episode_0025

“This is Villain 13’s statement.”

Apple said so, showing her the email that had been sent to her, the text of it.

The content was somewhat long-winded, so it took a while to understand.

“Simply put, they’re going to detonate a bomb?”

“…It’s terrible.”

At Club’s words, Apple nodded as if to say yes.

Villain 13 had apparently installed a bomb in this department store. A terrifying bomb that would at least definitely encompass the entire department store.

However, it was said to be not a lethal bomb, but what is called a ‘TS bomb’.

‘TS bomb’.

As its name suggested, it seemed to be a bomb with a gender transformation function.

And the content of that explanatory email multiplied fivefold with the explanation of what this bomb was. It was truly a villain whose every detail was annoying.

Gender transformation bomb. That is, if this bomb exploded, everyone within its range would have their gender changed.

Men to women, women to men.

It was unclear what meaning there was in doing something like that, but one shouldn’t analyze every single thing a villain does. Most of Villain 13’s crimes had been like this from the beginning.

“It’s too suspicious….”

“Still, we can’t ignore it. It’s clear that they’ve occupied the department store and taken many people hostage.”

Apple spoke, a troubled look on her face, in response to Club’s murmur.

And Abyss has that genius scientist. The scientist Club had missed.

With that scientist’s abilities, it might be possible to create a bomb that would transform the gender of everyone within a radius of several tens of meters. …Wouldn’t it?

In any case, it couldn’t be ignored.

“What’s the situation with the hostages?”

[Uh… the hostages, well….]

In response to Club’s question, Spade spoke, sounding troubled.

[I’m hiding and watching, you see? But actually.]

Spade paused, as if she had seen something hard to believe.

And listening to Spade’s subsequent explanation, Club could also understand why that was the case.

The hostages among the dolls.

The dolls weren’t explicitly threatening them with easily recognizable firearms or bladed weapons.

However, they were gathered and seated in the center of the department store, and if they resisted or tried to escape… they would be seized and subjected to terrible punishments.

For men, they would pluck all their body hair and apply depilatory cream to make their entire bodies smooth. To add, this included their heads. Thanks to this, many bald men were currently being produced.

For women, they would apply whipped cream thickly from head to toe, dyeing their entire bodies pure white. And they would film that with a camera.

So, what is it?

What the hell are these bastards doing?

Club sighed, her head aching. Couldn’t she just go back now?

[Club, you can’t give up.]

“Club-ssi, you can’t.”

“…Why are both of you like this? I don’t intend to abandon my mission. My motivation has just decreased a little.”

After dealing with heinous criminals, escapees, illegal immigrants, and even foreign mafia and pirates on the island, thinking about having to deal with such ridiculous characters made her a little deflated.

She wondered if this was the difference between island and city criminals, but at least apart from Villain 13 and Abyss, she hadn’t encountered anyone committing such absurd crimes.

In any case, she could feel a little relieved that it wasn’t a life-threatening crime. Of course, the hostages themselves would never be able to feel relieved.

More importantly, Club shouldn’t go back. There was another reason she couldn’t go back.

“They specifically named Club-ssi. So it must mean they have something to counter Club-ssi’s abilities. You need to be careful.”

Apple said worriedly.

True to her words, the statement sent to Team 7 explicitly named Club.

It said that if any other hero or police intervened, the bomb would be detonated immediately.

That’s why Club had called it a ‘revenge match’ just a moment ago. Wasn’t their goal and the reason for this absurd terror too obvious?

That’s also why Spade had secretly infiltrated and was still hiding. If Spade was seen, it would be considered an intervention by another hero, and the bomb would be detonated immediately.

‘FUCK… they’re bastards.’

Well, in any case, she had no intention of running away. And from the start, she had been the one searching for them. But since they had come to her, she was only grateful.

This time, she wouldn’t let them escape.

“Then Club-ssi, Spade-ssi. I will now brief you on the plan. Both of you, please listen carefully.”

And with Apple as their strategist, the heroes’ operation began.

* * *

The strategy meeting ended quickly. With her excellent intellect, Apple quickly devised a plan that both of them admired. There were no flaws in the plan.

And so, currently, Club stood in front of the department store.

Citizens had been evacuated far away, and police officers were watching from a slightly distant position. Apple was in a car, handling both relay and command.

“Then, I’ll start right away.”

In the middle of the desolate plaza in front of the department store, Club stood and raised both hands.

And then, she clapped her two hands together loudly.

“【Gather, gather, gather】”

Words of incantation, like a song, flowed out. Or perhaps words of summoning.

The incantation continued for a bit longer. Blue magic gradually enveloped Club’s body, rising and swirling around her.

From afar, people watching the scene with both fear and curiosity were all amazed, capturing the mysterious sight with their cameras.

And among the spectators, someone noticed an anomaly.

“Huh…?”

“What’s that?”

*Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter* *Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter* *Pitter-patter-patter-patter* *Tap, tap, pitter-patter-patter* *Pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, tap, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, tap, tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap, tap-tap, pat, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter, pitter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pat, pat, pitter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-patter-patter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter—*

“Cats… Whoa?!”

“Cats are pouring in!!!!”

“H-How many are there?!”

A swarm of cats calmly walked across the asphalt and marble floor.

They were not just one or two, or five or six, but a massive throng, regardless of size or direction.

Screams and similar cries burst out from spectators here and there.

Club paid no mind to those screaming voices, continuing her incantation. Centered around her, enveloped in magic, the cats gathered even more closely.

*Meow~* *Meeooww~* *Meeooooooowwwwwww~~*

Cat cries echoed from everywhere. Their varied meows surprisingly timed perfectly, as if they were all performing a grand chorus together.

Some of the onlookers thrust their smartphone cameras at the mysterious sight, while others backed away cautiously, keeping their distance.

And in the center of those cats.

Club, standing and directing the cats like an orchestra conductor, let out a long sigh and relaxed her shoulders.

*Phew!*

“……Welcome.”

Managing this many cats consumed a significant amount of magic and concentration. As a result, beads of sweat formed on Club’s forehead, and her face was flushed red.

But it was fine. This much was nothing.

Because she was a hero.

She had to endure it.

“Go, my feline friends. Go give those FUCKING SHIT damned villains a good scolding.”

With Club’s command, the cats all poured into the department store with swift movements.

Some through the main entrance, some through low-lying windows, some finding other passages.

The multitude of cats, which for a moment had seemed like a colorful wave, instantly surged in and disappeared from view.

* * *

“It’s begun.”

And somewhere on one of the department store’s floors.

Villain 13, who was checking the video sent by Apple on the tablet in his hand, muttered bravely.

Up until now, everything had gone well without any problems, just as he and his strategist had planned. But now was the beginning.

[Villain 13-nim, are you alright?]

“Yeah. I’m perfectly fine. Apple, please continue with the monitoring and guidance.”

[Yes, Villain 13-nim. I will definitely live up to Villain 13-nim’s expectations!]

From beyond the Bluetooth earphone in his ear, Apple’s energetic voice was heard.

The two members of Team 7 would have no idea that the woman commanding and relaying information to them was a traitor.

No, in fact, one of the two people infiltrating (Spade) was already….

To be honest, in this operation, what they did to Club was just a bonus.

The groundwork was already almost finished, so subduing Club herself was possible at any time.

However, the reason they deliberately created this situation and made such a big fuss was to build achievements to show the ‘Villain Alliance’.

A show-off villain terror attack, meant to demonstrate that the Villain Alliance was still strong.

If they retaliated against the heroes who came to suppress them, won, and even kidnapped them.

Then Abyss’s stock, which had fallen to rock bottom, would surely skyrocket.

Furthermore, Club would suffer a defeat on such a grand stage, in front of everyone.

While it was unclear how far the repercussions would reach, Club herself, and by extension Team 7’s honor, would be greatly discredited and fall.

For Club, who obsessed over achievements and honor, it would be an unparalleled humiliation and punishment.

‘Come on, Club.’

‘Once you arrive, I’ll give you the greatest despair I can offer.’

Villain 13 watched Club’s rapidly moving figure in the video on his tablet, as if leisurely appreciating it.