Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 537: Atrocious Villainy

'Not bad.'

After being constantly awake for almost two days and exerting everything he had at the finale, 9 hours of continuous sleep was just what Leo needed.

That being said, while a new day had started, Leo felt a sudden urge to be lazy. Was it because he had to force himself to stay in character for so long? Leo just didn't want to leave bed.

'Let's check things out first.'

Deciding to listen to his inner lazy voice for once, Leo fished the laptop from the desk next to him. He then went down to lying in bed and placed the laptop on his belly before opening it up.

He wasn't going to start the day with the heavy lifting anyway, so taking the chance to check the media's final conclusion while remaining in place ended up being Leo's choice.

{Breaking News! Enigma City's Administrator of Special Affairs will be giving a statement to the public regarding the Gate Clear incident that happened yesterday!}

'Oh, their response is also quick.'

This was no longer just the empty speculations of the media. Once Leo clicked the attached link, he was taken to a livestream showing an empty podium. It seemed like it was just about to start.

{Ahem, greetings to all of our city's law-abiding citizens. I am on this stand today only to deliver one message. Do not worry, our Heroes will always protect you no matter the situation!}

A flashy opening and proclamation that barely held any credibility. The speaker's face was that of a rotten politician who had nothing but lies to say.

{First of all, I'm aware that many of you are confused in regard to the happenings inside the high-threat Gate. However, while there were some major hiccups inside, the Gate has been safely cleared, so district-14's residents can rest assured that Aurora did her job without fail.}

'Yup, she sure did.'

{Some of you may have doubted Aurora, and some others are worried about her… Fortunately, I was able to get in touch with Aurora after the events of that day, and I can confirm one thing. It's all that vile Villain's fault!}

'So blatant.'

{Not only did he infiltrate the team by using Aurora's kind and accepting nature, but his deception continued as he targeted each and every member of the team, performing the cruelest of torture upon our valiant Heroes, and he won't be forgiven for that!}

Although Leo was aiming to be painted in this image for his convenience, the higher-ups were hellbent on making him the scapegoat for everything.

Seeing how quickly these facts were announced, it meant that nothing of it had been confirmed. If anything, Leo was willing to bet that Aurora had yet to talk with anyone.

{Some of you may criticize us for allowing such a Villain to run free. However, the depths of his deceptions didn't stop at Aurora. He also fed the Warden lies about his will to reform and get better treatment, only to destroy the entire prison on his way out!}

"Wait, what?"

Leo was expecting the lies to continue, and generally, he didn't mind being the target of everyone's hate as long as it meant that he would be close to his objective.

However, once the video shifted to show images of the ruined Asterisk, Leo almost popped a nerve.

'They would go that far just to wash their hands clean?'

Leo hoped that these images were fake, but deep inside, he knew that those standing at the top wouldn't use such a flimsy smokescreen. At the very least, the guards' shredded bodies didn't seem to be just props.

'I messed up.'

{As you can see, he was only playing around, trying to attain a better position to create even more chaos from within. He got what he wanted due to our grave mistake, and for that, I deeply apologize.}

'This f…'

Leo was only trying to form an image as a deterrent, but those who were responsible for fixing the authority's image had no qualms about killing people to achieve that.

Once they established that Cassian was basically the devil, they acted as if they were just another clueless victim who fell into his trap. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

'Should I just pay him a visit?'

The drowsiness had long been drained from Leo's eyes as the desire to bash the speaker's head rose to the sky.

"Hah..."

In the end, however, Leo controlled himself as he slowly rose from the bed. Somehow, this endless rage wasn't something that he felt for the first time.

'After all, Cassian didn't just go dark that easily.'

Cassian's origin story was also another incident that was twisted for a connected person's interest. Naturally, this wasn't anything new to Leo.

The only thing he could achieve by showing his face now was give them even more reasons to point their fingers at him, maybe even create a few more incidents and pin them on him to strengthen their words.

The fact-twisting tongues were always there to set the stage for his funeral!

{Finally, my last words go out to the Heroes who have always protected Enigma City. Do not fear the wounded wolf. He is just one, while we are many. You will always have our support in taking down this fading darkness!}

'Of course, you got to start the manhunt.'

{Most importantly, there is no reason to be alarmed about losing your Ability, those who came that the wretched Villain could repeat his atrocities are just uneducated theorists. Whatever trick he used, it was just a temporary tool that he used to deter you from coming after him…}

'Oh, really?'

As to be expected, the Administrator's words seemed to make complete sense. Why else would a supposed great Villain like Cassian target the weaker teammates, and leave someone like Aurora unscathed?

{...And that shows how scared he is to face you!}

'Well then, I suppose I have to start things a bit earlier just for you.'

An atrocious Villain? Unfortunately for the slimy higher-ups, Leo had other plans.

'I will show you.'

A Villain who is not a Villain, and a Hero who is not a Hero… Cassian's name was never meant to be as one-dimensional as they described it to be!