Chapter 68

EP.68 Bluff

"....What did you say?"

"That's right, I knew the disaster was going to happen, and I broke the bridge in advance."

She makes a stunned expression in response to my answer.

Yeah, you probably didn't expect me to admit it so easily, did you?

It seems like you were trying to pressure me by finding the flaws in my excuses if I tried to bluff my way out.

No way.

"Then, what are you going to do about it? What can you do even if you know?"

I asked her instead.

Ego Ryu's secret technique. What are you going to do?

"....No, wait a minute."

She grabs her forehead as if her head hurts a little, due to my cool admission.

Why, you didn't expect this kind of answer, did you? You didn't think I would come out like this, did you?

A pro villain is supposed to act recklessly.

"....Then, how did you know that the incident was going to happen?"

"Oh, I should tell you that."

I cross my arms, look into her eyes, and say seriously.

"Actually, I have the ability to predict the future. I broke the bridge in advance because I knew about it."

"...Really?"

No, don't believe it...

"From the way you believe this, it seems you're still far from becoming a proper hero."

I smirk as I say this, and she frowns.

"...Not true?"

"Of course not. Where should I start... Just consider it a triumph of modern science."

I take a deep breath.

"A few weeks ago, my 'colleagues' and I hacked into Hanen Group and found out they were cultivating an uncontrollable giant monster in the basement of their headquarters. We analyzed the scenario of what would happen if the monster escaped through simulations. So, I prepared everything in advance."

"Breaking the bridge was just one of the many precautions I took. Besides that, I set up for various scenarios. The bridge was just a coincidence."

What other scenarios?

Obviously, in the original story, they crossed the bridge, so I broke it. I didn't do anything else.

But I say it this way. If I suddenly get treated like a prophet, I don't want that.

...Actually, it's almost like seeing the future, but...

Anyway, my excuse seems to have worked well.

She looks slightly confused. Yeah, accept it!

Think about all the hacking I've done so far. Hijacking the broadcast network, transferring money to everyone's accounts with a macro...

Honestly, with this level of skill, isn't it obvious that I can hack into a major corporation's security and run simulations?

After pondering my answer for a moment, she asks, still looking confused.

"No, that's strange."

"What's so strange?"

"Why do you care and stop something that could kill other people? You're the one who plays with civilians and terrorizes them, right?"

She glares at me, as if she can't understand.

This is just how you should answer.

"Because if that happens, I'll lose the attention."

"Attention?"

"Interest. What's the characteristic of villains? They do all this to get attention. The maximum unhappiness for the maximum number of people, right? I want to give more people a sense of despair through terrorism. If something like that happens, will people still pay attention to me? People who have already lost their families and friends won't care about some stranger dying on TV. That's why I stopped it."

She looks bewildered at my calm words.

What, it's the truth.

In reality, when a villain causes a terrorist attack and becomes a hot topic, no other villain will cause a terrorist attack for a few weeks afterward.

Because the amount of attention they will receive will decrease.

In fact, there are statistics showing that the crime rate has decreased because I've been causing large-scale terrorist attacks recently.

"...So, you stopped it to avoid losing attention?"

"Yes, exactly."

"......"

"What kind of answer did you expect? Did you think I suddenly realized my inner goodness and became a hero who saves people? The truth is often more mundane than you think."

I just smirk and say that.

...But the real truth is that I did it to save people and prevent this world from becoming a wasteland.

But if I tell her this, what will she think of me? She might even figure out my true identity with her unique extrasensory perception.

In fact, all the terrorism I do, and the way I kill other villains indiscriminately, is all to protect this world.

Actually, I don't have the hobby of tormenting people; I do all this for her.

All of this is to protect the peace of this world and prevent her from suffering.

Of course, I don't think she will figure all this out.

After all, on the surface, I am a lawless terrorist who plays above the law and torments the weak.

Still, it's better to be careful.

And just as I finish speaking, the shield on the door starts to rise back to the ceiling.

Looking up, I see that it's already been three hours.

The door finally opens.

This awkward room is finally an escape!

She still looks puzzled.

Sigh. I have to say this one thing. I can't stand the tension.

"....And, whether I save people or do something else, I'm still a lawless terrorist who plays above the law. So, I'm a villain. I'm adding this because it seems you keep having strange thoughts."

So, don't doubt me.

I'm definitely a villain! It's very confusing that you keep trying to turn me into a black hero. I haven't heard that Stardust believes in the theory of innate goodness. Why do you keep trying to rehabilitate me?

Her expression seems to become even more suspicious after hearing my words, so I give up thinking.

Yeah, you'll understand when you experience it. You'll understand when you experience it.

Still, she doesn't really argue with my words and quietly stands up.

Well, my words are logically sound, so what's the point of being more suspicious here?

...But how did the atmosphere suddenly turn into her interrogating me and me making excuses? I just came here for a power-up event. How did it end up like this...

We continue to move forward.

After that, we didn't really talk much. We just kept advancing, defeating the monsters that appeared one by one.

...No, I don't even know what the situation is.

A hero and a villain working together to explore underground. I suggested it, but it's a strange picture.

She doesn't attack me because she knows I can escape immediately. She just watches to figure out what I'm up to.

I don't attack her because I have no intention of attacking her. Although it's common for villains to 'attack' heroes mindlessly in this world... why should I do that?

So, we keep this awkward companionship going.

Especially, it feels even more awkward after the conversation in that room.

Sometimes she stares at me, and it's scary. What is she thinking?

I follow her, walking behind her.

I never take the lead. If I do, I might get hit and dragged to the bottom of the association.

We don't attack each other, and we don't let each other go, so we are traveling together under the strange title of a temporary alliance.

We've almost dealt with all the monsters we can see along the way.

I didn't see the monster that can teleport. Has it already escaped? Well, other heroes will take care of it.

I just want to get Behemoth and run.

...No.

Before she realizes my true nature with her unique intuition.

Maybe I should teach her what a real villain is...

After all, is it normal for a hero to let a villain sit next to her and do nothing?

Is she aware or not?

Anyway, we finally arrived at the end.

A large space in the deepest part of the underground, with a broken aquarium.

"Behemoth...?"

She mutters, looking at the words written on the aquarium.

Yes, finally, she has learned the name of the monster.

This room is empty, filled with green, sticky substances that have spilled from the aquarium.

Broken computers and scattered papers are everywhere.

The researchers who were working here must have all escaped. They are good at running.

Anyway, we also went to the room next to this one.

This room is smaller but still spacious, with a high ceiling.

In the middle of the room, there is an incubator.

The small black tentacle inside.

Sigh. Finally found it.

Now, I just need to take this and run. Just run...

I glance at Stardust.

She is rummaging through papers at a desk in the corner, completely ignoring me.

...I don't like it.

Why isn't she paying attention to me?

No, this is not a weird thought.

Is it normal for a hero to be so defenseless with a villain next to her?

A true hero should always be wary of a villain.

I don't understand why she is letting me act so freely.

Why is she so fearless?

"...."

I can't let this go.

Originally, I planned to take Behemoth and run while she was distracted.

But I need to teach her a lesson about the harshness of the world.

I resolve this and slowly approach the incubator.

Showtime.

***

"...What is this?"

She mutters, looking at the incubator in the middle of the large room.

This room is at the end of the secret research facility.

Inside, there is a suspicious-looking incubator.

And the small black tentacle inside.

This is probably what Hanen Group wanted to protect the most.

Glancing to the side, I see Ego Stick looking at the incubator with great interest.

"Don't touch it. I'm going to send it to the association first."

"Sure, sure. Of course."

He raises his hands and smiles, as if to say he won't do anything.

"...."

Seeing him like this, the events in the room earlier come back to her.

He didn't touch her even when she was helpless and handed him a bandage.

He said he broke the bridge not to save people, but for other reasons.

He added that he is a villain, so don't doubt him.

All of this combined.

She feels even more confused about Ego Stick.

He is definitely a villain. A lawless terrorist who plays above the law and terrorizes people.

But why...

Why does it feel like he is hiding some truth in everything he says?

Why does her guard drop when she is next to him?

'...Why do I keep thinking this?'

She shakes her head to clear her thoughts.

First, focus on what's in front of you.

She heads to a desk in the corner of the room.

There must be information about this thing here.

And she finds it.

A report about it.

*

《RKCB-001》

[Provisional Name] Behemoth

*

Just as she is reading the explanation.

Or, just as she is letting her guard down.

A low voice comes from Ego Stick's side.

"Awaken, Behemoth."

The sound of something shattering follows.

Stardust turns around in a hurry, but it's too late.

The incubator is already breaking.

And a black, ominous something is wrapping around Ego Stick's arm.

Amidst all the chaos.

Ego Stick is looking at Stardust, smiling.

He speaks to her, still smiling.

"Ms. Stardust, do you know?"

A bluff is all about timing.