6

A/N: I've decided. I'll release till chapter 10 then give a new one every Monday and Thursday.

Joseph spent the night testing his limits. What had once been a waking nightmare—the thing that nearly shattered his mind—was now the key to his future.

"Nova, set some ground rules. If I'm in danger, put me in Speed State immediately. Otherwise, just give me a heads-up. If I get poisoned, detect it and flush it out. Ask before using healing unless I'm about to die—then act on your own. Keep my emotions in check, boost my cognition, senses, and strength when needed. And…" He hesitated. "Shut off my dreams."

//Understood. To fully optimize your body, physical training is required.//

Joseph exhaled. "Yeah, I figured. Once I've got money and time for a gym, we'll handle that."

//If no gym is available, I can guide your body through calisthenics while you sleep.//

He paused, considering. "Honestly? Go for it. We share a body. If you wanted full control, you'd have taken it by now." He smirked. "I trust you. But not tonight."

//Acknowledged. Thank you.//

"Now, about the real problem—money. What's our best move?"

//Additional data required. Connect me to a device with internet access.//

Joseph pulled out his battered Queen Industries smartphone and let Nova take over. It was a strange experience—watching his own fingers move without input. The AI scanned financial reports, tech forecasts, and market trends for 2009.

//Decentralized currency. Mobile gaming. Social media. Cloud storage. These industries show exponential growth potential. However, they require initial capital and time.//

Joseph ran a hand down his face. "Of course. I need money to make money. I can't afford rent, let alone startup costs. And even if I could, I'm too young to invest or gamble legally." His jaw tightened. "I don't know a single adult in Gotham I can trust. They'd rob me blind."

The realization settled in. The legal route wasn't just slow—it was impossible.

"Yeah. Screw it. Before, stealing was a stupid risk. Now? Now it's a calculated one."

**

Joseph quit his jobs the next day. A few texts sent. No explanations. Just a clean break. Nova flagged this as reckless, but he didn't care. If he was going to do this, he had to be all in.

The city stretched before him, full of opportunities waiting to be seized. His neighborhood was a mess—not quite as bad as the Narrows, but close. Junkies on corners, homeless camps spreading block by block, cops that only showed up after the damage was done.

The bus ride downtown was its usual misery—stained seats, broken windows, the stale stench of cigarettes and sweat. He stared out at the city he barely knew. The last time he'd been here was with his mom, years ago, to watch the Gotham Knights get stomped by the Metropolis Mets. That was all he remembered.

For a brief moment, he considered having one last normal night before fully committing to this path. A movie? Nothing looked good. Crime thrillers, superhero flicks—why pay for fiction when he could step outside and see the real thing?

"Guess I'm one of the freaks now." The thought made him laugh, but there was no humor in it.

Instead, he ended up at the Gotham Museum of Antiquities. A scouting trip. No plans to steal—just research. He wandered the exhibits, mentally cataloging jewelry cases, security placements, and potential exits.

Then, a voice cut through the quiet. Smooth, amused. Too familiar.

"Didn't peg you for a history buff, kid."

Joseph turned sharply, already knowing who he'd see. There she was—blue dress, expensive necklace, that same knowing smirk. The woman who had caught him casing an exhibit weeks ago.

The same exhibit that had still been robbed.

His stomach twisted. If she was here, it wasn't a coincidence.

"I told you I wasn't a thief," he muttered.

She chuckled. "No, but you're trying real hard to change that."

She turned and walked away. No invitation. No demand. Just the expectation that he'd follow.

And he did.

Through the streets of Gotham, she moved with the ease of someone who belonged anywhere. He stayed a few steps behind, unsure if he was chasing her or being led somewhere. Eventually, they reached an alley—quiet, empty. The kind of place people disappeared from.

If she was going to ditch him, this was the spot.

But she didn't.

Instead, she led him straight through and out onto the next street, where a cab was already waiting. She slid into the backseat, the door still open.

Joseph hesitated. This was his limit. He couldn't follow her inside.

She watched him for a beat, then sighed, shifting over to make room. "Need a ride, kid?"

His mouth opened, then closed. "Uh… yeah?"

"Good." She patted the seat beside her. "But I'm not taking you home yet. I have shopping to do." Her smirk returned. "Carry my bags, and we'll see where the night takes us."

Joseph exhaled, stepping into the car.

Fuck it. Why not.