Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: 95%
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"Their decisiveness is something else."
While watching articles and videos get scrubbed in real time, I couldn't help but admire the Hero Association—or the authorities'—swift action.
It hadn't even been 24 hours since I uploaded the footage of me dismantling the Kane organization, and they were already clamping down on the media.
A truly rapid response.
"Not that it matters to me."
Even with media control, anyone who wanted to see it already had. That alone gave me all the gain I needed.
I'd originally planned to send the video only to the villains in my area.
A warning that pulling cheap stunts against me would leave them in the same mess as Kane.
Me—publicly known as an A-rank villain—taking down another A-rank villain, Kane, all by myself. Including his villain underlings and entire crew.
Anyone who saw that footage would know the truth.
I'm no A-rank villain. I'm S-rank.
Villains would then have two options: resist or submit.
These beasts who live by the law of strength wouldn't dare resist an S-rank. How could they even try?
They'd probably flock to my side on their own.
But leaking the video not just to villains, but to the whole world? That was my little payback against the Hero Association.
Why hide my debut fight? And slap me with crimes I didn't commit?
If they hadn't buried that debut footage, I'd have stuck to my original plan and sent it only to villains.
So this is on the Hero Association.
"Hm?"
I shut down the computer, and right on cue, my burner phone rang. Not my personal line—just the burner. Only two people had the number: Yuna and Jungbo.
The caller ID showed Jungbo.
"Yeah."
-Boss. Everything's handled as you ordered.
"Good work."
-No problem. But... are you really ditching the entire hideout?
"Yeah. We can always find a new one."
-Understood.
"And make sure the 'bugs' don't starve. Handle it personally."
-Ugh... Got it. Rest easy, boss.
"Yeah."
The short call with Jungbo ended.
We'd been using the building that scorpion punk had occupied, but now that everyone knew I existed, there was no point clinging to it.
The villain organization Skull Head that I built is undeniably powerful. But without me? It's just another dime-a-dozen gang in the underworld.
Proof? While I was away, Aqua Girl and Kane raided it twice. Non-powered folks going up against superhumans? Never easy.
So to fend off heroes or villains—superhumans like them—I'd have to hole up in the hideout. But that's impossible for me.
There is one easy way to play the dutiful chaebol heir and guard the hideout.
"[Clone Master], huh..."
With that power alone, I wouldn't have to abandon the hideout. A clone could play Bal Jeong-nam while I operated as Steel Armor.
Plus, if someone saw the clone and Steel Armor cross paths, it'd kill any suspicions dead.
Hadn't some punk at Duran's birthday party recognized my build even through a mask?
"Pick it? Pass?"
The situation screamed to choose [Clone Master], but it didn't really appeal. If I'm picking a third power, I'd prefer something visually flashy—a destructive one with real impact.
"No rush anyway. Time to head out?"
Like always, today was packed.
Time to condition Elizabeth to fall hard for me. Check on the bugs. Scout other districts and hook the bugs up with some friends.
But the most urgent item on that list...
"Hm."
Fixing the suit Kane shredded. I grabbed the bag with the torn suit and headed out.
Off to see the guy who sold me this fine suit.
*****
Chairman Bal Ji-un was reviewing documents handed to him by his secret operative.
"..."
The grave contents had his face set in stone.
Chairman Bal Ji-un had two types of subordinates.
One group, like Chief Secretary Miles, handled Sanctuary Corp's public affairs diligently in the open. The other handled the secrets that could never see daylight.
Chief Secretary Miles thought he was the chairman's closest confidant, privy to all secrets. He was wrong.
He didn't know Chairman Bal Ji-un's deepest secret. Nor did he know about the secret operatives working beyond his sight.
Setting the documents down, Chairman Bal Ji-un eyed his secret operative, Campbell Bridge.
"So... you're saying there's a very high chance my son is the A-rank villain Steel Armor?"
"Yes."
"100% certain?"
"95% certain."
"95%? What's the remaining 5%?"
"Always account for a 5% margin of error to avoid mistakes."
"Right."
Campbell Bridge was a hidden blade Chairman Bal Ji-un kept sharp. His loyalty ran so deep he'd end his own life on command. He'd secretly eliminated over ten heroes and villains on orders—combined.
"95% from you is 100% from anyone else. So it's confirmed."
"It might not be."
"Yeah, might not. Very slim chance."
"..."
As Campbell fell silent, Chairman Bal Ji-un glanced back at the documents.
How is this possible?
Superhumans always reveal themselves eventually.
A mysterious power beyond modern science? For someone living a normal life, how thrilling, how tempting to flaunt it?
Especially for newbies—they can't control it at first. Mastery demands long meditation and training.
Chairman Bal Ji-un first gained his [Mysterious in the Fog] power at age eight.
Now he wielded it like breathing, but back then? Total chaos. His village endured 150 days of unrelenting fog—a catastrophe. It even became a ghost town for a time.
Perfectly hidden it? Is that even possible?
Thirty years living under one roof with his son. Sure, work kept him away a lot, but he'd have noticed superhuman signs.
He'd seen the video Steel Armor leaked too. It shook him.
Even among A-ranks, some are strong, some weak. Steel Armor blew past that entirely.
No doubt about it.
Steel Armor wasn't A-rank. S-rank.
I didn't notice while he grew into an S-rank superhuman?
That made it harder to accept, harder to grasp.
5%.
He recalled Campbell's "might not be" odds. He knew that 5% was effectively zero, but this time, he hoped Campbell was wrong.
The Hero Association alone? Maybe he could hide it. But if lurking S-rank villains stepped in? Even Chairman Bal Ji-un couldn't bury that.
"Campbell."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Keep tracking my son for now. You said 95% chance he's Steel Armor? Report back when it hits 100%."
"I'll reinvestigate. Update you the moment it's confirmed."
"Good."
Once Campbell left, Chairman Bal Ji-un burned the documents. Ensuring no eyes saw them. Only after the ashes cooled did he exit the storeroom. He lit a cigarette.
A habit from youth, quit after meeting his wife—she hated the smell. Smitten fool Bal Ji-un couldn't bear her disdain.
"Hah... harsh stuff."
Yet today, after decades, he took a drag. Couldn't hold back otherwise.
"Ack!"
His phone rang. Wife Stephanie Yu. Startled, Chairman Bal Ji-un stubbed the cigarette and answered.
"Yes, my love~ Your Ji-unnie's here~!"
(He was turning 50 this year, for the record.)
-Honey~ Where are you? I checked the office—no you.
"Eek! Missed me, my love? Just stepped out quick! Heading back now~!"
-Hurry. I miss my honey.
"Argh! My, my heart...! Overflowing with your love! Hold on, love! I'm coming! Wait right there! Ten minutes, I'll fly!"
He hung up and floored it back to the office like a madman.
"Honey! You smoked?!"
"..."
And got an earful from his wife.
*****
-Men's Suit Specialist-
I stood before the shop simply named Men's Suit Specialist. Ordinary interior, like any other menswear store.
"Indeed. Perfect spot for a hermit to hole up."
Hide a tree in the forest, right? This blandness? No one would suspect a hidden master here.
The greeter last time was a young guy in his early twenties. Asked if he was the owner; he said yes.
Early twenties hermit... maybe a rejuvenated elder?
Superhero story with wuxia elements? Why not.
Not important. I pushed the door open.
"Welcome."
"Hello."
"Oh? Back again?"
"You remember me?"
The owner from before was dusting the displayed suits. He recognized me instantly.
"Hard to forget someone in such great shape."
He flashed a warm smile.
"What brings you back?"
"Suit got torn. Can you fix it? And I'd like another just like it."
"Haha, of course. Hand it over?"
"Here. Oh, any chance of a free repair? Bought it recently."
"Absolutely. Normally need a receipt, but I remember you—no issue."
"Sweet! Here you go."
"One moment."
The young owner pulled the torn suit from the bag and inspected it. I glanced around the shop, then asked.
"Say, what's your name? Might become a regular—let's introduce ourselves."
"Sure? Haha. Peter Elaine. You?"
"I'm... going for a mysterious vibe, so no name. Something else instead."
"Huh? Mysterious concept? Haha, you're fun."
I slipped on the skull-masked balaclava I'd brought and spoke.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the villain operating as [Steel Armor]."
"..."
Freeze.
Peter's hands, mid-inspection, went rigid.