My SuperVillain System: Building Legion of SSS-Ranked SuperHeroines
Chapter 63 - Why Cruxius Killed Lira’s Sister

Chapter 63: Chapter 63 - Why Cruxius Killed Lira’s Sister

"Yes, I’m fine. It’s nothing," he said as Cruxius calmed himself, clearly feeling the presence of that cursed marking in his mind.

Of course, it still sealed away a particularly cruel portion of his mental trauma—it hadn’t even let him recall his mother’s name, let alone mention the event that had occurred that day.

Ignoring it, since he knew exactly how to cure it, he focused on the present.

He ignored it simply because he lacked the ability or power to seek revenge against those who caused it—his maternal family.

Even if he lifted the curse, it would send a signal to them about its removal and make him their target.

So, removal was clearly out of the question.

Refusing to let himself be driven by emotion, he thought logically and focused on the system, inquiring, ’Then why didn’t you reveal yourself until now? Were you waiting for me to gain some powerful ability?’

[Affirmative. As per the system’s rules, it must aid its user to its fullest capability. With its ability to permanently upgrade and fuse a single ability with itself upon bonding with a new user—and temporarily boost any of the host’s other abilities—the system was waiting for the host to acquire an ability whose permanent enhancement might benefit him most.]

’And you got that opportunity when I obtained Lira’s ability... But why wait until I killed her—and all that drama?’ Cruxius clearly understood the system’s intent.

He wasn’t surprised to learn it had originally belonged to his mother—after all, he had witnessed far too many strange things in this world to be shocked by such a fact.

Instead, this revelation eased his caution toward the system, now that he knew its origin.

[To make my appearance more dominant and mysterious.]

’...So, you can talk casually too?,’ Cruxius said, surprised to hear the typical mechanical voice say something other than commands.

The voice was the same, but now it spoke in full sentences—like a human—making Cruxius regard it differently.

[Yes—]

’Don’t do it again,’ Cruxius interrupted. He felt the system had already told him everything he needed to know.

When he had asked about its reason for appearing, it had admitted awareness only of its past owner—Clearly, this means that it wasn’t aware of its origin.

It had also disclosed its two core functions and even explained why it had waited for the right moment.

All this showed that the system was not invincible and could offer only what it already had.

All of this showed the limitations of the system, which might be enough to convince cruxius otherwise.

And Cruxius didn’t need a parrot constantly chattering in his mind and being unhelpful.

[...]

"How can big sis do that?"

A young girl’s voice pulled Cruxius out of his thoughts. He turned to observe the little girl standing beside him, having arrived while collecting the same empty bowls.

He was seated at the same height as the little girl who was standing in her place.

"Your sister has prohibited you from coming here, hasn’t she?" Cruxius looked toward Neuril as he added, giving a smile and folding his arms while leaning back. He observed the girl, who seemed to be around twelve years old.

And looking at her, he recalled the day he had killed her—four years ago, when she was sixteen and already a superhero.

Yes, he had killed her—not out of hatred, but to save his own life.

"Yes, but I slipped away to ask Uncle something," Neuril said, shaking her head and folding her arms, her eyes closed with a determined nod.

"Pfft."

The chuckle came from Ytrisia, drawing the attention of both Darithi and Cruxius. She coughed before apologizing, "Sorry."

"Was it about how I knew your name... or..." Cruxius trailed off, already knowing the reason for this little girl’s approach. After all, she had been one of the most stubborn superheroes he had ever met.

A hero who had once cornered him to the point where he had no choice but to kill her.

He added, "Is it about the golden light you’re seeing around me?"

"!?!"

"H-how do you know that!?" Neuril was stunned. She had thought he’d simply recognized her when she entered the room and said, long time no see. But now, hearing him speak of the golden light only she could see left her bewildered.

"I know..." Cruxius nodded as he recalled the very reason he had once needed to kill this little girl—because of that same golden light.

The story began with a tragedy—an accident, or more accurately, a murder. Lira and Neuril’s parents were killed by a supervillain.

With the insurance and government funds granted to families of fallen heroes, they rented an apartment within Hero City. To survive, they opened a modest curry shop—now faded and run-down.

At the age of twelve, Neuril awakened her powers. Witnessing their struggles and feeling a burning determination to fight evil, she began working secretly as a part-time superhero, without telling her sister.

There were organizations that supported such anonymous roles for budding heroes. After two years of service, she finally encountered the villain responsible for her parents’ deaths.

By pure coincidence, the supervillain possessed an ability to change his appearance.

But Neuril had a rare sub-ability—to mark her enemy with a power only she could see. A mark that transcended life and death.

Cruxius learned that the hard way.

He had killed the villain while battling the Villain Syndicate. But instead of the power reverting to Neuril, it transferred to Cruxius—a cursed mark.

The result was inevitable.

No matter how many times Cruxius killed himself, resetting every 24 hours, even leaving the villain alive in some loops—Neuril came for him. Again and again, with the same burning rage.

He was trapped.

He needed to move forward—not remain caught in that endless cycle.

Maybe he would have tried something different had he known she was Lira’s sister, but back then, he couldn’t.

With a small smile, he finally decided to erase her confusion.

"This is the mark of trust your power left on me... or perhaps it’s guiding you to accept my help," Cruxius said.

He smiled, pulled out a checkbook, signed it, and handed it to the little girl.

"Um, what is this, mister?" Neuril asked, puzzled. She could see it was a blank cheque, but still questioned it in surprise.

"A dowry from me to your sister. Tell her that," Cruxius said with a smirk, watching as both the little girl and Yitrisia stood stunned, mouths agape, while he exited the shop, flanked by guards.

His plan had been to impress Lira and win her over—but now... fate had just screwed with him.