I'm Gonna Lose My Mind For Real
As an explosion rocked the hospital building, the people waiting in line in the ground-level parking lot plunged into chaos. Everyone gathered here was a victim of last night's terrorist attack. Witnessing another terrorist scene right before their eyes revived their trauma, and fear spread like a contagion. The area turned into pandemonium in an instant. Screams erupted everywhere—people shoving others aside in desperate bids to escape, some trampled under the stampeding crowd, others desperately shielding injured family members. It was a hellish sight.
Nam Hyunsu strolled leisurely into the heart of the turmoil. Several orbs the size of human heads floated up around him, beginning to orbit him in perfect, satellite-like revolutions, just like planets around a sun.
Just as one of the orbs shot toward the crowd, a scream pierced the air from amid the people.
"W-Werewolf!!"
"Kyaaah!!"
At the cry of werewolf, Nam Hyunsu started to turn toward the direction everyone was staring at in terror. But before he could, a werewolf fist shot toward him, only for one of the orbiting orbs to block it.
Klang!
"Huh? A real werewolf popped out?"
Having its attack blocked, the werewolf pulled back, glaring at Nam Hyunsu with savage eyes.
"Showing up right after the explosion—were you in the hospital from the start?"
"Grrr…"
"Hmm… Doesn't look like you're up for talking. Fine by me. Come at me—I'll play with you."
Those orbs are ridiculously tough. I put my all into that punch, ready to kill, and it blocked it like nothing.
Four orbs orbiting Nam Hyunsu like stars. I have no idea what ability they grant, but destroying them seems impossible. Back when I started as a supporter, I got briefed on wanted villains by the association, but I'd never heard of anything like this. Doesn't even give a hint from the looks of it. Is it just physical force? Or does it have other special powers? One thing's clear—this guy's the real deal. On a whole different level from that Bomberman punk I fought before.
I can't rush in blindly without knowing his ability. And there are too many civilians around. I can't cut loose, and if things go south, he might start massacring them. So I need to end it in one shot. Start with probing.
Figure out those orbs' power, then exploit the gap and shred him with my claws. Victory.
I shot a glance at the panicking crowd fleeing in all directions, then focused on the orbs as I charged straight at Nam Hyunsu.
One of the orbiting orbs rocketed toward me in a straight line. Fast, but with my werewolf dynamic vision, dodging was easy—I sidestepped and kept advancing.
—Whoosh.
"!?!"
Sudden searing heat and pain exploded in my thigh, forcing me to drop to one knee. What the—?
I whipped around and saw the orb I'd just passed blinking rapidly. An ominous chill made my fur stand on end. I slapped the ground and rolled, and a laser beam scorched the spot where I'd been standing a second ago.
So that's the orbs' power. Lasers, huh? Pretty damn cool.
Lasers meant impossible-to-dodge speed once fired, and with enough power to pierce werewolf hide and muscle. Impressive.
"Nice reflexes. Or is it just instinct?"
Tough enough to block my punch, threatening physical force and speed, and they shoot lasers. And there are four of them. Can I even win this?
I held back, wary of the lasers, but Nam Hyunsu just watched without attacking first. Dragging this out would bring heroes, yet he seemed so relaxed. Maybe he couldn't attack first? Cooldown? Range limit? Not enough info yet.
To get info, I'd have to test it with my body. Good thing the lasers weren't lethal if I avoided vitals—a hit or two wasn't a big threat. My regeneration could handle it.
If you don't know, you tank it. With that resolve, I zigzagged forward on all fours, closing the distance.
As I got nearer, the orbiting orbs blinked and fired lasers. They always blinked as a tell before shooting. Knowing that made dodging manageable.
Problem was, there were four. I inevitably took hits to my shoulder and forearm.
"Grrr…"
Stopping would've risked head or heart shots, so I retreated to widen the gap again. The orbs stopped firing and resumed orbiting.
So this distance is about his range limit. Some gains, but still a pain to crack.
"Scared? You won't kill me like that."
Shut up. You try coming at me first.
If I could somehow reduce those orbs to two, I might force my way in. Time-dragging protects the people until heroes arrive, but I'd get targeted too, so I couldn't just stand around.
"H-Hero, hang in there!!"
"Kill those dog-like villain bastards!!"
As I faced off against Nam Hyunsu at a distance, cheers erupted from the onlookers far off. But they were cheering for him, not me.
"Kukukuk. Isn't it hilarious? People are so stupid. Can't even tell friend from foe."
A werewolf showing up at a terror site, blocked by some mystery guy. Yeah, even I'd be confused. I got it, but it still chafed.
Still, I'd braced for this from the start. I knew I couldn't be a hero. That's why I stood here anyway. No matter what they say or point fingers at, I'll do my job.
The breather helped me piece together a strategy. Tough opponent, but I didn't think I'd lose. My thigh wound was already healing. Mobility back to full—time to take him down for real.
"Raaargh!!"
With a strained kiai, a new guy appeared out of nowhere and swung a sword at me. I dodged the clumsy swing, revealing a rough-looking, delinquent-type youth aiming his blade at me.
"Hero Night arrives. Whoa… that werewolf looks brutal."
"…"
"Kukukuk. Oh man, this is getting fun."
Nam Hyunsu doubled over laughing at the new hero.
Fuck. Is this for real? I'm not the villain, you moron!
But the self-proclaimed Night had no clue and was now teaming up with Nam Hyunsu like they were buddies, both gunning for me. So unjust I wanted to scratch a message on the ground, but as I bent to touch the pavement, Night lunged with his sword.
For someone wielding a sword, his form was sloppy. The whoosh suggested power, but experience lagged behind talent. Talented rookie, green as hell.
Nam Hyunsu was already a handful—now this annoyance too. Thought about bailing since a hero showed, but the kid couldn't handle Nam Hyunsu. If I ran, he'd kill the overconfident Night and go after the crowd. No fleeing.
I'm gonna lose my mind.
"Don't know who you are, hero senior. Cover me—I'll charge."
Night asked Nam Hyunsu for support and barreled at me head-on.
He's not your senior, dumbass. This'll give me a stroke.
Damn looks-based judgments, you pricks. Judging by appearance? No wonder civic awareness sucks.
The brute-charging Night, and Nam Hyunsu flinging an orb far to harass me with lasers. Screw public opinion—I'll live true to myself. Sorry, Night, but right now you're basically a villain. Letting you rampage means casualties. Forgive me. I won't kill you.
I dodged Night's frontal slash, baiting an opening by hesitating. As he swung big, I kicked straight for his groin.
"Guhk…!?"
Best takedown spot ever. Night dropped his sword, foaming at the mouth as he collapsed twitching. I controlled the force to avoid killing, but his balls? No guarantees. Young buck like you—your fault.
With Night down, I turned to Nam Hyunsu. He was laughing his ass off. Glancing around, civilians—especially the guys—stared in horror, clutching their crotches.
What? Why?
Sensing my villain infamy rise, I advanced on the belly-laughing Nam Hyunsu.