Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

Howard knew he was directing his anger at the wrong person. Horas had done nothing wrong and he was just trying to help Emma out. That was his wish and what he wanted to do.

But despite knowing this, Howard could not help but lash out at Horas anyway. He was the only adult who listened to Howard except for Jack. So, it meant a lot to Howard to have Horas on his side.

Most of all, Horas was the only one who could keep Howard updated and take him along to this rescue mission.

"Horas, you are going to save Emma, right? Then take me along as well. I promise not to be a burden and to keep up with you. I can also-"

Howard tried to bargain, presenting his advantages to come along with him. But deep-down Howard knew that Horas would not agree to take him along. He was a kid and a noisy one at that.

It was a shame that Horas did not know how capable Howard was actually and he would never know. But Howard did want to help Emma out.

On the other hand, Horas was tempted by Howard's offer. He knew how well Howard performed under stressful situations. And going after Emma was something he had done in the original story.

It was also where Howard had his first run-in with Horas Spencer. So, Horas was tempted to let Howard come along with him.

'I guess it will not matter once things calm down. But I will need to instruct Howard to lie and alter records. Ugh, it will be a nightmare.'

But when Horas looked at the hopeful look in front of him, he could not help but give in.

"Alright kid, you can come with me for now. But keep yourself safe or I will teleport you back. Here, always keeps this device on you."

Horas gave Howard his teleportation emergency device. It would help Howard get Emma out if they were not in a dungeon.

Howard looked surprised at the sudden burst of trust he was being shown by Horas. Even Jack Hollow had not been this trusting toward him and Jack was someone he knew ever since he was a little kid.

The feeling of having known Horas came back but Howard pushed it back forcefully. He did not need unnecessary baggage on his mind right now.

Once things had settled down, the pair left to chase after Kevin. There was about an hour left before any vehicle would leave the Esper's academy and it was time for them to make their move.

There were only so many places where Kevin could have hidden and the abandoned corridor was Horas's first bet.

…………………………………

"Shit, they discovered what I did already? People would be after me shortly. This is a nightmare."

Kevin lamented as he looked at his circumstances. The alarm was still ringing in the building and his name was being called out as a result. He would not be able to leave easily now.

But luckily, Kevin knew it was a possibility so he had things prepared to help him out. He had a small mask that hid his identity and made him appear like a normal human. It was the latest technology the villains had prepared for him.

He wanted to bring Howard Spencer with him as well but Kevin did not have enough time to send a message to him. He would just have to lure the other child out later.

"-all vehicles going out of the Esper's academy would be halted for today. -"

Usually, Kevin was not someone who paid attention to the announcement but he could not help but curse his luck with this one. The announcement caused all his plans to foil.

It seemed like Kevin would not be able to escape on public transport. Then he would have to do something daring - he would have to avail the necessary transport.

There were two vehicles that never stopped functioning - the garbage collector and the emergency vehicle. And out of these two, Kevin had a better chance of getting out in the garbage collector one.

"I never thought I would be thankful for the radio-active waste this school produces. I will be able to get out of here that way."

So, Kevin had a plan now. He managed to steal a worker's uniform and now it was time for him to trick the people working in the garbage disposal.

One would think that people would recognize an unfamiliar figure if they saw one. But you would be surprised to see how many people were not able to figure out that Kevin was not a part of their division.

And no one wanted to work with radio-active waste so it was easy for Kevin to get the keys to the disposal car from the front-desk worker. And then he was out and ready to head out.

He quickly loaded Emma into the car and was about to drive out when the doors closed. It was Horas who walked in with his target - Howard Spencer behind him. They walked directly over to his car and Kevin tensed up.

He wanted to reach out and kidnap Howard right here and now but he had to control himself. His connection to the villain's side was quite fragile.

"Hey, unload the vehicle. We need to check for a run-away criminal in here."

Horas instructed and Kevin knew he would be discovered if the car was opened. He could not allow that to happen.

That was why he decided to throw the small capsule he had been given in case of a last emergency and Kevin decided to use it now. The capsule collided with the ground and broke.

A shrilled laughter was heard in the air around the room before smoke started filling the room. A pair of greedy laughing eyes flashed across Kevin's mind before he felt it melt away and go limp.

Kevin could feel power filling his mind and the surroundings of the parking changing.

[WARNING EVERYONE: A NEW DUNGEON HAD BEEN DETECTED IN FORMATION. EVERYONE, KINDLY BE ON STAND-BY FOR THE TIME BEING.]

'Ah, so this was the new experiment - an artificial dungeon? I have to say that I am impressed.'