episode_0021

“I thought I was going to die…”

The lair of the villain organization [Abyss]. In the middle of its lounge area.

Number 13 sat on the floor, still hugging Dorothy, and let out a sigh.

Though the two of them had just been confronting a Hero in the shopping mall’s underground parking lot, they had now safely arrived at the lair, having leaped through space.

All of this was thanks to the Strategist, who was now leisurely sitting on a sofa, tilting a teacup.

“That was really close. My heart was pounding, I thought I was going to die.”

“And yet you’re calmly drinking black tea?”

The Strategist tilted the teacup to their lips and chuckled.

With their shimmering silver hair and elegant movements that somehow exuded femininity, Number 13 unconsciously turned their head away.

*Muffled sounds* “Oh, Dorothy.” “Gasp…! Hey, hey! What do you mean hugging me so hard…! I thought I was going to suffocate to death…!”

Dorothy, who had been punching Number 13’s chest while held in their arms, pushed Number 13 away and broke free.

She had truly been suffocating, her face flushed crimson as she gasped for air.

Of course, it wasn’t just because she was suffocating…

“…But what happened? How did we get back?” “We returned using the Strategist’s ability.” “I sort of figured that much.”

They had teleported through ‘shadows’ using the Strategist’s ability. However, this ability could only transfer through pre-registered shadows, and only two people could be registered. Currently, only Number 13 and the boss, Violet, were registered. Number 13 had instructed Dorothy to hold on tight and not let go earlier, precisely to prevent Number 13 from being the only one teleported.

“More importantly, how did the Strategist know what was happening?” Dorothy knew about the Strategist’s ability, but what she was curious about now wasn’t ‘how they arrived,’ but ‘how the Strategist knew.’ Their smartphones had been lost or broken, and they had no other communication devices, so there was no way to contact the Strategist. How on earth did the Strategist know everything that happened several kilometers away? Besides that, it bothered her that Club had seen through the gun Dorothy secretly hid, but hadn’t noticed the flashbang Number 13 boldly prepared.

“It’s thanks to Number 13-nim’s belt. There’s a listening device in it.” “…Ah, the one the Strategist asked me to make for them a while ago.” “You made that, Dorothy?”

Anyway. The Strategist was able to perceive the situation through the listening device attached to Number 13’s belt, and conveyed their intentions through Number 13’s registered shadow. Number 13, in turn, simply used the listening device to inform the Strategist of the brief situation and specify the timing to execute the ‘teleportation.’ Since it was a telepathic message through a shadow, Dorothy and Club wouldn’t have heard it. At this surprisingly simple trick, Dorothy felt strangely deflated.

Anyway, it was a relief. They had been in danger of having their limbs crushed and being dragged away in a mess by the Hero, so it was truly fortunate that they could return safely with all their limbs intact. To end up like this after thoughtlessly going out for dessert, what a ridiculous turn of events.

“…Number 13?” “Huh? Whoa!”

But their relief was short-lived; Dorothy, sensing something off about Number 13’s actions, pounced on Number 13 and abruptly pulled up their top. Beneath the pulled-up shirt, large bruises were visible on Number 13’s side and back. It looked like their shoulder was slightly dislocated, and their condition was odd in several ways. While she knew when the side had been hit, the back…

“You got hit once during the teleportation, didn’t you?” “It’s nothing. Really.”

Although Number 13 spoke so nonchalantly, Dorothy’s heart felt heavy. Just before teleporting, Number 13 had hugged Dorothy unnaturally tightly. And the spot where Number 13 was hit was precisely where Dorothy’s head would have been, considering their posture just moments ago. Even if it was just a moment, the skill to target Dorothy’s head without faltering, despite a flashbang exploding at close range, was impressive… Still, that Hero had a bad personality.

‘Unforgivable.’ “…Come to the infirmary right now. I’ll treat you.” “Oh, Dorothy, are you angry?” “No! …I’m just a little annoyed.”

Dorothy grabbed Number 13 by the collar, pulled them up, and dragged them to the infirmary. To be honest, she always thought it didn’t matter what happened to Number 13 or the Strategist. But as the organization’s scientist and doctor, confronting their injuries herself, Dorothy couldn’t help but feel a dark cloud settle over her heart.

As a result, Number 13 hadn’t suffered any broken bones, but was diagnosed with a slight skeletal misalignment, internal bleeding, and minor bone fractures. Although Dorothy’s special physical activators and treatments meant they could recover completely in about a week, the plan to attack Club, originally scheduled within three days, would have to be postponed. However, what was fortunate amidst all this was…

“It’s fine, Number 13-nim. Please don’t worry.” “I’ve already taken care of it.” “…I really can’t forgive that woman.” While personally spoon-feeding porridge to Number 13, who couldn’t properly lift their arm due to pain, the Strategist spoke with such confidence, as if there was absolutely no need to worry. The Strategist could be trusted. If the Strategist said so, there really was no need to worry. Surely, the matter with Club would also somehow work out.

* * *

“Then, please excuse me.” *Click, creak—thud*

The Hero Association, 7th Division. Club, who had encountered the villains at the shopping mall, had just finished giving a detailed report on the situation and emerged from the commander’s office. “Fuck,” slipped out of their mouth unconsciously. A sigh escaped them, feeling annoyed in many ways.

‘I missed the villains, and I didn’t even get a taste of dessert.’ Despite being off-duty, Club had encountered villains and ended up spending all their precious rest time tracking villain traces, without even a chance to enjoy dessert. They had thought of getting it to-go out of regret, but the store, in case of unforeseen circumstances… …for example, if a villain had planted a bomb, had closed its doors and everyone had gone home. Although it was thoroughly investigated and found to be safe, it was truly regrettable that they hadn’t been able to eat the dessert they had so eagerly anticipated this time.

‘Annoying! This is really fucking infuriating!’ In the end, they couldn’t figure out why Number 13 and the woman who appeared to be their accomplice were there, or for what reason they had appeared. Though they thought about it again and again, it surely, absolutely, unequivocally wasn’t because those villains wanted to casually eat seasonal limited-edition dessert directly at the store. The inability to discern their true intentions was frustrating enough, but the fact that they had missed not only the subordinate but also the boss added to Club’s annoyance.

To have missed them. Right before my eyes! At the very moment I had them! My career will be tarnished!

Thanks to this, the chasm between the villain organization [Abyss] and Hero Club deepened further. To the extent that they swore deep in their heart that if they saw them next time, they would show no mercy and make them suffer horribly. Furthermore, it was confirmed that for Villain Number 13, if not for the woman who was with them, there was definite ‘elimination authorization.’ This time, they had no choice but to hold back and merely incapacitate the opponent, but next time, there would be absolutely no leniency.

‘…But it’s not like there were no results at all.’ The smartphone Number 13 dropped. There must be something useful inside.

‘They tried to call someone right after they spotted me.’ ‘Besides that, information about the lair… photo images… I don’t know for sure, but there must be some information.’ ‘Something, anything, must be there.’

However, Club wasn’t familiar with electronic devices, so they left it to Apple. In the end, they were in a position where they had no choice but to wait endlessly for the results, but deeply resolving never to miss them next time… For now, they decided to set aside their impatience and wait leisurely.

* * *

Fortunately, the results Club anticipated didn’t take long. The day after the incident, and after entrusting the investigation to Apple, Club visited her room as Apple had requested. A question arose in their mind about why it was her own room, but upon hearing the explanation that some equipment related to Apple’s ability was in the room, they could understand.

*Knock knock* “Apple-ssi? It’s Club. May I come in?”

In this 7th Division, since Club, who was in the combat division, and Apple, who was in the administrative division, were in different departments, their titles and speech were uniformly stiffly respectful towards each other. However, they called Spade, who was in the same combat division, ‘Senior-nim’ due to factors like her Hero career. In fact, this was a custom only found on the island where Club used to live; on the mainland… especially in large cities like where the 7th Division was located, it often wasn’t done to that extent. Additionally, titles, speech patterns, and even uniform regulations varied widely depending on the department and personality, but since most Heroes were individualistic, the rules were loosely set to allow them to do as they pleased in that regard. Anyway.

After knocking on the door and announcing themselves, a soft voice from beyond the door, saying “Please wait~,” was heard not long after. It was Apple’s voice. Club admired the clear, beautiful timbre that clearly, just by listening to it, made one feel relaxed, even through the door. A moment later, with a click, the door opened.

“Hello, Club-ssi. Would you like to come inside?”

* * *

Apple’s room was surprisingly less feminine and more plain and rustic. One wall was filled floor-to-ceiling with books, and on the opposite side were what appeared to be high-performance computers and various unknown related devices and components. Rather than a feminine room, it looked more like an engineering student’s room. Apple had a delicate, slender, literary girl impression, but it could be said that it suited her, as she was surprisingly a specialist in handling computers and machinery… Still, the gap between that and her appearance was no joke.

“Today, I called you regarding the smartphone matter you asked me to investigate earlier, Club-ssi.” “Did anything come out? Their lair? Any clues?”

As Club asked with an eagerly pounding heart, Apple made a troubled expression. “…First of all, I’d like to apologize.”

It seemed the results weren’t very good. It was a shame, but it couldn’t be helped. Club tried not to show disappointment. Next to the bed was a small table. Apple placed a cushion in front of it, inviting them to sit, then retrieved a drink from the mini-fridge in the corner of the room, poured it into a cup, and served it.

The colorful drink, with ice cubes floating in it, looked cool and sweet just by looking at it. Taking a small sip, it had a tangy sensation… and seemed to contain a little, but still, alcohol. Alcohol during work discussions might be a bit problematic… but at this low a proof, it should be fine. Club tilted the cup in their hand, sipping from it, and waited for Apple’s explanation.