Chapter 123: Threat Level

Pain.

No matter how strong one was; if one was not used to pain, then even the mightiest of heroes would fall, or in this case, a villain.

Sophie Palmer– classified as a Threat Level 5 supervillain by the Government. But in terms of strength, she was definitely bordering on Threat Level 6.

There were 7 Levels of supervillains– theorized by the people, then confirmed by the Government. As said by Katherine in one of their lessons.

Level 1 were just considered a nuisance; those who misuse their powers to wreak minor chaos, but not enough to cause damage.

Level 2 were those to be considered street-level, those who use their powers to commit petty crimes like theft, robbery, and minor assault.

Threat Levels 1 and 2 could be dealt with by the normal police with no problem at all. And sometimes, superheroes were discouraged to engage with such individuals, and in some cases, even restricted.

Level 3 is where they start being recognized by the Government as someone that should be detained for an indefinite amount of time.

Threat Level 3 was the minimum level allotted to villains who have been confirmed to commit murder. Their levels then go up in accordance with the blood they have on their hands, as well as the damages they have caused to the country or the world.

Level 4 are villains that are already on the Government's watchlist; a bounty– they are to be actively hunted by superheroes and will be rewarded accordingly; superheroes, however, will still be liable in case of the bounty's death.

Threat Level 5 are those that are capable of causing chaos to a city-wide level– normal police are no longer required to respond to the situation and only heroes of Grade-B, A, and S are recommended to engage. The villain's death will no longer be investigated at this level.

Levels 6 and 7 are similar– subdue at all costs. This is the time the Hope Guild and any other Grade-A supers and above are required by the Government to act depending on the gravity of the situation– this is usually also the time when Mega Woman could be spotted roaming around the skies.

Still, Mega Woman actually responds to any threat she could, however, as she never once listened to the government. Her reason? She was an alien.

Threat Level 7 supervillains are considered to be a calamity and require citizens to hide or bunker up until the threat has been completely neutralized. Dark Millenium was on its way to this level, but the Government ordered their quick termination before they could be so.

And lastly…

Threat Level - Darkday.

The whole world will be placed under lockdown and no normal humans or superheroes of Grade-B and below are allowed to go outside their homes or bunkers. Grade-A heroes are not required to engage but are needed to evacuate or protect citizens instead.

Even now, after months and months of Darkday's last appearance, there were still cities that have not recovered from his wake.

As for Sophie, she was considered to be Threat Level 5.

The only reason she was not upgraded to Level 6 was that during her short time with the mask, she did not actively seek to cause mayhem and was content in participating in street-level operations and shady deals. Her powers, however, rivaled that of Grade-S supers.

She had fought many battles, sure– but none that really threatened her life as she escapes before anything drastic happens to her. It was true what she said to Riley, she did fight with 2 members of the Hope Guild before and was able to survive with only a scratch on her.

But this time, she had truly overstayed her welcome and overestimated herself. And so, we are back to…

…Pain.

Sophie was trying her best to not let the shrieking scream escape from her mouth. But still, bits and pieces of it escape. If it was not for the adrenaline she was feeling right now, then she would have already and definitely groveled on the ground from the almost searing pain.

Add to the fact that the one that just severed her hand was smiling at her; slightly biting his lips. If she was trying her best to hold off her screams, then Riley was trying to hold off his laughter.

"Need a hand?"

"You–"

And before Sophie could even finish her words, Riley's laughter finally burst out from inside him. It… was a very weird laugh– chilling. It seemed fake with the short intervals of pause with each sequence, but at the same time, the look on his face clearly says that he was not faking it.

"I apologize, I think it was insensitive of me to tell a joke in this situation, I am still learning the proper timing," Riley's laughter then abruptly stopped as he let out a small but deep sigh,

"It's just that it has been a while since I actively participated in this kind of activity, Miss Sophie. Ever since I retired from being Darkday, my life has been somewhat… lacking. Maybe I should have also told a joke to Mega Woman before I twisted her neck."

"What… the fuck are you?" Sophie stuttered as she asked. Of course, in her mind, the possibility of Riley being Darkday had actually shot through the roof already– telekinesis, clones, and a barrage of different other superpowers?

She would be a fool to deny anything at this point; especially with her life on the line already. At this point, even if her durability was far greater than that of a normal human, since her arm was literally ripped off almost from the shoulder, she was losing too much blood.

She was planning to delay until any other heroes arrive so she could use the chance to escape, but at this point… she would die before that happens.

"I apologize, Miss Sophie," Riley then let out a small sigh as he dropped Sophie's arm on the ground, "I don't really have the ability to attach your arm back. As an apology for my mistake, would you like to become my 3rd Subordinate?"

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"No, I– Eh?"

And before Sophie even finished her words, she felt herself suddenly unable to speak as a persisting warm feeling suddenly flowed down her chest. Her remaining hand then slowly made its way to it, only for her to find herself slowly being showered by blood… that was profusely flowing down from her neck.

"I was hoping to at least have you as a guest, but it seems that would not be possible, Miss Sophie," Riley's steps then whispered through Sophie's ears as her legs slowly lost their strength, "But I almost forgot I have a new Warden– I am afraid someone like you would be a threat to him and the other guests…

…You should have accepted my offer to be my 3rd Subordinate."

Sophie then turned to look at Riley; whose eyebrows were currently furrowed. His breaths of disappointment, piercing her ears like knives. She…

…she was just going to ask first what he meant by 3rd Subordinate. She… she should have just said yes without delaying any further.

"I really thought your abilities were beautiful, Miss Sophie," Riley's words then began to slowly fade; turning into a whisper as Sophie's vision started to flicker. She was trying her best to compress the huge slit on her throat, but doing so would choke her even further.

"But Mega Woman seems to be a very possessive individual," Riley chuckled, "I can no longer… grow…"

Is… he still saying something? Sophie's entire body then dropped to the ground; she could feel the warmth of her blood still gushing from her neck as it flowed to her cheek– almost like a… very comfortable pillow.

"Mega… immortal, you see…"

What was he saying? Was this the monologue everyone hears before they die at the hands of supervillains? Did... she also do this?

"...I gain my powers by… now… no one can…"

It's funny. She had always prided herself on being one of the most successful supervillains– as unlike most, she was able to escape from the cage that was her mask. She was leading a good life, perhaps not the most honest one since she was a drug lord… but considering the alternative of what–

And just like that, with her final thoughts that of a looming regret… Sophie Palmer took her last breath.

"..." Riley's words then completely stopped as he stared at Sophie; her purple hair, now almost black as it was soaked in her own blood. And with a small sigh, he just shook his head…

…and left.

***

"Agh! Riley, where have you been!?"

"I was with Sophie, sister."

"Sophie!? Who the… I told you not to talk to strangers!"

Even with the sound of sirens and people screaming, Hannah's voice was still the loudest instrument that echoed through this orchestra of chaos.

"..." Riley then looked around the damage he and Sophie had caused. Buildings turned into rubble, roads completely split in half. It truly was a shame that he was not able to get her on his side– she was also the leader of a large group, she could have taught Riley how to treat his subordinates better.

Truly… such a shame. Riley then shook his head as he wore his sunglasses– his white coat now once again fluttering in the wind. Where and when he changed it, no one knows.

"What are you still standing there for!? Help them!"

"Hm," Riley then nodded as he saw the people being evacuated from the buildings. Riley did not really stay long whenever he brought destruction to the world; he was always gone after the last screams of agony, sometimes even before, as Mega Woman would surely arrive.

But now, seeing his work first-hand. Seeing the people crying… seeing the people work together to help one another… all of their sadness resonating within him. It… made his heart flutter.

He… did all of this? He caused all of this sadness and grief whenever he wreaked havoc?

Why…

…Why didn't he discover this happiness sooner?

***

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