On the park driveway, a brand new black Ford slowly approached, the dark tinted windows rolled down, revealing a fully armored hooded superhero in the driver's seat.
The scene seemed so out of place. KS man had arranged the meeting at a park next to the Grimm Tower but hadn't specified any equipment requirements, only asking that the five additional thugs gathered by Steel Fist maintain a distance of at least three kilometers from each other, spreading out and using their phones to track the targets, to avoid appearing too obvious.
When the three of them acted together, they needed a vehicle to avoid unnecessary exhaustion, not to mention they would later need to transport the rescued hostage.
Considering KS had been appearing on foot previously, and rumors about him suggested he was skilled at climbing and jumping like a real ninja, Steel Fist had driven his new Honda SUV to pick him up, but unexpectedly, KS man had brought his own mode of transportation.
"Get in." KS's tone left no room for negotiation.
"Just go along with it! Unless you’d rather swap cars." Hako patted Steel Fist, who was eager to show off how great his car was. It was obvious that KS didn’t trust the vehicle they had brought.
In fact, Steel Fist disliked driving secondhand cars. This subtle obsession with cleanliness was in stark contrast to his preference for experienced women. Besides the license plate and owner information, which were falsified to handle traffic monitoring and tracking, he genuinely spent his own money carefully selecting each of his cars.
Recalling the brilliant sparks of the explosion, Steel Fist suddenly became very calm. "No problem."
"KS, are you sure you’re driving? I don’t mind using your car, but wouldn’t it be better for Steel Fist to drive so you could be more mobile?" In the U.S., cars are left-hand drive, while in Japan, they are right-hand drive. Although Hako had grown accustomed to switching between the two, when KS man started the engine, he suddenly wished the steering wheel was on his side.
The Japanese youth glanced at the dashboard, where the mileage was less than 20 kilometers. Even though the black Ford wasn’t really KS man’s car, it was clear he rarely drove it.
"I have a driver’s license, and no accident record," KS man added kindly, much more gently than he had been when attacking targets or responding to emails, making Hako uneasy, especially since this superhero had only the day before used a shuriken to disable Bookstore Owner's left eye and told Hako he could enjoy a little bit of small luck first.
Hako believed him, but would a normal person who drives regularly answer that way? For some reason, from the moment he sat in the passenger seat, he had an eerie feeling. The emotionless Steel Fist immediately climbed into the back seat, clearly content with having the superhero as a driver.
"How many times have you driven since getting your license?" Hako’s medical intelligence kicked in, and he politely asked the crucial question.
"Don’t worry, at least fifty times, I’ve even driven a yacht!"
No, a regular driver wouldn’t keep track of the number of times they drove, and they might even boast about having driven for years before getting their license. Based on KS man’s young age and his habit of moving quickly on foot, Hako deduced that the cautious and low-profile KS man wouldn’t casually give up exercising his body and superpowers to use four wheels.
Hako silently buckled his seatbelt, mentally preparing to deploy his superpower shield at any moment. It was a survival instinct, like a road test examiner’s. Hako could sit on a bomb without changing his expression, but he couldn’t accept the uncertainty of the driver next to him, who felt like a ticking bomb.
Nemo drove the black Ford out of the city, stopping at an old apartment near the blockade line after traveling east for a while. After parking, Nemo took out a black backpack from the trunk and signaled the other two to head to the top floor. Judging from the overflowing mailboxes and the discarded advertising papers on the ground, it seemed that although this apartment was outside the blockade line, most of the residents who had evacuated hadn't returned yet.
According to the government, the blood of the sea giant might have contaminated the harbor and some underground pipes in the southern district, and the longer people lived there, the faster they might mutate. Those with no other options had to return to their daily routines, but those with places to go obviously wanted to stay away from the potential threats. A barren expanse emerged at the perimeter of the blockade, yet the true ghost town lay further within its confines.
"Is there anything special about this place?" Steel Fist asked.
"This is a safe resting stop. We’ll wait here for a while to see if anyone is tailing or ambushing your subordinates. We’ll also discuss tactical details for when we enter Bookstore Owner's hideout later," Nemo replied.
"Wasn't it agreed that the regular guards would be handled by our people, Hako and I would take care of Bookstore Owner, and you would go rescue Red Plume? What’s so complicated about that?" Steel Fist also thought this was a good arrangement. KS's feint attack yesterday had nearly cost them their dignity—today, Steel Fist had to score some points back.
"This is the outline, but I have some details to improve the success rate," Nemo turned to the Japanese youth and said. "Red Plume isn’t on the Pole’s trade list. He wants to completely control you, Hako. A future kingpin of the Kingdom is clearly a more valuable investment. Even if he gets blackmailed by the Chinese or hunted by the Kingdom, his earnings are secured no matter what. The Pole is taking Red Plume separately, which clearly means her value as a hostage and commodity is the highest. The closer you get, the more dangerous Red Plume becomes. She’s the weapon Bookstore Owner will use against you, all he needs is a pencil pressed into her brainstem or cervical spine."
"Don't you want me to handle it myself? My superpower is essential for this mission, isn't it?" Hako questioned.
Nemo shook his head and said, "I just think before you get close to the Pole, you should first dress up in a way that even your daughter wouldn't recognize you. If he's still weak, that's great, but with his age and the ability to still fight me, it seems very unusual. He probably has some trick to quickly get his energy back, so you could be facing a well-prepared Bookstore Owner who’s more troublesome than last night. If we can ambush him, we should! There's no shortage of interrogation subjects, and at least one person—still a woman—will be responsible for taking care of Red Plume's needs during this kidnapping."
Hako paused, then nodded in agreement with KS man’s analysis.
"The Pole is your Kingdom’s problem to settle, I’m just responsible for rescuing Red Plume and delivering the final blow only when you’re unable to win," Nemo emphasized the division of responsibilities for this mission once more.
"We’re all in agreement, that's great," Hako genuinely appreciated that KS man had always considered the best strategy for his daughter, even risking his life to feint and fully understand Bookstore Owner's weaknesses, injuring him and shaking his will to fight.
"Since the tactics are settled, strip!" Nemo said this without specifically looking at anyone, simply lowering his head to remove one of his gloves.
Steel Fist and Hako both stared blankly for a moment. Two seconds later, the man in leather crossed his arms over his chest, signaling that he would never comply.
"Fist, you're overthinking it. If you're really eager to wear my uniform, the cosplay store sells them in large sizes. Hako and I will swap outfits and weapons; we're both Asians, with similar height and build. However, I’ll keep my helmet and voice modulator. Don’t even think about stealing my gear; everything has a tracking device on it, not even a tiny part can be taken. I guarantee the Kingdom will be hit by all sorts of retaliation from the Grimm Group before they can even reverse-engineer it. The investors will pull out, the white gloves will get audited, and everything will collapse and go bankrupt." Nemo couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark to Steel Fist, who had gotten the wrong idea, before getting serious and warning the Japanese youth about the serious consequences of coveting the Grimm Group’s products.
"My superpower is the Void Shield, I don’t have any specific weapons," Hako swore that he would return KS man's uniform in perfect condition, or commit seppuku if he didn’t, and pointed to his empty, lightweight self.
"You do have one—your wallet."
"…Alright." This was basically the vibe of getting completely undressed!
"I said a lot of things in front of Bookstore Owner yesterday to lure him into focusing on my voice. When we act, try to stay silent so he doesn’t get suspicious. By then, your uniform and weapons will be the real deal. Bookstore Owner loves antiques, will definitely recognize it. That said, if you get suspected, it’s not a big deal. You can just keep fighting. However, be careful, Bookstore Owner might shoot poison into your eyes and mouth. Before you speak, remember to put up a transparent shield to protect your face. Fist, you should wear goggles and bring extra masks for replacement. I’ve already prepared everything for you, they’re in the small compartment on the outside of my equipment backpack. Once I change, you can check and find it." KS man smoothly adjusted his almost empty black backpack and spoke.
So… sinister! But also so considerate!
"You're wearing clothes under your coat. Can’t you take it off now and use it to cover me?" Hako made one last struggle.
"There are many hidden weapons inside the coat that you can't use. I need some time to put them away. You can’t expect me to go into battle empty-handed. It’ll only be a little while." But during that little while, Hako had to stand on the rooftop in just his underwear, waiting in the wind, with his partner standing beside him. Even a psychopath wouldn't have faced such a harsh mental test.
Steel Fist kindly reassured him, "I won’t remember this. You've always been a true beast in formal attire in my eyes."
The Japanese youth slightly regretted helping this idiot fend off the ambush when he first met KS. For the safety of his daughter, he resigned himself to undressing.
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Nemo, holding all of Hako's gear, including his shoes and socks, walked into the stairwell to change. He glanced at the scene in front of him: the burly man in leather and the nearly naked Japanese youth, who looked slender compared to his partner's build. With a sudden sense of clarity, Nemo advised, "You guys are likely to be misunderstood. Watch out for drones."
"Steel Fist, give me the jacket." Hako wasn't stupid.
The man in leather looked troubled. "No one would be bored enough to look this way! My battle suit has been carefully maintained for a long time. If another man wears it, it loses its purity..."
"Do you want your head or your dick to be pinched after we’re done? You can choose now while I’m still in a decent mood," Hako said, and as expected, he got the leather jacket with a bit of warmth still in it. He reluctantly draped it over his shoulders, his appearance less messy, though still a bit alluring. The jacket only covered his hips, leaving his fair, slender legs exposed.
Steel Fist decided to stay silent, lest he end up losing his pants too.
About ten minutes later, KS man reappeared, now dressed in a black hooded sports jacket, the Japanese youth's casual pants, and leather shoes. As he had mentioned, he wore goggles connected to his helmet, and his hands were covered with another pair of black tactical gloves—different from the ones before. They resembled the trendy, cheap items often seen in fan merchandise to enhance the battle atmosphere, but the material was clearly not ordinary, and it was yet another layer of disguise.
KS man handed the packed equipment backpack to the Japanese youth and gestured for Hako to go change into the suit.
It was tough to figure out where KS had tucked away all those weapons. From the outside, it looked flawless—just a superhero enthusiast with subcultural tastes, wearing hero-themed gear and wandering around. After pulling up the hood, the goggles looked almost like sunglasses from a distance, far less noticeable than a suit-wearing office worker carrying a prop model of a gold sword.
"The shoes are half a size too small, but my boots should fit you fine. Just put everything back in the original arrangement when you're done with the gear. If it's regular battle damage, there's no need for seppuku or compensation. Consider it a gift for meeting Red Plume," the cold, modified voice from the voice changer said.
"Thanks," the Japanese youth, now wearing the superhero suit, visibly relaxed. The tight-fitting design and body-enhanced material even made him want to design a villain's suit of his own.
"The suit is bulletproof and resistant to strong acids and alkalis, so go ahead and charge in. Just remember to shield yourself and Fist, especially the exposed mucous membranes," Nemo advised.
"And you?"
"I have a personal bulletproof vest. Besides, I don’t plan on clashing directly with the enemy. If necessary, I will strike first." Nemo had always planned ahead for emergency situations during casual attire operations. He also asked Matthew to create a custom-fitted bulletproof vest with concealed weapon pouches, allowing the hidden weapons to serve as makeshift metal plating. It was certainly much safer than wearing regular clothes.
Nemo walked over to the disguised Hako to check if the suit was put on properly, ensuring the Ryukyu Sai was securely in place with its magnetic clip. Finally, he pulled Hako's hood up and took a few steps back to appraise him. "Not bad. You look the part. When you activate your superpower shield, remember to pretend to swing a weapon to avoid giving yourself away too early."
"Wait, are you really having Hako pretend to be KS man and go with me to hunt Bookstore Owner?" Seeing Hako in the superhero suit now looked incredibly dangerous and unfamiliar, the absurd costume change plan suddenly felt very real. Steel Fist felt his brain was short-circuiting, and he was nearly incoherent in speech.
"Perfect! This way, the enemy will likely relax their guard because they think it's a superhero. I gave Bookstore Owner a pass yesterday, and he might think he can negotiate with the hostage again. You can take this chance to strike. I’m not wearing the suit so I can remain in stealth and be more convenient," Nemo said.
"Is it okay to ruin your reputation like this?" Steel Fist felt that the world of superheroes was so surreal.
"Let the public figure it out. We don’t worry too much about dealing with superpowered scum internally. Besides, if this identity swap gets exposed, it’ll be because you were too dumb. It’s not my fault. I’ll just deny it and say I was wearing a different suit. Superheroes are always anonymous in action. And now Cosplay costume studios are so professional that they can make fake outfits almost indistinguishable from the real thing. I probably won’t need to change my appearance. After all, Hako is just a copycat at this point," Nemo replied.
He added,"By the way, if KS man gets caught in some embarrassing photos by reporters or the public, I’ll be asking for compensation for image loss and public relations expenses. Be smart, alright?"
Steel Fist nearly lost his composure at this taunt. There was no way he was going to let his pride as a man get trampled! "So, you don’t have any no-kill rules or anything?"
"Of course not. Don’t get too obsessed with internet forums and unrealistic fantasies about superheroes. When it’s time to act, just do it, to prevent future problems." Nemo made a slashing gesture across his throat.
Steel Fist looked disillusioned. "KS, have you considered pursuing a career as a supervillain? There’s a lot of potential there."
"My backers don’t approve. Plus, rankings are just illusions. If I go too high, it would be inconvenient for stealth missions. Hako, if you vote for me again, I’m really going to be upset," Nemo said.
"You can’t take away my little pleasures! At least let my daughter vote for you! I’ve been working hard to teach her to admire superheroes, not villains or her old man!" Hako protested.
No, admiring a superhero like KS man isn’t any more mentally healthy. Steel Fist wanted to say this, but somehow, in a certain sense, it was full of educational value. Whether following KS’s example or escaping his grasp, this kind of goal could train someone to become a strong individual from an early age.
"By the way, although I said 'kill,' I don’t mean you have to kill Bookstore Owner right away. If both sides are evenly matched and only one can survive, then there’s nothing to be done. But if there’s a chance to capture him alive, keeping him alive would be more beneficial," Nemo suggested.
"So you superheroes still don’t want to kill, huh?" Steel Fist sneered.
"Matthew Grimm hopes to obtain the secret of how the Bookstore Owner is able to maintain his superpowers at his current advanced age, including how he replenishes his energy and such. Grimm doesn't mean to steal someone; you just need to find out the answers and tell me. Of course, I wouldn't mind if you repay this favor to the Grimm Group with your body and soul," Nemo said.
"Then let's not kill him after all," Steel Fist replied quickly. Was Hako the kind of person who should carry everything on his shoulders? No, he wasn’t. This killer might be willing to return a favor, but he would do so by kicking Steel Fist out and letting others use him.
"Also, Bookstore Owner’s connections with the Chinese organization, as well as a more detailed list of traitors, and those who are still wavering—these are valuable pieces of information that can reduce obstacles in your ascent. As long as you know the Pole is in your hands, anyone who has come into contact with him, even if not necessarily a traitor, but with suspicions, will offer their goodwill. During the next power shift, you’ll have plenty of pieces to use," Nemo analyzed layer by layer.
"I see," Steel Fist said. "Why are you being so kind and helping us figure this out?"
"Your partner understands these basic principles, but it depends on whether Red Plume has been severely harmed or even killed. If the hostage rescue fails, all of this would be for nothing! I don't care how you handle Bookstore Owner, but I want the Pole's accomplices as my reward for helping, and any non-Kingdom related victims I find will also be mine," Nemo made things clear to avoid bargaining after the job was done and everyone was exhausted.
"Of course, we owe you a lot for helping this time, and even bringing in powerful help like Salamander. His charisma made some victim’s families let go of their doubts and believe that our collaboration can defeat the traitors and rescue the hostages. You've saved me a lot of trouble while joint operations," Hako said.
"During the hostage evacuation, there are bound to be some who want to take advantage of the situation or even harm the superhumans. I've already warned you. Anyone, including people from the Kingdom, who obstructs the completion of the plan will bear the consequences," Nemo said coldly.
"I agree with you. This can be considered an internal dispute. I’ll take care of the aftermath," the Japanese youth appreciated how KS was straightforward with his words and proved his credibility through actions.
Hako’s five henchmen confirmed that they were being followed. The Japanese youth said not to worry and instructed the scouts they had arranged to backtrack and confirm the origin of the pursuers, with the selected individuals following them step by step.
The three of them returned to the black Ford, and KS man continued to drive skillfully.
"I’m feeling a little unwell. Could it be motion sickness?" Steel Fist suddenly said. It had been more than twenty years since he first took the wheel in this lifetime, and he had never had motion sickness since.
"There’s motion sickness medicine in the car. Let me find it, and you guys better not mess up at the last moment." Nemo fished out an unopened bottle of medicine and tossed it to Steel Fist. Steel Fist, with a really big heart, opened the bottle and drank it straight away.
"Where are we headed now?" Hako asked.
"Bookstore Owner was at his mistress's place last night treating an eye injury."
"As soon as I confirmed the kidnapper was Bookstore Owner, I checked all his close clients and mistresses, but found nothing," Hako said.
"Did you check their homes or where they stay?" Nemo asked.
"What else?" Steel Fist snorted.
"If Red Plume had been taught so well by her father, she would definitely cause a lot of trouble and attract attention from passersby if she was awake, even setting a house on fire wouldn’t be surprising. I suspect Bookstore Owner instructed his mistress to drug Red Plume and keep moving the unconscious girl around. A beautiful woman in elegant clothing, dragging a large suitcase, walking around would never raise suspicion, especially with a bodyguard accompanying her. But you guys missed one mistress. The one who doesn’t seem connected to the Pole at first glance— the wealthy woman," Nemo said.
"Who?"
"Let me put it another way, the boss of Hyena," Nemo said. "Her lover or business partner lost his left eye and needed emergency surgery. She had to send a skilled surgeon to help. Plus, the Pole is extremely afraid of death, and with his energy drained, he definitely keeps a life-saving talisman close by. He would have had his mistress take Red Plume along to the surgery."
"Got it. She’s yours," the man in the leather jacket waved his hand.
The black Ford passed through the East District, and along the way, there were no detours. KS man followed traffic rules very strictly, and his driving was stable. However, Steel Fist felt uncomfortable in the car for some reason. He had no problem letting his subordinates drive when he was drunk, but it seemed he didn't sit in the back seat much when sober. He liked controlling the wheel. Was it the Ford that made him uncomfortable?
"Wait a minute, I just remembered there’s somewhere we can stop by to buy something. Don’t get out of the car," Nemo abruptly stopped by the side of the road, quickly opened the car door, and walked out, not noticing the cold sweat appearing on the Japanese youth’s forehead.
Nemo walked alone into a studio that specialized in renting and customizing superhero gear. He turned off his voice changer, lowered his tone, and said to the counter clerk, "My friend's going to this crazy outdoor costume battle today, and he's in a rush. He already swapped into his outfit in the car, but now he’s realized he’s missing a pair of KS man’s goggles. Can he grab one here?"
"We can sell one, but aren’t you wearing a nice one yourself? I’ve never seen such a finely made replica!" The clerk, clearly a fan herself, wore silver armor representing Michael.
"This is a custom-made collectible. A true fan of a certain superhero wouldn’t lend their specialized gear to just anyone, especially not some weak party-goer who would get it dirty or scratched by paintballs and mud. It’s infuriating just thinking about it. Since it's for a friend, could you help me pick something decent? Price isn’t an issue."
"I'll give you a discount on local superhero products—you truly appreciate superhero art like a real fan! I hope your friend has a great time!" The clerk, touched, handed over the costume accessory, while Nemo pulled out Hako’s credit card for payment.
"Where's Hako? I bought him a pair of KS man’s goggles. This light blue one is rare and won't obstruct his vision!" Nemo even cared about his teammates' gear and potion buffs when organizing a pick-up group in an online game.
"There’s a pharmacy across the street. He said he’s going to buy more motion sickness medicine," Steel Fist replied.
"Wearing a superhero costume to get medicine? Wow, his embarrassment meter is broken! Truly a Japanese trait!" Nemo remarked.
Steel Fist didn’t know how to respond. All he could say was that he had never seen Hako with such a murderous expression. His partner was totally in character now.