Setting Off on Vacation
"Ugh..."
It was hot. A ship's horn blared in the distance.
"Well, at least I've arrived..."
I was still feeling pretty out of sorts, but I'd managed to pull myself together, more or less.
Let's think positive. I stopped the apocalypse, right? I did everything I could, made the best choice with the info I had.
Whatever happened next, it wasn't on me. I hadn't asked for any of this. I could eat properly now, and I'd even downloaded and started playing some mobile games on the way here. It wasn't perfect, but I was regaining my sanity.
"So... which boat do I need to take from here—"
Brunhilde's "request" was for me to board a ship here and head to a designated spot. But she hadn't specified which ship or exactly where to go. She'd just said I'd figure it out once I arrived.
I was about to duck into a café for a coffee and wait when I spotted a familiar face.
"Hey~ You made it?"
Long white hair cascading down, a rough and slouchy posture. Witae was sauntering toward me.
"...What the hell are you doing here?"
"What else? Came to pick you up."
"Aren't you supposed to be in prison?"
"Fuck, man!"
Witae let out a deep sigh.
"While you were chilling at home, I was running back and forth to court. It was a pain in the ass."
"What?"
"Parole. Plea deal. Something like that, anyway."
"Holy shit... The justice system's a joke. They just let a villain go who straight-up took hostages?"
"Hey, I did my time... well, not exactly, but I did everything they asked! Barely slept... went to some shithole for community service and did the most dogshit jobs..."
I couldn't help thinking those "dogshit jobs" suited her perfectly, but I kept that to myself.
"Yeah, well, it probably wasn't enough. But whatever, what can you do? Just accept it, you overly nice bastard. I saw that sex tape, you and Lee Seowon—"
"Shut it."
I shot her a cold glare, and she ducked her head like a dog that knew it'd fucked up.
"Got it... Sorry."
"Anyway. Which boat?"
"They've got one prepped over there."
"No way... That's actually it?"
At the end of my gaze floated a sleek cruise ship that looked wildly out of place in this harbor. Fishing shacks lined the docks, and the only other boats were modest fishing vessels. A luxury cruiser like that? It was drawing stares from everyone.
"Damn..."
We boarded together, and the woman at the entrance waved me through without hesitation.
"Fancy... When do we shove off?"
"Dunno. Probably now?"
"What?"
Just like she'd said, the ship lurched into motion. Engines hummed, and the cruiser sliced through the sea.
"I didn't time it perfectly... This boat was prepared just for me?"
"Obviously."
The sea breeze brushed my face.
"They said the full cruise experience comes later—this is just transport for now."
"Why?"
"Something about the 'passengers' not being ready yet... Don't know the details. Probably none of my business anyway."
I stared at Witae with a serious expression.
"What the hell does that organization think I am? They summon heroes on a whim, kidnap people, prep entire cruises... Why go to all this trouble for me?"
Witae pouted.
"Fuck if I know... You, the organization—none of it makes sense. Why not just talk it out directly instead of dragging clueless me in the middle?"
"Hmm..."
I realized I did let my guard down around Witae without thinking. Stuff I figured I should hide just spilled out casually.
"They think you're scary as shit. Not even human—like some kinda demon."
"Demon?"
"Whatever. Point is, the 'organization' is on your side. They're bending over backward just to keep you happy."
"What am I to them?"
"I told you. Scary, dangerous, and badass."
"That's..."
"Wrong?"
I thought about what I could have done.
WSC... If that's their name, one clueless choice from me could've handed me the whole organization...
I'd passed on it back then because I didn't want the risk, but if the other options hadn't been "cult leader" or "village orgy" bullshit—if they'd involved "all of Korea" or "every hero"—
I would've taken the risk and seized WSC.
Lee Seowon's case too...
Breaking the symbol of hope, humiliating her, letting it spread everywhere—that was insanely dangerous on its own.
But turning Lee Seowon herself into a sex slave? That was a walking apocalypse.
If I'd ordered a terrorist attack the second I had her...
The Hero Association's top fighter would've pulled it off without a hitch.
No one could've stopped her. No one would've even tried.
That was Lee Seowon. Even if she beat a civilian to death in broad daylight, people would've thought, "She's crushing a hidden villain!" over "Lee Seowon's gone mad!"
It could've wrecked total devastation on Korea.
"Yeah... I am dangerous."
"Right? Anyway... We're almost there. Let's go."
"Huh?"
A massive island had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, right in front of me.
"Was that always there?"
"Dunno. Weird shit happens around the organization. I'm all wonder-ed out. Not as crazy as your powers, though."
I nodded weakly and stepped off the cruiser onto the island.
Azure sea, golden sands. A stunning resort sprawled before us.
"So... what now?"
They knew roughly what I could do. They'd granted my requests—now they'd try to steer me their way.
But I'm not using my powers.
Gratitude was gratitude, but no meant no. I had zero intention of using my ability outside of forced activations.
"Rest."
"Huh?"
"Rest, dummy."
Witae gripped my shoulder firmly.
"That's why they brought you here."
/////
"Welcome!"
"Thanks..."
With Witae's help, I entered the opulent resort. Flowers bloomed vibrantly on massive tables. A chandelier bigger than my bedroom dangled from the ceiling. Below it, a fountain danced with light. Intricate patterns adorned the ceiling, and artistic, overwhelming structures dotted the lobby.
Key in hand, I sat on a lobby bench, staring blankly at Witae.
"Ugh, all this glitz isn't my style. You?"
"It's nice, but... uh..."
"What?"
"No people."
From the moment we'd arrived, the island felt off. Everyone—the cruise staff, port inspectors, hotel employees—was a stunning beauty. That alone was passable.
But I was the only guest in this luxury hotel.
"No people... Yeah, they mentioned that. Hard to fill the headcount, so just wait a bit."
"That's..."
"Not sure how much I can say, but whatever. Everyone here? They're all... y'know."
"Know what?"
"The kind you can fuck without it being rape?"
I froze, pondering her words.
"That's ridiculous—"
"Don't believe me then. But it'd be better for your sanity if you did. Or test it—tell that cute girl over there to come to your room."
"Nah... I believe you."
I mulled it over. Why would WSC stock this place with "fair game"?
Isolation? But empty isolation's pointless. Just wastes range on my power.
But fill it with women willing to fuck me?
Genius? They went this far?
"How long am I staying here?"
"Wanna leave? Up to you. But upstairs, they hope you'll stick around as long as possible."
"I can stay as long as I want?"
"Probably."
This? I was grateful for. The organization had done plenty already, but this was next-level.
"Sounds good..."
"Glad you think so. So, no dragging that girl up?"
"Pass."
Eventually, a forced activation would mean fucking one of them anyway. But I didn't want to rape them out of personal lust just yet. Even if they "consented," I couldn't be 100% sure it was genuine.
Unless absolutely necessary, I'd minimize raping people for my desires.
"Oh? Cool then. Let's head up. Since we're here... I'll wash up and wait."
"Huh? Why?"
Witae eyed me with shaky anticipation.
"Y-you said you don't wanna fuck the girls here yet. So I'll..."
"Why the sudden—"
"..."
Like a dog about to bite, Witae growled and bared her teeth.
"You little shit! You said you'd fuck me after the Lee Seowon thing!!!"
She grabbed my collar.