Harem Streamer System: Every Crime I Broadcast Wins Me a Superheroine - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Everything About You

High above the skyline, the floating monolith known as the Hero Tower hummed in the clouds. From afar it looked like an ancient slab of stone hovering impossibly in the sky, but inside it was just another overly air-conditioned media labyrinth filled with camera crews, PR agents, and superheroes queued up like cattle.

From the lowly D-tier rookies to the highest-ranked icons, they all sat slouched against the walls, scrolling through their phones or checking their reflections in the glossy windows. Many of them had been dragged here by their agents, told that appearing in the documentary of Shadow Monger would be “a great career move.”

Most looked bored out of their minds.

Shadow Monger wasn’t exactly a name people wanted tied to their brand.

A Z-tier anomaly, more urban legend than man.

Heroes had seen him once or twice, sure, but never close enough to get a picture. He wasn’t the kind of figure you called an ally. He was the kind you pointed at in the dark and whispered about.

Still, the studio had been set up: hot lights, whirring cameras, one chair, one microphone.

The director gave a signal.

A reporter cleared his throat.

“So—you’ve all crossed paths with Shadow Monger, or at least heard rumors. What’s your honest impression of him?”

･･･

The first through the door was Miss Mercury.

She flopped into the chair, gum already in her mouth, and blew a bubble lazily until it popped. At this point in her career she wasn’t the flashy powerhouse she’d eventually become—no sleek tech suit, no shining ponytail. Just a plain black-and-white costume with jagged yellow lightning stripes, messy bun, and the kind of dead-eyed expression that screamed “college student running on three hours of sleep.”

“Shadow Monger?”

She disinterestedly repeated as she twirled a strand of frizzed brown hair around her finger.

“Oh, I’ve seen him—uh, it—whatever. Once. He was crouched on a rooftop like some big creepy gargoyle. Nearly dropped my phone.”

She gave the mic a lazy shrug.

“Y’know, the vibe’s… spooky, sure, but I kinda respect it. Everyone’s so shiny and marketable nowadays. Sometimes you need the scary monster in the dark. Not… that I’m calling him a scary monster… but it balances the ecosystem, right?”

Mercury leaned in closer with her expressionless face.

“Like bats. Or me before a 7 a.m. Chemistry paper.”

Her tone was as flat as a chalkboard

The reporters chuckled awkwardly. She smirked.

･･･

Next came The Peak who swaggered in like the cameras were his natural habitat. He sat like he was being paid per second as he leaned forward with a grin so blinding it could’ve sold toothpaste. His hand ran through his gelled blond hair with practiced ease.

“Look, look—everybody’s hyping this guy up like he’s the second coming of Fear Factor. But let’s be real: Shadow Monger’s just smoke and mirrors. I’m Peak. People cheer when I show up. They piss their pants when he does. Big difference.”

He smirked at the cameras and flashed a wink.

“Fear isn’t heroism. Popularity? That’s the real superpower.”

He actually paused, shocked at his own words.

Then he hurriedly snapped his fingers at his weary assistant in the corner.

“Ooo, I liked that one. Imagine if we slapped it on a T-shirt? Merch line. Write it down!”

The tired Claire groaned but scribbled it into her notepad anyway.

･･･

Lady Fortress walked in next. She sat down with her back straight as her white cape slipped off one shoulder as if it might slide down at any moment. She rested her hands neatly in her lap, like a well-mannered guest at a dinner table.

“I… ah… well, I only encountered him once…”

She kept her voice soft.

“I was flying evac in Midtown and—suddenly—there he was. This… massive, shrouded figure carrying six people at once, all unconscious from smoke inhalation.”

Her brows pinched.

“I—I’ll admit, I froze. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if he was rescuing them… or collecting them.”

Her slender fists clenched against her thighs, then relaxed.

She exhaled and allowed a small laugh, sheepish and almost childlike.

“But then I saw the gentleness in the way he set them down. That—ah—that stayed with me. Shadow Monger is frightening, yes, but… perhaps noble in a way I don’t yet understand.”

She scratched the back of her head awkwardly, then forced out a wide grin.

“As you know, I’m not from this planet, so I can’t fully understand how humans truly operate… if… uhm, Mister Shadow is one. Regardless, I’m eager to learn!”

She nodded so hyperactively her cape bounced.

･･･

The next was Fortitude.

He stood in the doorway like a living statue—tall, broad, and built like every muscle had been carved by the gods. His white-and-blue suit fit tightly over his body to gracefully show off his strength.

Golden hair shone under the lights, and his clear blue eyes immediately found the cameras.

When he finally sat down, his sheer presence made every reporter sit up straighter.

He looked like a breath of fresh air.

“Shadow Monger is… unconventional?”

He said in that deep, golden-boy voice.

“But results matter. Casualties are consistently lower in any operation where he’s involved. Collateral damage? Almost nonexistent. That level of restraint, despite the raw destructive power he must wield… it’s commendable. I won’t lie, his methods unnerve me, but I respect him. Greatly.”

His massive arms folded as he nodded with his chin up.

“Cut…”

The cameraman signalled.

Fortitude nodded warmly at him with a smile.

The cameraman’s cheeks went pink, and he quickly looked down at his equipment. As Fortitude rose to leave, one of the reporters shyly rushed forward, pen in hand.

“Uh—c-could I have an autograph?”

“Uhm, sure…”

Fortitude chuckled and twirled the pen between his fingers before signing.

･･･

The next one to walk in was another blonde, but she was nothing like the last two. This one carried herself with pride, and her superhero outfit… well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly conservative. She was hot—sexy enough that a few reporters and crew members couldn’t help but stare until the director snapped his fingers and reminded them to focus.

This was Mighty Lass, an X-tier hero.

She was tall and built like an athlete, a strong Caucasian woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes. Her outfit was hard to miss: a tight white suit with an open chest area that showed off her generous cleavage, an unzipped cropped red hoodie hanging over her shoulders, blue fingerless gloves that reached her elbows, and matching blue boots. Perched on her head was a pair of circular sunglasses, like she had just walked out of a fashion ad.

“Focus ❤️…”

She said smoothly as she caught the reporters staring at her glistening, muscular thighs. Without even looking up, she admired her own reflection in the little mirror she held in her hand.

“Oh yeah, you asked about Shadow Monger?”

She drawled, brushing a lock of hair aside.

“Ugh, he’s… terrifying. Like, nightmare-fuel terrifying. If I had to take a selfie with him, the filter game would have to be next-level.”

She pursed her lips thoughtfully and continued to admire her own smirk in the mirror.

“But… well, scary or not, he keeps the city standing. I guess that’s… hot? In a creepy kind of way?”

With that, she blew a kiss at herself.

The reporters scribbled like madmen.

･･･

Deathmark bounced slightly in her seat and swung her legs as a grin split her pretty face.

“Oooh, Shadow Monger. He’s super fun. I saw him once, y’know? Came outta the smoke like a big, scary monster—like BOO!”

She mimed claws with her hands.

“I was soooo excited. Thought he was gonna eat me. But then? He just… waved. Like this.”

She waggled her fingers cheerfully, then burst into giggles.

“I like him. Creepy’s cute. He’s cute.”

･･･

Finally, the reporters asked the question that had been buzzing all day—

“So… would you call Shadow Monger a hero?”

Silence.

Some nodded vaguely, others shifted uncomfortably.

None dared to give a definite yes.

But then Miss Mercury, still slouched in her chair with her gum, popped another bubble.

“Hero? Villain? Doesn’t matter. He’s the only guy in this business I wouldn’t make fun of to his face. That says it all, right?”

She giggled softly.

“Who wouldn’t be drawn to a mysterious vigilante in this world of heroes, huh?”

The cameras clicked to capture the moment.

･･･

In a world where even heroes trembled at the name Shadow Monger, and only a handful had ever seen him, Scott never imagined he’d be standing face-to-face with that same legend.

Well—technically, he didn’t expect to be standing in front of a petite woman who claimed to be him.

“This… this doesn’t make any sense…”

Scott blinked rapidly and looked her up and down again.

She was a beautiful woman with a small, petite build.

Her long, jet-black hair was tied in a loose ponytail that flowed behind her, with soft bangs that framed her delicate face. Her big, dark eyes looked a little dull and mysterious, which actually matched well with the round glasses she wore.

She had on a beige trench coat over a navy-blue ribbed turtleneck sweater, which made her look a bit more mature despite her small size. A black leather mini skirt and thigh-high boots added a strangely sexy vibe to her overall look.

Too cute to be a destructive Z-tier hero.

“YOU CAN’T BE SHADOW MONGER—!”

He jumped back and threw his arms out defensively like she was some sort of walking biohazard.

The adorable little woman just tilted her head.

“Hmm?”

Her big round eyes blinked owlishly as she stared up at him with a confused expression.

“Uhm… that doesn’t make sense…”

She mumbled softly as she leaned back a little and scratched her cheek like she was genuinely puzzled.

“I’m obviously me though? (๑•́ㅿ•̀๑) ᵁᴹᴹ”

She spread her slender arms out slightly in a helpless, but still adorable gesture.

Scott shook his head so hard it almost rattled off his neck.

“IT’S NOT! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)”

This adorable woman just couldn’t be Shadow Monger.

“He’s supposed to be huge, and buff, and scary, and made of shadows and… and…”

His voice trailed off mid-yell. His brain finally caught up to what his eyes had seen just moments ago—because just a few minutes back, that was exactly how she’d looked.

The finger he was pointing at her drooped. (๑´•.̫ • `๑)

“And… that’s… exactly what you looked like…”

He mumbled, dazed.

The petite woman closed her eyes and smiled warmly with a little tilt of her head like a shy schoolgirl.

“It’s fine… tee-hee.”

She flashed him a soft grin so pure and disarming that Scott instantly let his guard down.

“Uhm… I guess…”

He muttered, rubbing the bandage on his head.

“I mean, you did… treat me…”

A thoughtful smile flickered on his face—but it vanished almost immediately.

“OH NO—!”

He suddenly jolted upright and started sprinting aimlessly into the dark void.

“I have to go help them—!”

Before he could take three steps, the little woman appeared in front of him like a wisp of dark mist, wearing the same calm expression.

“Let’s have dinner first.”

She smiled softly.

That tone—so casual, so gentle—was somehow vexing.

“Are you insane—!?”

Scott yelled like a mad man.

“My… my girlfriends are in danger and I’m here wasting time chatting with you!?”

He slashed his arm through the air like he wanted to punch something, but the fury melted into frustration.

“Hah… hahaha…”

He let out a hollow laugh that sounded more like he was breaking inside.

The last time he didn’t act the instant Gwen was taken she ended up with life-threatening burns.

“Listen to me—talking about saving them after I got beaten like a joke by the bastard who took them…”

He buried his face in his hand and groaned.

A faint sadness clouded the woman’s gloomy eyes.

“You don’t have to worry…”

She said quietly.

“We’re in the Shadowsphere—a special world connected to me. Time flows differently here. While hours may pass for us, it’s only a minute or two outside.”

She smiled gently again.

But there was that hint of self-consciousness in it—like she was trying not to be a bother.

Scott glanced around the eerie darkness.

It didn’t look like another dimension.

More like a spacious warehouse.

But then a familiar blue panel appeared before his eyes.

[SYSTEM SCAN COMPLETE]

[Confirmed: Spatial-temporal separation detected. Local time ratio = 300:1]

Scott’s shoulders slumped as he sighed heavily.

“I’m sorry. It’s just—”

Before he could finish, she appeared before him again and placed a light hand on his shoulder.

“You’re worried about them…”

She spoke so softly.

“That’s fine. But if you really want to save them, you should wait until you’ve fully recovered.”

Her voice was calm, almost motherly.

He exhaled slowly.

“Yeah. You’re right.”

He rubbed his temple, trying to soothe the headache.

“Oh, I forgot to ask—what’s your name?”

The petite woman’s eyes brightened.

“It’s Minerva… but you should eat first.”

･･･

A few minutes later, Scott found himself sitting stiffly behind an empty dining table as he cluelessly glanced around like a lost dog in a haunted mansion.

“Uhm…”

The hall stretched endlessly into darkness, the only visible thing being an ornate chandelier overhead.

It was too quiet.

He turned his head—and there she was.

She stood on a little stool behind a small kitchen counter as she stirred something in a pot while humming a cute tune.

“Since you’re so curious…”

She said without looking at him.

“… would you like to taste-test it?”

Scott blinked, caught off guard.

“Uh… sure?”

He wasn’t exactly eager. The pot hadn’t produced a single scent since she started stirring. If he hadn’t seen it himself, he’d swear she was boiling air.

Minerva smiled to herself.

“This is something I’ve wanted to make for a long time… but I’ve never really had anyone to cook for. Not a lot of people want to be around me… well, actually… no one wants to be around me.”

She turned slightly to flash him a sweet, almost bashful grin.

“Yunno, since I’m so scary… tee-hee! ❤️”

The innocent sparkle in her eyes was so bright it almost made Scott choke on his own disbelief.

“OOO, DONE!”

Minerva clapped cheerfully and hopped down from her stool as she balanced a steaming bowl.

“Get ready~!”

She skipped over and gently placed the bowl in front of him.

“Here you go. Eat it while it’s hot!”

Scott raised an eyebrow at the mysterious soup.

It had no smell whatsoever.

Just some floating carrots, cabbages, green onions… and a weird, soggy white thing.

“I… can’t even guess what this is supposed to be…”

“Eat it and find out! (´｡• ᵕ •｡`)”

Scott hesitated, then scooped a bit of the white stuff and slowly brought it to his mouth.

“Hmm…”

He licked it cautiously—and frowned.

“Huh? No taste? (;一_一)”

He tried again. Still nothing.

Annoyed, he just shoved the whole thing into his mouth and chewed furiously. The more he chewed, the worse it got—it refused to break apart, rubbery and tasteless.

Minerva leaned forward, smiling like a teacher watching a student take a test.

“So? How’s it taste? (￣ω￣)”

Scott’s jaw strained.

“I… I don’t know… tastes like… fabric…”

Minerva covered her lips and giggled again.

“Well, of course it does.”

Her eyes opened slowly and sharpened like a vixen’s as she gave him a mildly mischievous smile.

“After all…”

A hot breath left her mouth as she bit her lower lip.

“That’s Emma and Gwen’s panties.”

Scott froze.

The soggy “ingredient” slipped from his mouth and plopped back into the bowl.

“I… never said their names…”

He slowly turned his eyes toward her.

Minerva’s grin widened and her mouth salivated as she nibbled playfully on her finger.

“Fufufu~ ❤️ That’s because…”

Her tone dropped into a sexy whisper.

“… I already know everything about you.”

“Eh…?” (・_・?)

Scott mumbled, cold sweat trickling down his neck.