Chapter 42

EP.42 Escape Angle

There's an old saying.

Even if you enter a tiger's den, you can survive as long as you keep your wits about you.

If you just lie down and cry in the tiger's den, you'll end up being its lunch.

But if you keep your wits and plan an escape route, there's a chance you can successfully flee.

The same goes now.

If I just cry and wail surrounded by three A-class heroes, I'll just get beaten up and dragged away.

But if I keep my wits, I can get out of here alive.

The power dynamics come from the difference in information we each possess.

I'm going to use that to my advantage.

I know them, but they don't know me.

This is very important. It gives me the strength to survive.

Let's look at the current situation.

The terrorist group is all dead, and their leader was easily subdued by Shadow Walker, who is now tied up like a mummy on the ground.

At first glance, there's no problem, but the problem is me.

I look like a crazy guy who killed everyone except the monkey wrench.

Here's an interesting point.

They can't mess with me easily.

They don't know who I am.

They don't know my powers.

They can only guess that I'm very strong based on the fallen terrorists, but they don't know how strong I am.

And the unknown can instill fear. What if I'm even stronger than they think? What if I can snap my fingers and eliminate everyone here?

Also, there are hostages here.

If I suddenly try to kill the hostages, it would be a huge problem. They don't know if I'm a hero, a villain, or just a crazy guy.

In conclusion,

They can't touch me yet. They don't know my exact powers, and there are hostages.

So, I can do this.

"Kids these days really have no manners. Back in my day, when a higher-ranked hero passed by, we would bow 90 degrees from the waist. That's what social etiquette is. But now, these young brats just stare at me with wide eyes... Truly, the world is going to hell. Even though I'm currently active overseas, if I had revealed myself as an S-class hero, they should have shown me respect, not talk to me so casually..."

"Excuse me."

While I was rambling, Stardust, who had been listening, interrupted me.

"According to the Association, there is no S-class hero named Apple Mango overseas. Who are you really?"

Hmm, when did they connect with the Association again?

Oh, they all have earphones directly connected to the Association president.

A top-notch villain doesn't panic in such situations.

Do they move their hands? No, now they do. I just need to hold on a bit longer, and I can teleport.

I clenched my fist and slammed it on the armrest, then spoke. A top-notch villain must also shake the listener's mind. I decided to go all out again.

"Have you ever seen such impolite brats? Of course, they don't know who I am because I keep my identity hidden. Do you think my personal information would be leaked so easily? You're just full of suspicion... And your Association president, hey! I've had meals, drinks, and even gone to the sauna with him, you know!"

The three of them looked bewildered. Hmm, maybe that was a bit too much. Thinking about it, a young guy like me going to the sauna with an older Association president? The president would deny it.

Even in my rambling, I went too far. I quickly tried to salvage the situation.

"...And, do you know this? The Association president's name is Park Jun-ho, but that's a changed name. His original name is Park Mak-chun. Our Mak-chun always complained about his name, and he secretly changed it? So cute, so cute."

Stardust, who had been listening to me, flinched when she heard something through her earphone. Yeah, they wouldn't have known this. It's a really useless TMI that even the original work barely mentions, but I used it to my advantage.

Anyway, I bought some more time with this unexpected revelation about the Association president's original name. Good.

Just as I was thinking that, North Sea Ice Maiden spoke up.

"Wait, how can we trust you...? You suddenly claim to be an S-class hero without any proof...? To me, you look like a villain..."

She was stammering.

What, you listened to all that? You're such a good kid. Stardust and Shadow Walker were already ignoring me, just waiting to see how far I would go. They looked at me like I was a grandpa watching his grandchild's antics. I know I'm being ridiculous, so don't look at me like that.

And you said it well. Damn, the ultimate brain fart is confidence. Confidence is key. If you show confidence first, you win.

"Villain? Me? Hahaha."

Hahaha.

"Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!"

In this silent place, I suddenly started laughing like a madman.

After my serious rambling, I expected this to create an even more eerie atmosphere.

Then, I suddenly stopped.

I was laughing at the sky, then suddenly bowed my head.

I lifted my head again, lowered my voice, and calmly said,

"If I were a villain,"

"You would all be dead right now."

Standing at the top, I proclaimed this, covering my face with my hand. Damn, it's a bit cheesy, but I held it together.

The hostages tensed up, and Stardust and North Sea Ice Maiden shifted into combat stances to protect the hostages.

And Shadow Walker... he just looked dazed. He seemed to have no thoughts. Well, since he can't die at night, he probably isn't too tense.

The atmosphere changed dramatically, as if the previous calm was a lie.

Everyone swallowed hard, ready for a fight that could break out at any moment.

Then, I suddenly burst into laughter and waved my hands.

"Haha. Just kidding, just kidding. Would I really intimidate my juniors? Relax."

The sudden change in my demeanor left them still dazed. Brain fart is about throwing people off balance.

At that moment, the dazed Shadow Walker whispered into his earphone.

"Why don't we just attack? We'll probably win if all three of us charge. Let's knock him down and think about it. If he's really a hero, we can apologize later."

Hey, you little brat, everyone can hear you.

North Sea Ice Maiden nodded excitedly when she heard Shadow Walker's message through her earphone, but Stardust shook her head. Probably because she was worried about the hostages getting involved. Damn, Stardust, you're the only one I can count on.

I pretended not to hear. No, if I react, it'll be a disaster. If I hear that and do nothing, my 'proud S-class hero with a hidden identity' concept will crumble. But if I get angry and fight? No, it's not a fight. If I get angry and a battle breaks out, I'll be beaten and dragged away in five seconds. That can't happen...!!

But the truth is, my strength is slowly returning. I've bought enough time. Good, now I have a clear escape plan. Let's go.

But before I leave,

Hmm...

Since I've taken on the role of a senior hero, should I say what I want to say?

I cleared my throat and, taking advantage of the focused attention, quickly spoke.

"Anyway, I was glad to see my junior heroes. You're a bit impolite, but... as a senior, I'll give you some advice. When you face a threat, don't run away. Stand and fight. No matter how big, how insurmountable the challenge seems, don't back down. You are heroes. Heroes don't run."

"Always. You can win. Disasters? Calamities? They're meaningless. As long as you have willpower, as long as you have willpower, overcoming them is easy."

I turned my head and said the last part to Stardust. When our eyes met, she looked slightly surprised? Shaken? Hmm. Maybe my sudden lecture made her wonder if I'm a real hero. That's good. Or maybe she just thinks I'm crazy. Whatever.

The best part is that my strength is returning.

Well, it's time to say goodbye.

Or rather, it's time to escape.

"Anyway, I've done what I came to do. I'll be going now. Take care. Adios."

With that, I waved my hand and suddenly teleported.

When I disappeared, they seemed very surprised...? Actually, they didn't seem that surprised. Maybe it's just my imagination? Anyway, I was already standing behind Seun and Subin.

"Whoa."

I grabbed them and teleported back to the car. No one would have seen us, I moved so fast.

"Kyaah!"

Bang.

We barely made it to the car.

But my strength gave out at the last moment, and we all tumbled into the car. Sorry, I used almost all my strength...

"Ugh... Oppa, are you okay?"

"No... I'm dying..."

I really am dying.

I'm about to lose consciousness. I'll probably be out for at least a week. Damn.

Before I passed out, I left a final message.

"Ugh... Seun, delete all the hotel records now. CCTV, entry logs, everything. We'll be in trouble if we're found out..."

"Okay!"

I handed the laptop I had moved earlier to Seun.

"And Subin... drive us back to Seoul quickly. The area is in chaos because of the terror attack, so we can slip away unnoticed. Hurry..."

The Association idiots probably didn't secure the area properly.

It's a mess. I used to curse them for this in manga, but now it's actually helpful. Thanks!

"Okay, okay!"

Subin fumbled with the steering wheel.

I've done my part.

My consciousness is fading...

There are no recovery capsules or anything. In short, I'm screwed.

"I'm... going to... sleep now. Goodnight..."

I said that much, and my consciousness finally gave out.

My last thought before I passed out was:

At least I managed to pull off the ridiculous S-class hero Apple Mango concept without revealing my identity. A simple act to buy time had an unexpected effect.

Yes, now I can rest easy...

***

[[Exclusive] Self-proclaimed S-class hero Apple Mango, suspicion grows that his true identity is the villain Egoistic... Association cautiously states, 'It's a possibility, but we're still verifying the facts'... Netizens already 'half-convinced'.]