The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23

“Who the hell are you?”

Kim Young-hwan’s unsettling gaze — a horizontal slash across his eyes — swept through the conference room.
The government hunter officials caught in that stare faltered, instinctively backing away. Naturally, that left him and me facing each other.

“Seems like senility’s catching up with you. Why not retire and go home to rest?”
“Is that a deathbed wish?”
“I’ve heard plenty of last words, but I’ve never made one myself. Besides.”

I smiled at Kim Young-hwan.

“I’ve never seen anyone who talks about sacrifice actually sacrifice anything of their own.”
“How dare you!”

Unable to contain his fury, Kim Young-hwan’s hand shot out. Though it wasn’t his primary weapon — the sword — the sneak attack bore the hallmark of someone who’d subdued many with bare hands.

“Director!”

Before Jung Da-hyun’s startled cry had even finished dissipating, Kim Young-hwan’s right hand reached my face.

Pop!

I flicked his hand away lightly, then reached to seize him by the collar in return. Kim Young-hwan twisted his body, pushed my hand away with his left, and swung his right with full force. When I caught it, he writhed like a coiled serpent, colliding against the power I held him with.

Bang!

As Force and Qi Strike tangled together, a violent explosion echoed through the room. The hunters watching the exchange flinched backward. I tried to release my grip, but Kim Young-hwan refused to let go, forcing a test of raw strength.
He probably intended to pin me down with his overwhelming Force output, but challenging someone who carried every ounce of the bloodline’s experience, power, and gifts to a strength contest was suicide.

Crack-crack-crack!

The air around us trembled, and a fierce Qi Wave rippled outward in all directions.
The disparity in strength became clear in short order.
Though he’d held his own for a moment, it wasn’t long before Kim Young-hwan reached his limit, his face flushing crimson.

“Nnnn—!”
“……”

I crushed the Force writhing within him, my mind turning to calculation.
How to finish this. Should I end it right here. It would be child’s play to put down someone like the old man — barely half his peak strength left as age took its toll.
In the old days, I would have killed without hesitation.
But with an operation already in motion, I’d decided to be generous and give him a chance.

“Kneel and apologize, and I’ll let you live.”
“…You bastard!”

That was lenient enough to spare his life. If he wouldn’t accept that mercy, there was only one option left.
To finish him.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

As my Qi Strike began to penetrate his bones, Kim Young-hwan’s eyes trembled violently. His lifetime of accumulated, formidable Force held back the assault — but that was all. His bones were already beginning to warp, and if I pushed further, they wouldn’t just shatter; they’d crumble to dust.
Kim Young-hwan’s face was turning red enough to burst.

“Ha! Minister! That’s quite enough. Choi Jun-ho, you too.”

Jung Joo-ho wedged himself between us, breaking apart the standoff. I was ready to push further, but when I caught sight of his sharp features and the fluid way he moved, I stepped back without protest.
My pride was already in tatters anyway, and my arms were next to useless.

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding.”
“You’re saying that after hearing what that fool just said?”

Kim Young-hwan shouted, forcing strength into arms that had none left to give.
Jung Joo-ho wore an expression of genuine pity.

“You know how young people are these days—they don’t listen. This one especially struggles to take direction. And truthfully, sir, your request itself poses considerable problems.”
“What problems?”
“Both the Berserker and the Puppet Master can be captured while minimizing casualties. It’s possible—if you’re willing to commit your full strength.”
…….

When Jung Joo-ho laid bare the plan to hold back and let others take the credit, Kim Young-hwan fell silent.

“We all work with a sense of duty, but it’s hard to ask someone to dig their own grave and then lie down in it. If you could apply a little more effort, sir.”

With that, Jung Joo-ho met Kim Young-hwan’s gaze. Moments before, he’d been all smiles and ingratiation; now he was the National Guard Bureau Director—a man whose first duty was to protect his subordinates to the end.
Kim Young-hwan glanced around the room, his lips twitching slightly before he turned to leave.

“…Lost my appetite. Do as you see fit!”
“Thank you, sir!”

As Kim Young-hwan headed for the door, Jung Joo-ho drove his final wedge home. Only then did he glance at me, his eyes narrowing in exactly the same way.

“Phew! Everyone except Choi Jun-ho, out!”

The National Guard Bureau hunters who’d been watching me hurried from the conference room.

“What were you thinking?”

Had he seen through my intention to kill the man? The Director—his instincts are uncanny.

“I wasn’t actually going to—”
“He’s always been greedy. He was trying to build his own standing off this. Reckless of you, but thanks to you, we avoided a pointless tragedy. I’m grateful.”

Huh. His read on the situation was completely different from mine. I nodded quietly, accepting his interpretation without finishing my own sentence.

“Look, even if you do take him down, get yourself recognized as Level 8 first. Then the government can’t complain—they’ll have a replacement. But the best solution is always the smooth one. Understand?”
“I’m operating that way now.”
“Don’t lie to me.”

I’m serious. If I wasn’t being smooth about it, I’d have snapped his neck just now.
Lately, I feel like no one understands my true intentions.

“Honestly, there seem to be an awful lot of restrictions. So many things I’m told not to do.”
“That’s what keeps an organization together.”
“That’s difficult.”
“Even at home, your parents tell you what not to do. Why am I having to teach you this basic stuff anyway? Am I your babysitter?”
“You’d probably be an excellent one.”
“Not interested. Get out.”

I was practically ejected from the room. As I emerged, every hunter in the National Guard Bureau turned to look at me—their gaze different from before, now that they’d seen me pin down Kim Young-hwan like catching a rat. Among those stares, Jung Da-hyun approached with worry written across her face.

“Choi Jun-ho, do you have a moment?”
“Of course.”

We headed down to the first-floor café. Once the drinks arrived, Jung Da-hyun fidgeted with her mug for a moment before lowering her head to me.

“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“As your supervisor, I should have raised an objection first. Instead, I let Jun-ho step forward.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“No, it does. Kim Young-hwan is the type to hold grudges, so now that he’s clashed with Jun-ho, he’ll seek revenge.”

The word revenge occupied the same place in my mind as the word suicide.
No one has ever come after me for revenge and lived to tell about it.
So if an eyesore like him decides to come die, I have no reason to refuse.

“What sort of revenge are you talking about?”
“Various things, probably. He’s always been the type with plenty of talk about his hunger for power and his nasty disposition. There’s a good chance he’ll use procedural tactics or try to block your promotion.”
“That won’t hurt at all.”

Ever since receiving Recovery Medicine from Lee Se-hee, the number of excessive force incidents I’d been involved in had dropped noticeably, and I hadn’t felt any real ambition for promotion either.
I just thought that as a Grade 9 civil servant hunter, perhaps it was time to start receiving treatment befitting my actual abilities rather than staying quiet.

“I’m embarrassed to say it, but this isn’t my area of expertise, so I’m not sure how much help I can be to Jun-ho.”
“That’s fine.”
“But I think Se-hee would be able to give Jun-ho some good advice.”
“Lee Se-hee?”
“Se-hee is an outstanding Awakener, but she’s also resourceful—she wields the most influence within the Holy Guild. Why don’t you try talking to her?”

Jung Da-hyun’s eyes were brimming with apology and concern as she looked at me.
It really doesn’t matter.
But someone as resourceful as Lee Se-hee might actually be able to help with the troubles I’m wrestling with right now.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask for her advice.

“Understood.”
“I’ll reach out to Se-hee for you.”

* * *

Separate from the clash at the National Guard Bureau, preparations for the operation to catch the Berserker and the Puppet Master were complete.
I was classified as a reserve force, not a strike team. Since I’d clashed with Kim Young-hwan, our greatest asset, it was a precaution to avoid unnecessary conflict at the scene.
But I’d shattered my arm—could I actually fight properly?
Well, it’s my own business anyway, so I’ll just manage it myself. Though I should be ready in case he tries to blame me, insisting that his bones are just too fragile and broke easily.
Separate from the mobilization of National Guard hunters, the proposal to reduce hunting frequency failed. The large guilds deployed every negative word in their arsenal—economic downturn, unemployment crisis, management difficulties—and the result was defeat. Instead, they agreed to contribute to mobilizing reserve forces and constructing a siege perimeter.
So Yoon Hee went hunting as scheduled.

“Be careful.”
“I will.”

As the names of the two Villains came to the fore, the activities of the Villains lurking in the City Outskirts intensified. With the number of attacks increasing, each district’s Villain Response Team grew busier.
An official notice even came down saying they could execute anyone on-site if they resisted.

“If anything happens, send me a signal.”
“Let’s hope nothing does. When you keep saying things like that, it sounds like you’re inviting trouble.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know. Anyway! I’m all grown up now, so let me handle things with my own strength. Have a little faith in your sister, will you?”
“Okay.”

Watching Yoon Hee’s spirited determination, I felt she’d truly grown up, yet I couldn’t help but worry—such is an older brother’s heart.
If only she’d marry well.
I don’t ask for much—just a guy who could block three of my attacks and nothing more.
Once Yoon Hee finished her preparations, we headed outside together. Today we were headed to the same place.

“By the way, what are you going out for all of a sudden?”
“I have a promise with Se-hee.”
“What kind of promise?”
“Personal consultation. Why are you making that face?”

Yoon Hee’s expression as she looked at me was bizarre.

“You’re going to do… counseling?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“I mean, the version of you I know would just throw punches first and ask questions later, not bother with counseling.”
“That’s when dealing with Villains.”
“That’s pretty much been your whole act up until now.”
“I have the highest Villain capture rate in the National Guard Bureau.”
“Not many people know you as well as I do, you know. Anyway, you made a good call. This team leader should be able to set you on the right path.”

She called me a Villain. Working with monsters all the time, she’s gotten a loose tongue.
By then, the car we were riding in had arrived at the Holy Guild. After we parked and went up, Jung Da-hyun, who had arrived first, approached us.

“Huh, Da-hyun?”
“Hey.”
“Why are you here too? What’s really going on?”
“Nothing serious. Just a simple consultation.”
“Did you do something really wrong?”
……
“Hello?”

I couldn’t figure out why Jung Da-hyun had gone silent.

“Ah, no. Nothing. Trust me.”
“You know people say you can’t tell a lie, right? This is seriously suspicious.”
“I’m really not lying…….”
“I’d have grabbed you if I had time, but I’m busy so I’ll get going. Tell me later?”
“Okay.”

Once Yoon Hee disappeared, Jung Da-hyun let out a breath of relief. Then she checked her smartphone and spoke to me.

“Se-hee says she can come up right away.”

We headed toward Lee Se-hee’s office.
Unlike before, Lee Se-hee, who had applied full makeup since early morning today, greeted us.

“Welcome. I was pretty shocked when you two suddenly said you wanted to have a consultation.”
“Sorry for the short notice. But there’s no one else I can ask for advice.”
“I don’t mind being trusted. And I’m curious since it’s about Choi Jun-ho.”
“It’s nothing serious.”
“It’s definitely serious. A huge matter, even. The kind where you need to prepare yourself mentally.”
“Well, okay. But before that——”

Lee Se-hee glanced at Jung Da-hyun and smiled mischievously.

“Like I said before, treat me comfortably like usual. No one here is uncomfortable.”
“Is that okay?”
“Why not? Da-hyun, you don’t mind, right?”
“…No.”

Despite her words, Jung Da-hyun’s expression seemed uncomfortable. Was it because she disliked casual speech? I should probably treat Da-hyun more formally.

“So, what happened? Why don’t you tell me?”

I explained the conflict between myself and Kim Young-hwan. How I’d pressed the brakes on what amounted to a reckless operation, and the collision that resulted. When I mentioned that Da-hyun was worried about potential retaliation afterward, Lee Se-hee’s expression turned flabbergasted.

“Wait, so Choi Jun-ho causes a commotion, but the person responsible seems completely unfazed? You’re not worried?”
“Not particularly.”
“That’s beside the point—what’s really surprising is that you matched an Awakened at Level 8. Honestly, I thought you might reach Level 8 within a few years. I was mentally preparing myself for that. But you already were Level 8?”
“I haven’t had my Level measured yet. I’m still Level 7.”
“…How does that even make sense? I’ve never heard of a Level 8 in their twenties.”
“There’s a record in the States.”
“Even there, he was thirty by Korean age. I thought it was impressive, but I never imagined he’d go head-to-head with that wretched old man outright.”

Lee Se-hee’s throat was parched; she drained her tea in quick, successive gulps.
I was about to mention that I’d shattered Kim Young-hwan’s forearm, but stopped myself when I realized Jung Da-hyun might lose consciousness.

“Choi Jun-ho, you need to answer my question honestly. Really.”
“I’m not a Villain.”
“I never thought you were, okay? In any case, why did you become a government-employed Hunter?”

Two pairs of eyes fixed on me, brimming with curiosity. I traced back to the point when I returned to the past, then recalled why I’d chosen to become a government Hunter, and answered.

“It was my mother’s request. My father agreed as well. And the work seemed like it would be less demanding, so I picked it.”
…

I’d been honest, but what came back was a look brimming with disbelief.

“I’m being truthful.”
“That’s really all there is to it?”
“That’s it.”
“Even though if you wanted it, you could’ve signed a contract worth tens of billions right now?”
“You have to work proportional to what you’re paid.”
“Well, that’s true, but at your level it wouldn’t have been that grueling anyway.”

Lee Se-hee exhaled long, heavy sighs. Even Jung Da-hyun, who’d first drawn me into the National Guard Bureau, had a blank expression. Was it really something to be that shocked about?

“I’ve been thinking all this time that there was some enormous reason I couldn’t imagine. Da-hyun, did you know?”
“I didn’t either. I figured it was just something you were making up, and even if there was a reason, I thought maybe there was some story behind it…”
“Turns out the story was a parental recommendation.”

Lee Se-hee wore an expression of deflation.

“Since they told you to, you don’t have much lingering regret about it, I suppose. You haven’t been a government-employed Hunter for very long anyway.”
“Se-hee, you’re not seriously…”

Lee Se-hee cut off Jung Da-hyun’s interjection and spoke to me.

“There are two solutions. First, you stop being a government-employed Hunter. Second, you get your Level 8 officially recognized as quickly as possible while staying with the National Guard Bureau. These two directions will be very different. The path will depend on what you want, Choi Jun-ho. As a Hunter, what’s the thing you most want to have?”
…

What do I truly want?
What I wish for as I live is a peaceful life for my family. Since that’s already happening, what I need most right now is the authority to carry out my duties freely as a government-employed Hunter.
I’d also like to have less work.
So when I thought about what I needed in order to do as I wanted, it all came down to one thing.

“Immunity from Arrest.”

With just that, I felt I could really do my work well.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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