Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

When Xie Haozhu reopened her eyes, she was alone.

Rising to her feet, she walked forward, brushing off the dirt clinging to her knees. Slowly advancing, in the center of the dust-filled abandoned warehouse lay the person she had so desperately sought.

Her Papa, bound to the chair in a pool of blood, his body utterly motionless.

Her Papa’s seated form had grown deathly cold.

Raising her hands, Xie Haozhu gently lifted his face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she beheld his pallid, lifeless visage.

“Papa…”

A despicable man, yet the only person who had cared for Xie Haozhu. A wicked person, and yet her sole Papa.

Sitting before him, Xie Haozhu embraced his body tightly.

Uncaring of the blood seeping into her clothes or the chill of his corpse, she held him close.

Leaning towards his cold ear, Xie Haozhu whispered:

“Does it hurt?”

Receiving no answer, she continued addressing him.

“Papa, you were terrible, I know. You only exploited me.”

It had been impossible not to realize.

The more she obeyed his commands, the smaller Xie Haozhu became while the Monster of the Anti-Society grew monstrously.

“But Papa was still precious to me. You saved my life, and you were the only one who said I was needed.”

No one else had ever uttered those words to Xie Haozhu.

‘She’s a witch wielding strange powers – she deserves to die!’ The villagers who had assaulted her, the child they deemed cursed, had been the ones her Papa rescued. Bestowing his own surname upon her, he had called her his daughter.

And he had whispered that she was needed.

Unlike everyone else in this world, her Papa alone had declared her existence necessary.

“Papa, it seems that man didn’t need me after all. He must have disliked me for being a monster.”

Xie Haozhu confided to her Papa’s remains.

What was the meaning of this? Having killed her Papa, that man had simply abandoned her. Why? Why had he killed her Papa yet left her behind?

“It would have been better if he had killed me too. Or perhaps…”

The imagined scenario caused Xie Haozhu’s lips to tremble.

Rather than discarding her in this manner, what if he had extended his hand to her instead?

Perhaps she might have accepted that outstretched hand.

Clutching her aching heart, Xie Haozhu berated herself for her naivete.

She had foolishly placed her trust in that man.

He had been utterly cruel.

Allowing her to anticipate a tomorrow, giving her the desire to retain those memories-

Only to deliver the most harrowing future imaginable.

In Xie Haozhu’s tomorrow, her Papa no longer existed. Nor did that man. Nothing remained.

No, there was one lingering fragment.

“Papa.”

Slowly parting her lips, Xie Haozhu spoke:

“Do you desire vengeance?”

Again, no response came. Yet she felt certain of the answer he would have given.

The Papa she knew would never forgive the one responsible for his demise.

He would undoubtedly yearn for that man to suffer torments equal to her own anguish.

“So do I.”

Xie Haozhu shared that thirst for retribution against the man who had so callously abandoned her. She wished to shatter him, inflict injuries, deprive him of everything he cherished – just as he had ravaged her future.

Had he expected his own tomorrow to be blissful after condemning her existence to such hell?

“Very well. I will do so. Since he killed you, that man must die too. That’s only fair, isn’t it? That’s right.”

To hunt down those responsible, she couldn’t discard her memories. She had to retain them fully.

“I will find them, no matter what.”

Regardless of where they were or what they did, she would locate them without fail.

And demand restitution for today’s transgressions.

Unfolding the note that man had left behind, Xie Haozhu read:

[I’ll be waiting.]

“Yes, I’ll make you wait.”

For in Xie Haozhu’s tomorrow, only vengeance against that man remained.

That very night, another divine entity inquired:

[Will you forfeit today’s memories as payment for a transaction?]

Xie Haozhu adamantly shook her head. There were certain memories she absolutely could not relinquish now.

* * *

Having resolved the Anti-Society crisis, we decided to return to Korea. Our mode of transportation would be by sea once more.

Upon hearing this, Han Seo-hyeon pleaded with me, his face drained of color:

“Seriously, can’t you just knock me out?”

“Hmm. For three whole days?”

“Yes.”

Responding to Han Seo-hyeon’s request, I summoned Kim Jae-ho.

As Kim Jae-ho’s fist sent Han Seo-hyeon tumbling backwards, a blissful smile graced his features.

And so, for three days.

After safely setting foot on Korean soil, we immediately sought out Baek Do-san.

“The outcome exceeded my expectations.”

At Baek Do-san’s words, I shrugged nonchalantly.

“I merely upheld my end of our agreement.”

“Good, good. So where should I have the kids sent?”

“There’s a ranch in New Zealand that should suffice.”

I provided Baek Do-san with the necessary information. After listening to my lengthy explanation, he regarded me with an expression of surprise, but eventually nodded in understanding.

“So there are trustworthy individuals there who can properly care for these children.”

“Indeed.”

“The preparations will take about three days. Until then, they can stay at the accommodations we’ve arranged.”

Three days.

A period that could feel fleeting or protracted.

During that time, we would have the opportunity to prepare for our farewell to the children.

Before that, I summoned Kim Jae-ho.

“Would you like to go as well?”

Tilting his head at my query, Kim Jae-ho asked:

“Where to?”

“New Zealand.”

I hastily added:

“With the children.”

Those kids were in the same predicament as Kim Jae-ho. They understood him better than anyone and could become his family moving forward.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“If you remain here, you’ll have to stay with us for the rest of your life. Eventually, you might find it impossible to extricate yourself once entwined with the name ‘Weltschmerz.'”

My decision to have Kim Jae-ho accompany us had been a selfish one. If a better environment existed where he could be entrusted to more suitable guardians, I felt it would be preferable to send him there.

Kim Jae-ho questioned:

“Why did you spare that girl?”

“Hmm?”

“That girl. You could have killed her, couldn’t you?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected inquiry, I could only blink in surprise. While I might have expected such a question from Han Seo-hyeon, I hadn’t anticipated it from Kim Jae-ho.

Unable to formulate a response, I merely continued blinking silently. Observing my wordless reaction, Kim Jae-ho stated:

“I want to stay here.”

Not even awaiting my answer, he had already declared his decision. Narrowing my eyes at his response, I asked:

“Are you certain? You might find greater happiness accompanying those children.”

“I like it here.”

“Even though it’s far more perilous, with the risk of death?”

Kim Jae-ho simply nodded repeatedly, his childlike demeanor pricking my conscience. Was it truly acceptable to welcome such a choice?

Regardless, since he wished to remain, I could only feel grateful.

“Let me know if you change your mind.”

There were still three days remaining before we would send off the children.

During our time in China, the children had been residing in a two-story residence arranged by Baek Do-san.

Over these past few days, the children had grown considerably more subdued.

“Ajeossi!”

“Waaah!”

They clung tightly, refusing to let go of us. Even the usually reserved Il-ho behaved similarly. Truthfully, I hadn’t expected such affection from him.

Perhaps they had realized our parting drew imminent.

“Did you all enjoy your time with those uncles?”

“Yes. Aside from the terrible food, at least.”

“My cooking wasn’t any better, was it?”

“No, it was delicious.”

A blatant lie. I lacked any culinary aptitude whatsoever. Still, being told my meals were delicious didn’t displease me.

“Can you tell us the adventures you went through?”

As the children approached requesting a story, I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“It wasn’t an adventure exciting enough to share, really.”

Feigning exasperation, Han Seo-hyeon exclaimed:

“You created a new nemesis, didn’t you? Every night, I dream of that girl pummeling me with her fists!”

“A girl? Pummeling fists?”

“Ahh, stop saying weird things in front of the kids and let’s just go inside!”

I clamped Han Seo-hyeon’s mouth shut. Shooting me a glare, he retreated back indoors. The child seated beside me, Il-ho, inquired:

“Can you at least tell us where we’ll be going? Surely that much is alright to share.”

“You’ll all be heading to New Zealand. It’s a wonderful place. And the person who will be looking after you there is also very kind.”

“But they might not be.”

“Hmm.”

Il-ho’s apprehension was understandable, considering the children had been subjected to horrific experiments.

“Don’t worry. If that person turns out to be unkind, we’ll come to rescue you again.”

I spoke sincerely.

I had no intentions of simply abandoning the children after sending them away.

I planned to check on their well-being from time to time, even if infrequently.

“Ideally, I’d prefer if you could all forget about us and live happily instead. That would be far more beneficial for your future lives.”

“Don’t spout such nonsense.”

“Tsk.”

Well, it would be difficult to completely erase the memories of those who had rescued them from that hell. Still, we would be assuming the role of villains moving forward. The more fondly the children regarded us, the more detrimental it would prove for them.

Seeming to discern my unspoken thoughts, Il-ho curtly retorted:

“If you’re about to call yourselves villains, just stop right there. What matters is that you didn’t treat us poorly.”

Then he added:

“Do you know what those people said? That they were benefiting the world by doing this.”

That there was a shortage of awakeners in the world, so such cruel acts against children were necessary contributions. Spouting such nonsense, those individuals had inflicted unimaginable cruelties upon the children.

Which had led the children to realize.

That the world’s notions of good and evil held no true significance.

“We’re leaving because we’re too young and incapable of accompanying you. We don’t want to become burdens.”

Il-ho’s face contorted with resentment. Unable to find the appropriate words, I could only pat his shoulder reassuringly.

“So don’t you forget about us either, ajeossi. Never forget us, for your entire life. Because one day when we’ve grown up, we’ll definitely come find you again.”

I wasn’t sure whether to feel gratified or apprehensive at the increasing number of individuals vowing to seek me out in the future.

Time passed swiftly. Even when I posed my final question, Kim Jae-ho shook his head – he would remain by my side.

And the moment of parting arrived.

Watching the ship carrying the children drift farther into the distance, I waved farewell.

I sincerely wished for their happiness.

Having endured such hardships in their young lives, my heartfelt desire was for that vessel to carry them towards a far more joyful future.

* * *

Atop a verdant hill spanning the vast plains stood a beautiful house constructed from azure bricks.

Blending harmoniously with the surrounding scenery, this dwelling seemed plucked straight from a fairy tale. Within resided a man referred to as the White Angel due to his entirely alabaster features.

Even today, he offered his prayers towards God, just as he had done before awakening – having previously studied at a theological seminary, he had continued living a devoutly faithful life.

Kneeling reverently towards the unresponding God he implored daily.

As he completed his prayers, a voice called out from behind:

“Dominic! Come over here, please.”

Following the summons, Dominic approached to find around ten children standing together. Puzzled by their unexpected presence, he tilted his head quizzically.

“Oh my.”

These were children whose origins remained utterly unknown to him. More astonishing was the fact that he could sense mana emanating from each of them. Kneeling down, Dominic surveyed the youths bearing sullen, disgruntled expressions as they scrutinized him in turn.

“Why have these children come here, I wonder?”

“I’m not sure myself. Someone simply abandoned them here and fled.”

“Is there anyone who can explain this situation?”

Dominic’s query was met with silence from the children. Perhaps none of them could speak English? Just as he began considering that possibility:

[I can’t speak English, but I can communicate like this.]

A child with shimmering emerald irises had caught his attention.

‘You can read my thoughts?’

[Yes.]

While such an ability might have startled or instilled fear in others, Dominic remained unperturbed.

‘You possess a precious talent.’

Extending his hand towards the child, Dominic inquired:

‘Would you share how you all arrived here?’

[That’s irrelevant. What matters is whether you intend to take us in or cast us out. That’s the crux of it, isn’t it? If you plan to abandon us, just say so now.]

The child’s blunt words elicited a warm chuckle from Dominic.

“I suppose there’s no helping it. This too must be the Lord’s design.”

And so, the man who would later become known as the ‘Savior’ took in those ten children that day.