Chapter 68 - Backstab

"....What?"

"I'm saying it's true. I knew that disaster was coming, so I broke the bridge in advance."

Her expression went blank at my response.

Yeah, she probably didn't expect me to admit it so readily.

It seemed like she planned to pressure me by finding loopholes in whatever vague excuse I might give.

Not a chance.

"But, so what? What are you going to do now that you know?"

I threw the question back at her instead.

Ego's secret move: The 'So What' strategy.

"....No, wait."

She pressed a hand to her forehead as if my cool admission was giving her a headache.

Why? Is this not the answer you were looking for? You didn't think I'd come out like this?

A professional villain is supposed to be unpredictable.

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

"Ah. I suppose I should tell you that."

I crossed my arms and looked her in the eye, speaking seriously.

"Actually, I have the ability to see the future. That's how I knew to destroy the bridge beforehand."

"...Really?"

No, don't actually believe me...

"Seeing as you actually believe that, it looks like you're still a long way from being a hero who can pull their own weight."

She narrowed her eyes as I let out a smirk.

"...It's not?"

"Of course not. I don't know where to start... let's just say it's a victory for modern science."

I took a short breath.

"My 'colleagues' and I hacked Haneun Group weeks ago and discovered they were cultivating an uncontrollable giant monster in their headquarters' basement. We ran simulations to analyze the scenarios of its escape. So, we prepared everything in advance."

"Breaking the bridge was just one of the many insurance policies I put in place. Besides that, I set things up for various possibilities. The bridge just happened to be the one that worked out."

What other possibilities?

Of course, since they crossed the bridge in the original work, I didn't do anything else besides destroying it.

But I had to say it like this. I didn't want to be treated like some prophet all of a sudden.

....Well, it's true that it's almost the same as seeing the future, anyway.

Regardless, my excuse seemed to work quite well.

She had a look of utter confusion on her face. Yes, just accept it!

Think about the hacks I've pulled off so far. Broadcast hijacking, transferring money to the entire nation's accounts via macros...

Honestly, wouldn't it be obvious that someone like that could breach a conglomerate's security and run simulations?

She chewed on my answer for a moment before asking, still looking perplexed.

"No, it's strange."

"What's so strange about it?"

"Why would you care if other people die or not? Why stop it? You're a guy who toys with civilians and commits acts of terror in the first place."

She glared at me, unable to understand.

I can just answer this simply.

"Because if something like that happened, my aggro would be stolen."

"Aggro?"

"The attention. What's the main trait of villains? We do all this to get noticed. The greatest unhappiness for the greatest number? We want to spread despair through terror, but if an event like that happened, would people still pay attention to me? People who have lost family and friends aren't going to care about some stranger on TV. That's why I stopped it."

She looked dumbfounded by my calm explanation.

What? It's the truth.

In fact, if one villain causes a massive incident that takes over the news, no other villains will strike for the next few weeks.

Because the amount of attention they'd receive would be diminished.

There are even statistics showing that the crime rate is dropping because I've been causing such huge scenes lately.

"...So. You stopped it just so your aggro wouldn't be stolen?"

"Yes. Exactly."

"........"

"What kind of answer were you expecting? Did you think I'd suddenly awakened my inner goodness and become a hero who goes around saving people? The truth is usually more mundane than you think."

I just chuckled as I spoke.

...But in reality, the true reason was indeed to save people and prevent this world from becoming a dark tragedy.

However, if I told her that, what would she even think of me? With her unique super sense, she might just figure out my true identity.

That all the terror I cause and the way I go around killing other villains indiscriminately are all to protect this world.

That I don't actually have a hobby of tormenting people and that I'm doing all this solely for her.

That all of this is only for the peace of this world and to prevent her misfortune.

Of course, I don't think she'll deduce all of this.

To begin with, on the surface, I'm an outlaw who plays above the law, a terrorist who bullies the weak.

Still, it doesn't hurt to be careful in advance.

And just as I finished speaking, the blast doors at the entrance began to rise back toward the ceiling.

Looking up at the time, I realized that three hours had already passed.

The door finally opened.

Escape from this awkward room at last!

She still had a look of confusion on her face.

Sigh. I guess I should say one more thing. I can't stand the silence.

"....And. Whether I save someone or whatever I do, I'm an outlaw and a terrorist who plays above the law. In other words, a villain. I'm adding this because you seem to be getting the wrong idea."

So stop suspecting me.

I'm definitely a villain! It feels like she's been trying to frame me as some kind of 'black hero' for a while now, and it's very flustering. I don't recall hearing that Stardus believes in the inherent goodness of humanity. Why does she keep trying to redeem me?

Seeing her expression cloud with even more suspicion after my words, I gave up on thinking.

Fine. You'll only know once you've been through it; you'll only know once you've been through it.

Still, she didn't specifically refute my words and stood up quietly.

Well. My explanation was logically sound, after all. What's the point of doubting any further?

...But how did the atmosphere suddenly turn into her interrogating me and me making excuses? I only came here for the power-up event. How on earth did we get so tangled up...

So we continued to move forward.

We didn't say much to each other after that. We just advanced, defeating every monster that popped out.

...No, I really don't know what this situation is.

A hero and a villain exploring the underground together side by side. I was the one who suggested it, but it's a very strange picture.

She doesn't attack me because she knows I can teleport away instantly. Instead, she just watches me as if trying to figure out what I'm up to.

I don't attack her because I had no intention of doing so in the first place. It's common sense in this world for a villain to mindlessly 'attack' a hero, but... why on earth should I?

So we continue this awkward accompaniment.

It seems to have become even more awkward after that conversation in the room.

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

I walked along behind her.

I never took the lead. If I did, there's a high possibility I'd be stabbed in the back and dragged to the bottom of the Association.

Since we couldn't attack each other, but couldn't just let each other go either, we were traveling together under the bizarre title of a temporary alliance.

We killed almost every monster we saw on the way, so it feels like we've pretty much cleared them all out now.

I didn't see that teleporting monster, though. Did it already escape? Well, the other heroes will handle that.

I just want to grab Behemoth and get out of here.

...Wait.

Before she realizes my true nature with that intuition of hers.

Maybe I should give her a little lesson on what a real villain is...?

I mean, seriously. Does it make sense for a hero to be this defenseless with a villain right next to her?

Has she lost her mind?

Anyway, we finally reached the end.

A large space at the deepest part of the underground, and a shattered tank inside.

"Behemoth...?"

She muttered while looking at the writing on the tank.

Right, she finally learned the name of that monster too.

The space was empty, filled with sticky green fluids leaking from the tanks.

Only broken computers and scattered papers were strewn about.

The people who were researching here must have fled in advance. They sure are good at running away.

Anyway, we went into the room next door.

It was smaller than the previous area with the high ceiling and tanks, but still quite spacious.

In the middle of the room, there was some kind of incubator.

Inside sat a small, black tentacle.

Phew. I finally found it.

Now I just need to take this and run. I should, but...

I stole a glance at Stardus.

She was rummaging through documents on a desk in the corner, not paying any attention to me.

...I don't like it.

Why isn't she paying attention to me?

No, I don't mean that in a weird way.

Is it right for a hero to be this defenseless with a villain right next to her?

A true hero should always be wary of a villain.

I don't know what she trusts in me that makes her act so freely.

Why is she so fearless?

"...."

This won't do.

Originally, I planned to snatch Behemoth and escape while she was distracted.

But I think I need to teach her a harsh lesson about the reality of the world before I go.

With that resolution, I slowly approached the incubator.

It's showtime.

***

"...What is this now?"

Watching the incubator in the center of the large room, she muttered to herself.

This room was at the very end of the secret research facility.

Inside was an incubator that looked suspicious at first glance.

And within it, a black tentacle.

This was likely the thing the Haneun Group wanted to protect most.

Glancing sideways, she saw Egostic looking at the incubator with an incredibly intrigued expression.

"Don't touch it. We're sending that to the Association first."

"Yes, yes. Of course."

He smiled brightly, raising both hands as if to show he wouldn't do anything.

"...."

Seeing him like that, the incident in the room earlier came back to her.

Even though she had been completely powerless, he had done nothing but offer her a bandage.

He told her that although he knew everything and had destroyed the bridge, it wasn't done to save people.

He added that he was a villain, so she shouldn't doubt that fact.

All of those things combined.

She became even more confused about who Egostic really was.

He was clearly a villain—an outlaw who played above the law and committed acts of terror.

But then why?

Why did it feel like every word he spoke was hiding some kind of truth?

Why did her guard strangely fade whenever she was around him?

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

She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

For now, she needed to focus on the task at hand.

She headed toward a desk in a corner of the room.

There would likely be information about that thing here.

And then, she found it.

The report written about that object.

*

<>

[Provisional Name] Behemoth

*

Just as she was reading the description.

More precisely, while her guard was down.

A low voice drifted over from where Egostic stood.

"Awaken, Behemoth."

Along with those words came the sound of something shattering.

Stardus whirled around at the sudden noise.

But it was already too late.

The incubator was already crumbling.

And something black and ominous was wrapping around Egostic's arm.

Amidst the unfolding chaos.

Egostic was looking at Stardus, a quiet smile on his face.

Still smiling, he spoke to her.

"Ms. Stardus, do you know what?"

Betrayal is all about timing.