Nemesis
A full week had already passed since I learned the truth behind Dominating Hands and the secret of the villains.
Her sudden summons sent me hurrying over to her quarters. When I stepped inside, I found Pandora crouched in her chair as usual, hair a disheveled mess, waving a hand in greeting.
She pointed toward the massive monitor before her as the message flashed across the screen.
"You said it was urgent."
The look in her eyes radiated an overwhelming sense of unearned intimacy.
It feels like she's the only one I'm actually getting close to.
I wanted to get along with the other executives the same way, but Heart and Diamond had departed on an extended assignment a week ago. As for my 'second friend,' Spade, ever since that incident, she radiated terrifying bloodlust every time she caught sight of me. Dice and I were on relatively friendly terms, but no matter how I looked at it, ours was hardly a normal friendship.
"Forget Tekken. Explain this first."
Since I had far more pressing business than video games, I slipped off her cat-eared headset and reached into my coat pocket.
"What on earth is this bizarre button supposed to—"
"........!!!"
The moment I thrust my smartphone toward her face, Pandora froze stiff, then frantically clamped both hands over her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"......?"
A week ago, dealing with her nonsense would have left me thoroughly flustered, but fortunately, I had since learned the proper countermeasure.
*Thwack!*
In times like this, a good rap on the knuckles was the best medicine.
It must have actually stung; her usually half-lidded eyes went wide as saucers as she furiously typed away.
"So what is this giant heart-shaped button supposed to be, anyway?"
I wasn't about to let the matter slide.
"Enough. Delete it and make a different feature."
"Functions for psychotherapy."
When I crossed my arms and answered, Pandora stared at me with a blank, uncomprehending gaze.
"That's the proper way to use it in the first place, while what I was doing was an abuse of power, got it?"
She blinked a couple of times, then nodded slowly as if conceding the point. Just how far into the gutter had the public image of hypnosis fallen? As the holder of the Concept of Hypnosis, it was truly lamentable. Starting now, I would have to do my best to rehabilitate its reputation.
Strictly speaking, it was useless for a villain. There was no reason to go around healing enemies. Yet this function was meant for none other than Pandora and the other executives. From what I had observed living alongside them, every single executive, including Pandora, carried their own distinct trauma. That was why my power could help. After all, the true purpose of hypnosis was healing and rest.
"What are you two doing in here?"
Just as I was agonizing over how to explain this to Pandora, who sat waiting with a puzzled look, the door burst open.
"Get out here, both of you. We don't have time."
The one who threw the door open was none other than Spade.
*Shiver...*
The instant Pandora caught sight of her, she recoiled like a cat spooked by a cucumber and ducked behind my back.
"...What's wrong?"
Was Spade her designated bully or something? Then again, considering their personalities, they were complete polar opposites.
"A kaijin has appeared."
As I suppressed a smirk at the trembling against my back, Spade's icy voice cut through the air.
"Which means, unfortunately, we need your power."
Evidently, it was time to go to work.
A few hours later.
Finally... finally, at last.
The first day of classes at the International Hero Academy, reopening amidst a storm of controversy.
Today is the day.
Carrying a worn backpack on her way to school, Lumia muttered to herself, her face flushed with barely contained excitement.
The day my confrontation with Trauma truly begins...
"E-Excuse me! Are you the freshman representative?"
A surprised voice called out from beside her.
"I-I'm in your class too! It's so nice to meet you!"
A girl hastening her steps beside her brushed back a messy shock of reddish-brown hair, offering Lumia a warm, disarming smile.
"Do you live around here?"
"Ah, yes."
"Then we're neighbors! Oh, my name is Ariel!"
Flashing a genial smile at the girl who introduced herself as Ariel, Lumia whispered silently within her mind.
Ariel Everray. Of course I know who you are.
"I look forward to working with you!"
How could I possibly not know her younger sister?
Indeed. Her true identity was the younger sister of the legendary Justia.
"Anyway, what a coincidence! Not just living in the same neighborhood, but running into each other on the way to school..."
"I wonder. Is it really a coincidence?"
Watching Ariel, the corners of Lumia's lips slowly curved upward.
"Pardon?"
"Haha, just a joke."
Contrary to her dismissive laugh, Lumia had known all along that Ariel would pass through here. In truth, Ariel running into Lumia was the product of meticulous calculation.
"Say, may I ask you a question?"
"Me? I don't mind, but..."
At Lumia's tentative query, Ariel scratched her head and nodded.
"About that new villain who appeared recently—Trauma."
".........."
"What do you think of him?"
Lumia posed the question, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Um, well... that is..."
After pondering for a moment, Ariel scratched her nape and replied.
"I'm not really sure."
"Not sure?"
"The internet calls him a supervillain and all that, but... I don't know. I'm just not convinced he's really that bad of a person."
A triumphant smile flickered across Lumia's face, if only for a fleeting instant.
"Then, what would you do if you came face-to-face with him?"
Missing Lumia's expression entirely, Ariel muttered with a self-deprecating smile at the follow-up question.
"I wouldn't even be able to fight in the first place."
"Why is that?"
"My ability is... well, it's truly worthless."
At that, Lumia lightly patted her shoulder in encouragement.
"Come now, you were accepted into the Hero Academy, weren't you? Don't be so hard on yourself."
"Right..."
"Besides, even some of the most famous heroes struggled back in their school days."
Yet inside, her thoughts were entirely different.
She hasn't awakened her ability yet, nor does she have any will to oppose him. Not that she has the power to do so anyway.
"Huh? What's that?"
So this episode is my solo stage—
In the midst of her reverie, Ariel suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, eyes widening.
"Something feels strange."
Hearing her words, Lumia halted and deliberately took in her surroundings.
It's begun.
She already knew: at this exact hour, on this very street, an incident was scheduled to occur. Trauma. The being she so desperately craved would be lured here by the kaijin and make his appearance.
*Ssssshhh...*
"Where did all this fog come from...?"
As the scene she had envisioned countless times unfolded before her eyes, Lumia's heart began to race.
He's here. He's really here.
Now, out of that fog, the masked man would emerge. Though not the white mask she once knew, he would bear a black mask of the exact same design. Though he had committed the utter catastrophe of helping someone during his debut, his thirst for vengeance against her would still burn bright. He would direct his murderous intent toward her and reach for her throat. Because she was the one who had taken everything from him.
What expression will he make when he sees me?
She wanted to fight him right this instant. She wanted to be beaten to the brink of death by his unhinged hands, to feel his fingers strangling her throat. She wanted to be the very first line he crossed.
I want to see him so badly.
She wanted to hear him realize he couldn't kill her just yet, whispering in that chilling voice that he would slaughter her no matter what. She wanted to become his eternal arch-nemesis.
"...Hm?"
Consumed by those thoughts as she stepped forward, the figure she had waited so long for finally entered her field of vision.
"Trauma."
A mask cracked around the eyes. A black cape concealing his physique. A black cane held in his grip.
"You are Trauma, aren't you?"
Clad in the very guise she yearned for, he stopped in place upon seeing her. Judging by his reaction, he had clearly never anticipated running into her and Ariel here.
We weren't the reason he came today, so of course he'd react that way.
Smiling blissfully as she imagined the expression hidden beneath his mask, she abruptly composed her features. According to her foreknowledge, this scene would soon be broadcast live across the news. She had no desire to ruin this monumental moment—where the entire world would witness her as Trauma's sole arch-nemesis—simply because she failed to keep her composure.
"Why have you come here?"
Feigning a tense expression and trembling voice, Lumia spoke out.
"What is your objective?"
As she finished speaking and observed his reaction, Trauma, who had remained stationary until then, murmured in a low voice.
"As expected, the Insight skill is quite useful."
"Pardon?"
Lumia tilted her head at his incomprehensible words.
"My nemesis."
"........!"
Her eyes widened as those words spilled from Trauma's lips while he began striding forward once more.
"I came to see the existence I'm so desperate to break that it's driving me insane."
A wave of pure ecstasy surged through Lumia's entire body.
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about, but..."
Hearing the very words she had longed for straight from Trauma's mouth, Lumia shuddered with quiet thrill as she drew a knife from within her coat.
"I cannot let you pass any further."
Gently closing her eyes, she braced herself, waiting for his impending assault.
"I will be the one to stop you."
An instant felt like an eternity.
"....."
An even longer eternity passed.
"Huh?"
And when the waiting could no longer be called an instant.
"Excuse me?"
Only then did she open her eyes, looking around in utter bewilderment.
"Where are you going?"
Spotting Trauma strolling past her toward the back, completely ignoring her presence, she raised her voice in panic.
"Not that way! Come back!"
Yet Trauma didn't even spare Lumia a glance. His gaze was fixated on one place alone.
"Hello, Ariel."
On Ariel, who stood behind her, soaked in cold sweat from sheer terror.
"M-Me?"
Seeing Trauma extend a hand toward her, Ariel's face turned deathly pale.
"W-Wait. Trauma. No, Sunbae."
Staring blankly at the spectacle, Lumia frantically moved to rush between them, but—
*Crackle...*
Defense (Lv. 1)
A translucent barrier already severed the space between her and Trauma.
"Where on earth are you looking?"
*Step, step...*
"That's not me, Sunbae..."
As Lumia muttered in a soulless, hollow daze, still struggling to comprehend the situation, a multitude of hypnotized civilians marched forward behind her.
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
"...He's appeared."
Staring blankly at the news broadcast in her office, Great Order stumbled as she rose to her feet.
"Trauma."
Her eyes burned with quiet intensity.
"I need to see him."
Behind her, as she strode toward the front door, the shredded scraps of Kang Haneul's side-dish recipe fluttered through the air.