I’m Not That Villain

11 – New Face (1)

“Mr. Lee Seo-joon, your talent is unique.”

That one sentence changed my life.

No. I knew I was somewhat outstanding…

“And that talent is not something other craftsmen possess.”

“What?”

“There is no such thing as 120% exclusive equipment for the upper class, as the owner of the Black Chain Workshop said. Exclusive equipment only serves to assist the abilities of the capable. The reality is that even just helping to use abilities stably is considered a luxury.”

“…….?!”

That wasn’t it.

I was uniquely outstanding!

It felt like the wall that had been piled up in front of an unexpected reality collapsed all at once.

What…? My equipment is truly special?

I thought most of the things I did were naturally possible for top craftsmen…

That wasn’t the case?

“Damn…”

“…….?”

“Damn b*stard!”

I had been gaslighted for three years!

That son of a b*tch!

But the anger soon passed. I asked Cha Seo-yoon once again.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Only I can do it?”

“Yes.”

“Others can’t do it at all?”

“Yes.”

“…So, am I special?”

“Yes, you are.”

Cha Seo-yoon brushed past me and took the board marker in my place.

She erased everything that was written.

“Before we create your exclusive equipment, we need to understand just how special your strengths are, Mr. Lee Seo-jun.”

“I’m all ears.”

Cha Seo-yoon drew a circle on the board with a swift motion.

The line was more crooked than expected.

“You’re not very good at drawing, are you?”

“Please be quiet.”

“Does the crooked circle represent the instability of the exclusive equipment landscape?”

“…I just can’t draw well.”

Cha Seo-yoon cleared her throat and tapped the board.

“Exclusive equipment is merely a weapon that assists the user. Its limitations are, of course, clear. If we consider this entire board as those with abilities, let’s say the people within this circle are those with exclusive equipment.”

“Teacher, your handwriting isn’t very good either.”

“I told you to stop talking.”

Cha Raemong wasn’t perfect at everything…

It was more shocking than the hidden truth.

Cha Seo-yoon pounded the board.

“Focus.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“…Among those with abilities, there are also those who don’t use exclusive equipment. Even if they do, it’s hard to gain a significant advantage, and carrying something around can be cumbersome. Not all exclusive equipment is sturdy. Depending on the ability, it can easily break. The breaking is due to a lack of synchronization. Most exclusive equipment contains impurities. Because of these minute impurities, it doesn’t perfectly align with the abilities, causing trouble to accumulate and eventually break.”

“I see.”

“And there are additional costs for such issues. Creating exclusive equipment is inherently expensive, so even if you earn a lot of money, it can still be a burden.”

I knew the price range.

But I still asked, just in case.

Because it hurt to know that I had sold better quality items for cheaper.

“How much does it cost?”

“Basic transactions start in the tens of millions. For renowned artisans, it’s generally in the hundreds of millions.”

In the past, I would have said, “Ah, the best deserve it.”

But then I heard that my work was not inferior to his at all…

“Why did I sell it for 500,000 won…?”

“The people who bought it must feel like they hit the jackpot.”

Cha Seo-yoon drew a line from the outside to the inside of the circle.

“Nevertheless, there are many people who use specialized equipment. The reason is simple. Because they can become just a little bit stronger. This country is currently a society where power is equivalent to authority. It may be less so outside, but at least within Seoul, it is. And Mr. Lee Seo-jun has to live within Seoul. It’s safer here than in most foreign countries.”

“That’s right.”

“Even specialized equipment that provides very minor help has a market. But here, if Mr. Lee Seo-jun’s equipment, which can alter abilities, starts to be distributed, what do you think will happen?”

“…The market economy will collapse?”

“Beyond collapsing, Mr. Lee Seo-jun’s life will be threatened. Some will try to kill you out of jealousy, and some will try to capture you to make money. It could be individuals or organizations.”

The lines from the outside to the inside of the circle increased.

Until all the lines drawn continuously merged to look like a black shape.

“The important thing is that Mr. Lee Seo-jun has that much value. I need to see the finished product, but… at least so far, I don’t see any reason for Mr. Lee Seo-jun to lie to me. All the stories related to ability alteration that you just mentioned must be true.”

“Of course.”

“So, it’s dangerous to operate under your real name. Anonymity is also dangerous, but fortunately, the black market can take responsibility for that part.”

“…You want me to operate anonymously like before, similar to Viper?”

“In my view, Mr. Lee Seo-jun seems to be obsessed with fame, power, and money.”

Isn’t that a typical greedy person?

I sighed.

“Of course, I’m obsessed.”

Why. So what.

That’s all life is!

“I really like becoming famous, you know? I also like being worshipped.”

“Then how about becoming famous anonymously? If you operate with a mask, you can have both fame and a normal life. And the entire black market will support that.”

“…Oh… You’re doing all this because of my value? You want to maintain a good relationship with me?”

“I won’t deny it. In my judgment, Mr. Lee Seo-jun has that much value.”

“Then why didn’t you keep deceiving me?”

I waited for Cha Seo-yoon’s answer.

If he talks about affection or something, I might be a little disappointed. It would be no different from evading the question.

Cha Seo-yoon answered briefly.

“I judged that even if I deceived you, it would be a problem that would soon be discovered.”

“I like your honesty.”

Ah. Yes. If I start making equipment, that would probably be the case.

Let’s see… Work anonymously. It’s not a bad idea.

If I can maintain my daily life while gaining money and fame, there’s nothing wrong with that.

I organized my thoughts in my head. It was better to think for myself rather than just being dragged along.

“What about the security of the black market? It’s already been breached once. How can I trust it?”

“We plan to upgrade from level 3 security to level 1 security. The security level of the information will change, so unlike before, if someone wants to breach it, they would have to attack the black market headquarters.”

“Oh… I see. That’s good. Upgrading the security level. That’s good. But I will decline any further help.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t want to get too entangled with you. If my talent is unique, it means there are many things I can do, right? If I receive more than necessary from you, I might be forced to do things I don’t want to do later… Let’s end it with just upgrading the security level. I will decline any further support.”

Debt.

It’s something I have vowed never to incur in my life.

Debt strangles a person. Why did I become an orphan? Because my parents couldn’t overcome their debt and attempted a double suicide, leaving me as the sole survivor.

So, I refuse to incur any debt to others. If I get dragged along by them, there will come a moment when I have to do things I don’t want to do.

“Working anonymously. That’s good too. Not bad. In that case… it would be better to work under a new nickname, right?”

“The nickname Viper is dangerous. The big villain, Bad Sector, is targeting it, and it will also lead to persistent pursuit by enforcement agencies.”

“In that case, there’s no choice. It’s a shame to give up the fame, but I have to let it go. However…”

I thought deeply. Letting go is letting go, but since it’s come to this, I want to start off a bit more properly.

The equipment is not the issue. It’s about my safety. I realized the current situation and simultaneously recognized my own danger.

A talent that everyone would covet. Honestly, it makes me happy. I feel ecstatic.

But the fact that it makes me that much more dangerous also hit me. No, it means that not just simple robbers, but people with abilities will start targeting me, doesn’t it?

If I’m that special, it’s likely that not only villains will target me. So-called heroes, problem solvers, or even government agencies, and other workshops might send assassins to keep me in check, right?

If the black market’s security level is raised, it will certainly become safer. But that’s just a simple security level. What will actually protect me are the security facilities installed here, which will soon be breached by those with abilities.

Moreover, didn’t I realize through this incident that there is no such thing as absolute in this world?

There are moments when misfortune falls right in front of you as you live. I thought it wouldn’t happen, but it eventually did, just like it happened to me.

So, I have to respond before that happens. There won’t be another stroke of luck like this time.

“…Aside from the current matter, how about making another contract? The price will be half of my income.”

“Half of your income?”

“You said items similar to my equipment are traded for billions, right? Then it fits perfectly. You make money, and I’ll consider the other half as a protection fee.”

“What exactly do you mean by protection fee…?”

“It’s simple. It’s literally a protection fee. You see, I’m fragile and weak, so I don’t think I can perfectly protect myself from robbers with abilities, right?”

“…….”

“But it’s different if it’s the black market that will become my business partner. It’s overflowing with talent there, isn’t it? You can tell just by looking at Charaemon.”

“Are you asking us to take responsibility for your protection? But only 50%…”

Ah.

This is a negotiation mode.

I chuckled. I leisurely put my feet on the desk.

Who’s the superior and who’s the subordinate?

From the moment I realized that, I became relaxed. Ah. Isn’t it them who are treating me specially?

“I have no intention of raising it above 50%. You know this is already a generous offer, right? I’m already giving you half of my income, okay? Let’s just go smoothly. I’m making a big concession here.”

“…….”

“And Charaemon.”

“Yes?”

I pointed at her, who answered as if it was natural now.

I demanded confidently.

“There is one more condition for the deal. You personally escort me. For the entire duration of our contract!”

“…….”

Chaseoyun rummaged through her pocket. She put an electronic cigarette in her mouth.

She exhaled smoke.

“I have a lot of work to do. I’ll assign someone else to you. And I… I’m in a fairly high position. It’s not common for me to be on the field. This case was just a bit special. I’ll decline that request.”

……?!

Isn’t the usual flow to nod and say there’s no choice here?!

“You’re rejecting it here?!”

“I have things I want to do too… 24-hour escort is far from the kind of deal I want. There will be someone more suitable, so I’ll talk to the higher-ups and assign someone else to you.”

“I like you.”

Chaseoyun’s brow twitched. She stared at my face as if she couldn’t understand me at all.

But you see, I was sincere. No, aside from her pretty face, I liked the way she handled things. Her judgment was good, and the power she showed when she sent the enforcer flying was also impressive.

She’s a rare talent. I feel reassured just having her by my side. I thought it would be good to entrust her with some of the financial work too…

Well, if it can’t be helped, then it can’t be helped.

Chaseoyun, who had been silent, fell into thought. She closed her eyes slightly as if recalling the past, then lifted her long eyelashes.

“…It’s not that I dislike you. Being honest, transparent, and true to your emotions is a good thing. You seem to be quite clever too. But being good at work and being a good person are different matters.”

Cha Seo-yoon smiled faintly in front of me for the first time.

“Still, I’ll drop by occasionally to check on your condition.”

“That’s enough. Just make sure to find me if I disappear. Okay?”

“Understood.”

I made a deal with Cha Seo-yoon. And that practical deal would be akin to dealing with the black market.

“So, what will your new alias be?”

“I really liked the nickname Viper, but since I can’t use it anymore… I’ll go with something else.”

“…Exactly what?”

I fiddled with my hair. White hair. It turned white after I came back from the brink of death.

I used an English nickname before, so this time let’s go with a Korean one. And you know, it’s best to choose a nickname that just pops into your head.

“White… white dog… white cat… white wolf…”

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun?”

“Hold on. White… white snake… can’t use that… something with the sea… hmm…”

I snapped my fingers.

“Let’s go with Baekgyeong (White Whale). The name of a rising rookie who will overturn the whole game… it fits perfectly! I used to live like a viper, but now that I’ve realized the truth, I should live like a whale! Don’t you think?”

“…I’ve thought this since the Viper days, but Mr. Lee Seo-jun, you have a childish side. You like things that are flashy and childish…”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who can’t even write properly.”

“…It might not be a bad idea to step down from the team leader position for a while…”

“Hey! Hey! Don’t be serious with a civilian!”

. . .

I focused on making Cha Seo-yoon’s weapon. The direction of the ability modification was chosen for the third time, and I improved the ability factor based on the pre-drawn blueprint.

And naturally, the black market quickly sent a substitute. An ability holder who would take over Cha Seo-yoon’s role as my bodyguard.

Of course…

“It’s not a very maid-like house.”

I didn’t say it was normal.

“Return.”

“…?”

“Return!”

Come back! Charamon!

I knew it, it has to be you!