Being a Villain is My True Calling

Early that morning at Vigilante’s base.
Akaoni changed out of Maker’s disguise and into his own attire before heading over.

“Akaoni. It’s been a while.”

“Hello, Secretary. Where is Alpha?”

“He’s upstairs preparing. And please, I’d prefer if you called me Deputy Boss rather than just Secretary…”

Having provided advance notice of his arrival, Akaoni was able to enter Vigilante’s base without issue and locate Alpha’s whereabouts.

Upon reaching the upper floor and encountering Alpha:

“Yo~ Long time no see?”

“…You’re here, Akaoni.”

Alpha’s appearance had transformed significantly since their last meeting.

His formerly emaciated frame, with barely any muscle mass from extended starvation and lack of movement, was now pumped with toned, bulging muscles.
Complementing his increased bulk, he sported a neatly trimmed beard and stylish haircut, a stark contrast to his previously unkempt appearance.

While his gloomy demeanor remained largely unchanged, the once haggard, death-row inmate had successfully reinvented himself as a cool, decadent-looking heartthrob in the span of a mere month.

“You’ve changed quite a bit in just one month.”

“…Have I?”

Responding to Akaoni’s playful grin with an awkward neck rub, Alpha seemed slightly self-conscious.

‘He also appears capable of expressing a broader range of emotions now.’

It wasn’t necessarily a negative development.
Compared to his previous robotic stoicism, displaying emotions and expressing anger could potentially add more nuanced dimensions to the upcoming terror attack.

Lost in these thoughts, Alpha was interrupted by the arrival of a small child scampering into the room.

“Mister! Please try this!!”

The child, with one eye and their left hand bandaged, was the very same one Alpha had rescued from the murder scene.

“Oh, we have a guest…”

“Hello there, little one? It’s nice to meet you. I’m a colleague working with this gentleman here.”

Initially hesitant, the child’s remaining eye sparkled as they regarded Akaoni in response to his friendly words.

“You’re not a mister, you’re more like a big bro!”

“Ahahah! Is that so? Why, thank you for the compliment~”

“So does that make you this mister’s friend, big bro?”

“Well, not exactly friends, but I suppose you could say I’m more of a superior to him.”

“Aahh, I see. You must be his boss then. Though I can’t imagine this mister having any friends.”

“……”

Amid the lively banter, Alpha maintained a peculiar silence.
His expression seemed to convey thoughts along the lines of ‘Why am I the only mister here?’ or ‘Did I really seem that friendless?’

Observing Alpha’s reaction, Akaoni chuckled softly.

“Little one. Your mister and I are about to discuss some important matters.”

“Oh, I should leave then! Please, feel free to converse!”

“There~ Thank you for being so considerate of us old fellows.”

“I’m just trying not to be a nuisance!”

Ehhem! Sticking out their plump belly, the child then presented a steaming cup of tea.

“Here, big bro, this is for you!”

“…Wasn’t that meant for me?”

“This is just my way of ensuring the mister treats you well! Anyway, I’ll be going now, so enjoy your chat!”

With those words, the child scampered out of the room once more.

“Hahaat! What an adorable child.”

“…Certainly spirited, that one.”

Regarding the tea in Akaoni’s hand with a somewhat vacant expression, Alpha nodded absentmindedly.
After taking a sip, Akaoni spoke up.

“It’s good to see your personality becoming more multi-faceted. However.”

He flashed a smile, yet there was an inexplicable quality that would likely unsettle others.

“Will you be ready for today’s terror attack?”

“…Don’t worry, my purpose remains unchanged.”

“That’s a relief~ After all the preparations we’ve made, I was concerned it might get canceled.”

Akaoni exaggeratedly feigned relief.
Subsequently, their meeting proceeded smoothly.

Discussing their entry points, escape routes, and various other details, Alpha and Akaoni exchanged glances.

“How does it feel to be making your camera debut after so long? Not feeling nervous, I hope?”

“Not particularly.”

His gaze exuded confidence.

“I’ve never made a mistake in front of cameras before.”

With all preparations complete…

[Feels like things have gotten really tense lately]

Amidst the mundane atmosphere of an online community, users engaged in their usual antics, generating discussion topics within their respective domains.

One particularly noticeable area was the ‘Hero Gallery’, boasting nearly the largest user base within the community.

-With this serial killer offing one person a day and leaking their personal info along with their crimes, the whole situation just feels really ominous lately lmao. Scared to even leave the house.

Their current topic of discussion centered around the relatively recent serial killer case.

-Of course lmao he’s just killing off the bad guys no matter where they’re from lmao

A serial killer eliminating one evildoer per day.
Despite the formation of an investigative team comprising high-ranking heroes, their inability to uncover any leads had earned the perpetrator the moniker ‘Reverse Jack the Ripper’ among community users.

-Not sure about elsewhere, but my company is on high alert right now. The way the president is barking orders, it seems like he’s aware of something sketchy going on.

Some shady business?
Lmao might as well hire the Ripper to take him out lmao

-My dad who works in hero-related stuff is freaking out, telling me to hurry back to the countryside to avoid potential retaliation ughh. But I’m just in marketing…

From their perspective, I guess…
Our Ripper only targets evildoers. If someone died, they must have deserved divine retribution.
Um…smells like a cult…

-Honestly, as a NEET hikikomori, not having to interact with people is a blessing lmao

Lmao one win for the basement-dwelling, mom’s sobbing-inducing, trueHikiNEET today~
I can hear your mom’s wails from here;

The pervasive atmosphere orchestrated by Maker’s directives, Narin’s provocations, and Alpha’s actions.
It instilled a peculiar tension amidst the prevailing peace while garnering the Hero Association’s undivided attention towards Alpha.
Meanwhile, the general populace sensed that something monumental was brewing.

-Looks like someone’s dying again today lmao

-I wonder who today’s victim will be~?

However, beyond such idle speculation, the citizens themselves were powerless.
The Hero Association had yet to uncover any substantial evidence or suspects, and their adversary was a prolific killer responsible for approximately 30 deaths.

Whether possessing meager abilities or being non-ability users, the civilians stood no chance against such a formidable foe.
All they could do was adapt and persevere through their daily routines.

Then, that fateful moment arrived.

[? What’s this? Some weird video just appeared on my TV.]

A photo accompanying the post depicted a decadent-looking man standing prominently on the user’s home television.
Yet this was not an isolated incident.

-Why is my laptop acting up all of a sudden? Did I get a virus?

-I was watching the news when this suddenly happened. Does anyone know what’s going on?

-Aish! I dropped a deuce mid-poop after seeing some weird dude’s face! Take responsibility!

?
Oh shit

Rapidly spreading across the entire community, more victims emerged.
The photos they shared consistently featured the same unidentified man.

-What is this? Some national molka (hidden cam)? Or did a villain hijack the feeds?

-Looks like a villain hijacking for sure.

-Damn lmao impressive skill lmao. You’d need to be a Cyber Ghost-level hacker to pull this off lmao

Amid the ensuing confusion, various speculations arose among the users.
After a considerable period of chaos:

Ttoo-! Ttoo-! Ttoo-!

[Emergency Alert: Villain detected in C District at 15:03 today. Residents in nearby areas, please evacuate swiftly as per protocol…]

An emergency alert warning of potential danger was transmitted to all citizens within the C District and surrounding areas.

-…So it’s starting, huh.

Muttering to himself on the broadcasted screens, the lone man clenched his fist lightly.

“-! -!! -!”

Kkwaaaaaaang-!!

The subsequent events left the citizens speechless.

‘I’ve returned.’

Standing before the cameras, that was Alpha’s profound realization.

A setting both familiar yet strangely unfamiliar, surrounded by people who had once been his universe.
Now, having transitioned from hero to a villain-adjacent figure, he nevertheless felt a sense of homecoming.

‘No, not quite a return just yet.’

It had barely even begun.
For now, nothing had truly changed or transformed.

He had merely taken that first step forward.
Utilizing his phone, Alpha confirmed the citizens’ evacuation status.

At that moment, his phone vibrated with an incoming message alert.

Ttoo-! Ttoo-! Ttoo-!

[Emergency Alert: Villain detected in C District at 15:03 today. Residents in nearby areas, please evacuate swiftly as per protocol…]

Villain.
The term naturally etched itself into his mind – the very title he had apprehended countless times in the past.
While somewhat bewildered, he understood their perspective.

Indeed, to them, he was undoubtedly a villain who had hijacked all communication devices.
Even if they were aware of his true identity, they could hardly address him as a former hero any longer.

‘…But that won’t do.’

While he comprehended their intentions, he had no plans to simply overlook or indulge them.
Alpha had come to enlighten them, after all.

“…So it’s starting, huh.”

Confirming the multitudes watching him, he wordlessly clenched his fist.

Uuuuuung-!

Kkung! Kkung! Kkung!
Activating his abilities, the explosive pulsations of his heart reverberated.
Momentarily suppressing the rising heat coursing through his body, he assumed a stance.

The surging power erupted from his heart, infusing his arms with an overwhelming force that threatened to burst forth.
The energy heated his upper body, then his entire frame, before finally permeating and circulating through his very bloodstream.

In this moment, Alpha’s body resembled a miniature nuclear reactor.

‘With the power amassed, it’s time to unleash it.’

Twisting his body with the fluidity of drawing a bowstring, Alpha concealed his arms behind his back.
And then…release.

Uncoiling like a released bowstring, he thrust his concealed arms forward.
Through this conduit, the pent-up energy began to erupt forth.

-! -!! -!

Kkwaaaaaaang-!!

Having effortlessly demolished a high-rise building, a casual display of force, Alpha turned to face the rolling cameras.

“I am…”

He then declared, his tone solemn:

“The voice of a betrayed hero.”

Alpha.
The former S-rank hero.
The once-invincible, mightiest of heroes from the past.

He had returned, announcing his presence with resounding conviction.