The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity - Chapter 96

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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 96

‘Done.’

Yoo Jung-ho wore a satisfied smile beneath his composed exterior.
It had taken far longer than he’d anticipated to reach this point. Though Choi Jun-ho had grown more active in public affairs, seeing him was nearly as impossible as plucking stars from the sky for a National Assembly member.
Even at events, he would avoid contact, and requests for meetings were routinely ignored.
Choi Jun-ho stirred up trouble, yes, but he kept his distance from everyone far more than most.
That’s precisely why Yoo Jung-ho had been so eager. He was certain that if he could secure just one meeting—a single conversation—the rest would unfold swiftly and without resistance.

‘His social skills are lacking. I’ll exploit that weakness directly.’

Yoo Jung-ho’s reason for wanting to meet Choi Jun-ho was straightforward: he had committed himself to the League long ago and was now carefully laying groundwork to seize power in this nation without revealing his hand.
Yoo Jung-ho had devised a scheme to corner Choi Jun-ho into joining the League.
The first stratagem was the Equal Application Law. If everything he did became a crime, he would be unable to remain part of normal society.
He would grow to hate the National Assembly, become disillusioned with the government, and resent the people who refused to protect him, until finally he abandoned this nation altogether.
Once he was a free agent, multiple countries would compete to recruit him—but now that he’d understand those in power saw him as merely a tool, the League would be his only refuge.
Subtle gaslighting to strip away all other choices.
So Yoo Jung-ho had played the role of Opposition Party bridge-builder, lending his support to the bill’s introduction.
But the effort had collapsed the moment he engaged with the media.
Not something else—outright threats, no less.
Though the assemblymen had bristled at Choi Jun-ho’s words, those who had proposed the bill would never actually show up on the ground.
Without active participation from the representatives, the bill’s momentum would naturally die.

‘He’s tougher than expected.’

It hadn’t been obvious on the surface, but Choi Jun-ho’s political acumen proved to be considerable. If he could harness that full capability for the League’s purposes, the world they envisioned would arrive far sooner.
Yoo Jung-ho dreamed of a world ruled by Superhumans.
Once an exceptional Awakened One in his younger years, he had never accepted that someone with a lower Level could be his superior, or that a Non-Awakener could be in command of operations.
Why should he follow orders from someone beneath him?
They had hunted fewer Monsters than he had, faced lower-risk encounters.
What had they proven? By what right did they claim authority?
If that was how the world should naturally be, then the world itself was fundamentally broken.
The countless ‘injustices’ society had defined were, when examined closely, remnants from before Awakened Ones and Monsters ever appeared.
Those in power had refused to amend their systems to protect their vested interests. As a result, a grotesquely distorted world accumulated contradictions with each passing day.

‘Insects.’

Non-Awakeners still believed themselves equal to Awakened Ones.
A completely delusional notion.
It was Superhumans and Awakened Ones who shed blood to maintain society as it stood; Non-Awakeners merely lingered in the background, complaining about trivial incidents.
With no right to do so, at that.
They should simply be grateful for the world Superhumans had created and contribute their labor—nothing more.
If they resented it, they could become Awakened Ones. But they never would.
They needed to understand why Awakened Ones had been chosen, why the rare ability granted to a select few was called a Gift.
A world where treatment was strictly determined by ability.
Wasn’t that the truly righteous path?

‘I am justice.’

When he had first heard rumors of Choi Jun-ho, he hadn’t believed them.
A Superhuman whom even the League’s Three Evils held in cautious regard?
To Yoo Jung-ho, the League’s Three Evils represented absolute good—transcendent beings possessed of absolute power.
The notion that someone who had been a Superhuman for barely a year had risen to their level seemed impossible.

‘But I have to believe it.’

Because it came from none other than Argos himself.
He was the superhuman, the savior who would purify this rotting world.
Since the first scheme had come to nothing, it was time to set the second in motion.

‘I’ll use these three inches of tongue to make Choi Jun-ho have no choice but to join the League.’

Build rapport, feign sympathy, and gradually raise his favorability toward the League, bit by bit.
He would seize supreme power and swallow this nation whole, while Choi Jun-ho became a League member.
The fact that the moves that would change the world one day would be orchestrated by his own hand sent shivers down his spine.
Until the chill of killing intent from the Choi Jun-ho before his eyes turned in his direction.

“That’s curious,” Choi Jun-ho murmured.
“Curious about what, sir?”

Yoo Jung-ho felt himself overwhelmed.
Was this the Aura of a superhuman?
No, it was different.
Choi Jun-ho wasn’t hiding the killing intent he directed at him.
But they’d only just met today.
Why on earth?

“People from the League all have loose tongues, don’t they.”
“…I’m not sure what you’re implying, sir. Surely you’re not suggesting I’m from the League?”
“You are.”
“Nonsense! Can you handle the consequences if those words are false?”

Yoo Jung-ho’s chest lurched, but he raised his voice all the same. He could sense instinctively that backing down now meant the end for him.

‘It’s fine. There’s no evidence.’

He had never once revealed his League origins.
This was just a fishing expedition.

“I can handle it.”
“Do you have evidence? Any evidence at all?”
“When have I ever needed evidence to move against someone.”

Choi Jun-ho was the type who’d actually do it and be left wanting more.
Now I understood why the National Assembly members had been making such a fuss over the Equal Application Law.
A mad dog. Someone you absolutely should never associate with.
Yoo Jung-ho’s eyes darted about. He had to escape this situation one way or another. Then an opening would present itself.
His mind raced frantically as he played his final hand.

“I’m a member of the National Assembly. National Assembly members have Immunity Privilege and Immunity from Arrest. Even if you’re a superhuman, laying hands on me would cause a scandal.”
“So what.”

Crack!

As pain blossomed across his head, Yoo Jung-ho lost consciousness entirely.

* * *

Yoo Jung-ho was someone I happened to remember quite well.
I recall being surprised that a League Spy had hidden his identity and even become a presidential candidate.
Of course, I didn’t remember him just for that—when his true identity as a League Spy came to light, the entire nation was turned upside down, and the noose tightening around me loosened considerably.
I managed to slip away easily enough during that troublesome period.
So from my perspective, it was inevitable that I’d remember Yoo Jung-ho. Though how his identity was exposed, I honestly can’t recall. I didn’t need to know the details anyway. All I needed was to know he was a League Spy.
Since he’d fallen into my hands, I grabbed all his attendants too—they could have been League operatives as well.
I was planning to quietly extract the information he carried in his head, but three hours after I grabbed him, his face started plastered all over the television.

The nation was in an uproar. A junior congressman from the Ruling Party, one known for his polished image, eloquent speech, and extensive networks—a leading contender for the presidency in the not-too-distant future—had vanished.
Was it really worth this much chaos for one congressman to go missing?
I saw no need to spell it out myself, but the truth didn’t take long to surface.
Word had spread that Yoo Jung-ho had met with me.
Both the Ruling Party and the Opposition Party immediately came forward with questions about his whereabouts.
The answer had already been prepared.

—Contact the Head of the Awakener Security Division, Cheon Myeong-guk.

That would buy me some time.
For what it’s worth, I hadn’t informed Cheon Myeong-guk of the truth.
He’d have a rough time of it for a while, but at least I’d have bought myself an opening.
In the meantime, I went to find reinforcements who could help me—bringing Yoo Jung-ho along. It’s a wonderful thing, being able to ask for help when you need it.
Back when I was a Bloodling, there was no one to turn to. I had no choice but to eliminate everyone.
People called me history’s greatest murderer, but it was a matter of necessity.
The moment I showed up, word had apparently reached him, and the tall man exploded into a frenzy.

“You insane bastard! Why’d you bring a bomb here?”
“When I thought about who to ask for advice, you were the only one who came to mind, Chief.”
“Why me? There’s Cheon, there’s Lee Se-hee as team leader—why bring this to me?”

Jung Ju-ho was pale as a ghost, shouting.
I’d brought Yoo Jung-ho here under the custody of the National Defense Front, which Jung Ju-ho led.
He was going to help anyway—might as well quit the theatrics.

“Since it’s already done, help me out.”
“Christ, this is exactly why I didn’t want to be Chief. Why do I have to suffer like this? It’s all that bastard Cheon Myeong-guk’s fault. He recommended me for this just so we’d suffer together. You shithead, fill a toilet bowl with bloody shit······.”

He worries about hair loss, but when he’s stressed he rakes his hands through his hair roughly. At least I don’t see his hands. He’d grabbed a fistful just now.
Jung Ju-ho asked me in a serious tone.

“All right, we’ve made our bed. Is this guy really a League Spy?”
“Yes.”
“How’d you know?”
“My instinct.”
“···So you’re telling me you have no evidence. But you know if he doesn’t confess, there’s no way to prove it, right?”
“I was wondering if we could use Brainwashing.”
“Are you out of your mind? He’s an active congressman! People are already lined up against you as it is!”
“I see.”
“Yeah, you got that right! Damn it!”

He won’t do it, so he says no. Pretty hysterical if you ask me.
But what’s the problem? If he just confesses out loud, it’s all resolved.
I came back from the future with certain knowledge.
Though he might not have joined the League yet. Judging by the way he talks, he seems favorable to them, so maybe I can make Sak Cho Je Geun’s Technique work.
But I can’t tell him I saw the future.
I’m working for this country, yet I can’t make anyone understand. It’s lonely.
Maybe I should’ve just killed him quietly and buried it.
After muttering to myself for a while, Jung Ju-ho spoke in a more measured voice.

“At least bringing him here was smart. It’s somewhere no one around them would think to look.”

But he added that there was a high probability Cheongwadae already knew.
They probably do.
I came using Cheon Myeong-guk as an excuse.
Not long after, Cheon Myeong-guk hurried through the door with urgent steps.

“Choi Jun-ho, Superhuman.”
“You’ve arrived, Director.”

Cheon Myeong-guk was pale as chalk, clutching his stomach. No matter how urgent things were, he’d stopped by the bathroom first. His smartphone buzzed incessantly throughout, but he simply powered it off.

“Is Councilman Yoo Jung-ho really in custody?”
“Yes. He’s here.”

I nudged the sprawled figure with my foot, and Cheon Myeong-guk’s expression hardened.

“···Why, exactly?”
“He’s a League Spy. Ah, he hasn’t confessed to it himself yet.”
“······.”

At my words, Cheon Myeong-guk’s face grew even paler. I half-worried something was about to go wrong.
Sure enough, his next words came laced with anxiety.

“···This is something that requires considerable risk. Can you take responsibility for it?”
“Has anything I’ve claimed up until now turned out to be false?”
“No.”

I may occasionally overreach, but I’ve never acted against someone without cause.
Jung Ju-ho, Cheon Myeong-guk, everyone around me—they all know this.

“There may be other League Spies among those connected to Councilman Yoo Jung-ho.”
“I’ll take immediate action.”
“I’ll lead the way.”

Since I created this mess, I should take the lead in cleaning it up.
Brainwashing would be the straightest path, but I’ll need to ask the President first.

* * *

Among those connected to Councilman Yoo Jung-ho, League Spies did exist.
The aides who revealed their identities in the councilman’s office were all killed, and those who surrendered willingly were arrested.
Choi Jun-ho stood before them. Those who tried to block his path had their limbs broken; the worst cases suffered critical injuries.
Behind Choi Jun-ho, who moved like lightning, Awakener Security Division officers seized everything in Councilman Yoo’s office.

“······!”

Ji Chang-yong, who arrived belatedly, tried to step forward, but the moment his eyes met Choi Jun-ho’s, he found himself powerless to do anything.
This bastard was truly insane. He showed no respect whatsoever for Ji Chang-yong’s status as Ruling Party chairman.
Those representatives who proposed the Equal Application Law had been right.
By any means necessary, they had to get a noose around this man’s neck.
But in this moment, there was nothing Ji Chang-yong could do.
He was a madman who’d used force even inside the National Assembly.
If he resisted strongly now, it felt as though Choi Jun-ho might tear his heart from his chest on the spot.

“I leave the rest to you.”
“Understood.”

As Choi Jun-ho stepped away as though his business were finished, Ji Chang-yong, finally freed from the oppressive weight of his presence, vented his fury at Cheon Myeong-guk.

“Director Cheon. Do you understand what just happened here?”
“I do.”
“You think you can just sit still after this?”
“You must sit still. Otherwise, Chairman, you yourself could become a person of interest.”
“What are you———”
“There’s a suspicion that National Assembly Member Yoo Jung-ho is a League Spy.”
“———!”

Ji Chang-yong, who had been on the verge of an outburst, felt the blood drain from his head.
A sitting National Assembly member was a League Spy? The fallout from this would be catastrophic.
His face drained of color, he found himself struggling to breathe.

“You took action based on mere suspicion?”
“The one who presented this suspicion is Superhuman Choi Jun-ho. Up until now, there has not been a single instance where Superhuman Choi Jun-ho has been wrong about something he’s pointed out.”

They’d acted without evidence.
Normally, he would have screamed his objections.
But if it was true?
A young representative of the Ruling Party, being discussed as a presidential candidate two terms from now, was a League Spy?
The entire party could collapse.

“So please see to it that the other members are properly reassured. Once the investigation concludes, the President will send a message directly.”
“Pass word that he cannot wait long.”
“Understood.”

Cheon Myeong-guk left then. Watching his retreating figure, Ji Chang-yong found himself unable to speak.

* * *

The Yoo Jung-ho matter was resolved surprisingly smoothly once the President became involved.
I didn’t need to use Brainwashing—instead, the President personally recruited competent psychic Awakened Ones and succeeded in revealing that Yoo Jung-ho was indeed a League Spy.

<National Assembly Member Yoo Jung-ho Exposed as League Spy······>
<Office of the President: “Ruling Party Member Yoo Jung-ho Twice-Elected, League Spy.”>
<Party Chairman Ji Chang-yong: “We apologize to the people······”>

A sitting National Assembly member had been a League Spy!
The nation erupted. The news was completely dominated by the revelation of Yoo Jung-ho’s treachery.

“You saved the country. I’m truly grateful.”
“I was simply doing my duty.”

Truth be told, catching Yoo Jung-ho had been almost accidental. If I hadn’t felt that familiarity with the name, if I hadn’t remembered Yoo Jung-ho’s name, I wouldn’t have caught him. And if I’d waited until after he became a presidential candidate, the fallout would have been far messier.

“Still, it’s something to be grateful for. Don’t you think a person like this deserves to be treated with proper respect?”
“Your words alone are sufficient thanks.”
“Words alone? I exercised my veto over the Equal Application Law as well.”
“Yes, I’m grateful for that.”

I’m not sure what he’s getting at.
As I stared blankly, the President let out a small cough.

“Since this was an error on our party’s part, we’ll handle it cleanly. The Equal Application Law will be rescinded, and party members won’t be causing you any more trouble.”
“I’m afraid I’ve simply pushed a burdensome matter onto you.”
“Not at all. This was a moment when a sharp blade was needed.”

What followed was political reasoning. Since power has limits, he said the party had begun to deviate slightly from the President’s vision, and this opportunity would be used to set things back on track.
It made no difference to me.

“Then I’m in your debt.”
“Handle it so no rumors surface.”

Just as I was preparing to leave the Office of the President after finishing my conversation with him, it happened.
Reporters had gotten wind of something from somewhere and surrounded my car. With the news of a sitting National Assembly member being a League Spy now exposed, there was a clamor to hear even a word from me.
At this rate I’m going to hit someone with the car.
I had no choice but to get out.

“Is Congressman Yoo Jung-ho really a League Spy?”
“How did you uncover it?”
“There was no coercion involved in the process, was there?”

When questions poured in like this, answering them one by one meant I’d have to address them all. Better to stick to what I needed to say.

“I became certain Yoo Jung-ho was a League Spy because he tried to sow discontent with the existing system while pretending to persuade me. It was to bring me into the League.”
……

At my words, the reporters swallowed hard.

“Congressman Yoo expressed support for the Equal Application Law. Applying the law equally to Awakened Ones and non-Awakeners without discrimination is good, but we must consider whether the intention is to put a noose around the necks of Awakened Ones and surrender this nation to the League.”

After leaving those words, I got in the car and headed out of Cheongwadae toward Choi Jun-ho’s team office in the Building Next to Shinseong Guild.
I thought everyone had gone home, but Jin Se-jeong was still there. She said she was working late.

“The reporters and the congressmen won’t dare say a word. Wow! You really are amazing, sir.”
“I was fortunate.”
“It was skill. I know that.”

She seemed to be overestimating me.
It was merely the result of coincidence piled upon coincidence.
If I said more, she wouldn’t believe me anyway, so I let it be.

“That last statement especially was excellent. The National Assembly won’t risk passing any bills targeting you now. Any bill that restricts Awakened Ones will invite accusations of being a League Spy. Nobody will take that risk.”
“That is good news.”
“Yes, it is. Because we’re moving with the times, not against them. Oh! Just a moment! Your article just went live.”

Jin Se-jeong asked for my understanding and began typing rapidly at the keyboard.

She let out a sinister laugh.

To any third party, she looked profoundly suspicious.

“What are you doing?”
“Oh! You didn’t know why I was working late. Articles are going up right now revealing that it was you who exposed Yoo Jung-ho’s true identity. I’m leaving malicious comments.”
“Malicious comments?”

Who was she attacking? Yoo Jung-ho? What was the point of insulting him?
But the target of Jin Se-jeong’s malicious comments wasn’t Yoo Jung-ho at all.

“Yes, I’m leaving comments insulting you under the article about you.”

Me? She was attacking me?
What was she saying? Was I hearing this right?
Jin Se-jeong, turning to face me, raised the corners of her mouth into a smile.

“For a superhuman’s fanbase to rally together, there needs to be a common enemy. There are a few haters, but they lack skill, so I’m acting as the villain. Then the fans rush to protect you. Look! The negative votes and rebuttals are pouring in by the thousands. They’re all insults! You have so many fans!”
……

For the first time since I returned from the past, this happened.
I couldn’t lay a hand on someone insulting me right in front of me.

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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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