I Need Subordinates (3)
Originally, I didn't need subordinates with superpowers anywhere near that strong. I figured my clones—each one a 7-level superpower user—and my harem members were plenty. Give it a generous year, and the grand picture I'd envisioned would fall into place.
But then my thinking changed.
It was two days ago, right when Shadow Killer got bisected by me. When his villain underlings showed up to rescue him, honestly? It was cool. No, fucking cool. Like a scene straight out of a comic or a movie—villains charging in to protect their boss! Swept up in that sheer presence, I found myself wanting subordinates just like them.
But I can't just take anyone, right? First off, they have to be cool and packing strong superpowers. That's what gives it that edge. I'm a fashionista at heart, so style is huge for me. Loyalty matters too, sure, but I don't sweat it much. We're not in some medieval era with kings and knights; I prefer clean deals—give and take, no strings.
Finally, subordinates will be men only. What, you say—the guy who loves women like crazy won't take them as underlings? Obviously, women join my harem.
My future Skull Head Gang org chart will look like this:
Rank 1: Steel Armor.
Rank 2: My harem members.
Rank 3: Superpowered underlings led by Karinbia.
Rank 4: Jungbo (disposables from here on).
Rank 5: The baldies.
I lumped the last two together, but it's undeniably the ideal structure. I'm just perfect. This is life's true wisdom.
"Kyaa~ He's got a ton of cash stashed away."
I grinned with satisfaction at the money Crane had hoarded. Villains really do pay off.
*****
As dawn broke, Karinbia returned to District 73, where his underlings awaited.
"Boss! You okay?!"
"Boss!"
The B-rank villain Red Gorilla and his crew rushed over in a swarm, checking on Karinbia's condition.
"I'm fine."
Having used his superpower after so long, Karinbia's complexion was pale as a ghost. Claiming he was fine in that state didn't make him look any better.
"Fuck!"
Red Gorilla exploded in frustration.
"I oughta go kill that bastard! Using our boss like that?! S-rank villain my ass—it's all hype! I'll smash him flat! Hey, what the hell—let go! The yellow one!"
"Gorilla."
"Yeah, boss!"
"No one's holding you."
"....."
Indeed. No one was grabbing Red Gorilla. They were all standing back a step, practically egging him on to go.
"Was I?"
Sweat beaded on Red Gorilla's forehead.
"A-anyway, boss! So, what's the plan?"
What they needed now was a thick skin—and luckily, Red Gorilla had one. His villain name wasn't "Gorilla" for nothing. In battle, he rampaged like a berserk ape, but the real reason was his gorilla-like build.
"I've decided to serve under Steel Armor. He's also recognized our control over District 73."
Karinbia smirked at Red Gorilla's clumsy pivot, then relayed his conversation with Steel Armor. The crew fumed at the "subordinate" part, sighed in relief at the territory acknowledgment, then fumed again at the 30% tribute clause.
"What?! We earn the money, and that fucker takes 30%?! Total asshole! No way—I'm killing him today. Ow, stop blocking me!"
"Gah! It hurts! Let go!"
Determined not to repeat his earlier flub, Red Gorilla grabbed a nearby underling's arm and thrashed wildly. His grip strength was no joke, leaving the unlucky minion in agony.
"Enough. Compared to others, he's cut us a good deal."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Even we take half our income as tribute to those backing us."
"Hm. Fair point."
Villains gonna villain— the underworld squeezed tributes ruthlessly. The lightest was 50%, and some outfits demanded 80%. By that measure, Steel Armor was a saint, squeaky clean.
"I need rest. Everyone out."
"Got it, boss. Rest up."
Red Gorilla and the crew filed out at Karinbia's word.
"....."
Alone, Karinbia stared blankly at the fading stars, now obscured by sunlight.
Body Enhancer, Superpower Analyzer, Clone Master, Gravity Dominator.
He murmured the four superpowers under his breath. Even as an astrologer who divined fates via stars, he'd never guessed Steel Armor wielded all four.
Yet Karinbia knew because it was Steel Armor's first order as boss:
Find the one with these four superpowers. Heroes, villains, hermits—all of them.
All of them?
Yes. All.
Understood.
He hadn't asked why. Curiosity killed the cat—or in his case, the man. He'd just obeyed.
"Haa..."
Karinbia sighed. Asking the stars would reveal them, no matter how hidden. But it'd take time. He could only use his power on starlit nights, and scanning for so many would drain him massively.
Small mercy: Steel Armor had given him plenty of time. A rush job would've killed him mid-power.
I ask the stars.
Gazing at a vanishing star, Karinbia activated his ability. His eyes blackened.
Did I make the right choice today?
He stared at the sky.
.....
No answer came. No stars remained.
Karinbia closed his eyes and slept.
Why did he take Crane?
That was his final thought before succumbing to sleep.
*****
"Too few bugs."
"Way too few."
"Yeah, few."
"Not even ten."
My clones and I muttered as the terrified bugs fled. They were scarce to begin with, but now down to about six. Add Crane from today, that's seven—still short.
We'd burned through some experimenting with tattoos via Mark Two, then I'd wiped more as the original. Should've restocked, but the villains I'd been fighting all "accidentally" died, stalling bug growth.
"Should've built the bug farm smaller."
Mark Two grimaced. Relocating the Skull Head Gang HQ included a new farm, renovated for bug comfort: private rooms per bug, glass walls like an aquarium for easy viewing from the hall.
"You feeding them right? They all bolt when they see me."
"Normal for bugs to run, no?"
"Totally normal."
"If they came fawning, that'd be weird. Bugs acting cute? Gross."
"True. Sucks, though."
Not really. Like Mark Five said, cute bugs would've been so repulsive I'd smash them.
"Bigger issue first."
"What problem, Mark Two?"
Mark Two raised his hand.
"Short on manpower."
"Ugh... manpower's always short."
Mark Three couldn't help run things—busy making alibis for me. But Mark Four and Five were idle.
"'Not using us'? Feels objectifying."
"Offensive. Request correction, original."
Time to deploy Mark Four and Five. As my clones, both 7-level powerhouses—waste to bench them.
"Ignored."
"Straight-up dissed."
Mark Four and Five grumbled.
"District 78's mine, two districts to other clones, 73 to Karinbia—still five left. Need at least five more subs."
"Can't dump on Jungbo?"
"Please. Rival villains would snatch 'em."
"Villain scum got no brains."
I'm an officially S-rank villain by the Hero Association. Smart villains avoid stronger ones' turf. But nearby idiots kept probing mine—maybe bad upbringing. Needed resident bosses per district: minimum A-rank, B-rank at a stretch.
"Weird, though. I've crushed so many—why still challengers?"
"My take: someone's pulling villain strings."
"Right? Been thinking that."
"Plausible."
"Agreed, somewhat."
Logically, it was off. Even idiots wouldn't charge blindly. Normally, they'd warn or rally first.
"One who orders attacks on an S-rank."
"Doesn't care if exposed."
"Can fight me."
"And conveniently, one fits nearby."
My clones and I named him in unison.
"""[Jet Stream]."""
S-rank villain Jet Stream: a grinder who'd clawed from D-rank through countless battles to the top over 13 years. Hero Association stamped him S-rank that year. Over 50 with his emblem, 800+ total crew. Ruled 23 districts from 83 to 106—a modern kingpin.
No beef with me. Never met; just intel from scanning Dark City's S-ranks.
Same for him. So why sic locals on my turf?
Answer was obvious.
"Obviously, motive to check me."
New power rising—that alone gave old S-ranks like Jet Stream reason to curb me. Villains' enemies aren't just heroes; rival villains too. Nipping ambitious upstarts is kingly duty.
"But can't hit him now."
Me vs. him? I'd win. No matter his strength, impossible to beat me. But I'd take heavy damage.
He probes via proxies—smart cookie. Won't fight solo if I challenge. From D-rank survivor, he knows lasting out makes you strong, not just winning.
Force vs. force? I'd bleed bad. Rebuild Skull Heads from scratch again.
To minimize losses, I need equal footing first.
"Not fighting now."
But repaying gifts? That's fine, right?