The Thug Hides the Villainess

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030 – Speed is 120Km

In life, it’s common for plans to change.

You might sit down intending to have just one bite, but before you know it, you’ve polished off the entire bowl. Or you tell yourself you’ll just watch one video before bed, and suddenly the sun is up!

“Isn’t life basically just a continuous series of improvisations? So from now on, we need to shift our strategy from exploration and investigation to ‘eradication’.”

I don’t quite understand why Sa Ma-jun, Wang Ja-hyeon’s lackey, was in this abandoned factory, but it was clear he was connected to Yeom Hoon, who is called “Yeomra.”

There’s a wanted criminal inside this abandoned factory, and I can’t just stand by and watch.

However, Deok-soon seemed seriously flustered and finally spoke up.

“B-but I’ve heard that a Level 3 Ability User can produce firepower equivalent to a military company on their own. A company implies a military unit capable of independent tactical actions…”

“Deok-soon, the metaphor doesn’t quite land for me. Can you explain it a bit more simply?”

“Company commanders are usually captains, and… Captain Kang Cheol-min, who is our D-class captain, holds the same rank. The structure of our D-class is essentially at the company level, so a Level 3 Ability User would have firepower similar to the entire D-class…”

In other words, fighting against a Level 3 Ability User is like turning the entire D-class into enemies.

To think someone could project that much firepower alone, it’s astonishing what humans are capable of.

Of course, there was a critical “error” in Deok-soon’s analogy, but it would be better to show rather than tell.

“…What do we do? Hanam-jjin, what are you going to do?”

Bbangdaeng was studying my expression.

After listening to Deok-soon’s explanation, it seemed he realized how reckless and dangerous it would be to charge into that abandoned factory.

‘There’s a high chance the “Yeomra” comrades are stationed inside that factory.’

There was no guarantee that only Level 3 Ability Users from “Yeomra” were inside. According to the information I got from Seoga-eul and Yu Yeoreum, the illegal organization called “Billunners” was made up of psycho terrorists who are graduates of Yeongsa High School’s first class.

In other words, it’s a group; they come together.

We should at least consider that there could be one or two more of the same type as “Yeomra.”

If there are several Level 3 Ability Users with company-level firepower, they would be close to battalion or regiment-level strength.

A group of Level 3 Awakeners—

It seemed that the pressure was substantial for kids who hadn’t even graduated high school yet.

I could see the tension and fear spreading across everyone’s faces like paint on a blank canvas.

Cowards—

What do company-level or battalion-level firepower matter?

“Hey! Everyone, don’t worry! We have the backing of national power! This fight is definitely one we’re going to win!”

“My friend, backing of national power? Do you have something like that? What exactly is that backing?”

“112!”

In a world that has crumbled, perhaps it wouldn’t matter, but in a society with a well-established system, calling the police is a citizen’s rightful duty.

Some might insult the police, calling them useless, but when you’ve lived in a post-apocalyptic world, you start to miss those officer brothers a lot…

“The police are the staff of the people. I can say that with certainty.”

“…Oh….”

Baek-Yeoul opened her mouth wide in shock.

Her expression did not please me.

“Bbangdaeng, what’s up?”

“It’s just that I didn’t think you’d ever suggest calling the police. You have some common sense after all? I thought you’d want to burn down the factory.”

Burning down the factory to catch a Level 3 Ability User?

That could have been one way to consider, but the fact that the opponent is “Yeomra” was the issue. That fellow had such a high tolerance to flames that he could walk around enjoying the sight of people burning in a melting steel frame department store.

I still sometimes dream of seeing that sinister smile behind the gas mask.

“Fire abilities are indeed strong. But they have a critical weakness. In a suffocating 21st century, where security and systems are solid, it’s a fatal weakness. We have to aim for that.”

“A weakness…?”

Bbururung-.

As Bbangdaeng tilted his head, seemingly confused, several vans parked in front of the abandoned factory.

“Uh oh?”

Who let out that clueless sound?

It sounded like Bbangdaeng.

I could empathize with that.

Just then, Sa Ma-jun and a few shadows, including “Yeomra,” quickly popped out of the factory and hopped into the vans.

Bbururung-.

As the car started and disappeared into the distance, I thought I might miss this rare opportunity if I stayed put, and felt like I might foam at the mouth.

“Chang-sik! I’ll give you my business card, so contact me at this number to tell what just happened! It should work out somehow if you mention my name! Somehow!”

“Hanam-jjin! What are you doing? Everyone’s already in the cars!”

“I’ll chase those cars and buy us some time, so you guys contact the number on the business card and wait like I said!”

# # #

“Ugh, damn it, how long do we have to keep hiding like this? Ugh-. I’m sick of moving our base too. They could at least move us to a better spot. Ugh-. A hotel would be nice. Hotels are great.”

“Yeom Hoon, are you really an idiot? Because of the mess you made two years ago, we’ve all been wanted; you think we can just hang out in a hotel? Just shut up.”

Bbururung-.

In the heavily vibrating van, Sa Ma-jun, a student from Yeongsa High School’s F-class, was sitting nervously between a man and a woman.

Everyone sitting beside him were members of the “Billunners,” known as super terrorists and super villains.

Sa Ma-jun was afraid because he’d heard from his father, a high-ranking official at a broadcasting company, about the kinds of crimes “Billunners” had committed and what they could do next.

At the same time, Sa Ma-jun thought they were really cool.

‘They look just like the characters in movies.’

Sa Ma-jun was an Awakener.

And he had the “Explosion” ability concept.

Every time he heard his nagging father get drunk, his rebellious spirit thought, ‘I just want to burn it all down.’

To think he could create flames with a clap of his hands.

Sa Ma-jun believed he was chosen and the protagonist of the world.

However, after entering Yeongsa High School, he began to think that he might not be the protagonist after all. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that he was frustrated and discouraged by the many “walls.”

Especially recently—

‘Because of that bastard Hanam-jin, my videos are spreading everywhere… that old man’s nagging at me, too. And Wang Ja-hyeon suddenly ignoring my messages. Just wait, you bastards.’

Sa Ma-jun wanted to regain his uniqueness.

That was why the crazed members of “Billunners,” who acted like villains in movies, felt like impressive senior figures to him.

“Hey, high schooler. They say you’re a fire Ability User like me?”

Sa Ma-jun was startled by Yeom Hoon’s words.

It was shocking that Yeom Hoon, once known as the representative of fire Ability Users, showed interest in him.

Sa Ma-jun panicked but quickly regained his composure.

Perhaps this could be his chance to learn some tricks and techniques from a senior with similar abilities.

“I… I have the concept of ‘Explosion.’”

“‘Explosion’? Wow, that’s simple and powerful. But I guess your personality must be pretty messed up, huh? What kind of thoughts lead to such a strong desire for ‘Explosion’? Are you a psychopath?”

“Uh, that’s….”

“I’m ‘Flame.’ I used to think about burning to death all those bullies who tormented me. Ugh-. See this? It’s pretty sick, huh?”

Yeom Hoon lifted the long hair that mostly covered his neck and showed everyone the burn scars there.

Sa Ma-jun instantly recognized those disgusting holes as marks from cigarettes.

Bbururung-.

At that moment, the lined-up vans split to the left and right. One ahead went toward the city, while Sa Ma-jun’s vehicle circled around a neighborhood filled with old abandoned houses.

“Damn, are we lying low in a neighborhood where I have to walk 20 minutes to the convenience store to buy cigarettes? Why am I being treated like this? Ugh-. Huh!”

Yeom Hoon, seemingly already bored and irritable from the dull hiding, pulled out his asthma inhaler and took a puff.

They kept turning round and round in that quiet neighborhood. Repeatedly to the point of absurdity.

“In this backward neighborhood, ugh-. Who would be tailing us, anyways?”

Yeom Hoon couldn’t stand the monotony.

Then he noticed a high school student sitting beside him, fidgeting nervously. This kid was well-dressed, exuding a sense of solidity and elegance.

The brand name didn’t matter; they must be impressive.

“Speaking of which, the guy who bullied me was the son of some company president and a city councilor. Maybe that’s why nothing changed even when I reported him and told the teachers. What about you?”

“…Huh?”

“You were one of those kids who bullied others, right? You’re a well-to-do student, after all. You’re in F-class at Yeongsa High School, right? Only rich kids end up in F-class, while the poor ones are in D-class.”

Sa Ma-jun was tense and flustered.

He didn’t know what would happen if he answered incorrectly.

“W-well, it’s not like D-class and F-class are divided by background or anything… um…”

“Uh huh?”

“W-well, if I had to say, I’m more like a victim of bullying… um, you know Je Wang Group? The son Wang Ja-hyeon practically treats me like a bag carrier. And…”

“A bag carrier?”

“He said he’d give me pocket money and if I carried his bag, he’d give me a steakhouse gift card. Honestly, every time I get money, my pride takes a hit…”

“Wow, damn, how can this be happening?”

Suwook-.

Yeom Hoon draped his arm over Sa Ma-jun’s shoulder.

Then he leaned in close, whispering into the quaking Sa Ma-jun’s ear.

“You know, I could be that bag carrier instead. How about we swap? I’d like to carry your bag and get a steakhouse gift card in return. I’d love to be that bag carrier.”

Kekekek-.

Just then, everyone in the van burst into incredulous laughter. Yeom Hoon pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Sa Ma-jun.

It was a tiny, pebble-sized object.

“This here is called a ‘Concept Stone.’ It’s something we’ve been researching for a while now. There might be a tiny side effect? Or something, but with this, you can take down that Wang Ja-hyeon guy you hate so much…”

Wham-! Suddenly, something collided with the van.

A frontal crash. No one could react to the sudden situation.

The van flipped over like it was doing somersaults in mid-air.

Boom, vroom-.

“Damn, what the hell? Ugh-.”

Creak-.

Emerging from the crumpled van’s door, Yeom Hoon gasped. Soon, Sa Ma-jun desperately crawled out of the van.

Stand before them, a man stood tall.

Experienced Yeom Hoon could tell this man had landed with immense strength, smashing the front of the vehicle.

“Hey, what are you doing? Wait, Sa Ma-jun. That guy you mentioned is the incoming student Yu Yeoreum? I heard he’s a tomboy, but this one looks like a dude.”

“W-wait, this isn’t him…”

Sa Ma-jun couldn’t comprehend.

Why did Hanam-jin, the guy he disliked the most, suddenly appear?

Hanam-jin brushed the dust from his legs and said.

“I did a thorough search around here this morning when it was clear. That means no one else will come to help you, no matter how much you scream.”

“What? What the hell are you talking about?”

At that moment, as Yeom Hoon began to stand, a huge foot appeared right in front of his face.

Thud-! With a loud noise, Yeom Hoon’s body was lifted into the air.

It felt like being hit by a speeding car on the highway; it left him dazed.

An unexpected ambush.

Even an experienced Yeom Hoon couldn’t respond to that speed.

‘Damn, is he a speed-type Awakener?’

What happened next was the real issue.

The male student lunged his foot towards Yeom Hoon lying on the ground.

No matter how villainous he was, as a fellow man, he would struggle to kick that ‘sensitive area’ with unrestrained force.

“Finishing move, Han Jin Ki-yiiyg!!!”

That speed is 120km.