Being a Villain is My True Calling

Shortly after, the five men followed 42 onto the stage with their heads hung low.

“Kyaaaaahh!!”

“Brothers!!”

“Save us, brothers!”

Upon seeing them, the hostages erupted into cheers and hopeful smiles.

‘So those are the Red Heroes these people were talking about.’

Their slumped posture, heads bowed as if they’d rather be anywhere else, resembled pigs being led to the slaughter.

“I wasn’t aware the heroes had already arrived.”

“We, we are the five blazing flames that uphold justice and vanquish villains!”

Tsk

The men awkwardly struck poses while glaring at me.

“…The Red Heroes will put a stop to your vile deeds…!”

“Kyaaaaaahh!!”

The cheering hostages contrasted with the Red Heroes’ strained smiles.
…If you’re going to talk big, at least stand firm instead of trembling.

Their bravado was B-rate at best, their postures downright cringeworthy.
Straight out of an old-fashioned superhero show.

“…I feel utterly embarrassed.”

Polia clung to me, her body trembling.

“Ca, can’t you just release the hostages al, already?!”

“Hostages, you say…”

I momentarily stroked Polia’s head as she clung to me, then chuckled at the Red Heroes.

“With mere words?”

“What?”

“Are, are you going to break your promise now?”

Approaching their bewildered forms, I spoke.

“I never once stated that I would release the hostages upon your arrival.”

“But in your previous terrorism, you clearly…!”

“That was an act of consideration on my part, to build trust between you heroes and myself, Maker.”

“You mean…!”

“I distinctly declare that during this terrorism, I made no such conditions. You simply misunderstood.”

Or perhaps…

I paused mid-step and regarded the Red Heroes.
They exchanged uneasy glances upon meeting my gaze.

“Does my differing condition mean you intend to abandon these hostages?”

“……”

An awkward silence ensued at my words.

“O, of course not!!”

The apparent leader emphatically gesticulated as he shouted at me.

“…The Red Heroes never tolerate injustice, no matter the situation!”

“Is that so?”

The man perspired profusely.
While his shifty gaze undermined any credibility, I would take him at his word for now.

“In that case, you may participate in my game.”

“…Game?”

“Yes, a simple game.”

‘Truth be told, I had prepared for female heroes this time…’

Among the materials obtained from the research facility, most of the usable ones had involved indulging depraved desires.

After multiple reviews, I had selected options that would suitably torment the participants.

‘Ice Queen would have been ideal. At the very least, if a female hero had appeared…’

Instead, I was faced with male heroes.
Obviously, using those materials on them would be utterly inappropriate.

‘So the answer is clear.’

“10 minutes. Regardless of the means – offense, defense, abilities – withstand Polia’s and my assault for 10 minutes. If you can endure, I will withdraw cleanly.”

‘Right. Let’s shift gears.’

For now, I should dispose of these fools and wait for other heroes to arrive.

“Is that truly the extent of your capabilities?”

“Damn it…!”

“Not even 5 minutes have passed. You mustn’t falter so soon.”

Shortly after the clash between the Red Heroes and villains commenced.
The Red Heroes could only struggle to endure, proving no match for the villains’ onslaught.

“Brothers…”

The bespectacled woman who had cheered for them watched the scene unfold with trembling eyes.

‘Is the difference in ability really that vast…?’

The girl called Polia, along with the one named Maker.
Could those two alone truly contend against five opponents?

Typically indifferent to villains and heroes alike, the woman was utterly oblivious.
Unaware of Maker’s previous engagements against A-rank heroes, or the vast power discrepancies between ranks.

‘No, our brothers will prevail!’

Thus, she could only place her faith in them.

In her heroes magnificently overcoming these vile villains…!
Rescuing them, and continuing their heroic ascent…!!

“Brothers! Stay strong…!!”

Fwoooosh!

Bam!

“Kyaahh!!”

As the woman cheered for the Red Heroes, a fireball suddenly erupted, slamming against the bars before her.

“Are, are you alright?!”

“…….”

She had narrowly escaped death.
Had those bars not been present…
…she would have been helplessly incinerated.

“Die!!”

Regaining her composure and looking down, she witnessed one of the Red Heroes – the one known as Eun-chan to fans – indiscriminately launching fireballs with his abilities.

Fwoooosh!

Fwoooooosh!

Fwoosh!

The more Maker evaded Eun-chan’s attacks, the more recklessly he exerted his abilities.

“Kyaaaaahh!!”

His attacks even threatened the caged hostages.

“Indiscriminate attacks will only endanger the hostages, you know?”

“…Shut up! No one’s hurt yet, so quit your whining!”

“No one may be harmed currently, but judging by your actions, it’s only a matter of time.”

Enraged, Eun-chan lost all semblance of reason, wildly unleashing his abilities.

‘Wha, what do I do…?’

The woman was terrified.
Not only at the prospect of being burned alive by someone she had adored…
…but also because she could scarcely recognize that very person anymore.

Kwooooong!!

“Guhhh…”

“Lea, leader brother…!”

As the woman panicked, a figure came hurtling towards the bars beside her.
It was the Red Heroes’ leader.

Typically displaying a gentle demeanor and mature leadership, he had been quite popular.
Surely he could rein in Eun-chan…?

“Bro, brother! Please stop Eun-chan brother! At, at this rate, we’ll all be burned alive…!!”

The woman immediately pleaded with the leader.
He would undoubtedly come to their aid.

He had always professed his love for the fans, after all.
So surely…

“The fuck… is that you?”

“Huh…?”

He would save them…

“You bitch…!!!”

“……”

“This fucking bitch sold us out?!”

“……”

“If it weren’t for you, we would’ve lived! Is that how a fan acts?”

“What are you…?”

“Why did you have to drag us into this shit?!!! It would’ve been better if we were the only ones who died!”

“……”

“Fucking bitch! Goddamn ugly bitch!! Not only are you hideous, but you’re vicious enough to take us down with you!!!”

…I had believed he would save us.

“…Asshole.”

Whack-

“What? This, this little brat! Let go! I said let go?!”

Polia promptly intervened, dragging the leader away.

“……”

But the damage to the fans’ hearts had already been inflicted.

Moments later.

“Guhh…”

“Ughh…”

The Red Heroes, swiftly subdued.
While I had considered eliminating them outright, I instructed Polia to erect bars around them, effectively imprisoning them.

“Well, it seems we have acquired additional hostages.”

“”……””

The dejected hostages hung their heads in a somber atmosphere.
Not merely due to the heroes’ defeat, but because their illusions had been utterly shattered.

‘From the one who couldn’t control his abilities and attacked fans with fireballs, to the one who attempted to flee, citing his inability to fight. Then there was the one who blamed the fans and lashed out at them.’

With the entire incident being broadcast live, the situation would undoubtedly become a laughingstock once the terrorism concluded.

“So, what should we do with these hostages…”

At this point, I could simply declare it a game over, dispose of them, and retreat.
However…

‘It’s a bit dull.’

The terrorism felt excessively lackluster.

What satisfaction could be derived from merely tormenting a few C-rank heroes before departing?
Fortunate if I avoided being branded a coward who fled.

Moreover, my ultimate goal was to strengthen heroes as a whole.
While these ones were clearly inadequate and expendable, leaving without accomplishing anything would be unsatisfying.

‘Hence…’

I turned my gaze towards the cameras Polia had levitated, smirking.

“Let us offer one final opportunity. 30 minutes. Hopefully, some other heroes will grace us with their presence.”

“Well, well.”

After idly passing 30 minutes with Polia, a familiar face appeared.

“Ice Queen, we do seem to keep crossing paths, don’t we?”

“…Maker.”

Still regarding me with an icy gaze, she exhaled deeply before offering an explanation.

“…Phew. I hope you don’t misunderstand. As an A-rank, my presence was required to confront you.”

“A-rank?”

“Yes, that is the villain ranking the association has assigned you.”

“I see.”

A-rank.
A formidable upper echelon, classified as a superior for both heroes and villains.
Of course, villain rankings are based on overall threat level rather than sheer strength…

…but to receive such an unexpectedly high ranking.
I had anticipated something around B+, at most.

I smiled, satisfied.

“So does that make you my ‘designated hero’?”

“…For now, that is the provisional arrangement.”

The designated hero system was established to counter high-ranking villains.

‘Even the mightiest individuals have weaknesses and counters.’

One could consider it a specialized hero tailored to counter a specific villain.
In my case, with my abilities and persona yet to be fully assessed, Ice Queen had likely been temporarily assigned.

‘In any case, I’m fortunate.’

Thanks to my A-rank status, the very individual I had hoped would appear did so.

“Then a player has arrived. Shall we create a masterpiece?”

“What sort of scheme do you have in mind now…”

My words caused her to flinch, but her previous traumatic experience seemed to temper her response, merely glancing at the hostages rather than taking any particular action.

‘You’ll undoubtedly find it entertaining as well.’

While concerning, I was confident Ice Queen could endure!

“It will be similar to the previous engagement with those heroes.”

“Withstanding your assault for 10 minutes? Retaliating or using abilities was also permitted, correct?”

She smiled, indicating she found those terms acceptable.
The premise was indeed similar, but not quite.

“The overall concept is comparable. However, for you, I must impose a few additional conditions.”

“Conditions…?”

“The time limit is 15 minutes. And for the first 5 minutes, you must refrain from taking any action whatsoever.”

“…Pardon?”

“You are prohibited from taking any action.”

Her expression gradually hardened.
A look that questioned the absurdity of my statement.

“Do you have an inkling of what this might entail?”

However, she would have no choice but to comply with my terms.

“……”

From my pocket, I produced a switch and dangled it before her eyes.

‘Reluctant? Then the hostages’ fates may be uncertain.’

Ice Queen’s unease was palpable.
I flashed her a bright smile.