Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Someone's Targeting Me (3)
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My battle with the sniper unfolded like a matador facing a raging bull. Naturally, I was the one with the rolled-back eyes.
"Don't you stand still?!"
"..."
Bang! Bang! Boom!
The sniper's legs weren't all that fast, but his body was incredibly agile. Whenever I swung a fist or kicked out, he'd roll across the ground like a ghost, slipping out of my attack range.
And all the while, he kept firing at me. If we set aside the bad blood between us, he was actually pretty damn useful.
"Have you ever seen such a slippery little pest? Keeps dodging and weaving."
Of course, dodging vermin was one thing, but you couldn't dodge them forever.
"You shouldn't have messed with me. Shooting at me is bad enough, but interrupting my sex? You're never gonna die easy."
"...I see."
"Huh?"
I stopped and called out to him, and the sniper—who'd been scampering away like a rat—finally spoke up.
"So Bal Jeong-nam is Steel Armor."
"..."
'What?'
From the sniper's words, I realized his assassination target wasn't Steel Armor, but me—Bal Jeong-nam, the chaebol heir known to the public.
That was weird.
As far as I knew, Bal Jeong-nam hadn't made enemies enough to hire a hitman. That went for the old Bal Jeong-nam and the current me alike.
The closest things to grudges were Duran or the other chaebol kids, but none of them had motive strong enough to hire an assassin.
So I'd figured it was some bastard who'd pieced it together after relentless digging—that I was Steel Armor.
But apparently not.
I couldn't help but be shocked.
'Should I test the waters?'
"What bullshit is that? Bal Jeong-nam? Who's that?"
"..."
"Suddenly clamming up now? Fine, whatever. More importantly, who was it? Who put the hit out on me?"
"...So you really are Bal Jeong-nam. The target I was supposed to kill was Bal Jeong-nam."
"Oh shit!"
He just outed me instead?! Probing like this really wasn't my style.
"You sneaky bastard. Trying to trick me with words to get info?! You're one crafty son of a bitch."
"..."
This guy was rotten to the core. Luring an innocent guy like me into spilling the beans. No wonder he stuck to sniping from afar.
"Anyway... we'll hear who hired you later."
"..."
He gripped his gun tight. I readied myself to charge.
Up until now, I'd been toying with him lightly. But from here on, it was serious. Meaning he wouldn't get away with dodging like before.
Time to end this in one go!
"You and your sister both turned out to be superpowered."
"What?"
Thud!
"Huh?"
But the next instant, the gun dropped from his hand to the floor. He hadn't let go—it fell because his body vanished.
The assassin's form turned to light and flew off somewhere.
Seeing that, I knew exactly what his superpower was.
'Clone Master!'
It was the exact same phenomenon as when I dispelled my clones.
"Damn it!"
I let out a frustrated grunt.
"...Gone? Yeah, he's gone."
And the moment the light particles faded, I grinned.
I hadn't expected his power to be Clone Master at all. But I'd figured he'd have some escape plan ready.
What assassin risks their neck without a way out? It's all just for the paycheck, after all. Of course I'd known he'd bolt.
'Chase it.'
I ordered my two clones waiting outside to pursue the light particles. A dispelled clone always heads back to the main body.
*****
"Hah."
The assassin [Sniper], hired by Shadow Killer to take out Bal Jeong-nam and Bal Ji-na, let out a hollow laugh as the light particles returned.
Shadow Killer had hoped killing the two would sow massive chaos in Dark City and draw the Hero Association's attention.
Truth be told, from Sniper's perspective, taking them out was a huge risk. They were the kids of Sanctuary Corp, after all.
But a job was a job, and the fee was massive, so he'd accepted.
The payout for both? A whopping 4.4 million dollars. Worth the danger.
So Sniper had summoned a clone to tail Bal Jeong-nam and Bal Ji-na, mapping their routines.
Bal Ji-na was regular, easy to track. But Bal Jeong-nam? Total wildcard, nothing like his sister.
He'd vanish mid-tail all the time, making it a nightmare.
In the end, Sniper planned to hit Bal Ji-na on her commute and Bal Jeong-nam at home. He'd learned the lunatic loved banging chicks in the rooftop pool.
Indoor would've been tough, but rooftop? Perfect.
All prepped, he executed today—and failed spectacularly.
Who'd have thought both were superpowered? And Bal Jeong-nam was Steel Armor, the S-rank villain who'd brought White Knight to his knees.
"...The losses outweigh the gains."
Knowing this, he never would've taken Shadow Killer's job. Or better yet, pocket the 4.4 million and tip off Chairman Bal Ji-un that Shadow Killer was targeting his kids.
But hindsight was useless.
The assassin world was dirty, but trust was everything. Who hires a guy who takes cash and flakes? Especially when the client was psycho villain Shadow Killer.
Sniper stood, grabbed his backpack—stuffed with cash and fake IDs.
Pity to ditch his rep and cred in Dark City, but no choice.
He hadn't meant to, but trying to kill Steel Armor meant leaving town.
Shadow Killer might catch him... but oh well.
One side Shadow Killer, the other Steel Armor and Sanctuary Corp.
Obviously, Sniper feared the latter more.
Bag in hand, he booked a flight on his phone and headed out.
"..."
"..."
Stepping from the building, he came face-to-face with Steel Armor, leaning against the wall.
"How did you..."
"No questions, you fucker!"
Crunch!
Sniper's vision went black.
*****
The clones didn't lose the light particles.
They led into a building. Watching, I swapped positions with a clone.
"Hide a tree in the forest or some shit?"
Focusing my hearing, faint voices drifted from inside—everyday chatter, nothing special.
Surprisingly, the assassin lived in a regular apartment building.
"Makes sense, easier that way."
Assassinate via clone, dispel to erase traces. No need for a separate hideout.
No one would peg the assassin or his location.
"Maybe I should play assassin sometime."
Snipe with clones using his tricks... could be fun. I used to dream of going pro in PUBG! Aim sucked, though.
"Anyway, what now."
I could bust in, smash doors till I found him. But he'd likely flee, or worse, grab a civilian hostage.
Didn't matter to me, but kids might get involved, so better play careful.
Thud!
"Ugh... decisions."
Leaning against the wall, lost in thought. I'd told a clone to watch for anyone leaving, so plenty of time.
That's when...
"..."
"..."
A guy opened the front door and stepped out. His eyes bulged spotting me.
"How did you..."
'How did you...?'
His words were off.
A villain right there? Panic made sense.
But normal reaction: 'Gaaah! Steel Armor!' or 'Eek?! P-please spare me!'
Not 'How did you get here?' first.
'It's this guy!'
I knew he was the Clone Master assassin. Before he could bolt, I smashed a fist into him.
"No questions, you fucker!"
Crunch!
"Guh?!"
He crumpled, out cold.
"Check first..."
Before dragging him to the bug farm, I used Superpower Analyst on him. What if I grabbed the wrong guy?
He'd dispelled right in front of me. I saw the power.
If he was just some civilian or hidden super, it wouldn't trigger.
But luckily, my worry was for nothing.
"Bingo."
It was him.
"You fucking bastard. I'll raise you with extra special care compared to the other bugs."
This guy did the unforgivable. Tried to kill me mid-sex.
Killing him outright wouldn't cut it—interrupting my climax?
If he'd fired right before I came, he'd be dead on sight.
"No manners at all. Take this fucker to the bug farm. Give him the VIP suite. And find out who hired him."
"Yeah. Ugh, you fucking prick."
The clone kicked the unconscious assassin's ass once, then hauled him off to the bug farm in Sector 78.
I grabbed his dropped bag and headed inside.
He lost. His stuff was mine now. Assassins stash cash, right?
I roamed the building, ear to doors. Skipped occupied ones, jimmied empty.
Rifled drawers, punched holes in ceilings and floors. Nada.
"Tch."
Wrong apartments. Owners would freak later.
Left ten grand each as sorry. Fair compensation.
After blowing 40k, I finally hit the jackpot—his place.
"Whoa."
Who hides a gun rack behind a closet? Grenades, EMP rounds too. And the exact sniper rifle from earlier.
'Send the boys.'
Ordered the clone managing Skull Head Squad instead. Then ransacked the Clone Master's pad more.
And...
"Eek?!"
My eyes bugged out at the safe crammed with cash bundles and gold bars.
"How much is this? At least 4.4 million, right?"
Didn't count exactly. 4.4 was a guess. Heh heh heh!
"Assassination pays well. Quit villainy for hits?"
Joking, of course. Assassins cool, but villain life's best. Drug money's nice too.
"Oh yeah."
Killing time with cola till the baldies arrived, his words hit me.
'You and your sister both superpowered.'
I knew Ji-na had powers. Just not what.
But he knew too. How?
"Fuck!"
Late realization: he targeted her too. Dumbass me, figuring it out now!
Dialed Ji-na in a panic.
Ring... Ring...
"Pick up! Please pick up, you crazy bitch!"
The longer it rang, the more anxious I got.
If Ji-na was hurt or dead... I'd kill the hirer and everyone connected. Swear to god!
"Pick up, you—"
—Hello?
"You fucking bitch!"
—...What? Fucking bitch?
"..."
Oh fuck, I'm screwed?