(Foxfire POV)

I stood on top of the roof, my arms crossed as I waited for him to arrive. Today was the next night after the call, where I was told to arrive. I was wearing a different outfit than usual, opting for a black hoodie and pants with a black face mask that covered the lower half of my face.

"Are you copying my style?" A voice suddenly spoke from behind.

I glanced behind me, seeing that he had somehow arrived without me noticing. Whatever his power is, it's allowed him to stay under the radar like this.

He's even more dangerous than I had thought.

"Don't be ridiculous." I replied. "Keep spouting nonsense and see what happens."

He rolled his eyes in response. "What an attitude. I'm surprised you actually called. Aren't you supposed to be a hero?"

My hand tightened around the handle of my blade. "Do you really want to test me? Don't forget that you're the one who asked for help."

"Calm down." He sighed. "We're going to be meeting with a few other prospects in the building we're standing on."

"And you're telling me alone this, why?" I questioned.

"Because you're the one hero." He stated. "So this is your warning. Don't go fighting any of them. Don't go crossing us."

He stepped closer, staring me down in the eyes in a vain attempt at intimidation. "I don't know what your true motivations are, hero. Most likely you're acting as 'undercover'. You won't be getting anything of value from this except what I promised you."

He took a step back, turning and walking towards the edge of the building. He glanced back, placing his foot on the edge of the roof. "And even if you do, the moment you cross us is the moment you die."

He stepped off the edge, disappearing into the darkness. I walked to the edge, seeing stairs on the side of the building which he did not appear to be on.

Interesting. He's playing things smart, knowing that I could be tricking him as much as he could be tricking me. At the same time, however, he's also warned me.

Odd. What could his motive in that possibly be? It's almost as if he's desperate. Why do they need a hero so badly?

And there's the answer, even if I don't actually know the details yet. They need a hero. The only reason I was chosen is because I'm "easy to manipulate".

A poor, young hero who was cursed with power now gaining the chance to rid herself of it. The perfect target to twist to their little whims.

Don't play me for a fool, I understand this.

I flexed my gloved hands, gazing at them. My powers still haven't returned despite a whole day passing. Whatever that suppression serum is, it's real.

Maybe I really could be free of this curse.

If only things were that simple. Well, there's only one way to find out. Let's enter the building.

I descended down the stairs, making my way to the door of the building connected to the alleyway. With a single knock the door opened, revealing a tough looking man with an even tougher glare.

I walked past him, entering the building. He pointed towards a closed door, leading to where I assume the man had disappeared to.

I entered the room, revealing a table and four people around it. One of them was that same man, sitting at the head of the table. The other three were people I immediately recognized.

Minor villains, ranked danger level 1, Street, or danger level 2, Block. I've always kept a close eye on the Administration's villain list, going through it so many times that most of it is burned within my brain.

"This must be the hero." The first one grinned, a tan woman with a vicious grin. "Why can't we just tear her apart?"

I analyzed the woman, taking in her features and matching them to my memories of the villain list. Gotcha.

Bloodhound, Level 1. Has the power of an incredible sense of smell and is known for a few murders.

"I could squash her, easily." A very muscled man in a tank top with a buzz cut crossed his arms, giving me the stink eye.

Demolition, right? Level 2, has taken down a few buildings from his power. His spit acts as an explosive, detonating against whatever it hits.

"That's boring. She should grovel and cry first." Smirked the final villain, a woman in a latex suit with a snake on her shoulder.

Snake Tamer. Level 1. I think her power is obvious enough with her name, but I'll state it anyways. She can control snakes.

"Because she's useful." The mysterious man sighed. "Go on, sit down."

I stared at the seats. The mysterious man was at the head of the table. On left side was sitting Bloodhound and Snake Tamer. On the right was Demolition. There were two available seats left, one next to Demolition and one directly across from the mysterious man on the final side of the table.

Obviously that one is the furthest, but if I want to integrate myself better...

I sat down in the one next to Demolition. He towered over me in stature, glaring down at me. Alright Hikari, act the part.

"Say something." I taunted. "It'll give me the perfect excuse to cut your filthy tongue off."

He growled at me, a fury burning within his eyes while Bloodhound started cackling.

"Moving on." The mysterious man interjected. "All of you will get what you want as long as you do your jobs for the boss."

"And where is the boss, hm?" Snake Tamer leaned on her hand. "I don't like being swindled."

"Obviously they aren't going to reveal their identity." The man crossed his arms. "They've told me to relay your jobs to you. Starting with you, Demolition."

He handed a map to the man. "Your job is to take down all of these buildings."

"You realize how ridiculous that is?" He questioned. "To destroy these three and not get caught?"

"They're all small buildings. And as long as you take down all three, then I assure you that you'll be scot-free even if caught." The man replied.

He looked towards Snake Tamer, rolling a vial to her. "Make it so that your snakes will inject the suppressor serum. We're going to need it for our target."

He then turned towards Bloodhound. "You're going to be the tracker of the target. After Demolition performs his job, I'll be using that to lure our target out."

He then turned towards me. "Which brings me to you. You're going to be our information and cover up. I need all of the Administration's information on the target, and after the job, I need it all wiped."

"And who is this target?" I questioned.

"You're being awfully vague." Snake Tamer added.

"The target is Bloodwraith." The man declared.

"You're fucking kidding me!" Demolition slammed his fists on the table.

"Now this is a challenge!" Bloodhound grinned.

"Quiet. Now." The man glared. "If you want what you were promised, then you'll do your job. Now listen."

He sighed. "Thanks to my exclusive knowledge, I know that Bloodwraith has been working with another villain named Checkmate."

...excuse me?

The man looked at me once more. "He may get involved as a result. However, having a hero with us will allow us to better cover up their disappearances."

Disappearances?

"You're getting more ridiculous with every word you spout." Growled Demolition.

"Don't you want to show the world who's better and causing destruction?" The man replied. "After all, he almost seems to be doing a better job than you despite being new to the game."

"Shut it!" Demolition slammed his fists on the table once more.

"Oh yes, Checkmate." Snake Tamer licked her lips. "He would be so fun to play with. To break. After that show he put on I can only imagine what he would be like..."

You shut that filthy mouth of yours right now.

"Another good challenge!" Bloodhound chuckled. "Tearing apart Stellar's 'nemesis' would be so much fun!"

I will fucking cut you into pieces if you even harm a single hair on his head.

"Our main goal is to capture Bloodwraith." The man continued. "But anyone who gets in the way is fair game. That includes Checkmate."

I should've known.

Haha...I see...

I was such a fool.

You'll rid me of my curse if I get rid of him?

Fuck off.

I may hate this curse, but I hate ones like you who would even attempt to touch what's mine even more.

"Now then, meeting is dismissed." He continued. "Have your preparatory jobs done in a week. Then we strike."

With that he stood up and strolled out of the room. The instant he was gone, the three villains eyes turned towards me.

Oh.

It's probably because I'm laughing.

"What's up with her?" Demolition questioned.

"Never had a good maniacal laugh before?" Bloodhound grinned.

"Heroes don't usually..." Snake Tamer spoke up.

"This is hilarious." I chuckled, standing up. "That you little pieces of shit can think they can touch what's mine."

My hands tightened around the desk, flames flickering through my gloves.

"What?" The other three stood up in response, staring at me.

"I'm done playing second fiddle." I laughed. "I'm done being fucking left in the dust. I told myself I'd make him mine."

"What the hell are you rambling about-?" Demolition started to speak.

But I was long tired of his stupid voice.

In an instant I unsheathed my sword and silenced him. Snake Tamer's eyes widened while Bloodhound held a look of surprise at Demolition's head hitting the table.

And then the rest of his body tipping backwards in the chair, falling to the ground with a final thud. Blood seeped from his open neck, staining the floor in a crimson red.

Wow.

I never knew how good it would feel to exterminate such lowly pests. From now on, anyone who even thinks to harm him shall fall.

Bloodhound leaped over the table. I kicked it from under, tipping it over and tripping her up. I grabbed her by the hair, yanking her around and slamming her onto the floor.

Snake Tamer ran for the door, only to be stopped as I threw my katana at her. She scampered back in a measly dodge, staying away from the door.

I sidestepped Bloodhound as she swiped at me, catching her by the neck with my hand. She clawed at my arm, making deep scratches as my glove started to melt away.

"Did you really think I was weak?" I spat.

She screamed a painful voice only heard in the deep pitfalls of hell as the azure flames overtook her neck. The flames engulfed her head and silenced her screaming in a few seconds.

I dropped her burning body to the ground as the fire started to spread. Snake Tamer was already at the door, wrenching it open with a fearful look.

She dashed out into the hall, only for the back of her clothing to be gripped by my gloved hand. I threw her to the ground, looking around the hallway. Seems like the person at the entrance left with the mysterious man.

Unfortunately he lives a little longer.

"W-what are you doing?" Snake Tamer fearfully gasped. "A-aren't you a hero?!"

I swung my hand out, gripping the snake that lurched at me. It bursted into blue flames immediately, Snake Tamer watching the scene with a horrified gaze.

"You know, I thought this power was a curse." I said. "But if it can deal with little nuisances for him, then maybe it's a blessing."

I've always wanted to do good.

But even more so...

Ever since then, I've wanted his eyes on me.

I wanted to do good for him.

So I'll use this fucking curse to make him proud.

To make him mine.

"You wanted to play with him, right? To break him?" I chuckled, stepping forwards.

The fear in her eyes was energizing.

"That's what I want to do to you." I grinned.

The azure flames creeped from the doorway, starting to cover the hallway. She shivered on the ground with teary eyes, knowing that it was over for her.

The building was completely burned down before anyone could arrive to find out what happened.

How...exhilarating.

Will you accept me now, Jason?

Will you become mine?