Chapter 189 - The Secret No One Knew

At the previous first Kathedal meeting.

Highkin.

As an S-class villain living in Germany, he was slightly nervous attending the Kathedal meeting hosted by Celeste.

"......."

'...Everyone here seems quite powerful.'

That was understandable, since from his perspective, every villain around him appeared to be at his level of ability.

After meeting the famous Celeste in person and hearing other villains introduce themselves, he realized:

...At this rate, I'll be overshadowed!

With this sense of vigilance, he looked around, and then froze when he spotted a certain person.

'...Egostic?'

A man in a black hat and black cape, Egostic.

He recognized this villain. He had seen his appearance once while browsing the internet.

'...I don't remember exactly, but wasn't he an A-class villain?'

He wasn't sure why an A-class villain would be here...

Highkin quickly turned his thoughts. Yes, I'll confront him about why an A-class is here and establish my presence. It's only natural that A-class is below S-class, right...?

So, timing it perfectly with Egostic's self-introduction, he deliberately provoked him.

"You there!!!!!"

...Of course, he didn't know that Egostic was close friends with the famous villain Atlas.

"How dare you run your mouth like that! You dare speak such nonsense to a friend of Atlas? You there!!!"

"...Well, excuse me. Did I say something wrong?"

Though he tried to remain sarcastic until the end, Highkin was internally very flustered. ...No, how does Egostic, an A-class nobody, have connections with such a big shot?

Anyway, the commotion eventually ended with Celeste's intervention, so it could be said that things concluded relatively peacefully. Egostic's enigmatic smile without much reaction to his provocation was a bit strange... but that was all.

Of course, that peace was shattered when the information sharing time came and Egostic opened his mouth.

"...Especially those living in Germany should be careful. Who knows what tragic events might occur within the next three months?"

Egostic said this with a smile, blatantly looking at him.

"You bastard! Are you threatening me?!"

Highkin initially reacted with anger, but was immediately shut down by Atlas's counterattack and Celeste's intervention.

And then.

'....Tsk. It's probably just empty provocation from an A-class.'

Just as Highkin was about to dismiss it, he felt something ominous.

...Could it really be just nonsense?

After the meeting ended, Highkin returned to Germany.

Since that day, he had been trembling with an unsettling feeling. Egostic, what if that guy actually knew something...?

"Boss, what are you doing?"

"Shh."

After searching for information about Egostic on the internet, even using translation tools.

His face turned pale.

"Damn it..."

...This guy is supposed to be A-class? Anyone can see he's S-class or beyond!

No. To begin with, there are several S-class villains under Egostic. The more Highkin learned about his influence in South Korea and what he had accomplished, the more anxious he became.

Additionally, seeing Atlas, one of the five villains ruling the entire North Atlantic, completely supporting Egostic...

Highkin's instincts raised alarm bells.

S-class villain Highkin, who was he? A man with enough sense to run a villain alliance in Germany without getting caught by the association.

'....Especially those living in Germany should be careful. Who knows what tragic events might occur within the next three months?'

".....Shit."

What if Egostic was actually a powerful villain beyond S-class pretending to be A-class? What if he really knew something and was warning him?

Thus, Highkin spent three whole months in terror, startling at even the sound of falling leaves, sleeping with weapons by his bed.

And because of that.

He was able to survive.

"Wow.. holy shit."

BOOM!

The place where he had been sitting just moments ago was completely shattered.

The ground was cratered and the soil stained red. Something like lava was flowing there.

Feeling the intense heat reaching him.

He made a decision.

...From now on, I'll call Egostic "big brother" and follow him.

***

"Oh... you're alive?"

I couldn't help saying that when I saw Highkin bowing to me. ...Wait, how did he not die? I clearly remember him being attacked and killed.

He flinched at my words.

Then suddenly, he started speaking rapidly to me.

"Yes! Thanks to your sincere advice, I was able to survive. It's all thanks to you, sir. From now on, I'll follow you as my big brother!!!"

The red mohawk-haired man bowed his head, looking at me with transparent eyes.

...Wait, so he's saying he survived because of what I said back then?

'Is this the butterfly effect or something?'

Feeling bewildered, I first gestured to Highkin, who was still bowing before me.

"Okay, okay. Let's sit down, shall we?"

All the nearby villains are looking this way wondering what's going on. This is drawing too much attention.

At my gesture, Highkin quickly sat down right next to me. At least he listens well.

"Hmm..."

I silently observed him for a moment.

...It seems a character who probably died in the original story survived because of me. And he thinks I ordered the attack, so he's suddenly calling me "big brother" and being submissive.

'...Is this a good thing?'

Well, it's not bad. Although it was unexpected, isn't it good to have one more ally in this Kathedal? Whatever.

Giving up on thinking too much, I asked Highkin sitting next to me.

"...So, you're going to call me 'big brother'?"

"Yes!!!"

"Well then, let's see how you do, little brother."

"Yes!!! Thank you, big brother!!!"

When I patted his shoulder while speaking, Highkin bowed his head sincerely, as if moved by my words.

...An S-class villain bowing to an A-class villain, is this right? No, what exactly is he misunderstanding about me in his head? I know Highkin is a fairly notorious villain in Germany.

Anyway, after that awkward interaction with the red mohawk, as other villains continued to arrive.

Our Atlas old man finally arrived too.

"Haha! Egostic, it's been a while... Wait, why is that guy sitting next to you? Is he bothering our Egostic?"

He approached with a broad smile, but then frowned and clenched his fist upon seeing the red mohawk sitting next to me.

Before Atlas could hit Highkin on the head, Highkin hastily explained that he had decided to follow me as his "big brother" and so on.

While Highkin sighed in relief after narrowly avoiding being hit, Atlas naturally sat down next to me and spoke with a satisfied smile, as if he had never frowned.

"Haha! That's right. Our Egostic is certainly worthy of being called 'big brother.' Egostic, when did you form such a relationship with that fellow? I must say, your inclusiveness is admirable!"

"Hahaha..."

...It just happened now.

True to his simple nature, Atlas just accepted it on his own and laughed while patting my back. ...He seemed to be misunderstanding something.

Anyway, shortly after Atlas arrived, other villains started showing up one after another.

"Everyone's here now."

Finally, Celeste, the host of this meeting, arrived last wearing a white saintess outfit.

At last, the meeting began.

"The association's offensive has intensified recently. New ability users are also increasing..."

While listening to Celeste's beautiful voice reminding everyone of the recent situation with her eyes closed.

I briefly glanced around the round table.

"....."

The person I focused on was Katana, the leader of Japan's Samkyopa.

She was sitting there in Japanese yakuza attire with her black hair tied up.

Looking at Katana, who seemed somewhat tired, I quietly thought.

...She actually came today?

I wondered if she'd have time to come since Samkyopa has been getting beaten badly by the government lately, but it seems she managed to attend. That's fortunate. I can just casually let her know when this meeting ends.

By the time I was thinking this, Celeste had finished speaking.

"Now, let's begin the second Kathedal meeting."

She said, sitting at the round table under the massive chandelier.

Yes. Finally, the main part of Kathedal, the time for information sharing.

Then she began to share information in a somewhat sacred voice.

"...It has been decided by the Hero Association that..."

As she revealed important information that no one else knew.

Everyone seemed to be listening intently, but I wasn't particularly interested. ...I already knew this content from the original story, and it doesn't concern me anyway.

After her turn ended.

Starting from the right, each person began sharing high-quality information they knew.

"From what I've heard..."

"The heroes' secret base under West Africa..."

"The weakness of S-class hero Athena in Europe is..."

Unlike last time, perhaps because they had preparation time, everyone brought some information, even if it wasn't as impactful as what Celeste shared.

As expected of those who run prominent villain alliances in their respective countries, there was quite a bit of premium information. Some were interesting enough that even I paid attention.

By the way, Katana did speak too. However, her information seemed hastily prepared and was somewhat lacking. The information from Li Xiaopeng, the S-class villain from China sitting on the other side, was more impressive. ...I had no idea the Chinese government was developing such things, it was news even to me. No, they're completely insane.

As the sequence continued.

Finally, it was my turn.

"....."

Everyone looked at me.

...Perhaps because I was an A-class villain sharing information, they all seemed to have low expectations.

And in that seemingly peaceful round table.

I revealed shocking information that no one knew.

"Have you heard of the S-class hero that the American Association is deliberately hiding, the so-called Rank 0, Ex Machina?"

"...?"

Everyone's expressions showed they were hearing this for the first time.

To them, I casually said:

"His ability is."

"To turn back time."

And the moment I uttered those words.

The round table froze for a moment.