Jamryong
"Fuck. Storm getting taken out? No way in hell."
"What's the deal with that werewolf popping up and screwing everything over?"
"Thinking about those moderate faction bastards strutting around because of this just pisses me off."
In one of the hideouts used by Daidalos, the radical faction organization that led this terrorist attack under the Villain Alliance, members had gathered to discuss Stormbringer's death.
Some puffed away on cigarettes, exhaling thick clouds of smoke, while others knocked back shots of strong liquor to wet their throats. They were all in a highly agitated state right now.
Stormbringer had been the number two in their Daidalos organization. It was only natural that those involved in the terror attack would panic over losing such a key figure. And it wasn't even to a hero—it was to a villain werewolf, which made the planners look utterly pathetic.
There'd been no word yet from their boss, but losing Nam Hyunsu, who had infiltrated the Supporters to gather intel, was a pretty heavy blow too. Sure, even with their number two gone, their forces were still solid, but they couldn't do anything about the plummeting morale.
Plus, if they pulled off another terror attack, that werewolf who killed Stormbringer might show up again. That fact alone was enough to crush the terrorists' spirits.
They bickered for a good while, tossing around ideas for what to do next. Of course, the boss and core executives weren't here—these guys were just low-level grunts—but since they were the ones who'd actually carried out the attack, they sorted through the frustrating situation anyway.
"How about borrowing some hands from the other radical factions?"
"Better than those moderate assholes, but you think those guys will cooperate just like that?"
"The desperate one bends, what choice do they have? If this all fizzles out, we're the ones who get fucked."
"That's for the boss to decide. Talking about it among ourselves doesn't mean shit."
"Hah, fuck. What a mess all because of one damn wolf pup."
"If even Hyunsu and Storm got done in by that wolf, it's one dangerous bastard. Run into it, and you won't even collect your bones."
News articles and reports on the hospital terror attack claimed a Mid-level hero named Spica had taken down Stormbringer. But these guys, who knew how strong he was, didn't buy it for a second. No ordinary Senior hero could beat him, let alone some Mid-level like Spica. So they figured the werewolf that broke into the hospital and killed Nam Hyunsu must've handled Stormbringer too.
"Whew. Whatever. It's not that hard. We've been timing the attacks for after sunset to lure the werewolf out, but we can just switch it up and hit during the day, right?"
"Yeah. During daylight, that werewolf bastard won't dare show its face."
"Changing plans over one fucker? The Alliance will think we're a total joke."
"Then you handle it."
"Fuck."
The werewolf was their biggest obstacle, but since it could only move after dark, a daytime attack left it powerless. Altering the entire plan for just one guy was humiliating as hell, but with no better fix in the current mess, they agreed to report it to the boss like this.
As they hashed out how to deal with the werewolf and swapped minor details in their meeting...
"Aaaagh!!"
...a scream erupted from outside—from one of their comrades guarding the hideout entrance.
"What the hell? What's going on?"
"Did the Association figure this place out?"
"No way it's that werewolf, right?"
The meeting crew jumped up in panic, going on high alert. As their eyes locked on the entrance, a gravelly voice cut in from behind.
"Krr~ Damn, this booze hits the spot. Whoever picked it has taste."
The unfamiliar voice—not one of their own—snapped their gazes toward its source.
A massive scar slashing across his face, flashy suit that screamed money, gold chain around his neck, sunglasses perched on his nose—a guy who looked every bit the thug was chugging their booze bottle like it was his own.
"Who the fuck are you?!"
"How'd you get in here?"
"Whoa, whoa, easy now. Just came to chat for a sec."
The villains dropped into fighting stances, but the man's utterly nonchalant vibe as he lounged there cowed them—no one dared rush him.
"Who... the hell are you? You that werewolf?"
"Huh? Nah, no. I'm not the werewolf. That's the one."
"What?"
The thug pointed casually behind them. The villains' heads whipped around to follow.
There stood the werewolf.
"Gasp..."
A black-furred werewolf. In its hand dangled the severed head of one of their comrades who'd just been yapping away beside them moments ago.
How the hell is that there?
One villain glanced at his buddy beside him, questioning it—only to see a headless corpse, neck sliced clean, blood oozing from the stump, collapsing like a puppet with cut strings.
"What the..."
"H-Heh... Headhunter."
Headhunter. The infamous moniker of a certain celebrity werewolf villain—earned by cleanly decapitating targets for assassinations. An S-rank most-wanted by the Association, even more dangerous than Stormbringer.
"We've got a message for your boss. Mind passing it along?"
As the villains trembled and nodded at the thug's words, a loud crash shattered the door, and a devil barged into the room.
"What? You're already at it? Save some for me, huh?"
"Told you not to take forever."
"Ugh, come on. Riding Anne is cheating, ajusshi! Why'd you guys ditch me and go ahead?"
"You bolted first, and now you're complaining."
"Whatever. Hand over the leftovers."
"Calm down, Yerang. We need to leave at least one alive, yeah?"
"Then just spare one and kill the rest?"
Everyone there clocked who she was just from the name Yerang. The genius hero once hailed as a national treasure—now an S-rank wanted villain like Headhunter: Little Devil.
"Hmm. Who to spare? No clue. Guess I'll kill 'em all and let the last one standing live."
"What the fuck are you on, you crazy bitch..."
Splat.
In an instant, a tail whipped out from Hwang Yerang's ass and crushed the man's skull.
"Let's see. Five left now?"
"W-Wait! Why are you doing this? You're villains too, even if not in the Alliance! Wouldn't it be good for you if the Association's gone?"
One villain, figuring they couldn't win against two S-ranks and a mystery thug, blurted desperately.
"Why? 'Cause you touched our comrade. Here for payback."
"What? Who the hell's your comrade?!"
Splat.
The shouting man got tailed and dropped dead. Four left.
"Shut it. You're annoying me."
Hwang Yerang's face hardened into a murderous glare from her cheery chatter, silencing the villains—they just shook in terror.
"Tell your boss: 'Betrayer' is a comrade of our 'Jamryong. Touch her, and we won't sit idle."
"...What's Jamryong?"
Splat.
The curious fool's head exploded.
"Grunts like you don't need to know. Just relay it: hands off Betrayer."
Splat.
Another down. Three gone? Wait, two now.
"Hmm. Two left? Who to off?"
The last pair wanted to beg for their lives but knew opening their mouths meant death—so they wept silently.
"Eh, whatever. I'm left-handed, so the one on the left dies."
"Wait! I'm left-handed too, kill him not m—"
Splat.
"Talk about quick. Rapper bro?"
"..."
The lucky survivor, now alone, didn't dare speak. They might change their minds.
"One left. Congrats. You're spared, oppa."
"..."
"Not thrilled? Should I just kill you?"
"No no no! Thank you for sparing me!"
"Good, that's more like it. Would love to rip you apart too, but special mercy."
"Thank you. Truly."
"Now scram."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Permission granted, he bolted from the hideout.
"Tsk tsk. What a prickly temper. Should've left it to Diana. Now my suit's all bloody."
"Ajusshi, you wear that suit every day? You've got multiples anyway."
"Enough. What do I even say to you. Business done—let's bounce."
"You sure it's worth stirring this up? We weren't gonna reveal ourselves."
Headhunter, silent till now, finally spoke up late. Her speech was fluent enough, but the signature growl and slurred edges lingered.
"Well, can't hide forever. Association's one thing, but no need from the Alliance."
"Yeah. And Anne, aren't you pissed? Chaerim got messed up bad."
"If you'd been a bit later, I'd have finished them."
Hwang Yerang knew Headhunter—Diana—was furious too. Shy and lonely as she was, once she bonded, her loyalty was over the top.
"Alliance was eyeing Chaerim anyway. Better settle it now."
"That werewolf you like? Dude's making waves."
"Right? Oppa’s seriously strong."
"Gonna recruit him?"
"Yup. Got rejected last time, but he's with Chaerim in some Supporters thing—might work."
"After teaming with her? He'll probably nope out."
"Hm... maybe. But they fought together this time—some bond, yeah?"
"Whatever, your call. Time to head back."
The thug dusted off and headed for the entrance. Hwang Yerang followed, then noticed Diana standing stock-still.
"Not coming?"
"Got business. Going separate."
"What? Boyfriend? I hustled hard to hook you up."
"Don't need it."
They chatted casually amid the blood-soaked corpse pile. Soon after they left, seven headless bodies cooled in the room.