I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Prologue

A man who once dominated an era left these words to the girl who would succeed him.

Focusing solely on strength would make one appear as a warmonger, while becoming obsessed with honor would eventually blind one to right and wrong.

Therefore, if you truly want to prove yourself as a hero, never fear standing before the public.

Remember that love is the privilege of the courageous, and always strive to love people, no matter when or where.

“Spiritas, you’re the best!!”

“Wooohooo!!”

S-class Hero – Star Girl Spiritas.

Today, she remembered the teachings of the hero who led her on this path, stepping onto the stage to meet her fans’ expectations.

“Thank you all so much for enjoying my comeback stage today~!”

Having recovered from injuries sustained in a battle with a villain months ago, her first performance since then was undoubtedly a huge success.

The cheers that continued to echo as she left the stage were proof of that.

“Spiritas, you did well.”

As she caught her breath in the waiting room, a man holding a towel and a drink in each hand approached.

He was her exclusive manager from Spirit Entertainment.

A veteran who had been with the company since its inception, he also took care of members who had no assigned manager due to circumstances.

Despite her return, Spiritas hadn’t yet found a proper manager, making him an invaluable person to her.

His hands were filled with a handbag stuffed with papers.

“Are those today’s fan letters?”

“I picked them out since this is your comeback stage. There’s a truckload of them parked outside.”

“Ha ha.”

Suzuki Kana couldn’t help but laugh at the overwhelming sight.

The temporary manager noted her reaction and began organizing the fan letters he held.

“So, what do you want to do? You don’t have time to read all the fan letters with your next schedule coming up. Should we dispose of them, except for the public ones?”

“Why would you dispose of them? I can read them later even if I’m busy now!”

“…Are you planning to read all of these?”

“Of course. This is all the love from my fans~”

Kana smiled as she picked out a fan letter from her backpack and began reading it slowly.

She read each word carefully, savoring it like a feast.

“The fact that so many people love me means that much worry has disappeared for them. As a hero, I can’t ignore that.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Her manager couldn’t help but smile wryly at her earnest opinion.

Watching her for a moment, he glanced at his wristwatch, lost in thought.

‘She really contrasts with other heroes.’

As a professional manager, he had handled many heroes.

They loved and cherished their fans but found it difficult to embrace all the affection from thousands, even tens of thousands of fans.

Work was busy, and they, too, were human, unable to ignore their physiological needs and desires.

‘Yet, her showing such a different side… It means she has more room to breathe compared to them.’

Not long ago, veterans and higher-ups criticized her as ‘strong but inexperienced,’ but perhaps she was growing with time.

-Ring.

His satisfaction was short-lived as his smartphone vibrated in his pocket, prompting him to answer the call.

The caller was the CEO of Spirit Entertainment.

A significant figure, but the words that followed were of such importance that even he couldn’t overlook them.

“What? You’ve canceled all the upcoming schedules?”

Kana, who was reading a letter, froze at the words.

The sudden news disturbed her precious time.

“So, someone from the Association will be arriving soon? Yes, to give Spiritas an important request… I understand, but this is so sudden…”

-Knock, knock.

As he was flusteredly continuing the call, a sudden knock interrupted him.

The source was likely the person mentioned in the call.

Realizing this, the manager hurriedly ended the call and opened the waiting room door to face the visitor.

“Are you from the Association?”

The man in business attire, with glasses and a friendly smile that put people at ease, nodded silently.

The manager exchanged a glance with Kana, who had already folded the letter and put it aside, her expression serious.

She had guessed why the Association had sent someone.

***

Mars Ector.

His visit to Spiritas was upon the request of his superior, Ceras, an executive at the Association.

‘Pandemonia has declared they will attack District B soon.’

District B, along with District A, was one of Pangea’s core areas.

With high society, various businesses, and research facilities concentrated there, an attack meant an all-out war with Pangea’s government.

Naturally, the Association had to prepare for a full-scale battle.

‘The enemy includes S-class villains like Gigantes and Viscount Rast. Therefore, we must mobilize S-class heroes before the attack. But as you know, there are very few S-class heroes, so we must be cautious.’

Each of Pangea’s 26 districts initially had one S-class hero during the Great War three years ago, but that number had since halved.

With Justice and Heavenly Demon, the top two heroes, gone, the selection of new S-class heroes hadn’t been completed even after three years.

Most S-class heroes couldn’t leave their posts, and many newly selected refused, saying, ‘This isn’t my fight.’

‘But she will surely participate. She has been eager to meet Pandemonia’s leader again since the Heroine Contest.’

Understanding this, her agency had canceled all her schedules.

Other heroes might not, but she would definitely join the fight to defend District B as a top force.

Mars, sipping tea provided by the manager in the waiting room, was confident.

“Mr. Maestro?”

But life is unpredictable.

Issues aren’t always official matters.

-Flinch.

Mars flinched at Kana’s words.

Realizing her mistake, Kana scratched the back of her head.

“Ah, sorry. I got your name wrong. They sound so similar…”

-Tremble.

Without a word, Mars’s hands shook violently.

The tea inside the cup swirled like a storm, but Kana didn’t notice anything odd.

‘Right, no way someone from the Association could be an Ouroboros executive.’

Maestro, with a smiling face.

Ouroboros’s top executive, higher ranked than Seolhwa who had once subdued him.

It would mean the Association was doomed if such a significant figure had infiltrated it.

The Association building was supposed to be filled with sensors detecting superhuman abilities.

It was inconceivable for the worst villain to commute there openly.

“Can we continue?”

It was just a slip of the tongue, a light joke.

As they dismissed it, Mars gradually regained his composure, nodding at her words.

“If Pandemonia is definitely coming for this attack… Seolhwa will be there too, right?”

As Ceras had said, she was concerned about that.

So she had accepted the cancellation of her fans’ performances.

Despite her tolerance for the love of countless fans, she couldn’t afford to be complacent in a fight with Seolhwa.

[Are you alright?]

But Mars didn’t answer her question.

He simply showed a card with his response written on it.

“Alright? What do you mean?”

[The enemy this time is different from other villains.]

It was a question to test her resolve.

Someone who had pushed him to the brink of death, despite his invincibility.

Such a worst-case villain was not only fully recovered but also leading an all-out assault on a city.

[Of the newly selected S-class heroes, only one besides you has agreed to participate.]

This war wasn’t just about justice or rewards; it was a test of capability and courage.

Though the answer required careful consideration, she had been resolute since that day’s fight.

“I made a promise.”

[A promise?]

“That next time, I would win.”

A person who made her realize much as a hero.

Despite being burdened with too much, she had to let that person go with regret.

She had decided to meet that person again after achieving her goal, so how could she avoid the fight?

[Then I’ll take it as an acceptance…]

Mars could feel her strong determination.

However, even with her participation, it was not easy to take her directly to the battlefield.

“Is something else bothering you?”

[Have you found a sidekick?]

“…A sidekick?”

The unexpected question made Kana blink.

But Mars’s expression was serious. His narrow eyes opened slightly, and his usual smile faded.

[This will be an unprecedentedly dangerous fight, so it would be wise to have someone to team up with.]

No matter how strong one is, there’s a limit to what can be done alone.

High-ranking heroes especially need partners to support them.

Having experienced indecision at disaster sites, she understood this well.

[Should I select candidates for you?]

“What? Select candidates?”

Clap!

Mars clapped his hands.

Instantly, a multitude of cards spilled from his grip, filling the table between them.

But these weren’t ordinary cards.

They featured portraits and costumed images on the front, with profiles on the back.

These were ‘records’ of heroes handled by the Association.

“…You’re good at magic.”

[It’s a light hobby.]

Mars wrote on a card in his hand, showing it to her. His finger flicked, revealing another card with text.

[I have shortlisted promising B and A-class heroes who are gaining fame recently. Choose someone you like, and I’ll contact them immediately.]

As an Association employee, does he carry such information?

Whatever the case, finding a sidekick was a good thing.

Realizing the necessity, she thought it a good idea to use this opportunity to find a partner.

‘Let’s see, who would be good… Hmm?’

As she skimmed through the data Mars provided.

Her gaze focused on one spot, naturally reaching out.

‘Unbreakable Vanguard’

That was the hero name of a promising one recently promoted to A-class.

[Are you interested in him?]

“Oh, no. It’s just that he looks familiar.”

Mars, intrigued, observed the card.

Seeing the person on it, he immediately understood Kana’s reaction.

[Indeed, a common face.]

“Yeah, right. Common…”

Yes, the person he held was the most common-looking on the continent.

Perhaps ‘average’ would be a better term.

Of course, she didn’t doubt his qualification as an A-class hero for his looks.

Having once been helped by someone with such an appearance made it more notable.

‘This person. He somehow resembles that uncle.’

It was enough to make the man in her hand feel special.

***

And then.

Currently climbing a mountain path with a backpack.

“Hey, buddy. Look over there.”

I cautiously maintained my vigilance at the call of the guy who brought me here.

He was seriously looking at a nearby tree.

“What’s up?”

Could he have sensed something dangerous?

“There’s a pair of squirrels mating on that tree.”

“You idiot.”

What kind of nonsense was he spouting during a field trip with kids?

End of Chapter