Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: That's a Bit Troublesome?
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'Hmm. It's just a thief build.'
I checked Mom's info through the tutorial system.
I focused mainly on her superpower since the rest wasn't important, and it was literally a superpower made for thievery.
And in reality, she used it 200% for stealing.
There was no treasure she couldn't steal, which was why she was wanted as a villain by the Hero Association.
Of course, when operating as the thief villain Hazel Vixen, she wore a fox mask and disguised herself, so aside from family, no one knew Hazel Vixen was my mom.
Mom never harmed people—she stole only treasures. Even so, the Hero Association had placed a huge bounty on her.
The reason a thief villain like her had such a high bounty was that all the treasures she stole belonged to the rich, the powerful, or villains. Mom didn't care about good or evil when it came to beautiful treasures.
The villains ground their teeth, vowing to catch her themselves, but the rich and powerful were different. They had direct connections to the Hero Association protecting Dark City, so they pulled strings to slap a massive bounty on her.
That's why whenever a report came in about her showing up, A-rank heroes or higher were dispatched.
Not knowing the person who stole their treasures was right beside them, they just harassed the poor Hero Association.
'Well... it won't make a difference anyway.'
If an A-rank hero's dispatch meant she'd get caught, she wouldn't be sitting in front of me right now.
"Son?"
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Time to eat. Why aren't you eating? Oh! Just looking at Mom fills you up, huh?"
"Yeah. Looking at Mom fills me right up."
I answered cheekily, and Mom blinked. Then she eyed me suspiciously.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Son. Do you need money by any chance?"
"...No, I don't."
Wondering why she'd react like that, I rummaged through my memories. The old Bal Jeong-nam was pretty stingy with expressions. He barely talked and had no flair.
That kind of son suddenly shows up at the company he hated? Overnight change? From Mom's perspective, it'd be confusing but happy.
"What about Dad? Still a ways off?"
"Yeah? Yeah. Work's dragging on, I guess. But he said he'd make it before the experiment ends. All done? Shall we get up?"
"Sure."
I picked up my tray and stood. Being a big corporation, the meal was hearty and delicious.
'Really? Then stop emphasizing 'Bal Jeong-nam' when you refer to me. Just call me Player.'
There are tons of ways to refer to me, but the tutorial system loves stressing Player Bal Jeong-nam. Not once or twice—constantly Bal Jeong-nam this, Bal Jeong-nam that. It was starting to make me feel like an animal in rut for real.
'No, just don't call me Player 'Bal Jeong-nam'. Call me 'Player'."
'...'
It wasn't even a tough request, but it couldn't understand? I was starting to suspect it was trolling me on purpose.
"Hello, Vice President."
A man in a white lab coat appeared before us. Mom's face lit up at the sight of him.
"Oh, Doctor! Long time no see. You know I'm super excited for this experiment, right?"
"Haha. Of course. That's why I'm actually pretty nervous right now. What if I don't live up to your expectations?"
"I'm piling on the pressure, so you better be tense. If the experiment fails... you know, right? Eek!"
"Whoa! Looks like I have to deliver perfect results today. I'll make sure to show you something great."
The two were close enough to banter warmly like that. After bursting into laughter, Mom introduced me to him.
"Oh! Say hi. This is my son. Son? This is Dr. Cruemora, who's running today's experiment."
"Hello, Doctor."
"Oh! You bragged about your son so much, and he's just as you said... huge! Nice to meet you. Kevin Ginger Cruemora."
The man looking up at me, Dr. Cruemora, extended his hand first.
"I'm..."
I started to say my name like Dr. Cruemora but hesitated.
Bal Jeong-nam.
An embarrassing name anywhere.
'Damn it.'
As I hesitated without saying my name, Dr. Cruemora withdrew his hand and nodded.
"Big hands too—you're gonna be a big deal. Anyway, I'll head out, Vice President. To meet your expectations, I need to prep one more time."
"Yes, Doctor. See you at the lab later."
Dr. Cruemora bowed to me too and left. Watching his retreating back, I secretly checked his info.
"..."
'No superpower?'
At 55, Dr. Cruemora was shockingly a non-powered individual. His superpower slot was blank. Even my driver Izma had one—this was surprising.
'Nothing's gonna happen today, is it?'
In hero movies, tons of villains are born from scientists' experiments. Either the scientist themselves or test subjects gaining insane powers and turning villain.
I'd come half-expecting that. If nothing happened, it'd be disappointing.
'That's a bit troublesome?'
I wanted to experience firsthand the world I'd be living in as part of it.
'No matter what.'
Mom seemed thrilled I'd come to the company on my own. She showed me around, introducing me to employees and shareholders.
'Did I come for nothing?'
The more people knew me, the heavier the pressure, but thinking about it, it wasn't so bad.
No one doesn't know Bruce Wayne. But only a tiny few know he's Batman.
No law saying I couldn't be the same.
Well... that was the story I'd planned anyway.
Meeting people like that, time neared 2 p.m. before I knew it. Mom and I headed to Dr. Cruemora's lab.
There were shareholders I'd just met milling about in the lab besides us.
I nodded to them and sat with Mom.
"Dad still not here?"
"Arriving in 30 minutes."
"Got it?"
I shrugged and looked ahead. Moments later, Dr. Cruemora and his assistants—the stars of the experiment—entered through the glass beyond.
Tap tap—
"Did everyone enjoy their meals? Hope our esteemed guests have strong stomachs. The test might upset a few."
Dr. Cruemora's joke drew laughs from everyone.
'What's that?'
While he spoke, his assistants placed cloth-covered boxes of all sizes on the lab tables—from paper-box small to big enough for a mid-size car.
Lightening the mood with chit-chat, Dr. Cruemora stood before a cloth-covered box.
"Now, behold the results of my work with my capable assistants. Ladies and gentlemen, behold the Chimera."
"Chimera?"
"No way...! Look how cute!"
"Hmm... that's the result?"
Dr. Cruemora pulled off the cloth, and people looked puzzled. Inside the see-through glass case lay just a tiny puppy.
Too ordinary for an experiment's result.
"It looks like a normal puppy. But watch this..."
He gestured, and an assistant by the wall pressed a remote. The clear glass turned red, revealing what Dr. Cruemora confidently presented.
"Huh?"
"Where'd it..."
"It's gone?"
With the red tint, the puppy vanished from the case. Enjoying the subtle confusion, Dr. Cruemora spoke.
"Please wear the special glasses provided in your chair pockets."
"Hm."
I fetched the glasses from my chair pocket and put them on as instructed. There was the puppy, still as ever. Gasps rose around.
The glass shifted blue, and the puppy turned blue too.
"I've injected this puppy with chameleon genes. Many trials and errors, but success."
Dr. Cruemora unveiled the cloths one by one.
From the first puppy to cats, monkeys, cows, horses, rhinos—various animals in glass cases, all with the same power.
"My dream is simple: a world where non-powered people can use superpowers. Superpowered terrorists and villains say they're chosen by God. But this proves them wrong."
Dr. Cruemora ranted passionately.
"Heroes, villains, superpowered folks—their powers are just nature's way. Animals and insects used them eons before superpowers existed. They're not divine choice, but natural law. I believe this experiment starts evolution."
'Animal genes, huh...'
I eyed Dr. Cruemora, his assistants, and the caged animals. Could I use them in my story?
'Why's she so excited?'
Mom stared at Dr. Cruemora with shining eyes. Why?
"Mom."
"Yeah? What?"
"Gonna hit the bathroom quick."
"Okay. You know where? Want me to come?"
"I'm not a kid."
"Hoho. Hurry back."
"Got it."
Using the bathroom excuse, I slipped out to the restroom. I quickly scanned Bal Jeong-nam's memories, then double-checked via tutorial system.
'No one knows I have superpowers? Family included?'
'Good. In that case...'
Done confirming, I started stripping. Beneath the suit emerged the black skintight suit. From my inner pocket, I pulled the full-head skintight mask—preparations complete.
"..."
I stashed my clothes on the bathroom ceiling and checked the mirror.
'Gotta get new clothes soon.'
Muscles made it cling too tight. All black? No style.
'Time to start?'
I stepped out and headed back to the lab.