· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·
Translated by BiasNil
· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·
Seeing this crumbling scene.
Anyway, I heard something from inside.
[P-Please save me… Spare my life…]
Well, I guess I came on time.
I'm glad he's not dead yet. If he were dead, it'd be a mess.
All I have to do now is find the right time to come in.
So I waited in front of the door.
After a while, the men were about to beat up Lee Ha-yul's brother.
Yeah, now's the time.
I took out the bomb I'd prepared.
Ego-style Bomb, Level 4.
Threatening Bomb.
THUUUUMMMMPPP.
The door exploded with a loud roar.
Of course, if I used a regular bomb on this shabby house, the door wouldn't be the only thing blown up, so I chose a bomb with moderate force.
"What the fuck!!!"
I could hear them cursing from inside.
How dare those brats curse at me at our first meeting!
Well, these kids need to be educated.
"Brother, I'll go and take a look!"
I could hear some guy shouting from inside.
Hmm, the first scapegoat.
Adios, man.
"Who the hell are you?"
It's a pity those were his last words.
I shot him in the head in silence. A bullet to the head is good for your health. Probably?
"Fuck!!!"
"Take out your guns! The youngest just got shot!"
Well, are we going into a full-fledged fight now?
Let's start then.
First, I used telekinesis to cut the power to the house's fluorescent lamp. Atmosphere matters.
…And because this is my first fight at night, I wanted that dark, moody vibe. I've never been out at night because of Shadow Walker. Daytime has no intimidation factor; only night gives that feeling.
I killed the electricity.
I could feel them getting nervous inside. No—I could actually see them getting nervous. The mask I wear has built-in night vision. It feels like my mask is turning into a high-tech crystal, but that's probably just me.
Anyway, I went inside to pay them a visit. The moment they heard footsteps, a hysterical voice snapped, "Shoot!"
And bullets started flying madly toward me. Oh my, so scary. However—
I haven't used my telekinesis for three months, you know.
Well, I'm not saying it improved or anything, but I can easily flick their bullets away.
I quietly flicked all the bullets aside.
They smacked into the walls of the shabby house, and dust began to rain down.
I stayed still, holding my breath.
One of them, unable to see an inch ahead in the dark and dust, muttered quietly,
"Did you get him?"
As if.
I released the fluorescent fixture I'd been holding with telekinesis.
When the light came back—peekaboo! Me.
"Shoot!"
They shouted.
But instead, I shot and swept them away.
At the last minute, a man who looked like the leader grabbed Lee Ha-yul's brother as a hostage…
I simply took care of him with my telekinesis.
Gosh, has he never seen me on the news? He didn't know my power is telekinesis?
Hmm… I can't believe I'm still not that famous yet. I need to work harder.
Anyway, I managed to prevent the death of Lee Ha-yul's younger brother in the nick of time.
And now—
The house was covered with blood. It looked almost like a gore horror movie. If they filmed this and sold it, kids under 19 would be banned from watching no matter what.
And these two were both underage. Ah.
Lee Ha-yul looked at me in fear, her hands, feet, and mouth tied tight.
Well, it seems I gave her the worst first impression.
She probably sees me as the killer who just wiped out five people. I was just trying to help you…!!
It wouldn't be strange if her elementary-schooler-looking little brother fainted. Well, he didn't faint, but… he was looking at me with trembling eyes. He's scared of me, too. Oh, shit… First impressions are the most important.
What should I do now? Should I just lean into horror mode? As I hesitated—
From the front, Lee Ha-yul's younger brother spoke up.
"M-Mangostic…?"
To be honest, my brain froze for a second.
Huh?
I was expecting "Save me," but all of a sudden—
Looking at the kid again, his eyes were glistening at me.
Alright, I realize now.
Maybe it was worth it.
***
Back to the present.
I released Lee Ha-yul and her brother.
Lee Ha-yul seemed like she was bracing to resist, but her brother was faster.
"M-Mangostic. I-I-I'm a big fan!"
He looked at me with sparkling eyes.
Ugh, stop it.
It makes me feel bad, looking into a child's innocent eyes!
There's a pool of blood behind me. How can he still be so bright?
Ha-yul, how did you raise him?
His sister, Lee Ha-yul, was already on alert, hugging her brother. Hey, I think your brother is already on my side.
"Are you here to save me?"
The kid spoke with those sparkling eyes.
Yes, that's right. That's right… but if I say so here, it'll be a bit confusing.
"Ahem, hmm… No. Actually, I'm here to catch you because your sister lifted my wallet."
Lee Ha-yul's face turned pale in an instant.
I quickly continued,
"But when I came here, there were some bullies running around. I don't like guys like that. You know what I mean?"
The kid nodded furiously at my words. Do you really understand? I don't even know what I'm talking about.
"Anyway, that's how it turned out…"
I looked around and sighed.
Then I shrugged and continued,
"Kids, just follow me for now. It's nighttime and there were gunshots, so we'll be in trouble if anyone comes and sees this scene."
Lee Ha-yul opened her mouth for the first time.
"How can we trust and follow you?"
Apparently, she's wary of me.
Yeah, I get it. After that orphanage director, it's hard for Lee Ha-yul to trust anyone. And it's weird to follow a killer who just offed five people you've never met, right?
Since she said that, I had nothing else to add.
I can't just threaten them to follow me.
Of course, that wouldn't be very appealing. I mean, it'd be a negative element for long-term relationship building.
This is why I was going to build rapport with the wallet stunt all this time.
It would've been a very difficult case.
Well, there was one variable. A highly positive variable.
"Ha-yul, what are you talking about? Egostic is such an amazing person!"
Her brother suddenly leaped in, saying that.
He immediately began telling his sister how great I am.
I think 80% of it was exaggeration and fabrication. I decided to stay still since it was working. The only problem was how embarrassed I felt hearing compliments about myself right in front of me.
After his fuss ended,
Lee Ha-yul looked very troubled.
"Cha-yun… Still, how can we believe and follow someone we've never seen before?"
"It's not my first time seeing him! Mangostic! I mean, Egostic is a hero!"
That's not it. I'm not a hero.
Anyway, no matter how I look at it, I think Lee Ha-yul's younger brother is a member of Mango Union…
And this is a big chance…!
Especially with Lee Ha-yul—she's weak to her younger brother.
Look at her now. A while ago, her face was full of resistance, asking how we could trust and follow me; now her brother's words have her seriously wavering. What a dramatic change!
This is my best chance—her brother is rebelling, and she has to go along.
"Follow me, kids. Shadow Walker or the cops will show up and find these bodies in five minutes."
"Yeah, Ha-yul! Let's hurry up and follow Egostic!"
She looked confused when I mentioned the police, and her brother backed me up at her side.
Eventually, she said in a slightly trembling voice,
"…If you do anything to us, I won't stay still…"
I answered right away,
"What could I possibly do to you two? I'm not going to do anything, so just follow me. Hold my hands."
When I reached out, her brother grabbed on first.
He stepped forward, and she had to take my hand with a tremble.
Good.
And together, we teleported to my underground basement.
All right. Now everything can go as planned…!