NOVEL WEB Chapter 220: Tangled Situations
Scott and Pulsar stood face to face.
No movement.
The noise of the crowd, the blinking of a thousand flashing cameras—it all faded. All that remained was the awkward tension brewing between them like a boiling pot with the lid barely hanging on.
Neither of them said a word.
They just stared.
Silence.
Excruciating silence.
Scott's face was unreadable.
Calm, but not indifferent.
Focused, but far from intense.
He just… stared, and that was enough to make Pulsar feel like the world had flipped upside down.
As for Pulsar, her expression twisted every few seconds—first a forced smile, then a blank blink, then a twitchy, nervous tremble as she laughed way too softly to be real. Beads of sweat formed along her brow, and her legs were shaking—not a lot, just enough to make her knees lock every few seconds.
『Hnnn… (´• ω •`;)』
She was dying inside.
Brigid stood off to the side, arms folded, her eyes bouncing back and forth between them like she was watching a drama she already knew the ending to.
She didn't say a word either.
Maybe because she didn't have to.
Her psychic powers had already read their minds, and now she was trying not to throw up.
Her fingers squeezed into fists at her sides.
She gritted her teeth.
She mumbled softly under her breath—
"That's… Lord Scott's ex…"
She was furious. Furious. Not at Scott. At Pulsar.
『The nerve of this woman—to do what she did to my sweet Lord Scott and then just stand there like she belonged in his line of sight? Tch! (ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ FUCK HER!!』
Brigid puffed her cheeks out, visibly sulking now.
She stared at the ground, biting her lip and clenching her fists like she'd just lost a $5,000 trade.
『She doesn't deserve his attention. I can't believe he'd give her such a reward. Hmph!』
Meanwhile, Pulsar was screaming inside.
『This is literally the worst moment in my life! I've been travelling nonstop across America just to avoid this exact scene! And now, days after my tour ends, I just HAVE run into him?! RIGHT HERE?! Now?! FUUUUU— (╥﹏╥)』
On the outside, she wore a massive grin—one so wide and shaky it looked like she'd been injected with laughing gas and regret. Her fingers twitched. Her lips quivered. Her face was already redder than a pot of chilli.
Scott tilted his head slightly and asked calmly—
"Are you… okay? (๑•̌.•̑๑)"
"…Yeah, of course…"
Pulsar replied, surprisingly steady.
『KILL MEEEEE!!! I'M NOT FUCKING OKAY!! LET ME FRIGGIN' DIE ALREADYYYYY!!』
She howled in her mind, screaming into the void while keeping her cool on the outside like she wasn't on the verge of total emotional annihilation.
The tension was suffocating.
Scott nodded once and casually turned.
"Well… I have to head in. The reporters look like they're about to pounce on you for interviews."
The fan girls were already preparing to pounce.
"I'll leave you to it."
He turned around coolly, just in time to see Brigid's pouty face twisted away from him, arms crossed like a stubborn little sister who didn't get her candy.
Then, the energy barrier around them began to rattle with the thunderous screeching of fangirls.
"NOOO, SCOTT! DON'T GOOOOO!"
"PLEASE! ONE SELFIE—JUST ONE!!!"
"GIVE ME YOUR HAIR!"
"LET ME TASTE YOUR JACKET!"
It was a riot of hormonal desperation.
Still, Pulsar stood there in deep thought.
Her fingers clenched.
『No…』
Her breath caught in her throat.
『Please… don't go.』
Her heart sank as she watched him walk farther and farther away.
Something tightened in her chest.
Her eyes stung.
『Don't do this. Not again…』
Suddenly—her body moved on instinct.
"WAAAAAAIT!!"
She shouted, hand flinging out, desperate.
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!
The crowd exploded with a frenzy of lights and mics.
"Did she just──?!"
"She's clearly still in love with Scott McQueen!"
"She may be a hero, but she's still a woman!"
"She wants him BAD, y'all!"
More screams, more noise—but none of it mattered.
Scott slowly turned.
Pulsar stood tall—well, tried to. Her flat chest puffed out with effort, her lips trembling as she put on the bravest face she could muster. But even the lightest breeze of harshness could make her crumble.
"Ca-, can I… (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)"
She stammered like the softie she was.
"Can I… have your contact?"
Scott blinked. "Eh?"
Her entire body froze.
Steam literally fumed from her head.
She threw her face away, palms over her cheeks like a tomato hiding from the sun.
"I-, IT'S FINE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO!"
She squealed.
"I mean, you could just… just follow me on Insta… or… you know… Chirper…"
She peeked through her fingers.
Her voice became smaller and smaller.
"Not that I want you to be, like, my fan or anything! B-, But it's… it's the easiest way t—"
Then she squeaked, slapping both hands over her mouth.
"JUST LET US BE TEXTING OR SOMETHING!!"
Vincent groaned and slapped a palm across his face.
"Dear god…"
Jason blinked beside him. "What?"
Vincent gritted his teeth and gestured toward them.
"That guy is Pulsar's ex… if the media gets wind of this, she's DONE. Her high school's gonna explode. And that idiot's already too damn popular!"
Jason shrugged. "So do something about it then."
"WITH PLEASURE!" Vincent growled.
Back in the spotlight, Pulsar stood, thumb-twiddling, tears shimmered in her big purple eyes as she anxiously waited for Scott to reply.
"S-, So…"
But Scott didn't speak.
He just looked at her with a blank face.
Then—
"PULSAR!!"
Vincent stormed forward, slapping and shoving through the crowd as reporters flew like bowling pins.
He grabbed her by the wrist.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE—?!"
He was smiling like a madman but his eyes were twitching with rage.
Pulsar yanked her arm back.
"Doing what I should've done months ago!"
She turned back to Scott with a soft smile.
"… Right?"
This was it.
The right time for her to apologize to him and beg him to take her back.
But—
Scott was quiet. Still as calm as ever.
"It's nice to see you, Ms. Pulsar…"
He talked like he'd never seen her in his life.
"I've seen you all over television… who would've thought you'd be at the SMPE."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"After all, you're a trending hero now. Isn't your kind a little… too good for a place like this?"
Pulsar's eyes widened.
She understood every hidden word.
Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Scott turned without waiting for a reply.
"C'mon, guys. Let's head in."
He motioned toward the Blue Box building.
Marcus pumped a fist into the air. "HELL YEAH!"
They all started walking—except for Brigid.
She stood with her back turned, arms folded and cheeks puffed out, a thundercloud over her head.
"Brigid…" Scott sighed.
"Hmph! (｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)"
She growled, throwing her face even farther away.
"Ms. Emma and Gwen aren't here. And yet, I'm not the one getting all the attention…"
Scott blinked. "Eh?"
Brigid huffed louder.
"Comfort me right now or I'll actually explode!! (๑•̀д•́๑)"
Then—
『Fuck!』
She panicked.
『How could I say that to Lord Scott?! I've gone too far… I need to apologize—!』
Just as she cracked one eye open, ready to bow like a dog and beg—
Scott knelt, one knee down, and tapped his back.
"Come on. Hop on."
"…Eh—Eh…? " Brigid stammered.
She took a slow step forward with her slender feet and poked his back suspiciously.
"Th-, This isn't a trap, right…? You're not gonna grab me and spank me, are you…?"
Silence.
『HE'S GONNA KILL MEEEE! (｡ŏ﹏ŏ)』
She instantly hopped back.
Scott let out a sigh.
"Come on, I wouldn't."
He pat on his back again and smiled softly.
Brigid took some shaky steps forward.
『Uuuuu…! (＞﹏＜)』
She hesitated… then clumsily hopped onto his back.
Her arms wrapped around his neck.
It wasn't normal.
He never did this.
Usually she'd get brutally scolded—or worse, flicked on the forehead.
But this time… he just carried her.
Warm, steady, like a dependable pillar.
"KYYUUUNNN~ ❤️"
She snuggled into him like a plush toy.
The entire crowd gasped.
Fan girls fainted. Reporters screamed.
Vincent stared, trembling.
『No way… he thought. That girl… could she be—』
His fists clenched.
『One of the Four?! NO! Why the hell would someone like her be hanging off him—?!』
The hatred burned deep in his chest.
As for Pulsar—she stood alone.
Eyes low. Fists tight.
A mic slid into view.
"So, Ms. Pulsar… as an A-ranked hero, how does it feel to be rejected? Please let us know."
Cameras clicked. Reporters waited.
And Pulsar just stood there.
Still. Quiet.
『I… I guess deserve that…』
━ ━ ━ ━
Scott walked casually down the pavement.
His sweatshirt was draped halfway down his back from Brigid's clingy weight. She was perched on him like a backpack, her small arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders, her legs swung from side to side gently as if she were floating on a cloud.
She wanted to say something—anything, really—but the moment was just… too good.
Too peaceful. Too warm.
The last thing she wanted was to ruin it with a dumb joke or awkward words. So instead, she just rested her cheek on the back of his shoulder, silently enjoying the rise and fall of his steps.
That was when Scott spoke, his tone a little too casual.
"Yunno… after that argument I had with my mom a few days back, I thought that was it. Like, really it. But—"
He paused for a second, then smiled faintly.
"I didn't know you were watching."
Brigid's eyes flew open wide, and she jerked up on his back like a squirrel caught stealing nuts.
"I SWEAR I DIDN'T!!"
She squealed in panic, flailing her arms around as she unwrapped them from around his chest.
"I… I was just passing by, I swear! Just—! I didn't even mean to look! It was just a glance! An accident!"
Scott let out a soft laugh and gripped her thighs tighter to keep her from falling off.
"Easy there, twitchy squirrel. Wouldn't want you falling and hurting your pretty face…"
He said with a teasing smirk as he began climbing the convention steps.
Brigid froze.
Her body melted against his again, but now her cheeks were warm and her throat wobbled as she tried not to sniffle. Her eyes shimmered with tears. She bit her lip and wiped them with the long sleeves of her oversized sweatshirt.
Scott slowed his steps.
"Wait, are you… uh… are you fine back there?"
He tilted his head as far back as he could to see her.
Brigid reached forward and gently placed her hand over his cheek, stopping him from turning any further.
"N… no…"
She whispered.
"Don't look. I don't want you to see me crying… it's not a bad thing. It's just that… you called me pretty… and… that means a lot to me…"
Scott blinked.
Then chuckled lightly.
"Really? Is that such a big deal?"
Brigid nodded fast, sniffling again as she furiously wiped her face with the edge of her sleeve.
"Mhm! It's the first time you've ever called me that…"
She gave a soft, embarrassed giggle as she tried to hide behind his back again, mortified at herself and still glowing with joy.
Scott's foot missed a step—just slightly—but enough to catch himself awkwardly. He caught his balance again, then chuckled in disbelief.
"Wait… seriously? I never told you how beautiful you look?"
"Nope."
Brigid whispered, then leaned back in as her soft, slender arms wrapped firmly around him again.
Her cheek pressed gently to his neck.
"But it's fine… you don't have to. Just the way you treat me makes me feel like I matter… if I didn't, you wouldn't have the desire to teach me how to be a proper hero… thank you so much, Lord Nightwatch."
She whispered his name like it was something sacred.
CHSSSSHHH—!!
The glass doors of the convention building parted open.
Scott stepped into the grand lobby.
Bright modern lights beamed down from high ceilings, and digital banners floated mid-air, flickering between colors and sponsor names. Mechanical wings, armor sets, and holographic superhero helmets floated around like modern art sculptures.
For a city like Meteor City, the interior was… well, clean.
It was surprising.
Scott didn't pay any of it attention.
He stopped in the middle of the hall and took a breath.
"Back to what I was saying…"
He ran his tongue over his teeth.
"I really thought I'd shut that part of my life away with my mom. But then… you did something. I don't know, maybe in my sleep. Flipped a switch or triggered my empathy or some telepathic whatever… but earlier today, I had this sudden urge to visit her. Just to talk. Maybe work things out."
Brigid tensed slightly on his back.
Guilt curled in her stomach.
She puffed her cheeks and tried to play it off.
"S-So… di-did it work…?" she asked nervously.
No answer.
Brigid leaned to the side to see his face—
And there it was. A soft smile, tender and unbothered.
"It didn't."
Scott kept smiling.
"She's still a horrible person. So… there's that."
Brigid's lips drooped. "Sorry…"
She looked like a scolded puppy, head tilted downward.
But then, Scott bent down on one knee, clearly motioning for her to hop off.
Still smiling, he said—
"Still. I owe you a thank you. Really. I mean it. For caring. For not laughing at me when you saw what kind of family I came from. You tried to help instead. That means a lot."
Brigid stepped down slowly, looking at him with a messy mix of surprise and awe.
"But, Lord Scott… I'd never use something that cruel against you… not even as a joke…"
Scott stood up straight again, slid his hands into his pockets, and turned forward.
"Yeah… I know. That's on me."
Brigid just watched him walk for a second.
And then her cheeks flushed red—blazing, cherry red.
The bright lights of the convention hall lit up her emerald eyes as she ran to catch up, then hugged his right arm tightly to snuggle in close as if it was the only safe place in the world.
"Grrrlgh—!" Scott suddenly stopped.
Brigid blinked. "Eh? Something wrong?"
Scott shook his head quickly.
"Nope. Gotta use the bathroom. Fuck."
He darted off like a rocket.
Brigid was left standing there by herself, dazed.
"He's gone. Tch! (￣^￣)"
She looked around, confused and shy—until she saw Marcus and Sarah up ahead pushing a comically large trolley with all their gear.
"HEY GUYS!"
Brigid waved excitedly.
But her footsteps slowed immediately.
Irina was there. And not just her—her whole team.
Lollipop in mouth, the Russian beauty was furiously texting with one hand and scowling.
"Moouuu… I can't believe Bella Trevors rescheduled her performance for tomorrow. I was gonna streak it and post it for the clicks… I love her music… Ughh!"
She chomped down on the lollipop with a crunch.
Still texting, she called out—
"SASHA!"
Without hesitation, Sasha unwrapped a fresh lollipop and popped it right into Irina's mouth, then stood behind her along with their cameraman, chauffeur, and two personal guards.
Marcus looked on and squinted.
"Hmm… this chick looks real familiar…"
Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Well, duh. That's Irina Golovin. She should look familiar. She's one of The Four."
"No, no, not that…" Marcus narrowed his eyes further.
Brigid gulped and stepped forward.
"Irina…?" she called gently.
Irina didn't even lift her head.
She just shifted her lollipop to the other side of her mouth and muttered—
"Huh?"
Then finally looked up.
･･･
Meanwhile, inside the men's bathroom.
Scott zipped up and leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"Aaahhh~ That felt good."
He looked down at the urinal.
"But jeez, with all that water I drank on the ride, I'm gonna be pissing like a hydrant all day."
He groaned.
Then—poke.
"… Eh?"
He glanced down.
Poke. Poke.
There was a man crouched next to him.
A full-grown man.
Dressed in an expensive black overcoat and gloves.
Calmly poking Scott's meaty shaft.
Scott's eyes widened in confusion.
The man looked up with a calm, serene smile.
"You're packing quite the weight between these legs, my friend. You must be pissing bullets with this. And don't even get me started on those nuts. Talk about a twelve gauge pump action pee gun. And the balls… just the right amount of sag. Beautiful. Absolutely textbook. 10/10."
"… (・_・?)"
The man spoke cheerfully.
But Scott still didn't know what to say.
He gave Scott a thumbs up.
Scott stared blankly.
Then—
"RAAAARRRGHHHHHHH!!"
A nightmarish scream echoed through the halls.