Memes are in the chapter
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Breakfast was full of laughter at my expense.
Nejire poked me, grinning as she showed her phone. "Look at this. Hilarious."
I glanced at the screen. Ryukyu had gone full meme mode.
The first one was a screenshot from the agency's security footage. I was standing there, bowing slightly, looking uncharacteristically polite. The caption?
"When you gotta thank your boss so she doesn't report your ass to the cops." (Check here)
The second one was still photo of my bending ass, mid-bow. She added a text bubble over my head that said, "Please don't fire me, Mama Ryukyu, I swear I will behave." (Check here)
Mirko was wheezing. "This is gold."
She shoved her phone in my face, her whole body shaking like she was about to collapse from laughter. I already knew it was bad before I even looked.
Ryukyu was just sitting there, sipping her tea, the same calm, composed bitch she always was.
I snatched the phone out of Mirko's hand.
A screenshot of me bowing, and not even a little dip of the head, no, full-ass respectful incline, with the caption:
"Gotta butter up your boss so she doesn't fire you." (Check here)
I closed my eyes. "You motherfu-"
Nejire snatched it back before I could do anything. "Oooo, she made another one!"
I didn't need to see it. I could hear the fucking glee in her voice.
Mirko leaned in, grinning. "Oh, this one's even better. Look at the text bubble-"
I did not want to look at the text bubble.
I looked.
"POV: You just realized she's got security cameras." (Check here)
I handed the phone back to Mirko. Then turned to Ryukyu, who had not stopped fucking smiling since I walked in. "This is why no one respects you."
She took another sip of tea, perfectly content. "And yet, here you are. Bowing."
Mirko lost it again, banging the table. Nejire was giggling into her sleeve. One of the sidekicks peeked around the corner, took one look at the situation, and noped the fuck out.
I exhaled through my nose. "You do realize I am going to get revenge for this."
Ryukyu set her tea down. "You won't."
I narrowed my eyes. "You wanna bet?"
She didn't even blink. "I'll win."
The sheer audacity.
"Alright," I said, cracking my neck. "It's on."
Mirko wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh man, I forgot how much fun it is having you around."
I grumbled, "Sure."
Mirko snickered, leaning back in her chair, arms behind her head. "You are taking this real well. I thought you would be crying about your image or some shit."
Ryukyu raised a brow. "What image?"
Nejire muffled a laugh behind her hand. "Yeah, I don't think Ryuu has an image to protect. His whole thing is just 'cause chaos and somehow not get arrested.'"
I scratched my neck. "I feel like there is a little too much slander happening right now."
Mirko shrugged. "Just facts, brat."
The sidekick sitting nearby made the mistake of trying to suppress a chuckle. I turned, locking onto him immediately. "You got something to add, dude?"
He tensed. "Nope."
I leaned forward slightly. "You sure? 'Cause it kinda sounded like you had something to say."
He looked at Ryukyu for backup. She didn't even glance up from her tea. "You got yourself into this," she muttered.
Mirko grinned. "Yeah, bro, say it with your chest. What was so funny?"
The sidekick hesitated, then shook his head quickly. "Nothing. Just… enjoying my coffee."
I stared him down a second longer before leaning back. "That is what I thought."
Mirko shook her head. "Bullying poor sidekicks now, huh? Look at you, growing up so fast."
Nejire poked my arm. "So, what is your revenge plan? Are you gonna meme her back?"
I looked at Ryukyu, who met my gaze with the same blank, unreadable look she always had. No smugness, no amusement... just the quiet confidence of someone who knew they had already won.
I exhaled. "No. I am taking this slow."
Mirko whistled. "Damn. You are actually planning shit out? You must be really pissed."
I waved her off. "Nah, I just know this is a long game. Gotta wait for the perfect moment."
Ryukyu sipped her tea. "Good luck with that."
Nejire hummed. "Ooo, are we making this a group effort?"
Mirko immediately perked up. "Oh, I am down. If this is an anti-Ryukyu coalition, sign me up."
Ryukyu sighed. "This is ridiculous."
[MOVE BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY! GET OUT THE WAY BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY! THE REAL MC IS HERE! IN DAA HOUSE!]
I rolled my eyes, 'Seriously, how old are you? Boomer.'
[SHUT UP! AND LISTEN! THIS ONE IS GOOD.
NEW QUEST: THE PRICE OF POWER
Nothing is ever free. Everything has a cost. Time to find out what yours is.
OBJECTIVE:
Navigate the underworld's shifting landscape without getting swallowed whole.
Secure the target. Ensure the right people walk away from this safe and sound.
Stay ahead of those who play a different game... one with rules you don't know.
Make sure the ones pulling the strings don't cut yours first.
REWARD:
+1,000 XP (Base)
Stat Gains (Based on Performance)
New Skill Unlock (??? – Conditioned on your choices)
Reputation Shift (Not all eyes watching are friendly.)
Mystery Reward (What you take from this will stay with you.)
FAILURE:
Betrayal. Blood. Another name added to the list of regrets.
The weight of things you couldn't stop.
Loss of Reputation (But among whom? The heroes? Or someone else?)
A lesson you didn't want to learn.
[SUB-QUESTS]
1. CITY OF BROKEN THRONES
TASK: This isn't just another villain takedown. The ground is shifting. Keep your footing, or lose more than just balance.
REWARD: +100 XP, +1 Awareness (Hidden Stat)
2. ALL THAT GLITTERS
TASK: Not all heroes wear capes. Not all villains wear masks. Spot the difference before it is too late.
REWARD: +150 XP, +1 Intelligence
3. DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
TASK: A man with a plan always has an escape route. Find it, close it, and don't get caught in the trap.
REWARD: +200 XP, New Passive Skill (??? – Triggered by critical decisions.)
4. SOMETHING TO PROTECT
TASK: If you hesitate, someone else will make the choice for you. And you won't like it.
REWARD: +175 XP, +1 Strength per fight where you put yourself between an ally & danger.
5. SLAUGHTERHOUSE RULES
TASK: Your enemies fight like they have nothing to lose. Are you willing to do what it takes?
REWARD: +250 XP, New Combat Skill (??? – Triggered by critical decisions.)
6. SHADOWS IN THE LIGHT
TASK: Not all battles happen in the open. Some are fought with whispers, deals, and the right words in the wrong ears.
REWARD: +150 XP, +1 Charisma x Number of Times You Manipulate a Situation in Your Favor.
7. PIECES ON THE BOARD
TASK: Figure out who's pulling the strings. More importantly, figure out how to cut them.
REWARD: +250 XP, ??? (Conditional Reward – Based on How Deep You Dig.)
8. RED & GOLD
TASK: It's not just about winning. It's about what comes after.
REWARD: +??? (Based on actions taken)
[BONUS OBJECTIVES]
✔ "Eye for an Eye" – Wound an enemy in the same way they hurt someone else.
Reward: +100 XP, +1 Strength
✔ "The Devil You Know" – Cut a deal, but make sure you don't pay too high a price.
Reward: +??? (Depends on who you deal with & what you agree to.)
✔ "Break the Chains" – Stop someone from being used as a pawn.
Reward: +150 XP, New Passive Skill (Defiance – Increased resistance to control-based abilities.)
✔ "Cut the Head Off" – Make sure the problem doesn't get back up.
Reward: +200 XP, ??? (Depends on Execution.)
✔ "The Weight of It" – Walk away from this with something more than scars.
Reward: +??? (A Permanent Change.)]
The screen flashed, the words burning into my vision.
I exhaled. "…This one is different."
[NO SHIT. WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES, DUMBASS.]
Great. Just fucking great.
Shit. This sounded too serious. I pulled my phone out, thumb hovering over the screen before I just typed out, "Wuzzup girl?"
Nejire leaned over immediately. "Hey, hey, who are you texting? Your girlfriend?"
I rolled my eyes. "Nah."
She wiggled her fingers. "Lemme see!"
"Back up, nosy ass." I shoved her face away before she could snatch my phone.
Himiko Toga replied a second later. Just seeing her pet name on my screen already made my life more complicated.
"Ryuu~~!!💖 Did you miss me? I missed you sooo much~~!! Ohhh I wanna squeeze you until your insides come out!! ❤️🩸"
I squinted.
Nejire peeked again. "Who is Blood Bitch?"
"No one," I said, locking my phone.
Mirko, who was lounging nearby, smirked. "Ohhh, that was not a 'no one' face."
"Shut the fuck up."
Nejire gasped. "Wait, wait, wait... is she cute?"
"Yeah, Ryuu," Mirko grinned, "is she cute?"
I was already regretting this. "Can we not?"
Too late. Nejire was on a mission. "Are you dating her? Is she nice? What is her quirk? What is her favorite color? Does she know I am your older sister now?!"
I pushed open the nearest door and slipped out before Nejire could start another round of questions. My phone was already in my hand, thumb hovering over the call button. Toga picked up before the first ring finished.
"Ryuu~~!" Her voice came through like she had been waiting. Heavy breathing, too much excitement.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered. "Calm down before you pop something. You still in the city?"
"Maybe~" She giggled, but it had that edge. "Why, you miss me?"
"Not really," I lied. "Looking for info. Any big players around? Someone making moves?"
She hummed. "Ohhh, that is what you called me for? No 'Hi, Toga, how have you been? Did you stab anyone fun lately?'"
"Fine. Hi, Toga. Have you stabbed anyone fun lately?"
"Not yet, but the day is young~"
Toga dragged it out.
I waited.
Nothing but her breathing, drawn out and slow like she wanted to savor the silence, like the pause itself was a game.
Then, finally-
"Hmmm… what should I ask for?"
I sighed. "If you say my blood, I am hanging up."
She giggled. "Ooo, getting smarter! You know I always ask for that first!"
"So?"
"I could ask for a date," she mused. "Like a real one! Not just you using me for info and then running off to play hero. We could go somewhere nice! Maybe a cozy little café? Or a movie? Or..."
"Pass."
She groaned. "You didn't even let me finish."
"I already know where this is going."
"But Ryuuuuu," she whined, voice dipping into that high-pitched, overly sweet tone she used when she wanted to be annoying. "I miss you~"
"You are deranged."
"You say that like it is a bad thing."
I rubbed my temple. "You want something or not?"
She hummed again, dragging out the moment just a little longer. "A bite."
I frowned. "What."
"On your lip. Just a little one. Just enough for a taste~"
"The fuck kind of low-budget vampire fantasy are you running here?"
"The kind where I get what I want."
I scoffed. "Dream bigger."
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Discussion Time:Ryuu: "Green read 89 chapters and didn't vote."Momo: "That's kinda sus."Toru: "He vented out of the comment section."Mirko: "He self-scrolled."System: "Player is ejected."
Result:You were The Imposter.
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