Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Would you like me to provide some funds if you’re in need?”

“I’m not doing this to make money.”

My wealth is constantly increasing in real-time, so why would I need that?

“Then what is the reason?”

“I simply wish to pursue a hobby. Since it’s near the slums, I can work at a leisurely pace, can’t I?”

My desire to open a cafe truly stems from a hobby interest.
I had part-time cafe experience in the past, and even obtained relevant certifications after arriving in the hero world.

‘If I ever reached a point where my absence wouldn’t matter, I had considered opening my own cafe.’

In any case, I have a deep interest in working at a cafe.
Of course, if asked whether this is my sole objective, the answer would be no.

“And who knows, I might discover a talented individual in those slums.”

“It will be difficult to find anyone suited for our organization there…”

“Well, I’ll simply indulge in my hobby then.”

Although I said it playfully, I am aware of a tremendous gem residing in those slums.

“Hmm… well, if it’s how you wish to use your reward, so be it.”

While slightly puzzled, Astra nodded in acknowledgment, treating it as a whimsical hobby.

“However, I can only provide basic support. I won’t be able to assist if it fails later on.”

“Of course not.”

I nodded in agreement with her stipulation.

Truthfully, I don’t particularly care whether the cafe succeeds or not.
Otherwise, I would have opened it in a more bustling area.

‘Instead, I’m confident I can recruit talent.’

My first organization member and future personal shuttle, so to speak.

Several days had passed since requesting the cafe from Astra.

“I was informed you summoned me.”

While resting in my quarters, I received Astra’s summons and made my way to her office.

“Ah, you’re here, Maker?”

Upon my arrival, she regarded me with a peculiar expression.

‘What’s this about?’

Her expression puzzled me.

If it were cafe-related, she wouldn’t have such a look.
And there hadn’t been any executive-level missions recently to warrant a different matter.
The only remaining issue was…

“The analysis of the Regeneration drug has been completed.”

Ah, so that was it.

The Regeneration drug.
The data we had raided the research facility and seized, solely due to the possibility of restoring the President to her former glory.

However, judging by Astra’s expression, the results didn’t seem particularly favorable.

“A dud, then?”

“If you want to call it that, yes. It ultimately deviated from the original mission objective.”

The original objective had been the President’s treatment.
Since it had diverged from that purpose, the Regeneration drug had essentially failed.

‘But what does she mean by calling it a dud?’

Had they discovered an alternative use?

“Haah… those researchers certainly engaged in some intriguing endeavors.”

With a grave expression, Astra placed something on her desk.
As she withdrew her hand, it revealed a glass vial containing a reddish liquid.

“The Regeneration drug. As you know, Maker, it was created with the goal of restoring the human body in any situation.”

Levitating her smartphone, she showed me a video.

“This ordinary male had previously lost his right thumb and left index and middle fingers due to a factory accident.”

A rather haggard-looking man.
After ingesting the drug, rapid regeneration began from the severed areas, new flesh sprouting forth.

“Remarkable.”

The video concluded with the wounds fully healed, leaving no trace.
Based solely on the footage, it seemed like a groundbreaking discovery, potentially the sole means of treating the President.

‘However, if that were the case, Astra wouldn’t have added those qualifying remarks.’

“Certainly, meaningful results were obtained. For ordinary individuals, at least.”

Implying some flaw or limitation.

“Was it ineffective for ability users?”

In other words, either ineffective or weakened for ability users.

“Effective… well, it was effective, I suppose. But it became debatable whether this could truly be called a ‘Regeneration’ drug.”

“What do you mean by…”

Astra regarded me with a solemn gaze.

“Ability suppression. That was the side effect of ingesting this drug.”

Her subsequent words left me astonished.

‘Such a drug exists?’

No matter how much I recalled the original story, there had been no mention of a drug capable of such a deceptive ability.

“…Is the suppression permanent?”

“No, not permanent. More akin to a temporary restraint, it seems. There were accounts of the Instructor being unable to use her abilities after being dosed with the drug during the previous battle.”

Since there have been no reports of the Instructor currently being unable to use her abilities, the effects were likely not permanent.

However, even considering that limitation, the implications were tremendously alarming.
Even the strongest A-rank, or hypothetically an S-rank hero or villain, would essentially be reduced to a capable ordinary person while under the drug’s influence during combat.

“It would be unsuitable as a treatment for the President, then.”

“Most likely, yes.”

For the President to fully recover to her prime condition, retaining her abilities would be essential.

Astra then continued her explanation.
In summary, while the drug provided some healing effects during ability suppression, once the abilities were restored, the previously healed injuries would re-emerge accompanied by excruciating pain.

“This issue also affected ordinary individuals.”

Ultimately, the drug was merely a sham, failing to provide any substantive solutions the researchers had sought.

“We seem to have acquired a far more dangerous drug than anticipated.”

“…Excessively dangerous, indeed.”

However, if viewed not as a treatment but as a means to neutralize ability users, there could be no more dangerous drug.

“It would be advisable to dispose of the drug.”

“I concur.”

As potent as it was, it posed a severe threat – to our enemies and ourselves alike.

‘Simply possessing it would draw immense aggro.’

“If word spread that we possess this drug, everyone would seek to eliminate us.”

The global hero association, other villain factions, independent individuals and groups worldwide – all would strive to eradicate us.

Who wouldn’t want to contain an insidious ability capable of incapacitating any ability user?

‘While Eclipse has managed to survive into the latter stages as a villain group, withstanding a globally coordinated onslaught is uncertain.’

Perhaps if the President regained her prime condition, but in our current state, it seemed doubtful.

“Rather than risk the information leaking, it would be better if we didn’t possess it at all.”

“I will dispose of it, then.”

Mentioning that she would discuss the cafe matter later, Astra focused on her paperwork.
After bidding her farewell, I exited her office.

“Hmm…”

I retrieved the ‘Regeneration’ drug from my pocket.

‘At the very least, I had witnessed the general manufacturing process during the mission.’

…Perhaps I could use it discreetly?
I should refrain from using it unless it truly became necessary.

Two weeks later.

I made my way to the cafe Astra had prepared.

“Ah, are you Mr. Kang Yi-an?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

As I approached the building, a man called out to me.
Kang Yi-an was the name I had provided – my real name and identity from before becoming a villain.

The reason for this was simple.

‘A 21-year-old man suddenly appearing out of nowhere and opening a cafe near the slums with a large sum of money would be too conspicuous without any prior background information.’

While uncertain how long I would maintain this cafe, using a fake identity would immediately raise suspicions if anyone decided to investigate my background.
It was better to use my real identity, with 21 years of life records, even if it carried some risk of exposure.

At least they couldn’t definitively conclude, “Kang Yi-an is definitely Maker or some shady character!”

“…So this section was designed as a unified whole to emphasize an overall cohesive feel.”

While I was lost in thought, the man had already ushered me inside the cafe and began explaining various aspects of the building.

“Impressive.”

The interior exuded an antiquated charm rather than a modern aesthetic.
It felt like stepping into a vast, hollowed tree housing a cafe.

‘They put in more effort than I expected.’

Given the abrupt request and tight turnaround, I had anticipated a more perfunctory job, but the building showed evidence of considerable attention to detail, exceeding my expectations.

After listening to the man’s explanations while exploring the premises…

“I wish you the best in operating a successful establishment.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Once the general overview concluded, the man bid me farewell and departed.

“Oh, they’ve even provided cooking equipment.”

Behind the counter area, I found a coffee machine, refrigerator, and a small kitchen equipped with cooking utensils.

“Well, since I intended to bring someone here to feed them, this is convenient.”

Now then.
When would be a good time to retrieve them?

“Huff… huff… huff…”

“Find her!”

“Where did that bitch go?!!”

In an area lined with abandoned buildings, a young girl huddled in hiding, evading a group of men in tattered clothing.

“Please… manifest… please…”

Clutching her right wrist tightly with her left hand, the girl muttered to herself.

“Fire, lightning, or even just control… anything… anything, manifest…”

“Found you, you little bitch!!”

One of the men eventually spotted the girl.
Startled, she extended her arm towards him, but nothing happened.

“Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused us?”

The man leered menacingly as he reached for the girl’s arm.
Mustering all her strength, she swatted his arm away.

“Please… please, anything, manifest…”

“Did she finally burn out from sheer terror?”

The man regarded the girl with an incredulous expression.
Yet his expression also harbored an ominous, untoward intent towards her.

“Come on, hurry up now. Alright? If you come obediently, we’ll be gentle.”

“Stay, stay away!!”

A small pebble flew towards the man, but lacking any force, it only served to further provoke his anger.

“This bitch has lost it!”

His fury reaching its peak, the man extended his arm towards the girl once more.
In that instant…

Woooong-

“…Huh? What the? Where’d she go?”

The girl had vanished without a trace.