Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 542: Mad Arrogance

Whether that was actually how it was meant to be or not didn't really matter, the ability to pick who would become stronger could really shift the gears to a whole new level.

'If I had enough time, then…'

The City of Enigma was the City of Villains mainly because of how rotten its Heroes were. However, what if one could replace them with… Good people were hard to find, but those who weren't purely selfish did exist.

Of course, Leo couldn't deny that power might change these people, allowing the weak to become strong or stronger didn't always work for the greater good.

However, just as experiencing the low made some people addicted to the high, others fully took in that experience and understood what it meant, allowing them to maintain a solid perspective no matter how high they went.

Unfortunately, Leo had only landed here once the true apocalypse was knocking on the door.

Unlike the young Baekho who was able to slowly reshape the Heavenly Strength Society from the inside and steer it in the right direction, there was no time to sow the seeds and watch them grow.

'No, it still might be possible.'

Reconstructing the entire society might already be a lost cause, but utilizing Ability Chains to create a small elite group that could further assist in the main quest was still possible.

'Execution will be tricky though.'

In order not to get the rug pulled from right under his legs, this idea had to be thoroughly studied before it could be put into action. For now…

"I can definitely do it."

As much as Leo was intrigued by the revelation, the curious psychopath had to go. As a fellow who almost let his curiosity get the best of him so many times, Leo knew that stopping the Ability Eraser was the only way.

"I can replicate his feat and go beyond it!"

Unlike the common misconception that this particular Villain wanted to erase all superior abilities out of jealousy, everything he did was done purely out of curiosity and thirst for evolution.

'I can't risk the chances that his future might also change.'

The mad Ability Eraser believed that he could do it all as long as his Enigma was up to the bar. Those who had their abilities erased weren't his targets, they were experimental subjects!

The Ability to erase other abilities was merely the first authority manifested by superior Enigma or so the Ability Eraser believed. His ambitions went far beyond that.

In the future arc where Aurora joins the manhunt for him, a little thriller-style adventure ensues as she races time to stop him from erasing more and more of her 'allies'.

In fact, this was the part that Leo enjoyed the most as a reader. The close calls and the semi-demise of hypocrites were all too exciting. Aurora's naive reactions were also enjoyable on their own.

Regardless, by the end of the chase, the Ability Eraser himself confirmed that the trail of victims that he left behind was just a part of his attempt to create abilities rather than erase them.

It was just that he didn't have enough time and subjects at hand to realize that ambition.

"I thought of it first, and that Cassian even tested it for me. What could possibly stop me from achieving greatness?"

The ability to erase and create was his target. Naturally, as the person who had replicated his feat, Leo couldn't possibly let the Ability Eraser run free.

Although inspiring someone who already had the same aspiration was unlikely to cause a time paradox, Leo feared that this Villain might become too slippery to catch for Aurora.

That was precisely why all of his efforts had been focused on this very specific target, as a responsible Reader, Leo had to clean up after himself.

Observation time was over. Leo had seen all he could see and decided on all he had to decide on. Of course, he couldn't forget to sprinkle a flashy entrance on top.

"What about the very same Cassian that you spoke of?"

Even so, the all-black outfit made Leo hard to see in the dim room. However, once the disheveled man's gaze met his ghastly purple eyes, all he could see was Cassian.

"C-Cassian?"

Despite being someone who put himself on a very high pedestal, the future Ability Eraser was completely flustered by this sight.

'This can't be!'

He randomly said his name once, and Cassian appeared in front of him just like that… Was he supposed to be some kind of devil?

'Right!'

Nonetheless, the disheveled man's self-confidence was just incredibly high. Somehow, he was instantly able to come up with an explanation that allowed him to recover his composure in no time.

"Y-you came here after finding out about my research from somewhere, right? You must be looking forward to collaborating with me to develop the ability that you chanced upon… I'm sorry."

The words coming out of his mouth no longer sounded like confidence, it was pure arrogance. Just as Leo thought he had come to his senses after mouthing an apology, it got even worse.

"I must apologize, but I don't really believe in research partners. I don't like being used after all. However, if you are willing to assist me with my research to the best of your ability, I might let you in on some of the results."

'He certainly has more than one screw loose.'

It took a certain amount of crazy to have no moral code but to go from getting frightened by a ghost to bossing it around, this was on a whole other level.

"What do you say? Deal?"

"I'm sorry, this will be over soon."

At this point, Leo no longer paid the man any heed, turning to the kids to reassure them. The only reason he would continue to talk with someone that crazy was self-hate, and Leo didn't hate himself just yet.

'I will make it painless at least.' 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

As Leo took soft steps toward him, the disheveled man flinched, but fortunately for him, Leo desired no hands-on action.

While he was still distracted by Leo, a thin shadow thread with a sharp end went through the base of his spine.

[ Plot Change confirmed. Unique Event occurrence has been detected. ]

Just as his body was about to collapse, Leo arrived just in time to hold his body. There was no need for the kids to add another trauma to their rooster for no reason.