"This is Gotham Channel 7. I'm your host, Lexi White, bringing you today's major updates across the city."
The soft glow of the news broadcast lit up the small phone screen as the calm yet slightly dramatic voice of the anchor echoed through the quiet classroom.
"Recently, the infamous phantom thief known as Kaito Kid has once again stirred chaos in Gotham. His public notice announcing the theft of the 'Hope Blue Diamond' triggered massive attention across the city."
"Yesterday marked the day of his predicted appearance. Citizens, authorities, and even curious onlookers gathered, waiting to witness whether the legendary thief would succeed again."
The anchor paused briefly, her tone shifting into something more serious.
"According to the Orpheus Jewelry Exhibition Hall, the police successfully intercepted Kaito Kid during his escape. The 'Hope Blue Diamond' was recovered, marking a rare moment where Gotham law enforcement reclaimed stolen property from him."
"Although Kaito Kid still managed to escape capture… this incident is being considered a symbolic victory for the Gotham Police Department."
A faint murmur could almost be imagined behind the camera—this was not something that happened often.
"But the story may not be as simple as it seems."
Her voice lowered slightly, creating tension.
"An anonymous source claims that Kaito Kid never intended to steal the diamond at all. Instead, his real objective may have been something far stranger—breaking the so-called curse surrounding the 'Hope Blue Diamond.'"
"Furthermore, this source suggests that the individual intercepted by the police may not have been the real Kaito Kid… but merely a decoy deliberately left behind."
The anchor gave a professional smile, though curiosity was clear in her eyes.
"Whether this theory holds any truth remains unknown. The Gotham Police Department has declined to comment, and no concrete evidence has surfaced."
"As always, we leave it to our viewers to decide what to believe."
---
Dean lay lazily across his desk, one arm hanging off the side while his phone rested near his face. The morning sun filtered through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the empty desks.
He had arrived early—too early, in fact. The classroom was still mostly empty, giving him the perfect excuse to kill time.
Watching the news.
When the report ended, he let out a quiet breath.
First of all, he knew one thing clearly—
The anonymous source wasn't him.
He hadn't leaked anything.
That meant someone else had seen through part of the truth… or maybe just guessed.
Maybe a police officer at the scene had been bribed. Maybe someone inside the exhibition leaked it.
Or maybe… someone smarter than expected was watching.
Dean didn't care much.
If anything, it worked in his favor.
The more confusion, the better.
---
"...And now for our final report."
Dean's attention sharpened slightly as the anchor continued.
"A series of bizarre murder cases has recently shaken a neighborhood in Gotham's Upper West Side."
"The victims were found in horrifying conditions… their bodies completely drained of blood."
There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere.
Even through a phone screen, the tension was real.
"According to witnesses, the perpetrator may not be human. Several individuals claim to have seen a giant Bat-Monster roaming the streets at night."
"Witnesses strongly insist that this was not Batman… but a creature far more terrifying."
The camera briefly cut to a dark alleyway photo—blurred, unclear, unsettling.
"However, no confirmed footage or photographic evidence has been released so far. Authorities have yet to verify the existence of such a creature."
"The GCPD has officially stated that there are no 'Bat-Monsters' and no confirmed cases of blood-draining attacks."
"Commissioner James Gordon has taken charge of the investigation."
"We hope the truth will be uncovered soon."
---
Before the anchor could finish, Dean casually swiped the screen and closed the video.
Silence returned.
He stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Then muttered to himself—
"A giant bat monster… killing people?"
A faint smile formed at the corner of his lips.
"Gotham really doesn't disappoint."
---
Dean wasn't someone who blindly believed everything.
But he also wasn't someone who dismissed strange things too quickly.
Because in Gotham…
Urban legends had a habit of becoming real.
---
Back when he first entered middle school, there had been a ridiculous rumor spreading everywhere.
The "Sewer Crocodile."
People said there was a monster living beneath Gotham… something huge, something inhuman.
Everyone laughed about it.
Students joked.
Teachers ignored it.
Even the news dismissed it.
But Dean…
He believed it.
At least, he didn't ignore it.
During that time, he avoided every manhole cover he saw.
Even if it meant taking longer routes home.
People thought he was paranoid.
Weird.
Overthinking things.
Until one day—
The sewer crocodile appeared.
Not a rumor.
Not a joke.
But a real monster.
A humanoid beast with reptilian skin, massive strength, and terrifying presence.
The world came to know him as—
Killer Croc.
And just like that…
The jokes disappeared.
---
Dean slowly sat up, resting his chin on his hand.
"So if history repeats itself…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then this 'Bat-Monster' might not be fake either."
---
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
More students began entering the classroom, their voices gradually filling the space.
The quiet atmosphere faded.
And then—
"Hey… Dean…"
A familiar voice spoke weakly.
Dean turned his head.
Dick Grayson walked in, his posture slightly unsteady.
Dark circles hung under his eyes.
His hair was messy.
And he looked like someone who hadn't slept at all.
Dean blinked.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"Oh wow… what happened to you?"
He leaned back in his chair, clearly amused.
"You look like you got hit by a truck."
---
Dick dropped into his seat with a tired sigh.
"I should be asking you that."
His tone carried irritation.
"We agreed to go to the exhibition together yesterday."
His eyes narrowed.
"You said you wanted to expose Kaito Kid's tricks."
"So where were you?"
---
Dean frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Didn't you call me yesterday morning?"
Dick froze.
"…What?"
---
Dean casually picked up his phone.
"You called me around 8:37 AM."
"You said Kailina found the bug I placed on her."
"You warned me not to come because it might be dangerous."
He shrugged.
"So I didn't go."
---
Dick's confusion instantly turned into shock.
"I never said that."
His voice rose slightly.
"When did I ever call you?"
---
Dean didn't argue.
Instead, he calmly tapped his phone and showed the screen.
"Here."
"Call record."
"8:37 AM."
"Your number."
---
Dick stared at the screen.
Then quickly pulled out his own phone.
His fingers moved rapidly.
And then—
He froze again.
Because there it was.
A call record… that shouldn't exist.
At exactly 8:37 AM.
A call made from his phone.
To Dean.
For a moment, silence filled the space between them.
Then—
"...Damn it."
Dick's expression darkened.
"Kaito Kid."
His hands slowly clenched into fists.
The truth hit him instantly.
Someone had used his identity.
His phone.
His voice.
To manipulate the situation.
And there was only one person in Gotham who could pull off something like that so cleanly—
Kaito Kid.
Anger surged through him.
His grip tightened unconsciously.
The phone in his hand began to creak under pressure.
---
"Hey—HEY!"
Dean suddenly leaned forward.
"What are you doing?"
"If you squeeze any harder, your phone's gonna explode!"
Dick snapped back to reality.
He quickly loosened his grip.
But it was already too late.
Thin cracks had spread across his screen.
---
His face immediately fell.
"…No…"
He stared at the damage.
Heartbroken.
---
People always thought being part of the Wayne family meant unlimited money.
Luxury.
Freedom.
But the truth?
It wasn't that simple.
Bruce Wayne was… strict.
Very strict.
Dick's weekly allowance?
Five dollars.
And that was only if he completed chores assigned by Alfred.
---
Five dollars.
In Gotham.
For a teenager.
With a social life.
---
Impossible.
---
Dick had to take part-time jobs just to afford basic things.
Dates.
Snacks.
Personal items.
Everything cost money.
The only exception?
Equipment related to being Robin.
That could be reimbursed.
Everything else?
He paid himself.
---
Now he looked at his cracked phone.
And his heart felt like it cracked along with it.
---
Meanwhile—
Dean sat there quietly.
Watching.
And inside—
He was smiling.
---
Because everything had gone exactly as planned.
---
From the beginning, Dean knew one thing—
If Kaito Kid wanted to impersonate him…
Then he would need to eliminate any chance of the real Dean appearing.
So what did Dean do?
He made sure that "Dean" had a reason not to go.
---
Getting access to Dick's phone?
Easy.
Cracking the password?
Took less than two minutes.
---
And just to make it perfect—
Dean even used both phones to simulate a real call.
Voice.
Timing.
Behavior.
Everything.
---
So now—
Even Dick himself couldn't tell what was real anymore.
---
Dean leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily.
His expression calm.
Carefree.
As if none of this had anything to do with him.
---
But deep inside—
Everything was under his control.
---
And far beyond this small classroom…
In the shadows of Gotham…
A new legend was beginning to take shape.
---
The Bat-Monster.
The bloodless victims.
The rising fear in the city.
--------------------------
🕷️ End of Chapter
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