The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 24

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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 24

In that moment, Lee Se-hee and Jung Da-hyun wore identical expressions.
It was the look I’d seen most often when I was Bloodborne. The gaze you turn on a madman.

“Immunity from Arrest, you say……”
“Choi, doesn’t that only apply to members of the National Assembly?”
“Correct.”

Immunity from Arrest. Even the words alone held a certain beauty.

“Working as a civil servant Hunter and making arrests on Villains came with considerable inconvenience. This team leader here assisted with some of it, but… ah, never mind that. There were too many restrictions, and I felt I needed a means to protect myself, however unforeseen the circumstances might be.”
“Immunity from Arrest isn’t particularly rare, but it won’t be easy. Granting it to a Level 8 Superhuman is practically the same as issuing a legal license to kill.”

Lee Se-hee shook her head slowly.

“It would’ve been simpler if you’d pursued personal gain. Money for money, prestige for prestige. But Immunity from Arrest? That’s another matter entirely.”
“Think it’ll be difficult?”
“Negotiation thrives on push and pull. If circumstances favor us, the impossible becomes possible. If your value is sufficiently high and the government sufficiently desperate.”

The simplest path occurred to me, but I let it go.
In the meantime, Lee Se-hee, who had been lost in thought, spoke.

“Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that you became a civil servant Hunter. Maybe Immunity from Arrest is the key phrase that captures the essence of it all.”
“How so?”
“You’re not ordinary, are you? Not in your way of thinking or your methods.”
“True enough.”

I had plenty to counter with, but Jung Da-hyun’s vigorous agreement beside me kept me from stepping in.

“It’s precisely because you belonged to a civil service organization that things stayed within the bounds of excessive force. If you’d been with a guild, friction would’ve erupted repeatedly. You might’ve even been detained. The bureaucratic structure, and Director Jung Ju-ho specifically—a capable man—they’ve been protecting you to the maximum extent possible.”

So Jung Ju-ho’s cry of anguish about his hairline thinning from stress caused by me was true. In reality, it had probably been thin to begin with, so I couldn’t tell the difference anyway—but it felt like picking at a wound, so I said nothing.

“So if you want to remain within public authority, now isn’t necessarily bad. But staying quiet? That won’t work anymore.”
“Level 8.”
“Yes. Tremendous power and a rank-and-file civil servant position are incompatible. You must choose. Either stay quiet and relinquish power, or reveal yourself and boldly demand what you want.”

Things were beginning to come into focus.
Our eyes met, and Lee Se-hee offered a bright smile.

“Honestly, I’d love to make you quit being a civil servant Hunter and recruit you with the best terms. But if I did that, my head might get smashed, wouldn’t it?”
“I don’t break it just anytime.”
“That’s exactly what makes it terrifying—not knowing the criteria.”

Lee Se-hee’s lips puckered as she spoke.

“The Red Snake launching this operation is a Superhuman past their prime. No matter how they pretend otherwise, the government is keeping its antennae sharp over the Level 8 Superhuman possession problem. The Red Snake can indulge in greed partly because a successor hasn’t appeared and the government’s interests align with that. But if a young Superhuman in their twenties suddenly shows up? The government’s choice becomes obvious.”
“You’re saying to strike first and take the lead.”
“Exactly. And while you do, act as though you’re not particularly attached to being a civil servant Hunter.”
“Why?”
“So the government’s blood gets hot. They’ll try to figure out your terms and negotiate. Immunity from Arrest? Depending on how desperate the government gets, it might just be within reach.”

As she said this, Lee Se-hee noted that the entire world’s attention would focus on my emergence.

“You don’t need to limit yourself to the government alone. There are multiple options. You could join a major guild, or go independent. As a last resort, you could even leave the country. If you’re not bound by Immunity from Arrest, there’s plenty you can do.”
“I appreciate the advice. Honestly, I’d never have thought of that on my own.”

It was counsel only Lee Se-hee could offer—someone versed in the dynamics between government and guild, fluent in the political currents of nations across the world.

“I’m glad it helped. To be of further service, when you undergo your Level 8 measurement, could you invite the Holy Guild as observers? Since Yun Hee is affiliated with us, we’ll be happy to serve as backing.”
“And I’ll gain the appearance of a potential ally.”
“It’s a small courtesy, I hope you’ll accept it.”

Lee Se-hee smiled smoothly as she spoke. I had no objection, so I nodded in agreement.
After the meeting ended, I stepped outside. It had been Jung Da-hyun’s recommendation, but the time had proven invaluable.
Using my abilities appropriately to extract maximum benefit—I’d applied that principle when treating that villain afterward, and Lee Se-hee’s counsel had left a deep impression on me.

“Thank you for arranging this, Da-hyun. It was a worthwhile conversation.”
“I’m glad it was helpful. Um, if it’s not too forward, could I ask you for a favor too?”
“Of course.”
“Next time we meet, could you call me more casually?”
……
“Da-hyun, like this.”

Was she uncomfortable with the formal tone?
Uncertain of her meaning, I turned to look at Jung Da-hyun’s face, and what I saw was the expression of someone startled by her own words.

“Since you’re at ease with Se-hee, I felt stiff and awkward in comparison. There’s no deeper meaning to it. Well, I should be going. See you tomorrow.”

Before I could respond, Jung Da-hyun had vanished.

* * *

“After we eliminate Berserker and the Puppeteer, I’ll undergo my Level measurement.”

Jung Ju-ho took the news with unexpected calm.

“Is it because of the Red Snake?”
“I see no reason to hide it any longer, and I want proper treatment befitting my abilities.”
“Treatment, huh? I’ll do my best to accommodate you. What is it you want?”

I considered mentioning Immunity from Arrest, but given Lee Se-hee’s reaction, I suspected Jung Ju-ho would lose his mind, so I held my tongue.

“I’ll make my demands known after the measurement.”
“Now you’ve got me curious. Still, you really are something special. At your age, most would be obsessed with money or women, but not you. I’m already getting a headache trying to figure out what to give you. Though I suppose that’s the negotiators’ problem, not mine. I can just sit back and enjoy the show.”

Would he laugh when I revealed the Immunity from Arrest?
Honestly, I still didn’t understand why Lee Se-hee and Jung Da-hyun had seemed so startled. It felt perfectly suited to me.
In any case, given that Jung Ju-ho’s reaction could be serious, I decided to keep it hidden for now.
The role of the reserve force in capturing Berserker and the Puppeteer was straightforward.
We were to coordinate with the existing villain response team, constructing an encirclement in shifts, and serve as replacements whenever the main force took heavy damage or encountered trouble.
Their area of activity was Southern Gyeonggi Province and Incheon.
At first they moved between both regions, but after the encirclement was established, we slowly drove them inward, and within a week, we’d succeeded in herding them into Namdong-gu.
More accurately, they had moved there of their own volition.

“Berserker and the Puppeteer have been sighted.”
“Main force has engaged the Puppeteer! Combat has begun.”

The Puppeteer was a Level 7 villain, but infamous less for combat prowess than for immortality.
The main stage of this battle would be Kim Young-hwan against Berserker. But with his arm shattered by me, could he actually fight properly? It wasn’t an injury that would heal easily.
Shortly after, news of their collision arrived as well.

“Minister Kim Young-hwan has engaged Berserker! Combat has commenced.”
“Will he receive support?”
“He refused all assistance, saying he would capture Berserker alone.”
“Each of you, hold your positions. We’ll wait for the result before making a move. And Choi Junho.”

Jung Ju-ho singled me out while issuing his orders.

“Yes, sir.”
“You’re a Black Agent, so I’m giving you authority to move independently. Judge the situation and act accordingly. Why do you look so surprised?”
“It’s unexpected, sir.”
“If I’m too cautious with you, the cost of losses will only grow. Go wild if you need to—just bring me those bastards’ heads.”
“Understood.”

I chose to hold my position for now. I wanted to see how Berserker and Kim Young-hwan’s confrontation played out before I moved.

“Not going?”
“If I go now, I’ll end up fighting a senile old man instead of Berserker, I think.”
“Right, the old man does get carried away.”

Instead of answering, I simply smiled.
Jung Ju-ho knows Berserker is my real target. He probably thinks Berserker will lose now that Kim Young-hwan’s engaged him.
But if I knew Berserker as well as I thought I did, this confrontation would end differently than expected.
Still—did I need to save Kim Young-hwan?

“News coming in!”

Not long after, reports began flooding in.

* * *

When Kim Young-hwan finally encountered Berserker, he harbored no doubt whatsoever in his victory.
After all, a Level 7 maniac was still just that. The pain in his hands was a nuisance, but merely a minor variable.

‘That bastard—once this mission’s over, I’ll tear him apart.’

Spite burned in his chest toward Choi Junho, who’d calmly spouted such drivel at him.
In his mind’s eye, he’d already shredded him a thousand times over.
Yet even those dark fantasies had to stop the moment he crossed blades with Berserker for the first time. A raw power beyond imagination coursed through the sword and drove deep into his arm.
It tore open the barely closed wound.

“Gaaahhh!”

But even setting that aside, Berserker’s skill was in a different league entirely.
The world had grossly misunderstood Berserker.

‘I need to… regroup…’
“An old serpent scheming with cunning, how pathetic.”

Berserker relentlessly pressed Kim Young-hwan as he tried to withdraw. Though they’d clashed evenly at first, after more than a hundred exchanges, Kim Young-hwan’s injuries had worsened catastrophically, and his sword finally slipped from his grasp.

“Feeble. Is this truly the Red Serpent who once strutted freely across Korea as if it were his to own?”
“Berserker—you hid your true strength!”
“Everyone keeps a card or two hidden. It seems the Red Serpent simply overestimated his own power.”

Kim Young-hwan gritted his teeth. Berserker had exceeded his expectations, true enough, but had it not been for that collision just days ago, he would never have fallen so disgracefully.

“If it weren’t for that bastard Choi Junho!”

Knowing that growing old had made him talkative, Kim Young-hwan had hidden his injuries and used recovery potions, but the relentless pressure of Berserker’s aura had slowed his healing. When Berserker heard this, his eyes gleamed.

“Die!”

Kim Young-hwan rushed forward with his relatively intact left hand, sword raised, but Berserker brushed the blade aside effortlessly. Once he’d reached Level 8 and devoted himself endlessly to mastering that strength in full, an aging Superhuman posed no real threat.
Then came a sword strike of an entirely different caliber—one that bore no comparison to the previous exchange.

“Wait, just a moment!”

Completely overwhelmed, Kim Young-hwan opened his mouth in desperation, but Berserker’s blade did not pause.

Slash!

A hole opened in his ribs—a badge of honor in another life. Instead, Kim Young-hwan’s neck was severed.
Watching the headless corpse collapse, Berserker muttered flatly.

“Hardly worthy of that reputation.”

For all his age and decline, there was no brilliant talent about him. Berserker had thought a Level 8 Superhuman might offer some spark of interest, but he was left with only disappointment. Witnessing true moments of excellence was indeed a difficult thing.
It was truly a hard thing to behold a moment of glory.
With Kim Young-hwan dead, the encirclement swiftly collapsed. Still, there could be no carelessness—the main force Hunters would arrive soon enough.
But before that, the Puppeteer appeared where Berserker stood.

“Impressive. Even in your decline, you managed to catch the Red Snake.”
“It was nothing. Overrated.”
“Heh heh, no one else would say that. So now you’re off to catch Head Breaker as well?”

Berserker shook his head.

“To truly savor the finest prey, I must prepare myself. I’ll treat my wounds first, then hunt him down.”

Head Breaker, the one rumored to be Level 7.
Berserker found his mind overflowing instead with curiosity about him.
How had a Level 7 managed to wound Kim Young-hwan?
The encounter itself had been tedious, but that very fact only stoked his endless anticipation toward Head Breaker.

“Then I’ll go about my business.”
“This corpse is useless to you?”
“His prime is long past. Even if I reinforced him, he’d shatter soon enough. Youth and vitality, well-trained bodies—those are what serve best. Like yours.”

Berserker replied calmly to the Puppeteer’s glinting gaze.

“If you wish to die, then come.”
“Heh heh, I can’t do that. I don’t want to die just yet. Soon the joining date will arrive, so until then I must collect as many puppets as possible. You finish your task and return.”
“Where will you go?”
“South of Gyeonggi Province. Those foolish bastards from the big guilds keep hunting there. I’ll make them pay for having their eyes blinded by greed. Heh heh!”

The Puppeteer glanced over the hunting team list his marionettes had collected, licked his lips with satisfaction, and departed.
Watching him go, Berserker stanched his wounds and left the scene.

* * *

When I arrived after receiving the signal, Kim Young-hwan was already dead. He died far faster than I’d anticipated.
I hadn’t planned to save him anyway, but I put on a show of grief.

“Oh my, Minister. How can things end this way?”

At my words, the Hunters nearby stared at me in shock. Perhaps they’d seen me clash with Kim Young-hwan and assumed it was because I was State Protection Agency—a conflict between agencies.
Kim Young-hwan was dead, sure enough, but that Berserker slipped away with remarkable speed, leaving no trace at all. He wasn’t the type to flee like that normally.
Even so, I didn’t much mind Berserker’s escape. A man with no intention of hiding himself would eventually expose his movements. I could catch him then.
The real problem would be the Puppeteer. If I failed to capture him, there were two scenarios I’d prepared for.
One was his continued flight; the other was an assault on hunting teams.
And the Puppeteer, commanding his puppet army, pushed through the encirclement and headed south into Gyeonggi Province.
The Location Tracker I’d given Yun Hee sent a signal.

“As expected.”

I focused on the Force contained in the Location Tracker that Yun Hee carried.
With an ordinary tracker it would be difficult to pinpoint an exact location, but what I’d given her was special.
A sharp sting pricked at the corners of my eyes, and as nausea rippled through my entire body, my Force washed over my vision. A gift activated—one that let me keep my sight fixed on wherever my Force resided.

Celestial Eye.

I could see Yun Hee, holding the tracker.
And the puppets swarming toward her. It looked like decent experience farming.
Life’s always about putting theory into practice. This would be a good opportunity.

I moved immediately to where Yun Hee was, to observe.

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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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