Chapter 38

Somehow, I managed to get in safely.

When the hero at the entrance stared at me like a hawk, I thought something was wrong.

But hey, they said I was good-looking, so…

‘Well, it’s a bit absurd, but whatever…’

– Older Brother! Did you get in okay?

“Yes, I got in safely.”

Anyway, since I’m in, I shouldn’t overthink it.

I glanced around.

Everyone was wearing masks, dressed in flashy suits and gowns.

‘There are a lot of them.’

Even if you weren’t invited, you could get in just by paying, so it was more crowded than I expected.

Well, this kind of situation is better for sneaking around.

“What about the hacking?”

– The hotel lights and the CCTV in the hall where you are are under control. It’ll take 30 minutes to fully take over the system.

“Take your time, just don’t get caught.”

– Leave it to me!

“I trust you.”

I plan to steal the item later anyway.

‘They haven’t even started the auction yet… It’s too early to cause a scene now.’

The security guards are most alert right when the event starts.

Their reactions are quick too.

So if we’re going to act, it should be during the middle or later part of the event.

By then, if nothing happens, even those guys will relax a bit.

‘There’s a reason villains in comics and novels cause chaos near the end of events.’

-Beep.

– I could just teleport quickly.

Gayeon’s voice sounded a bit sulky.

But her suggestion was immediately rejected.

“Teleportation requires knowing the exact coordinates.”

We don’t even know where the target is, and there might be security measures in place.

Even if we teleport into the room where the target is, if we’re unlucky, we might step into a trap and die.

‘It’s better to cause a bit of a scene and steal it when it’s up for auction.’

“I’ll consider Polia’s opinion as well. For now, let’s wait until Narin, no, Glitch, hacks the entire system.”

-…Got it.

The chances are slim, but if we can do it quietly, that’s better.

After finishing the conversation with Gayeon, I glanced around again.

‘Five, six, seven… There are at least seven around here.’

This time, focusing on the security personnel, not the regular guests.

It would be nice to rest before the mission, but unfortunately, that’s not possible.

First, assess their strength.

And figure out where they’re weak and strong.

Thud. Thud.

I started wandering around the party venue.

***

“Sir, you said you saw a villain here?”

“Ah, well, not exactly a villain…”

In front of a restroom.

A man in a hero costume looked at another man who was trembling and looking back at him.

The man’s eyes darted around nervously at the hero’s words.

His hands shook as he clenched and unclenched his fists, clearly terrified.

‘Ugh, with that much fear, it’s a waste of his good looks.’

“So, what did you see?”

“A scream…! I was about to enter the men’s restroom, but I heard a woman’s scream from inside!”

The hero looked at the man with pity.

“…Let’s go in and check.”

The hero then entered the men’s restroom.

What the hero saw inside was…

‘What? There’s nothing here.’

An empty restroom with no one inside.

Plus, there was a strange smell around the restroom, which gave him a bad feeling.

‘Must be some high-ranking folks causing trouble.’

“Sigh…”

I was nervous for nothing.

Just as the hero thought that and was about to turn his head…

Thud.

“Huh?”

A sharp pain in his neck, and his body went limp.

When he barely managed to turn his head, he saw the man from earlier.

“You, you bastard…”

“Oops.”

The man, who had been trembling just moments ago, now wore a relaxed expression.

“Found the villain, huh?”

“You… bastard… ack…”

‘I need to call for help…’

Thud.

Overwhelmed by the darkness, the hero closed his eyes.

“Sleep tight.”

Maker approached the fallen hero and took the communicator from his ear.

– Older Brother. Did you take care of it?

“Yes, please handle it.”

– Okay~

After saying that, Maker washed his hands and left the restroom.

‘That makes fifteen.’

When I wandered around the party, there were more people than I expected.

So to make things easier later, I’ve been luring heroes one by one and putting them to sleep.

It was a risky method.

‘As the number of people decreases, some might get suspicious, and even if we don’t get caught, the heroes will likely tighten security once they realize an attack is coming.’

But now, Maker had Glitch.

– I’m sending fake signals. Unless they meet face-to-face, they won’t know it’s fake.

“Good job.”

Glitch.

With her abilities, which would make her an S-class villain in the future, this kind of thing was easy.

Her ability allowed her to perfectly control and disguise all digital communications, networks, and signals.

“How much time is left until the auction?”

– Hmm, according to the plan, about an hour.

‘Then I’ll take down a few more.’

Just in case something unexpected happens. If I can eliminate them, it’s better to do so.

As he walked down the hallway…

Thud!

“Ah!”

He bumped into a woman.

“Oh, are you okay…?”

“Ouch…”

The woman collapsed weakly after bumping into Maker.

He froze for a moment when he saw her.

‘What? She’s here too?’

A fluttering green frilly dress and a butterfly-shaped mask.

The woman was the hero Phantom Luna.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve been more careful.”

Maker, without showing any emotion, reached out his hand.

Phantom Luna took his hand and stood up.

“I-I’m fine! This much is nothing! I’m tough!”

She smiled brightly and looked at Maker.

“You’re a guest, right? How did you end up in such a remote area?”

“Ah, I went to the restroom and got lost, haha…”

Maker laughed awkwardly.

Phantom Luna slapped her chest confidently and smiled.

“If that’s the case, leave it to me, B+ rank hero Phantom Luna! I’ll guide you.”

“That’s reassuring.”

‘The same girl who cried when she got lost the first time we met.’

Though not entirely reliable, Maker silently followed her lead.

“Come on! This way!”

Phantom Luna led the way ahead of Maker.

Perhaps feeling a bit bored walking in silence, she started talking to him.

‘What should I do…’

Maker, who had been responding appropriately, was deep in thought.

‘Should I put her to sleep? Or paralyze her?’

Higher-ranked heroes are just a nuisance in this mission.

Moreover, Maker’s goal this time is solely the ingredients for the elixir.

It’s easier to tie up any heroes who might get in the way…

‘For now, it’s best to incapacitate them in some way.’

Maker slowly approached Phantom Luna.

One step, then another.

He activated his ability, creating a needle coated with a powerful sedative.

‘It’s a sedative needle that will disappear in 10 minutes.’

There’s no one around.

Even if there’s CCTV, it’s already under Glitch’s control.

Plus, the tool will vanish from the world in 10 minutes.

Just as Maker was about to stab her with the needle…

“…Have we met before?”

“…Huh?”

Phantom Luna turned around and looked at Maker.

In an instant, Maker dropped the needle into his sleeve.

“You seem familiar somehow.”

‘Luckily, the needle didn’t get her.’

That part was fortunate, but her question was also a problem.

‘Is she just making small talk? Or does she really sense something?’

It could be because of the similarity in our outfits.

The mask and suit are different, but the mask and suit are kind of Maker’s signature look.

So, what should I do?

‘I can’t show any signs of panic or suspicion here.’

It’s not like those unnecessary panic scenes in other comics where the identity gets revealed.

So, instead, I should act confidently.

“Oh, is this flirting?”

Maker chuckled lightly, joking with her as if nothing had happened.

“Huh? What…”

“That’s a common flirting line, right? Trying to talk to someone you like.”

“R-Really?!”

“Really.”

As he said that, Phantom Luna’s face turned bright red.

She stumbled over her words, trying to explain.

“A-Ah… It’s not flirting! I-I really feel like we’ve met before…”

“Just kidding. A hero like you wouldn’t do that, right?”

Maker laughed and patted her shoulder.

‘Got it. I distracted her.’

Phantom Luna, no matter what Maker said, kept her head down, her face red.

Maker glanced around.

‘No one’s here.’

We’re getting too close to the main hall, but it’s worth a try.

‘Sorry, this might sting a bit. Sleep tight.’

Next time, I’ll make you as strong as Ice Queen!

With everything ready, Maker took out the needle from his sleeve.

And without hesitation, he was about to stab her when…

– Now! Let’s begin the auction!!!

A loud voice echoed from the speakers, and Phantom Luna, reacting to the sound, ruined the plan.

“..Gasp! Is it already time for the auction? Shouldn’t you be going??”

“…Yes, I should.”

“Then let’s hurry! Come on!”

“……”

Phantom Luna pulled on his arm.

Maker barely held back a sigh.

‘What’s going on, Narin…’

You said the auction was in an hour…

He had no choice but to discard the needle and follow Phantom Luna.

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