MTLNOVEL Chapter 167: Realization and Arrival
Earth Two, Metro City
Scott barely heard the wind roaring past his ears as he streaked across the sky like a comet as his Anti-Disaster Suit glowed with electric blue energy.
His mind was still crumbling.
『Super Scott? Me? A dictator?』
The reality of it sat in his chest like a boulder.
From above, Metro City stretched out beneath him, but it was barely recognizable.
It was always like this—he only just realized it now.
McQueen Corp had replaced MegaCorp.
McQueen Media had replaced Metro Daily.
His name—his father's—everywhere.
But instead of being a beacon of heroism, their insignia was no more than a symbol of fear and absolute dominance.
There were no heroes left. Not even signs of a resistance.
Only obedience. Only submission.
Scott's hands curled into fists as he whispered—
"No… no, no… how the hell did things turn out like this?!"
His voice cracked with anger and desperation.
"Why can't I just have one normal day? One good day?! It doesn't always have to be a disaster!"
The one time his father seemed proud of him — the one time — it turned out to be a nightmare.
His mother was gone. Scottie was… different.
And now, this city, his city, had been warped into something sick and wrong.
He dived down. Faster.
His feet hit the ground with a quiet thud, and in a blink, the blue glow of his techno-phage receded, shifting him seamlessly into civilian clothes.
The white and blue exosuit vanished like a mirage.
Scott looked around, still lost.
The people… they weren't running in fear, but they weren't living either. Everything was too clean. Too orderly. Too perfect. But it was the kind of perfection that only existed when people were too afraid to break the illusion.
Then—
Honk! HONK!
Scott barely turned in time before a car nearly hit him.
He jerked back as his heart hammered in his chest.
The car screeched to a halt.
And then he saw her.
Emma.
Scott's face immediately lit up.
It felt like a child seeing their parents after experiencing a torturous nightmare.
"EMMA!"
But the joy only lasted for a second.
The driver stepped out — a man in black — and moved swiftly to the backseat. He opened the door, unfolded a wheelchair, and helped Emma out.
Scott's breath caught in his throat.
A wheelchair.
His world stopped.
No.
His knees nearly buckled as his mind rejected what he was seeing.
"No… no, no, no…"
His voice wavered and trembled.
He took a step forward as his trembling eyes burned.
"Emma… why—who did this to you?"
Emma weakly gripped the armrests of her wheelchair as her knuckles whitened. Then she looked up at him, and Scott felt his entire body go cold.
Because all he saw was hatred.
A deep, seething hatred that burned through him like a blade to the heart.
Emma's voice was low, almost breaking.
"I already accepted that you're a despicable person. I already accepted that I'd never walk again. But do you really have to mock me too?"
Scott felt like someone had punched him in the gut.
Him? Mocking her?
"I—I would never—!"
He tried to step forward, but she rolled back.
She moved away from him—with the same fear Scott felt whenever his father was about to hit him. It was the kind of fear any child with his trauma would recognize instantly, and that single action broke him even more.
Then—
"Pleasure."
Scott froze as a familiar voice spoke.
Isaac Volkner.
Isaac walked past Scott and stood behind Emma, his hands deep in his pockets, his face unreadable.
"Because you're a sadist…"
Isaac said coldly.
"That's why."
Scott blinked. "Wh-, What—"
Isaac's eyes narrowed.
"You had every opportunity to make this world better, Scott. But you didn't. You and Mega Man slaughtered every Z-tier hero, then built those damn monolithic deflector shields to keep the StarForce out. You didn't just take away Metro City's heroes—you took away their hope."
Scott felt his throat tighten. His hands trembled.
He opened his mouth—but there was nothing to say.
The weight of it all came crashing down on him.
And for the first time in a long time—Scott cried.
His voice cracked as he muttered, "I'm sorry…"
Isaac's expression didn't change.
"Fuck you."
He pushed Emma's wheelchair away.
Scott's entire body flinched.
He wanted to scream. To fix it. To make them see that he wasn't that Scott.
But then—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
An alarm.
Scott snapped his head toward the sound and, in an instant, his Anti-Disaster Suit roared to life around him to encase him in a flash of blue light.
His boots ignited. He shot forward, fast as lightning.
The alarm led him straight to the crime scene. A bank.
A man — mid-30s, ragged clothes — came stumbling out as he greedily clutched a sack of money.
In his shaking hands was a gun.
Scott barely needed to look at it. Empty barrel.
He landed as his voice rang out like a thunderclap.
"That doesn't belong to you."
The man's eyes widened in horror.
He barely got a glimpse of Scott's white and blue armor before sheer terror overtook him.
"No… it's Super Scott…"
He ran.
Like he had just seen a demon.
And for the first time, Scott finally understood.
They weren't afraid of the crime.
They were afraid of HIM.
『I… I really need answers…』
In a flash, a crackling surge of blue lightning tore through the area like a wrathful storm, and in the blink of an eye — Scott had already intercepted the man.
The man skidded to a stop and his dying breath hitched in his throat as his wild, bloodshot eyes locked onto the figure in front of him. Sweat poured from every pore like he had been doused in rain, and in that moment—his body refused to listen to him.
His chest heaved violently.
"No…"
His hands trembled. His knees buckled.
Then, the scream tore from his throat. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire
"NO! NO! NOOOOOOO!!"
The sheer terror in his voice was inhuman.
He spun around, his legs nearly tripping over themselves as he sprinted in the opposite direction — only to slip and crash face-first into the cold, merciless pavement.
Scott took one step forward.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
The man howled as if death itself spoke into his ear.
"PLEASE──NO, NO… PLEASE, NOOOO!!"
He clawed at the ground, desperately scrambling to his feet, only to collapse again.
His body failed him in its panic.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!!"
Scott remained silent.
He had fought villains, battled monsters from the depths of space, faced the worst of humanity—but this…
This was pure fear.
A fear that only came when someone stared into the eyes of the devil himself.
Scott narrowed his gaze. "Why are you so afraid of me?"
The man sobbed into the dirt as his body convulsed.
His voice was cracked, broken—shattered.
"Because… because nobody sees Super Scott and lives to tell the tale…!"
Scott felt his stomach turn.
The man shook his head violently.
His face twisted in pure anguish.
"I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME! I KNOW IT! I KNOW IT!!"
Those words sank into Scott's bones like lead.
He already knew the truth — from the moment he saw Emma in that wheelchair.
From the moment Isaac spoke.
From the instant he spoke to Scottie.
But only now was he starting to feel it.
To feel the full weight of Super Scott's existence.
His gaze drifted upwards, and his breath hitched when he saw it—the statue.
Towering over the city, its metallic frame glistened under the neon lights. His alternate self stood there, hands on his waist, chest puffed out like a false god among mortals.
Scott's heart pounded. His jaw tightened.
His voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.
"… No."
His fists clenched as his breath trembled.
"Maxwell turned me into a murderer."
━ ━ ━ ━
Welcome to Earth-One
Meanwhile, back in a world far brighter than the one Scott had just left—Super Scott had arrived.
The alley was dark, empty, abandoned—but he didn't belong in the shadows. No.
His presence commanded the world itself.
He rolled his shoulders, exhaling as he adjusted the cuff of his expensive black dress pants. His vest hugged his muscular form, and his white dress shirt was casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of perfectly sculpted collarbones.
A hand lifted to the ring on his finger.
He rubbed it idly, then grinned—a devil's grin.
"Welcome home."
And then—he moved.
The air compressed.
The very force of gravity bent around his legs—
… DOOOOOOOOM!!
Then he shot into the sky like a bullet.
The winds howled as he tore through the clouds, rising higher and higher, until—
Metro City lay beneath him, stretched out like a kingdom awaiting its ruler.
Super Scott closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and then exhaled with a slow, satisfied breath.
"I knew it. I knew Scott Prime had already developed the SIST device."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"I could see the wear and tear in the fabric of space-time. I only had to synchronize my SIST device with his—trigger the switch across the multiverse—and just like that…"
He spread his arms out, floating like a god above the city.
"… It worked like a charm."
His gaze lowered. His smirk widened.
･･･
Scottie adjusted the straps of her backpack as her eyes went around the North District of Metro City.
She sighed.
"This is the last district, and still no sign of Scott…"
Should she just use her powers to scan the city?
No.
"Daddy would probably sense me then."
Her shoulders slumped.
She exhaled through her nose, then dragged her feet into a nearby restaurant.
Slumping into a chair, she stared at her phone.
"He's not answering."
Her thumb hovered over the call button, but her lips curled into a bitter smile.
"… Then again, why would he?"
Her voice was quiet.
"This is the first time I've called him in years."
A heavy sigh. Her fingers clenched.
"… It's so difficult."
"Why are you sitting there like we don't have work to do?"
Her heart stopped.
Her head snapped up. And there he was.
Standing casually with his hands in his pockets, smiling down at her with a look that sent an unexplainable chill down her spine.
Super Scott.
Scottie's breath hitched. Her brows furrowed as her voice rose before she could stop it.
"How can you be so—ARRGH! I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE!"
She marched toward him, jabbing a finger at his chest.
"I've been calling and calling and calling—Damn it! It's all I can think about! Do you have any idea how—"
He stepped forward.
She instinctively stepped back.
Another step. Another. Until—
Her back hit the wall.
Her throat ran dry as Super Scott leaned in as his voice turned smooth and absolutely teasing.
"I like making you wait~"
Then—he grabbed her chin.
And before she could react—his lips crashed into hers.
Scottie's mind snapped.
"──!?"
She pushed at his chest, but his grip was iron.
His tongue slipped between her lips, twisting around her own like he wanted to drink her saliva.
Her nails dug into his shoulders.
"Wh-, What the hell—?! I'm kissing SCOTT?!"
Her body froze. Her heart pounded.
Her thoughts—chaos.
Did he… change?
Was this some twisted fetish?!
『This is… urmh… this is just…』
She didn't even know how to feel—
Without thinking, she grabbed the back of his neck as her fingers brushed against an X-shaped mark.
Then, he pulled away.
The entire restaurant was staring.
Super Scott smirked. His arms wrapped around her waist.
"… Does it bother you that they're watching?"
Scottie's cheeks burned.
Her eyes darted anywhere but his face.
"… No. Not really."
She swallowed.
"… I just don't like what just happened."
Super Scott chuckled, taking a seat.
"Uh-huh. Now sit."
Scottie didn't hesitate. She sat.
The air inside the restaurant felt thick, heavy—like the moment before a storm.
Scottie sat still, her fingers curled slightly against her palm, yet she maintained her composure, her breathing steady despite the sinking feeling in her gut.
Across from her, Super Scott leaned back lazily in his chair with one arm draped over the backrest as his fingers tapped idly against the polished wood.
His expression was calm, too calm—like the surface of a lake before something monstrous emerged from its depths. His lips were curled in that same sinister smile as his sharp blue eyes studied her as if he were reading through her every thought, every hesitation, every nervous flicker in her eyes.
Scottie didn't know what was worse…
The fact that he looked just like her brother, or the fact that he didn't feel like him at all.
Super Scott exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with an almost amused look.
"You know…"
He shifted his gaze toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows beside them, watching the cars and people outside go about their peaceful day.
"When I activated the SIST device, I didn't expect you to show up here too."
His voice was smooth, calm. Too calm.
"But I have to say, it's not a bad surprise. I do love having my woman around."
Scottie kept staring at him, then nodded slightly as if she understood what he was talking about — even though she absolutely did not.
She didn't dare correct him. Not now.
Super Scott chuckled under his breath and leaned forward as he propped his chin on his palm.
"No sign of Maxwell in this world…"
He talked, as if discussing the weather.
"That's actually pretty refreshing. You know, getting out from under our father's shadow? That's enough of an achievement as it stands."
Scottie hesitated before responding.
"But… Daddy's still alive. In Falan City."
Super Scott stretched his arms above his head, yawning in an almost boyish way before letting his hands drop back down.
"Yeah…"
He rolled his shoulders and spoke so casually it sent a chill down Scottie's spine.
"I'll go kill him too."
Scottie stiffened.
Super Scott tilted his head as his smile widened.
"This world seems soft, so killing this world's Mega Man shouldn't be an issue in the slightest. And maybe—"
He drummed his fingers lightly on the table.
"— I should kill Fortitude again. Just for fun."
Scottie clenched her fists under the table.
She stared at him, her lips slightly parted, but no words came out.
He wasn't joking. Not even a little.
Super Scott chuckled as if entertained by her reaction.
"This alternate Earth…"
He let out a pleased sigh.
"Gotta say, it's an absolute blast."
Scottie's breath hitched.
『Alternate Earth?』
Her mind raced.
『What's he talking about?』
Then, out of nowhere, Super Scott's expression changed.
His smile remained, but something in his eyes darkened — a dangerous shine that made the entire restaurant feel a hundred degrees colder. He tilted his head ever so slightly, his eyes locked onto her, dissecting her, analyzing every minute detail of her face.
Scottie felt her stomach drop.
"Something doesn't feel right…" he muttered.
Her pulse pounded in her ears.
Then, he said it.
"Not having blood on my hands before lunch."
Scottie nearly flinched, but she forced herself to stay calm.
To keep her mask on.
She inhaled deeply, then placed a gentle hand over his—his large, strong hand that could probably snap her bones with little effort—and she had enough durability to take punches from SS-tier threats.
She smiled.
"That's the great thing about us being on our own."
She kept her tone respectful, yet teasing.
"We can decide to have lunch whenever we want."
Super Scott's gaze didn't waver.
Scottie tilted her head slightly as her dainty fingers traced lazy patterns over his knuckles.
"However we want, too."
Super Scott exhaled through his nose, amused.
"And what if I was hungry now?"
Scottie gave him a knowing smile, ignoring the sweat at the back of her neck.
"There are a lot of people here… and as much as that doesn't matter… we should play things smart. Hm?"
For a moment, Super Scott simply stared at her.
Then—his smile returned.
His fingers curled slightly, but instead of letting go, his grip tightened.
Tighter.
Tighter.
Scottie barely suppressed a wince. The bones in her forearm were dangerously close to cracking under the sheer force. But she didn't react. She simply kept smiling.
Super Scott tilted his head again.
"So… where's the alien cube, Scottie?"
His voice was smooth, almost affectionate.
"The Artifact. Where is it?"
Scottie's mind spun.
With the same soft, unbothered smile, she slowly stood from her chair as her trapped arm shifted slightly under his grip.
"Why don't you wait here…"
She said sweetly.
"… and I'll go find The Artifact?"
Her voice remained light, casual, but her muscles were coiled like a spring.
"Then we can celebrate."
Super Scott studied her for another moment.
Then—he laughed.
It was an easy, relaxed chuckle, as if she had just told him a particularly amusing joke. And finally—he let go.
Scottie took a small step back, resisting the urge to shake out her arm.
Super Scott leaned back in his chair, then stretched out his legs like an emperor.
His smile widened just a bit more.
"This world won't know what hit it."