Supervillain Idol System: My Sidekick Is A Yandere

As they moved him, Thunderclap\'s eyes fluttered weakly, struggling to open. His vision was blurry, his body numb with a deep, throbbing ache radiating from his core—a sensation he had never felt before.

Even in the most dangerous missions he had undertaken, his above-human durability had always shielded him from this kind of pain. But now, despite the fact that this was merely a demonstration, he had been brought to such a terrible state. He couldn\'t accept the reality of this defeat.

Thunderclap\'s fingers twitched as he fought to regain control over his body, but it was no use. His strength was drained, and his efforts to fully recover went unnoticed.

The crowd, the other candidates and even those watching via live streams, were too caught up in the spectacle to notice him trying to open his eyes.

But if anyone were to zoom in on their screens, they might see the faint flicker of his eyelids, but in the grand scale of things, Thunderclap\'s struggle was already forgotten.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gadget turned his attention back to the remaining candidates, his expression neutral but with a hint of weariness behind his eyes.

"Should we use numbers again," he asked, his voice even and controlled, "or would one of you like to go first? If you don\'t wish to participate any longer, I understand. It is, after all, only a demonstration."

There was a subtle pause before Dr. Gadget\'s eyes flicked toward the VIP viewing box once more. His glance was quick, but it was enough for Miss Claire, sitting in the VIP section, to pick up on it.

She didn\'t move, her posture still graceful, but she let her gaze drift over to Mr. Xiao.

"Dr. Gadget doesn\'t seem to want this to continue," Miss Claire said casually, her voice low enough for only Mr. Xiao to hear. "Or am I misinterpreting it?"

Mr. Xiao kept his gaze forward and had a warm on his face. "I wouldn\'t be surprised if that\'s how he feels," he answered, his voice taking a softer tone, as if he could relate to how Dr. Gadget was feeling. "He is, after all, a man who hates violence. Why would I be against that?"

Though Mr. Xiao\'s words were delivered in a kind and thoughtful manner, Miss Claire\'s sharp eyes caught something else.

She glanced discreetly at the armrest of his chair and noticed his fingers gripping it tensely, the knuckles faintly white under the pressure.

\'Interesting,\'

she thought, quickly retracting her gaze before answering calmly, "I see."

———

Back on the field, Starboy shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at Silverwing.

The earlier confidence he had displayed was now wavering, especially after witnessing how effortlessly Apex had dispatched Thunderclap.

His instincts told him to back down—it was smarter than facing something that could humiliate him in front of millions. But there was too much on the line. After all, his reputation was already suffering, and backing out now would only solidify the narrative that he wasn\'t the hero everyone believed him to be.

Silverwing, on the other hand, didn\'t seem to share Starboy\'s dilemma. Meeting Starboy\'s gaze, his expression remained calm, almost relaxed. There was no anxiety in his demeanor, no sign that he felt the pressure to prove anything.

He turned his gaze away from Starboy without a word and faced Dr. Gadget instead, placing a hand on his chest as he adopted an expression of mock solemnity. His lips parted, and he let out a sigh that echoed through the quieting stadium.

"I\'m afraid," Silverwing began, his voice low and filled with carefully crafted regret, "that I\'ll have to withdraw, Dr. Gadget."

A collective gasp spread through the crowd. Silverwing\'s withdrawal was unexpected, especially given his confident persona. But after seeing what the android had done to Thunderclap, few could really blame him for his decision.

Some of the more fervent fans in the audience however began to murmur angrily. But before any boos or insults could be thrown, Silverwing raised his hand as if to calm them, continuing in his measured tone.

"I\'m only confident in holding it back, not in defeating it," he said, his expression still serious. "I am, after all, not yet a Class A hero."

The murmurs of discontent began to subside, as his words struck a chord of understanding with the crowd. Silverwing wasn\'t backing out out of fear—he was simply acknowledging the limits of his abilities.

And it wasn\'t just that. He had masterfully positioned himself as a hero who knew his place, who wouldn\'t throw himself into danger recklessly, while also preserving his dignity.

Silverwing paused for effect, then placed his hand over his heart again, his voice softening even more. "However," he added, with a dramatic flourish, "I would feel terrible for the less fortunate who placed their hopes in me. So, in their honor, I\'ll still be donating 20 million of my own funds."

The crowd erupted into cheers, louder than before. Any negativity or disappointment had vanished, replaced by admiration for Silverwing\'s generosity.

His masterful performance left many in awe—not of his powers, but of his cunning and charisma. He had not only managed to withdraw from the fight with his reputation intact but had come out looking even more heroic in the eyes of the public.

Don also couldn\'t help but be impressed. He watched as Silverwing soaked in the applause, all while smoothly stepping away from the challenge.

\'That was impressive,\'

Don thought, his eyes narrowing slightly.

\'He just pulled off a masterclass in self-preservation.\'

Where others might have crumbled under the pressure or faced the android head-on, Silverwing had deftly maneuvered his way out, leaving no room for criticism.

Dr. Gadget, observing the reaction, sighed quietly but nodded. "Understood," he said. "Silverwing has chosen to withdraw."

Silverwing offered a small bow to the crowd, flashing them a charming smile as he stepped back, out of the center of attention.

Starboy, watching this unfold, clenched his fists tightly at his sides. His exit strategy had just disappeared, and now, if he backed out, he would look like a coward next to Silverwing\'s graceful retreat.

His earlier confidence now felt like a weight pressing down on him.

The first commentator, full of admiration, spoke up, "And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! A stunning display of humility and generosity from Silverwing. Truly the heart of a hero."

His co-host chimed in, "You have to respect that decision. Silverwing knows his limits, but he\'s still thinking of others. What a class act."

The crowd\'s cheers swelled again, their attention firmly on Silverwing, while Don, watching from the side, crossed his arms and let out a quiet sigh.

\'Everyone\'s looking for the spotlight. No one\'s looking at the bigger picture.\'