Find 50+ Advance chapters
And for More Fan fiction
👇
👇
[Support link: pat reon.com/RioRaRyu]
------------
It was actually a little funny, when he thought about it.
"Before we start our formal conversation," Morin said, looking at Arthur with a serious expression, "Mr. Arthur, may I ask you a question?"
"...Of course." Arthur paused.
He couldn't figure out Morin's intention, nor what he was planning.
An Asian IRS agent was already unusual enough, but his subordinates had checked everything-credentials, authorization, investigation approval. Everything was legitimate.
Normally, someone this prepared and aggressive would get straight to the point.
Instead, he wanted to ask a question first.
Arthur found himself curious.
Merritt snapped out of his thoughts instantly and focused.
Here it comes.
Morin probably doesn't know who I am. He might say something important. I have to listen carefully.
Then Morin spoke.
"Have you ever worked as a butler?"
Arthur: "???"
"...No." Arthur thought hard, trying to find some hidden trap, then answered honestly, completely baffled.
"Oh." Morin nodded. "So you've never seen a man who likes wearing black suits and going out to party every night?"
"No." Arthur was speechless. What kind of question was that?
"Then I'm relieved," Morin said.
His tone carried a hint of disappointment.
Neither Arthur nor Merritt understood what he meant.
Then Morin changed the subject without pause.
"I'm here to investigate the financial records of all companies under the Arthur Group. The IRS suspects tax evasion."
Of course, Morin's questions weren't random.
In the Batman Trilogy, Arthur had played Alfred-Bruce Wayne's butler.
The disappointment was simple. If this Arthur really were Alfred, Morin might have been able to fleece a walking money printer.
What made it even more interesting was that Sloan from the previous world, and Bradley from this one, had both been Fox-the man managing Bruce Wayne's company.
Thinking about it, that guy was basically a cross-world part-timer.
Almost catching up to him.
Morin complained internally, but his words were sharp and direct.
Arthur was shocked.
So that's what it was.
Those strange questions earlier-they were meant to disrupt my thinking, then strike at the right moment and catch me off guard!
Too insidious.
But that's fine.
Since you started it, don't blame me for responding in kind.
Arthur coughed and turned slightly, giving Merritt what he believed was a meaningful look.
Merritt: "..."
Can't we just talk like normal people?
Why are you using that terrifying, lethal eye signal?
You're seventy or eighty years old. Do you mind your image at all?
If you don't care, can you at least spare me?
And can you make the signal more professional? You're not winking. You're just blinking.
A seventy- or eighty-year-old man blinking at me.
Fortunately, Merritt was a magician with some knowledge of hypnosis and strong mental control.
He deleted the image immediately.
Otherwise, after that level of mental pollution, he wasn't sure he could stop himself from vomiting.
All of this happened in an instant.
Arthur finished coughing and turned back.
"Apologies, Mr. Morin. My throat hasn't been well lately."
"It's fine," Morin smiled. "You do have one foot in the grave, after all."
"Cough-cough-cough!"
This time, Arthur wasn't pretending.
He was furious.
Who could have imagined someone saying something like that with a smile?
Truly smiling on the outside while stabbing on the inside.
"Mr. Morin, you should show some respect," Arthur said coldly. "Otherwise, I'll have my people escort you out."
He turned again and coughed, throwing Merritt another "eye signal."
"...."
This time, Merritt ignored him completely.
Out of curiosity, though, Merritt subconsciously tried to use hypnosis on Morin.
And then-
He froze.
In his perception, the spell shattered half a meter away from Morin's body, crushed by an overwhelming force of magic and disappearing entirely.
It never even reached him.
Morin glanced at Merritt.
He didn't care.
Compared to Morin, Merritt's magic was weak.
Merritt, however, was in chaos.
In all his years, he had met people with strong willpower, or people whose own magic could resist hypnosis.
But someone who could actively emit magic and crush his spell?
Never.
And in that brief contact, he had felt it.
Overwhelming.
Morin's magic was like an ocean. His spell was a tiny boat, crushed instantly.
Merritt didn't dare try again.
"Are you that bold?" Morin said calmly.
Arthur turned once more, coughing, trying to give another signal.
Merritt ignored him again, staring blankly into space.
This time, it wasn't intentional.
Morin's display had unsettled him.
If someone like this was targeting Arthur, what was his goal?
And how would it affect their plan?
At the same time, Dylan Rhodes was still at headquarters, receiving his mission and discussing details with ICPO agent Alma Dray.
His assistant, Fuller, was sent to arrest Daniel and the others first, to prevent escape.
"Wait," Fuller frowned. "Why are there only three of you?"
"Where's the other one? That bald guy, Merritt. Did he run early? Don't think you can-"
"He didn't," Daniel cut in quickly. "He's in the conference room next door."
"Conference room?"
Fuller waved his hand, leading his men over. He ignored the guard and had the door pushed open.
"FBI! OPEN THE DOOR!"
Inside, Arthur, Merritt, and Morin all looked over.
"I'm Agent Fuller of the FBI," Fuller said. "Merritt McKinney, you're under temporary arrest for bank robbery. Come with us."
Then he turned to Arthur.
"And you, Mr. Arthur, as their financial backer, you'll come with us too."
He hadn't planned to say that.
Arthur's lawyers would make the FBI's life hell, and he'd be released anyway.
But Arthur was right there.
So Fuller said it.
"That would be great."
"Hmph, I knew it-wait, what did you say?"
Fuller froze.
That wasn't the reaction he expected.
Who says that about an interrogation room?
He was confused.
Then thrilled.
No matter what Arthur was planning, taking him back meant credit.
He agreed immediately. He's scared, right?
I'm amazing.
Then a voice shattered his fantasy.
"Sorry, Agent Fuller. You can take Merritt."
"But Arthur stays."
"Oh?" Fuller sneered and walked over, looking down at Morin. "Kid, do you know who we are? We're the FBI. If I want to take him, even if I-"
Morin took out his badge.
"Oh." Fuller froze. "An IRS agent. Rare. What brings you here?"
His tone changed instantly.
Morin explained calmly.
After putting the badge away, he tapped the table.
"First come, first served. And given the severity, I believe Mr. Arthur should stay with me. Don't you agree?"
"You're right!" Fuller nodded seriously. "Absolutely right!"
Arthur's eye twitched.
So did Merritt's.
You switched sides way too fast.
Have some dignity.
If Fuller heard them, he'd probably shout back:
"What dignity? What's more important than money?"
Then a surprised voice came from the doorway.
"Morin?"
Morin looked over and smiled.
"Daniel. Long time no see."
He paused.
"You look... not great."
Today, Morin had decided to demonstrate the authority of an IRS agent.
By becoming Morin the Troll.
And roasting everyone in sight.