As I moved and leapt across rooftops, I started wondering… is being a hero really a good job? Yeah, I've thought about it, but… is it worth it? Your family practically has no privacy, and even worse—you don't either if you choose to be a hero. People harass you, criticize you, tell you what you did wrong… it's like those edgy otakus from my past life, just a nuisance. They'd even sue heroes for saving them. Looking into that, I noticed something: a lot of people would climb onto rooftops just to be recorded, and after being "rescued," they'd end up suing the hero or whoever helped them. That already happened in my previous life, but now… now it's worse. And I'm talking about the people who do that. Imagine having a bad day and making an impulsive decision, but out of fear of being sued, no one helps you… that's just garbage.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I saw a hero flying. They looked like someone wrapped in green flames… fascinating, considering we shared that detail. I was in my skeletal form, since it was useful having, so to speak… two minds. While King's body worked on the items I needed, I gathered thugs to consume. Smart, right? Though I do need a body soon—it would avoid problems, and I could keep this skeleton anonymous.
Shaking my head, I watched as what looked like a girl made of fire veered off in another direction, while I took a different path. The news had started talking about a villain with a fire quirk, which I found interesting, since my actions were gaining popularity. The more fear people feel, the more "flavor" they gain… and the more power they give me. Compared to what I'm planning, this is just an appetizer. That's why I've been moving through more distant cities, avoiding trouble.
As I jumped—since for now I preferred not to fly—I noticed a guy no older than 24. He was talking to another who seemed pretty calm. I wouldn't have paid attention, but something caught my eye: their gestures. Scratching their nose, touching their mouth, constantly moving their foot…
Signals.
Informants.
Probably for the heroes.
And they were doing it out in the open, so anyone could see… though only those who knew what to look for would understand. Thanks to GOLB—or rather, thanks to what I learned with King—I could pick up on those things.
I watched them closely.
And little by little…
I understood.
"Like I told you, Eraser's here. We need to get out of here or he'll catch us," one finally said.
Eraser…?
Eraser Head.
"How did you see him?" the other asked, still signaling.
"I saw his scarf as he passed."
The rest didn't matter.
I had what I needed.
I felt the auras around me.
There were many.
It was a crowded place… though at this hour, most people were half-asleep, unaware of everything.
Shaking my head, I continued my patrol… yeah, let's call it that. I look for thugs, predators… that kind of people. It's also satisfying—there's a certain pleasure in punishing them. That's why I leave some alive, so they carry the consequences for the rest of their lives. That's what gave people clues about me. I told myself it was a "shark mindset"… because those people don't really pay for anything in prison. I looked into it—or rather, King did: last month, around 40 criminals walked free. And well… let's just say I paid each of them a visit.
As I jumped onto another building, I felt something.
My head turned automatically.
It was… chaos.
But different.
I walked slowly, like a bee drawn to a flower… then mentally snapped myself out of it and moved more carefully. Looking down, I saw people wearing masks.
Something didn't fit.
They were… scared.
Too scared.
Their clothing—too hooded for a place like this.
So I expanded my senses.
And felt it.
Another presence.
Weaker.
Heavier.
Sad.
Someone about to make a bad decision?
I glanced once more at the masked people… then moved toward that other presence.
Slowly.
Into the darkness.
And then I saw her.
A girl.
…
…
…
I stayed silent as I approached.
She was completely covered.
I couldn't see her face clearly…
But something was wrong.
"Should I play therapist…?" I thought.
"Eh, why not."
I walked toward her, testing my acting skills.
"What are you doing in my building?" I said in the Lich's voice.
She startled, nearly falling.
Looked around.
Confused.
Invisible.
Interesting.
I stayed silent.
Waiting.
"…Who's there?" she said, her voice trembling.
I didn't answer immediately.
I just listened.
"This isn't funny…" she muttered, hugging herself."If you're going to do something, just do it…"
Silence.
Heavy.
"…no one sees me anyway."
She lowered her head.
"My whole life's been like this… you know?""I'm there… but I'm not."
I didn't interrupt.
"Not at home… not at school… nowhere."
Her voice started breaking.
"People talk… walk past me… and they don't even know I exist."
I clenched my fingers slightly.
Still said nothing.
"I tried everything… shouting, touching, making noise… but in the end I'm just… invisible."
She laughed.
Empty.
"Funny, right?"
She shook her head.
"I'm not even useful for dying… because no one would notice."
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Then I spoke.
"…Do you want to be seen?"
She froze.
"What…?"
"You want someone to see you."
Not a question.
A fact.
She hesitated.
"I…"
Didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
I stepped closer.
Placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Then go and become someone they can't ignore."
Pause.
"Become a hero."
She stayed silent.
Processing.
I turned away.
"If you want to be seen…"
Took another step.
"Make it so the world has no choice."
And without another word…
I left.
"What the hell is this shonen nonsense…?" I thought as I flew. Do people really just dump their life stories on you like that? Still… she felt familiar.
Whatever.
I kept moving toward my destination—but glanced back at the masked group.
When I arrived…
They were being arrested.
…
…
…
I just stood there.
"…What the hell?"
That easy?
Didn't make sense.
They weren't weak.
Then—
I felt it.
Someone watching me.
I turned slowly.
Red eyes.
A scarf.
…
Silence.
I covered my face slightly, just in case.
"Identify yourself," the hero said.
Underground tone.
Cold.
"…Reason?" I replied.
"You're on a rooftop at 2:30 a.m. What more do you need?"
…
"You've got a point," I said, stepping back.
"Stop."
He threw his scarf.
I dodged.
More attacks.
Then—
Three shots.
At my feet.
No damage.
But I lost balance.
I looked again.
He stared.
"…mutant," he muttered.
I frowned.
"Racist…?" I thought.
But no.
That wasn't it.
I kept dodging. He was good.
Eventually, he stopped using his eyes and just tracked me.
We ran across rooftops for 30 minutes.
Even I was impressed.
We stopped atop a building.
I stood calmly on a rod—Piccolo style.
Totally not using magic to look cool.
Silence.
Then—
"Are you the vigilante Lich?" he asked.
Ah, right.
I forgot to mention.
The ones I leave alive…
I tell them my name.
The Lich.
So fear grows.
So when I consume them…
It's worth more.
Because someone who knows me…
Is worth more.
Still…
I don't get overconfident.
If the original Lich could be beaten by a human like Finn…
Then I'm still weak here.
I looked at him.
"And what if I am?" I said, green flames appearing in my eyes.
"You're accused of multiple murders, mutilations, and assaults. Anything to say?"
I noticed he was calling backup.
Took him 30 minutes.
Impressive.
This world really runs like a weird shonen…
I shook my head.
"I am the punishment of mortal life."
I raised my arms slightly.
"Burn."
Twenty meters away, green flames erupted.
Chains shot out.
Restrained him.
His eyes turned red again.
He stared at me.
Like he wanted to kill me.
I approached.
Removed his scarf.
Got closer.
Touched his face.
Burned it.
Left a scar.
"Don't meddle in things you can't handle, kid."
I turned away.
Walked toward the edge.
Sirens approached.
I looked.
Then back at him.
Half his face burned.
"This is a warning."
I memorized the other heroes' faces.
One by one.
Then looked at him again.
And without another word…
I flew away.
End of Chapter 5.