Ch.7Chapter 1. Living as a Villain (2)

At that moment, at the Korean Hero Association’s Busan District Headquarters.

“Ms. Baek Seol-hee. Is your report complete?”

“Yes.”

S-class hero “Snow White” Baek Seol-hee faced the people before her with a tense expression.

A space without a single point of light.

The only illumination came from electronic devices and reflections from the screen mounted on the wall.

This place, which created an atmosphere even more oppressive than an interrogation room, was designed to extract information from Baek Seol-hee and to “inject” information into her.

“I understand. Then I’ll state this clearly once more.”

Beep.

As the man in the suit operated the remote control, a video began to play.

-I tried to stop the villain executioner, Goblin. But he used a time-delayed attack to make Jung Gong-in’s head explode… *sigh* It’s my fault for failing to stop him. I’m sorry.

“This is what will be reported that you said.”

“……”

Baek Seol-hee had never said such things.

Yet who was this person with her face saying these words?

It was a deepfake.

“You can either say it yourself, or we can use this footage. We’ll take care of the rest, so don’t worry.”

“What about Jung Gong-in’s family?”

At Baek Seol-hee’s question, the agents exchanged glances.

“Just this morning, they were holding a one-person protest saying ‘Snow White failed to stop Goblin, it wasn’t Goblin who killed my son but Snow White.'”

“We’ll… handle that appropriately.”

“Are you going to kill them?”

“Kill them? What an inappropriate suggestion. We’ll demonstrate smart and righteous action. Persuasion, and more persuasion. Heh heh.”

At the agent’s words, all kinds of thoughts raced through Baek Seol-hee’s mind, but she simply closed her eyes in response.

Absurd and unreasonable as it was, as long as she remained a hero of this country, she had no choice.

Unless she left this country or turned against it.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Baek Seol-hee. We truly appreciate your dedication to the nation despite being on vacation. Not only our director but many patriots are moved by your actions.”

“You’re telling me to leave, right?”

“…We’ve said all we needed to say. From here, the conversation would get ‘deeper,’ and you’re welcome to listen. However.”

The agent fiddled with his sunglasses and smirked.

“Once you step in, you’ll need to ‘cooperate’ more actively than you are now, Ms. Baek Seol-hee.”

“…I understand.”

“I’ll escort you out.”

Baek Seol-hee maintained a facade of composure as she exited.

Following the agent’s guidance along a lengthy path, she emerged into the lobby of an ordinary hotel in Busan.

“I’ll escort you to your room first. There are people gathered around your residence right now, and it will take some time to deal with them.”

“Those people are…”

“Reporters. They want to know what you discussed with Goblin. Just gossip. Unpleasant people. Tsk. Trying to link Korea’s top hero with a murderous villain.”

“……”

Link them.

Was this a framework of good versus evil, or man versus woman?

“You don’t need to listen to the nonsense of those who only care about racking up views. What matters is that you’re a patriot serving this country. That’s all.”

“…I need some rest.”

Baek Seol-hee pressed her throbbing forehead with her hand.

“I’ll guide you to your room right away.”

“No. I don’t mean that kind of rest. I mean I want to take a longer break.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Ding.

The elevator stopped.

Baek Seol-hee stepped out with a hardened expression and took out her smartphone.

“That offer you made three months ago, I’ll consider it positively.”

“Three months ago… could it be?”

“Yes.”

Baek Seol-hee pulled up an email with a tired face.

“Sejong Academy’s practical combat instructor for superpowered individuals… I’m not sure if I should call it a professor position, but anyway, I accept.”

“Thank you, Ms. Baek Seol-hee! Your brave decision will greatly contribute to this country’s peace!”

The agent closed the elevator door with great joy and descended.

Having an S-class powered individual as a practical instructor at Sejong Academy means more than just training students.

It means having another S-class individual who can protect the Academy.

That place is the most important location in South Korea, and indeed the entire world.

It holds greater strategic value than nuclear power plants or the presidential office.

Why else would they name it after “Sejong” Island?

Originally, it was a landmass that didn’t even exist, but when a meteor fell from the sky into the East Sea, an island was formed.

South Korea immediately designated the island as national territory and defended it against all external pressures with all its might.

Even now, as a strategic location coveted by numerous foreign entities, Korea’s position is to want as many powered individuals as possible residing on Sejong Island.

“…Haah.”

Baek Seol-hee entered the hotel room and buried her face in the bed.

Though she had expressed it as taking a break, in reality, she was returning to an even more intense battlefield.

She might not be facing villains on the mainland, but there’s no telling when strange villains might appear.

Above all, it’s a hero training facility for “kid students” intoxicated with their powers.

Being S-class, she shouldn’t have major problems, but excessive attention directed at her could certainly cause discord.

Still.

At least she wouldn’t have to witness someone’s head exploding, like in the Red Scarf incident.

“Goblin…”

Baek Seol-hee covered her face with her hands.

No footage remains, and even the remaining videos are being deleted or manipulated except for the top-secret footage kept by the government, but the memory remains clear in her mind.

The moment the gunshot rang out.

Goblin immediately turned and stretched his hand to the side.

The notion that it was an instinctive action to “protect” her was probably Baek Seol-hee’s clear misunderstanding.

But.

What if he had genuinely tried to protect her?

“…Hmph.”

Baek Seol-hee frowned while hugging her pillow tightly.

“I’ll definitely ask him later. What he was thinking when he did that… Ah.”

Baek Seol-hee remembered.

“The motorcycle.”

She needed to pay him back.

The problem was that Baek Seol-hee was now in a situation similar to being under probation.

“…I’m in debt now.”

* * *

“New motorcycle!”

I sprinkled soju around the newly delivered motorcycle.

“Please let me ride safely without any accidents this time.”

Though some say performing such rituals is superstitious, it’s still better than not doing it at all.

‘I won’t lend it to others anymore.’

Snow White took off with my motorcycle.

Of course, Snow White is probably trying to compensate me for the motorcycle.

She’s not the type of woman who would just keep quiet and pretend nothing happened.

It’s just that right now, she can’t come to Seoul because of the attention from those around her.

She doesn’t have my contact information, and to find me, she’d have to come to Seoul.

However.

If I happen to be around where she is, there’s a possibility she might recognize me and compensate me.

‘Since she’s unlikely to come to Seoul, I came to Busan.’

Squawk, squawk.

White seagulls flew in flocks across the sky of Busan’s Haeundae.

Being adjacent to the sea, the ocean scent was strong, but the city’s atmosphere was large and majestic enough to overwhelm Seoul.

The real Seoul is in Busan.

The real Busan is in Seoul.

In this world, Seoul’s development stopped after the 2000s, while Busan became the new capital and rapidly developed.

Just look at that 123-story skyscraper right in front of me.

‘To think that Lotte Tower would be in Busan in this world.’

It feels strange to see that famous Seoul skyscraper proudly standing in Busan’s Haeundae.

Moreover.

‘Driving here isn’t a nightmare.’

Receiving my motorcycle in Busan and riding it around, I find the system here incomparably better organized than the real Busan.

-Do you know how terrible Busan’s roads are?! It would take years to redevelop these roads!

-Even if it takes years, do it! How can we grow into a world-class city with roads like this?

-But!

-If you don’t like it, I’m going to Gyeongju!!

-That’s a redevelopment-prohibited area!

-Even if cultural heritage sites are destroyed, if it means South Korea surpassing the US as a world power, our ancestors would understand! Choose! Redevelop Busan or should I go to Gyeongju?

-We’ll complete all urban redevelopment projects within one month!

To transform into a global city, Busan underwent a year-long redevelopment project, allowing this world’s Busan to grow to the level of a 2020s new city in reality.

The cost of living too.

“Excuse me. I’m looking for a studio apartment.”

“Hello?”

There’s no Busan dialect here.

This is the capital, and many people have moved down from Seoul.

“You came from Seoul? Wow, you’ve come a long way. What area are you looking to rent in?”

“The safest place around here. About a 10-pyeong studio? A mini two-room would be fine too.”

“Ah, this place would be good for that.”

The real estate agent pointed to a notice with a bright smile.

“200 million won deposit with 1.3 million won monthly rent.”