“Are you not causing trouble right now?”
“There are a few reasons.”
Should I just charge in recklessly?
I took a sip of my coffee.
“First, we need to lay the groundwork to gather the main players for this event.”
“Groundwork?”
No matter how much you prepare, if the main players don’t show up, what’s the point of all the planning so far?
Everyone who’s needed for this event must at least be in the same place.
“For the light to shine, those who oppose it must also shine. You get what I mean, right?”
“…I see.”
It’s obvious he doesn’t understand at all.
But he’s pretending to get it with a straight face.
‘Well, nothing strange about that.’
Alpha may look gloomy and cold now, but back when he was active as a hero, he was a much brighter, brawler-type character.
“Simply put, we need an enemy to make the protagonist shine.”
And for that, they need to be in the same space.
If the actors don’t step onto the stage, the play can’t happen.
“Next, you need to be well-known and noticed by the Hero Association. In a way, it’s connected to the first point.”
“What does that mean? And it seems to contradict what you just said about pretending to be dead for a month.”
Since this part is related to his activities, he’s not just brushing it off.
“It might be a bit of a hassle, but I want you to exist like a ghost.”
To make them believe you’re there, even if they can’t see you.
“A ghost that the Association knows exists but can’t catch.”
“…Is that even possible? Since I’ve already escaped, the media will—”
“They won’t. The incident at Tartarus will soon be buried.”
“?”
Alpha looks puzzled.
I smirk and explain in more detail.
“The Association will likely treat this villain escape as a mere mishap. Or they’ll spin it as something else.”
Then they’ll cover it up like it’s no big deal.
I get up and press the power button on the remote, turning on the TV.
[Early this morning, an unexplained explosion occurred at Tartarus.]
‘Perfect timing.’
The blonde anchor on the TV screen continues explaining with footage of Tartarus.
[This is the first time such an incident has happened at Tartarus.]
[According to the Association and Tartarus, the accident was caused by a sudden rampage from a villain being transported.]
.
.
.
[Fortunately, thanks to the quick response of the prison guards and heroes, the villain was subdued…]
Seeing that the news is following the narrative I laid out, I turn off the TV and look back at Alpha.
“See? The Association wants to bury this.”
“…What’s in it for them?”
“To stop the citizens from panicking.”
The collapse of the impenetrable Tartarus.
Even if it was just one breach, the difference between 0 and 1 is clear.
This opens the possibility that the villains who once wreaked havoc could escape again, causing widespread chaos.
That’s why the Association is hiding and controlling the information.
Of course, that’s just the surface-level reason.
“You know how they are, right? You’ve experienced it firsthand.”
The Hero Association has always been like that.
You could call it a well-meaning lie, but to put it harshly, they’re a group that blinds and manipulates the public to make their jobs easier.
‘It’s useful and good when used to protect the citizens and others. But…’
The problem is, when abused, it can bury someone alive.
“Well, your case is a bit different, isn’t it?”
“…You have a habit of talking like you know everything.”
Well, I do know a fair bit.
I grin and down the rest of my coffee.
“Anyway, the Association is desperately trying to act like nothing’s wrong.”
“For the citizens?”
“From what I can see, they’ve subdued all the escapees except you. They don’t want to stir up trouble.”
No need to mention unnecessary details, and revealing information about Alpha, who’s supposed to be dead, would be too much hassle.
“But they’re probably having a headache behind the scenes.”
They’ve caught almost all the escapees, but they missed Alpha.
They’re acting like it’s nothing now, but they’re probably on edge, wondering when Alpha, who has nothing left to lose and is full of hostility, will strike.
“So, while the citizens remain unaware, the Hero Association will be looking for you.”
It’d be best if they find you before you cause trouble.
But if you cause a scene and they find you? They’ll definitely spin it as just another villain and try to capture you.
“Ha.”
Of course, that’s assuming they can actually subdue you.
“You’re underestimating me.”
“What can I do? All the video records related to you were destroyed long ago. In the end, we have to rely on people’s memories.”
All that’s left are a few lines in history books and people’s accounts, so there’s no way Alpha’s true strength can be measured.
His abilities were likely underestimated in the process.
“So, I’ll show them how stupid that was in a month.”
A month is the time I need to gather the main players, but it’s also the time to make them feel the crisis and fear towards Alpha.
And then, I’ll make a grand entrance by causing a big enough incident that the Association can’t ignore.
“You don’t want to end up as just another ordinary villain, right?”
“…No. That can’t happen.”
Alpha’s eyes flash as he clenches his fists.
Emotion fills his previously expressionless eyes.
“But if they’re looking for me, won’t I already have their attention? If they’re searching for me, doesn’t that mean the goal is achieved?”
“People tend to forget what they can’t see. And they forget the emotions they felt towards that person.”
Whether it’s a criminal or a celebrity, if they’re not exposed in some way, people forget the emotions they felt towards them.
The less relevant the person is to them, the easier it is to forget.
So Alpha needs to periodically catch the Association’s attention.
“For a month, the citizens shouldn’t know you’re Alpha, but at the same time, the Association needs to be wary and keep an eye on you.”
You need to let the Association know you exist without the citizens finding out.
Like a ghost.
“And you’re being underestimated, right? How do you break that judgment?”
“…I have to prove it.”
Alpha seems to have caught on, asking me with a serious expression.
“What exactly do I need to do in this process?”
“Keep letting the Hero Association know you’re alive without getting caught.”
In short, keep being chased but never caught.
“Pretending to be dead means not making any big, noticeable moves in the open, but leaving traces like CCTV footage so the Association clearly knows I exist.”
“Correct~”
He doesn’t like to think much, but he’s not completely stupid.
“Using you as bait, we’ll gather the main players and cause an incident so big the Association can’t handle it.”
“Understood.”
Ring ring ring!
While discussing the plan with Alpha, a bell rings.
– Older Brother! They’re almost here, so tell me a good spot nearby where we won’t be seen!
“Our comrades are arriving soon. Let’s head out.”
“Got it.”
After replying to Narin that I’ve got it, we prepared to leave the hotel.
“……”
Alpha hurriedly gathers his coat.
His gaunt frame, messy hair, and greasy beard make me frown involuntarily.
“Alpha.”
“?”
“I couldn’t say it earlier, but there’s one crucial thing. For the next month, take care of your appearance. Eat well and gain some weight.”
“…Is there a reason?”
A reason?
There are plenty.
“You look terrible right now.”
“……”
It’s clear he’s baffled, but I’m serious.
“In that state, no matter what you do a month from now, it won’t be immersive.”
In one word, Alpha’s current appearance is a furry skeleton.
“Your speech and appearance don’t match at all. If you’re going to look like that, at least laugh maniacally or something.”
“……”
“And you’re a brawler, right? That scrawny body won’t make for a good visual when you knock someone down.”
In short, the character doesn’t fit.
“Think about it.”
“…Fine.”
“The return of the Worst Hero, thought to be dead? Burning with vengeance, destroying buildings! Feel my pain! That kind of thing!”
“……”
“But what’s with that skeleton look? Do you think the main character being a walking skeleton is appealing?”
“Skeleton…”
At least for impact, you need style.
It’s not for nothing that movies, dramas, and comics make the final boss a cool, handsome character or a threatening monster.
That’s what makes an impact!
“You said you don’t want to end up as just another ordinary villain, right?”
“…Right.”
“Then you need impact!”
“…Is that so?”
“Impact equals style! And when you’re going for style, having a good-looking face helps!”
“…Is that how it works?”
“That’s how it works!”
It’s one of my villain principles.
To be a charismatic (= impactful) villain, you can’t just rely on strength.
You need a narrative, something that makes you stand out.
And the easiest yet hardest way to do that is with your face.
“You want to make a quick strike and disappear, right? Building a narrative takes time, so you have to fill the impact with other charms.”
Your face is your credibility.
It’s a truth I’ve known since my past life.
“……”
Alpha stares at me with his dull eyes.
“Got it?”
“…Got it.”
I didn’t care about his expression.
Because I’m right.
