#164 Huest
Superpower Analyzer is a pretty damn good superpower. Just by watching someone use their ability, you can figure out exactly what power they have and what traits they've invested in. If you see them activate it up to seven times, you can uncover every single trait, even if they're a level 10 superpower user.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you'll never lose a battle. Knowing an opponent's superpower in advance and preparing for it gives you a massive edge in combat. Of course, I'm so overpowered that I never really feel that merit.
It has one drawback: it doesn't work on regular people without powers. But that's actually another handy feature unique to Superpower Analyzer. If you try it on a normal person—
This target cannot use the superpower.
—that message pops up. On the flip side, if you use it on someone with an unfamiliar power—
You must see the superpower activation scene to view this superpower user's status window.
—this one appears. Using that, you can tell if someone's a superpower user or not. I figured using Superpower Analyzer on Cheetgirl would obviously bring up the first message. I just tried it on a whim, no real reason. But the text that appeared before me—the one only I can see in this world—was completely different from what I expected.
You must see the superpower activation scene to view this superpower user's status window.
"....?"
I blinked, rubbed my eyes, but the message didn't change. If this showed up, there was only one reason: Cheetgirl was a superpower user.
'Cheetgirl's a superpower user?'
It wasn't that shocking, but it was totally unexpected, so I was a bit surprised.
'Is she useful?'
The surprise didn't last long. I watched Cheetgirl intently as she devoured the pizza. If she was useful, I'd take her as a subordinate. I was short on villains who followed me anyway—this was perfect timing. Her skin color was a bit off, but I'd get used to it eventually. And aside from that, Cheetgirl had the looks of a movie star and a sensually curvaceous body. Plus, that rare tail of hers? Unlike a succubus, whose horns, wings, and tail only pop out during orgasm, hers was always there. How could I pass her up?!
If she'd been dragged off by the Hero Association and I'd never see her again, fine. But now that she was right in front of me, no way in hell was I letting her go.
Throb!
'Calm your ass down.'
My dick had been rock-hard since I held her naked body earlier. Thanks to that, I was on edge with Rachel right next to me! I covered the tent in my pants with my hand and struck up a conversation with Rachel.
"Hey, Rachel."
"Yes?"
"Aren't you going to school today?"
I needed Rachel to go to school so I could fuck Emily. She's a student, damn it! She should be at school! Why's she home?!
"Nom! It's Sunday today?"
"Oh, right?"
But my dreams shattered. Of all days, Sunday! I wander around without caring about the days, so I forgot what day it was.
As I sighed in disappointment and grabbed some pizza, Emily emerged from her room in her work clothes.
"Huh? Emily, where you headed?"
"Yeah, I have to head out now. Shift change soon."
"Oh, right, you said you do part-time."
Even if it wasn't Sunday, I probably couldn't have fucked Emily anyway. Sigh... My erection finally started to fade in disappointment.
"And... Steel Armor?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really sorry, but if you're not busy, could you watch Rachel for me?"
Emily glanced at Cheetgirl, who was face-deep in pizza, inhaling it like a vacuum, and asked me to look after Rachel. Fair enough—even I wouldn't leave my daughter alone with a woman like that. Orange cheetah skin with black spots, can't talk, acts like a beast. And her strength's greater than most adult men. If luck was bad, some nightmare scenario could unfold.
"Sure, I'll hang with Rachel. Go worry-free."
"Thank you so much, Steel Armor."
"No biggie."
I had nothing better to do anyway, and if needed, I could send a clone. So I gladly accepted Emily's request. With Dark City's strongest protecting her, Emily headed to the mart without a worry.
Now the house had me, Rachel, and Cheetgirl.
"Nom nom."
"Chomp chomp chomp—!"
"Hmph."
What now? What to play? *****
Pop pop pop!
Dr. Krumolla, who had been watching a rat run on its wheel, turned at his subordinate's report.
"District 70 got raided?"
"Kuruk!"
The subordinate confirmed it. But his state was off. His skin glistened green like an amphibian's, and his cheeks puffed and deflated like balloons with every breath.
"Shadow Killer's men hid it tight—how'd they find out?"
"Kuk! Kuruk!"
"Heh heh... Master or dog, greed outpaces ability every time."
The subordinate's mouth croaked like a frog, but Dr. Krumolla understood perfectly.
"Gotta squeeze more superpower users out of this. What about the kids guarding it?"
"Kuruk!"
"Kukuku... This is comedy gold. Dumb Shadow Killer barely survived Steel Armor, his dumb subordinate exposes the factory, and heroes lose the kids mid-escort?"
Dr. Krumolla shook his head in disbelief, laughing.
"I overestimated these superpower users. If I'd known they were this stupid, I'd have stepped out front. Damn! These idiots ruined my life."
"Kuruk! Kuruk! Kuk!"
"Tell the kids to stay put. Overcome the side effects and live; fail and die. Useless if dead anyway. What about my orders?"
"Kuk! Kuruk!"
"Good, good... Perfect."
Dr. Krumolla smiled in satisfaction at the response. He secretly built his own army, hidden from Shadow Killer's men. The Hero Association called Steam users "Steam addicts" in their half-human, half-beast state, but he named them differently.
Blending human and beast traits, he called them Huest (Human + Beast).
Huests obeyed their creator, Dr. Krumolla, without question. Even executives like Demon Baron or Dark Lady didn't know. Scattered across Dark City, if he ordered a kill, they'd go berserk for that one target.
His sole goal: Shadow Killer. He planned new research using that enigmatic powerhouse's abilities. To steal him from Dark Lady and others' tight guard, he hid his Huest army and worked in the shadows.
"Hide in the shadows as always, bide your time. When the op launches, strike like a storm."
"Kuruk!"
To relay the creator's command, the subordinate hopped out like a frog.
"Even the Association President can't sit still if his precious granddaughter gets kidnapped by Shadow Killer. Kek, kekekek..."
Dr. Krumolla cackled sinisterly.
"Granddaughter, granddaughter..."
Then he thought of his own. Next, son and daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law, wife.
"....."
Recalling family, Dr. Krumolla looked at his arm. Rough hide like rhino and croc mixed. His whole body was worse—fused from countless beasts. Hideous, monstrous, inhuman.
Would family see him as husband, father, grandpa?
"...Kuk! Kekekek! Kahahaha! Right! Nothing more precious or trustworthy than family!"
Bam!
Laughing wildly, he slammed the desk. The rat couldn't dodge his fist and got crushed.
"Kahahaha!"
Unable to stop laughing, Dr. Krumolla went to see his family after ages. It was... horrific. *****
While Rachel went to her room with Cheetgirl, I called Memory Hunter. After ages of dry ringing, a weary voice answered.
—Who is this...
"What time is it? Still sleeping?"
—Who... Steel Armor?
"Yeah, it's me. Why're you still in bed? Get up already! Good men in new nations sleep early, rise early. You old fogey from this rotten country."
—Shut up...! I just got off and fell asleep...!
"....."
For real? Damn, sorry. No way you kept working after we split? No break? This is exploitation!
"What kinda Hero Association works people like dogs? No union? Sue 'em for labor abuse!"
—What union in Hero Association, you idiot...! And labor office? Whatever—hanging up! Need sleep! Ugh, ears hurt. Great diaphragm, man!
"Fine. Sleep, call when up. Important stuff, but rest first."
—...What is it?
"Later. Sorry for waking you."
—Sigh... Fine. I'll call.
Memory Hunter sighed and hung up. Normally he'd pry, but he was beat. He's a valuable asset I need to milk long-term—can't overwork him. Drinks too much anyway; gotta take care!
"Gotta get him some tonics later."
Kid's so frail... Sheesh!
"...Why's it so damn quiet?"
The house was too quiet. Rachel played happily with Cheetgirl like she'd found a cat, and Cheetgirl wasn't violent like before. She even held back to avoid hurting Rachel. But no laughter? Made me uneasy.
What if Cheetgirl's wild side broke free and hurt Rachel? I'd betray Emily's trust, and I couldn't forgive myself for failing Rachel.
Creeeak!
I rushed and flung open Rachel's door. What I saw was...
"Sleep tight."
Rachel, tired, sleeping soundly on the bed. Right, she said she slept under a blanket on the lawn? Mature kid, but sometimes hopeless. Good she didn't drool.
"Hey. Let Rachel sleep and come out."
Shake shake!
"Oh? Not coming?"
"Kyarrung..."
Cheetgirl shook her head, then trembled and slinked out when I glared.
"Why's she so scared of me? What'd I do?"
Maybe instinct? Fears stronger predators? Explained why she shakes around me.
"...Hold up?"
Emily's at work. House has me, sleeping Rachel, Cheetgirl. Rachel's out long...
"...Heh heh heh."
I couldn't stop my lips from smirking.