I’m Not That Villain

20 – Keyboard Battle

I read through the review.

The content itself was simple. But, you see, the length was strange.

It didn’t end with just one page. It was a long review that continued for 2-3 pages.

“…….?”

Starting from the color of the exclusive equipment, to the grip, how well it matched the decorations, and how beautiful it was, there was a long speech about it.

And that’s not all. There was a long story about how her life had changed and how the change itself had become liberating.

“…Sss.”

“Isn’t it good?”

It is.

Of course, it’s good. I’m happy too. That she likes my work this much.

…But.

Isn’t it too long?

“No. It’s just that… it’s so long that it seems fake…”

“……?”

Lily, who was stuck to my side, looked at the screen.

“…Indeed… the review is so long that it seems strange… but isn’t this level acceptable?”

“Is it…”

Yes.

Even if it looks fake, so what.

I decided to be grateful for her kindness.

Until the day passed.

Ding.

“…….?”

Another review was posted.

The second review. After two days, the content about the ability usage becoming more refined continued.

[My quality of life has changed.]

This time, the page count exceeded two pages as a basic. How can a single review be like a novel?

Lily whispered.

“This is a bit much.”

“…Well, it’s the second review after all…”

The third review was posted the next day.

“This makes it really look like manipulation?!”

No, the thoughtfulness!

Yes, the thoughtfulness is good! But three reviews for one seller! And each review exceeds several pages…!

The problem is that it just looks like manipulation rather than sincerity!

“At this rate… other people might misunderstand?”

As if to prove Lily’s words, someone who hadn’t even purchased left a comment.

[This is some serious manipulation, lol. Seller, if you’re going to scam, do it properly.]

No… no…

It’s really not manipulated…

. . .

Seol Yewon read someone’s comment left on her review.

Manipulation…?

What nonsense is this. She just wrote down her genuine feelings.

But manipulation? This is manipulation?

Moreover…

Insulting Mr. Heukkyung?

Seol Yewon immediately replied.

[It’s real. Don’t leave comments calling it manipulation when you don’t know anything.]

[Who doesn’t know it’s a secondary account? Tsk tsk. It’s always the ones who lack skills that do this. Does a million-won exclusive equipment even exist in the world? The labor cost alone would be several times more.]

[It was a special limited-time sale for the first customer.]

[Oh please, it’s not funny. Seller, just stop.]

[I verified it with photos.]

[Putting something like a leash on it, what a joke ㅋㅋ It doesn’t even look like specialized equipment in the first place, stop talking nonsense.]

[It is specialized equipment.]

[Where’s the dog barking from?]

“…….”

Seol Yewon took a deep breath. Anger was rising from deep within, but she pressed it down.

Ignore. Maybe ignoring is the answer. Yeah. How many haters are there in the world? Not giving any attention to these attention seekers might be a way…

[If you don’t believe it, get lost.]

“…….?!”

The seller ‘Heukgyeong’ left a comment amidst the ongoing barrage of comments. And at the same time, the hater also sneered.

[Acting tough, huh ㅋㅋ Yeah, right, your mom]

“…….”

Seol Yewon quietly looked down at her phone. She glanced at the bracelet placed neatly on the table and quietly stood up.

“…No.”

No, it can’t be.

It shouldn’t be like this.

Why are they doing this? Why are they trying to hurt?

Me, I’m okay. I’m okay. Because I’m someone who can take it.

But…

That person isn’t.

That person isn’t. How good of a person they are.

“……”

Seol Yewon looked at Heukgyeong’s cut-off comment. After being insulted, he didn’t leave any more comments, and the hater left another mocking comment.

[Got caught, huh. ㅋㅋ Live your life scamming others forever.]

“…….”

Seol Yewon looked at the heart-shaped ring hanging at the end of the leash. She also thought of the now clean room and the fully stocked refrigerator.

The disposable containers he gave her. She saw them piled up in the cupboard. And finally, she looked at herself in the mirror.

A body perfectly adapted. It was somewhat difficult to handle…

But now she could go outside like before with a ‘human’ body.

“……”

Benefactor.

Not just any benefactor…

The person who restored my broken life.

Such a person is being insulted. By someone who knows nothing about him.

“……”

There was never a moment when I wanted to kill someone.

Because I thought I deserved to be treated badly.

But not now.

Someone who knows nothing, arrogantly babbling and trying to hurt him…

This nickname.

The person called ‘Blackmask’.

“…Should I kill him…”

I genuinely wanted to kill him.

. . .

“Is there really an idiot who would fall for this…”

Bored, Ha Taewon, who was browsing the black market, chuckled.

Even if it’s ridiculous, there should be a limit. Why would someone pull such a stunt?

He looked at the reviews of an unknown craftsman’s sales. And he quickly skimmed through the exaggerated, fabricated reviews.

There was no need to read them all.

All lies.

Exclusive equipment, they say. It’s not something that can be made so easily. How can the work time be only a month? What, did they make it in a rush?

In this place, the Steel Plate Workshop, there are only a few people who can make exclusive equipment directly. Including himself, you could count them on your fingers.

Exclusive equipment is practically the pinnacle of modern technology. It’s closely tied with biotechnology, and it’s not something that can be made with just simple theory.

There’s a reason why it’s expensive. But what? A million won?

“Even bullshit requires effort…”

Ha Taewon wrote another comment with a swipe. As if realizing that he had been exposed, the seller, who had stopped writing comments, was bluntly told.

[Your mother must be pitiful for giving birth to a scammer like you…]

I wonder if he feels any shame.

The seller, pretending to be a buyer, didn’t reply anymore. Ah. Justice has been served today as well. Ha Taewon stretched lightly.

Anyway, the black market. It’s full of people who think they can say anything because they’re anonymous. I wish they would all just die together.

“Senior!”

A frantic apprentice bursts into the workshop. Ha Tae-won, who had been idling with nothing to do, frowned deeply.

“Aren’t you going to greet me properly?”

“Th-that’s not the important issue right now!”

“This brat… What is it?”

“Hundred Eye! You know the organization that has taken over our district?!”

The junior, barely catching his breath, panted as he spoke.

“Our Steel Slate Workshop has been listed as a partner workshop!”

“…What?”

Ha Tae-won sprang to his feet. What kind of windfall is this?

He couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips. Hundred Eye. Who are they?

They are the giant organization that has newly taken over Seoul’s Jung-gu. They completely wiped out the existing organization and emerged as the new rulers of Jung-gu.

This means only one thing.

If they become the partner workshop, they can rake in an enormous income.

If they become the partner of a giant organization that completely controls a district, they can exert significant influence on the surrounding workshops. Not only that, but they can also wield immense power with Hundred Eye backing them.

A vassal under the king. That is what being a partner workshop means. Ha Tae-won urgently asked.

“Where is the workshop owner?!”

“He is currently out… but he instructed us to clean up the workshop in preparation for the inspection…!”

“Will that be enough?!”

“Y-yes?!”

The owner of the Steel Slate Workshop is not him. He is merely the direct disciple.

But everyone here would agree that he has some degree of influence. And Ha Tae-won realized in an instant where he should use that influence now.

“First… yes. Making good products? Of course, that’s important. But other things are important too.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Let’s eliminate the competitors first. You said there’s a list, right? Check whose names are on it. And if possible, eliminate them one by one… then our chances of being selected will increase.”

“S-senior?! P-please calm down…!”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s like grabbing the biggest money source in a city that runs on money!”

Ha Tae-won slammed his fist on the desk. It might cost a few bucks right now…

But thinking about the future, this would be the better choice.

“Go investigate the list immediately. If we eliminate the competitors one by one, eventually, we’ll be the only choice left… also find a skilled hitman.”

“T-to go that far…”

“Do you think I’m joking right now? Move! Damn it! This is a chance to make money on a whole different level! If you want to pick up even a crumb, do as you’re told! You b*stard!”

“…Yes, yes!”

The junior ran out. Ha Taewon wiped his face.

…Is the sky trying to reward me for calling out bad deeds?

A smile naturally appeared.

Don’t miss it.

This opportunity.

Even if it means killing countless competitors…

“If I get selected, I can make up for more than what I’ve lost…Damn it…Let’s do this…Ha Taewon!”

. . .

Whether the review became poison, no weapon purchase requests came in after that.

The woman who bought it also didn’t write any more reviews after having a keyboard battle.

At this rate, I’m really going to starve to death.

“How about leaving the promotion to the black market?”

“…Sigh.”

I really wanted to save that as the last resort. It’s not just about the contract, it feels like admitting I can’t stand on my own.

In the end, I turned to another direction. You know, they say imitation is the mother of creation.

I quietly looked into how other exclusive equipment sellers promote and sell their products. Of course, I didn’t look into the too major ones. They must have started from a different starting line.

Among the minor ones, I looked for sellers with a decent level of recognition.

Among them, I found someone selling exclusive equipment in a nearby area.

“…Hmm…”

I found one, but…

The weapon quality isn’t great, and it seems like they make worse stuff than I do. The prices are just ridiculously high. Starting in the thousands.

Is promotion really everything in sales?

I sneakily looked through the person’s sales list. And I found a phrase in there.

“…Short-term part-time job?”

A recruitment post for a one-month short-term part-time job.

The reason was simple. To get a feel for working with someone who might join later.

To be more precise…

This person. It’s clear they plan to properly gather people and create a formal workshop later. They intend to filter out the right people through a ‘one-month short-term part-time job.’

“Why are you looking for a short-term job?”

“…Because there’s a lot to gain.”

I would get to see someone else’s work process. And at the same time, I could see with my own eyes how a one-person workshop is doing well.

It might be an opportunity to improve my current sluggish performance. And at the same time, I might be able to temporarily cover the living expenses that have started to fall.

The amount itself is high. The competition will probably be fierce. It is clearly stated that there is an ‘interview for a part-time job.’

For now…

Let’s go.

It’s best to go and see how the underdog of the underground is doing well.