Chapter 18: Unexpected Interview

“This is Stacy Page, reporting LIVE in Manhattan Mall. A situation has occurred inside the mall as hundreds of hostages are currently held by an elite criminal gang, [Deck of Cards]. The DoC, who are well known for their past bank robberies are now demanding 1 billion dollars for the release of the hostages. The police have surrounded the mall but the 1 billion had yet to appear, leading to this current stalemate. However, it is said tha-” (Stacy)

I was lazing around in the living room when a breaking news cut the program. The reporter stated about a hostage situation in the Manhattan Mall. I checked the location of the people I knew if they were there but since they were not, I only watched with an interest opinion.

This is the perfect stage for those two’s debut. Well, technically, Arthur already debuted but at that time, he used my Nightmare identity.

This time, he’ll be going as Basilisk. As for Ellen...well, I don’t know what name he decided to use and she might not be here as well as she need to take care of her son.

Oh, Arthur’s inside. Ellen is still in the base.

After a few minutes, just when the reporter was continuing her report, she suddenly looked back in surprise.

“T-the hostages have just come out of the building! Quick! Let’s go interview one of them!” (Stacy)

“C-coming!” (???)

Hn? That voice should be the cameraman right? Should he be speaking? Oh well, it seems Arthur already finished his job.

“Excuse me! Excuse me! Can you give us a statement on what happened inside? Where are the criminals?” (Stacy)

“H-he came! He came and saved us all!”

“He came? Who? Was it Nightmare?” (Stacy)

“I wish! No, it was a new guy. Guy had some kind of petrifying power! He turned them all into stone!”

Yep, definitely Arthur.

I only smiled as I watch and drink the milk on my cup...What? I’m still a growing child. I need to drink milk!

“A man who can turn people into stone?” (Stacy)

“Yeah! He had these weird green sca- There! There he is!”

The man she was interviewing suddenly pointed towards the entrance of the mall where a figure had just appeared, walking casually from the inside.

Arthur’s suit had more details than mine. He only had a half mask, hiding his nose and mouth which had a voice modulator installed and a crown-like helmet over his head. His eyes were not hidden as it is needed for his power to work.

His body suit looked like a scaled armor as green scales covered parts of his body. His sleeves were long, as if it was used to hide something underneath but I can see that his hands seem to be covered with bandages.

He must’ve used that to wrap the criminals and turned it into stone so it can’t be destroyed.

On his belt are pouches but I don’t know what was inside them but the OStones should be in some of them.

His boots seemed to have some kind of gimmick too judging from its size and design but I also have no idea what it does.

“Excuse me, are you the person who saved everyone from the hostage crisis? Who are you? What is your relation to Nightmare?” (Stacy)

The reporter Stacy as well dozens of other reporters barraged him with questions.

“Ahem. The name’s Basilisk! Right now, the criminals are petrified so I ask the gentlemen of the police to cuff them up so I can depetrify them.” (Basilisk)

“Basilisk? How are you connected to Nightmare? Is it true that you can turn people into stone? Where do your powers come from?” (Stacy)

“My connection to Nightmare is...uhh, no comment! As for my power-” (Basilisk)

“Freeze! Hands where I can see them! Move and we will open fire!”

Oooh, the police have now pointed there guns to Arthur. See, this is why I don’t stick around for long. But this guy wants to brag so it can’t be helped.

I suppose he didn’t wrap the criminals up since if he did, they wouldn’t be able to get out as well after having the bandage wrapped around them turned into stone so he wants the police to cuff them up instead.

Geez, the police can remove those with some equipments you know?

When faced with the guns of the police, the reporters around him screamed and scurried away but Arthur remained unmoved, only casually looking at the guns.

“That doesn’t work on me.” (Basilisk)

He then took a step.

The police seemed to have tightened their grip and pulled the trigger but wasn’t able to. Looking at their guns, they all saw that their guns had turned into a greyish stone color.

“W-wha-!?”

“See? I told you. Now, those guys inside are going to suffocate so prepare to cuff them so I can depetrify them.” (Basilisk)

The police hesitated. Finally, their captain shouted orders to do as he said and rushed in the mall.

After a while, Basilisk also followed them inside. When they got out, all the criminals were already cuffed and caught.

They all shivered when they looked at Basilisk who was standing to the side, calmly watching this scene, smiling.

“Well then, I’m off.” (Basilisk)

Basilisk pressed something on his belt and he instantly disappeared. Checking up on his location, he’s already back in the base, sighing in relief.

I made that part for him so he can instantly return to the base but that’s all it does. It cannot teleport back so it’s a one-way trip.

He talked for a bit with Ellen and went off, back to whatever he was doing.

Meanwhile, back outside of the Manhattan Mall, the crowd was in a buzz, still unbelieving on what had just happened. But they all knew one thing.

A new wave is coming, which was started by the man called Nightmare.

After this, more and more powered humans will appear. And nothing will remain the same.

I switched off the television and yawned as I tried to think of what to do in order to kill time.

Days passed since that day. Ellen had yet to make an appearance but Arthur’s fame as Basilisk had only grown larger by the day.

Even my parents were thinking hard on what’s about to happen as they were worried on how powered humans seemed to keep appearing.

As for me, all I do is laze around, occasionally flirting with the girls and taking my daily dose of kisses.

I also found another interesting person to give a power.

He’s the cameraman of Stacy’s the reporter chick which I discovered while I was stalki- *cough* checking up on the reporter.

He seemed to have some feelings for Stacy but clumsy and always in a hurry. Thinking he was a bit interesting, I thought of giving him a power to see what will happen.

So I appeared one day in his apartment in my Nightmare suit like a certain black eye-patched guy or a multi-millionaire playboy who was secretly dressing like a bat at night.

[Martin Freed. I’ve been expecting you.]

“Wowaaah!?” (Martin)

Martin jumped in fright as he opened the lights of his apartment only to see black mist form into words in front of him.

He looked around and sure enough, he saw me sitting by his couch with the night sky backdrop behind me.

“Y-you!? Of course you’re expecting me, this is my apartment!” (Martin)

...He actually retorted…

“W-wh-why are you...here?” (Martin)

[Tell me, why did you become a reporter’s cameraman? I’ve looked into you. You graduated from an excellent university with top scores which can send you to anywhere you want to work. But why a cameraman?]

“I-I...ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be a reporter. But...my looks aren’t too good so...so I thought I can just be a cameraman who will show the truth to the world...” (Martin)

[You want to be a reporter?]

“Y-yes. I want to tell people the truth...the things everyone should know...that not everything is as it seems but...sigh, even reporters nowadays help cover up the truth. Only...” (Martin)

[Only Stacy Page was different?]

“Y-you-...” (Martin)

Martin was surprised I knew about Stacy and tried to say something but in the end, he sighed and nodded.

“Yes...she’s different from those corrupt reporters. She dares to bring the truth out in the open. So I did everything I could to be her cameraman...” (Martin)

Suddenly, he frowned and looked at me suspiciously.

“Wh...why am I even telling you this?” (Martin)

Em, I used a spell to make you tell me. No need to worry about it~

Not like I can say that.

[You want to expose the truth to everyone. Then, do you want to have the power to do so?]

Martin was a smart person and instantly knew what I meant as he connected Basilisk’s recent appearance to me.

“Y-you can...give me powers? Like Basilisk?” (Martin)

I didn’t say anything, only waving my hand as a lightning shaped red rock appeared on my hand.

[This is an OStone, one which has the ability to enhance your speed to be faster than the speed of sound. You will be able to save people and protect them in a blink of an eye]

“A blink...of an eye...” (Martin)

I held the OStone and zoomed in front of him.

[But know that I will be watching you. Once I find you misusing this power. I will personally end your life.]

After saying that, I instantly disappeared from his sight, leaving my last words.

[Should you decide to use this power, call out my name. I’ll give you a day to decide]

Like that, I left his apartment like a badass...ehem, I definitely looked cool for a moment there!

I left a hearing magic circle on his body so I would know when he calls out my name.

I waited after that and sure enough, just after lunch the next day, he called for me but...he wasn’t alone.

...Damn, I should’ve also left a surveillance magic circle!

Stacy’s with her…

Ehh, how am I supposed to deal with this situation?

No matter what, act cool...act as if I already knew...alright!

[You called?]

“A-ah, *cough* Stacy wanted an interview so I figured you might come if I shouted your name. Sure enough, you came.” (Martin)

...This kid...he used me to gain some plus points from his crush…

I think I already understood the situation. Martin hadn’t told her about me giving out powers and staged a situation where I would appear so Stacy can ask for an interview.

[I was nearby. Fine, be quick about it.]

“Ah! Y-yes! Alright, first question. Why do you feel the need to hide your face?” (Stacy)

Stacy asked excitedly while holding a recorder while Martin was taking a video with his camera.

[It will only be troublesome if people knew who I am.]

“Are you worried that others would target your family? Do you have a family?” (Stacy)

[I do, and no. If anyone targets them, I’ll know instantly and kill them. There are reasons, next question.]

“I-I see...then, where do your powers come from?” (Stacy)

[I had them since I was born.]

“Does your family know?” (Stacy)

[No]

“How old are you?” (Stacy)

6 years old...not like I can say that...or can I?

[6]

“Eh?” (Stacy)

[I was joking. No comment.]

“A-ahaha, even Nightmare knows how to joke, I see.” (Stacy)

[Of course, I am still human]

“No normal human would have powers like you though.” (Stacy)

[There’s Basilisk]

“Right, how are you two connected?” (Stacy)

[We both have powers]

“Erm...that’s obvious. I mean, is he your relative? Or did you meet him before?” (Stacy)

[We met at a bar and I convinced him to do what I do since I cannot protect everyone by myself.]

“B-bar?” (Stacy)

[What? I also want to party to get drunk and get laid.]

“I-I see...are you seeing someone?” (Stacy)

[Yes.]

Well, not just one...

“Oh, you are!? I see, does she also have powers?” (Stacy)

...Hmm, I already feel annoyed for answering everything so let’s tease her a bit~

[Yes.]

“R-really!? Wow, you’d think that there are only a few people who have powers but you already met two! Is this a coincidence or...” (Stacy)

[She didn’t have powers before.]

“Eh? She didn’t? Then how did she have powers now?” (Stacy)

[...]

“???” (Stacy)

Stacy tilted her head, wondering why I was silent. After a while, her face reddened and she became flustered.

“I-is it...is it because you s-s-slept...with her?” (Stacy)

[...]

Hey, I am not confirming, nor denying. Fufufu, I wonder what will happen after this matter went out in the news?

Maybe every girl will be throwing themselves at me?

Hehe, anyway, it’s bound to be interesting~

I can see Martin waver for a bit. Probably because he already knows about the OStone so he glared at me.

“*C-cough*, anyway, can you give us a brief explanation about your power?” (Stacy)

[Anything you can think of, I can do.]

...Probably…

“T-that powerful? But Basilisk can only turn people into stone and also disappear.” (Stacy)

[So?]

“...I see...then, do you have a day job? Can you tell us about it?” (Stacy)

[I only laze around my house.]

“I-I see...Then, lastly. Can I have your number?” (Stacy)

[...Why?]

“I-it’s not because I want to sleep with you! I want to call you in case I need another interview!” (Stacy)

[...I don’t have a phone. Just shout my name. Well then.]

Disappearing from their view, I pondered about Stacy’s last line...ehh, was that the tsun tsun of a tsundere or did she really mean it?

But, I already decided to let Martin advance on her...whatever, it’s not my problem if she wants me.

I’m a simple man. If any girl wants me, I also want her.

Nodding, satisfied, I waited for Martin’s real call.

Author's Mumblings

Long time no post...seriously sorry about that. I didn't have the time and I did say that I would prioritize WGO more so...yeah...

Another recruit! And possible harem addition!

New recruit is inspired from the Flash, if it's not obvious. I'll probably name him Blink, or Speed, or something. As for Stacy, I don't think she'll be part of the harem but who knows? I might change my mind. But there's 95% chance that it won't happen.

Also, I wrote a new story which I still don't know if I'll continue or not. Broken Reality. Just an apocalyptic-game-system-in-real-life-thingy.

Well, that's all.

Let's meet again in the next chap!