The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 67

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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 67

Lee Se-hee greeted Jung Da-hyun, who had called out of the blue and come by, with a look of surprise.

“What brings you all the way here? Is something troubling you? Can I get you some wine?”
“No, I just came because I wanted to ask you something.”
“What is it?”

Watching Jung Da-hyun’s stiffened expression, Lee Se-hee immediately grasped the situation.

“Things have been tense over there too lately, haven’t they?”
“You knew?”
“Choi Jun-ho didn’t mention it? So he only told me. Well, this is awkward.”
…….

In that instant, Lee Se-hee, looking like she’d seen a ghost, hastily apologized.

“S-sorry. Never mind that. Stop giving me that look. You’re going to bore a hole right through my face. I’ll tell you right now, okay? Please, just let me talk.”
“Go ahead then.”

Where had my friend gone—the one who was so full of teasing?
Right now she looked absolutely ghostly. If someone said she’d make a good demon, I’d have to surrender.
Lee Se-hee let out a long sigh internally and spoke.

“The government and Busan are on the verge of clashing.”
“…Just as I thought.”
“So rumors have been circulating on your end too?”
“Yes.”
“The government doesn’t want ordinary citizens to find out. The fact that the National Guard hasn’t even mentioned it means they’re planning to handle it quietly. Probably only Choi Jun-ho and a handful of people from the Office of the President will move. You know why, don’t you?”
“I do.”

When executing any operation, the Office of the President was where security could actually be maintained.
It happened because there were far more people who took kickbacks from guilds rather than Government Hunters who genuinely believed in their work.
But what was actually turning over in Jung Da-hyun’s mind was a different thought.
Why had Choi Jun-ho told Lee Se-hee but not told her?

“…Isn’t that what you’re thinking right now?”
…….

Lee Se-hee was uncanny as ever—and she always had been. Jung Da-hyun confirmed it with silence.

“I’d like to say he told me in secret, just me, but honestly, it’s not special treatment or anything. Choi Jun-ho wanted our group to stay out of any entanglement with the Busan Mayor, so he told me. As for you—you’re clean on that front, so there was no need to tell you. Does that settle it now?”
“It’s not like I was particularly worried.”

But as relief washed over her, her expression softened despite herself.

“Pretending you weren’t worried after worrying so much.”
“Have you been under a lot of stress lately?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah, seems like a lot’s built up. Your words have an edge to them.”
“Ugh, I’m still doing that? I shouldn’t be.”

Lee Se-hee knitted her brows and ruffled her own hair—a kind of habit she’d been trying to break for a long time but somehow never could.
In the past it was even worse; there was apparently a whole collection of Lee Se-hee’s cutting remarks.

“Is it because of the Big Bang Series? The performance on those things is incredible.”
“Really? Oh, right—Choi Jun-ho mentioned he’d get the National Guard to send some units. While we’re at it, give me your thoughts on the product.”
“Sure.”

Lee Se-hee listened intently as Jung Da-hyun walked through her field notes on the Big Bang Series.
Feedback from those who used the equipment on the front lines was invaluable for product refinement.
Because the Big Bang Series delivered such high output, users needed to exercise exceptional control over their force—and a comprehensive manual was essential to master its full potential.

“There are some points for improvement I want to go over again. I always say it’s good to have friends, don’t I?”
“You have Choi Jun-ho to thank for that. The Shinseong Guild’s chief coordinator didn’t set aside a Big Bang Series for your friend.”
“Oh, come on—I only delayed it because Choi Jun-ho said he’d take care of it. You think I’d forget about you?”
“Still, I’m grateful Choi Jun-ho looked after it.”

Lee Se-hee’s expression shifted abruptly. For a moment she thought she’d misheard, but the slight upturn of Jung Da-hyun’s lips confirmed otherwise.

“What did you just say? Brother?”
“I’ve said what I needed to. Time for me to go.”
“Wait! Why won’t you answer me?”
“…….”

Jung Da-hyun offered a smirk instead. To Lee Se-hee, it was the smile of a victor looking down at the defeated.

“I’m heading out.”
“Hey! Jung Da-hyun!”

* * *

The day arrived for Cheon Myeong-guk to depart for Busan.
A trip one might not return from, if things went wrong.
He’d questioned whether it was worth risking his life for this, but his willingness to seize even the slimmest possibility and his readiness to sacrifice for the sake of legitimacy—those things were impressive, at least.
Not that he agreed with the decision.

“Your safe return is what matters most.”
“Thank you for your concern, Superhuman.”
“Though I doubt the Busan mayor will listen to anyone.”

Yoo Sung-su, the Busan mayor, was the type who lived for his own vanity. From what he’d observed, the man lacked genuine understanding of Awakened Ones and saw them primarily as tools for his ambitions.
Seeing how he boasted about his successes only reinforced one thought: ‘He got lucky.’
Cheon Myeong-guk laughed ruefully.

“Honestly, I share that assessment.”
“Then there’s little reason to gamble on such poor odds.”
“It’s an effort to avoid bloodshed.”

Why does he emphasize it every time he looks at me?
Taking responsibility for one’s choices—that’s simply how it works.
Most people I’ve seen need to taste something themselves before they understand it. Few ever change their minds just from hearing others’ warnings. Most only come to their senses after they’ve taken that taste themselves.
This time, he was risking his life in hopes of saving as many others as possible.

“There’s no peace without blood.”

When each side possesses power and their beliefs diverge, there’s only one method of resolution: establish dominance and force your will through.

“I simply try to minimize the cost. Though sometimes I overstep.”
“That sounded like it was aimed at me.”
“Me? Not at all.”
“Maybe I was mistaken. Anyway, the most important thing is your life. Don’t sacrifice yourself for others. And keep that Ring with you.”

Cheon Myeong-guk’s abilities had been proven in his last life, so he was reliable enough. The last thing he needed was to have to sync up with some strange person if the man got himself killed doing something reckless.
If that happened, the harmony they’d built so carefully could turn into something catastrophic.
That was a development he had no desire to see.

“I’ll take good care of the Ring. And thank you for your concern.”
“There’s no one I work with as smoothly as you. That’s what they call a favorite, right? My two favorites are you and Jung Ju-ho.”
“…….”
“I mean it.”
“…Yes. I appreciate you looking out for me.”

His voice dropped noticeably. What was that about? I’d just praised him, called him my favorite and all.

“I have more preparations to see to, so I’ll be going now.”

Could it really be that mentioning two favorites bothered him? Cheon Myeong-guk, you’re greedier than I thought.

* * *

The President burst out laughing when he heard my complaint.

“I’d wager dealing with you is harder for Cheon than persuading Yoo Sung-su down in Busan.”
“Come on, that can’t be right.”
“We should hear Cheon’s side of the story too.”

But how well do Cheon Myeong-guk and I work together?
Cheon solved things methodically and impassively, while I acted on them immediately—our partnership was even better than I’d imagined.
Jung Ju-ho felt it too, and even Cheon seemed perfectly at ease when we worked together. Was this just some playful jab from my superior?

“Still, Cheon will be in real danger.”
“Absolutely. He’s classified as one of my closest aides, so Yoo Sung-su won’t let him walk away now that he’s come willingly. At best, he’ll face arrest.”
“He’s walking into a trap knowing full well what it is?”
“That’s why I tried to stop him. But Cheon knew that if he gets caught, it would give us the justification we need.”
“Justification.”

It was similar to what Lee Se-hee had mentioned about expertise—Cheon’s capture would legitimize the government’s next move.
But to walk knowingly into a trap like that. If he got killed in the process, I’d honestly call it a dog’s death, but that was no reason to voice it and diminish Cheon’s resolve.

“Cheon’s always been the type to volunteer for the hard work.”
“Understood.”
“Hmm?”
“You want Cheon to come out of this as unharmed as possible, right? I’ll keep an eye on things.”

The President raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

“I give up. That’s the right answer. Cheon still has too much left to do.”
“I know. I’m perceptive enough.”

Though I couldn’t figure out why people kept saying I wasn’t.
Anyway, the heart of enemy territory.
Bringing him back safely wasn’t going to be easy. Still, with a Level 7, he should be able to look after himself well enough if I just make sure he survives the encounter.

“So what’s your plan?”
“I’m heading to Busan as well.”
“When?”
“Right now.”

I followed Cheon Myeong-guk down to Busan.

* * *

Once in Busan, Cheon Myeong-guk habitually surveyed his surroundings.
It was a city befitting South Korea’s second-largest metropolis. Yet there was only a controlled kind of energy; the entire city felt tense and rigid.

“War preparations, then.”

The city wore the mask of ordinary life, yet beneath every corner ran a current of hostile intent.
Awakened Ones moved through the buildings in uncertain dress—hunter or villain, the line between them blurred—while citizens moved with cautious reserve.

‘This doesn’t sit right.’

Yoo Sung-su claimed to have raised Busan’s economy from nothing, but to Cheon Myeong-guk, nothing could be further from the truth.
His governance was little more than Fleeting Radiance—a show of false luster punctuated by corruption and self-aggrandizement. Yoo Sung-su’s rule had to end, whatever the cost.
As the car drew closer to Busan City Hall, the hostility grew sharper, more crystalline with each passing moment.
He had left the Reaper Guild and taken high office under the government, but it had been long since he felt such open animosity.
He’d thought the final goal—regime change—would keep things at a manageable level, but this directness caught him off guard.
The vehicle pulled up to the entrance of Busan City Hall.

“We’ll escort you inside.”

Hunters closed in around Cheon Myeong-guk as he stepped from the car. They called it guidance and protection, but the truth was closer to being herded along.

“Go.”

At the city hall entrance, Hunters bearing firearms and bladed weapons stood watch. Before entry, his belongings were inspected.

“Please surrender any weapons or artifacts.”

Cheon Myeong-guk produced a short blade and a recovery potion from his coat. He thought that would be the end of it, but one of the Hunters pointed at his ring.

“That ring—what is it? I’m sensing Force from it.”
“A wedding ring. Must I surrender that as well?”
“All items emanating Force must be surrendered.”
“My wife’s ring. She’s far away.”

The Hunter wavered, then nodded slowly.

“…Since there’s nothing one could do with that, I’ll overlook it.”

For the record, that distant wife was in the United States. No lie there.
After the body search, he proceeded inside. When he reached the mayor’s office, Yoo Sung-su sat waiting with a dozen Hunters in a space appointed no less grandly than the Office of the President itself.

“Well, well—if it isn’t Director Cheon, famous for his excellent work. What a pleasure.”
“It’s been a long time, Mayor.”
“It has. The less we see of each other, the better things tend to be. But looking at how things are unfolding now, I’d say a good relationship is becoming rather difficult, wouldn’t you?”
“…….”

Cheon Myeong-guk neither confirmed nor denied.

“So then, shall we hear why you’ve come all this way?”
“Further resistance is meaningless. I urge you to admit to the charges now and turn yourself in. I’ll ensure you receive the most lenient treatment possible.”

Yoo Sung-su burst into laughter. Cheon Myeong-guk watched him without the slightest change of expression, his gaze steady and impassive.

“Is that really why you came all this way? To persuade me?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve got nerve. Real nerve! So in the end, you’re not backing down an inch—you’re taking everything?”
“As I said before, I intend to offer the most lenient…….”
“Never mind that. I’m genuinely curious—where does this confidence come from?”
“Choi Jun-ho.”
“You’re telling me you have this confidence because of one Superhuman?”

At those words, Cheon Myeong-guk understood why the situation had no choice but to unfold as it was.
Yoo Sung-su had no idea how powerful a Superhuman truly was.
They clearly thought of it in terms of levels—going from Level 6 to 7, or from 7 to 8.
And they had no idea just how catastrophic Choi Jun-ho truly was.
If he’d been the mayor of Busan, he’d have thrown himself flat on the ground the moment he learned the truth.

“…You seem to be underestimating the power of a Superhuman, Mayor.”
“It’s frightening, sure. But what are we supposed to do about him? There are over a thousand Awakened Ones just in this city hall. A Superhuman, no matter how strong, is still human in the end.”

In front of Choi Jun-ho, all you’ll see is corpses piling up.

“So you’re determined to see this through to the end?”
“That’s impossible. I’m a merciful mayor, after all. So I’ll give you a chance—a chance to persuade the citizens of Busan.”
“A chance, you say….”
“We’ll hold a broadcast. A final debate between the mayor of Busan and the Busan City Council, versus the Presidential Envoy and Director of Awakened One Security from the Office of the President. What do you think?”

So he was planning to manipulate the whole thing for his advantage.
Cheon Myeong-guk nodded, meeting Yoo Sung-su’s gaze, which gleamed with damp cunning.

“I accept.”
“Good. Excellent judgment.”

An hour later, Cheon Myeong-guk sat in the Busan City Council chamber.
Yoo Sung-su and ten city council members serving as his aides occupied the chamber.
When Yoo Sung-su came to power, he had unilaterally replaced the original forty-seven council members with ten of his own appointees. Those who mocked this arrangement called them Yoo Sung-su’s “Ten Eunuchs,” speaking the name with contempt.
Yet there was no denying that they were Yoo Sung-su’s most powerful faction of loyal supporters in Busan.

“We will now commence the final debate between the Director of Awakened One Security from the Office of the President and the city of Busan.”

As the moderator’s voice rang out, the debate began. Cheon Myeong-guk clicked his tongue inwardly as he saw the broadcast cameras rolling.
The other side had come thoroughly prepared. The intent was clear: amplify the conflict, consolidate their supporters. It was a dirty trick, and he had no choice but to fall for it even knowing it.
The first to claim the floor and rise was a large, imposing middle-aged man with his head shaved close to the scalp.
He was Kwak Do-un, the brother of the master of the Whale Guild—Busan’s largest guild—and Yoo Sung-su’s right hand.

“I am Kwak Do-un, Chairman of the Busan City Council. I’m curious why the government has consistently ignored Busan’s requests and subjected us to this oppression.”
“The government has never oppressed Busan.”
“Never oppressed us? The city has repeatedly requested support, and the government has rejected every single one of those requests, hasn’t it?”
“Those decisions were made according to distribution ratios based on incident rates…”
“Exactly! And the government arbitrarily decides those ratios, doesn’t it?”

Kwak Do-un’s voice grew increasingly aggressive. The other council members then raised their voices as well, mounting pressure on Cheon Myeong-guk.

“…….”

Faced with this one-sided onslaught, Cheon Myeong-guk fell silent. If he presented detailed data and rebutted their claims here, would they even understand? Besides, wasn’t he brought here for manipulation in the first place?
The thought made his efforts feel pointless.
From the beginning, they had come with the intention of seeing this through to the end.
Should he endure in silence to avoid bloodshed, or should he reveal the truth to the citizens?
The former would allow negotiations to continue, but the latter meant catastrophe.
While Cheon Myeong-guk wrestled with this choice, the council members began talking amongst themselves. They raised their voices about the government’s unfair treatment, its arbitrary extortion, its discrimination.
Eventually, they stopped waiting for answers and drew their own conclusions.

“Since you have nothing to say, I take it the government admits to discriminating against Busan all this time.”
“I….”

Cheon Myeong-guk was about to speak when he could hold back no longer.
Light sparkled from the ring on his hand, and from the particles of light, a figure took form.
Moments later, when the light faded completely, the face that appeared before them was a familiar one. It was Choi Jun-ho’s Gift Transfer.
Only then did Cheon Myeong-guk’s eyes widen as he understood why the ring had been given to him.

“Choi Jun-ho, the Superhuman.”
“Director, if there’s no discrimination, why can’t you simply say so?”

Choi Jun-ho let out a soft chuckle, but Cheon Myeong-guk felt his chest drop like a stone.
It was over. They were all dead now.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Kwak Do-un, that lunatic—why was he poking the real madman? He had no idea.
Choi Jun-ho broke into a wide grin. Why could he already see what was about to unfold? Had he gained a Gift that let him see the future?

“Especially that one—what terrible luck he has.”
“How dare you—”

Kwak Do-un bristled, but the words died in his throat. Choi Jun-ho drew Nuri in a flash and unleashed Blade Storm. Trapped in the ferocious Force that tore through the air, Kwak Do-un was shredded to pieces without even leaving a corpse behind.

Splatter.

Blood and shreds of flesh scattered in all directions.
Choi Jun-ho caught the eye of the National Guard commander, one member now fewer, and flashed a brilliant smile.

“Alright, let’s start the game. Answer my questions wrong, and people die one by one. It’s a game only I enjoy.”

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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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