My SuperVillain System: Building Legion of SSS-Ranked SuperHeroines Chapter 96 - Kidnapping!?

The tal groaned beneath her back.

Smoke still hissed from the derailed train. Rubble surrounded her, twisted iron and blood-stained dust. Her vision swam for a mont, but only for a mont. The pain didn’t last. It never did.

Az clenched her jaw and pulled herself upright. Her hands were torn open, her skin scorched, the fabric of her coat nearly lted onto her arms.

But her body was already fixing itself.

A low pulse ran beneath her skin—cells splitting, muscle threading themselves back together. Her split lip sealed. Her cracked ribs clicked into place.

A paradic stumbled toward her, yelling, "Ma’am! Please sit still! You’re—"

She raised a single hand, fingers flexing.

"I’m fine," Az muttered.

Her voice was calm. Cold. Her silver mask was cracked, but her eyes still glead through it—focused. Sharp.

Dozens of responders sward the scene. Stretchers moved. Flas hissed from the broken engine. Police marked the area, barked orders.

But Az said nothing.

She stepped over corpses, past mangled rail lines and blood-smudged gravel, then sat on the bonnet of a nearby police car like it was routine.

The call was already being made.

She had been cautious from the start.

Cruxius was clever—twisted, layered.

So based on everything regarding how he might act, she had orchestrated her plan, but there was a small variable.

A variable for which she was already prepared.

The variable was if there was the slightest chance his mories had survived like hers, then she needed to stay ahead.

Plan B.

She moved past the disabled individuals and the people gathered nearby to see the rebels of the train trying to help passengers, but it was empty.

Giving them assurance she was alone, she moved before a black car suddenly arrived as if already prepared for her exit.

"Forgive us, Commander, we lost contact with—" Even before those two who ca out of the car giving a 90-degree bow could explain how they had lost connection with the other team which had gone to the other train for the gene serum, Az interrupted.

"Give your phone," Az was much sharper this ti and composed, with her mind already knowing what moves she now had to make, considering the variable was there and also the man whom she thought would be much easier to deal with in this life had also her previous life mories; a battle that would be good enough.

Without even speaking, she just dialed a particular number.

A backup call routed through an encrypted line. A secure protocol. No voice. Just the signal.

Target the girl.

The officer nearby received the call, his brows twitching. His screen lit up, and he imdiately brought the phone to his ear.

"Do it now," she ordered before he even spoke.

"Yes, ma’am." His voice tightened. His fingers trembled as he made the next call.

Az stood, her coat still smoking lightly, and walked toward the car before entering it.

---

Lintain Street, Hero City

Morning sunlight stread into the small curry shop tucked at the end of a rundown alleyway, completely contrasting with the skyscrapers surrounding the whole city.

The air was rich with spice and the slow simr of sauce bubbling on the stove.

A woman with long pink hair stood barefoot in the kitchen. Lira’s golden eyes flicked over the pots as she stirred carefully, steam curling around her skin. Her apron was stained with turric and oil, and the floor creaked as she moved.

At the table sat a small blonde-haired girl, her schoolbag in her lap.

"Sister..." the girl spoke softly. "Can’t we just accept that offer?"

Lira didn’t turn around. Her hand paused over the fla.

"No."

The reply was imdiate. Firm.

In no case was she going to accept the offer of Cruxius Blac, considering they were in urgent danger.

But she knew even if she were to leave this place, they could not stay outside for long, as it was their only ho and that man would find them eventually. So it was better to stay here while not accepting his offer.

"But he said—"

"I don’t care what he said." Lira turned now, wiping her hands on the apron. It was clear she did not intend to intimidate her little sister; in a controlled voice but firm, she said, "Even if I have to clean toilets to keep you safe, I’ll do it. Don’t ever accept an offer from that man."

Neuril looked down, rembering how that man had the sa golden light as her powers, which she still had not revealed to her sister due to her strong stance against that man who had offered them money that could be used for the academy.

Neuril definitely wanted to gain admission to the foundation of the Hero Association, not just to study.

But she just stood quietly, slinging the bag over her shoulders.

"I hate you, big sis."

"I know," Lira said softly. "I packed your lunch."

The little girl smiled, faint and sad. She turned toward the door.

"Bye, sister."

"Be safe, Neuril."

The girl stepped out into the street, the light warm on her small fra as she walked toward the academy bus stop.

And then—

The screech of tires.

Three black vans skidded to a halt beside her. The doors slamd open.

n in black masks leapt out.

The girl’s eyes widened, her mouth opened—but no scream ca.

A hand clamped over her face.

Her legs kicked as they lifted her, the bag falling onto the sidewalk. Within seconds, she was inside the van.

"Neuril!"

The scream ca from inside the shop. Lira dropped the ladle as she had just co out to check on her sister only to find all this. Her body dashed through the door, apron fluttering behind her.

She reached the sidewalk just in ti to see the tires burning away from the curb.

"STOP!"

She sprinted forward.

Another figure moved behind her.

A second hand, this one gloved, reached from the side alley and caught her across the face.

"Mmmphh—!?"

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as her head jerked back, vision spinning.

Then darkness.

She was dragged into the second van as it rolled away behind the first.

The street was quiet once more.

A single school bag lay on the concrete, its side pocket unzipped, a crushed sandwich peeking out.