Battle for Siren's Heart (2)
'As expected.'
I knew Jenaraider would show up. His superpower was lightning, specialized in wide-area attacks. With so many VIPs inside the museum, I figured he'd come out here where he could unleash his abilities without restraint.
"You lot, go."
"Got it! Move out as per yesterday's plan!"
I'd given my bald-headed minions—those without superpowers—just two orders. One was to launch smoke bombs, and the other...
"Gaaah!"
"Kekekeke! Smash everything!"
...was to sow chaos in the city. They threatened passersby on the streets and wrecked whatever was in their path.
"Don't kill... just hurt 'em!"
"Kyaaah!"
"Hey, hold up! Boss said no touching kids or their moms!"
"Oh, right. Sorry. Go on through."
"Hiiik!"
The baldies didn't lay a finger on families with children. They knew full well I'd crush them if they did, so even amid the chaos, they followed my orders to the letter.
"Damn it! You handle those bastards! I'll take on Steel Armor!"
"But..."
"What are you waiting for? Go!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The A-rank heroes who'd come out with Jenaraider rushed off to intercept the baldies. Now, only me, Jenaraider, and the unconscious heroes remained in front of the museum.
"What the hell are you doing here? After the Siren's Heart, I assume?"
"Obviously. Why else would I bother coming?"
"...I was a fool to ever think you were one of the good guys, even for a moment."
Jenaraider spat the words bitterly. Probably because we'd teamed up against Shadow Killer once—he must've seen me in a decent light.
"I'm a good guy. I just don't let scruples get in the way of my goals."
"No one calls someone who ignores morals a 'good guy.'"
"Is that so? How tragic."
I shrugged.
"Anyway, what do you think? You've fought me firsthand—you know what I'm capable of. Hand over the Siren's Heart, and I'll back off nice and quiet. Better than letting more people get hurt, right?"
"Not a chance. The Siren's Heart holds the souls of our senior heroes. And..."
His eyes grew distant for a split second, as if lost in memory. But they sharpened again, filled with enmity.
"You'll have to step over my corpse to take it."
"That so? Guess I'll be stepping over your corpse today then. Shame, really. I liked you too—you know, like you liked me. You made a fine mount, kamabunta."
"What?!"
"Here goes!"
I launched myself at Jenaraider.
"Spiderform!"
His body swelled massively, four legs sprouting from his sides. The giant spider Jenaraider unleashed a bolt of lightning at me.
Bzzt!
"Guh!"
The electricity coursed through me, drawing out a groan. But it wasn't that bad. The suit tailored by Peter Elder blocked some of the shock.
Zippy! This suit's the best!
"Hya!"
"Kyaaaah!"
My fist collided with Jenaraider's head.
*****
"What's going on?"
"Villains?"
"What about us?"
The noises from outside made the people inside murmur anxiously. Left alone, it would've spiraled into full panic.
"Esteemed guests! Please stay calm!"
That's when Acardan Museum director Samuel Sos boomed out in a resonant voice.
"We have S-rank hero Tough Guy and brave A-rank heroes here with us! No villain stands a chance—our heroes will keep you all safe. No need to worry!"
Tough Guy spoke next.
"He's right. Even if it costs our lives, we'll protect you!"
"Yeah, with Tough Guy here, what could go wrong?"
"And the hero who went out is S-rank Jenaraider too. Two S-ranks on site? Nothing's gonna happen."
With an S-rank like Tough Guy stepping up, the crowd settled. Two S-ranks present was enough to ease their fears.
Tough Guy was a veteran S-rank hero who'd held the line for over twenty years. Alongside now-retired Association President Valencia, he'd been at the forefront, capturing villains and saving lives—a symbol of the Hero Association.
His presence alone quelled the unrest.
'Jenaraider's out of position, huh?'
Amid the calm, some eyes gleamed sharper. One belonged to Steel Armor's biggest rival—and his mom—Stephanie Yu.
The crowd didn't grasp what it meant for Jenaraider to step out despite A-ranks being present. It signaled a villain outside who required an S-rank's personal attention.
And the only ones in Dark City demanding an S-rank were fellow S-rank villains.
'Who could it be?'
S-rank villain names flashed through her mind. Whoever it was, she owed them big time. Just as S-rank heroes were obstacles for Steel Armor, they were thorns for her and her husband too.
They'd planned to steal the Siren's Heart by fooling the S-ranks, but unlike other jobs, success odds were low. With one lured away, though, they skyrocketed.
"Mom."
"Yes?"
Bal Ji-na grabbed Stephanie's hand. Her son, Bal Jeong-nam, stood beside her.
'Oh!'
Stephanie belatedly remembered her precious children were here too. In her fixation on the Siren's Heart, she'd overlooked the obvious.
Unlike her superpowered husband and herself, her kids had no abilities. If things went south here, they could get hurt.
'I can't let that happen!'
Her fevered excitement cooled like a splash of ice water. Sure, the Siren's Heart was a priceless treasure no amount of money could buy.
But her children were worth more.
'I have to protect them!'
Even if it meant abandoning the prize.
"Don't worry. You two..."
"I'll protect you, Mom. No worries."
"Huh?"
Ji-na cut her off, leaving Stephanie baffled.
'Come to think of it...'
Neither her son nor daughter looked scared. They wore resolute expressions, like they'd steeled themselves.
"N-no, I'll protect you kids..."
"No! I'll protect you, Mom!"
"Hey, protect me too while you're at it."
"You're on your own!"
"Harsh, sis."
"...Don't stray from me."
"What?"
"Shut up! Figure out your own way to survive!"
"Pfft."
Stephanie burst out laughing at her bickering kids.
*****
To soothe the crowd, the director sprinkled seawater on the Siren's Heart. The teardrop-shaped gem sang a beautiful melody—lyrics just an endless "Ah~."
Yet the Siren's song brought peace to their hearts. No one noticed.
Drip...
The water droplets trickling down the wall.
*****
"Kyaaaah!"
Jenaraider screeched, unleashing lightning like a madman. Wounds everywhere, blood flowing—yet he didn't stop, hellbent on driving me off, true to his word about making me step over his corpse.
"Whew, tough."
"Hah... hak! Hah..."
I fell back reluctantly and eyed Jenaraider's ragged breaths.
"Hey, kamabunta—or Jenaraider, whatever. Why go this far?"
"Just... doing my duty."
"Isn't your duty protecting citizens? Not some relic? I swear no one's inside gets touched. I'll just take the Siren's Heart and go. Move aside."
"Can't... do that..."
"God, you're killing me."
I'd threatened to kill him, but I had zero intention. The Hero Association watched me warily but didn't pursue capture. Nabbing an S-rank villain meant rivers of blood, so they left us alone unless pushed.
S-rank villains knew this and avoided killing heroes—especially S-ranks. Tough to kill, and offing one meant all-out war with the Association.
They wouldn't sit idle if an S-rank died.
Ah, but what about Shadow Killer, who slaughtered heroes left and right? Guy's a psycho.
Besides, Jenaraider was a comrade-in-arms. I'm not villain enough to kill a battle buddy.
"The Siren's Heart holds... our seniors' souls..."
"Ever think those 'senior souls' in a relic would weep seeing a junior stake his life on it?"
"..."
Jenaraider's eye twitched. But he held his ground.
"My resolve stands. Kill me and go."
"Kill you? What is this, Hell's Island?"
"Huh?"
I shook my head helplessly.
"Final offer, Jenaraider. Refuse this, and I'll really end you. Think it over."
"..."
"One hit decides it."
"...What?"
"I'll swing this fist. You hit me with your best shot. Take all the time you need."
"..."
He stared in disbelief. No wonder—it was out of left field. But I meant it. No killing, just needed him out. Though the real intent's hidden.
"What's your angle?"
"No angle. Win-win. Or we go all-out brawl? I don't care."
"...Fine."
He nodded after hesitation. Not a bad deal for him.
Ziiiiiing!
Electricity hummed from his body, sparks flying. The same technique he'd used on Shadow Killer's tentacles.
Soon, he vanished in lightning—eyes hard to keep open.
Prep done, he stepped forward. I advanced slowly too.
Then charged.
"Raaagh!"
"Thunderbolt Rampart!"
A massive thunder spear hurtled to shred me.
'Steel Skin.'
I activated the skill and plunged into it.
'Gyaaghyaaah!'
Suit and mask dulled the blast, but it was vicious—enough to vaporize Shadow Killer's tentacles in one go.
Skin under the suit blistered like fire. But regenerated fast—thanks to body enhancer's boosted regen.
Burned flesh warped and healed in cycles. Agony was brutal, but I endured. Pain tolerance helped.
Step by step, I closed in—finally facing him.
"Nap time."
"Graaaah!"
Bam!
I smashed his head full force. The giant spider slammed face-first into the ground.
The tormenting lightning vanished.
"Haa! That tingled."
I shuddered. Without suit and mask? I'd bolt.
With Jenaraider down, I scanned around.
"Phase two cleared."
Luring the museum's S-rank out: phase one.
"Pitch black."
Jenaraider's lightning blacked out part of the city—including the museum, naturally.
That was phase two: cut the power.
Now for phase three.