Chapter 322: Xs Island

At that moment, in the Sejong Island Academy's principal office.

"Damn it, damn it..."

Principal Kim Seok-dae of the Academy was muttering to himself, scribbling red ink over a notebook.

"Resign, resign, no, get impeached..."

The name he was writing on the blank paper was none other than Tae Chae-jin.

Given his unusual surname and even more unusual first name, there was no need to guess who Kim Seok-dae was cursing.

"How dare he, to me, the principal of a world-leading educational institution...!"

As he wrote the name Tae Chae-jin repeatedly in red ink, the paper became more red than blank.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock sounded from outside.

Principal Kim Seok-dae put down his pen, placed the notebook in the drawer, and straightened his posture.

"Come in."

"Excuse me, Principal."

Creak.

As the door opened, the rich aroma of coffee filled the room.

"Let's talk over a cup."

"Professor Lisa La Lakshmi, please, come in."

Late-night coffee might seem odd, but for Kim Seok-dae, who lived his life with coffee, it was just another beverage.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I came to discuss the summer camp on Jeju Island."

He grabbed the mug with a grim face as the beautiful professor, Lisa La Lakshmi, who had come late at night, took a seat, drawn by the aroma of coffee.

"Do you also think I made the wrong choice?"

"No, it's the politicians who misunderstood your educational philosophy, not your decision."

"Right? As fellow educators, we understand each other."

The principal shrugged his shoulders and sipped his coffee.

"What does the president know about education? He can't even teach his own kids properly—one of them constantly causes trouble, another brought in a daughter-in-law who's selling the country, and his grandchild, well, he's an idol fooling around with four other idols."

It was almost a personal attack, but the principal didn't stop his criticism.

"And yet, he dares to spout nonsense to me, the principal of Sejong Academy, the leading institution in global education. Tsk, we need to gain independence fast. If this place becomes an institution independent from the Korean government, those fools will finally come to their senses."

"I truly hope so. For that to happen, we definitely need an 'S-Class Professor' who can dedicate their life to Sejong Academy, not Korea."

Lisa La Lakshmi opened a file on her tablet and handed it to the principal.

"I've looked into other S-Class ability users with the potential to be professors, aside from Baek Seol-hee. Yoon Iseon, the student council president, seems the most suitable, followed by Baridegi Tae Irin."

"What about the men?"

"They are impossible. They all have their own affiliations, and the one affiliated with the Hero Association... we're trying to persuade him."

Lisa La Lakshmi gently rubbed her Taeguk Watch.

"Although he doesn't specialize in education, he's still in his early twenties, so he can learn educational theory. While you're here, I'll guide him as an associate professor, helping him rise to full professor and eventually even to the position of vice principal."

"He's just a brawler, can he really handle it?"

The tablet displayed a close-up of a young man who appeared humble among the profiles of eight people.

"His combat style may be crude, but S-Class ability users are generally capable of earning a master's or doctorate with ease. If we teach him, he'll do just fine."

"Well, if you say so, I'll fully support your decision. Just make sure he's well taken care of so we can enjoy a celebratory feast later. Ha ha."

"Of course."

Lisa La Lakshmi smiled softly as she scrolled through the tablet's screen.

"Then, I'll invite him to Sejong Island and work on building a close relationship. Meanwhile, please ensure that this summer camp proceeds in the most positive direction possible. It's frustrating to follow the whims of those who know nothing about education, but you never know."

"Know what?"

"Perhaps the students might fall in love on Jeju Island and end up staying at the Academy as pregnant students."

"...Right."

The principal stroked his beard with a twisted smile.

"Whether it's a summer semester or a summer camp, when you gather young men and women together for a few days, something is bound to happen."

Everything was...

For the sake of bringing people together.

"Being stuck on an island? No, no. Jeju Island is vast. As long as they attend classes properly during the week, they're practically free in the evenings and weekends. What do you think they'll do?"

"Of course, they'll explore Jeju Island."

"Just explore? They'll meet people, of course. Heh heh."

The principal pulled up a map of Jeju Island.

Then, after a quick search, he typed in a keyword.

Beep, beep.

Various establishments matching the keyword began popping up along the coastline.

"Taverns, pubs, bars... With so many places selling alcohol, how could they possibly resist? Heh heh."

Every spot along the road was lined with drinking establishments.

At the end of a trail along the stone wall, there was a guesthouse designed like a brothel.

Although its interior was as sleek as a hanok village, what went on inside was hardly suitable for public discussion.

"Professor Lisa La Lakshmi, back when I was in Sinchon, Seoul's college town was packed with students. Selling booze to students alone could buy you an apartment in Seoul."

"Isn't it still the same? Just now, it's Haeundae, not Sinchon."

"Yes, but Seoul is ruined, and Busan is already oversaturated. So where do you think those who once sold alcohol went? It's only natural for merchants to gather where people come to play. Heh heh, with so many lodgings and bars on Jeju Island, do you think the students will stay idle?"

The principal picked up his mug and stood up, gazing out the window.

"They might enter alone, but they'll leave in pairs. That's Jeju Island for you."

"...There are cases where it becomes three."

"Ah, that's going too fast."

If by any chance...

"If a man and a woman enter Jeju Island, fall in love, and return to the mainland with three?"

He shook his head.

"If two ability users fall in love and match, what a waste it would be if they didn't? Tsk, tsk. It's fine if they match, but if they're going to have a child..."

The principal turned his body toward the north, beyond the window.

"They should go to Ulleungdo to do it. Of course."

"...The Mecca of Meetings."

Baek Seol-hee bit her nails as she kept clicking her mouse.

"While teaching these A-Class students, they'll probably go around meeting people too. I'm sure of it. And if that happens..."

A photo on the wiki suddenly caught her attention.

"Someone might become a demon again."

Along with the continuously updated data on Pandemonium, incidents involving the appearance of demons around the world were being compiled.

"...But what if they don't become a demon? If everything ends constructively and naturally, with no problems?"

Baek Seol-hee got up and threw herself onto the bed.

"Even the students participating in the summer semester seek natural encounters. Why shouldn't I? Right?"

With a confident smile, Baek Seol-hee began searching for other materials using her Taeguk Watch.

"I need a justification. A justification."

Baek Seol-hee now had all the authority.

Regarding the educational program, she had enough authority to make suggestions about some parts of it.

So...

"...Legally."

If there's any subject in the educational program that required the help of a 'librarian,' she could summon him without any suspicion.

"Ah. Would it be too much to ask him to come to Jeju Island just for work...?"

Baek Seol-hee fiddled with her Taeguk Watch, pausing just before making a call.

"...No, not now. It's too late."

Before she realized it, the time was already 3 a.m.

While she was up all night working on the educational program, there was a good chance that he was quietly asleep.

"I'll ask him tomorrow morning."

Baek Seol-hee smiled brightly as she found her justification.

"...Bingo."

Jeju Island Library.

"A justification is something you can always make up if you need to."

Baek Seol-hee's eyes lit up as she manipulated her Taeguk Watch.

"If I get his approval..."

She smirked.

"I'll get an official certification on Jeju Island and prepare for retirement."

If he gave his approval...

"...I'm going to stir up a scandal that will turn the country upside down."

Night had fallen.

While the four women were sound asleep in the bedroom, I stepped outside and entered the open-air bath.

Without submerging my body, I planted my feet on the floor and extended the Goblin Bat forward, channeling my magic power.

Splash.

The golden orbs that had emerged from the water began spinning around the Goblin Bat.

"Is there enough magic power?"

The Mana Crystal was filled with sufficient magic power.

Seeing how quickly it had been charged in just a few hours, I could probably mass-produce Mana Crystals like this in the future.

"......."

I won't be able to use them all.

But if they are used in that place, these golden orbs will surely be a great help.

"It's fortunate if I don't have to use them, though...."

Splash.

I pocketed two moderately sized golden orbs.

The rest fell back into the open-air bath, and I attached the two golden orbs to the side of the Goblin Bat.

Reinforcement and tuning complete.

"If I run out of mana, I can borrow it from somewhere else."

And with these two golden orbs, these Mana Crystals, I would become a new me.

"Transformation."

Whoosh.

The wind blew southward.

Chapter 323: Imitation (1)

June 23rd, 3 a.m., somewhere in Seoul.

"Haak, haak, haak...."

A large young man, bleeding from his head, runs through the alley.

He limped up a slope, leaving drops of red blood behind as he climbed.

"S-Save me...! I don't want to die...!!"

Buildings styled like traditional Korean houses lined both sides, but no lights flickered from any of them.

Even as the young man desperately screamed for help, no one answered.

Were they all asleep?

Perhaps.

If he were just a normal young man, maybe they would help, but when an ability user like him was injured like that, people hesitated to report it, fearing they'd get involved.

"S-Somebody, please...!"

Humans were the most selfish when their lives were in danger.

There might be some who would step forward for others, but those who had something they wished to protect would only bow their heads in silence.

Like a father holding his frightened child tightly under a blanket, trying not to make a sound.

Or an elderly mother asking if they should call the Taeguk Watch, with a middle-aged woman harshly retorting, "What if we get involved?"

Or perhaps a young man, alone in a basement apartment, trembling as he clutched a survival bag near the entrance, fearing the building might collapse.

Everyone valued their own life.

And even if there were someone who would throw their life away, no one would willingly step forward for that young man.

Aee-aee-aee-aeng.

The siren echoed throughout Bukchon Village.

The alarm, signaling the appearance of a villain, had been ringing for a while, and emergency disaster messages had already been sent to citizens' Taegeuk Watches, notifying them of the situation.

A-rank villain 'Nuts Crusher,' currently moving past Anguk Station, heading towards Samcheong-dong.

Anyone could guess it.

That young man, bleeding and fleeing, was none other than the A-rank villain who had terrorized Seoul for the past few days.

"Ugh, ugh! Please, please...! I don't want to die!!"

The young man, Nuts Crusher, knocked on door after door.

But none of the doors opened.

One might think that since he was an A-rank ability user, he could just break in with force, but he couldn't use his magic.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh...!!"

Thud.

As soon as he heard something fall, the young man collapsed to the ground and began crawling.

Scrape, scrape, scrape.

The sound of something dragging on the ground grew closer, and the young man continued to flee from it.

"S-Save me! Please! I won't do it again!"

What was the young man begging for his life from?

The people holding their breath couldn't help but feel a creeping curiosity rising inside them.

"I'll never do it again! I'll live with remorse! Please, have mercy! Aaaaargh!!"

It seemed that whatever he was begging for was now attacking him.

"Ggghk......."

With a sickening crack, Nuts Crusher could only let out a choking groan.

"P-Please...! O-Okay...! I-I'll work for you! I'll become a villain under the Secret Society!"

The Secret Society?

For a moment, people perked up their ears.

Even though the media tried to control information, it was strange not to know who the Secret Society was.

"Y-You're a villain too! I-I'll become your subordinate! Please, Goblin, please!!"

Ah.

The people realized.

What was happening to Nuts Crusher now.

"W-What did I do wrong—Aaaargh!!"

Splat.

The sound of something bursting.

Zap, the crackling sound of electricity, and Nuts Crusher screamed in pain more unbearable than death.

"You, ba...."

Thud.

With a dull sound, Nuts Crusher could no longer make a sound.

Aee-aee-aee-aeng.

As the siren rang out, the heroes, arriving a little late, saw it.

"Ugh...!"

A man lying in the alley, his body in a horrific state.

His head was bleeding profusely as if he had been hit with something heavy, but what looked even worse was the sticky, unknown substance seeping out from between his legs.

The thick stench of blood.

"...This is Detective Kim Yun-hwan of the Jongno Police Department's Ability Division. Reporting from the scene. Nuts Crusher... is dead."

The agents who arrived at the scene reported the situation via their Taegeuk Watches and covered Nuts Crusher's body with a jacket.

"The cause of death... appears to be multiple trauma-induced shock. Yes. He was struck on the back of the head, but there's another wound. Yes, that's right. It seems he was killed the same way he committed his crimes."

Nuts Crusher.

A-rank villain.

His main crime was rendering numerous men sterile.

"He got what he deserved. He'd been crushing others' eggs, and now..."

"Goblin did it!!"

A window opened, and a child in pajamas rushed out onto the balcony and shouted.

"Goblin did it!!"

"Hey!!"

The person, who appeared to be a parent, hurriedly covered the child's mouth and took them inside.

"...We'll have to investigate further, but it appears to be the work of Goblin."

Villain Nuts Crusher.

Deceased.

The killer, no, the executioner.

Goblin.

There were many villains in Korea.

More precisely, there were many individuals designated as villains in Korea.

Being an ability user didn't automatically make someone a villain. Anyone deemed anti-government or a threat to national interest was labeled as a villain.

Among such villains, who was the most notorious?

The Red Scarf who scorched the asphalt of the Gyeongbu Expressway with fire?

Pepper Cutter, who would cut up any man in sight?

Or perhaps the demon Duoexini, who threw the whole world into terror?

There might be many infamous villains, but the most famous one is Goblin.

No matter what actions he took, Goblin was undeniably a villain, as designated by this country.

Therefore.

"Goblin isn't a villain; he's a dark hero! Mmph, who are you guys?!"

If anyone dared to say that, people in black suits would immediately step in to suppress them.

Starting with the Goblin-induced "Rider Syndrome," a social atmosphere emerged, pushing the notion that vicious villains should be executed.

Because of that, the state had officially classified Goblin as a villain who disrupted societal order.

Even if.

Some might know Goblin's true nature, understood his principles, and argued that his actions ultimately contribute to world peace.

In the end, Goblin could only be a villain.

At least in this country.

And no one had known the whereabouts of that villain since the unrest in Thailand.

If anyone had information on Goblin's location or activities, they were urged to contact the National Ability Counter-Terror Special Forces immediately.

"Hey! Goblin has appeared in Seoul!!"

The moment they received the report, the heroes rushed out, only to find nothing but shadows.

He's elusive.

Even today, Goblin, who executed a villain, disappeared without a trace.

"Announcement. A-rank villain 'Nuts Crusher' is dead. When the body was found, he had become a 'Zenros,' bleeding from his head, uh, and, well, his... testicles were ruptured...."

"Serves him right."

I sipped on a beer as I sat in my Seoul apartment, reviewing the data on the villain Goblin had taken down.

"Nuts Crusher.... Judging by the cause of death, it's obvious what kind of villain he was."

Real name: Kim Mu-hwan (23 years old, Hero).

An A-rank ability user, who, during a battle, had his genitals crushed, resulting in the destruction of both testicles.

Although ability users didn't undergo military physical exams, if he had, he would've been classified as Grade 5 and exempted due to the loss of both testicles.

He seemed to be suppressing his anger and working as an A-rank hero in Gyeonggi Province, helping maintain local peace. But in reality, he was committing villainous acts behind the scenes.

Recently, all of a sudden.

[Mr. Do? I found out the reason for the hero's downfall.]

"That was quick. As expected of Brewer. So, what's the reason?"

[You know that idol group Armored Taejo was involved with? He was a hardcore fan of one of them. His house was full of posters and all kinds of merch.]

"Ah, I see. He took out his NTR frustrations through villainous acts."

The pieces quickly fell into place.

"Kim Mu-hwan was stressed due to his loss of testicles and found solace in idols. But when his favorite idol got involved in a scandal with Armored Taejo, he expressed his rage by crushing the testicles of civilians."

[Then he got executed by Goblin. That's the current consensus.]

"...Tch."

He deserved to die.

Considering that a few people had already died of shock after having their testicles crushed by him.

"Ah, hold on. I'm getting a call. It's Baek Seol-hee."

[Got it? I've told you everything, so handle it well.]

"Handle what?"

After hanging up with Brewer.

"Yes, Ms. Seol-hee. This is Director Do of the Ability Counseling Center. Have you eaten?"

[There's no one around me right now.]

"...Ah, I see."

I answered Baek Seol-hee's call.

[Ji-hwan, it's really not you, right? You're not using some cloning ability or anything like that, right?]

"Of course not."

I tapped my fingers on the Taeguk Watch.

"You're the one holding the video that proves my alibi, aren't you?"

[.......]

"The nation itself is proving my innocence. Why are you still like this?"

[But....]

"I don't know who you're talking about, but at the time of the crime, I was in bed with you."

At the time when Nuts Crusher was forcibly turning young men across Seoul into Grade 5 (exempt) by destroying their testicles.

"That video, it's on your phone, isn't it?"

[......I was just asking to be sure.]

I had been with Baek Seol-hee.

To be exact, we were discussing the situation in Jeju Island.

[That Goblin who appeared in Seoul....]

"Obviously."

A fake.

Chapter 324: Imitation (2)

It's the way of the world that fakes were created when something became famous.

When the King of Pop was shaking the world, people dressed up like him and took pictures with tourists for money.

There was even a famous trot singer whose name was slightly altered, singing the original singer's songs at various events and getting paid for performances.

When a product became popular, the world often saw knock-offs that slightly modified the original and then sold them.

This world was no different.

As soon as the Rider craze began, everyone started copying the Riders. Just like when Haegneul began selling Rider suits, ending the trend, it's inevitable for knock-offs to emerge when something became famous.

But.

This was the first time I had seen something this bold.

"A copycat of the Goblin, huh?"

A fake Goblin appeared.

Not just someone cosplaying as Goblin, but someone following the Goblin's principles of action.

A person imitating the Goblin, the Villain Executioner.

"This is troublesome."

"Why is it troublesome? Why not take this opportunity to retire Goblin and leave everything to the fake... the 'doppelgänger'?"

Hyeon Se-rin, who had come up to Seoul with me, handed me a can of beer, grinning.

Clearly, this was the first time she had encountered something like this, so she must be naturally intrigued.

"It's common to imitate a villain's ability or costume around the world, but it's the first time someone's copied a villain's ideology and behavior. And an S-class villain, at that."

"That's why it's such a headache."

I clinked my can against hers, then quenched my thirst with the cold beer she gave me.

"Even though Goblin's actions seem easy to imitate, there aren't many who can pull off something like this."

I pulled up the CCTV footage that Brewer had hacked and obtained on my laptop.

"Sa-save me, ugh...."

Nuts Crusher, who had begged for his life until the end, died of shock as soon as his core was destroyed.

Though he had already been bleeding profusely and was suffering from severe blood loss, his strong will to survive, combined with the mana left in his body and sheer mental fortitude, had kept him going.

However, the moment his core was broken, he died from the shock.

The one who destroyed his core was the Goblin. Though it was hard to see clearly in the darkness, his black hanbok fluttered in the shadows.

"Not the formal-suited Goblin, but the hanbok-wearing Goblin. He's really copying well, isn't he? Haha, maybe he's a fan?"

"Even if he's a fan, this kind of imitation is a problem."

I pointed to the CCTV footage.

After killing Nuts Crusher, the fake Goblin slowly retreated into the darkness as soon as the lights came on.

Then, he vanished into a blue mist.

Though it wasn't clearly visible due to the CCTV's blind spots, the faint glimpse of his disappearing form and the trace of magic were captured in the video footage. 𝙧а𝐍Ȏ𐌱ĚṤ

"Isn't it strange that he's even imitating the ability to turn into a spirit?"

"Hmm... you're right. Spiritualization is an ability that we only realized after possessing Section Chief Do."

All of my abilities to escape the scene in ether form and as a spirit were abilities I had learned from the four executives.

"For him to use an ability that we only unlocked after thoroughly examining our bodies... huh, maybe he's a Goblin from the future?"

"No way. Don't say such unsettling things."

"...You're seriously worried?"

Of course, I was.

If that fake Goblin was a Goblin from the future, could I be certain it was really Do Ji-hwan?

Could it perhaps be Do Chang-nam, the original Goblin from the story?

Unlike the pathetic, degenerate C-class villain Do Chang-nam, Do Ji-hwan became an S-class villain while walking the path of a Villain Executioner.

His principles and ideology were those of Do Ji-hwan, not Do Chang-nam.

In other words, if that guy really came from the future, he was Do Ji-hwan.

'Which makes it even stranger.'

Would a future version of me hide his identity?

Even if the world collapsed, even if something major happened, would I hide my identity?

"Sigh. Imagining all this is causing quite a problem."

"Just take it easy. Whether that guy is you from the future or whatever, we're on Section Chief Do's side in the present. Got it?"

Hyeon Se-rin came up behind me while I was sitting in my chair and hugged my head, resting her chin on my crown.

"I've heard that overthinking can cause hair loss."

"That can't happen."

There's no known case of an ability user suffering from hair loss, but having enough stress to cause it? I'll pass on that.

"Alright. No need to overthink this. I'll just keep it simple."

Whatever his identity was, I should just focus on what's happening right in front of me.

"If there's a copycat, the original has to step in."

As much as I was a Villain Executioner, I really didn't want to be blamed for a murder I didn't commit.

"Se-rin. Sorry, but you'll have to stick with me around Seoul for a while."

"Why apologize? This is my specialty."

Hyeon Se-rin pressed the beer can to my lips.

"Seoul is my home turf. All you have to do is follow me."

While Hyeon Se-rin briefly stepped outside to prepare.

"Chairman?"

[Ah, I was just about to call you. Are you alright? You must've been shocked, right?]

"...Not so much."

I had called out of frustration, and her comforting voice instantly calmed me.

"Chairman. Do you know anything?"

[Do you want a 100% certain answer, or a 99% guess?]

"If 100% is foresight, then give me a 99% guess."

Chairmen, or chiefs, were all-knowing.

But just like alchemy, every special ability involved an equivalent exchange.

[It would be more comforting to know through foresight.]

"If you read the future once and things change, wouldn't everything fall apart anyway?"

Foresight was a dangerous ability.

Not only did it come with a price, but once you acted upon the future you've seen, the course of that future changed completely.

"If it were a situation too serious for me to handle, the Chairman would have already contacted me, right? But since that's not the case, it must just be a simple petty criminal."

[Isn't the scariest thing in the world a petty criminal?]

"That's only 'self-proclaimed.' If not, the impersonator is just an S-class villain. Someone imitating Goblin."

[Exactly. I think so too.]

We were in sync.

It wasn't the worst-case scenario; we both agreed on a more plausible one.

[We're doing everything we can to figure out who it is. If there's an S-class ability user who's recently gone into hiding, someone active in Korea with a significant interest in Goblin, or an S-class user with spatial abilities like Yumir.]

"The candidates are...."

[Unfortunately, they're still shrouded in mystery.]

"That's fine. If it's just an S-class ability user, I can handle it."

[There's also a possibility it could be a demon from Pandemonium....]

"If it's a copycat demon, I can deal with that easily, so don't worry. There's also Do-ul and Se-rin."

I had already killed the demons Duoexini and Laplace.

Even if a doppelgänger-like demon appeared here, it wouldn't be a problem.

"Oh, wait... my apologies, it's become a habit."

[Haha. It's okay to be cautious about Cheonriyan. Better to make it a habit with me than to make a mistake with someone else while on the phone.]

As I was about to close my Taeguk Watch after nearly three minutes, I remembered that this was a special Taeguk Watch sent by the Chairman.

[Don't feel too burdened. After all, when we reveal the copycat, it might turn out to be someone you know or someone we should recruit into the society. Maybe you'll have another 'affair'.]

"Chairman, are you assuming it's a woman?"

[It's not an assumption, just a feeling that the will of the world might point in that direction.]

"Then it's a woman."

There's no reason for it.

It's just the Chairman's intuition.

"If it's a man, I'll beat him up first. If it's a woman...."

[How do you plan to handle the impersonator's execution?]

"Well, I'll think about that when the time comes."

[A gentle beating with a baseball bat might be enough. Haha. I don't mind if you have more affairs with beautiful women.]

"Chairman, 'affair' might be a bit much...."

[Mistress?]

"......."

[Just kidding. Haha. Everything's done with my permission, so I don't have any complaints. But.]

The Chairman paused briefly at the end.

[...If you ever meet a woman behind my back.]

"I would never do that, absolutely."

[...If you did.]

The Chairman's voice became increasingly sharp—

[I'd cry, you know?]

"...That would never happen. I'd rather die."

I was serious.

"I will never make you cry."

[You've made me cry several times already.]

"...I did?"

[In bed, in the car, at the hotel, outside, on the stairs, and also....]

"Ahem. That's not the kind of crying we're talking about, is it?"

What did I think it was?

[Haha. Alright. Anyway, don't feel too pressured about the copycat. The important thing is for you to secure more S-class members for the society.]

"Of course. The operation is proceeding smoothly. Once we take care of the fake, I'll immediately execute the plan I proposed last time."

[Project 'XXX'?]

"Yes."

Everything is done with the Chairman's approval.

"I'll carry out the 'pregnancy attack'."

[Approved.]

Chapter 325 Imitation (3)

After receiving approval from the Chief for the project in Jeju Island.

I headed out into the midnight streets with Hyeon Se-rin to gather information about the fake Goblin.

"Doesn't seem like we can go up to Jongno District, huh?"

"Yeah. The place is packed with people."

Even if this world's Seoul had fallen, even if it had become a city with barely 5 million people after the capital's reversal, it was still a place where a lot of people lived.

In such a place, if no one else but the Goblin appeared?

Of course, people would gather like moths to a flame.

"Hello, this is Lee Ki-woo from Wooki TV! Today, it seems a Goblin has appeared...."

"Yes, the scene is bustling with Seoul citizens and people from all over the country. The Hero Alliance is currently...."

The place was filled with cyber wreckers, the Hero Alliance, reporters, and, above all, a mass of Seoul citizens.

There were so many people occupying the road that even the vehicles that needed to enter for scene preservation couldn't easily get through.

"Ah, move out of the way—!!"

A sharp, irritated scream echoed.

At the overpowering sound, suddenly everyone's electronic devices lost signal for a moment, and all eyes turned to the person who caused the noise.

"Thunder Emperor...?"

"We're from the Hero Alliance! For the investigation, citizens, please cooperate!"

Standing on top of the SUV, marked with the Hero Alliance's logo, holding a red megaphone and shouting with a scowl, was none other than the S-class hero, Thunder Emperor Kim Yun-ji.

"Oh my, Yun-ji's here?"

With a welcoming expression but cold eyes, Hyeon Se-rin looked at Kim Yun-ji while draping her arm over my shoulder.

"What brings such a great S-class hero all the way to Seoul? Hmm?"

"Well, since the A-class hero in charge of the southern part of Gyeonggi-do died as a villain, they probably sent her here temporarily to settle things."

"I think so too."

Even though he was executed, when you thought about it, it was a national disgrace.

An A-class hero, who wasn't just a regular hero but the representative in charge of a region, was actually a malicious villain who went around destroying men's privates? 𝘙ãN𝘖ᛒËS̩

Compared to the A-class marine instructor in Thailand boosting national prestige by teaching Korean Marine education to young athletes, this wasn't just tarnishing the country's image; it was smearing it with filth.

Of course, public order was shaken, and people couldn't help but feel uneasy.

With heroes acting like villains, it's no wonder the citizens were terrified.

To calm things down, obviously, someone greater than an A-class hero, an S-class, was needed.

Kim Yun-ji coming to Seoul wasn't that strange.

It's just that, for Hyeon Se-rin, who came to Seoul with me, this wasn't exactly a welcome encounter.

"Hmph... As if it wasn't annoying enough that someone who steals other people's stuff came to Seoul. Guess we'll have to be more careful with the signals."

"We shouldn't have any problems with ours, right?"

"Still, we need to be cautious. Not being caught might make us stand out even more."

"True."

If there was a dry spot on a wet canvas, naturally, that spot would stand out.

Thunder Emperor just unleashed an EMP with her power, as if to declare herself one of the most influential beings in modern society.

'Just as troublesome as Taejo.'

The one who manipulated metal.

The one who controlled electricity.

In today's modern age, the ability to manipulate metal and electricity freely was an enormous advantage.

Unlike Taejo, who could turn hundreds of tons of gold into a golden train or wielded similar physical power, Thunder Emperor could destroy every electrically powered system, which was incredibly powerful.

"If you don't cooperate and clear the way, I'll drain the batteries of all your Taeguk Watches and smartphones!"

Though she's a hero, she made a threat nastier than any villain's, causing the people to grimace as they reluctantly stepped back, allowing the Hero Alliance's vehicles to finally make their way through.

"Still as prickly as ever, that personality. Director Do, what do you think of a woman like that?"

"I can't make a judgment without knowing someone like her, but she doesn't leave a positive impression."

"You're not just bad-mouthing her because I dislike her, right?"

"No, it's an objective opinion."

I placed my hand on Hyeon Se-rin's shoulder and gave her a comforting pat.

"If she's a hero, she should kindly explain things to people and ask them to move voluntarily. Using powers to threaten civilians isn't right."

Though she was called an S-class hero, in reality, she was closer to an S-class ability user.

The only reason she was called a hero is probably that she's not a villain.

An S-class fixer employed by the Hero Alliance.

That's the best way to summarize Kim Yun-ji's role.

"How about we slip through the crowd and sneak in? We still need to investigate, right?"

"There are too many people for a proper investigation. Even if we tried using astral projection...."

"Rather than getting caught by Thunder Emperor, we should investigate somewhere else, right?"

"I think that's a better idea."

I handed my smartphone to Hyeon Se-rin.

"Investigating the scene is important, but after that, we need to check the bodies, don't we?"

Just like in every crime scene investigation drama.

"Seoul Haegneul General Hospital."

"Ugh, I really hate this."

Thunder Emperor, Kim Yun-ji, jumped over the restricted area tape and shook her head at the bloodstains covering the scene.

"Detective, what do you think? As a man, seeing what was done to another man."

"I'm not in a position to say much, but as a man, I think he deserved it."

The man in the gray coat, Detective Park, who had crossed the restricted area tape alongside Kim Yun-ji, scribbled on his smartphone with a stylus as he responded to Thunder Emperor's question.

"Even if he was, you know, impotent, and even if his favorite idol had a scandal, how could he do something like that?"

"Scandal... Well, considering the whole idol group was involved, it must've been quite a shock."

"Yes, that's right. I'm not one to speak on such matters, but as someone old enough to be your father, let me offer some advice, Thunder Emperor. Be careful of romance scandals."

Detective Park scratched his head as he scanned the nearby alleys.

"If rumors spread about Thunder Emperor getting married or seeing a man, there'll be plenty of guys jumping off bridges."

"...What am I supposed to do, play along with this? People are going on about patriotism. Should I make a public announcement like 'I'd like to meet this man,' instead of being caught in some sudden photo?"

"That might actually be better. Otherwise, we might end up with someone going dark like Nut Crusher."

"Hmph..."

Thunder Emperor twisted her lips and rubbed her fingers together.

"People like that, going dark on their own... Ha, never mind. Let's just get on with the investigation."

Thunder Emperor stood in front of the white sticker and raised her hand high.

"So, this is where the Goblin executed Nut Crusher, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Like this."

Thunder Emperor created a blue mana orb in her hand, placed it on the ground, and stomped on it, crushing it.

"Ahem."

Those investigating the scene instinctively shrank back at the action.

Detective Park gulped nervously, but Thunder Emperor went ahead and stomped on the second orb, shattering it too.

"If someone of the Goblin's caliber was involved, it wouldn't be difficult to take down even an A-class villain... But something seems off."

"What do you mean by 'off'?"

"Hmm... It's hard to explain."

Thunder Emperor used her foot to sweep the remnants of the two shattered orbs and continued to tilt her head in thought.

"...No, it's nothing."

"That's vague. If you think of anything, let us know. Us old-timers aren't great at finding evidence in ability crimes."

"Got it. Hmm..."

Thunder Emperor remained standing where the Goblin had been, lost in thought for a long time.

"......"

She stared intently at the blood-spattered asphalt, deep in contemplation, like an egg that had just been cracked open.

We arrived at the hospital.

The place was already crowded, with men in black suits blocking the way and controlling the entrance to keep outsiders out.

[This is easy.]

Hyeon Se-rin and I used astral projection to slip past the Hero Alliance agents unnoticed.

No one had any idea we were there.

[Where is it?]

[Basement.]

Based on the information we gathered through Brewer, I located where the body was being kept.

We couldn't use the elevator, so we took the emergency stairs down to the basement, where we found black-suited agents standing at the end of a dark hallway.

'Excuse me.'

We passed through the wall and entered the room.

Though it cost some mana, it was worth the expenditure.

In the middle of what looked like a surgery room, a white coffin was placed.

The coffin bore the symbol of Haegneul, and inside it lay Nut Crusher, dressed in white burial robes, his eyes closed.

[Haegneul's funeral service is impressive. Even for an A-class villain, they treat him like a client.]

[They'd get complaints if they didn't provide the service. Plus, I heard Haegneul sponsors businesses. They couldn't just let him go without something.]

They probably donated hundreds of billions for an A-class hero, and now he dies as a villain?

[They'll try to squeeze every last penny out, even if they have to sue the deceased or their family to get the money back.]

[Big corporations are even worse.]

[That's the Korean style.]

That's Haegneul's story.

[Alright, let's check. Hyeon Se-rin, you don't need to watch.]

I materialized only my hand and lifted the burial robe.

And confirmed it.

[How is it?]

[It's there.]

What shouldn't have been there was gone, but something else remained.

[The rod is intact, only the orbs were crushed.]

Whoever the fake was, I didn't know.

The Goblin wouldn't do such a thing!

I wanted to relay fan Yoon Mo's cry to the fake.

He'd just smash the head or break everything to pieces!

That's right.

The fake specifically crushed only the 'orbs'.

[The culprit is a woman.]

A man wouldn't mess with another man's parts.

But if they'd decided to break them, they wouldn't have done it this way.

'Even if they shot a gun and hit the target, then visited the hospital to bash it twice with a hammer, they wouldn't hand-pick only the orbs to crush.'

If they were going to destroy it, they'd go all the way up and leave no trace, like the lower half of a mannequin.

If they wanted to make him permanently impotent, they would've turned him into something like a mannequin, leaving no trace behind.

Nut Crasher? They'd repay him in full.

They're trying to leave a message, since he was going to die anyway?

Not sure.

[So, the culprit is...]

[Don't joke around.]

[Caught me.]

[Do you know who it is?]

[Yeah.]

It's definitely a woman.

[What's the evidence?]

[The wound.]

It's not about where it was crushed.

It's about how it was crushed.

[Judging by the type of wound, the culprit is-]

creak.

The door to the morgue opened.

Chapter 326 Imitation (4)

When an ability user died, their corpse was managed more strictly than anything else.

In this sentence, various words could be inserted in place of 'anything.'

The most representative example would be the word 'resource.'

An ability user had died.

If the deceased ability user was not a hero but a villain, especially one who pretended to be a hero, gave people hope, and then was revealed to be a villain, bringing despair to them.

Something must be done anew with this villain's death to avoid resentment.

So, whether they were a villain or anyone else, the corpse of an ability user was considered the most important 'resource' managed by the Hero Association.

Even if it was just a corpse.

But.

"Tsk tsk. Coming up to Seoul after such a long time only to see a corpse."

Hyeon Se-rin and I exchanged glances as we looked at the people who entered the morgue.

It's someone we knew.

There's no one in South Korea who didn't know this man.

Choi Ho-jung.

Chairman of Haegneul, one of the leading groups in Korea.

Even though he was well past sixty, he still looked as fit as a man in his forties, regardless of what kind of delicious things he had been eating.

"You bastard."

That man was cursing at the corpse of the deceased ability user.

Even though it was wrong to insult a corpse, no matter how dead they were.

"After pocketing 50 billion won, all you do is act like a villain? Rotten scum. Do you think I gave you that expensive sponsorship money for that...."

Considering the economic losses to Haegneul and the nation caused by Nuts Crusher's villainous actions, and what would happen in the future, it's probably natural for this man to curse. 𝑅𝒶ΝộβÈ𝓢

"What's the family's reaction?"

"They don't even want to come up to Seoul."

"What about insurance?"

"No human could have the face to ask for death insurance, could they?"

"Of course. Even if they get the insurance, they'll get sued by the families of the people their child killed. Tsk tsk...."

For Chairman Choi Ho-jung, everything boiled down to money.

"Did you already pull this guy's ads and replace them with something else?"

"Ah, yes. Our group's...."

"Just remove them entirely. For at least a week. Let's not run anything before or after the news or dramas for about a week either. Damn...."

"But that will cause massive losses...."

"Do you want those losses, or do you want to stand in front of the cameras and read an apology?"

"Ahem."

The other middle-aged man who came in with Chairman Choi Ho-jung cleared his throat and turned away.

"Anyway...."

While the chairman's group was discussing the economic losses, I checked the condition of the group that came in with Hyeon Se-rin.

There were no ability users.

So, no one here would be too sensitive if we talked about things using mana.

[There's nothing to worry about right now, right?]

[Yeah. Even if someone catches us, it wouldn't be strange. We have an excuse.]

An excuse.

The fact that Goblin and Doul were present in this morgue.

It was the same reason that S-class ability user Raijie bothered to come up to Seoul.

The corpse of an A-class ability user.

The corpse of a villain.

A resource.

"So, the head of the Hero Association's Seoul Branch?"

"Ah, yes! Chairman!"

A middle-aged woman with a stern face stepped up behind Chairman Choi Ho-jung.

"How does the government plan to handle this villain?"

"We will follow the wishes of the bereaved family, according to the guidelines...."

"Don't give me that flowery talk."

"...The President is more concerned about public order and peace in southern Gyeonggi Province after the loss of Nuts Crasher than about the body itself. He doesn't want any trouble arising from the corpse issue."

"That makes sense. So, we'll handle it 'as usual,' right?"

The chairman gave a sly smile.

His eyes on the corpse didn't see it as a dead person but more like the body of a cow electrocuted by lightning.

"It's not like he died fighting a demon or a villain. He was just a scumbag who tormented the weak and got his head smashed in by Goblin. If we quietly bury a body like his, it would cause even more problems, right?"

"Yes, sir. People from China or Japan will surely come to dig up the corpse. Villains might do the same. Even Goblin...."

"You fool. If Goblin wanted to suck the life out of an ability user's corpse, he would have done it right then and there. Why would he leave the body behind? If Goblin had dismembered and drained the corpse, it wouldn't be Goblin but something disguised as Goblin. Tsk tsk. Anyway, it's best if this corpse disappears quickly."

As if making excuses, the chairman started to come up with a reason.

"And the body of a villain like this is best used as fertilizer for the national economy, isn't it?"

He smirked.

"As per the manual, Haegneul Sangjo will cremate the villain's body."

Cremation.

Burning the body to ash.

The reason is obvious: to extract the most important resource from an ability user's corpse.

"Report as soon as the mana powder refinement process is complete. The morticians are coming up from Busan to Seoul now, so start the 'dissection' as soon as they arrive."

The corpse might look human, but it's not human.

"Cut this part, and cut that part. Make sure not to spill even a single cartilage."

It was a resource more valuable than gold.

"If it's the corpse of an A-class ability user, it should be worth at least hundreds of billions. Tsk, if only he hadn't been executed... We could have sold it for trillions."

Chairman Choi smacked his lips.

"Of all people, he had to die at the hands of Goblin."

We safely left the morgue and took a short break in an alley not far from the hospital.

"It's a world gone mad, don't you think?"

"Yeah. Haegneul never seems to change."

Hyeon Se-rin and I sipped on drinks from a vending machine while reflecting on the conversation that had taken place in the morgue.

"Do Chief. Do you know the real reason I joined the Secret Society?"

"Because they brought you back from the dead?"

"That's part of it, but the bigger reason I threw my second life into serving the Society?"

"The dignified death of an ability user."

"Correct."

Hyeon Se-rin snapped her fingers and smiled faintly.

"When an E-class ability user dies, turning that body into mana powder alone would fetch tens of billions. Tens of billions! If you move it around discreetly, using brokers here and there, it could easily exceed hundreds of billions."

Mana powder was essentially a doping agent for ability users.

To put it bluntly, it was a drug.

Creating drug powder was illegal, but if someone extracted drugs from a dead body, it's the government's job to handle the corpse before that happened.

However, no country easily 'erased' the body of an ability user.

"When I was in Northern Europe, well, I won't say where exactly. I don't want to shatter your illusions, Chief."

"It's fine. I've been breaking illusions since the moment I opened my eyes in this world."

"Hmm. Glad to hear that. Anyway, over there... when an ability user dies, the state turns them into mana powder and makes other ability users inhale it."

As if just thinking about it disgusted her, Hyeon Se-rin crushed the empty drink can in her hand.

"I understand it. To become stronger, weak nations will do anything. It makes more sense to focus resources on one A-class ability user rather than having a pile of C and D-class corpses. It's logical."

Logically.

"But does it really have to be that way? Huh? Ability users are people too. Can't they just be buried somewhere peacefully when they die? Can't they even have rest after death? Sigh, really."

"Is that why you joined the Society?"

"Yeah. The Society... at least they don't turn ability users into mana powder when they die."

Strictly speaking, they did turn them into mana powder.

But instead of turning them into strange candy to be consumed like others, the cremated remains were placed somewhere no one could exploit them, or if the person permitted it, they were erased from the world entirely.

The Society ensured that no one could recklessly desecrate the corpse of an ability user, or any human for that matter.

"Chief, if you had been the one to execute Nuts Crusher, what would you have done with the body?"

"I would have left it as it was."

"Right? There's no point in turning the ones you execute into mana powder."

Those executed by Goblin left no mana behind, even if their bones were ground into powder and inhaled.

The mana had already drained away.

Unless it's right after the execution, the mana in the bodies I executed didn't remain in the bones; it returned to nature.

"That reminds me. When you went after Red Scarf, but the government's dogs got to him first."

"......."

That was probably when I handed over the bike to Baek Seol-hee.

That was several months ago.

"Today, they'll probably start the dissection process. They'll try to extract the mana powder as quickly as possible before any more leaks out."

Then.

Even if the person was executed by Goblin.

If they extracted the mana before all of it leaked out?

If they tried to salvage whatever mana remains?

"Really, why are people so desperate to cling to even the ashes of the dead?"

"If another method arises, things might change a little."

If there was something else besides mana powder, fewer people would bother with it.

It was impossible to get rid of it entirely, though.

"Someone once said, human greed has no end, and we keep repeating the same mistakes."

"The second part doesn't quite fit the situation... or maybe it does."

Hyeon Se-rin raised her hand to her face and used her power to create a mask.

"Really, do they want to be that strong?"

"Their mentality is that as long as they win, nothing else matters."

I too pulled down my mask and gripped the Goblin Bat tightly.

[A-class ability user's corpse. And a villain at that. There's no way scavengers will leave it alone.]

Presently.

[They're coming.]

Unknown magical powers were converging on Seoul's Haegneul General Hospital.

[Time to clean up the maggots gathering around the corpse.]

Chapter 327: Imitation (5)

No need to overthink it.

Mana powder was a drug, and there was approximately 10 kg of it in the middle of Seoul.

This drug not only brought extreme pleasure to ability users but also enhanced their mana.

Weren't you not supposed to touch a corpse?

The state was strictly managing it and keeping guard, and it reached S-rank, so would it be possible to secretly stash it?

Those who thought like that didn't come here.

And even if they did, those who thought, "If it succeeds, it'll be a jackpot," rushed over here.

Bang.

A small gunshot rang out.

A bullet fired from a silenced pistol lodged into the forehead of a man sneaking into the alley.

"Guh-huh."

The man wearing a baseball cap collapsed to the side.

Though he sprawled alone in the alley, his companion quickly fled backward.

[Where do you think you're going?]

I immediately sprinted forward and swung my goblin bat at the back of the fleeing man's head.

Smack!

The sound of my blow hitting the back of his head was louder than the gunshot, but aside from these two men, there was no one else around.

[Did you kill him?]

[No way. I held back.]

Even though they were D-rank and scavengers trying to dig up corpses, I didn't kill recklessly.

[He'll probably feel like he's dying when he wakes up with a headache, though.]

I tossed the man who had been shot in the forehead by Hyeon Se-rin's bullet next to the other man, and then I placed them both against the streetlight post and tapped my bat on the ground.

[We'll figure out the rest later.]

After tying the two men to the streetlight post with black rope generated by my goblin bat, I dashed in the direction Hyeon Se-rin pointed, running up the wall of a four-story apartment building.

[Hey, do you always have to run up the wall like that?]

[I need my hands free for weapons.]

[You can just grab a pipe or railing to climb.]

[Even if I had to put my hands in my pockets, I'd still run up buildings using just my feet. It's a matter of style.]

[Isn't that just showing off?]

[It's not.]

It's simply a skill.

[You're even moving around like me now.]

[...Well, I admit it looks cool.]

Hyeon Se-rin leaped forward.

I matched her pace as we jumped from rooftop to rooftop.

We didn't roll with any acrobatics.

As if nothing was an obstacle, we darted from building to building, searching for the "flies."

[There's another one over there.]

[Is it just one? I'll handle it.]

Hyeon Se-rin immediately launched herself to the side.

Swish!

Like a bullet, Hyeon Se-rin kicked off the air and swiftly closed in on the woman in the trench coat, striking the back of her neck before she could react.

"Guhk."

The woman collapsed.

Unlike the others we'd dealt with before, I could sense B-rank mana emanating from her.

[Didn't I tell you last time? Striking someone's neck like that won't knock them out.]

[It's my special skill.]

[If it's a skill, there's nothing I can say. But... tying her up might be tricky.]

I checked the condition of the woman Hyeon Se-rin had knocked out.

Since she hadn't used up any mana, she'd definitely regain full use of it when she woke up.

Using B-rank restraints on a B-rank was a waste.

So there was another way to deal with this.

[Wow, what a scummy villain you are.]

[If I can't restrain her with magic, I'll use society's norms. At least I kept some decency.]

I ripped the woman's clothes off, leaving her only in her underwear, and pushed her into a corner where no one could see.

[She's an adult. She should take responsibility for her actions.]

I checked the wallet inside her trench coat and tossed it behind her back.

[She's a woman who spends all her B-rank earnings on drugs. No sympathy necessary.]

[You really can't be a hero, can you?]

[I wouldn't have walked the villain's path if I wanted to be a hero.]

I tapped the smartwatch on my wrist.

It wasn't a regular Taeguk Watch. This was a special item made just for me, immune to the satellites up in the sky. If I had to name it, I'd call it the "Secret Watch."

[There are still a lot of worms out there. Some are even trying to grab Nut Crusher's corpse to suck the last bit of mana out of it.]

"This looks like a case for a villain report."

Someone appeared atop the wall.

"A man and a woman chatting after undressing a woman? Ha, this is rich."

[Are you going to report us?]

"Well..."

Bang.

"If I tried, I'd be dead before the report goes through. That lovely lady there has a gun to my head. How could I report?"

[Don't call her 'lovely lady.']

"What, she's not? Didn't you use to let it slide?"

[I'll let this one slide, but just call her my lover, not 'lovely lady.']

"You've got some weird new concept going, but fine, it doesn't really matter."

Wearing a loose, flowing white robe that swayed like a shaman's, the figure looked like a medium or fortune teller.

[What are you doing here? Are you trying to act like a worm too?]

"That's what I should be asking you."

A sly grin spread across her face.

"Aren't we pros at stepping up for national interests?"

When the fortune teller took off her mask, the face of a rather young girl was revealed.

"Countries all over are playing tricks to steal the corpse, so are you saying the Secret Society is planning to smuggle out Korean resources?"

At that time, Ganghwa Island, Incheon.

Splash, splash.

On the northern side of the island, a group of people in diving suits emerged from the water with small splashing sounds.

Wearing diving suits that covered them head to toe, they each had a single oxygen tank strapped to their backs and began approaching a collapsed hut near the beach as they started to remove their suits one by one.

"Ugh, this is so annoying. We used to be able to just enter through Incheon Port."

"Stop talking about the past. Things could get even worse later on."

The people who had taken off their diving suits were young Asian men.

Although they were speaking Korean, their appearance didn't quite match, making it hard to say they were Korean just by looks.

"If it gets worse, where do we go?"

"Daedong River."

"Daedong River instead of Nakdong River? Damn, it's tough enough crossing the sea, and now we have to run from Pyongyang to Seoul? Jeez."

"Watch your mouth."

One of the men, now completely naked after removing his diving suit, pulled out a plastic bag attached to the back of his suit.

"Get dressed."

"Yeah, yeah."

The young men all changed into clothes from the plastic bag.

Since they were already wearing shoes inside their diving suits, they dressed themselves in underwear, thin shirts, and dress pants pulled from the bag, making them look presentable at the very least.

"Our target is at Haegneul General Hospital in Seoul. The target is in the basement. Even if we can't get everything, getting just a single rib would count as a success."

"If we're going for success, why not aim big? Human bones barely weigh 40kg even if you take them all out, don't they?"

"Human bones don't weigh 40kg. Even if you take them all out, it's not that much."

"...Have you actually taken them out before?"

"Shut up."

The man, who seemed to be the leader, gathered the diving suits into one place and extended his hand towards them.

Rustle.

The ground under the diving suits sank, creating a large pit, and soon the pile of dirt that had built up around the hole collapsed, burying the suits underground.

It was an obvious manifestation of superpowers.

Naturally, these people were ability users.

"Listen up. If we succeed, it's A-rank, but if we fail, we're headed to South America."

"And what if we run into Goblin?"

"Goblin wouldn't kill people just for trying to steal villain mana powder."

"But isn't it possible the execution standards have gotten stricter or something? Heh heh."

"Are you scared?"

"...Of course not."

The young men strapped smartwatches to their wrists and looked southeast.

"If we succeed, we could become someone like Cheonma, and if we fail, the Party will probably bail us out after a few months in prison."

"Yeah. ...As long as we don't die."

The young men put on black masks and headed toward the nearby village.

"Remember. Remember."

"No Chinese."

Three sedans were parked near the slate-roofed house, an unusual sight for the countryside. The young men approached the cars and opened the doors.

"Huh? Boss, this one's locked."

"...That's not the prepared vehicle."

"Oh. Damn... not a fan of sedans."

"Quit whining and get in."

"Yes, sir."

The young men got into the cars and naturally started the engines.

And the cars began driving southeast, towards the end of Ganghwa Island.

"Ah, this is Seong Dogong. Seong Dogong here. Please respond."

[You're late. Get to Seoul as fast as possible. The festival has already started.]

"A festival, you say... wait."

Screech.

As they were crossing a bridge off the island, the group stopped the car and looked at a figure standing on the bridge.

"...What is that?"

There, on the bridge.

A shadowy figure stood.

Upon closer inspection, they could see it holding something that looked like a blade or a piece of metal in its hand.

"What is that, exactly...? A Grim Reaper...?"

Step, step.

The figure, with a black robe fluttering like that of a Grim Reaper, walked toward the car, gripping a sharp dagger.

"Are you guys here for the A-rank mana powder too?"

"This voice..."

As the voice echoed—

Slice.

The blade slashed through the car, cutting it in half.

"Damn, get out!"

The young men leaped out of the car, clenching their fists and preparing for battle.

"Why is that guy here...!"

"Villain or not, that belongs to Korea."

The Grim Reaper-like figure walked out from the shadows into the light cast by the headlights and said,

"I won't let you hand it over to the Chinese."

The man had dark skin.

"Damn it, why is a Black guy—"

"A Black guy?"

Slice.

"No."

Red blood splattered onto the man's black skin.

"Even if Nut Crusher was a villain, he's still Korea's villain."

"And since foreign countries are eyeing the corpse, we have no choice but to step in."

"Yeah, we have to handle this."

The girl spread her arms to the sides, brought her hands together, and bowed.

"I, Seon Mudang of Hwalbindang, am requesting a temporary alliance with the Secret Society's Goblin and Doul."

Seon Mudang, the girl, pointed toward the sky.

"First and foremost, we must prevent the corpse from being taken out of the country, right?"

Chapter 328: Imitation (6)

There was an organization called Hwalbindang.

There was no need to go into too much detail about this group; it could be summed up in one line:

The largest villain organization in Korea.

Outwardly, they advocate for justice, claiming to steal from the wicked and distribute wealth to the poor.

Their most concrete action was preventing the outflow of Korea's resources to foreign countries.

Whether it was people, wealth, abilities, or information, Hwalbindang worked to prevent anything from leaving the country.

Even the corpses of A-class ability users.

The ones who made this possible were the executives of Hwalbindang—the 3 Leaders.

One of them was right before us, the S-class villain, [Seonmudang].

[Form an alliance?]

"Yeah. Even the Secret Society must be troubled. You've started something big, and now people keep trying to get their hands on the corpses."

[You're suggesting we handle the ones after the Mana Powder together?]

"Of course. You'll cooperate, right?"

Seonmudang reached out toward me.

Her small hand stretched forward from under the white cloth, and the face of this black-haired girl was filled with unwavering conviction.

[Indeed, it seems that not only Korean but even foreign ability users are scrambling to lick corpses.]

She was confident we would cooperate.

[However, I refuse.]

"Huh...?"

[We will act on our own. There's no reason to cooperate.]

"What? You caused this mess, and now you're telling us to clean it up?"

Seonmudang, looking at me in disbelief, turned her gaze to Hyeon Se-rin.

"Sister, is this right?"

[...Hmm. Hold on, strategy time. That's fine, right?]

"You don't get long. One minute."

Seonmudang puffed her cheeks and stepped back.

I immediately turned to Hyeon Se-rin, and we exchanged mana while holding hands.

-She seems to be misunderstanding something.

-Seonmudang has the reputation of a killer, and she's acting just like it.

-We only have a minute. Let's get to the point.

-Hwalbindang believes that the Goblin is real. Hyeon Se-rin, is it in our interest to reveal this information now?

-If it were someone else, we should keep it hidden. But with her, it's fine. Let's reveal it.

We reached an agreement.

I released Hyeon Se-rin's hand, and Seonmudang's expression, which had been glaring at me, softened for a moment.

[Before we proceed, let me confirm one thing. Who do you think killed the Nut Crusher?]

"Wasn't it you?"

[What if it wasn't?]

"...The news said it was you."

Seonmudang tilted her head.

"If it wasn't you, then who could disappear like that?"

[It was probably someone with a similar ability.]

"Someone skilled enough to take down an A-class? But we're talking about an S-class villain."

[There could be someone who developed such an ability. Now, you.]

I pointed my finger at Seonmudang.

[You're awfully rude for someone so young to be speaking informally.]

"Wow, look at the Goblin acting all old-fashioned, like some Confucian patriarch."

[You think this is being old-fashioned?]

[We're not in a position to be polite to each other. Leave this to me.]

Hyeon Se-rin put her hand on my shoulder and stepped forward.

[Yu-jeong, I can vouch for him. It wasn't him.]

"Hmm..."

[We're here to find the real culprit too. In the meantime, we were handling the ones trying to steal Mana Powder.]

Hyeon Se-rin spoke warmly to Seonmudang—Nam Yu-jeong.

It had to be that way.

Though both were S-class villains, they were once S-class heroes who fought side by side in Korea.

Hyeon Se-rin chose exile, while Nam Yu-jeong chose to join Hwalbindang.

And until then, they had been very close friends.

Close enough not to reveal each other's true identities to their organizations.

"If you're saying that much, I'll trust you. But even so, foreigners are still coming here to steal corpses. Will you help us?"

[You're speaking to me completely differently than you did to Doul.]

"So what if I am?"

[...]

Though she acknowledged the formality, the atmosphere remained awkward.

Was this the attitude of an active Korean high school girl?

[Fine. The important thing is that I'm the Goblin, and you're Seonmudang. What is Hwalbindang's goal? To secure Nut Crasher's corpse?]

"No. Our goal is to eliminate those trying to steal the corpse. If someone tries to take the body, it means they want to use it for evil purposes."

[I see. So Hwalbindang's stance remains the same. Understood.]

The reasons Hwalbindang got involved:

First, to prevent the outflow of resources abroad.

Second, to stop the exploitation of corpses by the so-called 'higher-ups,' or to carry out their justice.

'Their commitment to their ideology is admirable.'

If they were just villains seeking personal gain and causing chaos, the Secret Society would have already stepped in and destroyed Hwalbindang.

However, at least for the executives, their leader aimed to walk a path that, while different from the Secret Society's, was similar in nature.

The kind of people who would call Hong Gil-dong or Im Ggeokjeong villains deserving of death were likely corrupt officials who had their wealth stolen through ill-gotten gains. ṘＡŊỔВΕS̈

[If that's really the only reason, there's no need for the Secret Society to treat them as enemies.]

"So, are you going to cooperate?"

[No. We won't cooperate.]

I stepped back, and Hyeon Se-rin also stood beside me with a bitter smile.

"Sister?"

[Sorry, but I'm with the Secret Society. I can't align with your ideology.]

"Sister, we're not bad people—"

[You're letting Koreans pass through, right?]

"......."

Seonmudang's expression shifted from that of a rejected puppy to one full of mischief.

[Foreigners can't steal Korea's resources, but if Koreans steal Korean resources, that's a different story.]

"......Heh."

[Why are you smiling so meaningfully? Am I wrong?]

"No, I just realized the Secret Society operates on a global scale."

As Seonmudang raised her hand to her face, a 'mask' covered her features.

"There's nothing wrong with Koreans using Korea's resources, right?"

[.......]

Hwalbindang was an organization that the Secret Society had no immediate plans to interfere with, but they saw it as a necessary evil that would need to be uprooted one day.

It was a necessary evil.

"If we don't stop them, there will be people trying to smuggle corpses abroad, and then we'll lose national resources."

[Do you trust the government? What if they misuse Nut Crusher's corpse?]

"Could they? With Hwalbindang around? With us here, how could they dare to secretly steal the body? If they did...they'd be punished. For sure."

Considering that their presence at least kept corruption in Korea somewhat in check, they were difficult to eliminate right away.

The same went for Haegneul.

Haegneul and Hwalbindang.

Both were ultimately doing their best for "Korea's benefit," so in this nationalist worldview, touching or dismantling them would cause quite a backlash.

We had to acknowledge that having Hwalbindang meant there were fewer traitors selling out the country.

"It's unfortunate that you won't cooperate. So, what's next? Are we going to fight?"

[There's no reason to waste energy fighting you. Doul feels the same.]

[Yeah, and you wouldn't win against me and the Goblin anyway.]

"......."

She came here to cooperate because she knew she couldn't win.

If things went south, she might have to fight that woman over there.

Crackle.

Blue lightning flickered in the dark night sky.

Hyeon Se-rin and I turned our gaze toward the rooftop of Haegneul General Hospital, where the lightning struck.

[Is it starting?]

"Tch...!"

Seonmudang kicked off the ground.

As if trying to get away from the hospital's vicinity, she quickly fled the area.

[She's quick to run. Well, that's probably why she hasn't been caught yet.]

[What? Are you disappointed that she's the same S-class villain as you?]

[I'm too old and beyond that kind of disappointment.]

[Really? I thought you hated being grouped with other S-classes.]

[Even if she's an S-minus-minus class, S-class is still S-class.]

Seonmudang was considered S-class because she received that title before Taejo evaluated her.

In terms of actual combat power, she might be at the lowest level of S-class, but she sure ran like a typical K-high school girl rushing to get in line for lunch.

Crackle.

Dark clouds began to gather over Haegneul General Hospital.

With one arm around Hyeon Se-rin's waist, I raised the Goblin Bat high into the air with my other hand.

[The smart thing to do when facing a real S-class attack is to avoid it if you don't think you're S-class.]

As I infused a bit of magical power into the tip of the Goblin Bat...

Flash!

Suddenly, countless bolts of lightning began to rain down from the sky in every direction.

BOOOOM――――――!!

Blue lightning crashed down in multiple places.

Between the roads stretching from the hospital, and through the gaps between buildings, the bolts struck.

Aaaaaah――!!

Ugggggh!!

With every lightning strike, painful screams echoed.

Those who took the lightning directly to the crown of their heads would be electrocuted and fall to the ground.

"......Tsk."

On the rooftop of Haegneul General Hospital.

As he adjusted his long, dark blue hair, which shimmered in the electric light, the Thunder Emperor reached out to the sky once again.

"These druggies really have no sense of fear."

Crackle.

The moment the lightning flashed again, the sound of people collapsing could be heard from all directions.

"...They won't come to their senses until lightning burns their scalps down to the roots. Tsk."

The Thunder Emperor rubbed the back of his neck and turned his head.

"......."

The place where the lightning struck.

A man in a suit, holding a white-haired woman in his arms, with a black bat raised toward the sky.

The face was clearly that of a Goblin mask.

"Tch."

The Thunder Emperor smirked as he eyed the electric charge gathering at the end of the Goblin's bat.

KABOOM――――!!

With an irritated flick of his hand, he summoned a massive bolt of lightning.

But the direction was...

Aaaaaaaaah!!

Kuh, Haaah!!

...in the opposite direction of the Goblin.

Chapter 329: Imitation (7)

At that moment, in the Hero Association Office in Busan—

"That's the dignity of an S-rank."

Chairman Jeong Gi-jo smiled in relief as he watched the lightning flashing on the TV screen in front of him.

"It's a relief that we can trust at least the Thunder Emperor, no matter what."

"Are you saying that others cannot be trusted?"

"It's not that the other heroes can't be trusted."

Clicking his tongue at the Deputy Chairman's words, Jeong Gi-jo added a caveat and lifted his mug containing a tea bag, nodding toward the screen.

"Is there anyone else suited for defense other than someone who can accurately strike villains within range like that?"

"There's the one who sets up ice walls, and the one who builds steel walls, isn't there?"

"The one who sets up ice walls is about to retire, and the one who builds steel walls frequently gets pierced by stronger opponents. When you're putting up an electric barrier like that, no one can move a muscle."

The Chairman lightly sipped his tea, put down the mug, and pointed to the top of his head.

"How can you stop lightning falling right above your head?"

"And if they die..."

"Each person gets struck by just enough lightning not to die. Even an E-rank can survive being struck by natural lightning, so why wouldn't ability users survive lightning created by magic?"

Natural lightning vs. ability-created lightning.

If asked which one is stronger, the answer is obviously the former.

Lightning created by abilities is ultimately a magical attack with lightning properties, and as long as you have enough magic power, you can neutralize or endure the attack.

"When I was younger, there were villains who got electrocuted by a million volts every single day."

"They still do that these days."

"...Oh, really? Guess they're still getting zapped and not dying, huh."

"If people got electrocuted to death in cartoons rated for all ages or seven-year-olds, would it still be a children's cartoon?"

"That makes sense. I didn't think they'd still be around these days."

The Chairman, reminiscing about the past, stared at his mug for a while, lost in thought.

"When I was a kid, I thought everything in the world would go smoothly. Whether schools transformed, robots rose from the ground, or trains transformed, I thought super robots would appear and defeat the villains."

"...I'm sorry, I can't really relate to that."

"I wasn't trying to get sympathy. Don't worry about it."

"But you were hoping I'd understand—"

"Ahem. More importantly, is the body of Nuts Crusher secure?"

The Chairman cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"There hasn't been anyone infiltrating the building, right?"

"No, sir. Six A-rank agents are hiding on-site. No one has successfully entered the hospital."

"That's a relief. Fewer of them than expected."

"...Isn't it thanks to them?"

The Deputy Chairman opened his tablet, displaying some data, and handed it to the Chairman with a stern face.

"This is intelligence from various regions. Judging by their ruthless actions, it must be them."

"......."

"Chairman, since they eliminated thieves from abroad, perhaps we should—"

"A villain is still a villain."

The Chairman projected the tablet's video onto the screen.

-Aaargh! Please, spare me!

-I don't spare anyone. That's who I am.

-Who the hell are you?

-The one who eliminates all those who try to steal Korea's resources.

Swoosh.

On the CCTV footage, a grim reaper-like figure swung his sword, cutting down the resisting ability user.

-I am the King of Yuldo.

Magic sparkled on the blade, and the man's face reflected in it was darker than his traditional hat and robe.

"...Are you suggesting we loosen the regulations on people like that?"

"Haha, Chairman. But thanks to them, we don't have to get our hands dirty..."

"Are you saying we should acknowledge and release people who kill like that, just because things are troublesome or dangerous?"

At the Chairman's sharp voice, the Deputy Chairman bowed his head.

"I understand the desire to do whatever it takes for the national interest. The country is already operating units like that, so I can't say we shouldn't do it at all. But you're suggesting... using them as the Association's force?" ꞦάꞐ𝘰ᛒĘ𝓢

"Yes."

The Deputy Chairman straightened his posture and lowered his voice.

"Chairman, the Hero Association is an independent organization separate from the government..."

"I've heard that talk more than a dozen times already."

"Please, listen one more time. The Hero Association is an international organization. No matter how much we are in Korea, we don't need to be concerned about their opinion. Aren't all the S-rank heroes affiliated with the Association?"

"If they had to choose between the country and the international association, the S-ranks would surely choose the Association."

"That's why I'm saying we should bring those who choose the Association to our side. If the government ever declares martial law..."

"Ridiculous."

The Chairman cut off the Deputy Chairman's words abruptly.

"Don't go around talking like that. If the government declares martial law, it'll be because the Hero Association or some other organization has privatized S-rank villains and tried to become a military force. Are you hoping for the Association to become the target of martial law?"

"But we can't remain suppressed and dependent on lower institutions of this country forever, can we? This is the age of abilities. We can't continue being subject to the government's—"

"Just do your job. Looks like we have a call from the Thunder Emperor."

The Deputy Chairman closed his mouth and bowed his head, while the Chairman activated the Taegeuk Watch to connect with the Thunder Emperor.

"So, how is it?"

[It's all taken care of. I'll confirm the rest after entering the hospital.]

"Will you be alright?"

[I've connected all the circuits to the nearby CCTV. As soon as any unidentified ability user appears, I'll shoot lightning indoors. The fortress is complete.]

"Then the answer is clear. There's even an emergency generator in the hospital basement, so feel free to use it."

[Understood. I'll contact you if anything unusual happens.]

Click.

Once Thunder Emperor's rigid report ended, the Chairman turned his head back to the Deputy Chairman.

"...Well, it's a relief to have at least one hardworking person like that, isn't it? Hmm? I know what you're worried about. You're concerned about the decrease in the number of S-rank heroes, aren't you?"

"...Chairman. I feel uneasy."

The Deputy Chairman, with a frightened face, pointed to the eight portraits hanging on the wall.

"After Baek Seol-hee mentioned her plans for retirement, I suddenly started worrying that those portraits might start falling one by one."

"...Even so, would she really retire so suddenly?"

"You never know with young people these days. What if Thunder Emperor, out of the blue, gets involved with a guy and announces she's retiring due to pregnancy...."

"Don't worry about that."

The Chairman nodded with a face full of relief.

"Thunder Emperor doesn't have a boyfriend."

"......But she could have a secret lover, like someone we know."

"She doesn't have that either. Thunder Emperor is, you know."

The Chairman whispered in a very low voice.

"She's never dated."

"Thank you for your hard work, Thunder Emperor."

"It's nothing, really."

Thunder Emperor, Kim Yoon-ji, glanced at the lightning she had fired outside the hospital through the CCTV and casually responded to the hospital director's greeting.

"At this point, no one will dare target the body. I'll be going now."

"Ah, would you like to take a break, perhaps...."

"I can't leave the premises, so could I borrow the staff break room for a bit?"

"No, no, we can't offer just that when someone of your stature is here. There's a vacant VIP room available. Dr. Kim here will guide you."

"...He looks familiar."

"Haha, he's my son."

The hospital director introduced his son to the Thunder Emperor, patting his son's shoulder with a friendly smile.

"He's thirty years old this year...."

"Just let me know where to go later. I should check the basement for any intruders and inspect the body."

"...Of course."

Thunder Emperor exited the makeshift command center within the hospital and pushed through the crowd as she headed toward the basement.

"Wow, noona! You're amazing!"

"Yeah, yeah. Noona's working right now, so I'll give you an autograph after I'm done."

"You don't have to give me an autograph!"

"...Oh, really?"

"I just want you to smile! You look like an angel when you smile!"

"Oh, I see. You're really good at lifting and dropping people's spirits."

Smiling at a young boy in a wheelchair with a furry hat on his head, Thunder Emperor took the emergency stairs down to the basement.

"......."

There was no one around.

The basement was a restricted area to begin with, and no one was allowed inside.

Step, step.

The Thunder Emperor walked down the hallway and arrived at the morgue.

As soon as she placed her Taegeuk Watch against the door, the door, which had been glowing red, opened to the sides, and the Thunder Emperor entered the morgue, reaching out toward the body of Nuts Crusher placed in the center.

Sssrrk.

As the white cloth was pulled back, the face of Nuts Crusher was revealed.

His head, completely devoid of color, was heavily crushed on one side.

"......."

Creak.

The door closed.

And at the same time, there was a clack sound as the door locked, accompanied by a faint crackling noise.

"......."

Thunder Emperor blinked her eyes slowly, then reached her hand forward—

[What are you trying to do?]

"......."

Stopping whatever she was about to do, the Thunder Emperor withdrew her hand as the voice came from behind.

"What are you here for? To finish him off? Are you going to kill someone who's already dead?"

[That's what I should be asking, Thunder Emperor.]

Step, step.

[You could've kept things simple, but you went through all this trouble. However, I have a more pressing matter.]

The owner of the voice stood in front of Nuts Crusher's corpse, on the opposite side of Thunder Emperor, locking eyes with her.

[What are you trying to do with electrolysis on a dead body?]

"......!"

[You're not just damaging the body—you're planning to burn it to ashes, leaving not even a trace of bone behind?]

"......You."

[Go ahead, if that's what you want.]

"......?"

The Goblin made a circle with his fingers.

[But in exchange, I'll have to take something in return.]

"If you're talking about hush money...."

[The value of a name.]

"......."

Thunder Emperor's expression twisted.

[You used the Goblin's name to kill someone, didn't you?]

"What do you want in return?"

[That.]

The Goblin pointed his finger at the Thunder Emperor.

[The most valuable and precious thing you have.]

Chapter 330: Imitation (8)

To get straight to the point, the impersonator was the Thunder Emperor.

I realized it after seeing the wounds on Nuts Crusher.

It was this woman who overfilled Nuts Crusher's peanuts with excessive magic power, causing them to explode.

Although the traces of the explosion were extremely horrific, part of the wound had faint remnants of what looked like a lightning strike.

The lingering echo of magic power.

Just like when Baek Seol-hee hit me with her fist before, leaving a cold sensation on my left hand, attacks from elemental ability users leave such marks.

[This may not be the ideal place to ask a bunch of questions, but in fact, this is a perfect place for a quiet conversation. No one comes here.]

"......."

[I'm not particularly curious as to why you killed Nuts Crasher. It's only natural for a hero to eliminate a villain. But the method you used... that is quite intriguing.]

That's also why I came here.

[Why did you impersonate me?]

"Am I going to be executed for impersonation?"

[Depending on the circumstances.]

"......."

The Thunder Emperor touched her face with her hand.

At this moment, she appeared as a typical woman, wearing a black suit and a white T-shirt — the standard uniform of a Hero Association agent.

But when she was disguised as the Goblin, eliminating Nuts Crusher, she wore the Goblin's mask and outfit.

I had so many questions personally.

Where did she get that disguise? If it was created with magic power, how did she make it? How did she disappear without a trace under people's eyes when she was done? Could it be that she reached the level of 'spiritualization'?

And ultimately, did she wear the Goblin's disguise for the reason I think she did?

[Now, will you pay the price? Or will you simply answer my questions?]

"If I offer my most valuable thing, can I keep wearing the Goblin's disguise in the future?"

[Hmm?]

"...I needed the Goblin's mask."

The Thunder Emperor calmly pressed her Taeguk Watch with her hand.

As the alarm on the Taeguk Watch was about to go off, she suppressed it with her magic power, consciously deactivating the electromagnetic defense field surrounding her body.

"To eliminate these kinds of villains."

[I understand the need for a mask, but I want to hear it directly from your mouth.]

"...There are too many villains in this country."

Kim Yoon-ji clenched her fists, staring down at Nuts Crusher as though ready to kill him again with her gaze alone.

"It's not just the villains from the Secret Society. There's also Hwalbindang, Jeolheomdan, the National Roe Deer Union, Anti-Nation Gang...."

Their names may sound strange, but it's precisely because they had such strange names that they were even more dangerous villain groups.

Each one had at least one or two A+-class or S-class villains who were the strongest of their group.

And in their own way, they all engaged in villainous activities.

In some form or another.

"I want to eliminate these villains more proactively."

[By killing them completely?]

"Exactly."

[Why?]

"Because there will be no aftermath."

This woman... she shared the same mindset as me.

"It's much more beneficial to eliminate them without leaving any loose ends. Especially with villains like these. You, of all people, should understand, right?" ꞦÅNóᛒЕ𝘚

[Ah, yes. I understand. Instead of leaving room for complications later, if it's a threat to world peace, the correct answer is to deal with it thoroughly. But why are you acting like this now? You've been silent until now.]

"......Yes, I have."

Kim Yoon-ji clenched her fist tightly and reached toward Nuts Crusher.

"Not anymore."

[Was there some kind of turning point that made you borrow the Goblin's mask?]

"...Well, I'm not sure I want to talk about that just yet."

The Thunder Emperor scratched her head and lowered her gaze.

"I figured it out."

[What did you figure out?]

"The truth of this world. The secret of this country."

[What do you mean by such ominous words?]

Suddenly, chills ran down my spine as I wondered what she was talking about.

"When a villain dies, they turn into mana powder. But when they survive and are captured..."

The Thunder Emperor.

"...They become a murderous weapon, loyal to the nation."

It seemed she had uncovered a fragment of this country's dark secret.

[I don't understand what you're saying.]

"No, you do know. That's why you've been killing villains who deserve the death penalty, eliminating all of them through executions. So they could die as humans, not as slaves."

[.......]

"Execution squad."

Finally, that name was spoken.

"Not only capturing villains to use as the nation's workforce, but turning them into mercenaries for wars in other countries."

[You only realized this now, after becoming an S-class?]

"!!"

The Thunder Emperor turned her head.

[A state-run assassination squad. A group that kills all those who rebel against the nation in the name of national interest. And you only found out about their existence in 2025?]

"...I was late, but I figured it out."

Behind her, standing with half-closed eyes and a gun aimed at the back of the Thunder Emperor's head, was Hyeon Se-rin.

[So, you've finally seen what lies beyond the flower garden, Princess?]

"...And if I have?"

[Well, if that's the case.]

Hyeon Se-rin retrieved the gun, then patted the Thunder Emperor's shoulder as she draped her arm around her.

[If you've decided to feel the deepest part of the abyss yourself, I have no reason to dislike you more.]

"......."

[Still, it's not like I've started liking you.]

"...I'll show you. How I've completely changed, unlike before."

[.......]

I felt like I should add something, but instead, I restrained myself by tapping the bat on my shoulder.

[Alright. So, where did you learn that? The information about the Execution Squad must have been thoroughly hidden, even from S-classes.]

"Yeah. If I had lived in the flower garden forever, I'd never have known. But... I managed to find out somehow."

Who told this woman about the dirty side of the country?

"Hwalbindang told me."

Of course, it must have been someone who wanted to overturn the dark side of this nation.

[Am Gil-dong.]

At that moment, in the outskirts of Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul.

Thud!

Inside a desolate factory, a small light flickered amidst the piles of machines.

It wasn't the light of a smartphone but a match.

The face of the person who lit a candle in the middle of the darkness with that match stood out as unusually dark, even in the shadows.

"Oh, you're here?"

"......."

As the candlelight brightened the surroundings, several ability users who had been resting were sprawled out around the place.

The common feature? All of them were wearing hanbok.

And to varying degrees, they all had traces of blood on them.

"Anyone hurt?"

"No. What about the boss?"

"Not at all."

A man dressed like a grim reaper loosened his hat strap and sat down on a chair.

Although his black clothes were also stained with red blood, it was barely visible on his face, hidden by the darkness.

"Boss, don't you think we're living too much in the dark? Can't we at least live with some light?"

"If the lights go on in this factory at this hour, they'll show up immediately. The hounds of those corrupt officials, who want to turn villains into slaves."

"Hah, couldn't we just fight them right away?"

A shaman lying on the floor corrected his posture and asked.

"We're not scared of them. Isn't it about time we started pressuring them with our strength?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because even though they're scum, they're still necessary to suppress the other villain scum. If the authorities disappear, all that's left is lawlessness."

"Boss, then...."

"Excuse me."

Drip, drip.

With the sound of blood dripping, a rather large young man entered the factory.

"I'm back."

"Ugh, clean up that blood on your stake, will you?"

"...Ah. Sorry. I got a little carried away beating them to death."

The young man, Malttuk, wiped the blood off his stake with his sleeve and plopped down on the floor.

His mask, too, was stained with red blood, and it wasn't hard to guess how he had beaten his opponents to death.

"What happened?"

"The foreigners coming down from Gangwon-do are all dead. No survivors."

"...Good. That way, there's no chance they'll be collared by corrupt officials again."

Click.

"Before they become the government's dogs—"

Flash!

Suddenly, artificial lights began to flood the inside of the factory.

As the factory was filled with light, everyone quickly put their masks back on and stood up.

[Hwalbindang! We know you're in there! Surrender your weapons and come out peacefully!]

"That voice...."

"Chuncheon's Fire Pillar. A traitor."

Malttuk's half-closed eyes narrowed beneath his mask.

"I'll take care of him."

"...Too bad. I thought we might be able to make contact if we waited here."

"Make contact?"

"Something like that."

Hwalbindang's leader, Am Gil-dong, gripped the crescent-shaped blade with both hands.

"We just recruited a new executive... Tsk."

Crash!

At the sound of shattering glass, something came raining down like a barrage of arrows.

Literally, a rain of arrows.

Each arrow was imbued with magic power, piercing through the piles of machines and leaving holes in them.

"They must've brought archers instead of shooting guns to avoid making noise."

"Likely. It seems even government agents have shown up. What should we do?"

"We can't fight public officials. Our target is..."

Am Gil-dong stabbed his sword into the ground.

"...the corrupt officials."

With a scraping sound, the ground split in two, and Hwalbindang members leaped underground.

[It seems the Korean villains had their own episode here in Korea....]

Well, it didn't really matter.

The important thing was that it was me who was having this conversation with the Thunder Emperor right now.

[By saying all this, are you implying you're siding with the Secret Society instead of Hwalbindang?]

"Yes."

[Why the Secret Society?]

"That's because..."

The Thunder Emperor scratched her cheek and answered.

"...I'm wondering if there's a way for me to serve this country, even if I die, even after death."

Chapter 331: Imitation (9)

The people of the world had one question.

The four executives of the Secret Society.

Originally, they didn't intend to use such nicknames, but the Korean government named them after the four evil creatures from Chinese mythology.

Gunggi.

Doul.

Docheol.

Chaos.

Were these four S-class villains suddenly created?

Were they suddenly made into S-class ability users by the secret organization known as the Secret Society?

No.

Some of them were originally S-class ability users, and some started as B-class and grew stronger until they reached S-class, but none of them appeared out of nowhere as S-class.

In other words, they had a history as humans.

Although that history had been erased and disappeared at some point, they were undoubtedly people of this world, born after the year 2000.

Their names and aliases, everything they had before they died, had vanished and left no trace, but they remained in people's memories.

Hyeon Se-rin was one of them.

There were people who remembered this S-class ability user, Doul Hyeon Se-rin, also known in Northern Europe as 'Fenrir.'

And there was a problem that arose between people's memories and the existence of the Secret Society's Doul.

-"Fenrir, wasn't she dead?"

The fact that a dead person was walking around alive.

Some might think this:

The government must have covered up their death!

Or, just before death, the Secret Society took them and revived them!

Or, they truly died, but now they've come back, saying they never actually experienced death!

However, those who witnessed their deaths thought differently.

Hyeon Se-rin did, in fact, die.

The government covered up the information because the target was dead, erasing all data about them.

They mobilized every method to confirm the kill.

They didn't leave even the corpse behind, completely erasing it from the surface.

It was not that someone else wearing Fenrir's dead skin was born with the name Doul - Hyeon Se-rin.

No, it was the dead brought back to life.

Resurrection of the dead.

And this woman, the Thunder Emperor Kim Yoon-ji, claimed to have witnessed Hyeon Se-rin's death.

So it was only natural for her to feel strange.

No matter how much she looked at it, this person using Fenrir's powers was alive and well, moving around.

Many possibilities could be considered, but it seemed the Thunder Emperor was keeping the possibility of a "resurrection" in mind.

[So you're saying that under the condition of cooperating with the Secret Society, they'll revive you when you die?]

"That's right."

[Why?]

"...Because I want to personally resolve the issues happening in the world beyond the garden, even if I'm dead."

It seemed this woman had had some kind of awakening in a place we were unaware of.

Not everyone had a great spiritual awakening only in places where I could see them or know them.

There were times when they awakened and realized things on their own, in places I couldn't witness.

This was one of those times.

"Is it possible?"

[Why do you think you were brought back from the dead?]

I bluffed slightly.

[Sorry, but the Doul standing there is not who you think they are.]

"What...?"

[Our Secret Society is a villain organization. We will use any means necessary for world peace.]

Hyeon Se-rin looked at me with questioning eyes, but I suppressed her doubts with my gaze.

Trust me.

Hyeon Se-rin may know more about this woman than I did, but I had the knowledge of a reader.

The Thunder Emperor was a logical type.

You had to approach her with logic, not emotion.

[Doul is actually a clone.]

"...What?"

Kim Yoon-ji's mouth opened in shock, and Hyeon Se-rin's eyes widened.

"A clone...?"

[Yes. A copy created from the original. Not the real Fenrir. They were cloned based on the genes the Secret Society secured from Fenrir before his death.] Ɍ𝓪𝐍οβΕꞩ

"The Secret Society has the technology to create S-class ability users..."

[That's right.]

I didn't lie.

Cloning technology existed, but the Chief didn't use it. Instead, they were researching artificial bodies capable of holding the souls of the dead.

Although it took 10 months to produce and there was no guarantee an S-class will result, the Secret Society had long since secured the technology to create S-class ability users.

[It seems you're thinking of a necromancer, someone who raises the dead, but unfortunately...]

I didn't deny it.

I just expressed my regret.

[So even if you die, reviving Kim Yoon-ji as a puppet of the Secret Society with necromancy is impossible.]

"......"

[It's unfortunate. Whether you're sincere or not, the Secret Society can't grant your wish.]

At least not for now.

[What will you do? Will you still cooperate with the Secret Society? All we can do is use Kim Yoon-ji while you're alive for the benefit of the Secret Society, and when you're dead, create a clone to continue serving our will.]

With a slight hint of threat, I pressed the Thunder Emperor.

Even with such threats and the manipulation of truth, if she still wanted to join hands with the Secret Society...

By now, there must already be a black dot in her thoughts, which once resembled a white canvas.

The hatred toward the nation and the collapse of trust must be slowly spreading like ink on that canvas.

[If you still want to cooperate, I can lend you the Goblin's mask. However, when it comes to the target-]

"There's a condition."

[...Huh?]

"If my clone is created, make sure that it dies... for this country."

There was no hesitation in Kim Yoon-ji's eyes.

"I am an S-class hero of this country. While I am alive, it's only natural that I live for the nation in the light, and even after I die, I want to continue living for the nation, even as a clone."

[What has this country ever done for you? Hasn't it always hidden its dirty shadows from you and made you look forward?]

"It's not about what the country has done for me. It's just..."

Kim Yoon-ji placed her right hand over her left chest.

"I simply want to do something for this country. If up until now, I've walked the path of a 'righteous hero,' from now on, it will be different."

[Do you have a rough plan? Borrowing the Goblin's mask and killing villains, is that your method?]

"That's right. If I merely subdue them, they'll end up in the execution squad. I think it's better to cleanly die rather than become a killing machine while alive."

[That's a difficult mindset to understand.]

At my words, Hyeon Se-rin also slightly nodded.

While I knew information that Hyeon Se-rin didn't, Hyeon Se-rin was somewhat familiar with Kim Yoon-ji and was curious about why she suddenly became so gray.

Just because someone who was in a flower garden saw the dirty mud, it didn'rt mean they'd willingly crawl into that mud to clean it up.

[Tell me your true motive. The reason for all of this. Something that both I and Doul can accept.]

"...Saying that I've seen the abyss might not be convincing enough. Fine. I'll give you an answer with this."

Crackle.

Kim Yoon-ji placed her hand on Nut Crusher's corpse and summoned her magic.

Both Hyeon Se-rin and I silently watched her actions, and soon we realized what she was trying to do with her abilities.

Crackle.

Nut Crusher's body began to wither.

At the same time, it started to deform, and soon the stench of decay and burning began to waft out.

[Really, if you're going to do something like this, give me a warning first.]

Hyeon Se-rin waved her hand lightly, causing the gas emanating from Nut Crusher's body to gather in one spot.

As I watched her use wind to isolate the stench, Kim Yoon-ji channeled more magic into her hands.

And soon, that magic revealed its effect.

Whoosh.

With black smoke, the sound of something melting from the inside could be heard.

It was the sound of the components making up a human body completely disintegrating. The corpse was no longer a corpse but something burnt away from the inside by electricity and magic.

Like smashing a walnut with a hammer, Nut Crusher disappeared into a handful of ashes.

[What are you doing?]

"Just making sure the body isn't desecrated."

Kim Yoon-ji withdrew her hand, looking satisfied as if she had completed her task.

"Hwalbindang sent me some documents. They've been destroyed now, but the information was true. After seeing it, I decided to borrow the Goblin's mask."

[What was it?]

"It might be disgusting..."

[I've seen plenty of disgusting things already.]

Even in Thailand, that was the case.

[I've seen the dark side of the world for a long time. The abyss you're thinking of might be the gateway to hell. Tell me, which hell are you talking about?]

"...The process of handling the corpses of villains who weren't executed. Villains who don't go to prison but disappear without a trace. Among them, Hwalbindang confirmed that someone was stealing the bones of ability users."

[Did they make mana powder with it?]

"...It would've been better if they ground it into powder and consumed it as medicine."

Kim Yoon-ji frowned as she continued.

"They boiled villain soup."

[.......]

"They claimed it was good for the body, that consuming mana powder would increase the chances of giving birth to an ability user. They used the bones of dead villains..."

To birth ability users.

"There were crazy people boiling the bones of dead ability users and eating it like dog stew."

Chapter 332: Imitation (10)

Humans were capable of doing anything for their own gain.

If it involved success, health, or money, they could even sell their own family.

Living in this world, we heard all sorts of stories on public news channels, but there were times when seeing atrocities made my blood boil.

This was one of those times.

[Human Bone Soup.]

It was beyond disgusting; it's grotesque to the core.

Of course, as a villain now, with a foot in the dark world, it was only natural I encountered such things often.

But even so, facing something like this in the modern world, similar to what happened in the ancient Inca civilization or the Mayan empire, was truly unpleasant.

[You've gotten weak.]

[What?]

Hyeon Se-rin let out a bitter laugh at the mention of Human Bone Soup.

[Goblin, sometimes I feel like you're surprisingly less resilient in these areas. Even after that chaos in Thailand?]

[Even if the depth is the same, each time the number of cases increases, my head spins. What do you mean by weak?]

[Back in the day, it wasn't Human Bone Soup. It was consumed in capsules. As powder.]

"Insane."

The Thunder Emperor also spat out in disgust.

Of course, there was no need to explain what that white magical powder inside those capsules was made of.

Even more disturbing was that this happened in the 'old days' when Hyeon Se-rin was active, and not a decade or more ago, but just a few years back. The more I thought about it, the more I hated this world.

I hated humanity.

But I mustn't think like that.

I took a deep breath inwardly.

Grasping my shaken mental state, I recalled the words the Chief once said to me regarding such matters.

[If cancer cells are clinging to the body, you have to remove the cancer cells, but you can't kill the whole person.]

Whether they ate Human Bone Soup or sprinkled bone powder like pepper, how many of such people could there be across the world?

The truly insane ones should be picked off and executed, but not the good people who couldn't even afford a bowl of ox bone soup or ginseng chicken soup and were just trying to survive another day.

Not unless the whole world had fallen to the level where everyone was eating Human Bone Soup.

[Right. You can't burn down all of Joseon's eight provinces just to catch one flea. Isn't that right?]

Hyeon Se-rin tapped Kim Yoon-ji's back, siding with her.

[You did well. Nut Crusher may be a villain, but he wouldn't have wanted his bones boiled with herbal medicine and eaten by rich people. Goblin, have anything to say?] ṙ𝘈ＮΟꞖЕṡ

[Do you know anything about those who ate the Human Bone Soup?]

"...According to the information I gathered, it seems Hwalbindang already killed them."

[Tsk.]

I was about to smash their heads, but unfortunately, it seemed that I couldn't.

But.

[Doul. Even if it's fake, if there are those who believe it's real, it's still a crime, right?]

[Of course. Even if it's fake drugs planted by the police, the buyer still gets arrested. The intent to buy is what matters.]

[Good. Thunder Emperor. Since we've already incinerated Nut Crusher's body, we'll follow your plan from here.]

"...What?"

I put down my bat, reversed its magic, and reached out my hand toward the Thunder Emperor.

[We will support your plan. If there's anything dirty involved, our society will take care of it.]

"No, it's just..."

[Why?]

"...I was just going to say that the body spontaneously combusted."

The Thunder Emperor scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.

"That's why I borrowed your mask, Goblin."

[.......]

"I was going to pin it on you, Goblin..."

[Hmm.]

It made sense.

Given my actions up until now, no one else but Goblin could destroy bodies without being caught on CCTV.

[Fine. I'll set up the scenario for you. Oh, but don't misunderstand one thing.]

I pointed the hand I had extended toward the Thunder Emperor's face.

[It's not that I'm moving to help you. It's simply our role to clean up filth once we know it exists. Don't forget, there's still a debt to settle for impersonating Goblin.]

"Of course. You said I had to give up what's most precious to me, right? Then."

Kim Yoon-ji glanced briefly at Hyeon Se-rin, then raised her hand to clasp mine.

"I'll give you myself."

[.......]

"After I die, you can use my cloned body or whatever. Just on the condition that you use it for the country. In exchange, I'll give you everything I have."

Kim Yoon-ji's eyes, the blue glowing eyes of the Thunder Emperor, were sincere.

"Help me cut out and burn away all the cancer cells of this country."

[Fine. Then, you'll have to participate in a little play.]

I pointed to where Nut Crusher's body had been.

"A play...?"

[Don't worry. As always, just fulfill your role as a hero, in the way of our society.]

I extended one hand to the side, creating the Goblin Bat.

[How about I show you a little magic?]

A magic trick where people disappeared.

"Yaaawn."

The director of Haegneul General Hospital, Kim Jung-hwan, fought off the drowsiness creeping in as he gulped down more coffee.

"Father, drinking like that at night..."

"I have to last until dawn. We don't know who might attack during the night."

The hospital was in a state of emergency.

Even though the Thunder Emperor was protecting them, villains like the corpse collectors were running rampant, getting as close as 500 meters from the hospital entrance, including an A-rank villain.

"This is driving me crazy. What's so special about those corpses...?"

"They probably want to birth ability users. According to rumors, the chance of a regular pregnant woman giving birth to an ability user skyrockets if she takes mana powder."

"That's all medically unverified nonsense. Because of such superstition... geez."

The director grimaced like someone who had just heard the logic of a pseudoscience believer, downing the rest of his coffee.

"Well, even if it's just a folk remedy, if it works, I'd at least want to try—"

Beep—beep—beep!!

Villain alert.

The director spat out his coffee at the shrill, dizzying sound, far worse than any before, and jumped to his feet.

"Th-this sound...!"

"Goblin!!"

Outside the hospital.

On the main street approaching the hospital, an S-rank villain wearing a mask—Goblin—stood.

Step, step.

He casually walked towards the hospital entrance with a Goblin Bat slung over his shoulder, as if he were just visiting.

Crackle!

The hospital's CCTV cameras outside all sparked and sizzled simultaneously.

But the electricity spiraled around Goblin, forming a vortex before dispersing and scattering onto the asphalt road.

"Even the protective shield...!"

Crash—!

The glass shattered as a woman surrounded by blue lightning landed in front of the hospital entrance.

"Thunder Emperor!"

Kneeling with one knee on the ground, her other fist pressed into the floor, Thunder Emperor, cloaked in blue lightning, stared directly at Goblin.

Tension was thick in the air.

Perhaps they didn't need to exchange words. Was there some mutual understanding between S-rank villains?

No.

There was no need for words.

There was only one reason why Goblin had appeared here.

"Send people to the basement, now! We must block them somehow!"

"If the Thunder Emperor is breached—"

"Just hold them off! No matter who arrives from Busan, we need to buy time!"

The director rushed out in a panic.

"Damn it!"

The power was out in the elevator.

No matter how many times he pressed the button, there was no response.

Of course, no one would dare take the elevator with Goblin here, but the director gritted his teeth as he stumbled forward.

"Huff, huff...!"

"Director!"

"Protect it at all costs!!"

Running down the hallway and descending the emergency stairs, the director glanced through the windows, watching the distant clash between Goblin and the Thunder Emperor.

Crackle!

The Thunder Emperor hurled lightning from afar, but Goblin effortlessly deflected it all with swift swings of his bat.

"Huff, huff...!"

By the time he reached the first floor, Thunder Emperor had been pushed back into the lobby.

She unleashed a web of lightning like a spider's web, desperately trying to prevent Goblin's advance, but Goblin blocked all her attacks by swinging his bat aggressively.

He was determined that no lightning would touch him, swatting it away with relentless precision.

"Huff, huff...!"

The director took advantage of the opening and reached the basement.

In front of the morgue, several agents from the Hero Association were already stationed, which brought him some relief—until...

Swish.

"...Huh?"

Something ghostly descended from the ceiling.

It landed lightly on the floor and calmly walked forward. The association agents, shocked, pulled out their guns with alarm on their faces.

"It's Goblin—!"

Bang, bang, bang.

Magic bullets rained down on Goblin.

But he just kept walking forward, pushing aside anyone who blocked his path, striding confidently into the morgue.

"Urgh...!"

"Director!"

The director was struck in an unfortunate place by a magic bullet.

It felt like a fastball had slammed into him, the pain so intense that he nearly blacked out, but a single thought cut through the agony, keeping him conscious. He stumbled forward.

"N-no...! If we lose the corpse, the Chairman—"

Crackle.

"...A matchstick?"

Inside the morgue.

[Fire and Justice.]

With Goblin's cryptic incantation, the inside of the morgue ignited in flames.