I’m Not That Villain

93 – Change (3)

“Once our power increases, we seize Gangnam-gu first.”

“…Huh?”

Baek So-yeon blinked, listening to my proposal.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Aren’t you running short on funds? There was a war that incurred tremendous losses, though it was brief, and it’s not like you’ve gained any other significant income. You’re just a colossal organization in name only. You know the foundation you had is crumbling like a sandcastle.”

“……”

“It’s obvious without even looking. So, let’s seize it. Gangnam. You have ample justification to strike them anyway, right? If the Executive Bureau initiates a war, use that as an excuse to invade Gangnam. And preferably, keep pushing straight through.”

“Wait, wait, wait… hold on. What are you talking about right now? Seriously? I mean, we’re talking about war, okay? We might not even be able to fend off another invasion… and you’re saying we should encroach on territory held by the White Hand?”

Baek So-yeon sighed.

“For that to actually become feasible… our power would have to be overwhelmingly greater than any other autonomous district… but it’s not. Lee Seo-joon. We’re closer to being a minor organization, frankly.”

“I told you. About the plan from before. I’m serious.”

I lightly scribbled on the board I had been dragging along.

“If that plan is completed, it’s more than possible with our current strength. Simply by compensating for our weaknesses and maximizing our strengths, we can wield abilities in a way that’s completely different from before. No need to acquire additional power either.”

“……”

“Two to three months. We can create at least a hundred specialized equipment users in that short period. If we distribute it primarily to the executive members, it will be a tremendous increase in power. Not a simple addition of power, but an exponential one. Each person will be worth five, easily. And that synergy will only grow if we go into actual combat.”

“Alright, just a moment… Three… three months for a hundred? You’re really trying to meet that deadline? No, even if you churn them out like a factory… I, I told you I’d give you more time?”

“It’s possible. I’m going to put everything into it. There’s no need for more time. The sooner this plan is done, the more options we’ll have. But remember, that means paying the artisans that much more. Even with that, along with the operating funds for the executive agency, and taking over all the businesses in Gangnam-gu, it’ll still be a profitable deal.”

“……”

“I don’t know much about strategy. Nor am I good at handling people. So, I’ll leave that entirely to you. In exchange, I’ll take responsibility and show you. Reinforcing our forces. How I can achieve that in just three months.”

“…Taking newly recruited people… you really think that’s possible…?”

“I told you.”

I tapped the board lightly.

“It’s possible for me.”

. . .

Carefully selected, frankly speaking chosen primarily based on public opinion, individual artisans from the black market gathered one by one.

It wasn’t simply because they received my text. The reason they gathered was because I used the name of the massive organization, Hundred Eyes.

Direct employment by a massive organization in charge of an entire autonomous district.

It was as good as saying income incomparable to what they earned in the black market would be rolling in. It would be a stage like a dream for the artisans.

I glanced over the artisans gathered in the waiting room. Their appearances were all different. Their races were all different.

But there was only one thing I would look at here.

Pure skill.

I walked across the packed room. Past the applicants sitting at desks, I stood on the platform.

I didn’t wear a mask. Nor did I need a hat.

I no longer had any reason to hide myself.

All those who target or threaten me.

My intent is to crush them with force.

“Greetings.”

I offered a brief salutation.

“I’m operating in the Black Market under the moniker ‘Obsidian Mirror.'”

“…What?”

“Obsidian Mirror?”

“I-Is it true?! You’re him?!”

“Get your head out of the way! I can’t see!”

“H-How can you repair such specialized equipment so quickly?! How large is your workshop…!”

“I heard…you’re in charge of Hundred Eyes’ partner workshop…is that really true?!”

Questions poured forth like a deluge.

I remained silent until they quieted down.

Gradually, the atmosphere stilled. Even those who had stood started to return to their seats. I spoke again.

“I’ll take questions later. I’m here for interviews.”

“……..”

“Hundred Eyes has entrusted me with full authority regarding hiring. As proof, Mr. Darko is here beside me.”

Darko, having carved time out of his busy schedule to accompany me, nodded beside me.

I continued slowly.

“So, here, I am not simply the head of a partner workshop. See me as the employer who will directly hire you. And as the message stated, those hired now will receive exceptional compensation.”

“……”

“……”

The people fell silent. But it wasn’t a simple silence.

It was thick with fervor and greed. Filled with gazes that stared at me, as if hungry for something.

Yes. That was good. A craftsman must have desires.

Desire for money was fine. Desire for power, too.

Only with the longing to possess something would they truly move.

Because, after being hired here, what awaited them was a relentless march, day and night.

“Before the interview, I’ll relay some points of caution.”

I stood before the chalkboard. Began writing the words down.

“The working environment itself is fine, but the working hours themselves are severely lacking. For the foreseeable future, you’ll be working overtime as often as you eat, and there will be practically no personal time.”

“…….”

“And unlike the specialized equipment production you’ve done before, you’ll be undertaking completely unfamiliar tasks. I cannot elaborate further on this point. It’s confidential, and Hundred Eyes will hold you accountable for any leaks.”

“…….”

“However, despite the grueling working hours, all services will be provided at the highest standard. All sorts of amenities, and Hundred Eyes has promised not to spare any support whatsoever. You don’t need to worry about that part. Performance bonuses? Of course they’re provided. Incentives will be generously distributed. If money is your goal, then I’d say you’ve come to the right place. Truly, the amount you earn in a month will be completely different.”

The people murmured amongst themselves.

I paid no attention to the murmuring. Instead, I emphasized one phrase.

“But to the point that it outweighs all those advantages, your body and mind will be torn to shreds.”

“W-What exactly is it that we’ll be doing…”

“It’s nothing particularly special. It’s simply that you’ll have to keep working without rest. That’s how it will be until the war ends. What we need to do from now on, is to arm all the members of the Hundred Eyes organization.”

“……?”

The murmuring subsided.

Seo Ji-soo, a craftsman I’d worked with briefly before, raised her hand.

“Um, excuse me… Do you… take questions?”

“Yes. Ask away.”

“Well… I heard there are easily hundreds of members in this organization, just of Awakened ones… that is… but…”

Seo Ji-soo stammered.

“Are you… saying we have to make… custom equipment for all of them? And what, the deadline is… what?”

“Three months.”

“What in the…?”

“It… it can’t be done! Not that!”

“Three months isn’t enough time to make even *one* piece of custom equipment… how are we supposed to make hundreds in that time?”

“We… we wouldn’t have enough manpower even if you hired *everyone* here?!”

“We don’t even *have* the technical skills for something like that to begin with…!”

The barrage of questions reignited, and I slammed my hand against the chalkboard.

-BANG!

With the deafening sound, the room fell silent. I looked at Seo Ji-soo, the one who had asked the first question.

“Fortunately, there are only a little over a hundred units that need to be completed within three months. After that, we can slow down the pace a bit. Because that vanguard of a hundred or so will end this whole war, completely.”

“…What does that… only a hundred people… could do… what…?”

“If it were me, I could.”

I looked down at the stunned faces.

“I believe I’ve covered all the necessary preliminaries. With that, we’ll proceed directly to the interviews. If anyone is unwilling to participate in the interviews themselves, you are free to leave now. However, let me state clearly beforehand that once hired, you cannot willingly withdraw. There is no opting out midway. Consider that from the moment you are employed, you will be under the constant surveillance of the Hundred Eyes until the war’s end. You can think of it as being forcefully squeezed dry. Because that is the intention, that is the plan.”

“……”

“……”

“We currently have 58 candidates. From among you, I intend to select only 10. If you perceive this as dangerous, or deem it unfair, you are free to rise and leave now. There will be no repercussions whatsoever. As you came, so shall you return, escorted by members of the Hundred Eyes organization all the way. Without any interference whatsoever. But before that. I, personally, will make one further promise.”

I gripped the podium.

Silently, I endured the flood of gazes.

“If you work here, your individual skills and talents will improve to a degree that is distinctly, undeniably different from before. I will guide you to that, I will make it so. So then. I will grant you one hour to deliberate. I have deliberately made it lengthy, so consider it thoroughly and then undergo the interview process. That is all.”

I turned and left the room. Darko, who had trailed after me, inquired.

“You seem strangely adept…have you perhaps been in a position where you handled people before?”

“No? I prepared a script in advance and practiced it.”

“…Hmm.”

“I need to be certain. Someone I know was injured, so shouldn’t I naturally be attentive to even such a small matter as this?”

I opened a window in the hallway.

Leaning against it, I slowly cooled my burning heart.

Logically.

Dispassionately.

Let us act in such a way.

From now on, I cannot afford to make a single mistake.

“I need to select the people I will directly control. Those without complaints, outstanding in their talent, and those who, at times, can boldly initiate things.”

“…….

“We’ll be working together for a long time, so shouldn’t I choose carefully? If I’m going to do it, I’ll do it thoroughly. That’s my motto.”

“…You wouldn’t happen to be thinking of meddling in the organization’s operations later on…”

“Not at all. I am, after all, an artisan. I’ll never covet authority beyond that of a technician. Guiding Hundred Eyes, even this will be the last time. So, you needn’t worry, Darko-ssi. I have absolutely no interest in power.”

“I see. I wasn’t particularly worried. I merely wished to inquire.”

“Second-in-command, you say? I have no desire to be a second-in-command. I simply want to… open my own workshop and become famous, that’s always been my dream.”

Darko chuckled.

“Then you have achieved it, haven’t you.”

I sighed.

“…Though I didn’t wish to become famous as a criminal. But what can one do? Changing one’s dream according to the situation is also a form of flexibility. The end will be the same, after all.”