offered to escort her home and she refused.
Now that he was leaving, she blocked his way.
What exactly did she want?
"Miss, if you're trying to repay me, there's no need."
"No! I mean… although a reward would be nice—"
She quickly shook her head.
"No, that's not it!"
"I want you to teach me how to become a master like you."
Her cheeks were red from the cold, and her nervous expression made her look incredibly cute.
Jin finally understood.
She wanted to become his student.
Although the girl was adorable, with charming blonde hair, Jin had absolutely no interest in taking apprentices.
"Sorry."
"I don't take students."
"You should find someone else."
After saying that, Jin stepped past her and continued walking.
The girl panicked immediately.
A sudden idea appeared in her mind.
Without hesitation, she ran forward and hugged Jin tightly from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I won't let go unless you agree!"
Jin sighed helplessly.
At this point, he felt like he had been kidnapped by a cute little troublemaker.
"Fine."
"If you can endure what happens next…"
"I'll agree."
The girl's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really?!"
"Of course."
Jin smiled faintly.
He wrapped one arm around her waist, causing the girl's face to turn even redder. It was obvious she had never been so close to a man before.
With his other hand, Jin raised a grappling gun.
The hook shot toward the edge of a distant rooftop.
"Click!"
The cable tightened.
In the next moment, both of them were pulled rapidly into the air.
"Whaaa—!"
Seeing the ground getting farther and farther away, the girl couldn't help screaming.
But remembering her promise to Jin, she quickly covered her mouth.
Jin couldn't help laughing at her cute reaction.
"By the way…"
"I still don't know your name."
The girl took a deep breath and replied proudly:
"My name is Stephanie Brown."
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[Stephanie Brown's picture in the comments]