Chapter 14 - The Research Facility's Underground (2)
Fascinating villains often have an intriguing narrative behind them.
Even if they’re portrayed as deranged killers, having a compelling backstory that explains why they became villains can add depth to their characters.
In that moment, the killer transcends being a one-dimensional figure.
Of course, some may view it as an attempt to rationalize their actions, but I need that rationalization.
‘Because I must become a captivating villain.’
That sense of uniqueness that makes one think, “Ah, what sets this one apart from the others?”
Having that is crucial for enhancing my value as a villain and drawing the attention of the top-tier heroes who were the original story’s main protagonists.
‘For now, Ice Queen is my sole audience… but it can’t be helped.’
Regardless, she is undoubtedly the original heroine.
If the eventually successful Ice Queen remembers me and consistently appears during my acts of terrorism, it would be ideal.
Click
“Please don’t come any closer, Ice Queen.”
As I smiled faintly at her, Ice Queen glared at me with icy eyes.
Glancing at the gagged Chu Seo-ho, whose muffled screams only made her expression grow more intense.
“Put that down.”
“And if I refuse, what do you intend to do?”
“Your actions constitute murder. You will naturally face legal repercussions.”
“Legal repercussions, you say…”
I trailed off contemplatively before turning to observe the glass containers filled with green liquid.
“This person here may very well be a mass murderer who has slaughtered dozens, if not hundreds.”
“What are you… Huh!”
It seemed she had finally noticed the containers, her gaze trembling as she looked at them.
Bubblebubblebubble
Inside, people floated motionlessly with their eyes closed, quietly dissolving.
Ice Queen regarded me with horrified eyes.
“And yet you don’t intend to kill him?”
“…Even so, taking a life is a crime. If that person is a criminal who committed misdeeds, I’ll send them to prison. So…”
“Prison, not execution. What a laughable notion.”
“……”
My derisive tone left Ice Queen speechless.
“…This is why I despise heroes.”
‘Here, I should project an image of disdain specifically towards heroes.’
My anger is solely directed at heroes.
Conceptually, I am a villain with the flawed belief that you should be eliminated.
The reason?
Um…
‘That’s something the heroes will have to speculate about themselves.’
Truthfully, I harbor no ill feelings towards them.
While there are certainly corrupt heroes, I’ve never personally suffered at their hands, and any psychological trauma I might claim would amount to suddenly reverting to an infant despite living comfortably until then.
Aside from that, my childhood in the hero-centric world seemed quite carefree and worry-free.
‘The reason I act this way is purely for survival.’
In a world where death could strike at any moment, it’s easier to survive by affiliating with some group rather than living as a defenseless civilian.
And eventually, I need to defeat the final boss to prevent humanity’s extinction and secure my own well-being.
So I simply need to come across as plausible, like the villains in dramas and movies.
To appear as a villain with a tragic backstory.
Bang!
Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger towards Chu Seo-ho, and he collapsed lifelessly.
“You!”
“Even for a villain who kills people right before your eyes, the harshest punishment would be imprisonment, would it not?”
Enraged by the murder she had witnessed, Ice Queen charged at me.
Gliding forward, she spun around and…
Whack!
…kicked my right wrist with her foot.
The instant my gun fell, she swiftly picked it up and aimed it at me.
Throughout that series of movements, I had remained motionless, even smirking at her as if daring her to kill me.
“Feel free to shoot whenever you’d like.”
“……”
Despite my words, Ice Queen merely glared at me, unwilling to pull the trigger.
“…Surrender peacefully, Maker.”
“So you won’t shoot me in the end.”
I grasped her gun-holding hand and positioned the barrel towards my chest.
“!!What are you…!”
While it may have seemed reckless to her, the truth was different.
‘Because there are no bullets loaded.’
Anticipating the risk of being disarmed, I had only created and fired bullets when necessary.
Hence, I could act fearlessly like this.
“You’re too soft.”
Thaak!
Finally managing to wrench her hand free, she distanced herself slightly from me.
And immediately after that…
Kwaaaaaaaaang!!!
An immense roar as the building began to collapse.
“! Maker!!”
Ice Queen looked at me with an accusatory gaze, as if blaming me.
‘…Shit, what the hell?’
But I hadn’t caused this.
Still, I couldn’t afford to appear flustered, so I simply shrugged and smiled.
“Me, Maker…!!”
The familiar voice that soon reached my ears.
Looking up, I saw the Instructor cheerfully smiling as she peeked her head through the gaping hole above.
Weeeeeng-
Accompanied by the growing sound of a helicopter’s blades.
This is 42. Maker, mission complete.
‘Impeccable timing.’
Having grasped the situation to some extent, I looked at Ice Queen.
“Hero, Ice Queen. You’re too soft.”
Tuk tuk
The sound of a descending ladder behind me.
“Which is why you end up letting me slip away right before your eyes.”
As I firmly gripped the rope and gave it a strong tug, the helicopter’s ladder began retracting upwards.
“Stop right there!”
Ice Queen immediately tried to freeze the rope, but…
Paak!
…the Instructor, having lightly jumped, swung a hammer as tall as herself, shattering all the incoming ice.
“Whoop-chaa…!”
She then clung to the ladder beside me.
Slipp
“Oh, ohhh…!!”
Thump
“You must be careful, Instructor.”
Having seemingly mistepped, she started to slip and fall before I wrapped my right arm around her waist to support her.
“…Hic.”
For some reason, our positioning ended up resembling an embrace around the ladder, but what could be done?
‘Seems the kick from earlier left me with a bit of lingering pain.’
Not wanting to risk dropping her, I held her even closer.
“Don’t struggle. Just endure it for a bit. I’d hate for you to fall.”
“Yes, yes…”
With a flushed face, the Instructor held her breath obediently.
After observing her for a moment, I looked down below.
Zzzzak zzzzzzak!
Ice Queen was frantically creating an icy path, desperately attempting to catch up.
“Until next time, Ice Queen. I’ll be sure to greet you with another act of terrorism.”
Leaving the gradually diminishing Ice Queen behind, this mission had come to a close.
Weeeeeng-
Several hours after the mission’s completion, the following morning.
Knocknockknock
“Maker? Are you awake?”
Astra came to greet the Instructor and me, who had been sleeping on the helicopter.
“Ms. Astra? What brings you here…”
“Shhh…”
Placing her index finger on her lips, signaling me to be quiet, Astra looked down.
“Coooo… mmnya mmnya…”
The Instructor was using my lap as a pillow, fast asleep and softly smiling, likely having a pleasant dream.
‘Could you levitate her with your telekinesis?’
‘I was just about to do that.’
‘Ms. Astra. Use this.’
‘Oh, thank you, 42.’
42 had brought a blanket, which Astra accepted before wrapping the Instructor snugly and gently levitating her into the air.
“Shall we discuss the details in my office?”
“Let’s proceed.”
She led the way, guiding me, 42, and the blissfully sleeping Instructor to her office.
“First of all, I’ve heard the mission was a success.”
“Yes. While there were quite a few twists and turns, it ultimately succeeded.”
I handed her a USB drive.
“This USB was obtained from the one who acted as the research facility’s leader. According to him, it contains a copy of the ‘Regeneration’ data.”
After I gestured towards 42, he approached Astra’s desk and placed another USB drive on it.
“…This data was retrieved by the Instructor from the database.”
“Just in case the two sets of data differed or contained missing information, we secured both.”
After briefly examining the USB drives, Astra set them down and smiled faintly at us.
“Well done, everyone.”
Once I had finished reporting the various situations and variables encountered during the mission, the debrief was complete.
“So, have you given any thought to how you’d like to receive your rewards?”
“As always, I’ll accept them as the ideas come to me.”
Nodding as if she had expected my response, Astra shifted her gaze towards 42.
“For 42, would money suffice as before?”
“Yes. That would be adequate.”
“Understood. The mission payment should be deposited into your account by today.”
Without the slightest hesitation, 42 stated his preference for monetary compensation.
He bowed his head upon hearing she would transfer the funds soon.
“As for the Instructor… since she’s an executive, she can simply request whatever she desires later. Good work.”
As Astra gestured for us to leave, 42 and I rose from our seats.
“Ah, Maker, please remain for a moment. I have something additional to discuss with you.”
After 42 departed and the still-sleeping Instructor was levitated back to her room by Astra’s telekinesis…
“So, what did you wish to discuss with me?”
I looked at her quizzically.
“Um… haah, how should I explain this? Could you take a look at this?”
Letting out a sigh, Astra showed me her smartphone.
‘…What is this?’
[OP will share their villain encounter today]
Her smartphone displayed a strange comment as the top-voted response.