Nemo followed the first report generated by Grayhat and listed the target list, sending the selected informants to various locations across the U.S. to interview the victims or their families. By then, he had already been discharged from the hospital and was simultaneously rebuilding his physical strength through muscle training, while continuing to clean up the hidden domestic abusers and rapists in Lone Star City to hone his superpowers. The intelligence gathered from local victims’ interviews wasn’t wasted either.
Steel Fist, who was getting impatient about Nemo’s plans for a serial kidnapping case, kept asking when they would take action.
“The end of October hasn’t even passed yet. My intelligence work and logistics team are still preparing. I’m just giving you a heads-up so you can finish what you need to do, to avoid you backing out at the last minute,” Nemo said, handing Steel Fist a disposable phone to build rapport.
“You said the operation would last over a month. What does that mean? You can’t expect me to be available on call for your trips. My management work is pretty heavy, too!” Steel Fist complained.
“Isn’t this a great chance to see the pros in action? Most people don’t even get to see ‘Hyena’ make a move!”
“You’re still working with ‘Hyena’?” Steel Fist was starting to lose track of who was more villainous.
“It should be ‘former Hyena.’ and also, it’s not really a collaboration. The other party is willing to volunteer to make Christmas gifts. You and I need to go gather the materials, but manpower is limited. I’ll need some time to select the best materials and ensure the evidence against the target is solid. We’ll need to cross-check multiple testimonies later.” Nemo continued to bait Steel Fist’s interest through the voice modulator.
The curly-haired youth’s tone might have sounded casual, but every day was hectic for him. The large amount of intelligence and investigation reports from Grayhat and the informants were constantly influencing the target list and attack sequence that Nemo had already drafted. Two targets had already been removed from the list and reported to the FBI as suspects in child murders by Matthew.
“You mentioned that the favor could be repaid with Bookstore Owner’s abilities. But then you guys took the old man’s medicine and saved him, which meant I had to sell my soul to help Hako repay the favor. But that elderly psychic must be rare, right? Isn’t Bookstore Owner a rare specimen?” Steel Fist couldn’t help but ask.
“Unless a rookie needs a paper to publish for promotions and money! The researchers in the Grimm Group are all focused on practical applications and breakthroughs. If a topic or sample isn’t hardcore enough, they won’t get funding. Bookstore Owner’s example might be useful for criminal psychology research, but as for superpower products, if it’s marketed based on age and perverse personalities, it might sell, but he knows your secrets, so it can’t be sold. Also, he's in your hands. Does it even make sense for you to ask me this? Oh, right, the experts say Bookstore Owner’s telekinesis is pretty ordinary, and for superpower research, it’s worthless.”
Steel Fist looked embarrassed. “You guys are so picky!”
“Don’t ask. Just blame it on capitalism.”
“I was just thinking, how should we deal with Bookstore Owner, that useless old man? It’s true he’s valuable, but killing him is easy. Keeping him is disgusting. We can’t let him ambush us or commit suicide. Even though Hako is in charge, this guy keeps dumping the dirty work on me!” Steel Fist muttered under his breath about the superhero.
“I love watching you guys work so hard to keep him locked up, extracting information from him. It’s the best punishment for that Polish old man. Think of it as a sweet little burden for future success. You think villains don’t have to deal with mental illness, long-term care, prison management, vocational training, internal smuggling, stealing, murdering, affairs, and power struggles in the courts? Everything’s related to money! Group activities are this troublesome!” Nemo said with a smirk.
“Ah, I don’t want to hear it!”
“I’m off to punch people and take photos. Goodnight,” KS man said, signaling he just wanted to be a low-key figure.
“You’re too crafty. Give me a list to release some stress! I promise I won’t kill anyone.”
“No. I have an art to maintaining boundaries, and you’ll just add social costs. You’d better manage your own turf, don’t make it so bad that I have to step in.”
“Petty! Also, Hako asked, can you come to eat cake on her daughter’s birthday?”
“Sure, but no promises I’ll make it. I might have a mission. If that happens, just save a slice in the fridge for me, and I’ll pick it up later.”
“Forget it, I’ll tell you anyway. After Bookstore Owner couldn’t drink the blood of the woman with red hair from the basement, his superpowers nearly vanished. Now, he just wants to drink blood whenever he meets someone. He’s turned into an old madman! Hako thinks Bookstore Owner might be faking it and plans to give him psychiatric treatment, but they’ll keep him locked up for a few years first.” Steel Fist essentially told KS man that the high-ranking members of the Kingdom had acknowledged that Bookstore Owner was Hako’s trophy, with his fate entirely in the hands of the Japanese youth. This was almost like a blatant promotion notice.
“Do you really think the Pole has gone mad?” Steel Fist revealed that the current state of Bookstore Owner was something he wanted to hear the superhero’s opinion on.
“I think t Bookstore Owner is probably faking it, too. But what’s so mad about wanting to drink blood? It’s more like superstition. That old man’s real goal is to escape. And there’s probably still an accomplice or higher-up in the Kingdom who hasn’t been caught. Hako’s keeping him alive as bait to catch a bigger fish.” Nemo casually showed his sharp teeth during the conversation.
The bottle of mysterious compound mixed with poison was the best evidence. Hako seemed to have no idea that such a strange drug existed, probably because high-ranking factions kept their deadly secrets to themselves.
“Bad luck for him, meeting you,” Steel Fist said. KS man was adding salt to the wound.
“It’s that old man’s fault for choosing the wrong person, doing the wrong thing, and setting up camp in the wrong place. How can you blame me?” Nemo had no choice but to drag Tolya into helping because Bookstore Owner was just too close to them! Plus, this kingdom's betrayal caused a huge problem. If they weren’t careful, a super-powered battle wouldn’t take place in an old warehouse in New Orleans but right in the local area, possibly escalating to an explosion in the Westlake restaurant or in Nemo and Tolya’s rented apartment. Nemo had to act fast to eliminate the threat.
“I hope to retire comfortably by the time I’m fifty, if the world hasn’t ended by then,” Steel Fist suddenly stated.
“The world likely won’t end, but humanity... I can’t guarantee that,” Nemo replied.
“You supers always say such indifferent things, probably because you’re sure you’ll survive to the end,” Steel Fist retorted.
“Quite the opposite. I think superpowered people have shorter lifespans. Besides, anyone can awaken superpowers at any time, right? You should have more faith in yourself,” Nemo said with a pointed tone.
Every man dreams of having cool superpowers, but when you’re surrounded by a killer with compressed rage and unhealthy 18+ scenes, the encouragement coming from KS man just makes Steel Fist feel like that romantic idea got drenched in cold water.
“...Hako doesn’t let her daughter inherit superpowers. He’s damn smart,” Steel Fist muttered at the end.
※※※
The preparation work for KS man’s large-scale operation finally came to an end in the second week of November. Just as Nemo had predicted to Matthew, he needed about a month to make the “Christmas gifts.”
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Grayhat chose the Chicago Archdiocese as the target for independent investigation. According to the hacker, the state bird of Illinois, the Northern Cardinal, was also known as the “Red Cardinal” due to its name and features. It seemed like the hacker was drawn into the impulsive desire stirred by Nemo’s offhand mention of the “red demon.”
For any hacker, regardless of their skill, there’s always an impulse to stir up trouble. Grayhat quickly hacked into the diocesan legal department’s computer to grab confidential files about internal investigations, especially the latest sexual assault reports. Typically, cases with just one victim were often overlooked.
Grayhat: “What do they mean the perpetrator’s death means no more investigation? The child is safe now? Retiring or dying from old age, sickness, or a car accident, they’re still dead. The prosecutor isn’t investigating actively to avoid re-traumatizing the victim? Иди на хуй!*”
KS man: “We’ll talk about the retirees later. My informants need clear investigation targets. Send me the list of active priests with only one accuser and the church they’re based in. These are the ones the prosecution and church are most likely to cover up, and these slightly stained priests probably know other clean accomplices and more victims who haven’t come forward.”
KS man: “Also, prioritize those priests who have images, recordings, or body parts as trophies from victims. Let me know about them immediately.”
Even when it comes to vigilante justice, Nemo still insists on prioritizing solid evidence first, followed by consideration of the victim’s direct accusations and confessions of guilt.
Nemo, thus, carefully compiled the first list of seven names and instructed Steel Fist to head north to the designated location in November, when the weather was turning colder, to apprehend the individuals. He also sent over the criminal files for Steel Fist's reference. Even Steel Fist, the villain, felt a strong urge to beat these scumbags senseless, but KS man insisted that Steel Fist should deliver them alive to a secret clinic, with Superhero offering covert support.
Out of the seven corrupt clergy members, only two were forced to undergo castration surgery, while the remaining five were gagged and forced to sit by the side, watching the procedure unfold. The entire surgery was recorded on video.
What surprised Steel Fist the most was that KS man had no intention of changing roles during the operation. He just didn’t want to cause a public disturbance during the process. Once the prey was caught, he appeared before them in full superhero uniform and with his trademark weapons.
“I didn’t come here to hear your confessions, nor to pass judgment on your guilt,” Nemo said to the terrified men. “I came to ask you to fulfill the ‘promise’ you made. Afterward, I will let you return to your church duties.” The medical staff, ex-Hyenas, stood by emotionless, waiting.
The man in the leather jacket held a Bible, with a bookmark marking the passage Nemo had highlighted for Mrs. Jennifer. The blonde woman immediately understood Nemo’s goal, which led her to cry and laugh, completely breaking down. To reward Steel Fist for his laborious work, Nemo assigned him the most dramatic role, which Steel Fist thoroughly enjoyed.
“Ah-hem, as it says in the Gospel of Matthew: ‘If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.’” Steel Fist deliberately recited in the most solemn tone.
Upon hearing this passage, the two priests on the operating table immediately understood the torment they were about to face. Their faces went pale, but they could only make muffled sounds due to being gagged.
Steel Fist, still unsatisfied, read another passage aloud: “‘If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.’ Honestly, buddy, how many men have solved problems with their right hand? Why do you have to slide into hell with your whole body?” He emphasized “cut off” with extra force.
The man in the leather jacket’s mockery didn’t ease the grim atmosphere in the room.
“You seven don’t know each other, but from now on, you’ll be brothers in the same group, and you must support one another. If one of you falls, all of you fall. Don’t understand? Let me make it clear,” KS man, in his cold, youthful voice, listed the rules: “If any of you report to the police, I will publicly release the full names, history, and evidence of all your crimes, along with the victim’s accusations. If anyone commits suicide or engages in any behavior contrary to the doctrine, attempts to cover up for the others, etc., the consequences will be as stated.”
“Our hero means that suicide won’t solve the problem, nor will it solve the problem for those who created it. You’d better stay alive and atone. Of course, if you’re brave enough, you can turn yourselves in and hold a press conference to apologize publicly to the victims. If you can’t do that, at least stick to the vows you made when you became priests and let the victims witness your ugly struggles,” Steel Fist remarked. He found this development too amusing. It was a plan only a demon could come up with, and of course, it was perfect for dealing with the true demons hiding in the church.
The detailed criminal files were also handed to the observers, so they could better familiarize themselves with the perpetrators after the surgery.
“Unless there is an accident during the surgery or the patient goes into shock, no anesthetics or painkillers will be administered. You five will be in charge of post-surgery care and monitor the others until they can handle the aftermath on their own,” KS man instructed Mrs. Jennifer’s remaining ex-Hyenas.
“It’s our honor,” the lead female doctor said cheerfully. “I’ve stumbled before and am willing to spend my life atoning, especially in this way.”
“Oh, I almost forgot to add: Even if you’re unlucky and a chain reaction of explosions happens because of your teammates, or if the victim reports you, bringing shame upon you and leading to an irreversible situation, we can still keep cutting off parts of your body. I won’t acknowledge conversion or anathema. This is a human action. After all, you made a promise to God to interact with those children, and that has nothing to do with secular law.” Nemo gestured with a starting motion.
Just as Steel Fist was about to leave the operating room, he was grabbed by the hooded superhero. Cold sweat appeared on his forehead. “Do we have to watch too?”
“Of course. I want everyone to understand that this is no joke. As witnesses and supervisors of the scene, we need to ensure that everything remains under control. It will be painful, but not life-threatening,” KS man said with unwavering resolve.
“Then, on Christmas Eve, you must go to a designated abandoned church and face the victims who are willing to attend. Apologize, repent, reaffirm your faith, and hold a blessing mass for them. Even if the victims curse and spit at you or leave in disgust, you must complete the ceremony and try to save those dying or underdeveloped wounded souls, year after year. If you lose your priesthood, you will replace it with prayer and scripture reading—read the Gospel of Matthew! Until you truly understand that ‘the children in heaven are the greatest.’”
From there, Nemo fell silent and quietly observed. Steel Fist, half-turned, occasionally stared for brief moments, feeling immense psychological impact.
This was just the beginning.
KS man’s ever-growing list of names made Steel Fist dizzy, and for the next month, he would constantly accompany KS man in a game of “eagle catches the chicks,” even traveling to different dioceses and states. Every time they caught a group of “chicks,” two had to be castrated. By the third time, it seemed that KS man had suddenly wised up and told Steel Fist he didn’t need to accompany him for the surgeries anymore. After all, Steel Fist was just a temporary assistant, and KS man could handle things on his own.
This comment felt unpleasant, as if suggesting Steel Fist wasn’t brave enough to handle the ‘good deeds’ he had done. But then again, they were indeed good deeds. The man in the leather jacket could only harden his resolve and watch these child rapists undergo their first wave of punishment, including the recorded footage of their humiliation and frantic care during the post-surgery recovery. The videos would later be sent out with the Christmas Eve mass invitation cards, with their faces all pixelated.
KS didn’t want one of the victims to impulsively upload the videos online and have the perpetrators face public judgment. Otherwise, these corrupted clergymen might commit suicide, but it wouldn’t be true repentance. It would just be pressure from reality, making KS’s efforts in vain.
Although these videos later leaked online, they were circulated as another work of the nameless vigilante after the Beelzebub Files. The police even set up a task force to investigate across states. Unfortunately, Hyena was indeed very professional at hiding their whereabouts, and no victims came forward to report the incidents.
The Christmas gift operation wasn’t without setbacks, encountering worsening weather and human errors, causing delays. Some couldn’t withstand the pressure and committed suicide before being released from the secret clinic. Though they were revived, they became mentally unstable, leading to replacements. In the end, KS man and Steel Fist managed to complete ten operations, which was quite an impressive record. According to the hooded superhero, this was considered a lucky number.
After Thanksgiving back in Lone Star City, Steel Fist spent half a month feeling that violence was wrong and wondering why people couldn’t just sit down and talk things through. He also forgot which presidential candidate had won. It wasn’t until a brash young gang member smashed a bottle over the leather jacket man’s head that Steel Fist snapped out of his “demon-possessed” state and gave the guy a hearty beating.
One could only say that KS’s style was dangerously addictive. Steel Fist couldn’t help but shudder every time he thought about it, while Hako, on the other hand, listened with great interest, thinking KS’s methods were worth learning. As the father of a young daughter who had recently been kidnapped by a perverted old man, Hako thought KS had done well! Unfortunately, their relationship wasn’t close enough for the superhero to invite Hako to join his Christmas activities. Perhaps next year, the Japanese youth would manage to find time to convince KS to let him join in?
The premise is that they are still alive by then—villains and heroes, both of them living on the edge.
The festive Christmas atmosphere swept across the country, with red and green filling the streets. Families began preparing holiday decorations and gifts for friends and family. Even those who didn’t believe in Christ could feel the joy in the air.
Christmas Eve was fast approaching.
*Russian insult