Part 1 Chapter 3 (8)

April 11, 2020, 22:00, Azure Syndicate Guro Hideout.

“In that sense, I’m looking for good ideas on how to crash the Villain Alliance meeting.”

At my words, Deokbae frowned.

“Why? You said to ask for opinions.”

“Tch.”

Deokbae picked up a billiard ball he was playing with and threw it to Jihwa. Jihwa rejoiced, holding the C-grade Core in his hand.

“Hehehe. See? I told you the Boss-nim is someone you can talk to.”

“…I didn’t even think of playing billiards with a Core. But were you betting on me just now?”

“Got a problem? This was given as a reward anyway.”

“No problem.”

Even Cheon Gaeul was lying there, hugging a pile of Cores.

“Ugh. If I do this, I’ll awaken….”

The monster’s Core, enveloped in my mana, was a safe item that wouldn’t attract monsters like it did in Incheon. I placed a round table in the middle of the lounge and pulled up a chair to sit. The others also brought their own chairs and sat down.

“So, if you have any good ideas, speak up. Think carefully about what we talked about earlier.”

“Making the Villain Alliance a subordinate organization of the Azure Syndicate and simultaneously using them as subordinates to confront the heroes in the Seoul Reclamation Operation… that was it, right?”

Cheon Gaeul stood up with a somewhat uneasy expression.

“Yes. So that the Villain Alliance and the heroes can suffer heavy losses. And then the Azure Syndicate will stand above the weakened Villain Alliance. And then we’ll occupy Seoul.”

I had a plan in my head. I had already told my subordinates about that plan.

“At today’s meeting, we need to announce the Azure Syndicate’s existence and participate in the alliance. And then induce the villains to fight back instead of running away.”

“How are you going to do that?”

I raised my fist.

“By intimidation?”

“Suppressing them with force isn’t good. No matter how much they’re villains, they’re still people in the end. If Phoenix-ssi doesn’t turn all of them into monstrous humans, they’ll betray us someday. Fear is temporary.”

“It’s good in the short term. But wasn’t your goal to occupy all of southern Seoul? Later, they won’t run away because of monsters, but because they’re afraid of you.”

I affirmed. It wasn’t wrong.

“Then should we try persuasion? Like, if they join us and fight, we’ll give them Cores?”

“Villains aren’t mercenaries or hunters. If you offer Cores, they’re the kind of guys who’ll pull out a knife and try to strip you bare.”

“Excuse me….”

Jihwa raised his hand, and I gestured for him to speak.

“I think it’s not bad to hit them with a whip first and then offer a carrot. Show off the Boss-nim’s overwhelming power, and let them know the advantages they can gain by joining the Azure Syndicate.”

“That’s good. Hey, what can you give the villains?”

I thought about the carrot Jihwa mentioned.

“First, immortality when they become monstrous humans? Ah, not immortality. They do die eventually.”

“Do they die if they’re killed by heroes?”

Jihwa looked a little scared, and I shook my head.

“No. If I just retrieve your Cores, I can revive you. If I die, then the monstrous humans I created also die.”

“I will protect you for the rest of my life! Boss!”

Deokbae clicked his tongue at Jihwa’s excessive loyalty.

“Rejected. Why would anyone want to become a monstrous human if their life is held hostage?”

“Hmm, then what about safety from monsters?”

Gaeul pointed at me and said.

“Phoenix-ssi can directly go out and eliminate monsters. And then distribute the monster byproducts to the organizations.”

“Isn’t that more like a hero than a villain?”

“Do we necessarily have to act like villains? In the end, we’re trying to rebuild Seoul into a city where people can live, not turn it into a villain’s paradise, right?”

“Although I used the word ‘occupy,’ that’s essentially what it is.”

It was lamentable that villains were a necessary evil, yet there was no immediate force to mobilize. If I had my way, I’d mass-produce monstrous humans and confront the Association, but that would attract worldwide attention and start a war.

Monsters and evil organizations suddenly appearing in Seoul. It was the perfect provocation to draw the aggro of heroes worldwide.

“For the villains to independently interfere with the Association’s operations, while the Azure Syndicate simultaneously appears as just a simple villain organization… It’s difficult. If I received a script like this, I would have immediately ripped the writer apart.”

“Well, that’s what happens when someone insists on taking the hard path instead of the easy one.”

“…You’re not talking about me, are you?”

Deokbae and Gaeul avoided my gaze. Jihwa fell into thought, as if pondering something.

“Huh? Kim Jihwa-ssi. Do you have something in mind?”

“No. I just suddenly thought of a movie where someone just barges in and makes the local organizations their subordinates. Exactly that kind of story.”

“Oh, I think I know what that is too. It’s an American movie, right? One of the last ones that came out before hero movies disappeared.”

Gaeul raised her index finger and pulled up both corners of her mouth. I clapped, praising Jihwa.

“That exists here too? Wow. They’ve implemented it unnecessarily well.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Deokbae couldn’t join the conversation and just rolled his eyes. He probably didn’t know.

“Subordinate No. 2, I command you to watch it later. It’s content that any villain can learn from, so make sure to refer to it well.”

“As an actor, he’s someone I truly respect, but to see it as reference material for becoming a villain… Haa. It’s bittersweet. To think that’s become a villain’s textbook.”

“I think it’s just the right impact to refer to in the current situation.”

After that, Jihwa, Gaeul, and I decided on the plot. From the entrance to the dialogue, actions, and even the outfits. Deokbae didn’t say a single word until the conversation, which lasted about 10 minutes, ended. Useless fellow.

“Alright. The concept is decided. Hehehe. What kind of magic should I show? Pencil magic? Incineration magic?”

“…Phoenix-ssi. You’re not planning to kill someone there again, are you?”

I flinched. My heart sank at Gaeul’s remark.

“Uh, uh. Wouldn’t a strong first impression be good? Like, a big whip crack.”

“You’ll just massacre everyone in the meeting hall, not just a low-ranking member.”

Gaeul placed her hand on her chest.

“Alright. I’ll go. I’ll pretend to be the representative of the Azure Syndicate. I’ll create the situation exactly as Phoenix-ssi wants, without killing a single person.”

“Gaeul-ssi’s mind is trustworthy, but….”

I looked back and forth between Deokbae and Jihwa. A sigh escaped me.

“I’m uneasy sending Gaeul-ssi alone. I’ll just go by myself.”

“I agree with Cheon Gaeul. I don’t know why, but Cheon Gaeul seems like she’d do better than you.”

Deokbae rebelled. I glared at Jihwa.

“Kim Jihwa-ssi?”

“…….”

Kim Jihwa couldn’t side with anyone and couldn’t state his opinion. He had presented an idea, but he seemed to be wavering because his superiors had differing opinions. Like someone agonizing over which line to take in office politics.

The moment I opened my mouth to urge Jihwa, Deokbae cut in.

“Two in favor, one against, one abstention. It’s settled.”

“Jo Deokbae-ssi? The Azure Syndicate isn’t a democracy, you know? It’s a dictatorship under Phoenix of Azure Flame, you know?”

“Phoenix-ssi.”

Gaeul suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Let’s make a bet.”

“What kind of bet?”

My ears suddenly perked up.

“If I persuade the Villain Alliance to fight the Association, it’s my victory. If I succeed, let me contact my parents right after the job is done. Anyway, I don’t think you’d let me go back to New Seoul even if I asked.”

“That’s true.”

“But if I fail, then you can do whatever you want with me, Phoenix-ssi. Even if you kill all the villains and put them under the Azure Syndicate, I won’t say a word.”

“…Aren’t you betting too much for just one contact?”

Gaeul squeezed my hand tightly. That alone was enough to show Gaeul’s determination. I avoided Gaeul’s gaze.

“Gaeul-ssi, I know you’re worried about people dying, but this bet seems like I’m the only one losing.”

“If I fail, I’ll give up on returning to New Seoul.”

“What?”

Even Deokbae was surprised. I felt Gaeul’s sincerity from the very faint mana emanating from her hand.

“You can even turn me into a monstrous human. I don’t care if I never set foot in New Seoul again. So please, let me go.”

“What kind of confidence makes you say something like that, seriously?”

Gaeul pulled up the corners of her mouth. From that smile, I recalled the face of Masquerade. Cheon Gaeul, who was always overflowing with confidence and self-esteem.

“I’m trusting my acting skills, my brain. I’m someone who’s played a supporting villain before.”

“That was a morning drama.”

Deokbae interjected. Gaeul immediately shouted at Deokbae with a venomous glare.

“Shut your filthy mouth! Before I sew it shut with a knitting needle.”

“……Did you really have to show me that directly?”

Deokbae let out an incredulous chuckle, and Gaeul relaxed her expression.

“Anyway, no problem. Jihwa-ssi, do you have that DVD in the building’s lounge? I’m pretty sure that movie would be there.”

“Yes, yes! It’s on the 16th floor. It’s saved as a file, so you can watch it right away.”

“You heard that, right? I’ll review it one more time before I go. Even if I haven’t awakened my superpower yet.”

Gaeul took a deep breath.

“When it comes to acting, I’m the best here. Trust me. Trust actor Cheon Gaeul’s 14 years of acting career.”

“…Haa, seriously. Fine.”

I raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

Considering that it’s a win for me whether Gaeul succeeds or fails, there’s no reason not to let her try.

“But no.”

“Why?!”

Gaeul shrieked. I pointed at Deokbae and Jihwa and drew my hand across my neck.

“I can’t send those two with Gaeul-ssi. I’d rather go myself than send non-combat B-grade or C-grade monstrous humans.”

“Sir, I think that might be a bit difficult.”

Jihwa said with an uncharacteristically confident voice.

“I know because someone from the Villain Alliance came to invite me to participate. I’ve even been there once myself. Those people, they treat superpowers like the class system of the Joseon Dynasty. Their mindset that the higher the superpower, the higher the human, is worse than the Yangban of the late Joseon period. People without superpowers are treated worse than humans. Essentially slaves, especially women, are treated as sexual playthings….”

Gaeul’s face crumpled.

“You’re saying that? You, Beacon, you?!”

“Huh? Ah, no! You seem to be misunderstanding something, but I’ve never done anything like that! What power do I have to do such a thing!”

Jihwa vehemently denied it, even standing up, and Gaeul gave me a look that asked what had happened.

“…So, you were the reason, right?”

“Ha. Seriously. You expect me to believe that?”

I asked Jihwa. It was an order.

“Jihwa-ssi, answer my question.”

“Yes, yes! Ask me anything!”

“How old are you, Jihwa-ssi?”

“Thirty-two!”

“How many girlfriends have you had so far?”

“N-not a single one.”

“Have you ever had sex?”

“……N-no.”

I shrugged my shoulders at Gaeul, as if to say, ‘See?’ Jihwa’s trembling demon eyes were bloodshot. Gaeul bowed her head to Jihwa with a deeply sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry, Jihwa-ssi. I misunderstood.”

“It’s, fine. *cough*. I’m married to overtime, *cough*.”

Jihwa, who was trembling and holding his breath, suddenly seemed pitiful. I should give him an A-grade Core as compensation later to soothe his feelings.

A moment later.

Jihwa somehow calmed down. Though his insides must have been churning.

“…So, I don’t think it’s a good idea for just the Boss-nim and Cheon Gaeul-ssi to go to the Villain Alliance. Not only Cheon Gaeul-ssi but also the Boss-nim are quite good-looking, so those guys will definitely ignore you as soon as they see you. One hundred out of one hundred, they’ll try to overpower you with force.”

“Then he’ll get pissed off again and try to kill everyone.”

Deokbae pointed at me. I didn’t particularly deny it.

“Then what do we do? I don’t want a fight to break out. Phoenix-ssi, isn’t there any way?”

“Asking me for that method now, haa. …Seriously. There is one way.”

I tore at my veil.

I really didn’t want to do that. It was too hard to ignore Gaeul’s gaze, sparkling with expectation, directed at me.

I pointed at Deokbae and asked Jihwa.

“Jihwa-ssi. What do you think if a monstrous human about 2 meters tall, like Subordinate No. 2, accompanies Cheon Gaeul-ssi as a bodyguard? With S-grade skill. …No, even higher?”

“…I think that would be sufficiently threatening. No, it would be more than enough. Even if Haneulseong’s organization has a large force, it doesn’t have any S-grade subordinates.”

Deokbae tilted his head.

“Are you going to create a new monstrous human? That S-grade Core that came out when you caught the tentacle toad?”

“No. We should utilize existing resources.”

I stood up and glared at Gaeul. Gaeul flinched at my gaze and recoiled.

“Cheon Gaeul-ssi. I’ll ask you one last time. Are you really confident you’ll succeed? Do you trust your acting skills enough to bet your life and future on it?”

“…Of course.”

Her determination was already evident. I took off my veil, threw it to Deokbae, and walked towards the window.

“I’m really putting a lot of faith in you, Gaeul-ssi.”

The mana in my body began to stir. Blue flames erupted from my humanoid form and transformed into mana.

“I really didn’t want to change into this form.”

Azure Flame incinerated my priestly robes and enveloped my body.