The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 4

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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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Chapter 4

Yun Hui’s expression grew serious as she reviewed the problem set I’d completed. It seemed she wasn’t satisfied with my solutions, though I’d done my best.

“Honestly, this is pretty bad, you know?”
“I’m reflecting on it.”
“You’re actually reflecting, right?”
“I am, I’m telling you. Can’t you see the sincerity in my eyes?”
“There’s zero sincerity in this, you fool. That’s the problem.”

Yun Hui heaved a long sigh before speaking.

“You don’t have this problem with your other subjects, do you? You got them all right. So why is it just this one?”
“Ha, ha.”

I could only laugh as I looked at the Ethics problem set she was waving in my face.

“Are the problems too hard?”
“I thought I had the right answers, but I keep getting them wrong.”
“Of course you do! You’re bringing up the eradication of Villains as your answer!”
“Isn’t that the right answer?”
“No!”

She finally burst out.

“Even if you don’t understand it, just memorize it! In Ethics, the absolute priority is always the safety of citizens! Citizen safety! You have to establish that as your foundation!”
“But if we eliminate the Villains, citizen safety is naturally guaranteed anyway.”
“That’s not a chicken-and-egg question! Always think about citizen safety first! Public Hunters stand on citizen safety—so that’s what’ll get you points. At least a passing grade.”
“Got it.”
“Just do well on this subject, okay?”

I nodded along like a parrot to her coaxing tone. I even gave her some spending money, thinking maybe she was upset because she was short on cash—but all that got me was more insults. So it must’ve been my mistake.
Though she never did give the money back.
In any case, studying again after so long was quite enjoyable.
I found myself wondering why I’d avoided it before. Being treated as an excellent elite simply for doing well in academics was a considerable advantage.
But another question began to form in my mind.
What the Public Hunters ultimately demanded was power.
There was the Ethics subject that called for a sense of justice, but it only wanted formulaic answers. There was no real test of character that could actually identify a Villain.
Yet they still champion justice. What is justice, really? The answer differs for everyone, but the act of protecting something was certainly framed as justice and valued as a noble ideal.
Villains stand at the opposite pole—they take, slaughter, and destroy.
From this fact, one insight became clear.

If I became a Public Hunter and gave my best to the work I was given, there’d be no reason to be branded a Villain.
I could maintain this peaceful life.
In my past life, I’d wanted this so desperately—and now I could have it so easily.
I was beginning to understand why people take up arms to protect a peaceful existence.
But first, I’d need to pass the exam.
I returned to the words Yun Hui had spoken.

Ethics was deceptively difficult.

* * *

For a Public Hunter, the most crucial thing is Awakening.
Everything else tested amounts to a minimum level of general knowledge.
If Awakening ability is eighty percent, the rest is roughly twenty percent.
The passing mark is sixty points.
They weren’t lying when they said the difficulty matches high school level.
Korean, a foreign language, Korean history, and ethics were administered in sequence, followed by the practical exam.
The practical exam conducted in the Practical Exam Hall proves one’s Awakening Stage.
It’s something anyone can pass if they possess even minimal ability.
That’s precisely what a Public Hunter is.
The crowd that had gathered—perceived as a collection of mediocre Awakened ones—was in fact diverse.

“God, why is this so hard to pass?”
“They said you’d pass just by awakening.”
“Exactly. This time I’ll make it.”
“Once you’re in, it’s a job for life. I have to pass. If I don’t, I might just flip everything over.”

Listening to their conversation brought back old memories.
Discontent with the world, hatred—these are excellent nourishment for becoming a Villain. O Jong Yeop, who’d dogged me for so long as “Slash,” had prepared for a job with a major corporation, failed repeatedly, caused an incident, and became a Villain. I still remember how he lamented that had it not been for that one mistake, he would’ve lowered his sights to Public Hunter.
The thought lingered with me even now.
If these people failed the exam and couldn’t vent their resentment and hatred, the odds they’d become Villains were high.
Was it truly justice to trim the sprouts before they could grow?
I was curious how Jung Da Hyun would answer that.
I decided to ask her about it later.
A commotion erupted on one side, and someone’s shout reverberated through the Practical Exam Hall.

“Is that Jung Da Hyun?”
“What? Jung Da Hyun?”
“Why is Jung Da Hyun here?”

All eyes converged on Jung Da Hyun as she appeared. I too spotted her entering. She wore subtle makeup today, a white blouse and black jeans that accentuated both her purity and her slender figure.
This was an era dominated by the Awakened.
Strength was measured by Level, and their accomplishments were consumed as entertainment across every medium.
Jung Da Hyun had never once been absent from the annual list of South Korea’s most promising talents in the twenty to twenty-two age bracket.
Add to that her striking beauty and her unique career trajectory from a major corporation to the National Guard, and she was a celebrity whom everyone knew.
But why had she shown her face here?
Because the way she’d brutally subdued the Villains left her uneasy? Was she here to monitor them?
As suspicion began to take root, our eyes met. A smile crossed her expressionless face, and she approached me.

“How did the exam go for you?”
“Well, I managed. What brings you here, Administrator?”
“This is a gathering of people who will work for the nation. It’s only natural I’d come.”

She studied me with eyes that gleamed with interest.

“And there’s talent here worth coveting.”
“I appreciate the kind regard. I’m in good spirits.”
“It’s nothing. I have to move quickly or I’ll lose good people. The Villain Task Force needs a lot of capable individuals.”

I listened carefully to Jung Da Hyun’s words, then asked.

“But is this the usual procedure?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, someone of your standing reaching out directly like this.”
“It wouldn’t be ordinary, would it?”

As I thought.

“Because talent like yours isn’t easy to find, Jun Ho. When someone of your caliber appears, you have to secure them first. Looking at it from that perspective, the timing makes perfect sense.”
“I’m honored.”
“It’s only natural. So, if you pass, would you consider joining our side?”
Jung Da Hyun fixed me with an intense gaze. When someone that beautiful looks at you like that, you can’t help but notice the weight of every eye in the room.

Could she be trying to keep me under close watch so I can’t act recklessly? There’s clearly some suspicion about me too—I’ll need to be careful.

“First things first—I need to pass the exam.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about failing, Jun Ho.”
“The practical exam doesn’t worry me. It’s the written test.”
“Ah······!”
“Still, now that my sister gave me some pointers, I think I can manage.”
“Then I’m looking forward to seeing your performance in the practical exam.”

Jung Da Hyun moved toward where the interview panel was stationed.
I glanced around and sure enough, all eyes were on her. Ordinary people might find that kind of attention either burdensome or flattering, but here I was, my first instinct being to think how much easier it would be if these witnesses didn’t exist.

“Being normal is harder than I thought.”

After muttering that quietly to myself, I headed into the practical exam.

* * *

Im Hae Chul, a Level 6 Public Hunter, watched Jung Da Hyun sitting beside him.
Every time he saw her, he felt it—a beauty that came from grace itself. The confidence born of genuine skill, an unwavering sense of justice, and a face that only amplified it all.
Today, she looked particularly radiant.
Since he’d first seen her last year and fallen hard, he’d been pursuing her relentlessly. All he’d received in return was a cold rejection.
Recently, he hadn’t even managed to run into her.

“I didn’t expect you to attend, Administrator.”
“Something caught my interest.”
“You’ve taken an interest? Now that you mention it, I’m curious too.”
“······.”
“Besides, we’re supposed to be cooperating on Villain arrests, aren’t we? It wouldn’t hurt to grow closer.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Excuse me?”
“The Villain Task Force budget is more than sufficient. I appreciate your goodwill, Administrator, but words are enough.”

An iron wall. Pure iron.
Im Hae Chul bit down hard at Jung Da Hyun’s impenetrable response.

“By the way, which applicant has caught the Administrator’s attention?”
“That one.”
“Hmm, he doesn’t look particularly special.”
“He’s remarkable. He’s the one who subdued the unlicensed Hunters and the robbers.”
“I heard about that too.”

But······.
What was with that look in her eyes?
The way Jung Da Hyun gazed at the applicant—Im Hae Chul had never been looked at like that by her.

‘I’ll just have to prove I’m the better choice.’

If he destroyed that applicant right in front of Jung Da Hyun, maybe she’d see things differently.
No—that alone wouldn’t be enough. He’d reduce him to a pathetic, broken thing writhing on the ground. Cut off an arm, gouge out an eye—maybe then Jung Da Hyun wouldn’t look at him that way anymore.
The roiling killing intent he normally kept suppressed surged up with almost laughable ease.
Im Hae Chul forced a smile and spoke.

“So, what about this method?”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“I’ll take on this candidate myself.”
“You, Administrator?”
“Wouldn’t that give you a better basis for judgment?”
“I’d hate to impose.”
“Not at all. I’m curious now. What ability does this candidate possess that’s caught your attention?”
“It will be demanding for you.”

At that single remark, Im Hae Chul’s expression hardened.

“You’re saying I should do it?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll take that as permission.”

Turning to Choi Jun Ho, Im Hae Chul no longer concealed his killing intent.

* * *

The Awakening portion of the practical exam was a straightforward process.
Awakened individuals demonstrated their abilities through distinct Awakening Stages, with Level 1 Impact Force being the passing standard.
To enter a major corporation, candidates had to demonstrate not only Impact Force but also combat skill, tactical thinking in various scenarios, and survival instincts.
By comparison, the Public Hunter exam was remarkably streamlined.
That was likely due to the wide disparity in ability among applicants.
As others took their turns and mine came around, attention converged on me again.
Perhaps it was because of my former Villain background. The scrutiny was hardly pleasant—when too many eyes fell on me, my first instinct was to eliminate every last one of them. Clear evidence I was still far from ordinary.
That such thoughts arose showed how much distance remained before I could claim normalcy.
As I was about to begin the practical exam, a wiry-looking man rose from his seat.

“I’ll face this candidate directly.”

Murmurs rippled through the room—this was highly irregular.
The wiry man stepped forward and stood before me.

“Im Hae Chul, Grade 6 Public Hunter, Administrator.”

At the mention of Grade 6, the murmurs grew louder.
Based on what Yun Hui had told me, a Grade 6 rating at his age meant he was at Level 3 or 4—a formidable practitioner.
He was a rising talent in the Public Hunter service, capable of transferring to a major corporation at any time.
From my perspective, he would have been among the first to fall in my previous life.
But why was he radiating such blatant killing intent now?
Could he possibly have a gift for seeing through past lives? Dismissing the absurd thought, I asked the wiry man directly.

“Why is this a sparring match?”
“There’s someone who wants to assess your ability.”

As he said this, he glanced toward Jung Da Hyun.

“You’re free to refuse if you’re afraid. The practical exam will proceed normally regardless.”
“Is this situation common?”
“Hardly. It doesn’t happen unless we’ve identified someone worth watching. When we believe someone is talented, we assess their true ability through sparring like this. I underwent it myself.”

He flashed a smug grin. There was something in his manner that needled my pride—he clearly wanted to see how I’d fight.

“I’ll hold back appropriately.”

He picked up a wooden sword with an iron core—unsharpened, but perfect for beating an opponent senseless.

“Draw your weapon.”
“This will do.”
“Martial Combat then.”

The swordsman’s stance was quite textbook. I could see the persistent gaze hunting for openings, the force channeled through the blade’s tip, the footwork gradually finding its angles.
He’d received solid foundational training. But men like this don’t last long.
Technical instruction might be flawless, but arrogance born into his nature means even a string of victories blinds him to his own measure. He’ll die before a true master, that’s certain.
As he circles around me, searching, I let a gap show—and he lunges for it like a starving dog.
A blade heavy with vicious intent swings for my shoulder. But the force behind it isn’t ordinary.
Force—Aura channeled by an Awakened one, laced with killing intent. I catch it with my right hand.

“······!”

As shock floods his face, I drag the blade toward me. The wooden overlay splinters to dust while the steel core crumples.

“Wh—what?”

I reach with my left hand toward his right shoulder as he’s pulled forward. Survival instinct makes him twist desperately; the Shoulder Armor crumples like tissue paper.
This should be enough. I’m about to release him.

“Die!”

Killing intent detonates as a hidden Short Dagger thrusts straight for my heart.

“Huh!”
“H-hey, what are you doing!”

Everyone gasps, but as I look at that twisted face, memory surfaces. I know exactly who this is.
Im Hae Chul, the Color Lust Demon.
In my previous life, a Villain who tormented and murdered over a hundred women.
Now it comes back to me—he was Hunter-born. Later, he drank his victims’ blood and earned the name Blood-Drinking Variant, leaving a stain on my very name.
Because of him, my existence resurfaced, and over a hundred Hunters came after me in pursuit.
I killed them all, naturally.
A future Villain showing such unusual promise even now—I decide to show no mercy.
I grab the wrist holding the Short Dagger. A sickening crunch, and his wrist shatters. The Force radiating from my hand doesn’t stop there—it grinds every bone in his arm to powder.

“Gahhhhh!”

He shrieks and tries to pull back, but I tighten my grip and haul him toward me.
I’ve never shown mercy to anyone who tried to kill me. Of course they should be prepared to die. Without hesitation, my hand moves for his throat.

“Jun Ho!”

A scream tears through my awareness, and I snap back to myself.
Right. If I kill him here, I fail.
I redirect my hand’s trajectory from his throat to his shoulder instead, wrenching hard. His shoulder caves inward with a wet snap of breaking bone, and immediately after, the other collapses too.

Thud!

The man crumples from my grip, eyes rolling back in his head.

“That concludes the match.”
“······.”

At the end announcement, emergency responders rush in to begin treatment on the collapsed man. I stand in the suffocating silence, watching quietly.
It’s then that Jung Da Hyun calls to me, her expression rigid.

“Choi Jun Ho.”
“Yes, Administrator.”
“Follow me.”
“Understood.”

I follow silently behind Jung Da Hyun. I’m wondering what she wants to say when we arrive at a small Korean restaurant nearby.
I was quite impressed watching him order the soybean paste stew. He had a discerning eye for food.
Before the food arrived, Jung Da Hyun apologized.

“I’m sorry about the incident with Im Hae Chul.”
“Why are you apologizing, Administrator?”
“I agreed when Im Hae Chul said he wanted to test your abilities.”
“Was that a bad intention?”
“Not at all. Im Hae Chul wanted to see what you were capable of, and I thought it wasn’t an unreasonable opportunity.”
“I’m fine with it. But will there be any disadvantage for the exam?”
“No.”

Jung Da Hyun shook her head.

“It was Im Hae Chul who displayed the killing intent first, and it was Im Hae Chul whose force got out of hand. You won’t suffer any disadvantage.”
“That’s a relief.”

As long as I passed the exam, nothing else really mattered.
But I was getting hungry.

“May I eat now?”

I gestured toward the soybean paste stew in front of me.
Jung Da Hyun’s expression grew cautious.

“You don’t dislike soybean paste stew, do you?”

I shook my head firmly.

“I’ve never had the chance to eat it.”
“Please try it. It’s a restaurant I recommend.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes!”

Intrigued by Jung Da Hyun’s confidence, I picked up my spoon.
After the first taste, I quietly gave a thumbs up.

* * *

“How did the exam go?”
“It went well.”
“You did well on the ethics section too?”
“I did it the way you told me to.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“Yeah, and Da Hyun said she’d pass too.”
“Da Hyun? Why is that name coming up here?”
“She was one of the exam proctors.”
“If Da Hyun said you’d pass, then you’ll pass. So how did you fill out the answer sheet?”
“Obviously the way you taught me, of course.”

When I recounted what Yun Hui had told me and the answers I’d written, her face flushed hot as if it might burst.

“You crazy bastard! You’ll fail if you write it like that!”

* * *

At that very moment, the examiners reviewing the Public Hunter exam papers were locked in a heated debate over one applicant’s answer sheet.

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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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