The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 87

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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 87

Baek Gun-seo’s eyebrow twitched. Something about his mood seemed off.
Had my kindness fallen short? Or had it simply not suited him? I couldn’t quite read the reaction.

“What are you talking about?”
“The media won’t stop their endless chatter—must I recite every last word they’ve uttered? Say it to my face.”
“And if I refuse?”
“There are ways to make you talk.”
“You’re suggesting we try?”

So he thought I couldn’t do it. Did he really believe himself stronger? If he was laboring under that delusion, I’d have to disabuse him of it.
Just as the air in the conference room grew taut as a drawn bowstring, Lee Se-hee rushed over from where she’d been standing and raised her hand to stop us.

“Jun-ho.”

I pretended not to hear, keeping my gaze fixed on Baek Gun-seo.

“I appreciate someone who follows through.”
“You certainly have consistency.”

Baek Gun-seo let out a derisive snort and rose from his seat.

“I don’t care for pointless quarrels. There’s nothing more to say. This place has grown uncomfortable, so I’ll take my leave. If you’re curious, ask Se-hee.”

With that, Baek Gun-seo left the conference room. The tension dissolved as the standoff ended, yet an awkwardness lingered in the air.
…So he just ran away after all?
He said he had grievances with me, but he wouldn’t voice them while facing me directly.
Being polite and asking questions doesn’t guarantee you’ll get answers, it seems.
Lee Se-hee exhaled in relief.

“I’ll explain everything to you later, Jun-ho.”
“How can I hear it from someone who’s walked out?”
“It’s not something crucial. It’s not even a misunderstanding that should upset you. Please, let me be the one to tell you.”
“Fine.”

When someone speaks like that, all I can do is let it pass.
I couldn’t overlook the earnest pleading in Lee Se-hee’s manner.
After the So-ye countermeasures meeting ended that way, I moved to another space where Lee Se-hee could give me the full details.

“Your uncle wanted the Shinseong Guild’s hunting expertise to be treated with greater respect. It’s an asset the guild has accumulated over the years, and they’ve kept it strictly confidential from outsiders all this time.”
“So there’s some special method involved?”
“Nothing extraordinary. But the hunting data accumulated over time has resulted in rich knowledge about how to handle emergencies and work with monsters. They’ve maintained strict protocols to protect the secret.”

I brought up that Choi Yun-hee was innocent.

“Yun-hee never told me about it either.”
“Pfft!”

The serious expression on Lee Se-hee’s face crumbled, and laughter burst out.

“If you said something like that to other people, they’d think you’d actually told them.”
“Would they?”
“Yes. I understand what you meant by it, but there are so many people in the world who twist things. They interpret things however suits their interests.”
“I see.”

It’s strange that you’d tell me something you’ve kept secret.
I listened carefully to what Lee Se-hee was saying.

“And Da-hyun, who left the guild, is also keeping it completely secret. But—”

Lee Se-hee acknowledged that Baek Gun-seo’s words were right, though her reaction was markedly different from her usual demeanor, or so I’d heard.
I wasn’t particularly surprised, knowing from the future that I’d stand against Lee Se-hee in the succession struggle, but for the person involved, it must have been quite a shock.
Of course, that’s just talk.
In that situation, Lee Se-hee was the capable woman who held the Shinseong Group in her hands.

“Do you know the real reason?”
“I’m sorry. It’s a family matter.”
“I understand.”

She didn’t want to say more, and there was no reason to press her.
I had a rough idea what it was anyway.
But it would be difficult for the person involved to resolve alone. That means someone above her needs to take responsibility.

“I should have handled it quietly. This is all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s the fault of the person who went haywire.”
“I wasn’t thoughtful enough. I was too comfortable treating my uncle and Choi Jun-ho with ease. I need to reflect on that.”

Since she was saying that herself, there was nothing more I could say.
She’d handle it well on her own.
Still, there was someone else I needed to look after besides Lee Se-hee. Her father, Chairman Lee Young-moon of the Shinseong Group.

“So what are we going to do? Should I step back?”
“No, I’ll persuade him. My uncle understands my intentions already. I’ll ask you to come as an observer.”
“All right.”

In the end, Lee Se-hee achieved what she wanted.
But it was clear that Baek Gun-seo had applied the brakes.
Here, the brakes meant stopping Lee Se-hee’s rising influence within the Shinseong Group. Once she’d hit a speed bump, no matter what she did, she’d have to watch Baek Gun-seo’s face.
Even if Lee Se-hee handled the actual work, Baek Gun-seo’s symbolic weight couldn’t be ignored.
There was only one person who could untie this knot.
Lee Young-moon, Chairman of the Shinseong Group.
I didn’t know much about him, but Lee Young-moon had a reputation as a capable man.
He was the one who placed his daughter at the Shinseong Guild so she could develop her talents and gave her his backing. But it was strange that he hadn’t stepped in to clean things up despite this commotion.
They said his health wasn’t good—was he at death’s door? Yet Lee Se-hee’s expression was bright. That meant there was a high probability this man was taking a hands-off approach, watching from the sidelines.

“I don’t like something.”
“What is it?”
“Just… suddenly there’s a person I can’t stand.”
“That person must be pitiful.”

I couldn’t say it was her father.
I needed to see what kind of face this man had.
My reason for going to see Lee Young-moon was simple.
I wanted Lee Se-hee to become the next chairman of the Shinseong Group.
Beyond handling various matters, as a business partner, Lee Se-hee was better than Lee Se-chan.
Once I’d confirmed the meeting with Lee Young-moon in my mind, I released the brake that had been applied to Lee Se-hee.

“You can move more openly now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Being cautious won’t get you what you want. You can’t win everyone’s favor. The people around you, the people within the group and guild—it’s all the same. So be bold in letting go of those who dislike you.”
……

Lee Se-hee stared at me intently.
Being disliked by everyone is possible, but being acknowledged and loved by everyone is impossible.
It’s because envy exists in the human heart.
And I too fell to being Blood-kind, unable to overcome the inferiority and jealousy within me.
Now that I’d regained my senses, I could trace back what I’d felt then.

“If you’re going to do well, eventually I’ll follow in your footsteps.”
“That’s right. I didn’t realize it, but I must have been discouraged without knowing it. Thank you. I’ll work hard.”
“I was just being a busybody. I don’t usually do this sort of thing.”

I definitely sense that I’ve regained my sanity.
If I’d still been Blood-kind, I would have just watched no matter what situation Lee Se-hee found herself in.
Now that I’ve come back to myself, I can offer this kind of normal advice. That wasn’t bad at all.

“I’m saying it because it’s easy to work with you.”
“Yes. I never knew how reassuring it would feel to have someone to trust.”

Her bright, gleaming eyes felt strangely burdensome. There wasn’t much she’d get from hoping for more from me.
So I changed the subject.

“Let’s do some training to prepare for Soye.”
“I’ve been waiting for that.”

The more she trusts me, the harder I should push her.
…But the more I do, the more Lee Se-hee seems to like it.
This one’s a bit odd.

* * *

After finishing training, Lee Se-hee went to find Baek Gun-seo.
Before Soye appeared, she wanted to clear up the misunderstanding once and for all.

“Uncle.”
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”

Lee Se-hee sat across from Baek Gun-seo, who was drinking whisky alone.
Seeing her fresh from the shower, her hair still fluffy, Baek Gun-seo’s brow furrowed. She was a niece he’d never harm, even if it meant putting out his own eyes. This estrangement didn’t sit right with him.
Lee Se-hee, meeting Baek Gun-seo’s gaze, held out her glass.

“Could I have a drink too?”

Baek Gun-seo poured her glass full.
The whisky’s aroma deepened as it met the air.

“Ugh, it’s bitter.”
“Then you should only drink the good stuff.”
“I was just trying to match the mood.”

Regardless of what was said outside, Lee Se-hee and Baek Gun-seo shared a deep bond.
As a child, it was Baek Gun-seo who had struggled to establish the Shinseong Guild on solid ground, and when Chairman Lee Young-moon was struggling, it was Baek Gun-seo who stood beside him and gave him strength.
Though they didn’t share the same blood, Baek Gun-seo was to Lee Se-hee more than just an uncle—he was family.
So even if no fault of her own existed, she wanted to apologize if she’d been lacking in consideration.
To Lee Se-hee’s generosity, Baek Gun-seo answered with a solemn expression.

“Se-hee.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“I understand your heart. So stop this. I’m not upset.”
“Uncle, is something the matter?”
“It’s not that. I think I just felt a sudden emptiness.”
……

Lee Se-hee listened quietly to what Baek Gun-seo had to say.

“It’s Choi Jun-ho. At first, I thought a talented person had emerged, but the more I saw, the more remarkable he became. I myself was a genius who couldn’t be compared to anyone, but there was someone even greater than that. I know comparing is foolish, but the more I watched, the more hollow I felt. And then, without consulting me, I heard he’d made a decision about an observer. Before I knew it, I was irritated.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m ashamed my narrow-mindedness was exposed. In the end, I’m just this kind of person. You’re free to be disappointed.”
“Disappointed? Not at all. It’s reassuring to see your human side.”
“Thank you.”

Baek Gun-seo’s expression grew noticeably lighter.

“I’ll manage things carefully so hunting isn’t disrupted. When I see Choi Jun-ho again, I’ll speak with him properly, so don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s only natural.”

Lee Se-hee knew there was more to what Baek Gun-seo had said. But neither he nor she opened their mouth to the end.
They clinked glasses and drank whisky one after another.
Lee Se-hee stepped out of the room with a slight buzz and exhaled a deep sigh.

“He wouldn’t tell me the real reason.”

* * *

When I got home, I explained the situation to Yun-hee.
The guy, whose serious expression was rare to see, nodded and sighed.

“I’m glad it worked out.”
“Was it that serious?”
“Yeah. I heard you and she are close. When two people like that clash, nobody’s at ease. They’re both essential to the guild.”
“But you don’t know why?”
“No. Se-hee is just as I know her, and the director’s pride was hurt, but I’m not sure it’s something that would normally blow over so easily. It makes me think you might be something special.”

According to Yun-hee, a Superhuman’s pride is like the heavens—no one dares touch it.
Now that I think about it, quite a few of the Superhumans I saw at the World Superpower Day event were corpses if you took away their pride. Those were the kind of guys who needed to become actual corpses to come to their senses.
James Reed and that cooking king Guillermo were odd exceptions.
What’s the point of weaklings puffing up their pride like that?
Berserker never displayed that kind of pride.
Could it be that the weaker they are, the more pride they have?

“Do you see now how good a brother you have?”
“Does that mean I’m actually going to succeed?”
“I have zero expectations.”
“What? You’re thinking straight for once. I thought you were as usual crazy.”

Choi Yun-hee really knows how to cross the line.
Still, I got confirmation from my sister that I was in my right mind.
From an older brother’s perspective, pushing your sister to growth is normal behavior, right?

“Don’t think weird thoughts, or you’ll die.”
“A little training won’t kill me.”
“The way you do it actually might.”

I’ll have to observe a bit longer and then see how she does.
What I learned while training Lee Se-hee is that humans laugh when they reach the limits of endurance. If Yun-hee picks up this mindset, she’ll open her Gift soon enough.
In any case, it was Yun-hee’s thought that Baek Gun-seo’s actions were strange, and I agreed.
If that’s the case, then outside force must have intervened. The only ones capable of that are Lee Young-moon, the chairman of Shinseong Group, or my brother, Lee Se-chan.
The one bringing ill effects to Lee Se-hee is the latter.
Then only one thing remains.

“Lee Se-chan hasn’t been coming to Shinseong Guild?”
“The eldest of the group? Almost never seen at the guild… Oh! I saw him once. He was with the director back then.”

As expected. So Baek Gun-seo sided with Lee Se-chan.

“What did he do?”
“Well, they were eating together. With all the Group business piling up, maybe that’s why they met.”

Maybe. Maybe not.
I’ll tell Lee Se-hee and do some investigating myself.
But first, I need to have a word with this fellow who didn’t manage traffic properly.

* * *

Late at night, I arrived at the mansion where Lee Young-moon lived.
Oddly enough, the Shinseong Group family didn’t live under one roof—Lee Young-moon and his wife, Lee Se-chan, and Lee Se-hee each lived separately.
Lee Young-moon lived in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, in the most prestigious area.
As the chairman of Shinseong Group, ranked first in South Korea’s financial world and considered the nation’s strongest guild, he wielded more practical power than the President himself.
Elected office has term limits, but money and force are eternal.
So the government tries to weaken the conglomerates’ influence, and the conglomerates resist to protect what’s theirs.

“But what good is power if you’re not in good health? You need to be healthy to enjoy it forever.”

Lee Young-moon was capable, but his health was poor.
That’s why he rarely engaged in public activities and seldom appeared in the media.
Yun-hee says that adds to his mystique, but it’s obviously nonsense. He seems to prefer orchestrating things from the shadows rather than taking center stage.
Naturally, there are things beyond his direct reach, which is how this situation arose.
I’m not fond of that secretive temperament, but he’s Se-hee’s father, so I can’t kill him. I’ll have to tolerate it.

“Just as I expected.”

Lee Young-moon’s mansion was like a fortress surrounded by ramparts. From the neighboring estates to the streets and surveillance cameras installed on all sides, there seemed nowhere to escape observation.
Breaking into a place like this is simple.
I ascended through empty air at a spot without CCTV cameras.
If the ground is covered by watchful eyes, then the sky is mine. I climbed to a dizzying height above the mansion.
Dropping down from here would still get me caught. The security system installed throughout the estate can detect me.
So I dropped a coin instead.

Ting!

Woof-woof-woof-woof!

Having penetrated the perimeter, I entered the mansion. The late-night estate was shrouded in quiet.
I arrived at the only bedroom with the light on.
Inside, a middle-aged man with a slight frame and pallid complexion sat at a work desk, reading documents.
This was Lee Young-moon, chairman of Shinseong Group.
He lifted his head, seemingly sensing my presence, showing no surprise whatsoever.

“Why bother?”

“So if you’ve made it this far, it’s not good news. Sit down for now.”

I took the chair across from Lee Young-moon. It felt comfortable, like being in my own home.

“All right, then. What brings you here?”
“Keep a better leash on your son. Yours, I mean.”

It was a warning delivered before I killed him with my own hands.

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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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