#158 Beware! A Fierce Dog is On Board!
"What the hell!"
"What's all this?"
"Memory Hunter! How did you do this?"
The heroes and Hero Association staff who rushed over at Memory Hunter's call couldn't hide their shock at the sight of the people collapsed inside. They stared at him with eyes full of near-disbelief.
And who could blame them? Despite being an S-rank hero, Memory Hunter's combat prowess left much to be desired. He was the kind who could lose even to D-rank heroes or villains. Sure, his memory-reading superpower was impressive, but what good was it if he couldn't even protect himself? Especially in these dangerous times when one wrong move could mean death at a villain's hands.
That was why, within the Hero Association, there were plenty of heroes who quietly looked down on him.
"First, restrain those guys inside and transport them to the association's detention center. They don't have superpowers, but they've got monstrous strength on par with superpowered folks. Keep a close eye on them—no slip-ups or escapes."
"Tch. Got it, sir."
An A-rank hero nodded with a displeased expression, but he followed orders since Memory Hunter was the lead investigator.
"This is one of the Steam production factories. But judging by the scale here, it doesn't account for the amount that's hit the streets so far. There must be other factories. Maybe even clues here pointing to them. The rest of you, search every inch of this place. And remember—move in pairs of two."
"Yes, sir!"
The atmosphere could have turned ugly, but Memory Hunter showed no reaction, so things stayed calm.
"....."
Memory Hunter stood watch, surveying the scene. He was probably the most exhausted person here, but he never forgot he was in charge of the investigation.
"Um... Memory Hunter, sir?"
"What?"
A C-rank hero with body enhancement powers called out to him, looking baffled.
"This won't budge."
"....."
Monster of a guy.
Memory Hunter stuck out his tongue at Steel Armor, who had embedded that rebar cage so firmly that even four C-rank heroes with the same power couldn't pry it loose despite their full effort.
*****
"Ah."
It wasn't until Mark Two arrived at the Skull Head Gang building that I realized my massive screw-up.
"Fuck me?"
I'd left behind the owner of that tantalizing tail that had tormented me—the one and only Cheetah Girl!
Cheetah Girl had the hot, curvaceous body of my dreams, and thanks to Steam, she acted like a real beast. I'd wanted to tame her once, but I'd totally spaced!
"...Nah. Actually, good call."
But on second thought, forgetting her was the smart move. As a Steam user, she wouldn't last long anyway. Without timely doses, Steam addicts croak.
All the Steam I had was what Eldimo brought as a down payment. If I'd claimed her, I'd be scrambling everywhere to keep her supplied just to save her. I'm possessive as hell—I hate losing what's mine, not even a speck.
So better not to make her mine in the first place than chase pointless salvation and drown in grief when she dies. It was better for both of us.
"Still a shame, though."
Later, I'd have Elis dress up as Cheetah Girl and train her to ease the regret.
"...Tch."
I smacked my lips in lingering disappointment.
*****
In the end, they had to cut the rebar to free the Steam users trapped in the cage. The noise woke them, and they snarled and resisted like animals, but with an air-manipulation hero on hand, they were subdued easily enough.
And so, 16 Steam users and 33 criminals were transported under heavy hero guard to the Hero Association detention center.
The detention center was for temporarily holding captured villains or criminals, sorting superpowered villains from regular ones. Villains went to villain court; normals to the prosecutors.
"Yaaawn~ They don't even have powers, so why do we gotta babysit?"
"They say these guys rip people apart barehanded. But fuck, does that even make sense? How do you tear people without powers? That'd make you superpowered."
The two heroes in the transport vehicle chatted away. They clearly resented Memory Hunter, yawning nonstop and gossiping behind his back.
"That asshole should've retired ages ago. With a talentless hack hogging an S-rank spot, no fresh blood's getting in."
"Right? You or I could smash him in three seconds flat. What kind of S-rank is that?"
Memory Hunter had drilled it into them before they loaded up: Never let your guard down with the Steam users. But these two already harbored ill feelings toward him, and his repetition only built their irritation. They couldn't openly defy him in front of others—that'd bring Valencia's wrath down on them same day.
"Fucking dog..."
"That weak-ass punk..."
"....."
As the two heroes trashed Memory Hunter vigorously, one Steam user came to. None other than the Cheetah Girl Steel Armor had regretted leaving behind.
Even with eyes open, she stayed silent, rolling them to assess her situation. Power-suppressing shackles bound her wrists and ankles, but they did jack against Steam users—their strength wasn't superpower-born, but science-forged.
Gauging her chance, Cheetah Girl quietly woke her dazed comrades. They blinked in confusion but got the "stay quiet" signal from her blinks and understood instantly. They wriggled subtly, checking their conditions.
Screeech—!
Moments later, the light turned red, and the vehicle halted.
"Kyaooo—!"
The Steam users erupted in unison. They snapped their shackles with raw power and bolted.
"Wh-what?!"
"...Huh?"
Before the heroes could react, the Steam users were gone—scattering on all fours like true beasts, vanishing in a blink.
*****
"Working late tonight? Why?"
-Why do you think? Tons of work. Plus, a big project deadline overlaps, so a few late nights ahead.
"No one else there to handle it? Why always dump it on you?"
I'd hoped for a blowjob from Ji-na when I got home, but she was pulling an all-nighter. Why tonight of all nights?! I knew it wasn't her fault, but it pissed me off anyway.
-Sorry. Can't be helped. But once this wraps, I'll take time off—bear with me?
"Sigh... Fine, whatever."
Even though it wasn't her doing, Ji-na sounded apologetic. Hearing her plead like that made me feel like the asshole for complaining.
"Ji-na, you eat dinner yet?"
-Huh? Not yet. Gonna grab something later.
"Not yet?"
Glancing at the clock, the hour hand crept toward 8 p.m. Wasn't that too late?
"What do you want? I'll pick it up."
-Huh?
"If your coworkers are there too, I'll get enough for everyone."
-No need. We'll just order something quick.
"Hey! How can I let you eat takeout slop? Name it—I'll bring anything."
-...Sushi, then. I've been craving sushi.
"Sushi? Got it—be there soon."
-Yeah. Thanks.
"Psh, thanks my ass."
Hearing Ji-na's laugh, I swung the wheel toward District 53, home of Sanctuary Corp.
"Heh heh heh..."
This could be fun? Alone in the office with an office girl, sneaking past staff... Oh yeah. Should've brought a nicer ride, though. I'd grabbed some random Skull Head Gang car—nothing like my usual flashy whip.
"Eh, as long as it runs."
Too lazy to go back and swap. Worst case, crash? I wouldn't even get a scratch.
Anyway, en route to Sanctuary Corp.
Baaang—!
Hooonk—!
BAAAAANG!!!!!!!
"What the fuck?!"
The car behind started blasting the horn like crazy. Guess cutting in for a lane change pissed 'em off.
"Fucking assholes."
Right now, I wasn't savage Steel Armor—I was the cultured Bal Jeong-nam. So I flicked the blinker apologetically.
But—
BAAAAANG!!!!!!
Honk honk honk baaaang!!!!!!!
"....."
They kept honking nonstop.
"Ca, calm... I'm the cultured Bal Jeong-nam...! They say three 'ren' of patience covers even murder...!"
But their bullshit didn't stop there.
"....."
They pulled alongside and spat water at my window—from their mouths.
One 'ren' deleted.
"Still got two left..."
Thud—!
Next, they chucked a water bottle at my car. It bounced off the window and rolled away.
One 'ren' deleted.
"One left..."
If they stopped here, I'd let 'em off easy. 'Cause I'm the cultured Horny—
Screeech—!
"....."
"Hey! Get out! Get the fuck out, asshole!"
"Open the door!"
Bang bang bang bang—!
They crossed the line. Their car slammed brakes ahead, forcing me to stop. Out piled two tattooed pig-men in tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops, pounding my car and yelling for me to exit.
Final 'ren'—deleted.
"Now it's just 'fuck' left."
Someone said three 'ren' covers murder. Meaning, provoke patience thrice, and killing's legal. So offing these two pig-tats right now? No legal fallout.
"Wanna throw down with tats, huh?"
They were unlucky. My body was the original—inked head to toe like a goddamn canvas.
I stripped off my shirt and stepped out.
"You fucking mutt, cutting in li—huh?"
"....."
The two who'd seemed ready to throw down turned scary-polite the second I emerged. Their shaky eyes screamed panic.
Made sense—they'd freak seeing a 190cm+ tattooed giant pile out of a tiny compact.
But that's their problem. I give zero fucks.
These fuckers provoked me.
Slap—!
"Urk!"
I backhanded the front one. He spun three, four rolls like a Hollywood stunt. But this ain't Hollywood—his cheek ballooned like a bubble.
Crack—!
"Aaaagh!"
The other got a shin kick. He lost balance, clutching his leg and rolling. I'd aimed to snap bone.
I approached the slapped one first—the horn-blaster and brake-slammer. Grabbed his hair.
"Agh!"
"You know who I am?"
"N-no! Sorry! Mercy!"
"I'm Gotham Jochen, you dog! Why so serious!!!"
Slap—! Slap—! Slap—! Slap—!
I targeted the swelling cheek repeatedly. He cupped it, useless. (Not really a past-life wuxia master with force projection—just kept slapping.)
His cheek burst, blood gushing, staining his white tank red.
"Ugh, ughhh..."
"Do that driving shit one more time, and I'll grind you into pig feed. Got it?"
"Y-yes... sowwy... sowwy..."
"Fuck!"
"Ughh..."
One more whack on the terrified pig, then to the floor-crawler. He tried fleeing but didn't get far. I seized his ankle.
"Aaaagh! Uwaaaah!"
"Whoa! You've got fight!"
He thrashed wildly, unbowed. So I stomped—his already-broken shin. Then left, right, both feet.
Crunch—! Crunch—!
Leg bones snapping.
Limp rags now, I gripped his jaw.
"This the mouth that spat water?"
"Hiiiik?!"
"Pick: tongue yanked? Lips ripped? Teeth pulled? Your call."
"Sorry! My bad! Mercy!"
"Why kill you? Huh? Why so serious?!"
I rammed my fist in his mouth.
Crunch—!
Teeth shattering.
"Kgh! Kghhh!"
"One more road-rage stunt, you're dead for real. Clear?"
"Kghhh! Kghhh!"
Blood pouring, he clutched his mouth and nodded frantically.
Still unsatisfying, I yanked their keys and snapped 'em in half. Walk, fuckers.
"What the... now what's this?"
Checking my car, I spotted a sticker on the rear window.
Caution! A fierce dog is riding!
I'm no dog, but the phrase soured my mood anyway.