episode_0107

*—I’m screwed. Truly, irrevocably screwed.* *As a civilized member of society, I wished to avoid profanity and use elegant language, but even with that resolve, curses inevitably burst forth, making it the worst possible situation in every way.*

*’Why was I caught? How?’* *’Did the brainwashing not work? Was everything until now just an act? Exactly how much of it was an act…?’* *Honestly, it was panic.*

*Because the process so far had been incredibly smooth. I thought I had almost completely overcome it, and that it would end once I hammered in the final wedge.* *Perhaps touching a Captain was too much. Did I underestimate a Captain-level individual, did I underestimate Rahye too much?*

*What should I do now? Can I carry out the Villain Alliance’s orders? Is this the end of our organization too?* *No, more importantly, what about Rahye? She said she’d chase me to the ends of hell, and it truly feels like she would.* *How should I, should I take the Boss and Strategist Dorothy and flee overseas? If so, I should quickly pack my bags and find a broker for an overseas escape so that…*

*“Calm down, Number 13-nim.”* *As soon as panic struck after receiving Rahye’s call, I rushed to the Strategist’s room. The Strategist gently cupped Number 13’s cheek with her hand, calming him. Her expression was like that of a benevolent saint.*

*“You don’t know the full details yet, do you? If she specifically used a recording device to send the message, I think it means that what we’ve done so far hasn’t been entirely ineffective.”* *“Is, is that so…?”* *“Yes, and the way the message was delivered is also suspicious. I can’t be certain since I didn’t hear the message directly, but it makes me think that the other side might be very anxious.”*

*Listening to the Strategist’s calm voice, Number 13 also seemed to quickly calm down.* *Indeed. The sudden situation, coupled with the clear two-hour time limit, had caused his mind to freeze with tension, but after calming down a bit, he could clearly see those questionable points.*

*The Strategist’s words made sense. Even if they were merely meant to reassure us, they weren’t entirely groundless.* *The tables haven’t completely turned yet.* *Perhaps there might still be a chance.*

*“Number 13-nim. Let’s re-examine the cards we hold. There must be some way.”* *At the Strategist’s calm words, Number 13 regained a degree of composure and assented.*

*After all, ever since he decided to confront Rahye, hadn’t he somewhat considered the possibility of things turning out this way? Hadn’t he vaguely suspected it?* *If he had just remained still, this organization and Number 13’s future would have had no hope anyway. He had merely clung to a thin rope, barely managing to keep his life going until this point.*

*It was almost as if he had clung to life by a grand bargain sale of heaven’s mercy, grace, and luck.* *Since it was a life prolonged for a pittance, even if this venture went wrong and he lost it… he supposed he could just think that what was coming had finally arrived.*

*……As if I could think that.* *I don’t want to die. I want to live. Truly.* *First, I should call Dorothy and go find the Boss to ask for their opinions….*

* * *

*Tick-tock—* *Rahye sat checking the wristwatch on her wrist.*

*The place she was now in was the very abandoned factory where Number 13 had once promised Club’s liberation.* *Rahye, who had arrived there about an hour ago, had pulled up a chair and sat in a spot where she could be easily found upon entering.*

*She checked her watch again. The time she had specified was almost here.* *She would account for a few minutes of error, but if he was too late, she would have to give up and leave.*

*From a cold, logical perspective, there was no reason for that man to accept Rahye’s proposal.* *After all, all Rahye could do was make an unfounded threat like ‘I’ll find you someday and kill you.’ Even if Apple or Club’s fate was uncertain, as Villain Number 13, he wouldn’t need to worry about the well-being of heroes like Apple or Club.*

*Nevertheless, if he were to accept the proposal and come here… it would mean that he still had some business with Rahye or the 7th Division.* *And if so, Rahye too would have some room for negotiation.*

*Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock—* *’Looks like he’s not coming after all….’* *Just as Rahye, gazing at the watch on her wrist, began to show a hint of resignation.* *A human presence was felt from the entrance of the abandoned warehouse.*

*“Rahye! I have arrived! Villain Number 13 is here! Are you in here?!”* *A noisy voice announcing its presence. It was a voice she’d never heard before, yet for some reason, it felt strangely familiar. It must be a misconception….*

* * *

*Number 13 arrived at the aforementioned abandoned factory, just barely exceeding the time Rahye had specified.* *He had deliberately shouted loudly to announce his arrival, wary of a surprise attack, but surprisingly, nothing of the sort occurred.*

*In case of an emergency, he had planned to create an opening with a kill-then-resurrection combo on Rahye and then shout the brainwashing keyword….* *—It’s best not to overuse the brainwashing keyword if possible.*

*—Firstly, based on the experimental results so far, for the brainwashing keyword to be effective when using vocalization, you must be within a maximum of 3 meters of the target. And it’s better to make eye contact if possible.* *—If you use something with mechanical sounds mixed in, like a phone or speaker, you’ll need to narrow the distance even further. In that case, probably around 50cm.* *—If the target is wary, the chances drop even more. Moreover, Rahye hasn’t even finished the advanced process yet, has she? It would probably be difficult to neutralize her using the brainwashing keyword head-on. At best, it’s a fifty-fifty chance… if you fail, you’ll just be torn to death on the spot.*

*Before coming here, the members of Abyss had quickly gathered and discussed the matter.* *At that time, Dorothy had given Number 13 several helpful pieces of advice. She had pointed out various precautions based on what Number 13 had been intermittently experimenting with using the 7th Division members.*

*Those pieces of advice were clearly practical and useful, based on actual experimental data, but the more he listened, the gloomier Number 13 felt.* *Since the risks for both options were too great and uncertain, it subtly conveyed that it would be wise to just give up if he valued his life.*

*It wasn’t even subtle; Dorothy herself had directly told him that it was impossible for a foolish and unfortunate person like him, and that it would be better to just give up and run away.*

*—It’s not just your fault. There must have been a problem with the brainwashing drug I developed.* *—I might have been able to create a drug better suited to her constitution if I had put more thought into it. I might have been able to create a more user-friendly brainwashing tool. Perhaps there was just some flaw in my drug. After all, it’s still at the prototype level.* *—So don’t think it was only your mistake. I never expected anything from the foolish Number 13 anyway.*

*Although she spoke somewhat harshly, he knew that was the maximum consideration Dorothy could show.* *She usually grumbled so much, yet she pretended not to care while still showing various considerations. She truly was such a tsundere.*

*As Number 13, lost in thought, advanced through the factory, repeatedly calling Rahye’s name.* *He quickly spotted Rahye beyond an open door inside.*

*Rahye was sitting directly opposite the open door, as if to show she was waiting, for Number 13.* *“You actually came, Villain Number 13.”*

*“…Well, the beautiful Captain-nim asked me on a date. How could I not come?”* *Number 13 suspiciously scanned his surroundings.* *“Apple? Haven’t you been found out? Where is she?”*

*“I restrained her and put her in the car. I couldn’t just leave her at the base. She’s parked a little ways from the factory, so in case of an emergency, don’t forget to take her with you.”* *“Even so, she’s a precious subordinate, isn’t that treating her too roughly?”* *“…Are you one to talk?”*

*Murderous intent flickered in Rahye’s fleeting gaze. Number 13 subtly averted his gaze, feeling uncomfortable.* *Rahye rose from her seat and gestured towards Number 13.*

*Her hand pointed to another chair placed opposite the one she had been sitting in. A whiteboard was next to the chair.* *“Please come this way. And from now on, please be careful with all your words, eye movements, and gestures. If I find anything even slightly suspicious, I will attack without mercy.”*

*“Hey, you’re the one who called—!”* *Number 13, who had been about to complain, was forced to quickly shut his mouth.*

*Rahye’s hand seemed to flicker for a moment, and then something chilling passed across Number 13’s neck, several meters away.* *Next, he felt something hot flowing and when Number 13 touched it with his hand, he saw red blood smudged on it. It wasn’t a fatal wound. But if it had gone just a little deeper, Number 13 would have collapsed, gushing blood like a fountain.*

*“Shut your mouth, and sit.”* *Rahye growled impassively.* *Number 13, tense, obediently followed her words. He had no choice but to follow.*

*As Number 13 sat in the designated spot, Rahye’s instructions continued. This time, she told him to pick up the whiteboard placed at the foot of the chair. As instructed, he picked up the portable mini whiteboard that fit perfectly into his arms.*

*“From now on, please communicate in writing. This is according to the manual for dealing with mind-control ability users, so please don’t be too dissatisfied.”* *Number 13 felt like complaining, but he decided to keep his mouth shut, fearing his neck would truly be severed without mercy next time.*