•Manipulation• [BNHA × Male!OC]

Chapter 162: have you tried turning it off and on again?

"D-Dabi," Twice's voice was weak as he laid on the ground.

"You did nothing wrong, Twice," Dabi reassured the man, "it's always the heroes who are in the wrong."

He turned back to the hero under his feet.

"RIGHT?!"

He stomped down, a frenzy of blue flames burst out from the bottom of his foot.

It blocked his sight for a second, just a second, and that was all it took for the hero to use his wings and dash forwards, avoiding the brunt of the attack.

"You're kidding...!" Dabi hissed.

"But whatever," he added quickly, noticing the state the hero was in.

"You've lost a lot of your weapons, anyways," it was true, over half of Hawk's feathers had been burnt off in the attempt.

The hero looked up from his crouched position, "you would have even burnt up your friend, you know?"

In his arms he cradled an injured Twice, having narrowly saved him from incineration.

Dabi, however, didn't look the least bit worried.

"It's fine," he said nonchalantly, "heroes are known for being able to save lives in an instant."

He'd expected for Hawks' hero instincts to kick in and save his comrade.

Hawks wiped the soot from his face.

"Ironic isn't it, it's like you knew I'd betray you," he questioned Dabi. "Don't tell me you'd figured it out?"

Dabi grinned, "it's not about figuring it out..."

"I never trusted you in the first place."

"Even though I did so many dangerous things to gain your trust," Hawk's eyes narrowed.

"I'm thankful for that at least," the villain admitted.

"Is that so?" Hawks continued the banter.

He could only hope it would buy him more time.

'I'm not as strong with burnt feathers. Not only is this the worst matchup for my quirk, but we're in a cramped space. I've really hit the jackpot.'

His options were limited.

'Then, my priority is to finish my task.'

His eyes swept over the unconscious man in his arms.

'I've weakened Bubaigawara. Avoiding his organs, I cut his muscles and bones. He won't be able to do much. I'll carry him out of here and-'

To the hero's shock, mud pours from the villain as he pushes out of Hawk's arms.

"Don't move!" Hawks warns, but it's no use.

He's held in place by a double as Twice limps away.

Seizing his opportunity, Dabi fires at the hero.

The attack blasts through the wall of the room.

"That burns!" Twice cries as he hobbles out of range.

Ignoring his pain, Dabi smiles.

"With just one of you, we can kick all of those heroes to the curb!"

"Go wild!" he ordered in spite of the man's injuries, "everyone's waiting..."

Dabi keeps his eyes trained on where he's sending his flames, ensuring Hawks remained pinned.