"...That's how things stand. This time, we must unite to compensate for the losses we've sustained over time. I think Gotham's thieves have never worked together on such a large scale. Should be pretty interesting, right?"
At the bar of the Gold Cup, Catwoman, holding her whip, paced lazily. The bar was crowded with people, while the mob henchmen, who usually barred thieves from sneaking in, were guarding the door, telling all the incoming guests that the place was closed for the day.
This was all due to Cobblepot seated behind the bar, and the two mob members from the Falcone Family that he brought with him.
After Catwoman finished speaking, Cobblepot stood up, walked to the front of the bar, leaned on the counter, and said, "I know many of you are unhappy with the widespread construction in Gotham, with the annoying project by Wayne Enterprises in the East District, the security robots are not only affecting you, but people from all walks of life in Gotham."
"But you also know, we can't just look at our immediate gains. I believe many of you are living in houses owned by Wayne Enterprises, or your children have started attending the nursery schools in the buildings."
Cobblepot swept his gaze over the crowd. Several people nodded slightly. Most of the thieves here were masked, unwilling to reveal their faces - it was their way of protecting themselves.
In the criminal industry of Gotham, theft is undoubtedly at the very bottom. Even for a super thief like Catwoman, it's her stunning appearance, not her theft skills, that's most well-known. Nobody in this city respects thieves.
Most of Gotham's thieves aren't willing thieves, they also aspire to rise in the world of the criminal industry, but then again, who'd be a thief if they could have a place within the mob?
While there are thieves like Catwoman who steal solely because of their preference for certain types of goods, theft requires agility and speed. So they have to train and strengthen these qualities, resulting in their defensive and offensive powers falling far short of those in the mob. Most often, they could only swallow their pride when bullied, and if caught, death is the only way out.
In fact, Gotham's thieves are a class between the mobsters and ordinary lower-class people, ranking just half a level higher than doormen, car washers, and street vendors who provide services to the mob. They barely count as self-employed, not having to answer to anyone.
But it's not easy to be a thief in Gotham either. There are too many people dissatisfied with their low-ranking roles in the mob, but without the ability to climb higher. Everyone thinks that stealing is easier, leading to competition in this profession that's even more fierce than that among mob henchmen.
At least Gotham is a metropolis with a population of millions, and with poor public security and an insufficient police force, so the city can just about provide for these startlingly numerous thieves. But ever since the reforms within the mob and city transformation started, the competition within the thieving industry has been intensified.
All the thieves summoned to the Gold Cup Bar this time are the top players from various areas, to put it bluntly, they're the kings of survival in the brutal battle of the thieving industry. If it weren't for Batman employing his cutting-edge tracking technology, they wouldn't all be gathered so completely here. This group of people might be lacking in many ways, but not in their ability to run away.
Among them are incredibly intelligent but twisted kleptomaniacs, natural-born super thieves with exceptional physical conditions, and "collectors" with deep knowledge that can directly authenticate various antiques and jewels in auction houses. But what sets them apart from the mob the most is that they live among the populace.
Without the intricate network of relationships within the mob, it's impossible for them to live in the North District. Unable to justify their income and often having to sell stolen goods, they can't reside in the South and West Districts either. So most of them live in the East District.
They also benefit from the East District's transformation plan, so even if their income isn't as good as before, they can't complain much.
Before Cobblepot summoned them here, most of them were saving money by siphoning off. But many of them no longer live as lone wolves as they used to.
Once moving into new homes, the mating instinct of humans comes into play. One finds a mate, gets married, and then children come along. When a child is born, expenses dramatically increase and incomes decrease, inevitably causing headaches.
So before Cobblepot could say anything more, someone asked aloud, "I heard that a magician and a vampire are coming? Fine, I couldn't care less about who they are. I just want to ask, can I keep whatever I steal?"
"Of course, you can, but on the condition that you follow our arrangements."
A blond man who spoke sighed deeply and said, "I've been a thief for nearly twenty years, and I've never heard of a thief having to follow instructions."
"Well, you can certainly operate alone, but do you think you can out-steal everyone here?"
Cobblepot's words made many of the insiders present hesitate. As top figures in their industry, they were inevitably familiar with each other's skills. The competition in the thieving industry of Gotham has now escalated to a point where everyone is a super thief. No one was sure they could be the first to grab the most opportunities to steal.
And what if someone tries to sabotage others for prey? Magicians and vampires sound rather dangerous. One mistake could cost one's life. If it comes down to who's more brutal and ruthless, then why aren't they competing with mob henchmen?