For Robert's bizarre ability to coax people into spilling everything, he had tried to guard himself in advance. And yet, just like everyone else before him, he still fell for it.
To be honest, if it weren't for the desperate need for help, Matt Murdock would never have sought out Robert.
With a weary sigh, Matt decided to stop beating around the bush.
"The gang we're dealing with is called the Hand," he said directly. "A secretive organization full of highly-trained ninjas from Japan—deadly fighters with mastery over blades, stealth, and deception. Erica and I discovered some of their criminal activities and were ambushed while investigating. I barely escaped, but she was captured."
Matt's voice became cold, serious. "I need your help to rescue her. These guys are no joke. I'm good—but not good enough alone."
[Title Triggered!]
[Thieves Don't Leave Empty-Handed – Progress: 0/30 million USD]
[Condition: Steal treasures from the Hand.]
[Title: Super High School-Level Thief]
Just as Matt finished his explanation, a glowing system prompt flashed before Robert's eyes. An achievement had triggered. His interest piqued instantly.
Thirty million dollars? That was a big number, even by Robert's ambitious standards.
He turned inward for a moment, thinking through the implications. The Hand might be dangerous, but a stash that big meant opportunity. Of course, the problem wasn't just sneaking in or surviving the encounter—it was finding where that much loot would be hidden.
Matt, seeing Robert fall suspiciously silent, cleared his throat. "Mr. Robert? Are you even listening?"
Robert blinked back to focus and nodded. "Of course. So, you want me to help rescue your mistress?"
"Ex-girlfriend," Matt corrected with a slight wince.
"Same thing," Robert replied with a shrug. "Anyway, let's talk price. How much are you offering to hire me for this job?"
Matt hesitated. "I... can offer two hundred thousand."
He knew it wasn't much, especially since Robert had just pulled five million from a single job. Compared to that, this was lunch money. But it was all Matt could spare, most of his income going toward keeping his struggling law firm afloat.
"You run a law firm, right?" Robert raised a brow. "How are you broke? Aren't American lawyers basically walking money printers?"
Matt looked vaguely pained. "We operate in Hell's Kitchen. Most of our clients are broke. I represent them because they need help, not because they can pay well."
Robert chuckled. "A noble man. But sadly, nobility doesn't pay my bills. Look, I'm not saying you're cheap, but I am saying I expected a bigger offer."
"It's all I have," Matt said quietly. "If I had more, I'd give more. But we don't have time to gather funds—Erica is in danger."
Robert leaned back against the bar counter, folding his arms.
"Alright. For the sake of our... complicated friendship, I'll take the job. But you'll owe me something."
Matt instantly stiffened. "What kind of something?"
"Relax," Robert waved him off. "Nothing illegal. I just want you to agree to a harmless little favor."
"Define harmless."
"You'll see. I promise it won't break your lawyerly code of ethics. Deal?"
Matt paused, then slowly nodded. "Deal."
Night fell over Hell's Kitchen.
Robert arrived first, parking his bike in a quiet alley and adjusting his black mask.
"Lawyer Ma, come in. This is Mercenary 001 reporting from destination point zero point six," he whispered into the comms.
From above, a calm voice replied, "You don't have to talk like that. I'm right here."
Robert looked up. Standing atop the adjacent building was Matt, fully suited in his dark red Daredevil costume. But something was off tonight—the suit shimmered faintly with a red glow.
Matt's voice was tense. "Why did you make me coat my suit in fluorescent powder?"
Robert beamed behind his mask. "So I don't lose you in the dark. Duh."
Matt's sigh was heavy. "You've essentially turned me into a glowing target."
"Relax. You're just our distraction tonight. Think of yourself as... ambient lighting with fists."
The operation was simple: Robert would infiltrate the lower floors of the Hand's compound while Matt drew attention up top. The mission: rescue Erica—and maybe grab a few highly valuable artifacts along the way.
Robert slipped inside the building like a shadow, using a combination of stealth, minor magic-infused tools, and good old-fashioned sneaking. The ninjas patrolling the halls had no idea what hit them.
Above, Matt was doing his part spectacularly, taking down enemy after enemy despite glowing like a Vegas sign. But it worked. Most of the Hand's attention was on the rooftop.
Robert descended into the lower chambers. What he found made him pause.
A hidden vault, its steel door partially ajar.
Inside: gold bars, weapons, and documents marked with names and transactions. Probably blackmail material.
Jackpot.
He stuffed what he could into his bag, including a glowing dagger that practically screamed "cursed" and a bundle of diamonds the size of grapes.
Suddenly, a scream echoed above. Erica.
Robert bolted back upstairs.
The rescue was messy. Ninjas swarmed them like locusts. Erica had been restrained, but Matt was already carving a path toward her.
With Robert joining the fight, the duo made quick work of the remaining guards. Robert's enchanted bullets and Matt's batons danced in the night.
"You alright?" Robert asked, pulling Erica to her feet.
"I am now," she said, wiping blood from her cheek.
As they escaped into the alley, sirens wailed in the distance.
"This way!" Robert shouted, leading them into his car.
As they sped off, Erica looked over her shoulder at the burning compound.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Robert just smirked. "I'm your friendly neighborhood mercenary. And possibly your new favorite priest."
Matt groaned.
Back at Sister Margaret's Bar, Robert sipped from a cold drink, flipping through the documents he'd taken.
"Thirty million... easy."
The system chimed softly.
[Quest Progress: 30 million / 30 million – Complete]
[Title Obtained: Super High School-Level Thief]
He raised his glass.
"To divine justice, rooftop sniping, and getting paid."
Matt, sitting beside him, shook his head. "Remind me never to work with you again."
Robert winked. "You say that now... but wait 'til the next discount deal."
Fade to black.
---
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