Ch.44Chapter 2. Villains Have No Rights (3)

At that moment, on the top floor of a building in Busan, in the Haeguneul Group chairman’s office.

“What do you mean Goblin’s patent application failed?!”

The short, bald old man shouted furiously.

At his outburst, the men in suits—the directors—all bowed their heads, looking at only one person.

“Director Kim! You explain it! You’re in charge of this project!”

“…We verified all domestic patents. We reviewed records 24 hours a day from 2000 to 2025, and checked all earlier materials as well.”

“Then why did the Patent Office reject it as plagiarism?!”

“…There were Goblin-related materials overseas, in America.”

Director Kim operated his Taeguk Watch while sweating nervously, and soon a report in English appeared on the screen hanging on the chairman’s office wall.

“As you can see, an American company submitted the following hero costume design. That was at the end of 2024, about four months ago, around Christmas.”

“So America filed that design first?”

“Yes. Our Haeguneul branch in the US is checking whether this company has close ties with Goblin, but that seems unlikely because… they’ve registered about 30 designs similar to Goblin’s second form, ‘Doji Rider,’ as patents.”

“And one of them was identical to Goblin’s?”

“Not identical, but very similar. In my personal opinion, it looks like they saw Goblin’s design and made appropriate modifications, but…”

“Damn it!”

The Haeguneul chairman collapsed into his chair, cursing.

“Cancel all Goblin-related product plans! Figures, stickers, action figures, everything!”

“But, the prototype for the plastic model has already been made…”

“Get rid of it! What’s the point of selling it without a patent? Even we can’t sell something without proper authorization!!”

They couldn’t make and sell products based on villain materials.

If they did, they’d be criticized for having connections to villain organizations.

Or if the villain committed a serious crime—like murder—all products based on that villain’s concept would become worthless.

That’s why they tried to secure patent rights first through methods like the Haeguneul Rider, but that plan had failed from the start.

“Damn it, what are Hwansung, Selji, and Daeyu doing?!”

“They’re slower than us, but they’re also gathering materials to prepare patent applications. Hwansung submitted their patent review just the day before yesterday.”

“They should get rejected too. If we didn’t pass, they certainly shouldn’t either. Damn it, it’s not like this country is full of Goblin fanatics in key positions, so how did they check patent records from foreign countries? Damn it.”

The chairman gnashed his teeth, clutching the side of his head.

“Find out who those patent examiners are. I need to know why they rejected the patent. Those people who give free passes to foreign heroes and villains, why are they so sensitive about Goblin? Director Kim, you’re responsible for finding out!!”

“Yes, yes! I’ll definitely get the list of those responsible and find out why they rejected the patent! Whether it’s simply because of similarity to overseas patents, or if there’s some connection to Goblin!”

“Good! Make sure you find out!”

“Chairman, what should we do about that kid?”

“Kid? Ah, you mean that fool who’s getting cocky because of his ability?”

The chairman operated his Taeguk Watch and played a video.

In the center of the live footage was a hesitant boy, Yuk Gi-bong.

“He needs to learn how harsh reality is. Cut him off.”

There wasn’t a trace of mercy in the chairman’s eyes.

“Talking about ‘Gibong Rider’ and such nonsense. Tsk.”

“Chairman, if he goes berserk…”

“That’s Sejong Island, isn’t it? We’re in Busan. Ah, if he goes berserk and becomes a ‘real’ villain, that’s good for us. The heroes will take care of him.”

A moment later.

“Or maybe the real Goblin will come out and handle it.”

In the video, Yuk Gi-bong began to “go berserk.”

* * *

I had already anticipated that Goblin copycats would appear.

Why did I anticipate it? Because from the moment I first appeared and gained popularity, my default appearance was plagiarized.

Black suit.

Goblin mask.

Hat like a British gentleman.

Golden eyes glowing inside.

It was just the image of a strange being in an ordinary suit, but people stole it freely and created designs like “Hero Goblin” or “Wild Hair Goblin.”

Even a famous men’s suit brand overseas parodied me for their advertising concept.

Of course, I didn’t receive a single penny in advertising fees, licensing, or modeling costs.

After transforming into Doji Rider.

I consulted with the Chairman about this matter once, and after examining my various appearances, the Chairman submitted those designs for international patents.

-A day is enough. No, a day is too long. I’ll handle it within an hour.

-Is that possible?

-It’s me we’re talking about.

You might ask, isn’t it impossible legally since The Syndicate is a villain organization?

That’s why we brought in a wealthy person whom others couldn’t easily challenge, like Haeguneul, and filed patent applications.

-Thank you, Chairman. Our Fahrenheit family will not forget your support.

Just as Haeguneul had inserted Goblin’s design among various other designs, we also partnered with a powerful American family and submitted villain designs.

People in Korea probably wouldn’t know.

That the design people call “Doji Rider” had already been patented in America.

Haeguneul must feel like they’ve been blindsided.

When they learn that their patent application was rejected because Goblin’s design was already registered in America, Haeguneul and all the other villains in Korea will have no choice but to think:

-Could Goblin be American?

In reality, I’m a native Korean who can’t even speak English, but those trying to steal my design have fallen into the Chairman’s trap and failed to achieve what they wanted.

In other words.

‘Unfortunately, something like Gibong Rider cannot exist in this world.’

The patent failed.

Both Yuk Gi-bong’s delusion of sucking money using Goblin’s design and Haeguneul’s ambition to tempt an immature high school student with fame and money to rake in cash have ended.

The problem is.

“This can’t be happening…! I’ve been abandoned? Ugh, these bastards…!! No, I’m a Rider! I should be the ‘first’ Rider…!!”

They clearly made the mistake, but they refuse to acknowledge it and are going berserk on their own terms.

“Arghhhh!!”

Massive mana began to burst from Yuk Gi-bong’s body.

The mana created wind that pushed away people nearby.

Crash!

“Kyaaah!!”

The wind pressure created by the mana shattered windows and knocked people down.

“Casualties reported! Designating Yuk Gi-bong as the villain ‘Doppelgänger’ from now on!”

As the police officer shouted into the radio, villain alerts began to sound on everyone’s Taeguk Watches.

It’s ridiculous that they only designate Yuk Gi-bong as a villain after clear human casualties occur, but the police officer’s words aren’t wrong.

Click.

I covered my Taeguk Watch with my hand to turn off the villain alert.

Meanwhile, Yuk Gi-bong, or rather Doppelgänger, began to transform gradually.

[I, I should be the first Rider…! I should be the original Rider…!]

He started to go berserk.

He began to be corrupted by madness.

Not forcibly corrupted by alien mana from beneath Sejong Island, but trying to vent his anger at not getting what he wanted into destructive urges.

“Everyone, evacuate!!”

I gave instructions to people according to protocol.

For a moment, Yoon Yi-seon turned her head toward me, and I nodded firmly at her before running back with the others.

A clear rampage by an ability user.

Until just now, faculty members and non-ability users had to provide on-site support, but in a situation where an ability user is clearly going berserk, even faculty members are just powerless.

“Get a hold of yourself, Junior Yuk Gi-bong!!”

“Chairman! It’s too late! That guy is already a villain! He was destined to be a villain from the beginning!”

“We have to persuade him somehow! It’s not too late! If we can persuade him before he becomes a villain, a demon…”

[Hahahahaha!!]

Too late.

Before the hero could persuade him, Yuk Gi-bong had already become not “Gibong Rider” but “Gibong Monster.”

[The world is against me! I’m the real Rider! I’m the first! In that case, I’ll attack the Patent Office!!]

Or Demon Gi-bong.

‘He’s too insane to reason with. No, he’s already trapped in his own world where common sense doesn’t apply.’

Sadly, he has been consumed by madness.

‘The surrounding situation is sufficient.’

I am.

A stranger.

Not a person of this world.

No one knows me.

The moment I thought that, it felt as if the world stopped.

In the silence of the world, neither those fleeing nor those confused notice me.

As if I never existed here.

I immediately went into an alley where there were no people, where there were no CCTV cameras.

A place where no one is watching.

I quickly took off my clothes first, planning to retrieve them after transforming—

[Arghhhhhh!!]

The roar of the rampaging Yuk Gi-bong.

He sent sound waves in all directions, causing a utility pole to break at the waist and start falling.

“Danger!!”

I could see it.

Yoon Yi-seon, emitting magical power like a tail behind her, running toward a child under the utility pole.

[I am the true Rider!!!]

Whoosh.

She tried to escape with the child in her arms, but a blast of magical power from behind caused red blood to splash from her ankle.

“!!”

Yoon Yi-seon stopped in her tracks.

Pushing the child she was holding forward, she fell face-first.

The utility pole was falling toward Yoon Yi-seon’s head—

CRASH!!

Somehow.

My body had already moved past Yoon Yi-seon.

I kicked away the utility pole that was falling toward her, and appeared in the plaza wearing my usual black suit and mask.

“Who are you…?”

[I am.]

After lightly tapping my mask with my finger, I took out my club.

[Just a passing scholar, Goblin.]