Chapter Four: The Hero's Fall
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Crow stood at the edge of the city, his eyes scanning the bustling streets below. His latest acquisitions had given him even more tools to weave his web of control, and now it was time to test them. He was searching for something—or rather, someone. And just as he was beginning to doubt whether his prey would show up, he saw her.
Mirko.
The rabbit-themed hero, known for her fierce combat skills and unyielding spirit, strode confidently through the streets. Her powerful legs, honed from years of training, carried her with a grace that belied her reputation as one of the most formidable heroes in the world. Crow couldn't help but admire her raw strength, but he wasn't here to appreciate it—he was here to dominate it.
He stepped out from the shadows, his presence as subtle as a whisper, yet it carried an undeniable weight. His Charming quirks, those carefully selected tools of manipulation, hummed with an insidious power as he focused his energy on her.
The moment Mirko's eyes locked with his, Crow felt the shift. The subtle pull of his influence began to sink into her, a quiet force creeping into her heart. At first, she appeared unaffected, her steely gaze unwavering as she sized him up, no doubt looking for a fight. But then, something changed.
Her cheeks flushed, just slightly, but enough for Crow to notice. Her strong stance faltered for a fraction of a second, and for that brief moment, Crow knew his Charming quirks were working. He hadn't even activated them fully, yet the pull was undeniable.
"Who... are you?" Mirko's voice faltered, her usual confidence slipping into something softer, more pliable. She took a hesitant step toward him, as though something invisible was drawing her closer, despite her best instincts screaming at her to fight.
Crow smiled, enjoying the rare moment of surprise. This wasn't supposed to happen. Heroes weren't supposed to be so easily swayed. But here she was, a top-tier hero, now standing before him with a blush on her face and a dazed look in her eyes.
"Just someone you don't need to worry about," Crow replied smoothly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. He could feel the subtle tug of his Charming quirks wrapping around her will like a leash. It was easy, too easy, and yet it felt... satisfying.
Mirko blinked, trying to shake off the feeling, but it was as if her mind was clouded, her body reacting to his presence without her permission. Her fists, usually clenched in determination, now hung limply by her sides. She looked up at him, her pupils dilated in a mix of confusion and something else—something far more obedient.
"I... I don't..." she muttered, shaking her head. The flush on her face deepened, but there was nothing of the fierce, independent hero left in her gaze. Instead, she looked at Crow with something akin to reverence.
Crow's grin widened. This was no longer a simple test of his powers; this was a perfect demonstration of how far he had come. He had taken control of a hero, someone whose very purpose was to stand against people like him, and made her his. A tiny part of him felt surprised—he had never anticipated it would happen so quickly, nor so thoroughly. But the feeling of power that surged through him was intoxicating.
"You don't need to think, Mirko," Crow said, his voice smooth, commanding. "Just listen to me, and I will take care of everything."
Her eyes fluttered, and for a brief moment, she seemed to forget everything about herself. She nodded slowly, her movements becoming robotic, her once-steadfast will crumbling under his influence.
"Yes, Master," Mirko whispered, the words almost foreign to her. The blush on her cheeks remained, and her usual fiery demeanor had been reduced to a docile obedience.
Crow blinked in genuine surprise. He hadn't expected her to fall so quickly, but it was as though her body and mind were simply no match for the power of his Charming quirks. Mirko—the fearless, determined hero who had fought countless battles, who had withstood immense pressure—was now reduced to a shell of her former self.
For a brief moment, Crow wondered if perhaps he had pushed things too far. Mirko was a hero, after all, and she deserved better than to be reduced to a pet in the blink of an eye. But the power—the control—it was too tempting, too absolute to ignore.
"Good girl," Crow said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Now, stay by my side. You belong to me now."
Mirko's eyes, once full of fire, softened as she lowered her head in submission. "Yes, Master," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, yet there was a strange peace in it now, as if she had accepted her place by his side.
Crow watched her closely, his expression unreadable. He knew that this wasn't the end. Mirko, for all her new obedience, would still be a hero at her core. But with his influence, she had become something else—something that would bend to his will whenever he desired.
But as he stood there, his quirk storage still brimming with untapped potential, Crow couldn't help but wonder how many others like Mirko were out there, waiting for him to pull them under his control.
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End of Chapter Four.
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