How a Third-Rate Villain Survives

Prologue

There are different levels of villains.

At the center of the story that shakes the world, the top-tier villains, who can be considered the focal point of the story, may possess a fandom equal to or even greater than that of the heroes.

When thinking of a hero who shakes a nation and threatens the heroes, a first-class villain comes to mind as their archenemy.

Not a major one, but at least a second-rate villain who appears as the final boss in a series or part.

And finally, a third-rate villain who appears in one episode and disappears in the same episode or a few episodes later without anyone noticing. I became such a third-rate villain.

(Tick, tock, tick, tock)

“Hey, what are you doing? Come out quickly!”

A desperate voice came through the earphones in my ears as I looked at the clock.

“Just wait a moment.”

(Bang!)

Before long, the door I was looking at broke, and a woman appeared.

(Click! Click! Click! Click!)

My “haters,” dressed in suits, small silk hats, and masks, aimed their guns at the woman around me.

(Swish)

“You’re later than I thought. The tea has gone cold.”

I raised my hand, signaling not to shoot, and smiled at the woman.

“Mad Hatter!!”

The villain Mad Hatter.

A white-haired man wearing a tuxedo, a silk hat, and a monocle with a pocket watch—villain Mad Hatter, that’s me.

“Luna, my dear.”

(Swoosh)

The woman standing in front of me. With her beautiful silver hair that seemed more like ash than white, beautiful skin, and an appearance that could only be described as beautiful, she greeted me by lifting her hat, looking at the hero Luna.