episode_0008

(Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!)

The robbers stacked bags full of money in the center of the hall.

“Hmm, there’s quite a lot.”

“It’s from Union Bank.”

Union Bank is the largest bank in Union City. But for such a bank, the security seemed a bit lax. Perhaps because it’s a branch in the provinces.

“What about the casualties?”

“Yes! 4 injured and 1 dead.”

“And the person killed?”

“There isn’t one.”

“Good. Then it’s time to start making our way out.”

Oh, by the way, the entire block is surrounded by the police right now. If you get close to the window, you might end up with a sniper’s laser dot on your forehead.

(Click!)

“They’re here.”

(Thud)

[Detective Layton here.]

“Oh, Detective John Layton, we’ve been waiting for you.”

[…Do you know who I am?]

“Of course. You graduated from Central Police Academy 40th class and were transferred here 8 years ago, right?”

[Alright. Are the hostages unharmed?]

“Yes, all eight limbs and necks are intact. Of course, there are no holes in their heads or anywhere else.”

[…I see. Right now, the situation hangs between whether this will turn into a villain scenario or just remain a criminal case. Make a wrong move, and a hero will come.]

“Oh! That’s exactly what I want!”

[…?]

“Let’s do this. If a hero of… B-rank or higher doesn’t show up within 10 minutes, I’ll kill half of the hostages.”

“Gasp!!”

*Sigh!*

At the threat of killing hostages, they became agitated.

[Hey, it seems like you’re taking this situation lightly.]

“Well then, should I kill one of them now?”

(Snap)

“Come here!”

“Scream!!”

At Arthur’s gesture, one of the robbers dragged a woman towards the window.

“If you’re playing around, we should have killed half the hostages already. Why are you doing this, Detective? Can’t you understand people’s sincerity?”

[…Alright, calm down.]

“Calm down? I’ve always been calm. Why are you saying that?”

[You’ll be safe only if the hostages are safe.]

“That’s why I’m telling you to bring a hero if you want to save those hostages.”

[Why are you doing this?]

“Don’t you even know that? Because I’m a villain, because I’m a villain, there has to be a hero. Is a coin a coin if it only has one side?”

(Ting!)

Arthur said so and flicked the coin with one hand.

[Alright, bring the hero.]

“Thank you.”

(Swish Swish)

When Arthur gestured for him to come over, the robber brought the hostage back to the center.

[……Name]

“?”

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Villain Mad Hatter.”

“Mad Hatter, got it.”

“Hmm.”

(swish)

After ending the call, Arthur stood up from his seat and picked up a bag of money.

“Gasp!”

Then he approached the woman who had just been dragged away by the robber and threatened with her life.

“There’s roughly about 100,000 won (worth approximately 100 million won) in here. Take one. I’m truly sorry for involuntarily involving you in this performance.”

He placed the bag of money next to the woman.

“Now, if you act as a hostage, you can receive 100,000 won! Any volunteers?”

“…”

“…”

(silence)

“!”

When the woman took the bag of money and opened the zipper, she could see that it was filled with bills that seemed to emit light, although they were made of non-reflective paper material.

“I’ll do it.”

“Take it.”

“I’ll do it too.”

“Yes, take it.”

“Me!”

“Yes, you there.”

“I’ll do it too!”

“Take it.”

Starting with one or two people, most of the people in the hall raised their hands. Then Arthur indiscriminately threw bags of money containing 100,000 won to the people.

“Now, Mr. Headhunter, take one too.”

Arthur said, holding one of the bags of money, which had disappeared by half by now.

“…”

Although the headhunter was not visible, he received the bag with an embarrassed expression.

“What’s this?”

“It’s nothing. It’s a charity event. Is there anyone who hasn’t received one? No? Very good.”

(ringing!)

“Oh, he’s here.”

(thud)

“Hey, Mad Hatter, you’re the hero you’ve been wanting to be.”

(thump)

“I’m Hero Snow Flower. Are the hostages safe?”

“Just a moment.”

After confirming the arrival of the hero, Arthur briefly covered the microphone part of the phone.

“How is he?”

“He’s an A-class hero, responsible, just, and perfect. But even though he’s an A-class hero, will it be okay?”

Hector’s voice came through the earphone.

“It’s actually better.”

(swish)

Arthur brought the phone back to his ear.

“Oh, Snow Flower, nice to meet you.”

“Why did you call the hero?”

“What, it’s my first appearance as a villain, and I think I’ll regret it forever if there’s no hero. Okay, enough chit-chat. How about Snow Flower? Did you have breakfast this morning?”

[…What?]

“Did you have breakfast?”

[……]

Despite not being visible over the phone, it was clear that an awkward situation was unfolding due to the unexpected question.

[Yes.]

“Good. Breakfast is the first step for health. What did you have?”

[What are you trying to do right now?]

“Well, it’s like this. The first principle of negotiation: build rapport with the hostage-taker.”

[…So why are you doing that?]

“Our police officers aren’t doing it, so I am. So, what did you have for breakfast? I just had toast. We have important work to do, so we shouldn’t be too full.”

[…Salad.]

“Oh, having salad for breakfast, you’re someone who cares about health, I see.”

[A little.]

“Okay. Let’s continue this conversation. Once we’ve built enough rapport, we can proceed with proper negotiations. Hm? Wait, it seems like there’s a problem.”

Arthur said, looking at the empty space where nothing had happened.

“I’m sorry to bring this up, but could you call me back in about 10 minutes?”

[Okay.]

“Thank you.”

*Click*

“What’s up?”

“We need time to talk among ourselves, don’t we?”

“So why are you giving that to me?”

“We need to find out how many hostages there are, which ones are indispensable, and the strength of the criminals. We need to make a plan to draw attention and secretly infiltrate to subdue them.”

“…I really don’t understand, so why are you giving time to make such a plan?”

“Even if we make a plan, they’ll be the ones to get dragged around if it doesn’t work.”

“?

“If we make a plan and it doesn’t work, they’ll be seen as incompetent, won’t they?”

*Ringing*

“Ah, the timing is perfect.”

Arthur took out a pocket watch, confirmed that exactly 10 minutes had passed, and answered the phone again.

“Snow Flower, do you use social media by any chance?”

[Yes.]

“It seems even heroes can’t resist the temptation of social media.”

“Oh, I’m not posting anything in particular, just using it to see what others are posting.”

“I guess I’m the same. I wonder why so many people want to portray themselves as living so well and looking so cool by decorating false appearances. No matter what happens in the world.”

[…I don’t think it’s appropriate for the villain to say that.]

“Isn’t it true that humans are duplicitous creatures? As fellow humans, we should overlook such duplicity.”

“Mad Hatter, you are currently in the management office-”

“Oh! You finally called my name! Yes, this is how you build intimacy.”

[…….]

“Oh, sorry. Please continue.”

“They are trying to classify you as a villain in the management office right now.”

“This is truly an honor.”

“What exactly do you want?”

“What I want, Snow Flower, is what do you want?”

“I asked the question.”

“And the person who wants the answer to that question. If you want an answer to the question, then answer my question first.”

[…]

“Snow Flower, what do you want?”

“Just because I have power, I help people. Do I need another reason?”

“No, no. Humans need a reason. They need a purpose. That’s the essence of human existence. Purpose! Humans hunted, made fire, and built civilization to achieve the purpose of survival. However, having achieved the goal of survival, humans desired more and evolved to achieve it. So, what is the goal? What is the purpose of life?”

“…Peace.”

“Peace, desiring something that humanity neither has nor will ever have. You are more idealistic than I thought.”

“Why, someone said to aim high.”

“Haha, I didn’t mean to belittle. Everyone has the right to freely have what they want. Now, shall we change the detective next to you?”

“…Changed.”

“Now, the first negotiation. I’m hungry after just having toast for breakfast. Three blocks over at Calphry’s restaurant, steak, lobster, and pasta.”

“Pasta.”

When Arthur looked at the headhunter, the headhunter stated the menu he wanted.

“Yes, including pasta. I would appreciate it if you could bring it. Oh! Of course, I’ll make sure the hostages are safe.”

Does this negotiation make any sense right now?

“Is there a problem?”

Negotiate according to the situation.

“In this situation, I have a gun, armed subordinates, and unarmed civilians held hostage, including the youngest daughter of the bank manager from the Union Bank, whom you thought I wouldn’t know about.”

“!!”

“Are there conditions I can’t demand in this situation? Um… seems like there aren’t any.”

(Tadadadada!!!)

“Ahh!”

“P-please spare us!”

One subordinate fired a shot towards the ceiling. It was Arthur’s instruction to threaten the police.

“The content is the same. You’re recording, right? If I say it again, it might lead to more conditions.”

“[…]”

“It’s been an hour.”

(Thud)

“……”

“?”

Arthur met the headhunter who was staring blankly at him.

“Why?”

“Are you perhaps experienced? Not just once or twice.”

“Is that so?”

It seems like his past experiences and his inherently villainous nature make him adept at such things.

No, honestly, it’s a bit fun. But if it gets too enjoyable, it becomes dangerous.

(Crackle!)

Arthur, who was waiting for a meal, tore open a packet of snacks.

(Gasp!)

“Would you like one?”

Then, he pushed the packet towards the startled woman sitting next to him on the chair.

“Oh, no thank you.”

“They’re delicious.”

(Crunch)

“If you’re the youngest daughter of the bank manager from the Union Bank, you must have enjoyed everything.”

“…”

(Snap!)

The woman grabbed her skirt and lips.

“You know, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t. That’s why I’m asking.”

“Living while being restrained by family, even criticized by relatives, is that a life of enjoyment?”

“But still, it’s a better life than being a homeless person on the street, isn’t it?”

“Comparisons-”

“Well then, can you leave your home right now? Can you give up all the wealth and position at home and live in a slum?”

“…”

“If not, then you have to endure. In a society where most people cannot enjoy what you can.”

“…”

“Whether to live unhappily with wealth and high status, or to live having discarded everything, one must choose one of the two. However, the unhappy people I’ve met never discard their wealth and status.”

“You speak as if you’ve lived a similar life.”

“Well, I chose the latter.”

“…Are you thinking of killing me?”

The woman spoke, her hands and lips trembling slightly.

“?”

“If you had revealed even a little of your identity, why would you hide it…”

“Haha, do you really believe that?”

“Then is it a lie…”

“Well, who knows? It could be true?”

…”

To the man who was completely clueless, the woman’s words were defining the villain, Mad Hatter.

“We’d appreciate it if our esteemed hostage stayed quiet for a while. Have some tea and snacks.”

(Swish)

Arthur stood up from his seat.

“Alright, let’s start getting ready.”

“Yes!!”

Alice will be home soon.

I have to make dinner.