#124 Then It's Acknowledged
"Sis... P-Prime Night is tailing us."
"....."
Succubus bit her lip at her little sister's words as she drove. She never imagined things would unfold exactly as Steel Armor had predicted.
'Prime Night himself would make a move... Who would've thought.'
Succubus recalled the conversation she'd had with Steel Armor that morning.
"Act scared when you get in front of Jet Stream."
"Act scared? Why?"
"That way, he'll suspect you."
"... So you did use me?"
To dispel Jet Stream's suspicions—this was tantamount to telling him outright that she was the traitor. And a traitor's words were always pathetic.
At that moment, Succubus thought Steel Armor had used her. But that was only because she didn't know him well yet.
Steel Armor was a man's man—he wasn't the type of lecher to sacrifice a woman who'd come into his arms as a scapegoat.
Steel Armor flashed Succubus a deep smile.
"Use you? Damn right I did. Your pussy felt fucking amazing. Since we're on the topic, mind if I use you quick and dirty one more time?"
"....."
Succubus stared at him with the eyes of someone beholding a beast in heat. If she'd known his real name, she might've said:
'Living up to your name.'
"Don't look at me like that. I was kidding."
For the record, he wasn't kidding—he meant every word.
"What I heard about Jet Stream from my info broker, plus what you told me about him as his close aide. Put those together, and I can predict how he'll move."
"Predict him?"
"Yeah. Jet Stream's the cautious type. That's how he claimed the widest territory among S-rank villains. Even Prime Night doesn't know you're the traitor. If he did, this place would've been surrounded ages ago."
"So?"
"I'm not saying spill it outright that you're the traitor. Drop hints subtly. With half his men already dead, he won't kill you without proof. He's got fewer forces than me. In a situation where every fighter counts, offing you on suspicion alone? Not Jet Stream's style."
"....."
Having been one of Jet Stream's executives for years, Succubus had no choice but to nod. The Jet Stream she knew never moved without certainty.
"Seven lone executives dead. He'll be sure there's a traitor inside. So if you drop hints, how do you think he'll react? Probably stick someone on you to check if you're the rat."
"And then?"
"He won't send just anyone to tail you. At minimum, an executive. Lure that tail back to this mansion. Then I'll... slash!"
Steel Armor mimed slicing his own throat. Succubus could tell from his voice that he was grinning. A chill ran down her spine.
Soon he'd clash head-on with Jet Stream, yet he could laugh about it. As expected of an S-rank villain—Steel Armor was no saint either.
"What if no executive comes? Or even if it's not one, he's got plenty of skilled trackers under him."
"An executive will come. Guaranteed."
"Huh? How can you be so sure?"
"Jet Stream will notice you've gotten stronger."
"What? Impossible."
"Nah, it's possible. I can feel it right now—you're way stronger. Not as strong as me, of course."
Succubus frowned at his words.
"You can feel it?"
"Stepping into the S-rank realm... that's what it means. You see the same landscape, but A-rank and S-rank views are worlds apart. Your senses expand; you instinctively gauge an opponent's strength."
"No way!"
"You're not S-rank, right? Trust me on this. I am."
"....."
Hate it or not, she had to follow Steel Armor's lead. She had no other options.
Even after spotting the tail—and realizing it was none other than the big fish Prime Night—Succubus headed straight for her mansion.
As Succubus and her sisters stepped out of the car, the vehicle carrying Prime Night accelerated, barreling toward her like it meant to run her down.
"S-Sis!"
"Watch out!"
Screech!
"....."
The car mercifully halted just before impact. Succubus stared at it with a stiff expression.
"Sorry, Succubus. New driver's still green behind the wheel. If I spooked you, my bad."
"... I'm fine. More importantly, what brings someone as busy as you all the way out here?"
"Got some questions for you. Things to confirm. But..."
Prime Night glanced at the tense women of her guard detail flanking Succubus.
"No Lamia in sight. On vacation?"
"....."
He'd clocked Lamia's absence instantly, despite her being a mere C-rank villain.
At the mention of Lamia, Succubus's face briefly froze, then relaxed.
"Vacation at a time like this? Hardly. Lamia's chasing the bastard who trashed my business. You were there—you know."
He'd issued what might've been her last order in front of all the executives; of course he knew.
Prime Night nodded.
"Right. Caught the perp yet?"
"Not yet. But she's got a prime suspect, so Lamia's on it personally."
"Trashing your spot takes at least an A-rank superpower. Think Lamia can take him?"
"Like I said, it's not confirmed yet. Just tailing him—she can handle that."
"Fair enough. I underestimated your crew."
"....."
Succubus bristled at him dissing her sisters but held it in.
"You said you had questions and confirmations? Come inside."
"Sure. You lot wait here."
"Yes, sir."
Prime Night's ever-present bodyguard nodded. A B-rank villain with body enhancement powers.
"You girls too. And..."
"Got it."
No need to say "run if shit hits the fan"—they'd prepped; a glance sufficed.
Leaving Prime Night's bodyguard and Lamia's guards behind, the man and woman entered the mansion.
"....."
"....."
Trailing behind Succubus, Prime Night couldn't see her expression or eyes.
"Oh? They're here?"
I (Mark-Zero) was toying with Succubus's lingerie when I heard the car exhaust outside. Peering out the window, I saw Succubus arrive—followed by an unexpected guest.
"Holy shit. Prime Night himself? Hooked a big one."
I'd pulled in Don Quixote and his alliance to fill my A-rank shortage, but I still felt short. That's why I had Succubus play traitor to lure an executive...
But even I didn't expect that exec to be Prime Night.
"Jackpot."
Killing Prime Night too? No more wild cards. My win odds just shot up—from 100% to 150%.
"Position swap."
I triggered the skill. My body swapped with my main self in Don Quixote's territory. Power surged through me.
As planned, Succubus led Prime Night right below my floor.
"What'd you wanna ask?"
"Straight up: You the traitor?"
"Yep."
"....."
Succubus nodded readily. Prime Night froze, never expecting the instant admission.
"... Heh heh heh. Hilarious. Fucking gold. Fine—who'd you sell out to?"
"Steel Armor."
"Steel Armor... He the one who iced Doris and Pucci?"
"That too. I fed him their itinerary that day."
"Foolish choice, Succubus. You really think that punk can take down the boss?"
"Won't be easy. But Steel Armor will kill that old fart Jet Stream."
"....."
Prime Night's eyes flashed murder at her cheeky "old fart" jab.
"Suicidal bitch."
"Me? Nah, I wanna live more than anyone. Who doesn't?"
"Then why say that shit to my face?"
"Pissed? Sorry—I didn't know 'old fart' was such a slur."
"....."
Prime Night rose. Activating his power, white aura roiled around him.
Fizzle!
The aura expanded, pulverizing the chair and tea table it touched into dust.
It lunged to engulf Succubus. The white aura brushed her body.
"... What?"
Prime Night's eyes widened. She should've screamed in agony and dissolved—yet she stood unharmed.
In that instant, he recalled his lord's words and realized whose seed she'd taken.
"Filthy whore!"
Succubus absorbed men's semen to boost her physical prowess. The stronger the man, the more superpowered, the higher the level—the stronger she got.
Unfazed by his aura? She matched or exceeded him now.
Meaning she'd whored herself out to the enemy, Steel Armor!
"Die!"
Enraged, Prime Night swung at her. White aura coalesced into a massive sword from his hand.
Succubus didn't sit idle.
"You bastards ditched me first!"
Horns, wings, and tail emerged as she transformed into the succubus of legend, swinging to parry the greatsword.
Prime Night pressed undaunted, slashing again at blinding speed.
As the two A-rank villains truly clashed—
BOOM!
—A hulking figure in a skull-masked mask burst through the ceiling.
The man caught Prime Night's greatsword barehanded and spoke.
"Head to hell first, Prime Night. I'll send your boss right after."
"Steel Armor!"
An adult had crashed the kids' fight.
Prime Night, Dragonian, Giga Elephant. These three were the pillars that built Jet Stream's empire—and his pride.
No equals among fellow A-ranks; together, they could handle S-ranks.
Tragically, Dragonian and Giga Elephant had died last night. Prime Night stood alone.
Three made an S-rank foe manageable. One? No chance.
"Raaargh!"
"Don't make this annoying. Go easy—I'll send you off pain-free."
"Shut up!"
Prime Night fought desperately, knowing he was doomed. His white aura devoured the mansion, warping it into a grotesque ruin.
He swung his greatsword, blocked with a shield. Burned every ounce of experience. Even sacrificed his bodyguard once for a lethal shot at me.
But that was it.
"Don't wanna deal with reinforcements. Sorry."
"Wha...! Graaaah!"
Prime Night crumpled, bisected at the waist.
It was the same technique I'd used on the freakish Shadow Killer—Attraction and Repulsion combined.
Why! Why kill him, brother! No-kill! The no-kill rule! Are you breaking your no-kill oath?!
Wow, so serious! lmao
Half-cut kill. Perfect.
Batman bro was furious at me slicing Prime Night in half. Joker bro loved it. Thanos bro gave a thumbs-up for a job well done.
'Sorry, Batman bro. But I toggled off no-kill rule.'
Oh, then it's acknowledged.
With no-kill off, Batman bro nodded calmly, like the anger never happened.
My three bros have my back solid. Feels unbreakable.