Chapter 49

EP.49 Somehow

Upon hearing that the gang had attacked Yihwal's house, I hurried over.

Shit! Why are you already causing trouble?

I rushed over, running, riding, and even teleporting, and finally arrived at Yihwal's house. In the dark night, a dilapidated shack stood alone, and some noise was coming from inside.

"Huff... Huff..."

After catching my breath, I pressed my ear to the door. Didn't they have a lookout? Well, who would come to a shack in the middle of the night? Even a thief would see it's about to collapse and just leave.

Anyway, when I listened closely, I could hear sounds coming from inside.

"Please... please save me... save me..."

Hmm, looks like I arrived just in time.

Thankfully, he's still alive. If he were dead, it would have been a real disaster.

Now, I just need to find the right moment to barge in.

So I waited for a moment at the door.

After a short wait, the moment finally came when the bastard was about to attack Yihwal's brother.

Alright, now.

I took out the bomb I had prepared.

A 4th-class ego bomb.

A blank round.

BOOM.

The door exploded with a tremendous noise. Of course, using a bomb in such a shack would make the whole thing fly away, so I adjusted the power appropriately.

"What the hell?!"

Curses from inside.

Where do these rude bastards get the nerve to curse at first sight?

They need some education, I guess.

"Brother, I'll go check it out!"

A loud voice from inside.

Hmm, the first victim, I guess.

Adios, buddy.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

That's your last words, how tragic.

I offered a moment of silence for him and shot him in the head. A bullet to the head is good for your health, apparently?

"Shit!!!"

"Everyone, draw your guns! The youngest is in trouble!"

Hmm, finally, the real battle.

Then I should start it.

First, I used my telekinesis to cut the electricity to the fluorescent lights. The atmosphere is important, you know.

...And, since this is my first night battle, I wanted to do it in a dark atmosphere. Thanks to that Shadow Walker, I've never been out at night. Daytime operations don't have the right atmosphere. Nighttime is when you can create a sense of intimidation.

So I cut the power.

The tension inside was palpable. Well, not just palpable, but visible. The mask I'm wearing has a built-in night vision feature. My mask is becoming a marvel of advanced science, I guess, but it's probably just my imagination.

Anyway, I approached to play peek-a-boo with them. As soon as I made a step, a hysterical voice shouted, "Shoot!!!"

Bullets started flying at me like crazy. Oh, how scary. But...

I haven't used my telekinesis in three months.

Of course, I'm not that much stronger, but I can deflect the bullets these bastards are firing.

So I quietly deflected all the bullets.

As I deflected them, bullets started hitting the shack's walls, causing dust to fly everywhere.

I stayed silent and still.

In the darkness and dust, one of them whispered, "Did we get him?"

Did we get him?

I released the fluorescent light I was holding with my telekinesis for a moment.

When the light returned, they saw me standing there, "Peek-a-boo!"

"Shoot!!!"

They shouted, and I, in turn, swept them away with my gun.

At the end, the apparent leader tried to take Yihwal's brother as a hostage, but...

I easily handled it with a telekinesis feint.

Don't they know me from the news? I have telekinesis, you know?

Hmm... I'm still not that famous. I need to work on that.

Anyway, I managed to narrowly prevent Yihwal's brother's death event.

And now.

The house is a bloody mess, like a gore horror movie. If this were filmed, it would instantly get a 19+ rating.

And the two kids watching this are both under 19. Oh.

Bound and gagged, Yihwal's brother looked at me with fear in his eyes.

Hmm, first impressions are the worst, aren't they?

He probably sees me as a murderer who just killed five people. I was just trying to help you...

The brother, who looks like a middle schooler, could have fainted, but he didn't. He looked at me with trembling eyes, and it seems he's also afraid of me. Damn... first impressions are the most important.

What should I do? Should I just go full horror mode? As I was thinking.

Yihwal's brother spoke up from the front.

"Mango Stick...?"

Honestly, I was a bit brain-frozen when I heard that.

Huh?

I expected "Please save me," but suddenly?

Looking at the kid again, he was looking at me with sparkling eyes.

Then, I realized something.

Maybe this could work out.

***

Back to the present.

I freed Yihwal and her brother from their bindings.

Yihwal seemed to want to resist, but her brother was faster.

"Mango Stick, I'm really a fan!"

The kid looked at me with sparkling eyes.

Ugh, stop it.

When I see a child's innocent and pure eyes, I get a bit emotional!

...But there's a bloodbath behind me, how can he be so bright?

Yihwal, how did you raise him?

Her sister, Yihwal, was already hugging her brother, on guard... Hey, your brother is already completely infatuated with me?

"Did you come to save us?"

The kid looked at me with sparkling eyes.

Yeah, that's right. But... if I say that, it might get awkward.

"Um, no. Actually, I came to catch your sister who pickpocketed my wallet."

Yihwal's face turned pale instantly.

I quickly continued.

"But when I got here, some thugs were causing trouble. I don't like those kinds of people. Do you understand?"

The kid nodded frantically. Really? I don't even know what I'm saying.

"Anyway, that's how it ended up..."

I looked around and sighed.

Then, I shrugged and continued.

"Kids, you should just come with me. It's night, and with the gunshots earlier, if anyone sees this mess, I'll be in trouble."

Hearing that, Yihwal finally spoke up.

"Why should we trust you and follow you?"

Clearly, she was on guard.

Yeah, because of the orphanage director, Yihwal has a basic distrust of people. Or, is it more strange to follow a murderer who just killed five people for the first time?

Anyway, when she says that, I have nothing to say.

At best, I can threaten them with punishment if they don't follow?

Of course, if I threaten them, it will drastically lower their affection. It's very negative for long-term relationship development.

That's why I wanted to build up my reputation with the wallet earlier.

This would have been a very difficult situation.

But, there was a variable. A very positive variable.

"Sister, what are you talking about? Mango Stick, I mean Ego Stick, is an amazing person!"

Suddenly, her brother started to speak with enthusiasm.

Then, he started to lecture his sister about my greatness right in front of me.

While 80% of the content seemed exaggerated or fabricated... well, good is good, so I decided to stay quiet. But, it was a bit embarrassing to hear my praises right in front of me.

After his long lecture,

Yihwal's expression became very troubled.

"Jae Yoon, still, why should we trust a stranger and follow them?"

"He's not a stranger! Mango Stick, I mean Ego Stick, is a hero!"

No, he's not. I'm not a hero, damn it.

Anyway, no matter how I think about it, Yihwal's brother seems to be a Mango Fan.

And this is a huge opportunity...!

Yihwal is clearly very weak when it comes to her brother.

Look at her now. Just a moment ago, she was firmly resisting, but now her expression has changed dramatically due to her brother's words. A truly dramatic change!

And now, with her brother rebelling and her being in a dilemma, it's the perfect opportunity.

"Kids, come with me quickly. If we wait any longer, either Shadow Walker or the police will come and see these bodies, and it will be chaos."

"Come on, sister! Let's go with Ego Stick!"

As I mentioned the police and her brother supported me, her expression became more and more confused.

Finally, she said in a slightly trembling voice,

"...If you do anything to us, I won't let it go..."

I immediately responded,

"Why would I do anything to you? I won't do anything, so just come with me. Hold my hand."

As I extended my hand, her brother grabbed it first.

With her brother taking the lead, she had no choice but to grab my hand with her trembling hand.

Good.

So, we all teleported to my underground base together.

Good. It seems things are going according to plan...?