The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 63

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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 63

—If my words were somewhat excessive, I apologize.

Does this bastard have the Mind Reading Technique too?
The creature continued speaking in the meantime.

—But I think you’re well aware that you lean far more toward being a Villain than a Hunter.
“Can’t say I follow.”

Hunter—surprisingly, it suited my tastes.

—That’s your perspective alone. Do you think the people harmed by your hand would agree?
“If they don’t like it, what are they going to do about it?”
—They will clash with you.
“Then they’ll all die.”

The light in those blue eyes burned brighter.

—The more this continues, the more enemies you’ll gain. If your enemies can’t resist you directly, they’ll target those around you.
“Guess I’ll need to keep a closer watch on my surroundings.”

But his words carried weight, and they connected to the pattern of everything I’d done before.
To grow my allies as quickly as my enemies multiplied.

—Choi Jun-ho, don’t you find it strange? You only moved for justice, so why does the world keep trying to paint you as evil?
“…….”

Argos must have taken my silence as agreement, because his voice grew sharper.

—It’s because the world is broken. The arrogance of those in power who force everything that doesn’t fit their mold to conform to the system has created this imbalance! This world needs to be turned upside down! Only we can set it right! The hierarchy itself must collapse, the constraints must shatter, the oppression must end. Those who hold power maintain their authority by crushing Awakenings. You are one of their victims, Choi Jun-ho.
“The League’s ideology, I see.”
—Right now, you’re forcing yourself to fit into a world that doesn’t understand you. You convince yourself this is the best you can do. But the world won’t try to understand you—it will only demand more sacrifice. There must be balance in any exchange. Restriction, suppression, pressure—the leaders of this world suppress Awakenings to maintain their power. You’re a victim of that too. But you don’t have to be. Join us, Choi Jun-ho, and become something greater.

I was never the one crushing anyone.
I killed those who needed killing, and let live those who deserved to live.

“So Black Hound’s attack was a recruitment scheme?”
—We apologize for that. Heinz was simply curious about your strength.

At this point, most would’ve shown the limits of their patience.
But I could tell Argos was speaking from the heart.

—The League pursues a horizontal structure. If you wish, you could take the position of leader. You could fight blood-soaked battles against the strong. With your power, you could take everything you want. Because you have the strength to do it. Strength is qualification.
“Shame. A few words from you would’ve had most of them eating out of your palm.”

Argos is what they now call a legendary Villain. To Villains, the League is an object of longing—they would’ve fallen for those words in a heartbeat.
But I was already beyond that. I’d surpassed what he was offering.

—So you believe we’re evil, Choi Jun-ho.
“Did you think otherwise?”
—That evil isn’t only Villains. Those in power who exploit to maintain their position are the true evil. Join us, Choi Jun-ho.
“Enough. The fact that the mutt hasn’t shown up means you’ve been scheming about something.”

I’d figured Black Hound would surface from the ocean as time passed, but there was no sign of it.
Whether it was Spatial Displacement or a hideout in the depths, he’d clearly been up to something.
I’ve heard enough of this nonsense.

Choi Jun-ho, please—let’s change the world together······.
“You thought you were safe because you’re far away, didn’t you?”

I seized the eye with my hand. This eye, too, operated on a principle similar to how a Puppet Manipulation user controlled their puppet.
I memorized the wavelength radiating from the eye and began backtracking. I held the form of the wavelength in my mind, expanded my senses, and traced the direction the wavelength extended.
Then I detected one eye leading to another, and that eye leading to yet another. How many eyes did this bastard have? This was how Argos had overcome the limitations of distance. If the trail extended from Russia across the Pacific Ocean······.

“A chain of stepping stones.”

Faint to the point of being nearly undetectable, but I could infer that Argos was in the United States.
I unleashed a barrage of Mines at the eye. Unable to withstand the destructive force, the eye began to explode, and the connected eyes detonated in succession.

Pop! Crack! Pop! Pop!

Over ten eyes erupted before the flow of power abruptly severed. Argos had deliberately cut the connection.
Unlike a Puppet Manipulation user, the distance was too great for me to strike the main body directly.
But in return, he couldn’t lay a hand on me either.
Born to become a Villain? That’s nonsense. With enough effort, anyone can integrate into society.

“If you ever cross my sight, consider yourself dead.”

* * *

Two men occupied a spacious room with only a few pieces of furniture scattered about. One sat in a chair while the other stood beside him, poised like a guard.
The blond Caucasian man seated in the chair had mysterious eyes that gleamed softly beneath a serene smile. His appearance was noble, beautiful, and sacred—like something from mythology itself.
This was Argos, founder of the League and the man rumored to see the entire world.

Pop!

The moment a blunt impact echoed through the space, blood streamed from both of Argos’s eyes. Soon after, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth before he could no longer contain the blood welling up from within and began to cough it out.

“Urgh!”

Blackhound, who had been standing watch, started in alarm and rushed to support Argos.

“Are you alright, Al?”
“No, I’m not. This body is proving difficult. Heinz, could you do me a favor?”
“···Understood.”

With a grim expression, Blackhound nodded and extended his hand over Argos’s chest. Argos closed his eyes.
Moments later, a pure white light enveloped Argos’s entire body, and as the color drained completely from his face, he collapsed like a corpse.
A pristine white sphere formed above the rapidly cooling body and drifted out of the room. Shortly after, the door opened and a man with features identical to the fallen Argos stepped inside.

“Wow, I’d heard you were impressive, but Headbreaker, you’re something else.”
“I’m sorry—I got carried away.”
“I was curious about your abilities anyway. Well done. I’m satisfied now.”
“You said you were just a messenger, you bastard.”
“Haha, to think I’d actually make the mighty Heinz curse—that proves Headbreaker really is formidable. Ugh!”

At that moment, blood streamed from Argos’s eyes.

“Al!”
“I’m fine. Just aftereffects. Even transferring bodies, it’s still this violent. Seems similar to Franz, but far more vicious.”

Argos spoke while wiping blood from the corner of his eye.

“So what was Headbreaker like?”
“Brutally strong.”
“To that extent?”
“Don’t fret after deploying Summoning just to worry about me.”
“That was only because I was afraid things might escalate. Surely our Heinz didn’t lose? And against none other than Black Hound?”

Once Black Hound Roy Heinz ignites, he doesn’t let go until he sees it through to the end.
Countless Hunters have lost their lives because of this, and his fierce drive toward martial prowess has gone unrecognized—branded a Villain instead.
Argos had separated from him before things could escalate further.
Black Hound clicked his tongue.

“He’s not someone worth facing directly.”
“That’s how it seems. Born to become a true Villain, yet he doesn’t see it himself.”

Though Argos showed reluctance, Black Hound spoke firmly.

“Even if I exert my full strength, I can’t guarantee victory—and his Gift is excellent for creating more casualties. Korea isn’t worth the difficulty. It would be wise to defer this to the plan until his mind changes.”
“······.”

Argos sank into thought, his pallid complexion drained of all color—he resembled a wax figure rather than a living person.

“What about the Twelve Zodiac?”
“It will be difficult.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“What are you plotting?”

Argos’s pale smile was deeply sinister.

“Just thinking it might be time for the Twelve Zodiac to refresh their ranks, that’s all.”
“If you’re going to meddle carelessly, it’s better to leave it alone.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“If Choi Jun-ho is the troublemaker you say he is, then simply watching will create discord. Leave him be, and the world will brand him a Villain all on its own.”

The world would never allow Choi Jun-ho to remain a Hunter.
That hand of his, that heart, that killing intent.
Everything about him invites misunderstanding as a Villain.
Having witnessed a world that mistook pure fighting spirit for the malice of a Villain, Black Hound believed he understood Choi Jun-ho better than anyone.

‘The world will make you a Villain.’

As a sudden memory surfaced and Black Hound contemplated Choi Jun-ho’s destiny, Argos asked with a playful expression.

“You didn’t want to test your strength against him?”
“We can do that once he’s joined us.”
“Fine. Since Korea is difficult for us to take root in anyway, let’s follow Heinz’s lead. But let’s add a little seasoning to the mix.”
“Agreed. You rest now. I’ll help you move.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”
“This is for the League, not for you.”
“Can’t argue with that.”

With Black Hound’s support, Argos moved.

‘A man who can strike at me all the way from Korea to America—he’s an interesting one.’

* * *

I had set out to pursue Heartwalker, but since the League had appeared, I contacted the National Guard. Soon after, the Villain Suppression Team was dispatched.
The Villain Suppression Team, led by Jung Da-hyun, shut their eyes tight at the sight of severed limbs scattered across the ground, then began searching the perimeter—a precaution against any remaining League operatives.

“······.”

Jung Da-hyun, who had been directing the scene and issuing orders, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the completely devastated site.
This was where I’d clashed with Blackhound. I could feel Jung Da-hyun’s intuition developing further—she was reading the traces and flow of the area.

“Haah!”

By now, Jung Da-hyun was probably imagining the confrontation between me and Blackhound in her own way.
It was important that she draw stimulation from this place and let her imagination soar freely. The use of Force was grounded in imagination—the more freely she wielded it, the closer she’d come to reaching higher stages.
Jung Da-hyun stood motionless for a long while before finally surfacing from the trance, her eyes turning toward me.
“Who was it?”
“Blackhound.”
“One of the Three Evils of the League.”

A different name for the world’s worst Villain—the one who’d created the League.
Jung Da-hyun’s expression shifted to shock.

“Why would he come to a place like this……?”
“It means he considered the Big Bang Series that important.”

I didn’t bother laying out all the truth. I’d rejected Argos’s proposal, but his words still echoed in my mind.
He’d said I had no choice but to become a Villain. But I’d fought desperately against that fate, restraining myself again and again to stand against the madness that could come at any moment.
If fate itself tried to consume me,
then I’d simply kill that fate too.
I would never lose myself to madness.

“…Yes.”

She’d probably sensed through intuition that I wasn’t telling her everything. Despite having questions, Jung Da-hyun didn’t press further.
Sensing the weight of the topic, she changed the subject.

“Still, he betrayed you even though you showed him kindness.”
“He couldn’t suppress his own greed.”
“You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself.”

I wasn’t bothered at all.
Heartwalker had called me a connection from my past life, and that was all. I’d shown him kindness because of his craftsmanship and wanted to give him a chance, but he betrayed me and I eliminated him. That was the end of it.

She seemed to be harboring some strange misunderstanding, but I didn’t bother clearing it up.

“Um, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Tell me.”
“As I was reading through the confrontation with Blackhound, there were a few places where the flow seemed to break.”
“It’s difficult right now.”
“Is that so?”

It was hard to brush past Jung Da-hyun’s dejected expression.

“Not right now, anyway. I need to head straight to Cheongwadae. Let’s arrange a time soon.”
“Yes!”

Jung Da-hyun answered with a brightened expression.

* * *

“······.”

Returning to Cheongwadae, I repeated to Cheon Myeong-guk—who’d been waiting there since before dawn—the explanation I’d given to Jung Da-hyun.

“Then there’s no chance the League will resurface?”
“We’ll have to see.”
“Of course. I apologize for the foolish question. By the way, Blackhound you say—how was it facing the worst of Villains?”
“Strong.”
“Could you elaborate on just how strong?”

I spoke, recalling the Level 8 I’d crossed hands with before.

“Zhang Ci-tong is stronger than Berserker. Overwhelmingly stronger than Kim Young-hwan.”

The amusing part was that only Berserker, the Villain among the three, was still alive. A tenacious life that had survived with its heart shattered twice.
I hoped he’d unlock Poison Immunity soon.

“My, you’ve accomplished something truly remarkable. I’m relieved you’re unharmed.”
“Thank you for your concern.”

Once I finished my report on the League, Cheon Myeong-guk changed the subject.

“I hear you’re thinking of donating the Big Bang Series to the National Guard.”
“That’s correct.”

As the Big Bang Series continued to sell out, Lee Se-hee had allocated a portion for me.
I’d donated the first shipment I received to the Awakener Security Office. That’s why Cheon Myeong-guk had thanked me then. I was planning to donate the next shipment to the National Guard.
Since I’d caused him to lose some hair, I figured I owed him some compensation.

“Have you mentioned this to Director Jung Ju-ho?”
“I need to do that now.”
“Then what if we have him called to Cheongwadae to discuss it in person?”

Why suddenly call me to Cheongwadae? Was there a reason to do it that way?

“Wouldn’t a phone call be simpler?”
“Well, since it’s Choi Jun-ho, a Superhuman, making the donation, we could make quite a good impression if we package it well.”
“I see your point.”

It might seem excessive, but publicizing good deeds helps improve one’s image. I tend to forget such things, so it’s helpful when someone reminds me of them.
Cheon Myeong-guk’s words didn’t end there.

“And there’s one more thing I’d like to ask. We’re planning to promote Director Jung Ju-ho to the head of a newly established bureau—a high-ranking position, roughly equivalent to vice minister.”
“That’s certainly cause for celebration.”
“However, Director Jung Ju-ho is stubbornly refusing it.”

That was true. Jung Ju-ho had never been ambitious. He was cautious too.
Cheon Myeong-guk spoke with a careful expression.

“So when you come to Cheongwadae this time, would you help persuade him?”
“Me?”

Would he actually listen if I said something?

“Yes.”
“Will it really help?”
“Of course. If you speak, Director Jung Ju-ho’s mind will surely change.”
“Understood.”

Cheon Myeong-guk’s face lit up brightly. Was this really something to be that pleased about?
Anyway, Jung Ju-ho was getting promoted. I’d be seeing him more often from now on.
He’d be happy about it, wouldn’t he?

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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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