I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Epilogue

***

The terror incident targeting Hero Land.

That incident shocked the residents of Pangea, but fortunately, the damage was severe only in the immediate aftermath of the ambush.

Initially, thousands of villains ran rampant, causing significant harm, but the tide quickly turned once the S-Class hero Spiritas joined the battle.

In the end, the Villain Alliance couldn’t withstand the heroes’ offensive and collapsed. During this process, the heroes successfully captured several named villains who had reached A-Class, including Dead Sky and Metallica.

Even though it was an alliance, the group was led by high-ranking villains.

In essence, the newly formed Villain Alliance collapsed from the moment it made its debut.

“I heard you were thrown by Spiritas with full force…”

And I only learned the full story of the incident more than a week later.

When I came to, the first person I saw was a doctor from the Hero Association.

He couldn’t hide his astonishment as he looked at the test records taken while I was unconscious.

“Your muscles and brain were completely melted. It’s amazing that you managed to regenerate in such a state… Your vitality is astonishing.”

“Well, considering that regenerative abilities can function independently of clinical death, it’s not entirely impossible…”

Yeah, surviving while flying at near Mach speeds for a few seconds is quite a feat.

To show such strength purely with a superhumanly enhanced body… Where did such a monster like that come from?

“Bread! Can we have a quick interview?”

“How does it feel to become Spiritas’s sidekick? Can you share your thoughts?”

“We heard you took down the A-Class villain Dead Sky! Can you explain what happened then?”

After the checkup, it wasn’t long before reporters swarmed me.

In a society focused on heroes, those who fought villains or were related to them became prime targets for reporters.

Among them, I was bound to be a hot topic for many reasons.

It was no surprise since I worked alongside Spiritas, the new star of this era, and with her help, I took down an A-Class villain.

“You have a Gift but didn’t report it.”

However, such situations don’t always turn into feel-good stories.

Wanting to avoid unnecessary attention, I remained silent and dismissed the reporters. Then, investigators from the Hero Association visited me.

I had a good idea of what they wanted.

“…Are you planning to punish me?”

Various incidents and accidents caused by Gifts. And the birth of villains…

The government aims to closely monitor those with Gifts, and it’s a principle that those who awaken to a Gift must report it.

But I was hiding in society with a fake identity as Ginger Bread.

Not wanting unnecessary problems, I had no intention of revealing my Gift, even if I knew heroes personally.

I only revealed myself this time because it was necessary to overcome the crisis.

“No. Well… there are quite a few cases of people hiding their Gifts.”

Fortunately, they didn’t see my hidden Gift as a major issue.

In reality, some people are unaware they’ve awakened their Gift, and others may have personal reasons for not revealing it.

As long as one doesn’t cause incidents with their Gift, it’s just a bit of a hassle, but hiding it alone doesn’t lead to imprisonment or punishment.

“Of course, if your Gift were of a higher grade, we would have investigated and managed it more thoroughly. But based on the examination conducted while you were unconscious, your Gift is estimated to be Grade E.”

“…Is that so?”

“Were you unaware?”

“Well, I never had it formally evaluated since I awakened.”

Adding a plausible lie to the already low suspicion, the association staff looking at my report nodded in understanding.

They were more likely uninterested in Grade E than suspicious. Most active heroes typically start at Grade C, so it made sense.

“However, seeing that you’ve taken down C-Class villains despite being Grade E, you seem to have trained extensively in other areas. We appreciate your skills and abilities, so let me make a suggestion…”

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of working in the hero industry.”

I quickly replied to the expected question.

They seemed a bit surprised but only for a moment.

Then, looking at my report, they asked seriously.

“…Why?”

It was a short question.

It wasn’t the reaction one would expect for a regular Grade E Gift user, but I had survived an encounter with Spiritas’s full force and taken down an A-Class villain.

Moreover, I was being treated as a ‘hero’ for saving a hero’s acquaintance.

Naturally, I would be valuable in the Hero Association’s promotions, so they would want to recruit me.

But being a hero is not something that can be done by force.

“When I lost my wife in an accident, I realized that I wasn’t fit to save anyone.”

“Oh, I remember hearing you’re raising your daughter alone…”

Whether it’s about justice or grand ideals, or using money or status as bait.

Ultimately, standing on the battlefield requires personal will.

“The reason I acted then was solely to save my daughter. And the reason I went to Hero Land was… because a busy hero asked me to look after his daughter.”

Understanding their circumstances and psychology, lying didn’t bother me.

Skillfully mixing truth and lies to elicit sympathy and understanding.

“…I appreciate your concern, but my daughter is precious to me. At least until she can be independent, I want to stay by her side.”

Yes, becoming a hero inevitably means neglecting one’s family.

Hero Association staff would know that better than anyone.

“If you put it that way… I understand. We’ll consider the proposal withdrawn.”

Reluctantly convinced, the staff member bowed and left, leaving me alone in the hospital room again.

I doubted anyone else would come.

Finally having a moment of peace, I looked out the window and muttered.

“I wonder what the Boss is doing now.”

Three years since the organization collapsed.

It had been enough time to get used to lying.

***

After about fifteen days of treatment and investigation, with the association’s permission, I was allowed to return to society.

Of course, I had earnestly requested to minimize any mention of me in the report.

At most, it would be reported that an anonymous citizen helped an S-Class hero rescue children.

Well, the most I could expect as a reward would be full medical coverage and a bravery award.

Still, I was grateful my identity wasn’t exposed as I left the hospital.

“Ah, Mr. Bread, you’re here.”

A middle-aged man in a coat greeted me at the entrance.

His kindly face behind the glasses was familiar.

James Hart.

An A-Class hero known as Ronin Blade in the hero society.

“Mr. James? Why are you here…”

“Your daughter is with Nella.”

“…I see.”

Indeed.

After that day, the Boss was said to be under direct protection of the association.

I was a bit anxious, but I trusted that the Boss was wise and would handle the situation well.

Judging by his casual approach, there seemed to be no major issues.

“I’ll drive you to where your daughter is.”

“Oh, thank you…”

Accepting his offer, I got into his vehicle.

Though he was a relatively well-known hero, his car had the same outdated appearance as the Polaroid I had used earlier.

Was this old-fashioned style his preference?

“Um… how is Moa doing?”

No, I should ask about the Boss first.

“She was in danger during the incident, but she recovered quickly, likely due to her strong will.”

“Ah, I see. That’s a relief.”

Strong will…

Well, to her, what happened then wouldn’t even register as dangerous.

It’s not just empty words; she was always someone who remained composed about her own death.

Even if she had weakened, she viewed the world differently from humans, making her indifferent to her own threats.

Had I not intervened, she would have likely accepted her own death lightly.

Or perhaps used her powers at the cost of a ‘price.’

“How is Nella doing?”

My next question was about his daughter.

“She was very frightened at first. But she’s much better now.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Of course, for a seven-year-old, being in the middle of a terrorist attack would be terrifying.

This could leave her with lasting trauma. I couldn’t help but think that.

“If it weren’t for Moa, she would still be in despair.”

“…”

“Your daughter looked after Nella while they were under protection. Thanks to her, Nella has improved significantly.”

“Oh, I see.”

So she stayed with Nella even while I was away.

They did seem to get along well while we were traversing the amusement park, but I didn’t expect her to help the traumatized girl recover.

Perhaps…

The Boss genuinely considered that child a friend?

“Bread.”

As I pondered this, James called my name while turning the steering wheel.

His voice was heavier and more serious than before.

“I apologize for everything that happened. My selfish desire to give my daughter a friend put your precious one in danger.”

Yes, he would feel uneasy.

Even if he hadn’t foreseen such an incident, as a hero, he had put someone he cared about in danger.

Had I not possessed the Gift of immortality, both his daughter and the Boss might have perished.

While everyone was safe in the end, and I harbored many secrets, I didn’t intend to blame him.

“Please don’t blame yourself too much. This wasn’t your fault, Mr. James…”

I tried to console him with a cliché response, hoping to move past it.

“But there’s more I need to say.”

However, James cut me off, clearly having more to convey.

Feeling puzzled, I remained silent.

As the traffic signal turned red, James leaned his head against the steering wheel and whispered with difficulty.

“…Thank you for protecting my daughter.”

Words in stark contrast to his previous apology.

“What?”

I stared in confusion, not understanding his words.

“Thank you for saving my daughter… and for giving her a friend in my absence… I can’t express my gratitude enough.”

“Mr. James, hold on…”

“You are my hero.”

“…….”

“Even though you refused the association’s offer, and despite not seeking public recognition… I know what you did there. To me, you are undoubtedly a hero.”

The light changed, and the car started moving again.

In the rearview mirror, I saw his smiling reflection.

His face showed no signs of suspicion toward me. If that was an act, he was a natural actor.

At the very least, his visible emotions were genuine gratitude toward me.

“Why do you ask? If my words burden you…”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Did my emotions show on my face?

Worrying that he might see through me, I quickly turned my gaze outside the window.

“It’s just… I’ve never heard such words before.”

“Ah, I see.”

James seemed to think I was overwhelmed and didn’t press further, focusing on driving.

I was grateful he backed off.

A hero… Even if someone calls me that, I could never accept it, not even as a lie.

But for now, I’ll stop thinking about it.

If today’s gratitude and distorted evaluation are accepted without suspicion, they will be useful to me.

As I suppressed my inner turmoil, I realized the scenery outside the window felt familiar.

“This place…”

It was an unfamiliar but recognizable location.

I hadn’t seen it in person, but I had glimpsed it on TV or the internet.

“This is Shells Town. You’ve probably heard of it.”

“…Yes, I have.”

Shells Town.

A residential area expansion project led by the association for several years, located near the Hero Association’s headquarters.

Mostly heroes or those related to them were allowed to reside there.

Like Hero Land, this place would be an ‘enemy territory’ for me.

“Is Moa here?”

“Yes, she’s temporarily being protected here. And…”

A place with a queue of entering vehicles. Feeling tense under the strict surveillance, James pushed up his glasses and looked at me.

“The association is considering granting you residency here, Mr. Bread.”

“…What?”

Granting residency?

Are they trying to bring me here?

“Of course, given that you declined the association’s offer, this proposal might be a burden. I understand your desire to focus on your family, as I often neglect my daughter due to work.”

His serious gaze reflected his sincerity.

His voice carried significant weight, as if drawing from his own experience.

“But villains are persistent. They do not forgive those who thwart their plans, and those involved in this incident may be targeted by the remnants who escaped.”

Yes, this isn’t suspicion.

It’s a genuine extension of his previous gratitude. He truly cares for me and the Boss, offering his advice out of concern.

“I won’t ask you to join the association, but I believe it would be wise to accept the residency for your safety.”

But if you don’t accept, you might regret it…

Was there a subtle threat in his words?

…No, it’s okay.

He’s not suspicious of me.

To him, I’m just a father who loves his daughter.

With the added debt of saving his daughter’s life, he would never suspect me.

“Yes, for Moa’s sake, I should comply.”

So I’ll brazenly push forward.

To hide a tree, place it in a forest.

Pushing forward might help conceal my identity and the Boss’s.

“If you move to Shells Town, we’ll be neighbors.”

James, smiling with satisfaction, handed his ID to the guard at the checkpoint.

The guard saluted after reviewing it, and James drove into Shells Town.

“Please take care of my daughter from now on.”

Hoping he wouldn’t notice my tension.

Forcing a smile, I quietly held my breath as I looked out at the skyscrapers.

“…Yes, of course.”

Entering what should have been an enemy territory for a brief amusement.

Realizing it would turn into an extended period of living there.

“Please take care of me from now on.”

End of Chapter

Arc 1 END