Being a Villain is My True Calling

“In that case, I shall take my leave.”

I bid farewell to Astra.
While the circumstances were peculiar, they had ultimately turned out favorably, so I should return for now.

“Yes. I’ve already informed the doctor about your wrist injury, so go see him right away.”

“Thank you.”

After Astra recommended visiting our organization’s villain doctor, I exited her office with the usual exchange of pleasantries.

‘Seems I’ve taken care of everything for today.’

With my wrist throbbing, it would be best to get treated promptly, so I should visit the doctor.
Having settled my thoughts, I proceeded down the corridor.

Meanwhile, the association was racking their brains over the Maker situation.

‘I merely followed the usual procedures.’

Swaying public opinion was hardly a novel tactic for the association.

Anyone capable of inciting citizens or harboring ideologies that could undermine the current system was immediately placed under scrutiny.

Whether villains who could garner public sympathy or those deemed admirable, the association consistently censored and manipulated public discourse regarding them.

‘We can’t risk foolish citizens being swayed by villainous notions.’

Consequently, whenever a villain seemed particularly threatening, the hero association would launch smear campaigns to keep them in check.

And their current target was the newly emerged Eclipse executive, Maker.

From the recent successive acts of terrorism to the unexpectedly positive public attitude towards him as a villain, culminating in the research facility raid.

Sensing his growing influence, the association decided to suppress him.

“What kind of half-assed job is this?!!”

Their attempt to portray him as an ordinary villain through public manipulation had backfired spectacularly when a video surfaced, instead propelling him into greater prominence.

“You incompetent fools! Is there not a single capable person among the executives?!”

The raging association president vented his fury.

‘…Aren’t they all your handpicked candidates?’
‘…You mainly appointed self-serving sycophants.’

A few executives considered voicing their thoughts but ultimately swallowed their words.

“Haah…”

Frustration etched across his face, the president pulled out a cigarette from his pocket.

“Sir, smoking indoors is…”

“Can you imagine how vexed I must be to resort to this? Can you?!”

Defiantly lighting his cigarette, the president took a drag and continued speaking.

“Have you located the individual who leaked that video?”

The one who had instantly undone their carefully orchestrated public narrative.

“We’ve attempted to trace them, but…”

“But?”

“…They seem to be moving through the dark web, so tracking them has been…”

“Tch…”

After a final drag, the president firmly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

“What exactly are you all capable of?!!”

The president’s outburst caused the executives to instinctively seal their lips.

“Didn’t we discuss Maker during our last meeting? This isn’t some game!”

“…Our apologies.”

And so began the president’s tirade.

“Aargh! How frustrating!”

An indeterminate time passed as the president berated his executives, seemingly venting his stress as he appeared significantly calmer than earlier.

“…So, what I’m saying is! Ahem. Pay closer attention! That is my message.”

“Your words are always engraved deeply within us executives, Sir.”

“…Is that so? Heheheheh!”

The president’s earlier anger dissipated entirely upon receiving flattery from one executive, replaced by a satisfied chuckle.

Essentially, he acknowledged their diligent efforts and merely wished for them to apply themselves further, et cetera.

Accustomed to his mercurial shifts in demeanor, the executives indulged the president.

“…By the way, what rating will you assign to Maker?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“His threat level, Sir.”

Prompted by the executive’s question, the president began contemplating.

‘Come to think of it, it is about time we assigned him a rating.’

Maker had already committed three acts of terrorism.
They couldn’t delay assigning him a rating indefinitely.

“In that case…”

“In that case…?”

‘…Hmm.’

“Any good suggestions?”

Most executives simply shrugged, seemingly deferring to the president’s judgment.

At a large hospital operated by the hero association.

“Thank you for your efforts, Ice Queen. Here’s your prescription, so remember to take your medication on time. Also, change your bandages every other day.”

“Thank you.”

After a polite bow, Ice Queen exited the hospital.

“Ice Queen, are you alright?”

Waiting outside the hospital was a man dressed in a black suit, an association employee who had come to greet her.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Your request for leave has been approved by the association. Take a few days to rest properly.”

Speaking thus, the man escorted Ice Queen to his car.
As if accustomed to the arrangement, she entered the man’s vehicle and deactivated her ability, which she had been continuously maintaining.

Wooooong-

“…Phew.”

The mystical sky-blue hair and eyes reverted to ordinary black, revealing Ice Queen’s civilian identity.

“Shall I drop you off at your home?”

“Please do.”

Transitioning from the heroine Ice Queen to the ordinary Seo Yun-hee, she gazed at the transparent scenery outside.

“……”

A prolonged silence ensued before…

“…Personally, I believe your stance was the correct one, Queen.”

The silently driving man spoke up.

“No matter how grave the transgression, taking personal retaliatory action is unjustified.”

“…I see.”

Yun-hee briefly pondered his words.

Maker’s actions were undoubtedly extreme.

Displeased with the legal system, he had resorted to personal retaliation.
Such disregard for the rules society had established was an outright criminal act.

‘But… what if those laws were flawed?’

In such a case, how should one proceed?

She was well aware that the current legal system was quite ineffective.

-Even for a villain who kills people right before your eyes, the harshest punishment would be imprisonment, would it not?

To some extent, his words resonated with her.

Yun-hee fidgeted with the gun in her possession.
The one she had seized from Maker during the raid.

“…I wonder if Maker has some kind of backstory?”

“Is there anyone in this world without a story?”

A valid point.
Regardless of his reasons, he was still a murderer.

‘Right… he’s a villain I must apprehend.’

She gripped the gun once more.
A sleek weapon, devoid of any serial number.
Completely different from the gun used to kill the researchers.

‘The sheer number of weapons he wielded seems impractical for personal use alone.’

And the absence of any traceable serial numbers.
The more she reviewed her encounter with Maker, the more similarities she noticed with her previous cases.

‘So you were the culprit.’

The previous mass killings of villain groups.
While uncertain if he had acted alone or with accomplices, Maker had undoubtedly been involved to some extent.

“…Phew, so many thoughts swirling.”

Overwhelmed by her contemplations, she exhaled deeply and brushed her hair back.

“How about I drop you off at a nearby cafe? Perhaps a sweet treat would help?”

Noticing her pensive state, the man suggested a cafe visit.
Yun-hee simply nodded in agreement.

“Please visit again, Maker.”

From his pristine white mask to his entire attire, the man greeted me with a deep 90-degree bow.

“Haha, isn’t it undesirable to frequently meet the doctor?”

“Ah.”

At my lighthearted remark, he belatedly seemed to realize the implication, glancing down at his white garb.

The doctor.
Our organization’s physician.
Moreover, a highly esteemed healing-type ability user.

A valuable asset capable of restoring even severely injured patients to a certain degree.

“In any case, thank you for the treatment.”

“It is simply my duty as the organization’s doctor. Besides, as an executive, Maker, I have no reason to withhold treatment.”

I flexed my bandaged wrist a few times.

“Immobilizing your wrist is a precautionary measure. Please refrain from strenuous activities today, and do not hesitate to seek me out if you experience any discomfort.”

“Understood. Keep up the good work.”

The doctor bowed once more in response before I bid him farewell and returned to my quarters.

“Wearing that mask all day must be stifling.”

Perhaps I should try a more breathable one next time?
After briefly pondering, I removed my half-mask, loosened a few buttons and my necktie, and sprawled onto the sofa.

“I’m so tired…”

Despite my enhanced speed, the hours spent commuting by helicopter, engaging in combat, evading pursuit, and nearly depleting my mana had left me on the verge of collapse.

‘…This won’t do.’

With numerous upcoming missions potentially requiring long-distance travel and combat, succumbing to fatigue so easily would be problematic.
I should find a solution, if possible.

While completely alleviating battle fatigue might be unrealistic, at least mitigating travel-related exhaustion would be ideal…
If only there was some way…

“Zzzzzz…”

Lost in contemplation, I eventually drifted off to sleep.

“What is it you desire now?”

The following morning, I looked at Astra with sparkling eyes.

And she regarded me with an incredulous gaze.
Was my request really that outlandish?

“I wish to open a cafe.”

Thinking she might not have heard me properly, I repeated myself, only to be met with an increasingly bewildered expression.

“You want to open a cafe?”

“Yes.”

“You, a villain executive?”

“Can’t I?”

“And near the slums, no less?”

Shooting her a ‘why not?’ look, she let out a deep sigh.
Her gaze resembled one regarding a childish or immature younger sibling.

A look of utter disbelief, unable to comprehend my motivations.

“You want this as a reward?”

“Indeed.”

“…”

I smiled faintly at her.

Don’t worry! I’ll find those gems for you, mom!
Don’t you trust me?