The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 91

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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 91

I arrived at Incheon International Airport to meet Franz.
Though its role had diminished considerably since the Monster outbreak, it remained the largest airport in South Korea and the hub for international flights.
Franz and his party coming from Germany would make the journey through several connections.
Given that he was willing to travel such a distance, there was no need to worry about the old man’s stamina. I recalled that when he came after me as a Blood Demon, he’d exhausted himself and needed several days of rest.
I’d originally intended to come alone, but Cheon Myeong-guk insisted and sent someone to accompany me.

“Did the Director tell you to keep watch over me?”
“No, it’s not like that at all.”
It doesn’t matter. The Director worries about me all the time anyway.

Our Director certainly held me in special regard.
I told the Awakener Security Office employee accompanying me to rest easy, then quietly waited for Franz.
No matter how ruthlessly I fight, I had no intention of raising a hand in a reunion with someone from my past.
Of course, the old man had never met me before.
He’d left a deep impression on me, and I was curious to see how formidable he was before his abilities had fully declined. By relative standards, he’d been the strongest opponent I faced as a Blood Demon.
Even with his skills already waning, Franz had made me feel the approach of death.
His reputation as a Grand Master was well-deserved—the way he wielded Mine with exquisite precision had put me in mortal danger multiple times.
When Mine dug in, it would tenaciously churn through my insides, and the old man’s Body Technique was so sublime it nearly drove me mad.
The insights I gained from that confrontation were equally profound.
Having greedily consumed every Gift I could get my hands on and nearly lost my sanity in the process, he taught me that having more Gifts was not necessarily a blessing.

“I suppose the old man deserves some credit for that.”

Since I’d grown mad from exceeding my Gift capacity, the impetus to reduce my Gifts had come right after that duel.
But what state would the old man be in now?
He’d been temperamental even back then, and with his vigor restored, he’d likely be far more insufferable.

“He’s arrived.”

At the employee’s words, I pulled myself from my thoughts.

Thump-thump.

My heart pounded with unusual intensity.
In my past life, he’d scolded me without hesitation when he saw me mad. I was eager to see how he’d react to seeing me in my right mind.
Shortly after, Franz—who still appeared to be in his early fifties—emerged alongside Laura Ann, whom I’d seen before.
Our eyes met. His presence was palpable. Quite strong. In my past life, it had felt like the final flare of a dying flame, but now there was an unshakeable core to it.
The old man was certainly particular.
Franz spoke briefly with Laura, brushed aside her objections, and strode toward me with purpose. He spoke in curt but fluent Korean.

“Are you Choi Jun-ho?”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Grand Master Franz Guenther.”
“So you do know how to be respectful. That’s not what the rumors said.”
“I thought I’d mind my manners for our first meeting.”
“Then you’re saying you won’t from here on out?”
“I’ll judge as I see fit.”
“A junior ought to show respect to his seniors, as it has always been…….”

Franz’s brow creased as he studied me.
I met his gaze without hesitation.
Just as I expected—he was definitely a stubborn one.

“They call you the Head Breaker? How many skulls have you cracked exactly?”
“Only the ones worth cracking. Is that a problem?”
“No, you did well. The ones who deserve to die commit acts worthy of it. It’s better for the world when we put them down quickly.”
“That’s unexpected. Everyone else was critical.”
“They’re critical because of the blood on your hands. You’re still so young—how many have you killed that you wear the Killing Intent so naturally?”

A spirit’s intuition, that’s what this was.

“I don’t hesitate when I act.”
“So you were planning to crush my skull too?”

In my last life, perhaps. But not now.
I answered with a shrug instead of words.
Franz didn’t press the matter.

“I heard you have the same Gift as I do.”
“Would you like me to demonstrate?”
“Yes. Show me.”
“Then I won’t hold back.”

I reached out toward Franz immediately. Laura behind him made a startled sound, but the man himself remained perfectly still.
The Mine gathered in my palm crawled across Franz’s shoulder and burrowed deep into his body.
With a crackling spark, an enormous surge of electricity was drawn inside.
Any ordinary person would have had their bones shattered to powder, but Franz’s expression didn’t change—he weathered it completely.
I hadn’t unleashed it with the intent to kill him anyway. He wasn’t the sort to die from this. And if he had this Gift, he’d have resistance too.
As proof, the Mine vanished without a trace not long after.

“You’re as troublesome as your master.”

Franz, who had his eyes closed, let out a dry laugh and spoke.

“There’s nothing but the will to kill your opponent. How can such madness and Killing Intent coexist? It’s a wonder you haven’t gone insane. Or perhaps you already have.”
“Who said anything about going insane?”
“You. Word is spreading across Europe that a mad dog is running wild in Korea.”
“Who says that?”

This man crosses lines.
I should find out who started the mad dog rumors.
In that instant, I noticed Laura’s eyes meet mine, and she flinched.
A reasonable suspicion formed, but I couldn’t press it while Franz was speaking.

“In my day, we had dreams and hope. A noble ideal to eradicate Monsters with our own hands and bring peace to the world. For that, bones were shattered, muscles were torn. Some had their Force backfire on them—naturally, we couldn’t save them, and they died. In our time, there was courage to face Monsters bare-handed to awaken our Gifts. But you youngsters today? Tsk tsk!”

Franz clicked his tongue at me.

“The moment something goes wrong, you think of killing your opponent first. Do you know how long it takes to raise even one Awakener? Someone shows a little talent and you demand money right away or they abandon it to become Villains. What’s supposed to happen to this world?”
“I’m an Awakened One employed by the Government to catch Villains.”
“But that Killing Intent doesn’t just go toward Villains, does it? Why did you twist my student’s wrist?”
“When you come at me, you should be prepared for that.”
“That’s true, but anyone watching would think you’d done something unforgivable.”

Franz laughed dryly. Laura was nodding vigorously.
When her eyes met mine, she turned her head away again.
Caught red-handed. She clearly understood Korean—I’d have to ask her about the mad dog list.

“So is that all?”
“All? Your Gift is saturated with the stench of Killing Intent. Experience my Gift before you take my advice. You call it Mine, I believe? I call it Blitz.”

With that, Franz extended his hand. When I reflexively grabbed it, his eyebrows twitched.

“What are you doing?”
“Pure reflex.”
“Tch, young people these days have no faith.”

Franz’s Mine tore into me. Ah, a sensation I haven’t felt in a long time. A sharp sting that spread outward, prickling and numb.
As the pain spread wider, I furrowed my brow. It couldn’t deliver any more impact—just scattered away inside me. I couldn’t figure out what was supposed to be different.
I could sense playfulness in Franz’s gaze.

“What do you mean by ‘different’?”
“Same Gift, so of course it’s identical. What else would it be? I’ve tasted it, so it’s only natural you taste it too.”

…This stubborn old codger.
Should I kill him?
Patience runs dry faster than I expected.

“How you develop it depends on the person. You developed yours toward killing efficiently, but I went a different route.”

When Franz extended his hand, the Mine that should have dissipated maintained its form and reached toward me.

“How is it? I could even teach you.”

He looked like someone waving a bone in front of a dog.
I extended my hand as well.

“I’m capable of that much.”
“Huh?”

Franz’s expression went slack. It was the look of ‘That wasn’t it?’
What was so difficult about projecting it from range? It’s just not as efficient in impact.
Did he really think he could impress with something this trivial? When I didn’t react the way he wanted, Franz’s face crumpled at once.

“Boring bastard. Did you always have to one-up me? You think you’re hot shit, don’t you?”

Where the hell did he pick up that kind of talk?
James Reed was the same, and Franz was the same—investigation was becoming urgent.

“So you’ll stay here?”
“Of course. I’ve got plenty to do. Lead the way.”
“Very well.”

We got in the car and headed to Cheong Wa Dae.
On the way, I asked Laura about the Rabid Dog list, but she pretended not to understand and only spoke German. Though it seemed like she could understand what was being said.
Talking with Franz brought back the feeling of the past.
The time when I’d completely crossed the line as a Blood Demon.
Perhaps my impression of it was similar to what Jung Da-hyun felt.
Even with her respected status as an elder assured for her remaining years, she came all this way to a foreign land to kill me, a Villain. I never once disrespect the conviction of someone who burned themselves for justice.

“Oh! This car is quite decent too. But German cars are still the best, I tell you. No German beer?”

…But it seemed he had quite the passion for all things German.
People are alike wherever you go.

* * *

Upon arrival at Cheong Wa Dae, the banquet hall was warm and convivial.
The President and Franz conversed across a wide range of topics—international affairs, diplomatic strategy, Guild operations. They exchanged compliments on each other’s insight, marveling repeatedly.
The President praised Germany for standing tall as the leader of Europe, while Franz praised South Korea’s latent strength.
Just listening to the conversation between them, nationalistic thumbnails seemed ready to pour forth.

“It’s certainly an unusual structure.”
“To prevent Guilds from dominating the world.”

Germany’s Guild maintained a unique arrangement: the government and citizens collectively held fifty-one percent of the shares, a mechanism designed to curb the growth of Guild influence.
Though countless talented Awakeners drained abroad as a result, many returned after experiencing the ravages of nations where government or Guild power ran too deep.
The world was at war with Monsters. Now, on top of that, the existence of Villains—humans among us—was rising to prominence.
Money alone couldn’t buy everything anymore. Where one had grown up, stability, a nation’s capacity for control—these other factors were gaining weight in the calculus.

“Money is not the measure of all things. Protecting the land where you live—that matters most.”
“A striking sentiment.”

During my conversation with Franz and the President, an odd pattern emerged: stories that began with “Back in my day” or “Kids these days” seemed to dominate.
And why did they keep glancing at me?
Surely they weren’t trying to make a point to me. If I’m honest, I’m just as guilty of shaking my head at the youth.

“We’ll ensure your comfort during your stay in Korea. Is there anything you require?”
“Then might I impose upon Choi Jun-ho to show me around?”

That’s when I saw it.
The President’s and Cheon Myeong-guk’s expressions clouded over in an instant.
They didn’t trust me, did they?

“Mr. President.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Do you perhaps distrust me?”

The President’s eyes met mine, and he flinched before clearing his throat awkwardly.

“That’s not it at all. Choi Jun-ho, would you mind?”

If he trusted me, why was there such desperate hope in his eyes that I’d refuse?
He thought trouble followed wherever I went.
I’d prove him wrong.

“I’ll take full responsibility for showing you around Seoul.”
“Much obliged. Uh, ahem!”

The President’s words came out garbled.

* * *

Franz and I traveled together. At some point, Laura had quietly slipped away—she preferred moving alone to staying with the group.
She never did tell me who’d mentioned the rabid dog.
Anyone watching might think she was being petty. I’d just been curious.
In any case, Franz and I set out on our Seoul tour.
Our time in Korea was only four days.
During that stretch, we visited various palaces throughout Seoul and sampled diverse cuisine. He’d devoured Jokbal, then called it a new “Schweinshaxe” and ate like he’d never seen meat before. Why was he even looking for German Beer at a Jokbal restaurant? The restaurant owner was impressive for actually tracking down and serving it.
The next day’s itinerary took us to the Academy, where we paid our respects to Go Myeong-hak. It seemed they’d been active around the same period and knew each other well.
When the Red Snake Kim Young-hwan’s name came up, Franz clicked his tongue.

“A wretch like that deserves to die.”

Strangely, Franz was the one most empathetic about my killing someone after coming back to the past.
While at the Academy, Franz gave a special lecture for the students—the future of South Korea, as it were.
Though he claimed to have retired, the appearance of such a formidable Awakened One in the Tier 10 range set the students’ eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
These same students had looked at me like I was cursed. The discrimination was stark.
Fame really did matter, after all.
On the final day of our Seoul tour, Franz and I enjoyed a Korean Set Meal at an upscale restaurant, then stepped outside for a walk and some fresh air.

“Magnificent. A city that preserves its original form—that speaks to a nation’s living pride. In my day, we had landscapes like this too.”

Franz, born in a small town in Hamburg, Germany, had lost his family and neighbors to a Monster attack, or so he recounted.
He felt helpless in the face of such horror, he said, and that powerlessness became the catalyst that drove him to grow stronger.
They say he acquired Mine by getting struck by lightning and adapting to it. Locals call him Zeus, apparently.
A name that hardly suits him. From what I hear, he’s never even dated a woman.

“I know about South Korea too. A strong nation that rose to the developed world through its talent. Now that Monsters have appeared, wide territory and abundant resources matter less. It’s hardly strange that a talent-rich nation like Korea stands out. What do you think?”
“I have no particular thoughts on it, sir.”
“Kids these days don’t think deeply enough.”

He asked, and I answered—yet he turned petulant about it. Franz turned his head away and spoke again.

“The world I’ve protected all these years, but lately I’m troubled by many things. Desire only grows stronger, and the cause of safeguarding the world withers away. Everyone starts calculating in their heads first. Politicians, entrepreneurs—all scheming how to exploit the formidable power of Awakened Ones like myself. I didn’t spend my whole life protecting the world for this.”
“You regret it, then.”
“I regret it. I thought the world would change in proportion to my sacrifice. But I underestimated human greed. For every sacrifice I make, they consume it and demand more.”
……

This sounds quite different from what I discussed with the President.
Was this what Franz always thought?

“In the end, only fellow Awakeners understand our hardship. Those who don’t know it try to bind us with laws, call us dangerous, point fingers. Even when we risk our lives to hunt, they see we earn much money and tax it away. What came back to us who sacrificed was only cruel treatment.”
……
“Don’t you think it’s unjust? Don’t you think this world is rotten to the core? With your strength, you could overturn this nation.”
“Overturn it for what? It’s just a hassle.”

Franz’s eyes narrowed at me.
It seemed he’d built up quite a bit of stress.
Hadn’t he come to South Korea in the first place to see me—the one who broke his student’s wrist?
Yet until the last day, he took no action against me. So that wasn’t his goal. Which means it connects to how he’d been observing me these past three days.
Combining what he just said, was it something like this?

“So you agree with League Ideology, sir?”
“And if I do?”
“Dementia came early.”

Even a broken machine starts working if you smack it a few times.
Maybe a senile brain works the same way.

—————
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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