Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Assignment
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Villain Prison.
Its official name is the Superpowered Terrorist Detention Facility.
Prisoners who can be managed to some degree are all housed together in the Annex A-C Wings, while those who can't are sent to the Special Supervision Wing.
I had secretly hoped that with my flashy rap sheet and life sentence looming, I'd end up in the Special Supervision Wing too.
But the prison staff didn't hesitate for a second before tossing me into the Annex. They just handed me a single bed and a few changes of clothes.
Whatever. It wasn't like I had any expectations to begin with, so there was nothing to be disappointed about.
Anyway, I set up my bed in the corner of the common area. There were no CCTV cameras on that side of the room, but living crammed in with the other villains made it too risky to go inside.
Besides, calling it a "bed" was a joke—it was so pathetic there was no point even going into the room for it. Just a thin mattress you could roll out to lie on and a cheap towel. That was it.
Still, this little nook and a few sets of prison uniforms were my only possessions. Without them, I'd be spending years on the cold, hard cement floor.
"Ptooey—"
...And no way did I want to lie down on a floor where people spat like that.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I missed my aim."
She spat right in front of me on purpose, then laughed it off like it was an accident. No need to respond. It was just a ploy to get my attention.
"Lemme wipe it up for you. Yeah?"
That face and those mannerisms were burned into my memory. A villain I'd caught eight months ago. Codename: Acid.
She wasn't all that dangerous, but she was a real pain. The villains who'd banded together to attack the Hero Association had tried to use her ability to neutralize heroes.
"Huh? Wait, aren't you that Crow guy? Look at him, face turning beet red just 'cause I took off my shirt?"
It wasn't red. I wasn't even bothered—I was just staring at the floor.
She was just putting on a show with exaggerated voice and gestures to rile up the other villains and get at me.
"He said he was saving it for his future wife~ Leave him be~"
"Aww, cute... Pfft!"
Like it was scripted, a couple more came over and started playing along. I remembered their faces too. Every one of them villains I knew.
"So, how old are you?"
One leaned against the wall,
while the other two blocked my path, looming to intimidate me as they asked my age.
Textbook pattern. Cheap sexual harassment and intimidation to establish dominance.
"How old? This is prison now—you gotta act your age. Right? I bet I'm older. C'mon, noona~ Give it a try."
"Suck. Not listening, huh? Gotta throw some aegyo if you want noonas to slip you some pocket money."
The reason I couldn't just lash out was that the second I fought back to break the pattern, all the attention would zero in on me.
I was the only man here. Everyone else was a woman with powers, so it wasn't surprising.
I was already public enemy number one. The violence and mockery that followed were inevitable, but I still couldn't make up my mind.
Would charging at these three and fighting to the end really benefit me? Or should I de-escalate and smooth things over?
"Don't overthink it. You're wondering right now if hitting us first is smarter, or just riding this out quietly."
Before I could finish weighing my options, Acid plopped her ass down on my bed and pressed her body against mine. Goosebumps crawled up my skin from her hand on my shoulder.
"But get this—it's hilarious. You think you can just keep quiet and get out of here someday? That muddling through day by day will get you free? Nah, not a chance."
Like they were savoring my trembling and anger, the three giggled as they crowded onto my bed and kept talking.
"Look at those bitches over there. You think they'll leave you alone? Hell no. They're all watching, waiting to see how you handle it. They're holding back 'cause they don't wanna step in first and lose out on the meal they've already cooked up—pot and all."
Her breath was hot on my face. Mint toothpaste mixed with sickeningly sweet body wash.
"...You're in the same boat. Touch me here, and the target shifts to you guys."
"Exactly. There are so many gunning for you. No point stepping up and getting marked."
Acid's ability was simple. Her saliva paralyzed on contact.
But the saliva trickling from my nape down to my collarbone right now?
It didn't have that paralyzing effect.
No telltale tingle.
I knew for sure because I'd been hit by it once before.
"...Disgusting."
"Thanks. Hearing that from a face like yours with that expression? It's a reward."
Her wet lips whispered in my ear. The other two glanced around like lookouts. Or maybe they were just waiting.
"Anyway, you're probably dying to ask: you know it's risky, so why bother? Just leave me alone, right~?"
I couldn't tell what the three were plotting,
but the clammy unease was spreading.
"...Call it curiosity? What else? Everything starts there, y'know? Curiosity. Even if it's a little dangerous, it's too tempting. What can ya do?"
I could feel it.
They were testing me.
Seeing what choice I'd make.
If I was still holding to my principles.
"It's like this. You peel open a yogurt lid, and you savor that sticky bit on the foil, licking it slow. That sweet tang on your tongue, imagining how much better it'll be with a spoon. Wow... how happy would I be scooping this deliciousness~?"
Acid's hand slid from my shoulder down toward my collarbone. I couldn't just sit there—I grabbed her wrist.
"Cut it out."
"...Not big on skinship, huh?"
I had to keep it moderate.
No fighting.
This place was dangerous.
"But y'know, half-assed strength like that is a problem. What, still playing the noble hero? Never bowing to villains? Pfft, no way! We can't have the great Crow with such a dumb mindset~"
Ignore the needling words.
I could endure.
"'Cause the ones eyeing you? They love that attitude."
The three villains started backing off. Just stay calm now.
"They want you resisting to the end, scheming away like you don't know your place. That desperate flailing to hold on."
But,
every word she spat clawed at my chest.
"Honestly, I'm getting a little wet... Ah, damn. Months in this dump, and just smelling a guy makes me drip."
"Crazy bitch. Listen to her~?"
I knew her intent was to make me face undeniable facts, but
she laid them out so plainly before leaving, shattering any mental defenses.
"It's a matter of time. And we decide when. You know that, right?"
Three wasn't the end.
They split into two rooms, two per room, so at least four connections. And they seemed tight with the next room over too. That made eight at minimum...
If that many came at me at once, could I protect myself?
Maybe,
back in the day, I could've.
No, even then, fighting that many in a confined space would've been impossible.
Right after arriving, I'd been injected with something to weaken my powers.
A drug to dull agility and senses. Word was, it'd be every week until I left.
Of course, it didn't strip everything. Biting my finger proved my healing ability was still there, albeit weakened.
That's a clear edge in a fight.
They had to dodge hits, but I could tank some.
Another advantage: the drugs nerfed my physical stats, but villains mostly lost their special abilities.
Acid's spit not working on me was probably the same principle. Our unpleasant reunion wasn't just their win—I'd learned their limits too.
Man versus women in a straight brawl? Decent odds.
Sure, more numbers would make it impossible, but this? Manageable.
I still had enough strength to protect myself, and I could fight if pushed. That was enough.
So just eat well, stay cautious, and hang in there. My allies would rescue me soon.
[Mealtime.]
Right on cue, the intercom announced chow time.
My first meal here.
No great expectations on taste.
Just fuel to keep the body going.
Slurp—
But,
any faint hope I'd had for even basic nutrition made me feel like an idiot,
because the first tray I got was dripping wet and sticky.
"Baa... Sniff! Chew it good. I added some syrup."