Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Villain Emergence
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The bus swerved into a sharp curve, rattling back and forth.
The pathetic humans all clutched the handholds, desperately bracing themselves.
But a great existence like this body has no need to rely on something as trivial as a bus strap!
Arms crossed, I stood tall on both feet, perfectly balanced!
'Kakak! The laws of inertia have no hold on this body! The great Lady Grimoire defies even the laws of physics! Newton can choke on his apple!'
I pulled out my smartphone and double-checked the plan Everlin and I had prepared.
A perfect plan worthy of this body's inaugural evil deed!
Every time the cityscape flashed by outside the window, my wicked imagination bloomed.
Those skyscrapers, the glittering main streets, the bustling crowds...
'All of it will one day belong to this body!'
Finally, my destination! The time has come to reveal this body's true colors.
I gripped my backpack tightly and stepped off the bus.
Something felt off, though. The moment I got off, a piercing noise assaulted my ears.
Sirens wailed, mixed with the murmurs of a restless crowd.
"...What’s going on?"
A bad premonition spurred my steps faster.
A crowd had gathered around the bank. Police cars blocked the road, armed officers aimed at the building, and bystanders buzzed beyond the yellow police tape.
'No way... Did someone leak this body’s plan?'
No, impossible. No one knows but Everlin. Which means...
'The world has sensed this body’s wickedness! They fear my arrival and have prepared defenses in advance! The police were ready ahead of time—they’re already trying to counter my evil deeds!'
But why is everyone staring only at the bank building?
Bang!
A sudden gunshot shattered my delusions.
"It’s the Flame Ability User! Everyone, get down!"
The officers’ shouts came with the bank’s glass windows exploding. Red flames erupted through the shattered panes.
My entire body froze.
"How dare they... How dare they rob this body’s bank first! Are you trying to steal Lady Grimoire’s debut stage?!"
I strode toward the police tape.
My small frame let me slip through the crowd easily. Everlin was right—never wrong!
Time to show these third-rate villains what a true villain looks like!
'Daring to ruin this body’s debut... You’ll regret it!'
I pulled a mask from my backpack and slipped it on. Horns protruded proudly above the black fabric.
"I’ll show you exactly whose bank you’ve messed with!"
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out from inside the bank. The police all turned that way.
'Now!'
I leaped over the police tape in an instant.
"Hey! Get back! It’s dangerous!"
The cops yelled from behind, but I kicked open the bank doors and charged inside.
The interior was total chaos.
A man who looked like the Flame Ability User menaced hostages with fireballs, while his thugs guarded the perimeter with pistols, steel pipes, and knives.
"You pathetic third-rate villains! This is this body’s domain, Grimoire Bank! Roll over and flee now, and I’ll graciously spare your worthless lives!"
My declaration drew every eye in the room—inmates, gang members, even the Flame Ability User.
"Hey, kid. Be a good little girl and scram. This ain’t a playground for hero dress-up."
One thug sneered, waving his pistol threateningly.
Something in my head snapped with a twang.
"What...? You dare call this body a kid?"
I gritted my teeth. Rage made my whole body tremble. Gray light exploded from my horns.
"You’ve crossed the line! Don’t think you can ruin Lady Grimoire’s debut and walk away unscathed! You’ll pay dearly for your insolence!"
The thug aimed his pistol at me.
"Move and I shoot! I mean it!"
I laughed. These fools dare!
"Ha! Go ahead, shoot!"
I taunted him boldly. As if this body fears such a toy!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots echoed. Time seemed to slow.
Flames spat from the black muzzle, bullets hurtled toward me. And...
Plink.
Only the sound of bullets hitting the floor remained.
"...What? The bullets bounced off?"
"Kakak! Toys like that don’t work on this body!"
Laughter burst out. My dress had a few holes, but not a drop of blood!
"Th-this can’t be...?"
"Gun didn’t work?"
"What the hell is that kid?"
Terror-filled voices rose. Finally, fear gleamed in their eyes.
Now this is the presence of a true villain!
Perfect! This is the feeling I’ve been waiting for!
"Uwaaaah!"
One thug charged with a steel pipe, swinging full force at my head.
Clang!
Of course, this body was fine. The pipe bent like a bow instead.
"Th-this kid... she’s a monster!"
"Not a monster—a villain! Get it through your thick skulls? You’re nothing compared to a true villain like this body!"
Another thug’s fist flew at me. I caught his wrist and twisted lightly.
Crack.
"Gaaah! My wrist! Uwaaaah!"
He screamed and dropped to his knees.
Next came a knife slash.
Crunch!
"Caught a knife... barehanded...?"
The blade shattered, fragments clattering to the floor.
Then my kick landed! The thug slammed into the wall.
"Now, only one left..."
I turned to the Flame Ability User.
"Die, you freak!"
Flames erupted from his hand. Red fire engulfed me, hot waves filling the air.
"Eek! It’s hot... wait, not really?"
I walked out of the blaze. My dress was singed, but my skin—not even a single hair—was untouched.
"As expected, this body is invincible!"
"What are you?!"
"I already told you! This body is Grimoire! The great villain Grimoire who will soon rule S City—no, the entire world! Remember it well!"
The flame villain tried to flee.
Can’t let him go! I grabbed his hood, hoisted him up, and hurled him into the wall.
"Hear me! S City is Lady Grimoire’s territory! Don’t you dare invade this body’s hunting grounds!"
Thud!
The flame villain slid down the wall, his fires extinguished.
"Urgh..."
"Kakak! Total victory for this body! Third-rate villains like you could never match Lady Grimoire!"
I looked down at the fallen thugs.
Perfect! What an impactful villainous entrance!
'Now, time to see the citizens’ reactions!'
The hostages still cowered on the floor, watching wide-eyed.
They all surely witnessed this body’s overwhelming power and ruthlessness!
"Kakak! Now you know who the true villain is!"
The time for this body to strike fear has arrived! They’ll all scream in terror...
"Waaaaah!"
I doubted my ears. Cheers?
"It’s a hero! That kid saved us!"
"Amazing! Bullets didn’t even faze her!"
"A rookie hero? She’s adorable! Are those horns part of her power?"
Wh-what...?
My mind went blank. What’s happening?
"Wait! This is a misunderstanding! This body is a villain! Vil-lain! You should tremble in awe before me!"
I shouted, but my protests drowned in their cheers. Applause and moved voices poured out.
"Thank you so much! You saved our lives!"
"Thanks for protecting us from those vicious robbers!"
"Such courage at your age... You’re amazing! A true hero!"
Hero...? Hero...?!!
Impossible! What I just did was blatant villainy!
I beat armed robbers, smashed the flame villain into a wall, and instilled terror with my fearsome presence!
Bam!
No time to explain—the bank doors burst open as SWAT poured in, clad in black tactical gear, weapons raised as they assessed the scene.
"We’re okay! A hero took care of everything!"
One hostage boasted proudly.
"This girl took down all the robbers! Unbelievable, but bullets didn’t even scratch her!"
The police began cuffing the thugs and the flame villain. An officer approached me.
"Incredible work, young hero! It’s reassuring to have heroes like you."
A man who seemed to be the team leader patted my shoulder.
"No, this body is a villain..."
"Haha, even jokes! You MZ heroes have a different sense of humor these days."
This can’t be! My villain debut...!
"Over here! A new hero took down the bank robbers!"
"A new face! Care for an interview?"
As I stepped outside, reporters swarmed. Camera flashes popped, mics shoved in my face.
"Wait, wait! This body isn’t..."
"Are you with the Association? Are those horns special gear or a power symbol?"
"What training did you undergo? What’s your ability rank?"
"Which hero agency are you with? Or an indie hero?"
My head throbbed. A buzzing filled my ears.
'This must be a nightmare. Yeah, definitely! This body’s grand villain debut can’t end like this!'
"What’s your hero name? Citizens want to know!"
"This body’s name is... the great villain Grimoire!"
"Great Grimoire? Cool hero name! Citizens will love it!"
"Your future hero plans..."
"A word to the citizens..."
"Thoughts on this feat..."
Questions bombarded me.
"Out of my way!"
I couldn’t take it anymore. I bolted, leaving the cheers and questions behind.
"Hero! Wait!"
"Ms. Grimoire, just one interview line!"
Ridiculously, the onlookers clapped and parted like they were seeing off a champion!
"This body is a villain! A supremely great and wicked one!!"
I vaulted the police tape and ducked into an alley.
"It’s all Everlin’s fault! The mask hid this body’s wickedness!"
I ripped off the mask and flung it to the ground. Silver hair clung to my sweat-damp face.
'My first evil deed... to end like this...'
"Uwaaaah!"
I screamed. My inaugural evil deed... turned into a hero debut!
'What just happened...'
I flopped onto a bus stop bench. Street screens replayed my footage on loop.
The bus approached. I stood mechanically and pulled out my card.
Yeah, gotta get home fast. At least Everlin and chocolate cake are waiting to console this body’s defeat...
Beep.
"...!"
Anger surged.
"No! This body isn’t a student—it’s a villain! I don’t want student discounts, charge me adult fare now!"
"It’s fine, kid."
The bus driver glanced at my face and smiled kindly.
"If you’re the right age, you get the discount even without school."
"Grrr...!"
I gnashed my teeth. That’s not the point! What do you take this body for?!
I slunk to a back seat and curled up. The whole world felt hostile. Why can’t anyone see this body’s true nature?
Passengers’ smartphones all showed my face.
"Look, a new hero..."
"Bullets and fire don’t touch her—enhancement awakener?"
"What’s with the horns? They’re so cute and pointy."
C-cute...? My majestic horns?!
I turned to the window. My cheeks burned.
'What do I tell Everlin... My villain debut failed miserably...'
I got off the bus and headed to our hideout, Crown Villa.
Step, step
My footsteps dragged. Even my horns drooped.
Soon, I climbed the stairs to apartment 301.
Opening the door, a sweet aroma wafted over.
"Master, you’ve returned safely. How did today’s evil deed go?"
Everlin waited in the entryway, her blue eyes welcoming me.
"Did you rob the bank? Where’s the money...?"
"Quiet! You already know everything!"
I stormed to the living room and slammed the bank calendar on the desk.
"...Is that spoils of war?"
Everlin’s voice held a subtle laugh.
"Ugh... rubbing salt in this body’s wounds..."
I sank into the sofa and snatched the remote.
On screen, blurry footage showed me slamming the flame villain into the wall. CCTV.
"Aaaah! This body is a villain! A villain, not a hero!"
"Master."
Everlin approached quietly and set something on the table. A sweet scent teased my nose.
Warm vanilla latte and... fluffy chocolate cake topped with fresh cream!
"Prepared to commemorate Master’s first evil deed."
Looking at the cake made my mouth water. But!
"Hmph! Trying to console this failure?"
"No. Celebrating Master’s great first step."
...First step?
"But this body was treated like a hero..."
"You made those fearsome gang members tremble in terror. Didn’t you see the fear in their eyes?"
Come to think of it... They did call this body a ‘monster’.
"Even the police were helpless before your power."
Right... No one stopped me jumping the tape! I slipped through their lines like a ghost!
"That... kinda sounds legit? Now that you mention it, yeah."
"You captured everyone’s attention in an instant. As a terrifying existence impervious to bullets and fire."
"Mm... This body’s power was indeed impressive!"
"Of course. You’re destined to be history’s greatest villain, Master."
Everlin’s words puffed up my chest.
"Kakak! Indeed! Next time, I’ll make it crystal clear! The full extent of this body’s wickedness!"
"I look forward to it. But first..."
Everlin pointed to my singed dress.
"For your dignity, you should wash up."
"Too bothersome..."
"Even villains need hygiene, Master."
"I haven’t even finished half the cake... The chocolate part’s barely touched!"
"Wash up, and a delicious dinner awaits."
"...Why didn’t you say so sooner!"
Yeah, this is just the beginning.
Next time, even wickeder deeds to terrify the citizens!
I vowed it while soaking in hot water.
This body will become the ultimate villain!