Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: S-Class Villain Steel Armor
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"Ah... It's already over."
I smacked my lips while watching White Knight get carted off on a stretcher. I still had a ton of unopened popcorn and cola left.
They called him the strongest among S-class heroes, so I'd figured he'd hold out for a good two hours at least. That's why I'd cleared out whole boxes from the convenience store.
But what the hell?
When push came to shove, the guy couldn't even last ten minutes, let alone two hours. It was like they'd hyped the trailer to pull in the crowds, then screened a total flop.
Damn it...! If I'd known, I'd have bet my soul on it! With no eye for this crap, I even caught Task Force and Strict Dong in theaters!
"Guess I'll eat this at home."
There was a mountain of untouched popcorn and cola. Shame, but I'd save it for movie night with Elis.
Anyway—
"Is the so-called strongest hero a total pushover, or are the others actually strong?"
Probably both.
White Knight spent the whole beatdown roaring "Grraaaah!" or yelling "I won't lose!" over and over. Massive mental shock had stripped him of reason.
A mindless beast goes berserk, but that makes it easy to trap. Even wild animals fall for it—humans? Way easier. They can't even use their full strength.
Plus, the four-hero combo that took him down was solid.
Wind Line and Ether provided ranged support for the other two, while Tough Guy and Pierrot ping-ponged aggro to wear him out.
A well-oiled team. Perfect for subduing a raging White Knight with minimal damage.
And what about the heroes evacuating civilians from the back?
Ice Queen was familiar after our meetings and intel, but there was also that sexy hero who'd breathed fire right in front of the ice wall, effortlessly blocking the shockwaves.
"She's on the list."
Too far to check her details, but I'd scoped the face and figure. Harem material for sure.
Seemed like one more hero inside the ice wall, but I hadn't spotted them.
"Anyway, intel mission accomplished."
Honestly, as a Player, I'd underestimated the Hero Association. But they had way more depth than I'd thought.
Makes sense—only one branch in all of Dark City, so of course they're stacked. I'd dismissed it just 'cause I'm a Player.
"I was arrogant! Time for reflection!"
Reflection start~ Reflection end!
"Done!"
I wrapped up my soul-searching in one second and pondered what would happen if S-class heroes ganged up on me like they did White Knight.
First off, Superpower Analyst and Clone Jutsu wouldn't help.
Superpower Analyst is just for peeking at other superpower users' status windows. Clone Jutsu gets shredded by A- or S-class heroes.
So only Body Enhancer and Gravity Dominator would work there.
"Wind Line and Ether types? Just yank 'em in with Gravity Dominator and smash."
Pull ranged supporters right to me.
Why are they supporters? 'Cause they hang back, propping up tanks and DPS. Obviously squishy.
If they had any toughness, they'd be up front.
Anyway, handle those two, then bulldoze Tough Guy with raw power. Close-quarters is my specialty.
That leaves Pierrot...
"This guy's kinda annoying, huh?"
Especially that skill where he explodes on hit and respawns elsewhere. Total cheat.
"But let's think—he can't actually hurt me."
White Knight was chump change without traits, vulnerable to Pierrot's powders and fluids. Not me.
I have Disease Resistance. Covers poisons too, so Pierrot's attacks? Useless.
Fighting those four? Clean win for me.
"What? Hero Association's trash?"
S-class heroes ain't shit!
And would I even fight them solo? By then, I'd have my harem stacked with top-tier superpowered ladies. Probably?
Anyway, full war with Hero Association? I win. They're trash! Villains too!
"Time to head home."
Sun hadn't set yet, but after today's special event, I'd spank Elis's butt and chill.
"..."
"..."
It was late, past quitting time for most, but the association president, directors, S-class heroes, and top Hero Association brass were stuck in the conference room.
Gathered to address the incident, but no one spoke, just eyeing each other—or rather, the president in the head seat.
"Ugh... Brutal."
President Valencia, who should lead the meeting, just chugged booze.
Normally, the Gumiho secretary refused alcohol in the association, even for him. But today? She fetched it without a word when he asked.
The events were too grave to face sober.
President Valencia finally spoke after downing a bottle of strong liquor neat.
"How's White Knight?"
"Still out cold."
"Pierrot, how much sedative did you dose him with?"
The S-class hero Pierrot, in full clown makeup, answered.
"Not much volume~ But super concentrated. Enough to knock out a monster~?"
Monster-level meant one drop could floor an elephant. Pierrot fed it to rampaging White Knight.
"How long till he wakes?"
"Mm... Tomorrow?"
"No other injuries?"
"Just a bit of face damage~"
"That's a relief."
President Valencia sighed and nodded at Pierrot's report.
"Internet situation?"
"Pulled all related videos... But civilians were live-streaming, so anyone who wanted to see it already has."
"Personal saves too, huh?"
"Probably..."
A director trailed off, and President Valencia sighed again.
"Steel Armor again? Anyone know anything about this guy? Real name, hell, even his age."
"..."
"..."
The room was dead silent, full of mimes.
Who knows a masked villain's age? No one spoke up.
As silence dragged, President Valencia spoke again.
"Time to announce Steel Armor as S-class, right? He brought down White Knight, of all people."
"..."
Silence swallowed the room again.
Everyone there had seen White Knight kneel before Steel Armor. But they couldn't believe it.
Who the hell is White Knight?
Hero Association's ultimate weapon, untouchable strongest hero. Even same-rank S-class villains bolt at his name.
That top dog losing to 'A-class' Steel Armor? Unthinkable.
"I was gonna announce him S-class later..."
President Valencia had known since the Kane organization wipeout video. Steel Armor was S-class.
But he held off. S-class villains panic the public just existing.
Plan was: promote Ice Queen soon, then drop Steel Armor's S-class status around then.
Now? No hiding it. Citizens watched the beatdown live.
"Haa..."
Third sigh from President Valencia.
"Announce Steel Armor as S-class villain tomorrow. Can't delay. Public opinion?"
"Not good..."
"Obviously against us."
"Yes..."
Not his fault, but Director Hans bowed his head. Fourth sigh, dry face-rub.
"That's why I said assign a dedicated hero 'cause that guy's got personality issues. Why oppose...?"
"..."
At this point, the meeting was just to hear President Valencia. No one stepped up with "How do we fix this?!"
For the record, "that guy" was White Knight.
Strongest superpower, sure. But too strong? Arrogant as hell.
Scoffed at fellow S-class heroes. Citizens without powers? Worse.
President Valencia knew his personality early, predicted a big screw-up. Pushed for a handler hero, but shot down.
Opponents had reason: Controlling him needs two S-class minimum. Waste precious resources?
No one foresaw this fallout, though.
"Silver lining: Opinion hasn't fully turned. Plenty still defend White Knight."
"Fans don't flip easy."
"...?"
Everyone gawked at the old-timer's slang.
"What're the fans shielding with?"
"Claim Steel Armor pulled some shady trick on White Knight. Built a scenario around it."
"Spill."
Strategy staffer spoke.
Heroes vs. villains first. Actually, villains' trap to kill heroes. Steel Armor, their boss, was there. Then White Knight arrived.
Truth is, Steel Armor's trap targeted White Knight. Used some scheme to weaken him, trigger rampage.
...A mix of truth and lies.
TL;DR: Steel Armor's evil bastard villain, White Knight's trap victim hero.
President Valencia nodded after hearing it out.
"Not bad. Run with it."
"Yes."
Easy to spin opinion their way.
Not everyone's objective. Feed a truth, they twist it subjective. Add 10% sweet lies? Done.
Minority never beats majority opinion.
If masses back Hero Association, doubters fold eventually.
"No matter what, keep citizens supporting us. Lose that, we're just a muscle gang. Prevent that. Brainstorm."
"Yes!"
All nodded—except Ice Queen, face stiff, silent.
The next day, Hero Association issued warrants for its 17th S-class villain.
[Villain Name: Steel Armor]
[Real Name: Unknown]
[Gender: Male]
[Superpower: Body Enhancer]
[Threat Level: S-Class]
[Bounty: $8,000,000]
If you spot the above villain, report to Hero Association immediately.