episode_0032

Friend (5)

“You damn son of a gun! You killed again!!”

(Bang!)

Inside the police station, a detective shouted as he kicked a trash can.

“What’s up?”

“Mad Hatter! This crazy guy killed another villain.”

“…How many times is this?”

“Isn’t it around 30 people?”

“It’s 28.”

“Twenty-eight, seriously, this guy is insane.”

“Was there anything new?”

“Just the same. Silk hat.”

“No letters or anything like that?”

“No.”

“…What’s going on?”

“But why would this guy rob a bank when he keeps saying he hates it?”

“…I don’t know?”

“Is it really because of money?”

“I doubt it. Mad Hatter may be crazy, but he’s not someone who goes crazy over money.”

“Achoo!”

“Cold?”

When Arthur coughed, Jim asked, “Is it because of the change of seasons?”

“But why isn’t Seohyun joining us for this activity?”

“What do you mean?”

“The villain activity, why are we doing it just the two of us?”

“Seohyun only joins if it’s a necessary activity.”

“…Worried?”

At the mention of worry, Arthur stopped writing and looked at Jim.

“Me? About Seohyun?”

“Well, slip of the tongue…”

Jim waved his hand.

“Roughly… I mean… guilt?”

“Guilt?”

“Yeah, it’s been years since I’ve seen her, and now she’s asking for help with villain activities. Villain activities. She’s already been through a lot fighting monsters in the colony.”

“Right. But wait, what about Hector?”

“…He’s an exception.”

“Haha! They get along well. How long have they known each other?”

“Their fathers were close.”

“Really? Well, most kids from influential families end up that way.”

[Note: “불알친구” is standard language. (The author was also surprised to find out)]

“But what did her father do?”

…”

At Jim’s question, Arthur froze in place.

“Arthur?”

“…He just ran a business.”

“Hmm.”

Sensing something, Jim didn’t ask any further.

“It seems like villain activities in the surrounding areas have decreased lately.”

“Given that you and I have been around, it’s natural.”

“Alright!”

Finishing the task, Arthur stretched.

“Shall we head down to the casino?”

“Sure, any bonuses?”

“Haha. Of course.”

With that, Arthur and Jim, who received chips as a bonus, headed to the casino.

“Raise 200!”

“I fold.”

Before he knew it, Jim was sitting at a Texas Hold’em table, enjoying the game.

“Hmm…”

Arthur was playing blackjack.

“Oh~~~!!!”

“Wow!!!”

At the enthusiastic sound coming from somewhere, Arthur turned his head.

“What’s that?”

“Oh? Boss.”

Hashimoto, who had been with the security guards, greeted Arthur, who was playing the game.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, someone is winning a lot of money.”

(…)

The crowd gathered around the table as the roulette wheel spun.

(…)

[32]

“Oh!! I hit it again!!”

Chips were piled up in the space marked 32 on the table.

“Hahaha! My luck is incredible!”

The protagonist, an elderly man who received a huge amount of chips, laughed and said.

“Now, let’s see~~~~~”

When it was time to bet again, the man looked around.

“Alright, number 17!”

(Swish)

And he stacked all his chips in one place.

“I, I will too!”

(Shuffle!!)

As the old man placed his bet, everyone around him began betting on that spot.

“No more bets”

(…)

As the dealer announced the end of betting, the speed of the roulette wheel slowed down.

(…)

[17]

“Oh!!!!”

“That’s right!!!!”

(…)

Arthur quietly watched this strange situation.

“How should we call them separately?”

Hashimoto, who approached Arthur, whispered softly.

“Forget it.”

“Huh?”

“Calling them will only cause us trouble.”

“Hahaha!!”

Arthur watched the old man’s hearty laughter and appearance.

(…)

It’s the first time seeing this old man, but it’s not the first time meeting him. I know. Well, it’s more like I found out and it’s true.

That person is Mr. Verloon.

“Now, where should I place my bet~”

Clearly a different attire, whether using or not using perception-inhibiting magic, it was a costume that sufficiently concealed his identity. His voice was different, and part of his face was not visible.

But I naturally found out. Just like figuring out the true identity of Snow Flower without the perception-inhibiting magic.

“Is there something?”

It seems like there’s something that can penetrate my perception-inhibiting magic.

So, how did you deal with the A-class villain Mr. Berrun, who was unscathed even when fighting against Snow Flower?

“If you keep going like this, it seems like you’ll sweep all the money.”

“Number 1!”

Not an old man, Mr. Berrun bet on number 1, and other people flocked to place their bets there.

“I bet on number 1!”

“Me too! Me too!”

Now that the space for number 1 was full, chips started to overflow to the other side of number 1.

“…”

(Drrrrrr!)

“……”

“……”

People watched the slowly rolling ball.

(Took)

[22]

“!!!”

“!!!”

“Oh my”

The ball fell onto a number that seemed completely unrelated to the number Mr. Berrun had bet on.

“Haha, it seems luck only goes so far.”

Mr. Berrun laughed and left the place.

“…Bring his identification.”

“Yes”

It’s a bad situation, but not as bad as it seems. To enter this legal casino, ID verification is mandatory. Even if the ID Mr. Berrun used to enter the casino is a fake ID, the path through which he obtained that ID can be traced, and if it’s a real ID, it’s very valuable information.

“I will exchange it.”

Mr. Berrun, who had been continuously betting all the chips he had at roulette, exchanged the chips he deliberately left without betting in the last bet.

(Swish, swish, swish)

Security guards approached Mr. Berrun.

“What’s going on?”

“The boss wants to see you.”

“Hmm, okay.”

Mr. Berrun followed the security guards.

(Ding!)

“Please step in.”

The security guard sent only Mr. Berrun into the elevator.

(Blink! Blink! Thud!)

As the elevator went up, the lights flickered and then went out.

“…”

(Zap, clatter!)

When the lights came back on, Mr. Berrun could see a mad hatter leaning against the corner of the elevator.

(Ting, ting, ting, ting)

“The casino owner must have been terrified.”

Arthur said while doing a coin roll with his fingers.

“How did you know it was me?”

“How would I not know who you are?”

“…”

In response to Arthur’s words, Mr. Berrun looked at Arthur with an incredulous expression.

“Haha, I’m joking. Of course, I know, Mr. Berrun.”

“Hmm, the more I see you, the more fascinating you become.”

“To a magician, that’s the highest praise.”

“The boss here used to be a magician. Do you feel a sense of camaraderie?”

“Haha, yes. Of course, my magic skills are a bit more outstanding.”

(Swish)

Arthur created a fan out of playing cards from his empty hand.

(Swish, thud, whoosh)

Then he folded the fan, and when he opened his hand again, there was nothing in it.

“It would have been okay if you had lived as a magician instead of a villain.”

“Haha, I find tea parties with heroes more enjoyable than magic performances.”

“Hehe! That sounds like something a villain would say.”

(Thud!)

As the elevator door opened, Arthur escorted Mr. Villain into the meeting room.

“You seem to know the area well.”

Mr. Villain asked as he watched Arthur smoothly guide him from the casino to the meeting room.

“I’ve been here a few times.”

(Swish)

“Here’s your tea. Would you like to drink it? Or are you going to refuse again this time?”

“I’ll drink it this time since I have a mouth.”

(Sip)

Smiling, Arthur handed the tea to Mr. Villain.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Rather than that, isn’t it the boss who called me here?”

“Haha, Mr. Villain happened to come here, so he asked to meet separately.”

“…He’s trailing me.”

No, I’m not. It’s just an excuse.

“Well, anyway, it’s good. There’s something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Some villains in the Villains Union are a little uncomfortable with your actions.”

“Oh?”

“You’re killing only villains. Especially cutting down Bloodvessel this time. Even though he’s not powerful, he’s still A-class.”

“Hmm.”

“Now you’re also a member of the Villains Union, so please be careful… that’s the request.”

“So, what does Mr. Villain think?”

“As long as it’s not during the Villains Union meeting period, it doesn’t matter who you kill, or rather, quite a few villains will think that way. If you don’t kill a villain just because they’re a fellow villain, then what kind of villain are you?”

“Haha, that’s a relief. If killing fellow villains was prohibited, I wouldn’t have thought of joining the Villains Union.”

“Is that so? That’s strange.”

“My character is naturally rare.”

“Well, now that my story is over…”

(Swish)

“Are you leaving already?”

“Well, I have your number anyway.”

With that, Mr. Villain left the room.

“…What kind of place is the Villains Union?”

Is it really a gathering of villains as Mr. Verloon said?

Or is it an organization for world domination?

Just an organization that wants to confuse the world?

“There’s no harm in going in, right?”

Because you can gain information or alliances.

…

…

…

…

…

…

“Today, we have finally been able to establish a 24-hour security system for the hero in Zone F. This is an achievement made through the cooperation of citizens and heroes, and finally lays the foundation for a safe world in Zone F…”

“……”

In the midst of such a gathering of dignitaries, Arthur was nodding off.

(Tuk)

“Ahem, is it over?”

When Anderson sitting next to him nudged Arthur, who had woken up, he looked around and said,

“Not yet.”

“Hmm.”

I attended the speech where the mayor of Zone F boasted about having many heroes in his area. The reason is simple. It’s to make connections with the mayor.

The people here are council members, corporate leaders, conglomerates, etc., who have a say in Zone F. The more power you have, the better, and life becomes easier when you know and get along with those who have such power.

I was able to attend this event with an invitation from council members who give very generous “sponsorship” funds.

(Susssuk)

As the boring speech continued, shadows scattered throughout the speech venue began to move.

“…Ohh”

Arthur, seeing their movements, began to feel interested.

(Aaahh!!)

The shadows began to move faster and eventually surrounded the mayor.

“What’s this!! Ugh! Ugh!”

The mayor tried to push away the shadows enveloping him, but in an instant, he was wrapped in the shadows and began to disappear underground.

(Sseug)

Meanwhile, a figure began to rise from the podium where the mayor had stood.

“Behold, the appearance of the villain, Eodukshini!!”

A man dressed in black hanbok, Eodukshini, revealed himself.

“Well, now it’s going to be fun.”

Looking at Eodukshini, Arthur laughed and said.