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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Villain Appearance
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The bus whipped around a sharp curve, shaking wildly back and forth. The pathetic humans all grabbed the handholds, desperately bracing themselves.
But a great being like this body has no need to rely on something as trivial as a bus handle!
Arms crossed, I stood tall and proud on both feet!
'Kakak! The laws of inertia don't apply to this body! The great Grimoire defies the laws of physics themselves! Newton can choke on his apple!'
I pulled out my smartphone and double-checked the plan I'd prepared with Everlin.
⚙ TODAY'S GREAT EVIL PLAN ⚙ 1. Rob the bank 2. Declare myself a villain (in front of reporters!) 3. Go home and eat cake (choco choco!)
A perfect plan, worthy of this body's inaugural evil deed!
Every time the cityscape flashed by outside the window, wicked imaginings bloomed in my mind.
Those towering skyscrapers, the glittering streets, the bustling crowds...
'All of it will one day belong to this body!'
[Next stop: Black Lotus Bank, Black Lotus Bank. Those getting off...]
Finally, my destination! The time has come to reveal this body's true nature.
I gripped my backpack tightly and stepped off the bus.
But something felt off. The moment I got off, a piercing noise assaulted my ears.
Sirens blared, mingling with the murmurs of a restless crowd.
"...What's going on?"
A bad feeling spurred me into a hurried jog.
A crowd had gathered around the bank. Police cars blocked the road, armed officers aimed at the building, and onlookers buzzed beyond the yellow police line.
'No way... did my plan leak?'
No, impossible. Only Everlin knows. Which means...
'The world has sensed this body's evil! They're trembling at my impending arrival and have set up defenses in advance! The police were prepared ahead of time—they're already trying to counter my villainy!'
But why was everyone staring only at the bank building?
Bang!
A sudden gunshot shattered my delusions.
"It's the Flame Ability User! Everyone down!"
The police shouts rang out as the bank's glass windows exploded. Red flames surged through the shattered panes.
[Situation report! A C-Rank villain with flame abilities and his gang have taken over the bank! Multiple hostages inside...]
My entire body went rigid.
"How dare you... how dare you rob this body's bank first! Are you trying to steal Grimoire's debut stage?!"
I strode toward the police line.
My small frame made slipping through the crowd a breeze. Everlin was right as always!
Time to show these third-rate villains what a true villain looks like!
'How dare they ruin this body's debut... I'll make them regret it!'
I pulled a mask from my backpack and slipped it on. Horns protruded proudly atop the black fabric.
"I'll show you exactly whose bank you messed with!"
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots echoed from inside the bank. The police all turned their attention that way.
'Now!'
I vaulted over the police line in an instant.
"Hey! Get back! It's dangerous!"
The police yelled from behind, but I kicked open the bank doors and charged inside.
The interior was utter chaos.
A man who looked like the Flame Ability User menaced the hostages with fireballs, while his thugs guarded the perimeter with pistols, steel pipes, and knives.
"You pathetic third-rate villains! This is this body's domain—Grimoire Bank! Roll over and scamper away with your tails between your legs, and I'll graciously spare your worthless lives!"
My declaration drew every eye in the room at once. Hostages, gang members, even the Flame Ability User.
"Hey, kiddo. Be a good little girl and go home. This ain't a playground for hero dress-up."
One gangster sneered, waving his pistol threateningly.
In that moment, something in my head snapped.
"What...? You dare call this body a kid?"
I gritted my teeth. Rage made my whole body tremble. Gray light exploded from my horns.
"You've crossed the line! Don't think you can ruin the great villain Grimoire's debut and walk away unscathed! You'll pay dearly for your insolence!"
The gangster aimed his pistol at me.
"Move and I shoot! For real!"
I laughed. These fools!
"Ha! Go ahead and shoot!"
I taunted him boldly. As if this body would fear such a toy!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out. Time seemed to slow.
Flames spat from the black muzzle, bullets hurtled toward me. And then...
Plop.
Only the sound of bullets hitting the floor remained.
"...What? The bullets bounced off?"
"Kakak! Toys like that don't work on this body!"
Laughter burst from me. My dress had a hole, but not a drop of blood!
"Th-this... makes no sense?"
"The gun didn't work?"
"What the hell is that kid?"
Terror-filled voices rose. Finally, fear gleamed in their eyes.
Now this is the aura of a true villain!
Perfect! This is the feeling I've been waiting for!
"Raaagh!"
One gangster charged with a steel pipe raised high, swinging with all his might at my head.
Clang!
Of course, this body was fine. The pipe bent like a bow instead.
"Th-this kid... she's a monster!"
"Not a monster—a villain! Surely you get it by now? How utterly pathetic you are compared to a true villain like this body!"
Another thug's fist flew at me. I casually grabbed his wrist and twisted lightly.
Crack.
"Gaaah! My wrist! Raaagh!"
He collapsed to his knees, screaming.
A knife slashed next.
Crunch!
"Caught a knife... barehanded...?"
The shattered blade clattered to the floor.
Then this body's kick landed! The gangster slammed into the wall.
"Now... you're all that's left."
I turned my gaze to the Flame Ability User.
"Die, you freak!"
Flames erupted from his hands. Red fire engulfed me. Scorching heat filled the air.
"Eek! It's not... hot?"
I strolled out of the blaze. My dress was singed, but my skin—not even a single peach fuzz—was unscathed.
"As expected, this body is invincible!"
"What... what are you?!"
"I already told you. This body is Grimoire! The great villain who will soon rule S-City—no, the entire world! Grimoire! Remember it well!"
The flame villain tried to flee.
Can't let him go! I reached out, grabbed his hood, hoisted him up, and hurled him into the wall.
"Hear me! S-City is Grimoire's territory! Don't you dare invade this body's hunting grounds!"
Thud!
The flame villain slid down the wall. His flames had already died out.
"Urgh..."
"Kakak! Total victory for this body! Third-rate villains like you could never stand against Grimoire!"
I looked down at the fallen gangsters.
Perfect! What an impactful villainous entrance!
'Now, time to see the citizens' reactions!'
The hostages were still cowering on the floor, watching wide-eyed.
They must have all witnessed this body's overwhelming power and mercilessness!
"Kakak! Now do you know who the true villain is!"
The moment had come for this body to strike fear into hearts! They should all be screaming in terror...
"Woooah!"
I doubted my ears. Those were cheers!
"A hero! That kid saved us!"
"Amazing! Bullets didn't even faze her!"
"A rookie hero? She's adorable! Are those horns part of her power?"
Wh-what...?
My mind went blank. What the hell is happening?
"Wait! This is a misunderstanding! This body is a villain! Vil-lain! You should all tremble in fear and revere me!"
I shouted, but my protests drowned in the hostages' cheers. Applause and emotional voices poured out nonstop.
"Thank you so much! You saved our lives!"
"Thanks for saving us from those vicious robbers!"
"Such courage at your age... incredible! A true hero!"
Hero...? Hero...?!
Impossible! What I just did was blatant villainy!
I brutalized armed robbers, slammed the flame villain into a wall, and struck terror with a fearsome display!
Bang!
No time to explain—the bank entrance flew open as SWAT burst in. Clad in black body armor, they scanned the scene with weapons raised.
"We're okay! The hero here took care of everything!"
One hostage shouted proudly.
"This girl subdued all the robbers! Unbelievable, but bullets bounced right off her!"
The police began cuffing the fallen gangsters and the flame villain. One officer approached me.
"Outstanding work, young hero! It's reassuring to have heroes like you around."
The apparent team leader patted my shoulder.
"No, this body is a villain..."
"Haha, even jokes! You MZ heroes have such a unique sense of humor these days."
This can't be! My villain debut...!
"Over here! A new hero took down the bank robbers!"
"New face alert! Care for an interview?"
As I stepped outside, reporters swarmed. Camera flashes popped, mics thrust toward my face.
"Wait, wait! This body isn't..."
"Are you with the Association? Are those horns special gear or a symbol of your power?"
"What kind of training did you undergo? What's your ability rank?"
"Which hero agency are you with? Or are you an indie hero?"
My head throbbed. A buzzing filled my ears.
'This has to be a nightmare. Yeah, definitely a nightmare! There's no way this body's grand villain debut ends like this!'
"What's the hero's name? The public wants to know!"
"This body's name is... the great villain Grimoire!"
"Great Grimoire? What a cool hero name! The public will love it!"
"Plans for future hero activities...?"
"A word to the citizens...?"
"Thoughts on this feat...?"
Questions bombarded me.
"Out of my way!"
I couldn't take it anymore. I bolted, leaving the cheers and questions behind.
"Hero! Wait!"
"Grimoire! Just one interview comment!"
Incredibly, the onlookers applauded and parted like a crowd seeing off a champion.
"This body is a villain! A great and wicked one!!"
I leaped the police line and ducked into an alley.
"It's all Everlin's fault! The mask hid this body's evil aura!"
I ripped off the mask and flung it to the ground. Sweat-matted silver hair clung to my face.
'My first evil deed... to end like this...'
📰 Breaking News S-City Black Lotus Bank: New hero emerges to crush bank robbers. 'Great Grimoire,' the rookie hero, appears to possess enhancement abilities impervious to bullets and flames...
"Raaagh!"
I screamed. My first evil deed... turned into a hero debut!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'What just happened...'
I slumped onto a bench at the bus stop. The street screen looped footage of me nonstop.
📰 Breaking News Rookie Hero 'Great Grimoire' Crushes Bank Robbery Gang!
The bus approached. I stood mechanically and pulled out my card.
Yeah, gotta get home quick. At least Everlin and chocolate cake are waiting to console this body's defeat...
Beep.
[Student]
"...!"
Fury surged.
"No! This body isn't a student—it's a villain! I don't want any student discount—change it to adult fare right now!"
"It's fine, kid."
The bus driver glanced at my face and smiled kindly.
"If you're the right age, you get the discount even without going to school."
"Grrgh...!"
I ground my teeth. That's not the point! What does he take me for?!
I slunk into the bus and curled up in a back corner seat. The whole world felt like the enemy. Why can't anyone see this body's true nature?
Smartphones around me all showed my face.
"Look at this new hero..."
"Bullets and fire don't touch her—enhancement awakener?"
"What's with the horns? So cute and pointy."
C-cute...? My majestic horns?!
I turned my head to the window. My cheeks burned.
'What do I even tell Everlin... My villain debut's ruined...'
I got off the bus and headed to our hideout, Crown Villa.
Step... step...
My footsteps dragged. Even my horns seemed to droop.
Soon, I climbed the stairs and stood before apartment 301.
The door opened to a sweet aroma tickling my nose.
"Master, you've returned safely. How did today's evil deed go?"
Everlin waited in the entryway. Her blue eyes welcomed me.
"Did you rob the bank? Where's the money...?"
"Quiet! As if you don't already know!"
I stormed into the living room and slammed the bank calendar onto the desk.
"...A trophy?"
A hint of amusement laced Everlin's voice.
"Ugh... rubbing salt in the wound..."
I sank into the sofa and snatched the remote.
📰 Breaking News [This afternoon's robbery at S-City Black Lotus Bank was resolved by a mysterious girl hero. Witnesses say she has astonishing durability—impervious to bullets and fire.]
The screen showed blurry footage of me slamming the flame villain into the wall. CCTV.
📰 Breaking News [Citizens are calling this mystery hero 'Grimoire.' The Hero Association suspects an unregistered awakener and plans to make contact as soon as possible...]
"Aaaagh! This body is a villain! A villain, not a hero!"
"Master."
Everlin approached quietly and set something on the table. A sweet scent teased my nose.
Warm vanilla latte and... fluffy chocolate cake topped with whipped cream!
"Prepared to commemorate Master's first evil deed."
Looking at the cake made my mouth water. But!
"Hmph! Trying to console this failure?"
"No. Celebrating Master's great first step."
...First step?
"But... everyone treated me like a hero..."
"Master made those fearsome gangsters tremble in terror. Didn't you see the fear in their eyes?"
Come to think of it... they did call me a 'monster'...
"Even the police were helpless before Master's power."
Right... no one stopped me jumping the police line! I slipped through like a ghost!
"Hmm... that kinda sounds legit? Now that you mention it, yeah?"
"Master captured everyone's attention in an instant. As an object of fear impervious to bullets and fire."
"Mm... this body's power was impressive!"
"Of course. Master will become the greatest villain in history."
Everlin's words puffed up my chest.
"Kakak! Indeed! Next time, I'll make it crystal clear! The full extent of this body's evil!"
"I look forward to it. But first..."
Everlin pointed to my singed dress.
"For the sake of Master's dignity, a thorough bath wouldn't hurt."
"Too much hassle..."
"Cleanliness is villainy 101, Master."
"I haven't even finished half the cake... barely touched the chocolate part!"
"Shower first, and a delicious dinner awaits."
"...Why didn't you say that sooner!"
Yeah, this is just the beginning.
Next time, an even eviler deed to plunge the city into fear!
I vowed it while soaking in hot water.
This body will become the ultimate villain!