Ch.86Episode 18. Preparing for Vacation (1)

“I sent a selfie because I thought it would be awkward if I didn’t, but there’s no reply. Now I’m the one who’s embarrassed.”

Speaking of which, I do look handsome. This face.

Still, I should probably learn the right angles for taking selfies. Not that I’ve ever really taken them before.

I looked down at the village where I had been earlier. I was standing on a small hill I’d come across while walking up a country road.

The wind felt refreshing in this open space, though the sun was still scorching hot.

Considering how busy I’d been these past few months, this leisurely pace wasn’t so bad.

Like in novels, where there’s a relaxed interlude after dramatic developments.

Nothing was truly resolved yet, but perhaps this kind of break was necessary.

As I quietly gazed at the numerous fields and country roads stretching into the distance, my phone vibrated.

I thought it might be a message, but surprisingly, it was a call.

The name Sung In-hyuk appeared. The Association Chairman.

“Hello?”

[Mr. Yoo Jin.]

“Yes.”

[…Are you outside right now? It’s quite windy.]

“I’m on a short trip.”

[A trip?]

His voice was full of doubt, but he quickly made a sound of realization, as if he’d figured something out.

[I heard from the Principal. You went to Taean to look after that Special Class student… Yeon Mu-hee.]

Already reported it, huh?

Well, from their perspective, I’m a difficult person to control, so I suppose it makes sense.

[But I wonder how you managed to get that child to follow you. She must have a complicated family background.]

“It’s simple. You just need to be stronger than Yeonhwaryong.”

[…How is that simple? In South Korea… no, in the entire world, those stronger than Yeonhwaryong are rare. Probably fewer than a hundred people.]

That few? The top-class in South Korea must be on another level.

“I can’t even joke with you, Chairman.”

[You were being serious though.]

I gave a bland laugh at his follow-up comment.

[…Anyway, you seem quite fond of the Special Class. That’s not something one does without personal interest. Are you really not involved with those students?]

“I’m not. As I said before, I don’t touch students.”

Though I might use romantic feelings to my advantage.

[So you’ll touch them after graduation then.]

This guy keeps trying to provoke me.

“That’s something I’ll have to think about.”

I never intended to do anything in the first place, but now I’m restricted because of Yoo Ari’s demands.

Would she allow friends with benefits, though? Should I ask her later?

No. She’d probably take it seriously.

[As you know, the government encourages marriages between talented ability users. If you had a child who inherited your lightning ability, wouldn’t that be incredible?]

“…I’ll handle that myself. Why did you call?”

At my words, his voice changed as he got to the point. His deep baritone conveyed a sense of gravity.

[Yes. We’ve tracked down what appears to be Wolgwang’s hideout through CCTV. It seems someone escaped when you cleared out Jeokwol.]

Oh no. Have I been caught?

“Is that so? What’s the location?”

[Near Daebudo in Ansan. I’ve already sent heroes there. I’ll send you the address.]

I checked the address that appeared in the text message as my phone screen lit up.

It would be nice if I could meet him this time.

“Have you obtained any information about the other executives?”

[There was recently a corpse that showed traces of Soleta. He raped and killed a woman in Gwacheon. His DNA was found inside her body.]

Soleta…

That guy’s image is even worse than Gongsangi—a real scumbag. His ability matches his personality too: “Extortion,” which allows him to steal one skill from someone after injecting them with his bodily fluids.

“Are you tracking him?”

[That’s the only trace, so we’re not sure. These executives are too elusive to track with CCTV.]

I suppose so. If it were that simple, we wouldn’t be struggling like this.

I was sighing and trying to figure out what to do next when—

“So here you are, Yoo Jin.”

I turned around at the sudden unfamiliar voice.

There stood a man I’d never seen before. The moment I saw his dull, lifeless eyes, I instinctively felt he was connected to villains.

“I’ll have to hang up for a moment.”

[Excuse me?]

I put my phone in my pocket before even hearing the Chairman’s response. I was still holding Mai.

“Who are you?”

I asked while putting on Mai.

“…Are you Yoo Jin?”

He knows my name. And answering a question with a question is taboo.

“Who are you?”

He’s a young man. Clean skin, looks like he’s never experienced hardship. Plus, he’s wearing a formal suit, which seems out of place in the countryside.

“Are you Yoo Jin?”

“…And if I am?”

“Paris—”

As soon as the executive’s name came out, I reflexively released lightning, grabbed the back of his neck, and forced him to kneel. I looked down at the back of his head as his face hit the ground.

“What is this?”

“You’re hasty. Paris-nim said she wants to talk to you.”

Despite my forceful restraint, there’s no tremor in his voice. This is, could it be…

“I don’t talk with villains. You’ll be the one answering questions.”

“I’ll say it again. Paris-nim says she has something to tell you.”

As a test, I pressed down on his neck as if I might break it, but he didn’t even flinch.

Is this Paris’s “Contradiction” skill?

A mental manipulation ability far superior to “Suggestion” or “Charm.”

As the name suggests, it operates on contradiction.

For example, if the target decides not to follow Paris’s words, they’re forced to do exactly that.

“…Talk? What is there to discuss with a villain?”

I glanced toward the forest. I could sense someone’s presence. Are they trying to pull something on me?

“Killing me would be meaningless. I’m just an ordinary citizen.”

It’s absurd that he calls himself an ordinary citizen.

Doesn’t he know that once you join villains, you’re treated as one, regardless of whether you were forced or not?

“…Where is she?”

“Not here. Please take this call.”

He rummaged through his pocket and took out a phone.

The phone started ringing with perfect timing.

I grabbed the phone after seeing it was from a restricted number.

“What?”

[Your voice is nicer than I expected. You could seduce many women with just your voice—]

“Cut the crap and get to the point.”

[My, how fierce. You know, I really hate people who interrupt me. Could you shut up and listen? Oh, but don’t completely shut up. Your voice is nice.]

It’s a delicate voice. Paris’s profile says she’s a high school student, even younger than the Special Class students, right?

“Why did you call?”

[Isn’t there only one reason to make a phone call? I wanted to talk with Yoo Jin, who’s been the talk of South Korea lately.]

“…Really? I wanted to talk with you too. Good timing.”

[Really?]

“Yes. Tell me where you’re hiding right now. I’ll come and kill you.”

[I haven’t done anything, and you’re being so harsh.]

“Haven’t done anything? Don’t spout such nonsense. How many people have died because of your tongue?”

[…Oh. You seem to know something.]

“Enough. Just tell me your location. Should I kill all your subordinates around me?”

[Don’t be stubborn. There’s no law saying heroes can get away with murder, is there? Besides, these guys are just ordinary citizens, like stones rolling on the street. You can kill them if you want.]

I’m assuming her words are lies, but it’s true that I can’t definitively judge these guys as villains.

But I have no intention of giving up control of the conversation. I don’t like being on the receiving end.

“How about this then? I know your underground lab is somewhere in Gangwon Province. You’re making a pathogen called ‘Comfort’ there to spread in cities, aren’t you?”

[…What are you?]

It was a very subtle disturbance, but I didn’t miss the tremor in her voice. She’s flustered.

“How do you think I know?”

I said with a smirk.

Since Bin Yoon didn’t fall for Akcheon’s favor, I was planning to ask the Chairman to search the area after narrowing it down.

If I revealed information from the novel, I’d naturally face interrogation.

Besides, Gangwon Province has many mountains, so searching the entire area would require a lot of manpower and time.

I wanted to be efficient. Even the Chairman would need a lot of money to use so many personnel.

I was even waiting because I had given Wolgwang options, but it seems I should request a large-scale search now.

“That’s why you needed Bin Yoon, right? To maximize efficiency. You were planning to use mass destruction as leverage against the Association? Oh, or was that the ‘eX’ drug?”

[Who… are you?]

“I’m a hero.”

[Stop bullshitting and answer properly! How did you know?! Don’t tell me… that bastard Wolgwang betrayed us…!]

Good. I’ve completely taken control.

Let me sow discord here. If Wolgwang is hesitating, let’s push another guy’s back. What a perfect opportunity.

“Well…”

I speak ambiguously to amplify her suspicion.

Since Wolgwang might choose me, I shouldn’t be too definitive. This way, I can claim Paris misinterpreted my words.

“What do you think?”

It would be better if she knew about the Jeokwol guy I released, but that wasn’t something I could control.

I can only hope she knows.

[Fuck! That incompetent bastard…]

They’re all villains anyway.

They work together out of necessity, but there’s no trust between them. In fact, Wolgwang’s information is probably vague too.

Still, “incompetent bastard” is a bit much.

“Your plan is going to fall apart now. I’m going to thoroughly destroy it.”

[You fucking bastard!]

“Is cursing all you can do? You sound really ignorant.”

[Fuck! Shut up! I’m going to kidnap everyone around you and kill them…!]

Paris became even more agitated when I spoke with disgust.

The violent curses coming from the phone were so loud I could hear them even with the phone away from my ear. This is why proper upbringing is important.

“What would be faster? You kidnapping and killing people around me? Or me catching you all? I’m curious.”

I laughed once before continuing.

“I hope the day comes when I see your face. When we meet, I’ll tear apart that light blue braided hair of yours.”

[You, you…!]

For some reason, I could imagine Paris turning around in shock on the other end of the phone.

That’s why you should try different hairstyles.

“Don’t catch my eye. That’s a sincere warning. If you meet me, you’ll die.”

With those final words, I ended the call. I looked at the phone with displeasure before throwing it to the ground.

“Phew…”

Despite my bold provocation, I need countermeasures.

I can protect the girls at the Academy, but I can’t protect their families. Especially those living far from Seoul.

Even running at full speed to Taean would take 10-20 minutes.

I should request security from the Chairman. Sorry to ask for so many favors. I’ll give him a couple boxes of herbal medicine later.

“Now then.”

I lifted the head of the guy beneath me and knocked him out with a blow to the chin. I controlled my strength, of course.

“You bastards hiding over there, come out now. If you don’t, I’m coming for you.”

They slowly crawled out at my words.

“You’re getting a knock on the head for the crime of being used by villains. Understood?”

It’s going to hurt a bit. Enough to leave a bump.

Don’t blame me if you wake up in a holding cell, okay?