Arthur stood before a man who was smiling at him with a calm face despite the former one's frown.
" You are Victor von Doom. I know your background well. What are you doing here?"
Arthur knew Victor Doom from his research in the field. He was a noteworthy scientist and wealthy man but he had a shady background that was shrouded in mystery to normal people.
" It is an honor to meet the greatest hero alive. I am just here to help my friend."
Arthur narrowed his eyes when he heard his words while weighing down his words. He could tell that Victor was an arrogant and selfish person by his tone. Moreover, he was certain that this man wasn't a simpleton.
" I will give you a warning. Don't try to fool me. You aren't a good person and I can see it. Your existence itself is dangerous to most of the people."
Arthur didn't hesitate to antagonize him because he believed in his guts. Victor was too dangerous and he gave a vibe similar to his old foe who almost wiped out the entire universe which meant he was a psychopath.
" You think me too highly. I was merely a wealthy man who knew the world truth."
Victor didn't dodge his glance even though Arthur gave off huge pressure. To him, Arthur deserved such respect.
" I see. You may hide it now but we both know you aren't a good person in the heart. "
Victor smiled at his words, not hiding his true nature from him. He wasn't a hero like him and he would never try to be so. The difference between them was that Arthur was a selfless person and he was a selfish person, yet Victor saw him in a positive light, unlike Reed.
" Honestly, I am a big fan of you. You see my goal is to revive my home and your actions gave me the courage to do so."
Victor didn't disguise his admiration for Arthur who built his nation from zero. His home was ravaged by both foreigners and insiders and it was similar to Arthur's past situation.
" I see. I hope I won't meet you as enemies in the future."
Arthur didn't spout any words before heading out with a complicated face. Perhaps, he should have stopped this man but his moral codes didn't allow him to do so after seeing his eyes.
What he saw in his eyes was the endless darkness and despair. Everyone had a story to tell and so did he. Subsequently, he gave up apprehending him even though he was using Reed for a selfish purpose.
" Heroes are such pitiful people. You could have made the world so much better if you weren't a hero. Alas, this responsibility lays on my shoulders. I will become your perfect self."
Victor shook his head with a sigh, heading inside the laboratory to check whether things were going smoothly. The last piece of his puzzle was finally in place, soon he would have the power to achieve his desire.
The only sore spot in his heart, was his home and his people who were suffering from the tyranny. A tiny country that had been ravaged by the greedy folks that knew no bounds. He shall be their judge and executioner.
Open*
The glass doors were opened before his eyes as he set his feet in the laboratory. The pleasant sight of an almost completed machine captivated his heart.
" Victor, you are here. Look, I almost made it. Now I can finally cure ourselves."
Reed was excited to show his proud creation to Victor who feigned a smile on his face. His rough hands gently felt the cold touch of the metal, imagining his glorious future.
" Before you do that Reed, go out and see the world. Maybe you might change your thought."
Victor gave this advice from deep of his heart for the first time. He didn't understand why he did this but he assumed it was out of the good will.
" You think so?"
Reed who was denying the truth, tilted his head with confusion. Maybe he was right because all this time he was trying to erase what he became instead of accepting it.