I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Those Who Know Love (1)

The announcement of the raid on District B was made just a few weeks ago.

Even though the raid occurred at midnight, it was possible to evacuate beforehand or establish proper defenses.

The reason the situation escalated so dramatically was not the government’s lackluster response.

No, the fundamental reason was that the citizens of District B refused to evacuate.

‘If we know villains are attacking, we just need to defend ourselves. That’s why we pay taxes, isn’t it?’

‘Who will compensate us for the losses we incur if we evacuate? Can you guarantee that the government will cover everything?’

‘You always claimed Pangea is safe. If you follow that logic, District B should be safe too. Why force us to evacuate? Are you using this as an excuse to harm us?’

They probably thought their arguments were justified.

They trusted the government, which had always handled issues behind closed doors, and genuinely believed Pangea’s security was intact.

However, the government of Pangea had been covering up numerous incidents.

“Obsessive attachment to personal property, complacency created through cover-ups and false propaganda… Added to that, the delayed response.”

Gray Anatomy summarized all these reasons with a scoff, biting into the nachos he had brought.

“A perfect storm of absurdity. Humans are fundamentally repulsive creatures.”

“…”

I remained silent in response to his opinion.

As frustrating and pathetic as the current situation seemed, it ultimately needed to be addressed by individuals or organizations.

To claim humanity itself is flawed because of this incident is an extreme view.

“Do you regret it?”

Nonetheless, Anatomy asked calmly while watching the news.

He, who had been laughing moments ago, was now cold and detached.

As if watching a predictable movie after an interesting beginning.

“Regret what?”

“Not going there.”

Perhaps that’s why.

His interest gradually shifted from the scene to me.

“I have no intention of mingling with those Pandemonia bastards, but you seem to have a lot of unresolved issues. Are you regretting not following that young lady?”

“Tsk, what nonsense.”

Clicking my tongue at his words, I opened a new can of beer.

“I don’t care. What could I even do there?”

“It’s not about what you can do. It’s about whether you want to go or not.”

“Don’t harp on it. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t set foot there.”

For me, to step into that place would require the help of a hero like Spiritas.

But that would mean everything I do there would be known to the hero faction, risking exposure of my identity to Seolhwa.

It could potentially endanger the Boss. Ignoring it was the obvious choice.

“Sure, if you say so.”

He didn’t argue with me, but his interest had long since drifted from the TV.

“Then just answer this one thing.”

“What now?”

“Which side are you on?”

“What?”

“Between Seolhwa and that young lady you met earlier, which side are you on?”

A question with many omissions.

Before I could ask what he meant, I understood his question.

“Well, in a direct confrontation, Seolhwa would win. No matter how strong Spiritas is, she has many shortcomings.”

Indeed, it would be interesting.

The successor of Heavenly Demon and Ouroboros’s worst villain organization. A direct clash between the two would be fascinating regardless of the damage.

“But this fight isn’t just between the two of them. It’s a struggle between Pandemonia and the Association. Organizationally, the Association is at an advantage. However, the Association can’t commit all its resources to the raid on District B, so it’s uncertain which side will win.”

“…”

“What’s the problem now?”

“You’re doing it on purpose, right?”

“What’s the problem?”

Anatomy caught the beer can I threw.

I thought my frustration was conveyed, but he looked at me with disdain, as if I was the unreasonable one.

“Do you think this is the 80s? Idolizing a clueless, delusional protagonist has its limits.”

“Tsk, what nonsense.”

Now he’s nitpicking over every little thing.

I answered with silent drinking, and he continued to pester me.

“Seolhwa clearly cares about you, and so does that young lady. And one of them is a world-class idol.”

“Sorry, but I’ve never had such thoughts about either of them.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Swear on the Boss?”

“What the hell, you crazy bastard!”

I threw another beer can at his head.

But maybe my emotions were too intense this time?

The can missed his head and smashed into the wall.

“Haha~ What are you doing, idiot~! Can’t even hit a target right in front of you…”

-Fizz!

Sorry, but this time it’s a ricochet, idiot.

“Aaagh!”

Anatomy was hit in the back of the head by the ricocheting beer can and fell over.

I caught the flying beer and drank the foaming contents.

“You damn loyalist, joking about something like that?”

“Hey, if I’m this curious about your love life, wouldn’t you tell me? I could tell you anything you want to know.”

“I’m not interested, so shut up.”

Who cares which street cat you’re dating?

Tsk, I clicked my tongue and turned my gaze back to the TV.

“…They’re causing quite a ruckus.”

The scale of the terror is city-wide.

Practically a disaster, but all I felt was a simple observation.

Tragedies beyond the horizon.

No matter how much they report, it doesn’t feel real.

***

But comedy, when seen up close, becomes tragedy.

Spiritas, who had just arrived at the scene, felt her anxiety turning into reality, choking her.

‘This is horrible.’

Indeed, worse than any scene she had seen.

Not a single part of the visible area was intact, and the blood spilled on the burnt ground was drying quickly in the heat.

The smell of burning flesh indicated human bodies had been incinerated.

‘Can a city fall this quickly in less than 30 minutes?’

She had run at twice the speed of the high-speed train, barely catching her breath.

But the entrance to the city she reached was already in ruins.

The chaos seemed to have started from the outskirts and moved inward. If there were people who hadn’t evacuated, there was no time to waste.

“…No time to change into costume.”

She barely had time to catch her breath.

Her assistant, who had been on her back, was also in the same state.

“De… deet…”

Artificial human Isri.

Spiritas, realizing Isri’s condition, put her down to check on her.

“Isri, are you okay?”

At least there were no visible injuries, but the problem was mental…

Running at supersonic speed for several minutes is tough even for professional heroes.

“It was fun!”

But this child seemed fine, thankfully.

She was just dazed from the speed.

“Mama’s run was more fun than any ride! Let’s do it again!”

“…I’ll give you plenty of rides later.”

Kana turned her back.

“Unfortunately, now’s not the time for that.”

When the burnt scene was revealed, Isri frowned, realizing the situation.

“Did the villains do this?”

“Probably. But there’s something more urgent than the villains.”

Yes, a hero’s duty is to protect society.

Of course, saving innocent civilians is the priority, but focusing solely on rescuing lives gives villains more freedom to cause chaos.

It’s too much responsibility for an individual to handle everything.

“…Isri.”

But with the scene in this state, joining other heroes was difficult.

Kana could only hope her sole collaborator had all the abilities she needed.

“Could you, instead of me, save the people in this city?”

Even knowing it was an unreasonable request, she had to hope.

-Bzzt.

Just as she felt anxious, Isri’s hair stood on end.

Startled, Kana looked down to see Isri spreading her arms wide.

“Doctor sent information!”

“Information…?”

“Everything Isri senses is transmitted to Doctor’s research team. So Doctor can send information Isri needs instantly!”

Yes, this child is a robot. Unlike humans who gather information through their eyes and ears, she can select or quickly learn transmitted information.

Moreover, the volume of information collected would far exceed what an individual could gather, especially if it could be received directly from outside.

‘It’s not just this child helping me.’

Not an individual but an organization.

Being a creation of the research team, participating in the operation meant they were all supporting her.

In a disaster, a thousand aides are more reassuring than one strong person.

‘This should be doable.’

Maybe this child, despite her raw strength, is the best supporter.

Just as she smiled hopefully, Spiritas felt her nerves tense and pulled Isri close.

“M-Mama?!”

“Stay still!”

-Bang!

At that moment, the building’s outer wall exploded with a gunshot.

Someone who noticed them attacked.

“Wow, you dodged that? Impressive~”

Peeking from behind the wall, Spiritas saw villains armed with deadly gear emerging from the alley.

‘Ogre Gauntlet, Jack the Knife, Head Axe… Each one is A-rank.’

She had frequently checked wanted posters and recognized them easily.

On the other hand, they hadn’t identified her yet.

“I thought you were just a father and daughter without costumes, but you’re a hero?”

“Came here to save your daughter? Such touching family love, it brings tears to my eyes.”

As they made sarcastic remarks, Kana asked while holding Isri.

“Can you let us go? At least let this child go…”

-Boom!

Suddenly, the wall behind them collapsed.

From the side, Ogre Gauntlet, known for his unparalleled strength, approached with a crushing hand.

“Separating mother and daughter? Don’t worry! I’ll reunite you with care!!”

With a savage grin, he swung his hand.

-Bang!

Though his attack hit Spiritas, only her feet, planted firmly on the ground, were pushed back.

“What the…”

“Thanks for the offer.”

No, she wasn’t pushed back.

Her feet were rooted from her own motion, not his attack.

“It’s easier for me if you stay as trash.”

“Wait a minute…”

-Bang!

With one punch, Ogre Gauntlet was sent flying.

His body rolled violently, crashing into a nearby building and wreaking havoc inside.

One blow.

That’s all it took to take down an A-rank villain known for his monstrous strength.

End of Chapter