"Haaam…."
"What, you sleepy?"
"A-ah, no!"
The rookie answered loudly, as if flustered by the question about being tired.
Who the hell taught this kid?
"Hey, lower your voice. This is a secret base."
"Y-yes, sir…."
I couldn’t help but smirk at the rookie hastily clamping his mouth shut.
I used to be like that too.
"Well, don’t worry too much. No one comes around here. It’s a travel spot, but unpopular, and way off any main route. There’s even a private property sign. Who’d come all the way out here?"
"I-is that so…?"
"Yeah. So just relax and keep watch."
Ugh, keeping watch is such a pain!
I deliberately shouted that to lighten the mood, then flopped down onto the grass.
Now I even have to look after my junior?
Life’s so unfair.
I learned everything by getting my ass kicked by the seniors.
"Uh, thank you, senior."
"Huh? For what?"
"I didn’t think I’d ever get used to a place like this. You’ve helped me a lot."
"Don’t mention it. We’re just lowly villains, after all."
"Still. Thank you."
Sigh.
How the hell did a guy like him end up a villain?
Some people want to live honestly, but life just won’t let them.
Seeing naive kids like him always left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
Just how desperate must they have been to walk this path?
I was grumbling to myself about how shitty life was when—
something pitch black was approaching.
"I really think you’re amazing, senior…."
"Quiet, rookie. We’ve got a situation."
"Huh?"
"You see that? It’s a person. Get ready."
"Oh, really."
This guy’s too carefree.
I told him to prepare, and he’s just standing there in awe.
Annoyed, I smacked the back of his head.
Only then did he scramble to grab his weapon. I stifled a sigh.
He’s still a rookie, after all.
I squinted at the approaching figure.
…A woman.
Lost?
Her smiling face was oddly ominous.
"This is private property. Please leave."
"Ufufu, is that so?"
"Yes. I don’t know how you ended up here, but if you’re lost, I can guide you out."
I spoke politely while scanning her appearance.
No weapons…
No visible injuries…
She was wearing an Academy school uniform, so she must be a student.
Maybe she came out for some extracurricular activity and got lost.
Tsk. What a nuisance.
If I killed her here, things would get messy.
Especially since she’s an Academy student.
If she went missing, there’d be an investigation, and they might uncover this place.
I need to handle this carefully and send her away…
"No, I think I found the right place. The Webermen’s playground."
"…?!"
"I was worried I’d be too late, but I’m glad I made it. I’m in a very good mood now."
I swung my sword at the woman in front of me.
Of course, she dodged as if she’d expected it, but that didn’t bother me at all.
An Academy student in a school uniform.
How could a girl like that know the name of our organization and come here alone?
Impossible.
We’ve been exposed. Our hideout’s been found.
"Hey, rookie! Sound the emergency—*cough*?!"
"That won’t be happening. If anyone escapes, I’d feel bad for Lyra. Only fifteen are allowed to survive. That’s the rule."
Huh, when did—?!
There were no weapons!
But then I noticed my throat had been deeply slashed, blood gushing out.
Droplets of blood hanging in the air were the only proof I’d been attacked.
…Wait, blood droplets?
"You’ve got sharp eyes. Though it’s a little late for that."
Instinctively, I clutched my throat, but it did no good.
Blood was already surging out, draining away in an instant.
Maybe from the blood loss—my head grew foggy, my vision blurred.
…Damn it, I let my guard down because there were no weapons.
It’s thread.
A thin thread grazed my throat.
She didn’t attack me.
She didn’t move.
She knew I’d attack, so she set the thread along my path.
"Kuh, hngh… Are you one of the Academy’s lackeys…?!"
"Hmm, no need to talk to someone who’s about to die, right?"
"What’s your goal?! There’s no way the Weavermen were exposed…!"
Surviving was out of the question.
With this much blood loss, I’d be dead in less than ten minutes.
Then at least… I had to save the rookie.
Speaking with a slit throat was agony, but I forced the words out.
I had to buy time, no matter what.
That kid couldn’t die here.
He was too pure.
Given time, he’d come to his senses and wash his hands of this…
"Oh, about the person next to you? Too late for that too."
"…What?"
"He’s already lying over there. So you don’t need to trouble yourself."
The rookie was sprawled out in the field.
Just like before.
As if he’d flopped down to reassure me.
Covered in a red blanket, using the earth as his bed.
…Hah. Man.
How the hell is he supposed to sleep like that?
He’ll wake up with a stiff neck.
"Well, I’ll be going. Enjoy your remaining time."
Thud. Thud.
The crimson demon walked away.
My vision faded.
My mind dulled.
Somehow, I dragged myself over and flopped down beside the rookie.
"Hah… Hey, rookie. I always figured this might happen someday. Just… didn’t want it to be you."
No answer.
Damn kid, passed out already.
What kind of rookie sleeps while his senior’s still awake?
"Rookie… Life’s a real pain in the ass, huh?"
Still no answer.
And then, he couldn’t speak anymore either.
The threads of the two puppets were cut.
"Intruders! Emergency! Emergency! What are you all doing?! Stop them, now!"
"What the hell are the lookouts doing?!"
"Idiots! They’re already dead! Stop blaming others and fight!"
…God, they’re loud.
All of them are useless.
They can’t even figure out how they’re dying, so they just shout and never actually charge in.
At this rate, fifteen might not be enough.
Amelia and Siwoo are the protagonist and heroine.
Even if I sent a hundred of these idiots, it wouldn’t be overkill.
Wait, hold on—
These guys are supposed to be superhumans?
Then why the hell are they using guns?
"Gahk?!"
"Th-threads! She’s shooting threads! Drop the guns! Cut the threads with blades! Hurry!"
A voice rang out.
…Took them long enough.
I was starting to wonder when they’d notice.
Their awareness is pathetically low.
Fifteen won’t cut it. I’ll need thirty.
At that voice, the thugs lowered their guns and wildly swung the swords they were holding.
Most of the threads, infused with mana, weren’t cut, but a few snapped, the sensation traveling up his hand.
…Oh.
There are actually some useful ones here.
"Hmm, good. You pass."
"What the hell are you—?!"
In an instant, the school uniform shirt tore apart, and the mana-infused threads spread out, grazing past the villains’ bodies.
The result?
Well.
It goes without saying.
A complete success…?
"Hii, hiik—?!"
"Ah, I didn’t expect this… Ugh, this feels gross."
No, not a complete success.
This was a failure.
Dozens of villains had been sliced apart like vegetables, their bodies dismembered.
…That was too brutal.
Okay, this one’s getting sealed away.
It made him feel like he was about to throw up the meat he’d eaten.
The smell was foul, and the sight was disgusting.
Covered in blood, he felt awful.
Yeah, I’m not using this again.
Luckily, the people I marked didn’t die.
Good thing I held back.
…Ah, I regret it.
I should’ve let that guard live.
Since it was our first meeting, I assumed everyone was at that level.
I never expected it would take them this long to notice the threads.
If I’d known, I would’ve added him to the survivor list.
"M-monster…!"
"Hmm… Monster? That’s rude. Could you call me a person?"
How impolite.
I’m no monster.
Not like you lot, who kill people for your own selfish gains.
If the author hadn’t made you all multiply like this, I wouldn’t have had to go around killing you.
Now I just feel icky.
"Hmm, thirteen… Thirty’s pushing it. Hey, how many are left?"
"L-like I’d tell you, you demon!"
"Ah, come on. I said I’m not a demon."
What’s with these people?
…Fine.
Can’t be helped. Maybe I should send them off early.
Consuming both half-gloves, he bestowed a gift upon the remaining villains.
"Now, we’re going to play a little game of tag."
"Just kill us! We won’t follow your—!"
"Quiet. I’m talking."
Sigh.
Why do they only listen when they’re angry?
Can’t they just go along with it nicely?
Now the mood’s ruined.
"Well, that was a bit chaotic. Mind if I start over?"
"Uh, nngh…"
"The rules of tag are simple! All you have to do is attack the students at the mountain lodge halfway up the slope!"
"W-what? Attack students…?"
"If any of you kill even one, I’ll spare your life."
They looked so terrified that he gently dangled the carrot in front of them.
Hmm, as expected.
Their trashy eyes turned even trashier.
Good, looks like they’re motivated now.
Do your best to ambush the protagonist’s group.
That’s how our heroine and protagonist grow.
It’d be great if you could beat them to the brink of death.
"Now, hurry up. If you’re late, I can’t guarantee what’ll happen."
"Hii, hiik?!"
…Even so, running away in such a panic kind of hurts my feelings.
Am I really that scary-looking?
No, I’m not. When I checked the mirror, I was definitely pretty…?
"Well then, shall I go meet one of the executives?"
Was it the Zodiac?
Hmm, there are so many, I’m curious which one it is.
What kind of animal could it be?