Harem Streamer System: Every Crime I Broadcast Wins Me a Superheroine - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Infernal Emergency!
Safeguard Pharmacy, Metro City…

Scott stood near the counter, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face.

Beside him, Claire fidgeted as her eyes darted everywhere but at him. She kept her injured cheek turned away, angling herself slightly to the left as though that would make the mark invisible.

Nadia emerged from a door behind the counter as her lab coat swished slightly as she approached. She paused when her eyes met Claire’s and her expression softened for just a moment before hardening into her usual professional demeanor.

“Anything you’ll need?”

She spoke very politely to Scott.

However, she still managed to sound like he was just any other customer.

Scott didn’t reply right away.

Instead, he lifted his hand and mimed circling his own cheek with a finger.

Then, with an exaggerated motion, he mimicked a slap.

Claire’s stomach twisted.

She wasn’t looking directly at him, but his movements were clear enough from her peripheral vision. Shame bubbled up inside her, and she instinctively shifted further away from him as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Nadia’s strawberry lips pressed into a thin line.

“Follow me…”

Nadia spoke firmly as she gestured for Claire to accompany her.

“We’ll run some tests and get you consulted.”

Scott turned to Claire and placed a steady hand on her shoulder to give her a light pat.

His voice was calm but solid.

“Come on. Go with her.”

Claire hesitated but nodded, avoiding his gaze as she followed Nadia toward the consultation rooms.

Scott watched her leave and his posture relaxed slightly with relief.

“Reconciled with Emma, and already out with another woman?”

A sharp, sarcastic voice sounded behind him.

“Wow. You’re doing great, Scott.”

Scott turned slowly, already guessing who it was.

Jenna stood a few feet away, chai latte in hand, her eyebrows raised in facetious amusement.

“Jenna…”

Scott said flatly, while slipping his hands into his pockets.

“I wonder if you’d say the same thing if I brought an old lady here. Apparently, standing near a woman now counts as cheating?”

Jenna folded her arms and rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Oh, please. Let’s just hope you don’t accidentally kiss her while you’re ‘casually’ hanging around.”

Scott sighed as his patience thinned.

“Do you have a problem with me, or do you just enjoy playing the salty friend of the girlfriend?”

Jenna brushed past him and grabbed a napkin from the counter.

“Haha, so funny. Should I laugh my ass off?”

Scott leaned casually against the counter,smirking.

“Careful. Wouldn’t want you laughing off your BBL too.”

Jenna froze mid-sip of her latte, then whipped around and pointed a furious finger at him.

“How dare you?! How absolutely dare you?! These are natural! Do I look like the kind of woman to get a BBL? I’m a pharmacist! For crying out loud.”

Scott shrugged nonchalantly. “And do I look like the kind of guy to cheat? I’m a superhero.”

Jenna jabbed her finger toward him again.

“Even superheroes cheat!”

Scott tilted his head and blinked with flippant innocence.

“And even female pharmacists get BBLs. Unless you can provide substantial proof that you don’t, I’m not planning to believe you. What are you going to do? Let me get a feel?”

He folded his arms smugly.

There was a teasing grin spreading across his face.

“Now that would be cheating. With my girlfriend’s best friend, no less. Tsk, tsk, Jenna.”

Jenna sputtered as her cheeks burned red with frustration.

She downed the rest of her latte in one long, aggressive gulp before storming off.

“You’re so unbelievable! UGH──!!”

･･･

In a small consultation room…

Nadia shone a penlight into Claire’s eyes.

Claire sat stiffly on the exam table as her fingers nervously twisted the edge of her black pencil skirt.

“Uh…”

Claire’s voice came hesitantly.

“I was wondering if—”

“Yes.”

Nadia interrupted her with a brisk tone.

“I know Scott. No, he’s not single. He has a girlfriend he really loves. Don’t complicate things for him—he’s already dealing with enough.”

Claire blinked, taken aback by the abruptness.

“I-, I wasn’t going to—”

“With how you’re looking at him, I figured I’d save you the trouble of asking.”

Nadia paused as her brown eyes softened slightly.

“Sorry. That came out harsher than I intended.”

Claire tilted her head to closely study her.

“With the way you’re talking… I’d almost think you’re his girlfriend.”

Nadia froze for a moment, but her face kept neutral.

Then, she chuckled softly.

“It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world…”

It went silent right after.

Those words just hung there… no response.

Claire didn’t know how to respond.

Quickly, Nadia shook her head and broke the silence.

“Forget I said that.”

“I… understand…” Claire murmured.

Nadia sighed and focused on the exam again.

“No, I don’t think you do. Scott’s not the kind of guy ordinary women like us can keep up with. His life is…”

She trailed off as her voice became hevay with something Claire couldn’t quite place.

“Sometimes, all you can do is feel bad for him.”

Claire hesitated before asking, “Does that mean you… like him too?”

Nadia laughed softly, then shook her head.

“No. I used the word ‘us’ so you wouldn’t feel alone.”

Claire shrugged. “Fair enough.”

･･･

… 18:21 p.m.

Scott tapped his foot impatiently as he stared at the TV-TW strapped to his wrist.

『C’mon, where is she…』

He looked up at the pharmacy’s television.

There was a news broadcast was playing.

“This just in…”

The anchor, Judy Cho, was announcing.

“A devastating explosion has caused a massive fire at the Green Box Convention Center. Reports indicate at least twenty dead and forty injured…”

The footage cut to the chaotic scene.

Flames roared in the background, and the camera shook violently as another explosion erupted and knocked the cameraman off balance. A monstrous red creature darted past the lens as its guttural gurgling terrified everyone.

[Master McQueen, shall I ini—]

Scott didn’t let the System finish.

“Yeah, yeah. Initiate the damn stream.”

Without another word, he bolted from the pharmacy.

━ ━ ━ ━

The Green Box Convention Center burned like a scene from a nightmare.

… vruuuu────GRRUUUUM!!

The flames licked hungrily at the sky as screams of terror sparked from within.

Outside, the streets teemed with paramedics, police officers, and a crowd of onlookers who could only watch in helpless horror as the inferno raged on.

Sweat trickled down Mr. Sphere’s face as he took a deep breath, then focused hard.

“HAAAAAA!!”

He then threw four anti-gravity spheres into the air.

Each glowing sphere floated toward a civilian and gently wrapped around them like bubbles drifting in water. One by one, the spheres carried the civilians through the broken windows and lowered them safely to the ground.

･･･

During this time…

Tigerman darted through the blistering heat on all fours as two small children clung to his back. His fur singed and lungs burned with every labored breath, but he pushed forward.

『I’ll save these kids… no matter what!』

When the heat became too much, Tigerman stumbled and collapsed onto the heated floor with a choked gasp as the children tumbled beside him.

Just as the flames crept closer, Rhinoman barreled in as his bulky rhino-themed armor radiated power. He hoisted Tigerman over one shoulder like a sack of flour, while cradling the two children on the other.

“This just keeps getting worse…”

Rhinoman sprinted down a crumbling hallway.

His ears twitched at the distant sound of groaning steel.

… creeek────BOOOOOOM!!

Another explosion rocked the building and sent chunks of the ceiling plummeting. The floor beneath him cracked ominously and the structure threatened to give way at any moment.

“Where the hell are the others when you need them?!”

He growled and leaped through the nearest window with a quaking crash. The impact as he landed outside caused the ground to tremble as cracks spidered across the asphalt.

Paramedics rushed forward to take the children and Tigerman off his hands, then strapped them to stretchers and doused Tigerman with oxygen.

A police officer hurried to Rhinoman’s side.

“That’s enough! You’ve done your part—let the firefighters and experienced heroes handle the rest!”

He made his voice loud enough to be heard in the chaos.

Rhinoman rounded on him with furious eyes.

“Are you seriously telling me to stop because I’m not on some damn ‘approved hero’ list? People are still in there! If I don’t do it, who will?!”

The officer faltered and stepped back under the intensity of Rhinoman’s glare.

“B-, But the building—it’s unstable! You’ll only make things worse—”

“Worse?”

Rhinoman barked as veins bulged in his neck.

“You know what’s worse? Standing here doing nothing while people die!”

Without another word, he turned and bounded back toward the blazing structure.

Out of nowhere, someone thrust a mic in his face.

It was Judy Cho – the pretty journalist with a knack for always being in the wrong place at the right time.

“Rhinoman! How are you handling this as a rookie hero? Do you think this will help you secure a sponsorship deal? Maybe get some spotlight in the Hero League?”

“Are you serious right now?”

Rhinoman sounded more disappointed than angry.

“This isn’t about sponsorships or fame! Why can’t heroes just do their damn jobs without being hounded by the media for clicks and headlines? You know what? This is why heroes like Nightwatch are ten times better than half the spotlight-chasers out here!”

Judy took shaky steps back

“I… I’m sorry—”

But Rhinoman was already gone.

･･･

On the other side of the building…

Miss Infinity stood before a collapsed doorway as her glowing blue eyes fixed on the mountain of debris.

Behind her, nine civilians cowered with their faces covered in sweat from the unbearable heat.

“Come on!” one of them screamed.

“Why is this taking so long?!”

“If it’s so easy, why don’t you do it?! The heroes are clearly doing their best!”

“Best? We’re still in here, aren’t we?! What kind of ‘best’ is that? Tch──fuck this!”

“Shut up! Miss Infinity will get us out—she’s one of the good ones!”

Miss Infinity ignored the bickering.

『Can’t these guys fucking shut up──?! I swear they remind me of IKEA customers when they’re complaining about the shittiest things like furniture!』

She raised her hand and created a shimmering spatial sphere that began to slice through the rubble like a surgeon’s scalpel.

Suddenly, another explosion ripped through the building.

… DOOOOOOOOM!!

The ceiling above the group collapsed, but Miss Infinity spun around and quickly threw up a second sphere.

… zinnnggg────SKREEEESSSHH!!

The debris smashed harmlessly against the barrier and crashed to the ground.

“Move!”

She ripped apart the debris blocking the exit and the chunks disintegrated into pebbles that scattered across the floor.

The civilians cheered, then stumbled forward after her.

There was hope yet.

･･･

Meanwhile, two floors above…

Clad in his gleaming gold super suit, The Peak stood at the head of a group of twelve terrified civilians. Sweat poured down his face as the fire raged around them while his fragile breathing shallowed.

“This is too much…”

He gripped his chest to calm the panic painfully clawing at his chest.

『What the hell do they expect me to do? Carry all twelve of them? Even Fortitude couldn’t pull this off!』

Behind him, a coughing civilian grinned weakly.

“Don’t worry, folks! The Peak is here! S-Rank hero! We’re as good as saved!”

The Peak shot the man a furious glare.

『Yeah, sure. Because this is a walk in the park. This is way worse than saving Mrs. Robinson’s cat!』

Turning back to the group, he forced a dazzling smile and struck a lat spread pose.

“Fear not! With me here, there’s nothing to worry about! Your safety is my priority!”

Civilians cheered. “PEAK! PEAK! PEAK!”

But their celebration was short-lived.

A monstrous growl sounded from down the burning hallway, followed by the staccato crack of gunfire.

… groooowwl────BAAANG!!

A hero with twin pistols sprinted into view as he fired wildly at a grotesque humanoid creature that slithered after him.

Its bloated body writhed unnaturally.

… growl──ROOOOOAR!

Almost immediately, its neck elongated and its head split into four grotesque jaws.

“Stay back!”

The gun-wielding hero shouted.

“Stay────!”

The creature lunged as its jaws mercilessly clamped down on the hero’s head.

… CRUNCH!

It ripped his head free and chewed loudly before spitting out the crushed skull.

“Disgusting…” it hissed.

The Peak froze.

All of a sudden, his super pants got soaked.

『No… no, no, no, no—』

The monstrous creature took heavy steps down the burning hallway and each one echoed like a death knell through the crackling inferno.

… KREEEEEE!!

One of its massive clawed hands scraped against the concrete wall and left deep, jagged grooves in its wake.

Its breaths came in low, sickening hisses, and its malformed body twitched horrifyingly.

It was Red.

A heavy mass of blood-red skin covered him.

He had yellowish-brown spikes and jagged like fractured bone. His shoulders sported armor plating that shone dully in the firelight, and his techno-organic appearance gave him an even more horrifying presence.

Exposed metallic tubes writhed along his flesh and pumped some unknown substance as black, pulsating veins webbed his skin like grotesque tattoos.

Red’s voice slithered through the smoke-filled air.

It sounded like a deep, distorted growl.

“So… which other foolish hero wants to play the savior tonight? Come on… I’m ready for all of you.”

He chuckled like a cruel, inhuman creature as his glowing red eyes bore into the crowd of terrified civilians.

Attached to his back by a long, fleshy rope was Brigid.

She was barely recognizable through her bloodied and battered body.

She dangled like a broken doll while her head lolled almost lifelessly.

… Hnnnn

A small groan escaped her lips.

The civilians gasped in unison.

Some staggered back in horror, and others doubled over, retching at the sight. Their fear radiated off them like a visible wave, and even the heat of the flames seemed less suffocating than the sheer presence of Red.

The Peak was equally frozen.

His panicking eyes darted between the civilians behind him and the monstrosity before him.

His heart pounded violently in his chest.

『Fuck this…』

He wanted to run, to turn and disappear.

But then, he felt hands pressing against his back.

“You’ve got this, Peak!”

“We believe in you! You’re an S-Rank hero!”

“You’re the best—we know you can do it!”

The civilians’ shaky voices betrayed their desperation, but their trust only made the bile rise in The Peak’s throat. He stammered and his knees trembled as he tried to backpedal.

“H-, heh, listen… I can’t—I mean, not me! I-, I’ll—”

Red tilted his head.

A nightmarish grin split his face apart.

This was him mocking The Peak.

“This is the hero they send? This trembling, spineless trash? How disappointing.”

He chuckled darkly while flexing his black claws.

“I’ve seen rats with more backbone. No matter. Garbage is garbage.”

With that, he raised one massive arm and the flesh morphed grotesquely as it transformed into a mutated four-barreled plasma cannon. The barrels hissed, glowing white-hot with smoke curling around them.

He aimed it directly at The Peak.

“Now burn, you pathetic little speck.”

The Peak’s entire body shook, but then something inside him snapped.

His grunted and he took a trembling step forward.

“Who… who are you calling garbage?!”

The civilians gasped as The Peak straightened his back and planted his feet firmly on the ground. He spread his legs and threw his arms wide as veins bulged across his body.

… BOOOOOOM!!

A golden light began to shimmer around him, faint at first, but growing brighter with every second.

“I’M THE PEAK!”

He roared.

The golden aura surged around him and blasted through the ceiling to tear into the night sky.

“I’m the peak of human potential! A monster like you doesn’t get to call me garbage!”

The ground quaked as his aura intensified.

It even pushed the civilians back.

The air itself seemed to quiver with energy as he flexed every muscle in his body.

“I can make myself ten times stronger! Ten times faster! And I’ll show you just how strong I am!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

“PEAK! PEAK! PEAK!”

Fueled by their belief, The Peak charged forward like a human missile, surging with golden energy.

… blam────DUUUUUUUMM!!

His fist collided with Red’s chest, and the resulting explosion rocked the entire structure.

Dust and debris filled everywhere as the golden light blinded everyone momentarily.

As the glow faded, the civilians squinted through the settling smoke.

“Did he do it?” one whispered.

“He had to! He’s The Peak!” another said.

“Yeah! He’s unbeatable!”

The cheering grew louder—until the smoke cleared.

There stood Red, completely unscathed.

His massive body hadn’t budged an inch, and his glowing eyes burned with cruel amusement.

In one swift motion, his clawed hand reached out to grab The Peak’s body like a toy.

The Peak screamed in agony as Red’s claws dug into his sides and blood trickled down. Red tightened his grip, then lifted The Peak effortlessly off the ground.

“What’s ten times zero?”

Red growled with a devilish grin.