The Big Bad (Patreon)

………………………………..

Hector

Two cries cut the night as I watch the Green Dragon Keeper fall from the sky after my last attack. He is defeated, that is for sure; his green suit is even receding as it turns into motes of light, revealing Chidori’s real body underneath.

I even easily pulled his Divine Artifact from his grip with my telekinesis.

Yeah… this guy is defeated.

He falls to the ground with a loud thud; luckily, his body is enhanced because a normal human would have died from his fall.

I also allow gravity to bring me down, but I land much more gracefully as the Green Dragon Fafnir flies into my hand. 

Hehe… like I am Thor.

“Aaaaaah!”

“Chidori!!”

Ah yes, the mood is not for jokes, my bad.

Suzukiri let go of the woman and child, and the two immediately ran to the fallen Chidori while crying, their faces full of tears.

Hmm, those tears are killing my mood…

Whoosh

I disappear from my spot and appear behind them as they finally reach the fallen Dragon Keeper. Then I use the Nerve Pinching Technique I learned from Uncle in the universe of Jackie Chan Adventures.

The two immediately fall asleep under my touch, but I am nice enough to prevent them from hurting themselves with my telekinesis.

“As implicitly agreed, no harm will fall on them.” I declare to Chidori, who gives me a look from the ground.

“Oh… Cough. Did we agree… on that?” He manages to say with some struggle, blood oozing from his mouth.

“You opened your guard and basically gave up the fight, so yes.” I nod.

At that moment, Suzukiri walks up to us and, to my surprise, slowly removes her mask to look down at Chidori.

“So are we removing our disguises now? I mean, he is already dead…” As I say that, I deactivate my pink suit as well. 

I am the anonymous guy here; if Suzukiri is not worried, why should I?

“Suzukiri… I suspected that…” Chidori comments while staring at the dead eyes of the blonde woman.

When he looks at me, I stop removing Peach Dragon naga from my foot and raise my hand to say, “Sup.”

“Oh… got a… Boyfriend?” He manages to smirk even all fucked up this way.

“Yes. Why the surprise? Only you  are allowed to have loved ones now?” She replies with hard eyes

Geez, this guy is part of the group that killed her family, and she can finally look down on him.

“Don’t do anything with mine…” Chidori says, half-begging, but at the same time trying to act tough.

“Oho~ And what are you gonna do if I decide to kill them now?” Suzukiri smiles deviously. Pretty scary and pretty hot…

“Erm…” I raise my hand to talk. “I already promised not to touch his family, so no point in threatening him this way.”

“...” She turns to look at me. Is she angry? This woman is hard to read

“What? We are only here for the Dragon Keepers, right? Collateral damage is one thing, but getting out of the way to kill others is kinda tasteless, no?” I tilt my head to her.

“So now you have morals?”

“More like a very loose honor code… I am discovering them as I live…” I shrug.

“Hmpf. I would also not kill those two; I only want to make him suffer a little.” She turns her head away with a small pout.

“Just gloat over our victory normally. The guy is as good as dead anyway.”

“I was gonna do that.” She argues, then looks down at Chidori.

“...”

“...”

“You two get along…” Chidori deadpans.

“Still not taking it seriously, huh? You Dragon keepers really think yourselves infallible.” Suzukiri replies coldly.

He would have a chance if this followed canon… In canon, not only do some other members of the Rangers Corps come visit him, but even the Red Keeper showed up because of the appearance of a monster.

But tonight is not that night… probably in two days, give or take.

Tonight he is only ours, and he already lost. There will be no reinforcements coming. My EMP device made sure of that.

“No… I always imagined… that I would go like that…” Chidori tries to shrug, but even that is hard for the injured guy.

“From all the Rangers, you are the one that I was least motivated to kill.” Suzukiri confesses.

“Oh really…”

“Yeah, I always had the impression that I could turn you to my side.” Suzukiri reveals

“...”

“But to do that, we would need to be on equal grounds…” Her eyes narrow into two contemplative slits. “And right now things have flipped so much that you are the one who is not on par with me now.”

“Ugh… that is harsh…” Despite being on the verge of death, Chidori tries to keep himself composed. “There is really nothing that I can do? I pretty much like my life and there are people depending on me…”

“...” Suzukiri's eyes narrow even more. Then she looks at me. “What do you think?”

“Eh?” I was in the middle of playing with Green Dragon Fafnir when I was called out. “Are you talking about letting him live?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“...” I pause. This looks suspicious. “To be fair… I don’t think he will be of use now. There is only the Yellow Keeper remaining.” I shrug, uncaring about Chidori’s life or death.

“That’s true.” She says with her index finger on her lips, “Too bad for you, Green Keeper.” She slowly looks down at Chidori, another evil smile spreading on her face.

“...”

“Yeah, too bad…” I shrug and step forward, igniting my red lightsaber. “Sorry, dude… but you are just gonna suffer anyway; better end this now.”

“...” 

The incandescent red blade hovers above Chidori’s face.

“Any last words?” I feel like giving him this courtesy

“My family…”

“Don’t worry… I will even put some gold bars on them so that they can live well.”

“...You are pretty strange.” His eyes bore into mine over the red blade.

“Again… nothing personal; you are just an unlucky corpse that I need to create my own path.” I look down at Chidori, feeling surprisingly calm knowing that I am about to kill him.

“Deep…” He smiles and slowly closes his eyes, accepting his fate. “...and a little cringe.”

“Heh, aren’t we all?” I laugh for a moment, before quickly moving my hand…

Fwoosh

…killing Chidori with a stab to his heart.

……………………………………………….

After our nightly criminal activity, Suzukiri and I head back to the city at a calm walking pace, but neither of us says anything, just enjoying the chilly night air.

Pretty fitting for a night of villainy…

“How are you feeling?” I hear her ask from my side, and I turn my head, raising an eyebrow.

“Me? How are YOU feeling? We are now very close to the end… Everything you ever dreamed of?”

“Hmm… I don’t know how to feel yet. Sometimes it doesn’t look real… ask me again when we have dealt with all of them.” She says, “The Yellow Keeper is the most problematic of all.”

“At this point, him alone will not be enough.”

And that is the truth; we still have some cards up our sleeves in the form of the Invaders and another group of villains.

She suddenly speaks again, looking at me sideways with her head a little down, hands clasped behind her back. Cute. “But you didn’t answer my question…”

“...” I held her gaze for a long moment before looking forward again. “Meh.” That is my answer… a shrug.

“ ‘Meh’? Only that? I remember you being philosophical for a day or two after killing the Blue Keeper.” She teases me.

“Still processing my feelings…” I reveal, “I kinda like Chidori, and I could put some arguments defending how he deserves to be spared… but… I didn’t start all this to be an understanding person. I wanted to have a villain experience against people that are all villains. Just because he is kinda cool and has people that will miss him doesn’t make him an exception. In truth, I really wanted to see how I would feel ending him, the coolest among our enemies… a little morbid curiosity to know the flavor of his death.” 

“...”

Unlike the Blue Keeper, he was still alive until the chapter I read of the manga, and he was really kinda cool.

But that is not gonna stop me. The fictional Omniverse is real, characters are real, so I should be able to put aside any parasocial feeling… it is a very important skill to have, a matter of survival, really.

I also still don’t know the “path” I want to take. Evil or good, what am I really? I think people can only discover that by living through difficult situations. I also have all the time in the world to discover.

I come to this world with a mindset of being a villain; if I get soft the moment I face the first likable character… pfft, how pathetic would that be? Can’t I even keep my word and stick with the “Evil Playthrough”?

“I discovered that I have no problem striking him down… no hesitation or regret…” I continue, “No, I have a little regret, but… it is kinda… sociopathic.”

“How so?” She asks, curious.

“Like… I am not regretting killing him because he is a person, and everyone deserves to live, or how sad it is, yada yada yada.” I wave a hand in front of me. “It is just that… death is so final.”

“...”

Chidori's life is over, and the thing I am focusing on is what I am missing out on because of it. 

What would he do in the future? Something cool? Something bad to me? Or good? Would he be an ally? An even worse enemy?

Pretty fucked up, no? It is the same feeling as messing up in a gameplay and locking an NPC quest forever. Now, only in another save would I be able to see how his story would develop.

I killed someone that still has a role to play, probably… or not. I will never know… and I will not be able to enjoy that. In this world, at least… And this fact decreases the value of his life even more. Damn, this power messes with the head.

“His character arc is over… what a pity,” I mutter. “He can’t give me any more content.”

“...”

Now that I think about it, is it the same with everyone, right?

Everyone has their own story.

“Hmm… I think… I don’t enjoy it,” I finally say, not really sure.

“Fufu~, so your appreciation for life comes from the fact that dead people can’t amuse you?” Suzukiri giggles darkly

“...something like that.” Yep, it really looks like something's wrong with my head.

I guess powers really change the person… and you know what? I don’t think I care.

I already read stories where the characters work so hard to not be corrupted by their powers and lose their humanity… but it would be so bad? I am not even losing myself in a grand delusion.

It is the simple reality.

No one matters, and no one is important to me. I am all alone. I, Hector, am unique and the only one that matters. There are an infinite number of everyone. The omniverse is my sandbox.

The only thing holding me back is my lack of strength and the fact that I want to take things slowly to enjoy the journey. Don’t want to become my “End of Story” version too soon.

It is really all a game…

Of course, I already learned that I can care. I am not a psychopath. Some people that I met touched my heart, so…

Ugh, it is really complicated. Where is the line? I need to find it.

That is why I am doing what I am doing. I feel that I am very close to having another understanding of myself.

While I was “contemplating my own Dao” (thinking about it, the day I step foot in the cultivation world, my level will skyrocket because of my understanding of myself. I will just need to accumulate energy), Suzukiri's shoulders are trembling, and to my surprise she suddenly bursts into a laugh.

“...hehehaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“...”

I watch, a little transfixed, as she holds her stomach and throws her head back, letting out the most genuine laugh I've heard from her.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” She laughs until two tears form in her dead eyes, almost making the obsidian stones that are her pupils reflect light. “Hahaha…Oh my…” But she wipes them away.

It seems dead-eyes-like-a-pool-of-darkness-that-sucks-all-light is the only type of eyes she is allowed to have.

Still smiling broadly, she looks at me as she wipes away that tear. “You are so refreshingly evil.”

“I… will take that as a compliment.” I say hesitantly, looking at her strangely, “But I have to correct your assessment of my character… I am not evil… yet. Still figuring that out.”

“Fufu~ So complicated and unsure… lost like a newborn puppy. You are cute.” She says with a naughty smile, barely covering her lips with the tip of her fingers.

“Don’t fall for me.” I reply cockily.

“Hm, I wonder ~” She rolls her eyes and walks ahead while saying that.

“...” I stare at her back for a little while before finally following her.

“By the way, I also think it was some sort of a loss killing him so early.” She says without looking back.

“Is that so?” I narrow my eyes

“Yes, I think he could still be useful… Like maybe drawing out the Yellow Keeper, or a Trojan Horse strategy.” She comments.

“I see… no use crying over spilled milk now.”

Beyond that whole thing about figuring myself out, I have another reason to take Chidori out of the equation.

Right now, things are pretty good for me, all very advantageous indeed. I have all the cards stacked against Suzukiri, prepared for her eventual betrayal… So, how can this situation change?

The answer is third-party interference.

If I remember correctly, Suzukiri and Chidori have a shaky alliance in canon, so I can’t rule out him using the guy against me if he were alive.

That would be the breakthrough of her losing “hand”, adding this new “card” to the game.

Again, I can regret cutting short the arcs of certain people a little because I want to see how it goes… but not all arc developments are meant to be enjoyable to me. Some can suck.

So I will cut it down before it happens; when I feel that it will not be amusing, I will “axe the story” ruthlessly. Now it is just a matter of deciding to do that.

It is all a risk… letting people live, I mean. They can end up being interesting or a pain in the ass.

Hmm, life is really all about balance, huh?

I guess so… I can also imagine some “stories” I am gonna interrupt that are actually the opposite… I will save people that are destined to die. Or stop some development that I don’t like.

Yeah… that sounds fun. That will keep me entertained for a long time. There are so many worlds where I can make some changes and see how the story changes.

“Why the silence? Are you jealous that I thought about allying myself with Chidori?” Suzukiri interrupts my thoughts, looking back with a teasing smirk.

“...yes. Very jealous. I want you only for me.” I say seriously 

“Oh, how shamelessly! And flattering.” She exclaims, surprised, before her smirk returns, her eyes two crescents. “And don’t worry, Chidori had a family, and you are the best partner I can ask for.”

“...” Yeah, yeah. You keep lying, and I will keep pretending I am falling for it. “Now you are the one flattering me.” I roll my eyes before the two of us go back to walk together.

The night is over, but there is still more to come.

The path of a villain is surprisingly exhausting… we have to act during the night.

…………………………………..

Days later, I am ready to move forward with our plan.

I waited this long because I wanted the week to end. That means another Sunday and another performance from the Rangers, but this time they are down even more members.

People aren't so stupid that they wouldn't figure out something weird is going on, that something bad is happening behind the scenes. A thought wormed its way into the heads of everyone who had previously had absolute faith in the heroes…

The Dragon Keepers are losing.

Some hidden battle, far from the stage and the public eye, is underway, and they're losing.

Hehe, what would the Dragon Keepers' response to that be? For now, nothing, but I bet they are pissed, especially the Red Keeper. He must dream every night of killing me.

At this high-tension moment, when they're eager to find the slimy maniac attacking them, they will be the easiest to bait out.

Not even the fear of losing to me will stop them from launching a full-blown offensive if I show up in public.

But it needs to be believable… I can’t appear in public wearing the Red Keeper costume and wait for them to show up.

I mean, it would probably still work, but they would be wary of a trap, might expect reinforcements, and hide the last Divine Artifact.

My public appearance needs to be on the line of subtlety, as if I didn’t want to be discovered, but they get wind of it nonetheless.

And the best way to do that is a fight.

Huhu~, a fight that escalated out of my control and does some collateral damage… someone catching me on camera for a brief moment… They will not lose the chance! They'll act fast, for fear they'll never get another chance like this.

A fight! Then… against who? It can’t be the Dragon Keepers.

Thankfully, this world doesn’t lack villains I can use as props. 

It is my turn to set the stage and do my own performance. 

Right now, I am just a normal civilian walking among everyone else on the street; no one would expect what is about to happen.

“Whoa… that is a huge building,” I comment like a tourist, no one paying attention to me. “An excellent setting for the final battle. Cathedral style, very soulslike… Should I wait for nightfall? I hope it is a full moon.”

Yep, I will wait for the sunset because it is cooler.

…………………………………………..

Hours Later

The Invaders Rights Association.

I look up at the cathedral-like building with amazement… Not only because the structure is beautiful, no… it is because this concept is so moronic and at the same time so realistic that I want to laugh.

“Hahahahaha!” I just did. “Invaders Rights??? Hahahahaha! Oh my…” I fell backward and lay on the rooftop of the building I was staying in to laugh more. It is good to be free and just let out my emotions like this.

Even on my back, I can still see the headquarters of the Invaders Rights Association because it is a veeeery large building. Seriously, that thing must cost a lot of taxes to exist.

And all that is being used by the Invader Rights Association! Hahahaha! Oh man… 

Is this the Suicidal Empathy I heard? If I am not wrong, I also remember a Marvel Comics story where the Skrulls almost succeeded in invading Earth by using people like this too. 

Damn, it is true… The downfall of humans can only be by the hands of humans.

This isn't about someone who is a little different; those Invaders are literally completely different people.

I mean, maybe they were once human, but that doesn’t matter. They are here to take over the world. The Dragon Keepers are evil, but they are the better option. 

And there are people defending the Invaders? Oh my… Look how pitiful the loser Invaders are~ Boohoo! 

“I can’t, man… How can the distance be so big? Humanity is both amazing and retarded. I mean, between the useful idiots, there are genuinely evil people using them. And the ones that will benefit from this shit too…” I sigh loudly after letting out that good laugh. “Invaders Rights…hehehe.”

One of the things that I needed to accept very early in my travels is that I will meet people, and even entire species, I can’t get along with. It is easy when they are feral monsters, strange aliens, or killing robots…

But sentient creatures I can talk to are in that category too.

I will meet people that are too dumb or too smart for me, that will look down on me immediately and never let go of their prejudice, some that will see me as food or pets or slaves…

I will not think of myself as a charismatic MC who can fall into the middle of a hostile civilization and, in some way, change their way of thinking… Please~ 

Those idiots protesting in defense of the Invaders really didn’t experience the real world, huh? The peace period the Dragon Keepers created backfired a little.

Maybe they should have let the Invaders cause a little more destruction.

“One day if I play the ruler of some place, I will try to remember this. Humanity can’t get too comfortable… Luxury is the enemy of man. It weakens us… Ah! That is the whole ‘weak men create hard times’ thing!” I sip up fast after my epiphany.

It is always good to take my time to think about my experiences. Time is something that I have to spare.

“Heave ho.” I stand up slowly and stretch myself. “Time to speed up those hard times then.”

Always stretch before physical activities, kids~

“I gave the Dragon Keepers enough time to know that Chidori is dead, so if I use Green Dragon Fafnir, they will instantly know that it is me…” I pull the hammer Divine Artifact from my inventory. “It is also the most showy.”

I casually crouch down and jump, immediately appearing high in the air above the headquarters. “Henshin!” I shout, raising the hammer above my head with both hands.

The motes of light cover my body, and I become the Green Keeper.

“Sukunabikona no Kami.” With the Incantation, I become a giant and strike down the cathedral.

BOOM

I took a good 20% of the area because I was holding back, but the attack was strong enough to kick up a lot of dust and send a shockwave through the neighborhood.

“Is this showy enough?” I ask no one in particular, striking a super sentai pose as I stand over the debris. “Oh, being a giant is kind of cool… Everything is so small…”

The final battle starts now… but I am the Boss.

…………………………………..