I’m Not That Villain

90 – Resolution

Two figures retreating with haste.

He wanted to pursue. But he could not.

Unsure of the extent of her bloodied condition.

He first removed the restraints binding her form.

No strength remained in the arm he held. He considered shaking her awake, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Right now, Seol Yewon was akin to a fragile doll. Wounds so severe, a careless touch could shatter her completely.

He immediately retrieved the Orb from his bag.

“Scarlett. Deploy all emergency aid supplies. Now. Can you check her vitals?”

“Detailed status unavailable without prior biometric data. But I will analyze as best I can, Master.”

He gently cleaned her body with sterilized cloths, searching for any lingering wounds. The white-haired woman who’d forsaken the chase sat demurely beside him.

“Judging by her complete lack of strength, it seems she was administered a truth serum specifically designed for ability-users.”

“Truth serum, you say?”

“Think of it as a muscle relaxant, with some extra perks bundled in. It’s a drug nasty and potent enough to work even on Ability wielders. A dose that would kill a normal person outright. Luckily, the lethal threshold isn’t as high for those with Abilities. Practically non-existent, even. She’s breathing, her heart’s beating, just drained of strength. Doesn’t seem like anything immediately dangerous. Could you hand me one of those antiseptic cloths? I need to check for external injuries.”

I gave her a cloth. She quickly wiped down Seol Yewon, who was as drenched in blood as I was, and nodded.

“Thankfully, no obvious external wounds. She’s incoherent because of the truth serum. But…wait a moment.”

“What is it?”

“Just a second.”

She forcefully pried Seol Yewon’s mouth open.

The inside was a mess. Her tongue was chewed to pieces by her teeth, the internal damage far worse than anything external.

“This is…?”

“Whatever they asked her, she was determined not to say. She must have bitten her own tongue to avoid answering while dazed by the serum… the fact it isn’t severed is a miracle. This wound would have been long gone without that faint regenerative power. What kind of willpower… is she really just a normal kid?”

I gently stroked Seol Yewon’s face, now clean.

What did they dig up that she’d rather say nothing?

I wanted to ask, but that question would have to wait. I hefted Seol Yewon onto my back.

“…We should get her to a hospital, nearby.”

“That’s for the best.”

I stared at her as she stood up as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I realized I’d forgotten to say something I should have said.

“…Um… hey.”

I’d even caught her name in passing. Teresa, was it?

She’d offered to help, but I never expected this much. She was an Executor, after all. Even though I’d steeled myself for a fight, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly if she hadn’t been there.

Whether the opponent was a notorious criminal, a murderer even…

It mattered little to me now. The sole fact that she had aided me was all that held any weight.

So, shouldn’t I at least offer my name?

I was about to open my mouth with that thought, with thanks and with the words I needed to say.

But before I could, a phone rang out, abruptly.

-♩♪♬.

“Just a moment…”

I checked the caller ID. Then answered without delay.

“Hello…”

[Where are you?!]

The screech that blasted through made my ears ring, and I jerked the phone away slightly.

“…I found one of the acquaintances I was searching for. Why?”

[I told you not to go out, didn’t I?!]

“No, but I couldn’t just sit still, could I?”

[It’s dangerous, really…! Hey! Just give me the address there! Whereabouts are you?]

“No, but, why?”

[It means I’m coming to get you, you dolt! We found one too! A broken rag, sure, but alive! It’s Joo Hwa-rin!]

“…What?”

Something had happened to Joo Hwa-rin as well?

“Was it the work of the enforcement agency?”

[Can’t say for certain, my condition’s not quite right… but judging by the damage we assessed afterward, they knew how to fight. Took out five of my boys.]

“What?”

[The important thing is, they weren’t after that woman, they were after *you*! You idiot! Joo Hwa-rin said it before she passed out! That you were in danger! Where are you right now! Spill it!]

Me…

They’re after me?

I turned to look at Seol Ye-won. Thinking about it, it made sense.

If she was the initial target, there was no need to imprison and torture her here. They must have imprisoned her because they needed some information she possessed.

The almost singular piece of information she might have.

And that would be…

Jang-in Black Mirror, the escaped illegal weapons manufacturer.

Information on Viper, then.

If an enforcement agency, new to Seoul, had reason to chase me with such fervor, that was the only explanation.

“…No way.”

A pursuit team.

A pursuit team had been assigned to me.

One from the enforcement agency. And perhaps one more had attached itself.

What kind of group was it that attacked Joo Hwa-rin? Probably not the enforcement agency. If they were from the same organization, there would have been no reason to conduct the torture separately, in a remote location.

Could it be that Lily and Renata, who I can’t reach, are also in the same situation?

Broken down and tortured in the same way…

Could they be suffering because of me?

“……. “

…Why…

Why on earth?

Am I even worth this much trouble? What’s the reason for chasing me like this…

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun’s abilities are beyond standard.”

Suddenly, a past conversation flashed through my mind.

Cha Seo-yun.

The words she had once spoken to me.

“……. “

[Hey! Are you even listening to me?! Huh?!]

Of course, illegally manufacturing weapons was foolish of me. But shouldn’t how a weapon is used be the owner’s responsibility, not the one who crafted it?

I’m not entirely innocent, but…

The crime itself isn’t heavy enough to warrant this.

Those hunting me must also realize that. Chasing me all the way to Seoul under the guise of a crime, pursuing me so relentlessly – it’s all rather bizarre.

It’s not just about punishing a simple crime…

Wouldn’t it be more accurate to assume this pursuit is because they need my abilities?

Torturing someone to this extent, breaking them down like this, it’s practically an admission that they’re far removed from justice.

“…Ah.”

As all the pieces clicked into place, I felt the blood that had cooled grow even colder.

I sought to live quietly. Truly, I did.

Having committed that one deed, I tried, with all my strength, to avoid selling wares to criminals. To make myself respectable, I genuinely, I *swear*, tried.

So, in this lawless Seoul, even within it, I strived to uphold my own values…

Why is it that the world refuses to aid me, even a little?

“…Goddamn it…”

I yearned to make a name for myself as a craftsman.

To succeed. To flaunt before my departed family how well I was living. To become a great man, and boast, before I perished, that it was a blessing I hadn’t died that day.

But damn it all.

Just for the tale of revealing my abilities, must I be chased like this, for the rest of my days?

Hunted by national institutions, pursued by unknown organizations, to live as a fugitive for all eternity, perhaps?

Merely for being capable…

Accepting, as a matter of course, the potential ruin of those around me?

[Hey?! Are you even listening?!]

“…Yeah.”

That won’t do.

That simply won’t do.

I’ve tried to live kindly, treating those who don’t provoke me with kindness, living well…

Why are you doing this? Why, pray tell, *why*? Are you so desperate to seize me?

If you act like this, I’m left with only one path to choose. In the end, it’s unavoidable.

…Ah. Very well, then. Let’s give it a try.

“Shibal.”

It’s your fault I chose this path. Your fault for showing me a sight like this.

“I’ll give you the address. Send a car.”

[…What? What is it? Why the sudden calmness?]

“I’ve decided.”

I gripped the phone so tight, I thought it would shatter.

“What choice I have to make.”

You declared war.

So you will bear the consequences.

Gratitude doubled.

Revenge tenfold…

I’ll become something adjacent to a villain, at least.

You sons of b*tches.

. . .

Black Mamba, Baek So-yeon, tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the dispatched car.

Darko, second-in-command of Hundred Eyes, asked, a bit uneasily.

“Boss. Are you alright?”

“No, I’m not. Not at all.”

“…Perhaps an acquaintance has been injured…?”

“No. Not that. Probably…Definitely. Only…”

Baek Soyeon recalled the voice she’d heard over the phone.

Something was amiss. The whole atmosphere. Utterly amiss.

Not the warmth she knew, but a voice driven to some chilling extreme.

Devoid of tremor, laced with resolve.

Baek Soyeon was comparatively adept at reading people. She had seen enough, could intuit the depths of a soul to some degree.

So she knew.

That it was always the quiet ones you had to fear when angered.

“…Something’s about to break loose.”

As if heeding her premonition, the car, returned with haste, pulled up before Hundred Eyes headquarters.

“Hey! You!”

Baek Soyeon flinched, her step faltering.

It was him. Undeniably him. But something was different.

Lee Seo-joon. His face was frozen in a mask she had never witnessed before. So cold, it was as if she were looking at a stranger.

There could be only one meaning to that expression.

He was furious.

He who was ever smiling, ever affable.

“W-what… what’s wrong?”

“That offer you made before, is it still valid?”

“…Huh?”

“I’ll do it.”

He spoke calmly.

With an affectation of indifference.

“Hundred Eyes’ partner workshop. I’ll do it.”