Chapter 28: Role Play

Ep 5.5. Roleplay

“Darkness…”

The girl who turned off the lights of the world faded into the distance.
The man who had been hiding behind a tree suddenly reached out his hand.

The hand reached toward the girl and the boy hanging beneath her.

The surrounding darkness gathered toward the man’s hand.

The writhing darkness trembled as if it was about to be released.

“…”

The man, who had remained still, lowered his hand after a moment.

“Can I use it?”

Turning his body, he left the school.

‘By the way, were there more chaos manipulators?’

How could there be four beings who handle such an unnatural power?

Some might say that number is small compared to the tens of thousands of power users, but that is a misunderstanding.

According to logic, chaos manipulators should not exist at all.

“Troublesome.”

It felt like just yesterday when he had been struggling, declaring that he would wipe out the Villain Association.
What reaction would he show when he hears this report?

“I’ll need to be promoted this time.”

With a glance toward the direction the girl flew off, the man disappeared.

---

“I can’t do it.”

Gwanghui rolled on the floor.
Flailing his arms and legs, he squeezed his eyes shut and tightened his neck.

“I can’t do it!”
“…”

Serena, Owen, and I stood in stunned silence, watching the spectacle.
Did Gwanghui really think this would work? He raised his voice once again.

“I won’t do it even if a knife is thrust into my neck, so you should know that!”

Owen, holding his aching head, rubbed his forehead.

“Fine, just shut up already.”

Hearing the curse, Gwanghui’s expression was one of shock.
It was as though he’d never heard such harsh words before—his large eyes filled with astonishment and fear.

“I’ve never even heard my dad speak like that…”

—Thank you. Your younger sibling will like it. May blessings follow Rani’s path.

…When I saw her at the Association, she had an image of a kind and dependable saint.
To think she had such a side hidden behind the mask. I didn’t particularly want to know this.

Still stunned by the shattered illusion, I stood motionless when Serena quietly approached.
She knelt down slightly, leaned close to my ear, and whispered.

“Why don’t you just say it?”

She meant that I should reveal that I am Iran.
Only Owen and Serena knew the truth.

It had been quite a struggle to prove it.
Especially Owen, who had suddenly attacked me with everything he had, making the whole ordeal far more troublesome than I had expected.

I snapped out of my thoughts and replied, blinking at Serena, who was staring at me expectantly.

“I can’t do that.”

Serena didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t press further, trusting my decision.

…I never imagined that I would continue to have such a connection with this child.

—It must have been hard, right? Rest and eat this!

The sweet potato bread she gave me back then still lingered in my memory.
Occasionally, I jokingly offer Serena bread, and she still flusters, calling it the most embarrassing moment of her life.

I could have let it go without explaining, but I decided to answer anyway.

“Gwanghui being freed from the shackles can’t reveal the truth to Reminis.”
“Huh? Weren’t you planning to reveal it eventually?”

I had told her that once Reminis proved they could stand without me, I would reveal my true identity.

That thought hasn’t changed.

However…

“We are in the heart of enemy territory right now.”
“…”

“Anything could happen at any moment.”

If I happen to die before Reminis awakens?
In that case, my true identity would have to be taken to the grave with me.

Reminis will try to follow me.

“If you’re not going to kill Gwanghui, you can’t reveal it.”
“…I see. Thanks for explaining.”

Honestly, killing Gwanghui would solve the issue.
I could easily manipulate him into resurrecting my body, then dispose of him when he’s no longer useful.

That’s the villain’s way.

I’m considering that possibility… but…

‘That’s a last resort.’

At that moment, Serena looked at Gwanghui and let out a baffled laugh.
Had she secretly overheard the conversation using her body enhancement? She was gasping for breath, terrified as though she were about to die.

“I’ll… die… even if…”

Her voice and tone were like a samurai preparing for seppuku, but her eyes were filled with tears.

‘…How do I kill her?’

She’s doing this for me, too.

Persuading her with words would be the best option.

Letting out a sigh, I knelt in front of Gwanghui.

“Gwanghui. It might sound like a lie, but we don’t plan to use that body for anything strange.”
“…Then what’s the purpose?”
“As per the request, we only wish to resurrect that girl.”

Gwanghui gritted his teeth.

“It’s impossible, impossible. If that were possible…”
“It is possible.”

According to Yu Hyesun’s speculation, it should be possible.

“….”

Gwanghui suddenly twitched his eyebrows. Then, he began to scrutinize my expression, studying me with an unsettling focus.

“What’s your relationship with that girl?”

I couldn’t answer with “myself,” so I remained silent.

Accepting my silence as an answer, Gwanghui’s eyes widened, as though he had realized something.

“Why have you been preserving that body so carefully? Why are you so desperate to resurrect Rani?”

Because it’s my body.

“If you’re trying to say you’re missing something, you already have the same talent, don’t you?”
“….”
“And the hostage situation targeting Reminis… Does it not look like you’re trying to give her a reason to live, to help her get out of despair? Why, after summoning Reminis, didn’t you lay a finger on her?”

Because she’s my sister.

Suddenly, Gwanghui assumed an unexpectedly serious tone.

“Let me ask you something.”
“…Go ahead.”

I suppose heroes, revered as saints, never lose their sharp intuition.

He had managed to deduce this much from the situation.

I swallowed nervously and racked my brain.

What should I say to explain…?

“To you, what is Iran?”

Not “Isn’t it Iran?” but “What is Iran?”

Thank goodness, he hasn’t figured out my true identity.
It’s unlikely he would think I was resurrected in a new body.

I might be able to use this.
I replied with sincerity in my voice.

“All of me.”

Gwanghui inhaled sharply.

“I will definitely resurrect her.”
“….”

Gwanghui’s pupils shook violently.
His small hands tightly grasped something, and slowly, his eyelids fluttered down.

“You said there’s a method?”
“Yes. There is.”
“…Honestly, I know it’s impossible.”

Her eyes suddenly gleamed with resolve as she declared.

“I’ll help.”
“…Thank you.”

I quietly let out a sigh of relief when Gwanghui unexpectedly made a request.

“Then, please release me.”
“…? That’s impossible.”
“Then, resurrection is impossible, too.”
“….”

Thinking it might be a threat, I stared at her intently. She began to explain in a calm voice.

“I also need several materials for the resurrection. Fortunately, I’ve gathered some at home, so I’ll go get them.”
“….”
“Don’t worry. I won’t report you. I promise on my name.”

[The Innocent Woman]

Secretly agreeing with Yu Hyesun’s words, I fell into deep thought.

In truth, if it’s just about the materials, I could go get them myself.

It would take time if the materials are difficult to find, but isn’t it a more reasonable choice than releasing a top-tier hero?

I glanced at Gwanghui.

Her eyes were shining brightly, as if she was telling me to trust her.

For some reason, I wanted to protect that innocence.

But the risks are too great.

Perhaps sensing my growing unease, Gwanghui suddenly threw a bombshell.

“Alright. Let’s do it this way.”
“…?”
“I’ll become a spy.”

What the hell is she talking about?

“I’m a top-tier hero from the Association. If you want, I can gather all the internal information, the movements of the heroes, and anything else you need. I’ll provide everything.”
“…Why would you do that?”

Gwanghui lowered her eyelashes, her expression sorrowful.

“Because I pity you.”
“….”
“Because you’re pitiful, that’s all.”

In an instant, I was left dumbfounded, and I reflexively asked.

“What if countless victims come from this?”
“….”

Gwanghui was…

Gwanghui was…

Her face looked like she’d been struck with shock.

She looked like a child’s innocence had been mercilessly shattered, like an adult intruding into a roleplay.

I quickly clarified.

“I’m joking. I’m not intending to cause any casualties.”

Her expression gradually calmed down.

“I thought so. I don’t know why, but I’m certain you’re not a cruel person.”
“….”

Right. That’s it.

“How about it? My offer.”

I placed my chin in my hand and pondered.

After a moment of contemplation, I made my decision.

“Alright.”

I nodded willingly, and Gwanghui’s face lit up with joy, while Owen and Serena’s faces were filled with shock.

Without warning, Owen rushed over and grabbed my shoulder, shaking me violently.

“Have you finally lost it?! What do you mean release her?!”
“…It’ll be fine. Probably.”

Owen roughly brushed his hair in frustration at my uncertain reply.

“Damn it, what kind of luxury are you hoping for by following this naïve girl?!”

Following him, Serena approached, looking skeptical.

“Since you’re the leader, I’m sure you have a plan, but… isn’t this too dangerous?”

Right. As a proper organization, there should be respect for the higher-ups.

That damned Owen is the real problem.

With a feeling of affection, I gently ruffled Serena’s hair and explained my reasoning.

“There’s definitely a big risk, but the return is just as big. If even one top-tier hero shows up, my plan will be ruined, but she’s preventing that from happening.”
“…But the risk still feels too great. Why do you trust her?”

I glanced briefly at Gwanghui.
When our eyes met, she nodded, like a soldier preparing to charge into enemy lines.

“…I feel it.”
“Feel?”
“It’s a villain’s instinct, one I can’t explain. Trust me, Serena.”

Serena looked uneasy, but in the end, she nodded.

It seemed like the situation was settled, and Gwanghui approached us.

“Gwanghui, we’re taking on a huge burden by releasing you.”
“Yes. I won’t disappoint you. And my name is Kiria. Gwanghui is just an alias.”
“Right, Kiria. We’ll be counting on you.”
“Leave it to me.”

Her words were so reassuring that I almost forgot she was a top-tier hero.

---

[Narration]

[But you’re also curious. What made you trust her?]
‘I felt a sense of kinship.’
[Kinship?]
‘People can’t easily discard the persona they wear.’
[That’s a cryptic explanation.]

In any case, having someone embedded in the Association was a noteworthy achievement.

‘It’s been uncomfortable up until now.’
[What do you mean?]
‘I have a feeling the Hero Association isn’t as clean as it appears.’

---

Kiria would gradually take on the role of addressing those doubts.

Anyway, the games are over now.

“Owen, follow me.”

It’s time to hang out with my sister.

---

Ep 5.5 Roleplay (Complete)