Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Seven Evils Mobilize
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Oh, this is something!
"The Smiling Man is surrendering?"
Having heard the report from his subordinate, Tattoos, one of the Seven Evils, let out a scoff.
He knew the guy was crazy, but he hadn't expected him to be this insane.
"We just got intel that the S-Rank Heroes are on the move."
"Who?"
"Valkyrie. Guardian. Ignition. And Shadowless."
"They've assembled a lineup perfect for completely subduing him, just in case."
Mobilizing four out of the nine remaining S-Ranks was no small feat.
It meant they were staking everything on capturing the Smiling Man.
"So what happens now? Will they drag him in half-dead like they do with the others?"
Another of the Seven Evils, the Maniac, toyed with a glass filled with red liquid.
Tattoos grimaced at the fishy stench assaulting his nose.
"With all the crap that psycho's pulled, they won't risk it."
"Then what?"
"They'll probably slap on handcuffs infused with a sealing ability."
"Pfft. You think that'll hold that monster?"
Like all abilities, sealing abilities weren't omnipotent.
They produced the starkest differences based on the ability's rank.
There were S-Rank Heroes with sealing abilities, sure.
But the Smiling Man was on par with S-Ranks—or beyond.
No guarantee it would work properly.
"Still better than nothing. It'd suppress at least some of his power."
Crunch!
Massacrer, another of the Seven Evils, gnashed her teeth without hiding her murderous aura.
She'd been thoroughly thrashed by the Smiling Man not long ago.
And she'd even lost one of the Seven Evils who'd been with her.
The others hadn't said a word about it.
That silence only pricked at Massacrer's pride even more.
They could've at least mocked me. Getting pity instead...
"...Shut up."
Narcissus shoved away the phone he'd been holding by the handle of his sword.
The word 'LIVE' glowed brightly on the screen.
Footage of the Smiling Man, handcuffed and surrounded by heroes, being escorted.
Massacrer slammed the table with a bang!
"Ah, damn it. My drink's all spilled."
"Shut your mouth. I'm not in the mood to play with you right now."
Massacrer glared at the screen with blazing eyes.
Then she whipped her head around with a sharp whoosh!
"Hey. You gonna just sit here and watch?"
"What're you talking about?"
"The bastard's captured. Got those sealing handcuffs on too. Doesn't that give us some cover? Let's kill him while we can."
"What? You gonna avenge the guy who bit it last time? Kehahat! Hey, newbie. She's freaking out about avenging your predecessor. No one'll care if you die either."
The Maniac, who'd downed the red liquid, addressed the man sitting quietly.
The new Seven Evil who succeeded the previous swindler: Vengeful Ghost.
Another monster who'd climbed this high as the brother of a villain killed by heroes.
"...Shut up."
"Narcissus is right. It's not just the Smiling Man. Four S-Ranks glued to him—what do you expect us to do?"
"A head-on fight? Sure, impossible. But we force chaos, and in the middle, we just kill the Smiling Man. Heroes'll prioritize saving people anyway."
Would've been tough if they'd taken him to the Union branch.
But a police station? Different story.
That place was full of cops, not heroes. Unawakened folks.
Armed with guns? No match for abilities.
Attack there, and heroes would protect the police first.
"Even so, you think S-Ranks are stray dogs?"
"That's why we create chaos. Not impossible for us, right? Get the cops swarming the heroes. Numb their senses, and it'll be enough."
Massacrer glanced at the woman across the table.
She exuded a sticky, bewitching aura.
Making no effort to hide it, dressed provocatively.
"Hey. You'll help, right?"
"Don't wanna."
"Knew you'd say that. Hey, Massacrer. Give it up. Don't you know she's into the Smiling Man? No way she'd join a hit on him."
"Try keeping quiet. Hey, you slut. Keep being uncooperative, and I'll replace you too. Got it? The man you're so fond of killed one of ours."
As the mood turned hostile, the Maniac and Vengeful Ghost held Massacrer back.
Not out of loyalty—just didn't want the hassle of a fight here.
"Think it over and answer properly. Help or not?"
"... "
"Ah, this fucking slut...!"
"Enough."
"You shut your trap, tattooed pig. Sick of you acting tough just 'cause she's here."
Massacrer's shot landed a minor hit, perhaps.
Tattoos grimaced but didn't flare up like usual.
Conscious of the bewitching woman's gaze, as someone said.
Sigh. The other Seven Evils sighed, but he ignored them.
"Illusionist."
Tattoos lowered his voice and stepped forward.
"I need your power. Your potent illusions could disorient even S-Ranks, if only briefly."
"... "
"It won't harm your Smiling Man. You just cast the illusion. We'll handle the rest."
A sane person would've argued what difference that made.
But these weren't sane. They were villains.
"Just that much?"
"Yeah."
"If things go south, I'm not helping."
"Don't. I'll manage."
"Argh, that bitch. Lost it for real?"
"Let her be. Hasn't she always been like this?"
The other Seven Evils grumbled from behind, but Tattoos held firm.
He gazed at the Illusionist with soft eyes, awaiting her answer.
Like a stalker pressuring for a date date.
"...Fine. Got it. Illusions only. Nothing more."
"Thanks. Knew you'd come through."
"Aw, so earnest. Wasn't she obligated to say yes anyway? If she'd refused to the end, I'd have killed her. Know that?"
"Watch your words, Massacrer."
"What to do with this tattooed pig bastard?"
They growled like they might throw down any second, but not now.
Right now, there was a stronger foe—someone they wanted dead more than anyone.
With sealing ability equipped, odds improved.
Layer on the ultimate illusion, and even S-Ranks could be stalled.
"So, everyone's going?"
"Damn right. Don't slack off, or I'll kill you all for real."
"You can't even if you try, so quit threatening."
"Try me."
"I will. Go on."
Seven Evils. No camaraderie among them.
They'd stab each other in the back anytime.
Just vengeance against those who'd wronged them.
Kill what annoyed them to feel better—petty as hell.
"Let's go."
The monsters, driven purely by malice, left their hideout.
What followed was effortless, familiar routine.
Stuff they'd done their whole lives since awakening their abilities.
"Begin."
The Illusionist began shedding her already provocative outfit piece by piece.
Tattoos practically swooned with each glimpse of pale skin.
"That fucking bitch."
"Let it go. There's reason even for the nagging."
"This nagging? Called a maniac, and your head's really gone."
"No matter how crazy I am, not as mad as that guy waiting over there."
"Mm. Agreed."
What villain helps people and surrenders?
True villains swing their power to the end, spreading malice till last.
That's a villain. Only villains can pull it off.
Why heroes doing bad doesn't make them villains.
True villains never do good deeds, even for show.
Only for themselves: take, hurt, kill.
Shhh!
The Illusionist's seductive spell quietly enveloped the area.
Invisible. Inaudible. Unscentable.
By the time you notice, it's too late. Already ensnared.
"... "
"Hey, slut. How's it going?"
"Quiet. Can't you see I'm focusing?"
"Ah, this prick to the end! Hey! She's just casting illusions here and done! We're the ones who need focus—why're you bitching, Tattoos?!"
While they bickered, the illusion perfectly blanketed the police station.
Good. Undetected. As expected of the ultimate illusion ability.
"How many minutes we got?"
"...Normally 30. Against S-Ranks, max 5. After that, senses return."
"Plenty. And the Smiling Man's in there too, right? Sealing cuffs plus your illusion? Catastrophe-class on paper, but really just our level."
Massacrer gestured, and Narcissus drew his sword.
He swung toward the station, crumbling a section entirely.
Kaboom!!
"Let's go. Touch us, and you prepare for knives in the back anytime."
"No desire to avenge the already-dead one."
"Could be you next."
"Mm. Then I'll kill him."
All Seven Evils except the Illusionist charged inside.
Other villains would standby outside, checking the heroes.
"...I sense him. Smiling Man in the interrogation room."
"Good. Rush in and take his head!"
Ignoring everything, they bolted for the interrogation room.
But the Seven Evils froze at the scene awaiting them.
"Oh! Aren't these the runaway dogs! Come on in! Here to rescue me? Hahaha!"
The Smiling Man sat meekly in the interrogation room, handcuffed.
As if he'd known they'd come.
"... "
Fine. Illusion working fine.
Handcuffs on him intact.
Didn't expect him waiting, but this much...
Ting!!
A sharp metallic snap, something shattered.
The Seven Evils looked to the floor.
Those were the sealing-ability handcuffs.
"Oops. They broke. I raised my hand to greet you all, and... well. Hahaha!"