Reborn as Richard Castle in Criminal Minds

Since Castle could see the young version of the M**F**er at this time—oh, now this guy hasn't gone bald, hasn't become stronger, and hasn't lost an eye yet, so he hasn't evolved into the black-hearted Fury yet.

This also means that this guy hasn't yet encountered the officer John McClane, who, upon appearance, isn't blowing up buildings or planes, and finally has to blow up dams, much like the bomb-happy Michael Bay!

This means that the gang pretending to be terrorists and making a fake bomb to attract the attention of the entire NYPD before robbing the Federal Reserve Bank with a garbage truck hasn't started their brain-blowing but unexpected heist yet? If that's the case, do I have another chance to watch the excitement and even get involved?

Thinking about the possibility of witnessing another grand scene, Castle couldn't help but walk towards the young M**F**er. When Castle approached the puzzled Zeus, who was confused by his approach, and extended his hand to introduce himself, the system prompt, which hadn't appeared for a while, popped up with a "ding."

"Detected that the host has contacted an important character from the 'Die Hard 3' plot, Zeus. A side mission is now issued: Die Hard.

Mission: Assist Officer John McClane and the important character Zeus in thwarting Simon's plan to rob the Federal Reserve Bank (Note: The host must wait until Simon installs the fake 2,400-pound bomb at St. John's School, successfully attracts the NYPD's attention, and successfully blows open the Federal Reserve Bank before intervening!).

Help the NYPD to identify and disarm Simon's bombs and recover the gold bars stolen by Simon!

Also, please note, the system requires the host to intervene after Simon starts his actions and not necessarily just stand by and do nothing before that. Host should understand this by himself!

Reward: Since this side mission will start in ten days, and the robbers led by Simon are heavily armed and indifferent to collateral damage during the heist, the mission difficulty is high. The system will grant a targeted reward based on the host's performance in this event..."

The task issued by the system only made Castle pause slightly before he stopped paying attention. After all, this thing is in his mind, and he can study it slowly after going home. The key now is to get to know the young M**F**er and leave an impression.

When Castle was about to make contact, the system had already assumed he had contacted an important character from the Die Hard plot? What does this mean? It means that this guy with glasses, looking honest, is as important as the protagonist McClane!

And now he had the perfect chance to get to know him, so when the plot officially starts in ten days, it would be natural to help John McClane and the hardware store owner, who is being threatened by Simon's fake bomb and running around New York City searching for clues.

Determined to establish a good relationship with the young M**F**er, Castle ignored Zeus's puzzled expression, hurriedly took two steps forward, grabbed the hardware store owner Zeus's bewildered hand, and shook it vigorously: "Hello, hello, I'm Castle, Richard Castle. I'm a writer, doing some research for my new book, and I also need to buy some hardware supplies. What's your name, boss?"

Zeus, startled by Castle's sudden enthusiasm, was about to pull his hand away when he heard Castle's introduction. Coincidentally, Zeus had read Castle's novels and was currently reading the first book of the Nicky Heat series recommended on the New York bestseller list, also written by this guy.

But this cheerful, grinning guy shaking his hand vigorously was really the author of his favorite detective novels?

Squinting and carefully scrutinizing the guy still holding his hand, Zeus recognized him thanks to the big photo of Castle on the back cover of his latest Nicky Heat novel, courtesy of the publisher. Astonished and uncertain, Zeus realized the overly enthusiastic guy was indeed the author he liked. However, what was a white guy doing walking alone into a predominantly black neighborhood, which was dangerous for white people, especially at night?

Confirming that the overly enthusiastic guy holding his hand was indeed Richard Castle, Zeus's tension eased. He shyly withdrew his hand from Castle's firm grip and asked puzzledly, "Hello, Mr. Castle. Nice to meet you. I'm Zeus, the owner of Zeus Hardware Store. I'm a fan of your books, but why are you here at this time? You know, nights here are not safe, especially for a lone white guy. Are you lost?"

Castle wasn't lying; he genuinely needed to buy some small tools to modify and improve the drone frame he built earlier. Besides, he couldn't just tell Zeus that in ten days, he would help Officer John McClane escape from the furious black guys chasing him due to the sign he wore, and get involved in a heist, could he?

Smiling, Castle walked into Zeus's hardware store while explaining, "As I said, I'm doing research for my new book, not lost. But seeing your store open, I thought I could buy some small tools to work on something at home. And, Zeus, I feel we have a connection. I have a feeling we might become friends..."

Watching Castle wander around his store, Zeus looked at him incredulously, mumbling, "Mr. Castle, what exactly do you need? I can help you find it. But you said we might become friends?"

In the original plot, Zeus was actually quite smart and kind-hearted. However, in this reality, he seemed a bit socially anxious. Hearing his favorite author wanting to be friends gave Zeus an overwhelming sense of unreality, so he softly asked for confirmation, hoping to hear Castle's affirmative response.

While Castle might not excel in other skills, his ability to interact with people seemed innate. Unlike Neal, who gained people's favor with his looks, Castle's emotional intelligence was off the charts. From Zeus's hesitant words, Castle immediately sensed the underlying joy, insecurity, and anticipation!

Thus, with his social skills maxed out, Castle stopped scanning the store and sincerely looked at Zeus standing at the door with a slight smile: "See, we've introduced our names and professions. So, I think we're already friends, right? How about I put you in my new novel? Give you a character to prove our friendship?"

Castle's joke instantly relaxed the nervous Zeus, who finally smiled genuinely: "No, no, Mr. Castle, although I love your novels, especially your latest one featuring the NYPD officer, I know you're writing a detective story. Apart from the police, there are criminals. I don't want to be a gangster or a psycho killer in your book..."

Castle, successfully dispelling Zeus's tension, continued jokingly, "How about I make you a gang boss then? Don't worry, you'd be surrounded by beauties. How about that? And I promise, Nicky Heat won't arrest you! Hmm... Let me think, a retired gang boss secretly helping Nicky. How does that sound?"

After saying that, Castle winked at Zeus with a mischievous grin.

Zeus didn't expect Castle to be such a jokester in real life. Helplessly, he looked at the grinning Castle waiting for his answer and decisively ended the topic: "Alright, Mr. Castle, let's not discuss adding a character for me in your new book anymore!

By the way, you said you wanted to buy some small tools? What exactly do you need? I'll help you find them."

___________________

Read Ahead

[email protected]/Mutter