episode_0007

First Appearance

(Bang!)

“It’s war!!”

A man shouted as he slammed the table.

“It was the gang allied with the Anderson organization! They attacked us because Anderson wanted to take us down. What else could it be?”

“…”

“That’s right. Anderson and Chairman Choi Myung-wol have already gathered their forces.”

“…But if they were planning a war, shouldn’t they have gathered their forces in advance?”

“If we did that, they would have caught on to us, so we had to launch a sudden attack.”

“Is that so?”

“……”

It’s messed up. Something is seriously messed up.

They had intended to go to war. But they hadn’t planned on doing it so hastily, nor had they intended to fight such a formidable enemy.

Something is going wrong. The original plan was to thoroughly prepare first, absorb small organizations, and then vastly expand their own power to take on the Anderson alliance.

However, now all the interim plans have gone out the window, and they’re suddenly faced with a war against the Anderson alliance.

“…This is strange.”

It felt like someone had deliberately screwed things up, but there didn’t seem to be anything particularly unusual about the situation. It just seemed like Anderson had made the first move.

“…”

Even if something seems strange, there’s nothing one can do. If the situation has already unfolded this way, there’s only one choice to make.

“It’s war.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

“Yeombyeong, what’s going on here?”

“I know, right?”

Inside the office, Anderson and Chairman Choi Myung-wol sat frowning.

“Anderson, I understand, but I don’t have that many men. To be honest, I’m overwhelmed just trying to defend.”

“I know that much. Just extend the front line; I’ll take care of the main force.”

“…”

But why am I here?

“May I ask why I’m sitting here?”

Arthur couldn’t understand why he was sitting between Anderson and Chairman Choi Myung-wol, preparing for Devil Colosseum and the war.

“You’re here because you’d be pleased if Devil Colosseum crumbled.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Does this guy really know? No, there’s no way he knows. Is he just quick-witted?

“And because you might be of some help.”

“…”

You might think that using hypnosis to find out what Chairman Anderson knows would be a good idea, but first, hypnosis isn’t foolproof.

In this world, there are ways to resist hypnosis and mind control. Above all, the ability to resist hypnosis varies from person to person.

I feel that I can tell whether a person is susceptible to hypnosis or not based on my abilities.

One of those people is Director Anderson. There are a few civilians like him, but not many. It seems to vary greatly from person to person.

Oh, and the headhunter, James Hardy, is the same.

However, that doesn’t mean they are completely immune. By persuading the headhunter, I can subtly hypnotize them, like placing a pocket watch on the table.

The feeling is like, “Hmm? It wouldn’t be so bad to do as he says, right?” It’s a feeling like when a close friend is persuading you while you’re pondering. So, being too firm doesn’t work in persuasion.

“But Anderson doesn’t seem to be affected by hypnosis at all.”

“We should divide the areas we need to conquer.”

(Swish)

Director Anderson unfolded the map.

“I’m here.”

And he drew the largest area in this region.

“Director Choi is here.”

He pointed to a slightly smaller area next to the one he drew.

“These areas are territories of different alliances.”

“What about here?”

Director Choi pointed to the area right next to Anderson.

“This is the villain’s territory.”

“Hmm.”

“The problem is, this villain is quite close with Devil Colosseum.”

“They may not possess it, but they can enter it.”

Anderson and his allied forces cannot cross into this area, but Devil Colosseum can pass through it to attack Anderson’s territory.

“Then, if we cross over here, can we strike at the heart of Devil Colosseum?”

That would be the fastest way.

“…Let me summarize.”

“?”

“?!”

Director Anderson looked at me with interest, while Director Choi looked at me with doubt.

“In return, this area is mine.”

“Of course.”

“What? Anderson, what do you mean?”

“I’m out.”

If that human knows my secret, there is only one counterattack I can make.

To put them in debt.

(Trickling)

(Thud)

“Sorry.”

[…Are you just sorry from the beginning now?]

“I’m really sorry. I called because of work.”

[Damn guy]

“What’s that villain in F04 area doing?”

[Why]

“I have to kill him.”

“Because of this war? Anderson Club and Devil Colosseum?”

“Hmm.”

“Name is Jiseongcheol, villain name Monkeys’ Wrench.”

“…Monkeys’ Wrench?”

“Yeah, he kills people with it, enhances abilities, body becomes bulletproof.”

“That’s tricky.”

“Yeah, he’s positioned between law enforcement and heroes, so neither really messes with him.”

The police find it difficult to arrest or kill him due to his exceptional abilities, and the heroes don’t have much reason to act against him. He’s an ambiguous type, like a semi-villain. Perhaps they are half gangsters, an expanded version of semi-villains. Well, villains themselves probably hate that kind of talk intensely.

“…He might be a bit lacking as a headhunter.”

Even if they’re B-list, these villains have bulletproof basics. From B-list and up, whether villain or hero, it’s difficult to kill them with conventional weapons. They are even physically enhanced rather than superpower-oriented. In other words, they are difficult for a headhunter who uses conventional weapons to kill.

“That’s enough.”

But this time, we won’t just use villains.

“Well, understood… hey.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you need our help?”

“…Not particularly.”

“If you need it, tell us, between us.”

“If I say I need it, will you help?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll feel sorry for bringing in a troublemaker.”

“Hey, I was bored to death. And I was about to quit anyway.”

“Then help me.”

“It’s the same place you used to live, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll go now, boss! I’ll take him down!!”

“What? What are you talking about! You punk! Hector!!”

…”

Upon hearing the sound from the other end of the phone, Asher hung up.

And not long after

(Ding dong!)

“……”

A well-dressed man in his early thirties stood at the door.

“You came?”

“Long time no see.”

Hector Adler, my old friend, came after quitting his job.

“The crazy guy is really here.”

“So you’re here to take down Monkeys’ Wrench?”

“Yeah.”

“The government is testing enhancement shells to take down this enhancement-type villain. Can you bring them out?”

“Can I bring them out?”

“What, maybe if we pull some strings?”

“Never mind, I have a surefire way.”

“What is it?”

“We just need a villain to show up that the hero can confront in that location, right?”

“?”

“Let’s become the villains ourselves.”

The hero’s suit or costume is an impressive attire. Aside from style, some suits even possess practicality and special abilities.

However, the villains who confront these heroes also have their own suits and costumes.

While the hero’s suits are provided by the authorities, how do the villains make theirs?

“I’ve taken all the measurements.”

(Ta-da)

A middle-aged woman wearing glasses said as she picked up a ruler.

“What style would you like?”

“Something sophisticated.”

“Do you have a specific image in mind?”

“A magician.”

“A monocle with a silk top hat would be nice.”

“And if we add a cane, that would be great. Multi-purpose, please.”

“What about your abilities?”

“Mental manipulation.”

“Will you reveal your true identity?”

“No.”

“Ah, here’s a monocle with perception-obscuring magic.”

“Price is not a concern, just create a masterpiece.”

“Don’t worry. Everything I create is always a masterpiece.”

Designer

This woman, who creates suits for villains, is so famous among villains that it’s said wearing a suit made by her will earn one recognition as a true villain.

“I’ll roughly design it in this style.”

The sample outfit created by the designer included a robe resembling a magician’s, a silk top hat, a monocle, a cane, and a cloak.

“…Let’s skip the cloak.”

“Why? It even has flying magic.”

“Can’t it be put into formal wear?”

“Magicians these days are too lax. Even the government is more inclined to use existing magical items rather than creating new ones.”

Oh, by the way, magic does exist. However, due to a great calamity, many original wizards died, making their numbers extremely rare.

Incidentally, due to the fact that magic really exists, interest in magic has increased even more. People wonder if that magician could actually be a real wizard.

“Fine, let’s skip the cloak.”

“Understood.”

“Why not include the cloak?”

Hector, who had been watching from the side, spoke up.

“It’s too old-fashioned.”

“…Is that so?”

“It should have a more sophisticated feel.”

“Hey, but no matter how you think about it, isn’t it crazy to lure a hero by doing villainous acts and then catch the original villain?”

“What’s the rating for Monkey Wrench?”

“B grade.”

“What rating do you think that person deserves?”

“… At least A grade.”

“The grading criteria of the management bureau includes not only the person’s abilities but also the detailed nature of those abilities, and secondly, the most significant factor is what damage the villain has caused.”

“After checking the data, it’s definitely not B grade.”

“It’s obvious what he’ll choose; he’s the type who doesn’t want to take risks. In other words, he’s a coward, and not a highly reputed villain. In this situation, if a hero, especially one who seems likely to catch him, appears?”

“He might run away.”

“He will run away.”

“… Won’t that be a problem then?”

“We just need to make sure he can’t run away, so he won’t even think of running.”

“But what will you do if you get caught?”

“That won’t happen.”

“… I suppose.”

“I do have some talent in that area, don’t I?”

* * * * * * * *

In front of the bank

(Vroom! Vroom!)

Several vans stopped in front of the bank.

(Swish!!)

Then, the doors opened, and men in suits poured out.

(Click! Click! Click!)

They were holding rifles, wearing featureless masks on their faces, and peculiarly, small silk hats.

“Alright!”

After the men got out, Arthur, dressed in a tailored suit, silk hat, monocle, and cane, stepped out of the van.

“Now, let’s start the party.”

(Ta-da-da-da!!!)

“Everyone hands up!!”

“Scream!!”

“Hey! Stop moving! Take your hands off the gun!”

With Arthur, the people who got out of the van quickly and skillfully took over the bank.

(Swish, thud!)

The subdued bank staff quickly placed telephones on the table.

(Click, click, click, ring)

Approaching the phone, Arthur made a call.

[Yes, 911.]

“Oh, thank you for your hard work.”

A voice other than Arthur’s came from his mouth.

“I’m trying to report a bank robbery.”

[Where are you located?]

“F04 is a regional cooperative bank.”

“Where is the informant located?”

“At the cooperative bank.”

“Are the robbers hiding secretly?”

“No, they are in the central hall.”

“Huh?”

“I am the robber.”

(…)

(Shh)

As the recipient seemed to be unable to grasp the situation, Ah-seo turned the phone to the side.

(Tadadadada!!!)

Then, the surrounding robbers fired their guns into the air so that gunshots could be heard on the phone.

“Ahh!!”

“Ughh!!”

[!!]

“Is this enough? Has it been reported?”

…Yes

“Yes, then have a good day.”

(Clang)

“Hmm~~♪”

(Thud)

Ah-seo hummed and brought a chair to sit down.

“It’s boring to wait. Should we rob the bank?”

“That might not be right.”

A headhunter, dressed differently from the nearby robbers and wearing a mask, replied.

“We didn’t come here to call for a hero, but to rob the bank in the first place.”

“Well, let’s try robbing the bank then.”

(Swish! Swish! Swish!)

At Ah-seo’s words, the robbers began to move systematically.

“Would you like some tea?”

(Swish)

One of the robbers next to Ah-seo elegantly poured tea into the cup he was holding on the table where the phone was placed.

“…Oh my”

‘He’s becoming a villain. No, he should have become one.’

The headhunter, thinking this as he looked at Ah-seo, sat down next to the table and received the tea.

“I feel like I’ve received an incredibly important request.”

“It’s even a very interesting client. Hahaha!”