Izuku understood that his website had gained too many followers, to the point of being overwhelmed by the number of clients it received: from petty criminals and low-ranking heroes to casual observers and more influential figures. He knew that as he climbed the user ladder, he would soon encounter someone important. He didn't expect, however, that on that very day, two major figures would appear, one from each side, both heroes and villains, people he sponsored equally. His surprise and panic were palpable, but what overwhelmed him most was confusion about himself.
She hoped her page's popularity would be enough to pay her hospital bills and even generate a small extra income. What she didn't anticipate was that this same reach would attract the attention of individuals who posed a threat to her safety.
And although she was aware of this possibility, she had implemented firewalls and ad blockers to keep the page secure enough.
When the first threats arrived, instead of intimidating him, they sparked a sense of challenge. He noticed how his information put people in a constant state of defense, which triggered his own instinct for control. That was why he decided to improve his blockers and, at the same time, develop viruses that would complicate life for anyone trying to compromise his site. But he didn't stop there: he created an additional system to evade people he might encounter during his information-gathering expeditions.
Hacking into computer cameras turned out to be his best strategy.
This system not only allowed him to identify his clients but also to be aware of the risks he faced, reinforcing his security and making good use of his disguises.
However, reality hit him when he blocked Giran and one of his viruses activated, sending him a photo of the UA principal alongside a detective and a hero whom
Izuku assumed wasn't very well-known.
The impact was brutal. For the first time in his short life, he understood that he possessed extraordinary power, one that didn't depend on a Quirk, but which seemed more powerful than any real one. This power granted him control over those around him, control he didn't want to relinquish to anyone. Even so, he was aware that what he granted had consequences, for villains and heroes alike, leaving him in a middle ground between the two. They were his clients, but not his allies.
This left him in a very difficult position. He could continue alone, see how far his identity might be at risk, and wait for one of the two sides to contact him to decide his next steps; or he could even continue operating for a while longer, secure a good amount of savings, and then disappear as if nothing he had done had ever happened.These options might be valid, yes, but they weren't what Izuku wanted for himself. No, those alternatives, while offering a degree of control, left too much to chance, too much at the mercy of others. He wanted something more solid, something that would allow him to manipulate the variables to his advantage. That's why he decided to forge a third option. But to achieve it, he needed information beyond what was observable; he needed access to hidden data, files that not just anyone could reach. His analytical eye could deduce many things, yes, but there was always the possibility of error.
Furthermore, he needed those files to build a more comprehensive database for his new vigilante section, as well as to bolster his own security—something that mere superficial knowledge couldn't provide. The decision was made: it was time to take an even greater risk. He would begin hacking databases.
Finding a suitable target wasn't easy. He needed a system vulnerable enough, an internet café with a reliable network and sufficient capacity for his work, but one that wouldn't arouse suspicion. While reviewing options, he made a mental note: he needed his own equipment, something he could completely trust. Finally, he found the right place. He connected his Hatsume device to the computer and began the process.
Their target: a private detective agency, closely linked to law enforcement, but operating independently, which left significant vulnerabilities. A perfect victim.
The hack consumed almost the entire day. He had to breach security defenses, bypass contracted protection systems, and ensure he gathered as much information as possible without triggering any alarms. Every file was reviewed, copied, and analyzed, while his mind remained alert, erasing any external traces.
Adrenaline surged with every keystroke.
On his fourth drink, as the last file was copied and stored on his USB drive, Izuku took one last sip of his sugary beverage, took a deep breath, and logged off. He walked to the checkout, paid his bill, and left like a ghost: no one had seen him, no one knew he'd been there.
The process of accessing various files, vulnerable enough to contain a wealth of information, continued throughout the rest of the summer vacation. However, this wasn't the only project he was working on; if he wanted to make a real impact, he needed more than just gathering information. His goal was to ensure that what he offered was invaluable and, at the same time, build a safeguard against any threat.He was fully aware that the information he was gathering could be deduced by someone with sufficient observation and analysis, so reports were no longer enough.
What he needed were secrets, data that only he could access and that could change the course of any situation if revealed. After weeks of discreet infiltrations and meticulous hacking, he managed to obtain and classify that sensitive information. But possessing it wasn't enough; he had to prove he was capable of revealing it if necessary.
That's why he focused on updating his website, incorporating more advanced security systems: selective virus infection programs to block tracking attempts, IP address repeaters of his own making, and other protocols that only he fully understood. He didn't rest at all, except relatively: when Mitsuki visited him or when he briefly dozed off on trains between cities, continuing his work even in those short intervals. His dedication was beginning to take its toll: dark circles under his eyes were becoming prominent, and he could only conceal them with the makeup he had learned to use and perfect while on missions.
"I think I really need to sleep now," he murmured, rubbing his eyes as he took one last look at his website's interface.
The holidays were drawing to a close, as were the days off from school. All that remained was to finish the summer assignments she'd left until the end, though she'd actually gotten them done in the first few days so they wouldn't interfere with her "side project." With her school routine resuming in just a few days, she wanted to make sure her website update was perfect.
I'll do the update tomorrow. Just one last check and everything will be ready.
— he said, feeling the accumulated fatigue, but also a strange satisfaction for all he had accomplished. The page wasn't just a project; it was his power, his control, his miniature world, and he was the only one capable of wielding it.
The internet is extremely unpredictable. One moment you might see a site active, and the next it's gone; sometimes pages go down only to revive and continue as normal. An account is opened and instantly deleted. It's a network of constant change, which must adapt to each new user or any adversity that arises. Some sites ask for donations, others improve their service, some request quotes; some go private or operate in a hybrid model, while others fade into obscurity, and may even be reborn under a different name.
Izuku, working alone on his page and without the confidence to ask for support from those around him, may have caused great alarm among his followers when it was temporarily inactive, displaying the following message:— Don't rush and don't be alarmed, the site will continue to operate. No matter what you may have tried to achieve in the past, new information will be delivered, and new doors and opportunities will open.
— The countdown begins, wait for the new beginning.
— And get your offers ready, because this is going to escalate.
The final part shocked more than one user of the site, and it didn't help that a countdown appeared right below the message, heightening the anticipation of what was to come. The time indicated in that change was 72 hours, giving a total of three days for the site to present its update. It was enough time for Izuku to gather his strength and mentally prepare himself for the chaos he was about to unleash.
However, he didn't know that chaos had already begun simply by making that post, as it generated palpable anticipation among his followers, who were already starting to speculate and anticipate what was to come.
Could you give me some power stones? :)
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