Marvel : Master of Role-Playing

Gotham City, Wayne Manor.

"So, there really isn't anything like… picking up power shards, making a big scene to gain shock value, or those all-encompassing system shops?"

Reid, holding a cup of tea brewed with Alfred's vast knowledge, was arguing with his absurd system.

"System, you need to understand, as a system, you should strive for improvement too. Even if it's not for me, don't you want to stand tall in front of other systems? Shouldn't you help me out?"

"Think about it—if one day you meet your fellow systems, and all their hosts are out there holding the sun and moon, plucking the stars, having saved countless lives... Meanwhile, your host is still rolling around in the sewers of Gotham City. How embarrassing would that be?"

...

But no matter how much Reid complained, the system remained silent, though Reid himself seemed to be enjoying the conversation.

After all, the secrets of traveling between worlds and the system could never be shared with anyone. The only one who could talk to him freely was this system.

'It's just that the system's voice is kind of hard to listen to. Why can't it have a cute loli voice?'

Reid thought to himself, but just then, the system suddenly spoke.

"Host, I'm truly sorry my voice isn't the cute loli one you wanted."

"Ah? You heard that, system? Well, how about giving me a new role card then...?"

Reid looked expectantly at the system panel that suddenly appeared in front of him, but the response he received was still disappointing.

"Sorry, host. I don't have fellow systems, and I don't feel inferior to them. The system rules are what they are. Once you've completed Alfred's role mission, new cards will be unlocked naturally."

"Eh… stubborn as always…"

Reid sighed, deciding not to press the issue any further. Just then, the sound of helicopter blades buzzing outside Wayne Manor caught his attention.

"Oh, guests are here."

Reid quickly activated Alfred's role-play card, transforming from a handsome young man with blonde hair back into a dignified English gentleman in his fifties.

With a wave of his hand, he gracefully but swiftly opened the grand doors of Wayne Manor.

Standing at the entrance, with a broad smile on his face, was Tony Stark, one hand holding out the tea cup he had previously taken.

"Thank you, Mr. Alfred, for the tea. It's helped me understand a lot."

Behind Tony, a Wayne family vehicle was being lowered by a helicopter.

It was clear that Tony had also brought back the car that had almost been destroyed by the Winter Soldier and had it repaired.

Reid nodded to himself in satisfaction. His plan was going smoothly. It seemed Tony had managed to reconcile with the other party before Howard could intervene.

Tony Stark, inheriting Howard's technology at just 21—Reid couldn't even imagine what the world would be like when the Hulk appeared in 2008.

"Would you like to come in for a chat, Mr. Stark?"

Although it seemed that Tony had no intention of coming in, Reid, still playing the role of Alfred, politely asked.

"No, I have urgent matters to attend to," Tony replied. "However, the date for my mother's funeral has been set. Mr. Alfred, you must come. And..."

Tony paused, looking around the grand Wayne Manor.

"If you wish, Mr. Alfred, I can help you with any troubles within my power. Just say the word."

...

After expressing his thanks, Tony didn't linger, reboarding the helicopter to leave Gotham City.

Back at Wayne Manor, Reid received what was, for now, his best prize: Tony's voluntary help.

"The listing of Wayne Enterprises is inevitable. Everyone working within Wayne Enterprises will not allow the company to continue to decline. So, the focus isn't on Earle, it's on Wayne Enterprises' downfall."

Upon returning to the manor, Reid began sorting through the current intelligence.

"The internal forces in Gotham City can't be used, except for the Falcone family. The current head of the family was once saved by Thomas Wayne, so they're willing to help the Wayne family resist other external forces. As for the other families, even Martha's side of the family, they're all eager to see Wayne Enterprises fall so they can take over."

"Therefore, bringing in outside forces is the only choice. Now, the external forces have been secured. With Wayne Enterprises partnering with Stark Industries, the two largest weapons conglomerates in America joining forces will benefit both sides and prevent Wayne Enterprises from continuing its decline."

The plan had already made significant progress. With Tony's support and Alfred's line of communication, Tony would no longer entertain thoughts of absorbing Wayne Enterprises. And with Howard still alive, as long as they reached a partnership, Wayne Enterprises would be stable for the next few years.

"However, this doesn't mean..." Reid muttered to himself. "Other people can just be ignored."

Previously, Earle wasn't the primary obstacle to Wayne Enterprises, but now that the main obstacle had been dealt with, Earle's influence was becoming more apparent.

Earle held considerable sway within Wayne Enterprises, and Alfred's role as a mere butler had no real decision-making power within the company. Even with the Stark family backing him, it wasn't enough.

Earle and his followers wouldn't abandon the idea of listing the company just because of the Stark partnership. On the contrary, as Wayne Enterprises thrived, they would be even more determined to pursue the listing.

"To convince them to abandon the idea of listing Wayne Enterprises, conventional methods won't work."

Alfred's position on paper was still just that of a butler. No one would take him seriously, especially given the current situation where the Wayne family heir had disappeared. Alfred had no real standing in Gotham.

Reid leaned back into the soft chair, when a deck of playing cards had appeared in his hand. As the packaging was opened, the cards fell one by one to the floor. Gradually, only the final card remained in his hand—the Joker card, the trump card of the 54-card deck.

With a thoughtful expression, Reid stood up and walked toward the bookshelf, revealing a secret passage to the manor's basement. The Batcave hadn't been formed yet, but if there was something to be done, this hidden place was the perfect location.

"Earle and his followers will never give up on listing Wayne Enterprises..."

Reid removed his black suit and white gloves, walking over to a basin filled with a white liquid.

"Gotham won't care about an ordinary butler..."

Reid submerged his head into the white liquid. When he lifted it again, his face had turned a ghostly pale.