I Became a Villain’s Hero
Chapter 74: Doubt (7)

TL/Editor: Raei

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Stella's hideout was becoming a mess.

An excited Tryno was destroying everything.

"Uaaaaah!!"

-Bang!!

He wasn't using his powers, but everything his fists touched got ruined.

Since the hideout was underground, the ceiling shook as if it would collapse whenever he threw a tantrum.

The mission had failed.

Shockingly, Solace had withstood the onslaught until the end.

"I...! I didn't win...?"

No words could calm Tryno down.

He didn't even try to treat the burns he had received from the battle with Solace.

But this was somewhat expected by Stella. She had thought this might happen.

The mission was carried out even though the chances seemed slim.

She had thought Solace wasn't strong enough yet.

...But that was not the case.

The legendary hero did not fall so easily.

Solace was always Solace.

Stella fiddled with a dice in her pocket.

The more this happened, the more she missed his presence.

Just as Solace was an indomitable hero.

He, too, was an unyielding villain.

...Where could he have gone?

Why doesn't he show himself?

Could there have been an unpredictable, significant change?

Like how Luna's legs were fine.

Though... it was never known when Luna's legs got damaged.

Caution is needed moving forward.

-Bang!

Tryno, having thrown his last fit, left the hideout.

Liquid headed to his room as well.

Riem also disappeared from sight.

Only Luna and Stingshot were quietly sitting at the round table.

Stella needed time.

She wished everyone would leave.

"...Luna, you should go back now, too."

"...How did it fail?"

Luna asked.

Her voice contained a frustration similar to Tryno's.

But getting annoyed wouldn't change anything for Stella.

If it weren't for Luna, she would have avoided a direct confrontation with Solace.

"..."

Seeing herself start to blame others, Stella shook her head.

Just like him, she shouldn't make excuses.

"...Solace was stronger than we expected. I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"We're not giving up, are we?"

Giving up or not, Solace could no longer be captured.

Not without the help of someone special.

...She had to wait for him to appear.

That was the only way now.

"If we can't destroy Solace...I'm going to leave."

"..."

Stella had nothing to say to that.

It was perhaps a natural response.

She couldn't forgive just washing her hands of the situation, but likewise, she couldn't keep them without offering anything in return.

Stella nodded.

"...We can destroy Solace."

An empty promise.

She could no longer stay here.

She needed some personal time.

Stella turned and headed to her room.

Luna left, and only Stingshot remained, standing up to follow her.

"...Why?"

Stella asked without stopping her steps.

"..."

But he didn't speak.

He kept silent until they reached Stella's room.

Once inside, Stella asked again.

"Is there something you want to talk about? Or do you want to dream?"

"...No, Stella. There's something I must tell you."

"...?"

Stingshot furrowed his brows.

His eyes became distant, as if recalling something.

"Do you remember the battle today?"

"...I'd rather talk about it later."

"There was an ability user watching us."

"......"

Stella finally turned around to face Stingshot.

"You know. There was a man who helped Solace."

She reluctantly recalled events she wished to forget.

There was a man who had sent his support.

It was because of his encouragement that Solace's aura changed.

"...I only heard his voice."

"Yes. It was too far for you to see. But Stella, that's not the important part. I tried to take him out because he was annoying... thinking of sniping him, but..."

Stingshot blinked, still in disbelief.

"...He dodged it."

"...What?"

"He dodged it. My snipe."

They exchanged looks.

Neither spoke first.

Stingshot's sniping, which had taken many heroes' lives and even put a hole in Solace's foot, was not something that could be easily dodged yet.

"...It must have been a coincidence."

Stella suggested.

But Stingshot shook his head.

"No. I saw him tilt his head right before the bullet reached him. He clearly dodged it..."

Silence lingered for a moment.

Stingshot sat there... finally sighed and stood up.

"That's all I had to say. You told us to report anything unusual, right?"

"..."

"...And it's almost time for the settlement. Send my money properly."

Stingshot too left the room.

Stella finally had the alone time she so desired.

But her mind was more cluttered than ever.

"Dodged Stingshot's snipe."

In fact, it's not that surprising.

In 10 years, no hero will be affected by Stingshot's sniping.

As combat techniques evolve, Stingshot will become a relic of the past.

Perhaps he senses his own limits, aiming to wash his hands of his desires.

...But it's not 10 years later yet.

Even Solace couldn't dodge Stingshot's snipe, ending up with a hole in her foot.

The sniping was still effective.

Naturally, only one person came to mind for Stella.

Perhaps she thought of him more easily because she missed him.

"..."

But that raised too many unanswered questions.

Why did he just watch?

Why didn't he intervene?

Why... did he support Solace?

They were archenemies.

Thinking about it... it was highly likely that the man was not Dice.

No, it was almost certain.

...But one thing was clear: an investigation was needed.

---

---

Song Soo-yeon was took off her costume and headed to the restaurant.

...Would Jung-gyeom be surprised?

It was a bit too close to where the commotion took place.

But like everyone, he would have evacuated safely.

She had no choice but to fight Solace... she reassured herself.

On the bus, she turned on her phone and called Jung-gyeom.

He answered the call before even one ring had passed.

"Mister?"

"Soo-yeon."

Song Soo-yeon felt comforted by his voice.

But in the next moment, his voice turned cold.

"Where are you?"

His question was direct.

Song Soo-yeon blinked a couple of times before answering.

"I'm heading home. There was a terrorist attack nearby, right?"

She spoke with a voice feigning ignorance, filled with worry.

"......."

He didn't respond.

Wondering if the call had been disconnected, Song Soo-yeon checked her phone.

"...Mister?"

"...Yeah. Can you come to the restaurant? Let's talk in person."

The atmosphere was different from normal.

She had an idea of why he was acting this way.

Since Solace was hurt... it made sense.

Song Soo-yeon quietly answered, feeling jealous of Jung-gyeom's concern for Solace.

"...Yes."