"Nick Fury, get ready for a massive embarrassment," Lance muttered as he strolled down the streets of Williamsburg, holding a steaming bowl of hot Langos.
Once, this area felt like a forgotten land—dingy, quiet, and filled with eccentric artists who looked like creatures from a noir story: gloomy faces, messy hair, and empty stares full of irony. But that was precisely why it had its own kind of magic—dark, mysterious, and alive.
However, in recent years, revitalization projects had surged in. Real estate developers from all over were invading. Williamsburg began to fill up with urban bourgeois and fashionable intellectuals from Lower Manhattan craving for an "artistic aura." The place was changing, showing signs of becoming a fortress of new fashion and creativity in the city.
Fortunately, the eccentric aroma and aura of strangeness still lingered. The streets were now filled with a mix of luxury shops, ethnic restaurants, quirky boutiques, and art warehouses that refused to be sterilized.
Many people like Lance wandered the streets—clutching coffee, burgers, or langos—while gazing at the graffiti that crawled wildly on the alley walls. Some works were truly extraordinary. The vibrant colors blended with the textures of the old buildings, transforming the shabby walls into a mesmerizing urban canvas. There was a kind of magic in how decay could be turned into beauty.
"Turning ruins into wonders," Lance thought.
Lance stopped in front of a small shop, admiring a mural of Popeye painted in a surreal style—his arms too long, his pipe spewing stars instead of smoke.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from down the street.
"Don't run!"
"Stop!"
That was Nolan's voice.
Lance turned. From the crowd emerged a man in a black mask, dressed like a panicked second-rate robber. The man broke through the people, running straight toward Lance.
Not far behind the man, Nolan—dressed in a police uniform with a taser drawn—was relentlessly pursuing him. Nolan's breath was heavy, but his steps were steady.
Lance smiled slightly.
Ah, that's Nolan for you. While other officers might have fired their weapons without hesitation, Nolan chose a tougher yet more humane approach.
However, this robber didn't seem like your typical cold-blooded gangster either. The man wasn't attacking anyone, taking hostages, or even looking back. He was just running like a madman.
Lance sniffed slowly. There was no smell of blood. No hint of murderous intent. Not a killer, not a thug.
Maybe just a damn thief.
Lance thought for a moment, then tore off a corner of the snack he was holding. With his index finger, Lance flicked the piece of fried food with measured force.
Thwack!
The piece shot forward, hitting the fugitive's knee.
The man immediately lost his balance. He stumbled, crashing hard onto the sidewalk, then slid a few meters—ending right at Lance's feet.
"Put your hands on your head!" Nolan shouted, closing in quickly.
"Take off your mask, slowly!"
"Hands on your head, fingers interlaced! Now!"
Nolan was not the type to act recklessly. He knew when to advance and when to wait. This time, he chose to stand a few meters away, observing the robber who was crouched there, hands clasped on his head, as if powerless. Slowly, Nolan stepped forward and quickly handcuffed the man without further ado.
While securing the cuffs, Nolan turned to Lance and casually asked, "Mr. White, what brings you here?"
Lance smiled slightly, his tone light but meaningful, "What a coincidence, Officer Nolan."
Nolan raised an eyebrow but quickly turned back to the robber. "Wait a moment, let me handle this guy first." Nolan grinned and deftly searched the man's body. No gun or weapons were found—just a few small boxes hidden in his pants pocket.
"What's this, buddy?" Nolan lifted one box.
The man removed his mask, revealing a plain face, devoid of deceit. He sighed and said honestly, "That's Boss Scarlett's urine sample for a drug test... If that sample gets tested, Boss Scarlett will violate her parole. She could end up back in prison for two more years. So, I stole it."
Turns out, he wasn't just an ordinary robber. The man had only stolen from a delivery truck to prevent a woman named Scarlett from going back to prison.
Nolan frowned, "Poor woman. She shouldn't have to end up like this." He opened another small box, revealing a sparkling diamond ring. "Did you take this too?"
The man stammered and stared at the ring, his face turning bright red, "I bought that... I've always wanted to propose to Boss Scarlett, but I was afraid she'd say no. Now all I can think about is her."
Lance furrowed his brow, unsure how to react.
Nolan remained calm, as if he was used to dealing with situations like this, and said with a slightly sad tone, "That woman is a drug addict and has a long criminal record."
"I don't care. I love Boss Scarlett!" The man shone with enthusiasm. "Ever since we talked at the zoo, I fell in love. I want to spend the rest of my life with Boss Scarlett!"
Nolan looked at the man, then set aside the ring box, thinking for a moment. "Alright. I'll give you this chance. Before you go to prison, you can propose to her."
"Thank you! Thank you!" The man nearly jumped for joy, his cheeks flushed.
Lance stared at the pancake he was holding, suddenly feeling a bit nauseous. Damn, why do I have to watch this drama? Lance thought. Am I just too cynical?
Nolan easily carried the man, turning to Lance, "Mr. White, want to grab a coffee? I need to talk."
Lance was momentarily taken aback, "Why? What's going on?"
Nolan let out a long sigh, his face slightly gloomy, "I'm feeling overwhelmed. I need to vent."
Lance was used to being Nolan's sounding board. When difficult situations arose at the office, Nolan preferred to open up to Lance, even though it sometimes made Lance feel like an impromptu psychologist.
"Alright..." Lance was about to agree, but his eyes suddenly fixed on Queens.
There was chaos happening over there.
And most importantly—Nancy was also in the midst of that chaos.
"Nolan, I have to go there. It's urgent." Lance hurriedly stood up. "We'll talk another time."
With quick steps, Lance left Nolan, who was still carrying the man, his eyes gazing far towards the escalating turmoil.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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