A Broken Plan
The messages kept coming without pause. It was only possible now, while there was still some breathing room.
“You didn’t have to drag that bitch along, you know…”
“Can’t be helped. I have to turn her into a proper hero.”
If she became a hero as popular as Justice from the original story, these messages would definitely dry up.
“Is she still bothering you?”
“It’s not so much bothering… it just seems like I’m the only one who can take her side right now.”
The phone call yesterday and the flood of texts that followed. A quick investigation to uncover the reason behind them.
She was just a hero with wings and a mediocre rank. Yet Angel’s influence turned out to be far greater than expected—both in religious circles and in politics. Because of that, the hate comments kept pouring in, and the media only briefly focused on her activities before shifting their attention to rumors of discord between her and Angel.
A personality controversy, huh. How petty.
“Do you really need to hold hands with a troublesome woman like that? Wouldn’t it be better to find a hero you can control with her weaknesses?”
“If I try to control her with weaknesses, she’ll eventually stab me in the back. It’s much better to give and take properly.”
“Where exactly do you see any ‘giving and taking’ when you’re tormented all night?”
Ugh. I thought I’d lowered my voice, but she’d heard everything.
“You’re really going through a lot because of me.”
Bianca pressed down on my head and ruffled my hair like always. This time, however, she used her left hand, and the gesture was awkward enough that it only succeeded in messing up my hair. Her right hand—the one she normally used—was fitted with a gauntlet bearing sharp steel claws.
“What about sleep? Are you really okay today?”
“Yeah, well. It’ll work out somehow.”
“If you push yourself and get hurt, just know you owe me.”
“Even then, you still owe me way more.”
“…You’re such a drama queen.”
How long had she been stroking my head? Suddenly, she started poking my side.
“Stop that.”
“How long are you going to cling to that phone? We need to head out soon. You said you haven’t finished packing your weapons yet.”
“I know, but…”
The damn phone kept ringing nonstop. And then—
I’d clearly set the appointment for an hour later, yet she had already arrived and was even sending photos. Had I given her too much free time, or was she just excited at the thought of screwing over Angel again?
She was far too clingy. Her sidekick acquaintances—ah, right. She said they grew distant after she became a hero. Anyway… why couldn’t she stand to see others doing well?
Even though we hadn’t known each other that long, the sheer volume of messages and call logs… I should probably check on her condition.
“Done?”
“Barely.”
“Then pack it here. I’ll start the engine.”
Bianca tossed the duffel bag onto the floor with a thud and stuck a cigarette between her lips. Even though Stahlleder had weakened considerably, she still seemed tense.
“Don’t keep her waiting too long.”
“Got it.”
I went into my room, picked up the hastily assembled weapons with their tangled wires, and stuffed them into the bag. It would be nice to find a better technician or someone skilled at making these kinds of weapons. For now… this would have to do.
“Hmm.”
What I wouldn’t put in the bag but would equip immediately was a one-time-use item. A cumbersome object that I might have to discard right after using. Still, if my calculations were correct, it possessed enough power to easily punch through a concrete wall. A genuine weapon.
- Clack.
Listening to the heavy loading sound, I concealed my right hand within the shroud. This was purely for emergencies—a weapon designed for the scenario where I would have to subdue Stahlleder myself.
“Mmm.”
Do not let Catena and Bianca encounter each other. Make sure Bianca finishes off Stahlleder. Do not let Bianca’s people get entangled with the heroes… Could I really handle all of this?
“…”
Carrying the heavy burden, I descended to the first floor and headed for the car. As I slowly loaded the luggage into the gradually opening trunk, my complicated thoughts—
“Hey.”
“Ah, yeah. When did you get here?”
Wrapped in cigarette smoke, a hand pushed the luggage I hadn’t fully loaded yet deeper inside. Then, with the press of a single button, the trunk slammed shut.
“Don’t be nervous. You’re the one giving orders to the kids.”
“Right.”
It wasn’t so much nervousness as the sheer number of things to consider that made my head hurt. I also wondered whether this would really go according to my plan.
“If you look scared, the kids will think you’re pathetic. Get a grip. After me, it’s you. You know what I mean.”
Bianca met my eyes. She gripped my shoulders firmly and closed the distance until our noses were nearly touching.
“I trust you.”
“…Yeah.”
Then she left without hesitation, heading for the driver’s seat.
Right. Let’s stop overthinking. Just focus on finishing the job. Starting with Stahlleder.
- Clang. - Crash.
The chaotic noise was already echoing from afar. Countless vehicles parked haphazardly, smoke grenades and flashbangs rolling across the ground.
“What a mess.”
“Still, the front gate was breached faster than expected. That’ll save us some effort.”
It seemed that with his forces greatly weakened, mounting a proper defense had become difficult. Of course, that was thanks to Horn’s excellent manpower and the weapons I had supplied.
“Keep that hero on a tight leash so she doesn’t run wild.”
“Don’t worry about that. She won’t come this way where the real fight is breaking out.”
The place Catena was targeting was a newly improvised drug den. It was essentially Stahlleder’s last refuge, where he had desperately gathered as many men as possible after failing to overcome his addiction. It was a bit cruel to target even that place, but since he was going to die today anyway…
I planned to tell Catena that she had followed an investigation into the ongoing urban terrorism incidents and ended up here. Of course, she would need to be deployed at the right time to achieve results before the police forces, who would notice the commotion, arrived.
“What if you run into her?”
…But there was no guarantee the worst-case scenario wouldn’t happen. In that case—
“Just scare her a bit. If I step in to stop you, she won’t dare charge recklessly. You’ve got quite the infamous reputation, don’t you?”
“Well, I am pretty famous.”
The way she flipped her hair dramatically and shrugged made me let out a dry laugh. After saying all that, she suddenly looked embarrassed and turned her gaze away. What was that about?
“Go on. See you later.”
“You’re not even going to wish me luck?”
“Sorry, but I can’t imagine you losing.”
One side was a drug-addled fugitive hounded by both the police and criminal organizations. The other was the second-in-command—no, now aiming for the top spot—of a perfectly conditioned organization, a notorious villain who had done all sorts of things after getting plenty of rest.
“At least spit on your tongue before you flatter me. What, are you happy now that I’ve joined the organization?”
“Are you turning it into an established fact already?”
“Let’s get a pretty tattoo on your forearm. It would suit you.”
“Don’t make me laugh. Go film your revenge scene already.”
Not a single tattoo could be seen on that body of hers. Well, of course not. There was no way a fighting dog who had only been used by the organization would have any symbols of her own.
“I’m going. Take care of yourself.”
In the blink of an eye, Bianca stood up and dashed straight through the thick smoke. Now it was Catena’s turn.
The moment I sent the message, I stood up and began moving. I wanted to move nimbly using the grappling gun, but because of the weapon attached to my arm, I had no choice but to walk slowly. All while hiding my body from Stahlleder’s organization members.
“Fuck… is it really that bitch? She’s been quiet for a while, why suddenly now!”
“I don’t know, shit, just run!”
“Hey, do we really have to go?”
I paused to listen to the conversation I happened to overhear. A small group of only three people was slowly reducing their speed.
“What the hell are you saying?”
“Even if we win, the organization’s already finished. Everyone knows that bastard Stahlleder has lost his mind.”
“…He hasn’t been paying us properly either.”
“Hey, what the hell are you guys talking about? If the big boss calls for support, we have to go!”
Two of them had properly assessed the situation. The third one was still going on about ‘big boss.’ That boss who couldn’t even feed them anymore.
“Get a grip. Realistically, how could that junkie beat Bianca now? You saw how his powers keep glitching.”
“If he just takes the drugs—”
“When he takes the drugs he goes crazy and beats the shit out of us, and now he only gives us pocket change!”
In the end, two of the three glanced around nervously and changed direction. The metal pipe they dropped clattered loudly against the ground.
“You fucking traitors…!”
The last one, unable to decide what to do, suddenly threw his weapon and charged into the fight. Using his ability on the colleagues who had been on his side… Ah. So he was a hardening ability user. I guess Stahlleder really saw him as a role model. Pathetic.
“This guy’s gone insane!”
Taking advantage of the commotion, I quietly slipped away. I continued hurrying toward the drug den. Then, suddenly, a call came from Bianca. It couldn’t be over already, could it?
“Good work—”
“He’s not here.”
A chill ran down my spine. I felt goosebumps crawling up my back.
“…What do you mean?”
“I mean he’s not here, are you deaf? Stahlleder, that bastard isn’t here! Whether he ran away or whatever the hell—huh?”
Stahlleder was gone? His pride was ridiculously strong, and with the drugs he cherished more than his own men right here, there was no way he would have fled…
“Hey, they say Stahlleder went to shoot up. I’m heading there.”
“What!?”
“He went to get high! It’s not far from here, so I’m going there.”
No. That meant Stahlleder was…
“Hello? Are you listening? Hey!”
I hurriedly hung up and called Catena. My legs, which had been moving sluggishly, now moved faster.
“Pick up… pick up…”
“The number you have dialed is unavailable. After the tone, please leave a message—”
I had a bad feeling. Something felt like it was about to go wrong.
“Catena!!!!”
I broke into a run. Before it was too late.