It was still midsummer.
However, for someone discharged in good health, there was no real difference between the scorching heat from a volcanic eruption and the typical summer heat.
Accelerator, having finished his usual physical recovery training, strolled lazily through the bustling streets patrolled by professional heroes. His destination was the more remote District 24, the city's industrial area.
He wasn't the type to take leisurely walks or wander around for relaxation.
His goal was to meet someone.
That someone was a student named Midoriya Izuku.
However, the meeting place and time chosen by the other party left Accelerator feeling uneasy.
His instincts as the strongest Villain had been screaming since the moment he received Midoriya's call.
Accelerator suspected that instead of meeting the real Midoriya Izuku, he might be facing someone pretending to be him.
The only confirmed information so far was that the person had Midoriya's phone.
Additionally, the suspect clearly knew a lot about Midoriya Izuku's affairs.
Throughout their phone conversation, there hadn't been a single slip-up.
Of course, that was partly because Accelerator wasn't very close to Midoriya. If it had been someone like Iida or Yaoyorozu, he would've been able to confirm his suspicions without a doubt.
The real purpose behind the suspect impersonating Midoriya was completely beyond his reasoning.
Was it a remnant from the [League of Villains] or [Shie Hassaikai]? An unknown enemy? A deliberate ambush? A carefully planned setup from the past?
None of that mattered.
No matter the intent, he was the kind of villain who would step into danger with a wild grin, proving his dominance by emerging unscathed.
That's why Accelerator's face showed no unnecessary emotion.
Only calmness lay beneath.
It was the composure forged from countless "risk-free" experiments—situations that could hardly be called "battles" in his mind, but had now become his new foundation.
He was a villain who, from the depths of his heart, never relied on or expected anything from others, pursuing his path alone.
Before long, he reached the agreed meeting spot.
It was Warehouse No. 4 in the industrial district, a storage space for seldom-used goods, as shown by the dusty metal doors. It resembled rental warehouses in seaside cities.
The entire area was about the size of a soccer field.
Large metal containers covered with faded tarps were stacked randomly. From above, the place would look like a maze from a classic RPG, confusing anyone unfamiliar with its layout.
Every step he took was precise, distances calculated down to the last meter. Checking the time in his head, he arrived exactly five minutes early.
Even the slightest movement couldn't escape his [Vector Sensing].
This time was no exception, though the other party didn't seem interested in hiding, approaching Accelerator openly.
The approaching figure had freckles and spiky, slightly curly hair.
"He" carried a large yellow canvas backpack and wore bright red sneakers that didn't match his overall look.
Standing about 166 cm tall, he matched the real Midoriya's appearance almost perfectly.
Deku.
Even his outline looked nearly identical to Midoriya Izuku, but there was no doubt he was an imposter.
Despite how different their true identities likely were (a pro hero versus a suspect),
distinguishing them visually was difficult because Midoriya Izuku looked too innocent by nature.
"He" even seemed ready to greet Accelerator.
On the other side, the pale-haired boy smirked.
In that instant, the surrounding darkness twisted like living creatures coiling around him. Any ordinary person would've been mentally crushed by the overwhelming pressure.
It felt like standing before the open jaws of a monstrous abyss.
Smiling, Accelerator's voice rang out like a death knell.
"It's exactly five twenty-five and fifteen seconds. Didn't expect you to be so punctual."
The other person didn't even flinch.
"Midoriya" scratched his head and replied apologetically:
"Accelerator-kun, haven't I always been on time?"
Accelerator narrowed his eyes, looking annoyed.
"Who knows."
"Is this dress-up game really that fun? Or are you planning to keep this act up until you die? Don't expect me to care about that [face] of yours, idiot!"
With just a few words exchanged, the two were now less than fifteen meters apart. In a flash, Accelerator closed the distance like a bullet, slamming "Midoriya" to the ground.
Staring coldly at his prey, he mocked:
"Hope the intel you've got is worth something. Otherwise, you'll be wasting my precious time."
Even with her joints twisted painfully, "Midoriya Izuku" wore a strange, flushed expression.
Though she appeared male, her voice was unmistakably female.
"My, Accelerator-kun, you're so rough."
"Even though I was hiding, you still found me. How did that happen?"
"Even though it really hurts... I still want to know more about you."
From the moment the girl's voice appeared, the body of "Midoriya Izuku" started oozing thick, gray liquid.
Sensing Accelerator's deadly aura, "Midoriya Izuku" quickly explained:
"Alright, I got it! I'll stop. I don't want to die."
"And besides, I'm technically one of your people."
Accelerator responded calmly:
"Proof?"
He was curious to see what tricks the suspect would play.
She eagerly replied:
"There is! There is!"
As the liquid drained away, the figure of a young girl emerged.
She was an extremely cute high school girl—if you ignored the unsettling expression on her face.
With his sharp memory, Accelerator immediately recognized her as the blonde "spy" from the same faction as Shokuhou.
She had once played a key role in countering the League of Villains' intelligence network.
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