The Villain's Sister - Chapter 26

Black Pistols was facing off against a Big Bear executive.

“The boss gave an order to pass on a message. ‘Why don’t we join forces and take down Death Adder?'”

“Quit spouting nonsense and quietly go to prison.”

Standing atop a utility pole, Red Shadow watched the two fight.

A silenced gun fired repeatedly, sparks flying.

‘At least they’re not using tranquilizers today.’

But so what?

The righteous Black Pistols took on more than twenty gang members alone, going out of their way to avoid vital areas, knocking them out with blows to the back of the head instead of killing them.

It was a choice Red Shadow couldn’t understand, but he accepted the line that Black Pistols refused to cross.

Everything’s only hard the first time. The second time is always easier.

He knew from experience: once your hands are dirtied, there’s no turning back.

“All done?”

“You could’ve helped, you know? Just stood there watching, huh? Real nice.”

After tying up the unconscious gang members and the executive tightly, Black Pistols shot a flare into the sky.

It was a special flare that would stay suspended for the next thirty minutes, marking their location.

The police, who coexisted with Black Pistols, would come swarming in like wild dogs to make the arrests.

A masked figure chased after Black Pistols, who got on his bike.

Red Shadow leapt down.

He landed softly, as if stepping down a staircase.

“What? Got something to say?”

Red Shadow’s footsteps echoed as he walked.

“You’re one persistent bastard. Wearing shoes like that—don’t your feet hurt?”

“I’m on my way to meet the guy supplying the blue gas.”

“So? You want me to come along?”

“Of course not. I just happened to spot you while passing by. Ah. By any chance, has there been word about Sunshine breaking out?”

“What? That guy broke out?”

When Black Pistols stiffened, Red Shadow let out a short sigh.

“Judging from your reaction, I guess he didn’t.”

“Scared the hell out of me, asshole. You think it’s possible to break out of an underground prison…”

“Not like the media isn’t hiding a hundred other things on Mist Island.”

“Why Sunshine?”

“Sunshine had a genius-level talent for drug manufacturing. Blue gas is a completely new drug. Just thought I’d ask.”

“Ha… Thought I was gonna drop the baby or something.”

Black Pistols looked extremely on edge the moment Sunshine’s name came up.

“Looks like Big Bear plans to find the supplier and bring him under his wing. I hear he’s already absorbed the remnants of Lucky Ginger.”

“Really? Then we’d better crush Big Bear fast.”

“If you’re going to do that, wouldn’t it be better to team up with Death Adder and take them down?”

“Would you have teamed up?”

“Of course not.”

“Unbelievable bastard. You wouldn’t, but you suggest I should?”

“You’ve already worked with them before.”

“Damn it. You think I teamed up with Raphael because I wanted to? Get lost.”

Hard to say whether it was stubbornness or ignorance.

Their personalities differed, so did their styles and their sense of justice.

Black Pistols believed that even the process of pursuing justice had to remain pure.

If your methods got dirty, then the result was always tainted—half justice at best.

Red Shadow only looked at the result.

As long as the outcome was just, the process didn’t matter.

To those trampled by evil and screaming in pain, what mattered was changing this damn reality—not some self-righteous words like virtue, morality, or justice.

“I’m tired of arguing with you.”

Black Pistols started the engine of his bike and made one final comment before departing.

“I still regret working with that bastard. Worst experience of my life.”

“Really?”

“I don’t know what you really do behind that mask. But at least from what I’ve seen and lived through—only when the result comes from a proper process does it stay stable. More than anything else.”

A siren sounded not far away.

Black Pistols swallowed hard.

“If you act like you do, what do you think the next generation is gonna learn?”

Adults should teach kids that results aren’t the only thing that matters.

The silenced bike sped off in the blink of an eye.

Red Shadow watched the bike disappear into the distance and muttered, “Sometimes, the world needs a janitor for those kids.”

Black Pistols wanted to be someone’s role model, and Red Shadow wanted to build a better world.

Even if fighting alone wouldn’t turn hell into paradise, maybe—just maybe—it could make the world a little better.

If he had to become a villain for that, so be it.

It’s not like his life had ever had meaning anyway.

***

Whether he caught on or it was just an irregular deal from the start, the supplier didn’t show up until 3 a.m.

Unable to wait any longer in the park, Red Shadow returned to Raphael’s house.

He took off his mask, changed clothes, and wiped away any traces of battle from his body.

As he walked in, he encountered Raphael, who had just come out of the shower, wearing a robe and popping open a can of beer.

Seeing Johan return home at such a late hour, Raphael narrowed his eyes.

“Where have you been? Did you forget my order?”

“I’m sorry. I was late handling something your sister entrusted to me.”

“Work? Are you saying that work is more important than my sister’s safety?”

Through the parted robe, a chest covered in tattoos was revealed.

“I can’t tell you.”

“I’m your employer, not Deva.”

“And if I don’t tell you?”

“You’ll be thrown out, and Deva will wake up and spill everything to me.”

“…Please wait just a moment.”

Things were going quite well.

Thanks to Raphael pressuring him to tell the truth, Johan now had an excuse to reveal everything.

Johan went to his room and brought out the gift sent by Giselle.

Raphael clenched his teeth upon seeing the blood-written letter and the shredded animal carcass.

“Have you found the culprit?”

“We suspect it’s one of the restaurant waiters.”

“What’s his description?”

“His name is Kevin. Mid-20s. Black hair, black eyes. Around 170 cm tall.”

“I’ll double-check to see if it’s him. Don’t let Deva know that I’m aware.”

“Yes.”

The empty can in Raphael’s hand was crushed like paper.

Johan silently smiled and went upstairs.

***

“Yeah. If he calls, tell him to meet me Friday afternoon. Say I told him to take a half-day.”

— Sure. I’ll pass that on. Deva, I really hope you land that guy. His voice is so sexy. If it works out, you have to introduce us. My lifelong dream is to have dinner with your boyfriend. Think about it. You can’t grow old and die a nun!

Maria’s voice gradually grew louder, seemingly excited as she spoke.

It was so loud Johan frowned even from the couch.

I continued the call unbothered.

Maria was off duty, and I hadn’t seen my friend in two weeks, so I was totally stressed out.

“Oh right. A new dessert shop opened near my place. Want to go next time? The patissier trained abroad, so the flavors are really unique. Since Raphael’s moving out soon, he told me to hang out with you all I want before then.”

— Book the schedule now. We’re throwing a pig-out party that day. What was our record again?

“Five hours and fourteen minutes. From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., we kept eating and Raphael joked that I was raising a pig.”

— You’re funny. You ate three whole pizzas by yourself. This time, we’re going for seven hours.

“I’ve already written down thirteen dishes for that day.”

— I’ve got seventeen!

As we chattered childishly, Johan looked completely fed up.

He seemed horrified that he couldn’t stay far away because of the stalker.

I held back my laughter and wrapped up the conversation.

Click.

The moment I hung up, Johan asked, “Do you have any headache medicine?”

“Oh no. Does your head hurt? Are you not feeling well?”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Is it even possible to talk for three hours straight?”

“You mean only talk?”

“Ha.”

I smiled and brought him some medicine.

He really must’ve had a headache, because he took the medicine with water.

“What’s going on with the stalker?”

“We should have it resolved soon.”

“Who is it? Lately, I’ve been sharpening my high heels every night before bed. I’m going to stab that bastard in the back of the head.”

“……”

Why isn’t he saying anything? Now I’m worried.

It’s not like Johan would’ve handled the stalker for me.

Just then, the front gate opened outside.

“Deva.”

Raphael came in carrying a large box.

“Come take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

“Just come.”

His tone was serious, so I hurried over to check it.

Inside the box were my belongings.

The dress I’d left at Maria’s place, the lost shoe, a photo I’d taken with Raphael on a sunny day, a missing hair tie and brush. And…

“What is all this?”

My underwear.

Veins popped out on Raphael’s forehead from how enraged he was. My chest turned cold.