Debut Battle (2)

I pondered for a moment. Yuha in a bad mood? Suddenly why? Did something happen today? She seemed perfectly fine when we parted ways earlier. I'd have to ask her subtly later. But first things first—deal with the situation at hand.

"…You again, huh."

A voice laced with irritation echoed from behind the mask. It felt a bit clumsy at first, but the modulated tone actually came off pretty decent. Like a real villain pissed off at having their plans disrupted. Anyway, nothing changed. The plan would proceed as intended. Yuha had shown up at just the right time. Play along a bit, make a show of it, then bail looking like a punk…

"Not just me—it's us."

"?"

And then came the presence of an unexpected third party. The lazy drawl sounded vaguely familiar, and I whipped my head toward the source.

A massive plant had sprouted right in the middle of downtown. Supporting its edge was a woman whose tiny frame was shockingly small compared to the gigantic growth.

"Ugh… so sleepy… I should be napping right now, what's all this…"

She yawned lazily, yet she'd already bound the two small-time villain guards I'd posted so tightly they couldn't budge. Plant Lady… the one from the classroom with Yuha!

"What, thought Flame Mist came alone?"

Another voice chimed in, crisp and sharp.

Cat ears poked up from her hair, and a furry tail peeked out from her pitch-black latex suit. Sure enough, another of Yuha's friends—Hero Cat's Eye—had flanked me, completing the encirclement.

"You? The guy who bolted from that alley last time."

Her cat-like vertical slit pupils flashed menacingly as she murmured.

"Not letting you slip away today. I'll drag you to prison one way or another."

Wait, Yuha wasn't coming alone? What the hell were these guys? …Or had I just overlooked it? It was a minor incident, so maybe I'd skimmed past Yuha's name and moved on.

I quickly scanned the surroundings. Hope lit up the civilians' faces at the heroes' arrival. With Yuha plus Plant Lady and Cat's Eye—none in the top three, but solid up-and-comers with real skill and recognition. Objectively, not an easy breakout. For a normal villain, anyway. Breaking through those three would probably burn up all my hypnotized goons. A real villain crew would've disbanded here. But we weren't a real crew ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to begin with.

A bit rattled, but this was within expectations. Stick to the plan—use them as bait and bounce. They'd rot in prison long enough to come to their senses. Even if a few died, the world wouldn't skip a beat.

"Watch out! There might be more organization members nearby!"

"Don't worry! I've got eyes on everything!"

I was about to issue orders when Cat's Eye's vigilant scan sparked an idea. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠…Yeah. Why act like a lone villain when I could pretend to be part of a real organization? The Hero Management Bureau paid way more attention to crime syndicates than solo acts. Exceptions aside, groups were seen as far deadlier. Meaning? Thwarting an organization's plot would boost Yuha's rep faster than stopping a lone punk. Perfect.

Decision made. I tweaked the plan on the fly, silently thanking Cat's Eye.

"…Tch, daring to crash Marionette's show."

The modulated voice boomed again. Damn, my face burned. Referring to myself in third person was embarrassing as hell. But PR mattered for villains as much as heroes—especially newbies like me. Last time I bailed without a trace, but today I'd burn my name into the public eye. The more infamous I got, the brighter Yuha would shine fighting me.

Not something sane people did, anyway.

"Don't you fear the consequences? We…"

Wait, what was the org name again? Stalling, I rolled my eyes desperately, scanning around.

"Kyaaak…!"

"R-run…!"

Across the street, moviegoers fled the theater at the alarm. Sorry for interrupting your fun. Behind them loomed the theater marquee. Current flick? Vengeance of the Wasteland?

"…Vengeance won't let you off easy."

I tacked it on quick before the heroes caught on.

Sounded half-crazed, perfect for villains.

"Vengeance…?"

"Knew it. The bank heist… for funding, right? That's why it felt so bold…"

Plant Lady and Cat's Eye traded grave nods. Hooked 'em good. Not bad for improv—it fit weirdly well.

"…Truly vile."

A chilling voice cut in. Yuha bought it hook, line, and sinker. Too easily, which was the problem.

"Think a pathetic threat like that scares heroes, villain? You're done here."

"Who said anyone's dying?"

I shot back at Yuha, raising my hand. Mission accomplished—presence etched. Time to drop the curtain. In a low murmur, I commanded:

"Hold them off."

"Raaargh!"

My goons charged at the trio on cue. Screams and stray bullets turned the bank into pandemonium. Of course, the shots were all firing harmlessly into the air. No one would notice in this chaos.

"S-suddenly…!"

"Careful!"

Panic flashed across the heroes' faces. They hadn't expected my minions to go all-in. Probably pictured them surrendering in confusion—surrounded, survival instincts kicking in. But these were puppets obeying me blindly. No survival instincts here. Plus, they had civilians to protect, limiting their powers in the tangle.

"You ruthless bastard…!"

Yuha shattered a goon's jaw and glared daggers at me, grinding her teeth.

"Even villains don't just throw away their own men like cannon fodder!"

"Who said they're my men? Just bottom-feeding trash."

I replied coolly.

"Kill 'em however you like. Looks like that's what they want anyway."

"What the—?!"

I turned from stunned Yuha, striding off like I was done—then halted dramatically. Glancing back just enough, I growled low:

"Remember this humiliation, Hero Flame Mist. Next time, you won't get off so easy."

"Wait—you—!"

I bolted. Hit the emergency exit, vanish into the alleys—easy. Glancing back, the heroes were swarmed by my relentless goons. Yuha too. By the time they mopped up, I'd be a ghost.

I grinned in satisfaction. Nailed it. Pushed another achievement Yuha's way. Bigger scale than my past life raid, zero civilian casualties—major spotlight. I hammed up the rage at the end, preempting any gripes about letting me escape. That spin would focus on foiling the evil plot. And Yuha's fury? Locked on me. Looked like a coward ditching his own men, after all.

Guess I had some acting chops.

"Hey, villain. Who said you could run?"

A shadow blocked my path. Cat's Eye glared, face twisted fiercer, blocking my escape.

"Told you. I'll stuff you in prison no matter what."

Her tail bristled from the suit. Mimicry Authority, not costume? Cat traits, explaining how she slipped the chaos.

She sniffed the air, face twisting oddly.

"…Hey, do I know you? Smells familiar. Nah, must be my imagination…?"

Chills ran down my spine. Most tangible threat from any hero today. Cat-level smell too? Good thing we hadn't crossed paths enough to stick. No time to linger.

Time to bail. Revealing my power sucked, but better than arrest or exposure. Inevitable anyway.

No hesitation—I snapped my fingers.

-Snap!

"Hngh, wh-what…! Why's my body…!"

Cat's Eye panicked, sensing the shift. I sighed in relief. Not unlimited, but my power was strong. Manipulation-type, toughest to counter—the same force that made Marionette an archvillain pre-regression. Too much for future S-rank Yuha or Han Sua, but these lesser heroes? Fair game.

Lucky break. Failure meant ugly hostage BS like last time.

"You… what'd you do to me…!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

She ranted, then muttered realization dawning.

"Manipulation Authority…? But… ngh!"

"Shut it. Be quiet."

I sealed her mouth, pondering her fate. Binding her briefly would cover my escape… but letting prime bait go felt wasteful. Villains gotta be vicious. Even on the run, skipping this screamed suspicious. No kill intent, but something fitting was needed.

"Those cat ears and tail suit you well."

Decision made, I approached. Grabbed her immobile chin, tilting it up lightly.

"Practically a real cat. Too bad about the circumstances—might've pet you."

"Mmph, mmph…!"

"Hm? But something's off. Cats I know walk on four legs."

"Hngh, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mmph…!"

She flushed in humiliation, eyes welling with tears. Grinning, I snapped again.

"Cat's Eye. Crawl like a real cat—on all fours."