Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Initiation (1)
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Watching the drool trail down her red tongue, I think to myself.
Why did I end up locked away in a hellhole like this? All I did was work sincerely for the citizens and my fellow heroes.
"Chew it nice and slow. It's good for you."
Overt malice on repeat.
Just taunting me purely to savor my reactions.
"Not hungry? Want me to feed you?"
Am I doomed to spend my days here unjustly imprisoned, toyed with by these scum from dawn till dusk?
If I swallow my pride and endure again here, could I maybe hold out for a few more days?
"Open wide, come on?"
A heaping spoonful scoops right up to my nose, wiggling back and forth. The way she's treating me like a baby reeks of intent to crush my pride.
"Get that away."
"Aw, what's wrong? First day blues making you lose your appetite? Aww... missing Mommy and Daddy? Tough adjusting to a strange new place, huh?"
Is playing it safe and observing really the right call?
If I stay cautious, will things get even a little easier? Will I be able to protect myself?
"But that's weird. You don't have either, right? No mom, no dad. So who do you think of in a pinch like this? The orphanage director? Or maybe those idiot girls you grew up with? Though they'd probably ditch you by now..."
I doubt it.
No matter what attitude I take, their malice won't end.
Another villain will come poke at me, and I'll rack my brain again, scrambling for an escape.
Am I supposed to spend all day glancing over my shoulder at the villains I put away, living in constant tension?
If I grit my teeth and hold out like that,
what's the point?
Even peeking at their moods fills me with sudden doubt.
"Still don't get it? Those girls are gonna abandon you. Why? They think they're all righteous, but really, they're just idiots addicted to praise. You think they'll come rescue some has-been with no use left~?"
That line of thinking oddly calms me.
Since I'm screwed anyway,
and there's no dodging it,
I can finally relax.
"So open up and take whatev—"
Clang—
I flip the whole tray and bolt to my feet. Relief and emptiness surge through me at once. Maybe I should've done this ages ago.
"...Ah, fuck. What the hell?"
"Enjoy it yourself. I wouldn't share a meal with villain scum."
Just because we're locked up together doesn't put us on the same level. I'll keep acting like I always have.
"Fine, Crow. You know what you're doing right now, don't you?"
"Yeah. Crystal clear."
Every villain's gaze turns to me.
In the center of it all, I feel the familiar boiling fear and anxiety, but now I can push past those negative emotions.
Courage,
or resignation.
Or courage born from resignation.
"Listen up, all of you."
I don't care if they beat me black and blue all day,
no matter how humiliating it gets.
I'm a hero,
and I'm still alive.
No matter where this is,
I don't need to cower.
Whatever the cost, fine by me. Anything's better than scraping by day by day, watching their every move.
No compromises with villains.
"I'm not locked up with you. You're locked up with me. If you're gonna come at me, come with everything you've got."
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The first move was mine.
But I don't regret it.
It hadn't even been a few hours before a gang of villains tried dragging me to the showers. Naturally, Acid's crew.
I didn't back down or run. Instead, I walked right into the showers for them.
Crude sexual taunts and a group beating were par for the course, but
I didn't just take it.
At least two noses got definitively crunched.
I wanted to drag a few more along, but sheer numbers were impossible to ignore.
Especially against criminals dead set on subduing me for real.
"Hah, fuck... This bastard's really pissing me off."
So right now,
I can't fight anymore.
My mouth's full of blood.
My throat's squeezed tight; breathing's a struggle.
"You hurt?"
"Nah. Just some bruises."
"What about the ones who passed out?"
"Call the guards later. First, let's rough this fucker up more..."
My wrists are bound with strips torn from my prison garb, legs pinned by one guy each.
On my back, a villain who fancies himself tough in close quarters hugs me tight, arm around my neck.
What was her name again?
Night something.
Can't recall. Head took too many hits. Or maybe she just wasn't memorable.
"This fucker's still got fight left...!"
"Just knock him out already."
Anyway, I struggle to resist somehow.
If even a sliver of chance opens up, I can break free and fight again. I'm not tired yet.
"No. Don't knock him out. You see his eyes?"
"Whoa..."
Acid and
another villain beside her grab my jaw, laughing in disbelief.
My defiance shows plain on my face.
"Hold him. Time for some manners."
Flat on my back, gut exposed,
she doesn't hesitate to slam her elbow into my abdomen.
Full body weight behind it,
one hit at a time, with extra care.
Pressing down hard.
Thud—
"How's that? Starting to feel it? Huh!?"
"Hold up. I'm feeling it too. Kinda stings."
"Oh yeah? Then maybe just punch instead? Must hurt with you right under him."
"Nah. He's cushioning you anyway."
Chatting among themselves, tweaking their form,
they target my gut with fervent zeal.
Prison garb hides the abdomen anyway—no visible marks. Only I and my organs feel the agony.
Thud—
"Die! Just fucking die!"
Thud—
"Nah, don't die. Keep staring like that till the end. Let's see how long you last."
Acid pounding away with pent-up fury,
and Black... no, Night...
Black Owl? Night Owl?
whispering hot in my ear while pressed close...
"Crow, I told you. Next time we meet, I'd smash you proper."
Right, Black Owl.
Memory clicks now.
Blood's finally rushing to my head.
Villain I'd faced five times before.
Subdued her easily enough.
"You're just a regular guy, after all. Probably just a bit quicker and nimbler."
Yeah. She hated men.
She called herself some vigilante, targeting guys for no reason.
All men potential perps or whatever.
There was a time that kinda talk flew, but now women seem way more dangerous.
"Hah... Fucking... bastard..."
Anyway, she strutted around claiming her ability was a blessing for women.
Tons of villains like her, so hard to categorize.
She vented her rage on random men: beatings, threats, extortion, even plotting to bomb a private high school.
Luckily stopped her before that nightmare unfolded.
"Finally caught you. Finally..."
Problem was, her vague grudge zeroed in on me after the first clash.
"Acid! Hold up. Got something to say to this fucker."
"Huh? Okay."
Kept harassing me nonstop after that first loss, picking fights pathetically.
My teammates had to fully neutralize her and shove her in prison just to be rid of her.
Who'd guess I'd end up here too?
"How's that...? Finally coming around...? Haaa..."
Winning against me got her so thrilled, I feel ecstasy and arousal from behind. Her voice is soaked, melting.
Truth be told, she seems obsessed with my attention.
The way she clings when I don't play along screams it.
But I never give villains what they want. Especially not her.
"Heh, hnn... I'll give you a special chance to surrender. Could even tell Acid to stop."
She craves my defeat from my lips.
She loosens my neck a bit, grinning in delight.
But I've only got one thing to say.
The one she'd hate most.
Specially prepared for you, who thinks of me as some rival.
"...Who are you again? Can't quite remember."