Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Try Barking
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While Valkyrie dragged the Smiling Man into the interrogation room.
"...So what do we do now?"
"What do you mean? We should rest. You think we'll get another chance like this?"
Unlike Guardian, Ignition immediately flopped down onto a chair.
Hardly the behavior you'd expect from that legendary S-Rank Hero.
Nothing like the flashy, cool image circulating online.
"Hey, Ignition. Maintain some dignity."
"Dignity my ass. I just got back from a dispatch mission not long ago. No rest, and they throw me straight into the Smiling Man capture op. And no hazard pay for it either."
"Don't say it like we're doing this just to make money."
Guardian gave a wry smile, and Ignition shut his mouth, apparently out of retorts.
Heroes inevitably become objects of envy. They draw tons of attention.
Because of their immense power? Sure, that's part of it.
But the real key is 'protecting others with that immense power.'
The duty and moral responsibility that comes with great strength. That's the true Ability.
"Seniors."
Muyoung, the youngest among the S-Rank Heroes at the station, approached.
"I heard something the other day. 'Big Wind' might quit being a Hero."
"What are you talking about? It's not even been that long since he became S-Rank."
"It's just... way different from what he dreamed of. He thought it'd be all glitz and glamour, but there's mountains of work and tons of annoyances. I overheard him say it'd be better to go freelance under a direct Union contract."
"I heard a lot of Heroes in the US and China have joined the Union like that too?"
"This is bad. What if all our Heroes get poached too?"
The conditions the Union offers Heroes are incredibly generous.
Just like now. Keep doing Hero work exactly as you have been.
We, the Union, have no intention of acting like some government oversight body.
You just sign a contract with us as individuals—or as your own agency.
You know the Union. The organization that does anything for Heroes.
We'll make you the shiniest heroes imaginable.
We'll look out for the citizens, of course, but we'll take care of Heroes too.
Unlike nations that squeeze you to your absolute limits 'for the people.'
Heroes deserve to enjoy life too, right?
"...That last part does sound tempting."
"Why are you falling for it too, Ignition? Hey, Muyoung, cut the weird talk. This guy's lungs are full of hot air. Next thing you know, he'll chase some wild goose."
Silly joke. Not really serious—just idle griping.
Then Guardian sensed something off.
'What is it? This feeling?'
They'd successfully captured the Smiling Man. Tension released?
But the operation wasn't over. They were still here.
Mission unfinished, yet Ignition was lounging, Muyoung chattering.
And he himself wasn't stopping it—he was joining in.
"...Ah."
Only then did Guardian notice the sticky aura enveloping the area.
Invisible, inaudible, imperceptible. A perfect illusion.
A sweet poison steadily weakening everyone's minds.
How long had his mind been melting from lax to liquid?
Why hadn't he noticed sooner—why only now?
"Ignition!"
Ignition realized a beat later and tried to shatter the illusion.
But the roar, the quake, the crumbling building were faster.
Kaboom!!-
Rumble!!-
"Tch!"
Guardian hurriedly formed a shield to replace the collapsing pillar.
The collapse slowed just a fraction, buying a sliver of time.
"Muyoung! Get the cadets out first! Ignition! Help me evacuate the station staff!"
"Senior, this feels like..."
"Yeah. No doubt about it!"
Villain raid. Mad bastards.
Word was out that four S-Rank Heroes were here.
Hundreds of reporters swarmed the windows outside.
If it were just them, they'd chase the enemy down.
But not now. They couldn't. Heroes first protected, didn't kill.
Unlike villains who saw lives as less than ants or flies.
Fail to save one innocent, and killing a hundred villains meant nothing.
BOOM!!-
"Aaaagh!!"
"Damn it!"
Dozens of station staff under the fully caving ceiling.
Guardian threw himself to shield them and yelled.
"Everyone out! Hurry! Run, run!"
Whoever they were, whatever their goal— it wouldn't last long.
Local Heroes would arrive within ten minutes.
More time, and other S-Ranks would fill in.
Especially him—optimized for holding out. He could...
"Guardian! The interrogation room's been ripped clean off! Heavy casualties there!"
"...Interrogation room?"
Not them? Valkyrie, alone, the target?
"Wait. Valkyrie's with the Smiling Man right now!"
"A trap?"
"Can't rule it out!"
Smiling Man pretends to surrender cooperatively.
Then alone with Valkyrie in the station.
External backup maximizes chaos.
Kill the S-Rank Hero. That hypothesis emerged.
Sloppy assumption. Full of holes.
But villains didn't think rationally.
They killed if they wanted. That was a villain.
"...Evacuate people first."
He should head to Valkyrie, but couldn't.
Heroes protected. Saved.
Sometimes their greatest strength—now a weakness.
Non-Awakened and Heroes attacked together? Save civilians first.
"H-Heroes! Everyone on this floor's evacuated!"
"Muyoung! Keep the evac going! Let's move, Ignition!"
Once evacuation progressed, they could finally act.
Two Heroes dashed toward the interrogation room.
But they never reached it.
'Why... why does it feel like no matter how far we go, it doesn't get closer?'
As the Seven Evils' Illusionist said. Even S-Ranks—five minutes.
Those five minutes, they couldn't fight.
Thanks to that, the Seven Evils slipped perfectly into the interrogation room as planned.
Just one unforeseen snag.
"Well now. So many great seolleongtang spots near the station."
"..."
"Was looking forward to chowing down, but these runaways killed the vibe."
So, shouldn't you take responsibility? Hahaha.
They faced a man laughing without smiling.
"..."
"..."
The Seven Evils stared at the handcuffs scattered on the interrogation room floor.
Mostly gone, but faint traces of Ability lingered.
Sealing Ability. Fit for shackling a Catastrophe-Class Villain.
High chance it was S-Rank Hero 'Seal's' handiwork.
Most Awakened couldn't budge in those cuffs.
Even they'd struggle briefly to break free.
"So, time to take responsibility, right?"
The Smiling Man snapped those cuffs like toys.
A flex, and snap! Shattered.
The Seven Evils drew the most logical conclusion.
"Smiling Man! You colluding with the Heroes?!"
"Pardon?"
"Fake cuffs to fool us?! How deep does this go?!"
"...Hahaha."
Oh. People making me chuckle outright.
He'd heard villain logic differed, but...
Whoa. Hahaha. Never imagined this level.
"Alright, doggies? A question for you."
"Shut up!"
"Hear me out. You ambushed us—how would I know to set a trap?"
No more words—Tattoos' greatsword struck like lightning.
Head to toe, cleaved in one stroke.
But the Smiling Man showed no intent to block or dodge.
Bang!!-
"...Hey. You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Hahaha! Perish the thought!"
The Seven Evils reacted just as expected at 'that reason's' appearance.
"Hero Valkyrie!"
"She was here?! No aura at all!"
"That's 'cause I yelled, 'Over here, doggies!' and flared my energy?"
"You bastard! In league with Heroes after all!"
"Why twist it that way? I was so scared coming in here, my energy leaked out! Hahaha!"
Too fixated on the Smiling Man's aura.
Missed Valkyrie right beside him?
Theoretically possible.
But they weren't rookie villains to slip like that?
"Fuck! That doesn't even make sense..."
Massacrer spat curses, then realized something late.
Hold on. Something's off.
We knew an S-Rank was at the station.
Why didn't we consider it during entry?
Like possessed, we charged straight ahead.
"...Ah."
That damned bitch did it after all!
"..."
The Illusionist gazed at her illusion dominating the area.
Then recalled a recent event.
"Caw!"
"Perfect timing, pretty doggy. Was just coming to find you."
"Y-You, why me...? Betrayal? Colluding with Heroes...?"
"Oh, betrayal? Nah, just saving the least bitey dog!"
"What does that..."
Illusionist bound, immobile.
Smiling Man stroked her chin and spoke.
"Simple. From now on, my pet dog. Ah, outdated term? Correction: family dog. Hahaha!"
Try barking. Bark pretty, and there might be a treat!
Staring at the brightly smiling man's face, the Illusionist swallowed dryly.