Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Persuading the Heroines
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Then the ones left are Han Su-ji, Lee Yoo-jeong, and Choi Si-woo."
Han Su-ji's case comes with some issues.
Ever since the Kim Jae-su incident, expectations for her had plummeted from the skies to the dirt.
If I assigned her the War God constellation now, she'd probably follow me without question.
Lee Yoo-jeong shouldn't be a problem either. In fact, she's set to play the most crucial role in my villainous schemes.
That's why I've already built up quite a bit of favor with her.
We've even slept together once.
So what about Choi Si-woo?
If she has any brains, she'd realize that going villain to boost her power is the smart play.
The problem is getting caught, just like Reina said.
She's got so much riding on her that if she blatantly outs herself as a villain, her bro would hit her with that betrayal face: "How could you?"
Plus, with my skills and the Black God Cult that screwed over Yoo Jin-seok so badly in the past, there's no way Jin-seok and his crew would let it slide.
They'd come down hard. I could handle it, but neither Reina nor Han Su-ji could take on Jin-seok and his allies yet.
I need some kind of plan.
"You're calling Han Su-ji and Choi Si-woo, and even Senior Lee Yoo-jeong, right?"
Reina, freshly awake and rubbing her eyes, asked me.
"We'll take it slow."
I need to grow the Black God Cult as much as possible before the academy lifts its suspension.
That means convincing the other heroines and the protagonist Choi Si-woo ahead of time.
I'd picked Reina first because of the Archer of the Stars. Next up is Han Su-ji.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Ever since we hooked up, Reina had become unusually proactive.
Who would've thought that uptight fake elf from the original story could change like this? Adorable.
"Nah, I'll handle it myself."
"Okay."
For now, the Black God Cult can't get in here, so I'm leaving Reina in this place for a bit.
It's a hassle to move her through gates later, but more importantly, she's an orphan. That's why she didn't hesitate much when I offered her a spot as my ally.
Come to think of it, most of the heroines are orphans too.
I opened a gate and moved again.
"Where to, ma'am?"
"Hm. Let's head to Han Su-ji's place."
"Got it."
Kate, now my personal taxi, had Han Su-ji's address punched in ahead of time.
Han Su-ji lived in a modest villa.
With Kim Jae-su's sponsorship, she'd been fine living alone before. But now, a girl's sobs echoed from the living room.
"Waaah! Sniff... Hic..."
She was bawling her eyes out, snot and tears streaming.
"Han Su-ji."
"Huh? Yoo Eun-ha?"
"Were you crying?"
"Who said I was crying?"
Her eyes were so puffy, it was obvious.
And even after I broke into her place illegally, she didn't make a fuss. Doesn't that say it all?
"It's about Kim Jae-su, right?"
"Yeah. They're even calling me a villain on the forums. 'Like master, like student,' they say."
Forums are just forums. No reason to peek into those cesspools and take the hate.
I've got achievements to my name, so they call me a show-off, but some women trash me too.
Not so much 'villain' as 'that little bitch got exposed' or whatever.
"There were no issues when the incident blew up."
"After the team battle, with that Park Jun-hyuk mess, people started saying our academy's a villain academy."
"Yeah."
"And then suddenly Kim Jae-su blows up too."
Back then, the academy itself got attacked, so nothing major stuck to Han Su-ji.
They just said Hansung Academy's security sucked.
Some hunters defended it, saying you can't blame them against Kim Jae-su. But this time's different.
The Seven Deadly Sins got exposed from the national team battle at Korea's top three academies all the way to the World Hunter Association. One of their followers was Hansung cadet Park Jun-hyuk—a promising kid who turned A-rank monster with just a fragment.
From humanity's view, barely beating the Four Heavenly Kings years ago made them touchy. Especially in Korea, home to Yoo Jin-seok, the MVP of that fight.
No wonder 'villain academy' rumors are flying.
"Hmm. Well, I've got a great idea."
I grinned wickedly and grabbed both of Han Su-ji's hands.
"What is it?"
"Let's do what they want and go full villain."
Han Su-ji shoved my hands away and backed up.
Her flaming red hair swayed seductively today.
"What? You serious?"
"Let's become villains."
If people want villains, give 'em villains. Common sense.
"No, my brain's short-circuiting. If I heard right, you're telling me to become a criminal?"
"As long as we don't get caught."
Actual villainy might ease the gut punch.
Humans are like that. Even if it doesn't hurt them, they'll swarm any juicy gossip and tear into it.
Then if it turns out to be bullshit, they just shrug: "Oh well."
No apology, maybe delete a comment if you're lucky.
Hansung Academy's in that exact spot right now.
Seoul and Goryeo Academies probably leaned on the media too. I get the unease, but Han Su-ji's just a cadet with no one to lean on. Her mental state's one step from shattered.
"You for real? Not just heat-of-the-moment talk?"
"Dead serious. I already run an organization—I'm the boss."
I gave her the same pitch as Reina.
Shorter this time. Han Su-ji's not ripe for eating yet.
Besides, she's... kinda got that vibe.
I could if I pushed, but she lacks that raw sex appeal? She's pretty, hot even, but when it comes to actually doing it, you hesitate. Her personality makes you second-guess.
Kissing's fine, but full-on? Her favor would tank hard.
"So basically, a rebel group pissed at society?"
Where'd she get that from? This girl's picking a fight.
"Did you even listen?"
Not wrong, but it's justice in its own way. Better than rotten media—liberate the quarantined zones as villains.
"Still, villain stuff means all sorts of crimes."
"Don't worry. We'll play in quarantined zones or run gates—no getting caught."
Dungeons in quarantines are plenty fun; no need to crime like those pathetic urban thugs.
Though if killing's needed, I'd kill.
"How's that not getting caught?"
"Stick with me, no bloodshed."
"Give me time to think."
Han Su-ji turned away, sniffling with her puffy eyes.
Time to think? She'd drag it out.
Better end it here.
I grabbed her cheeks and turned her to face me.
"Kim Jae-su's dead, Park Jun-hyuk's done. I'll hook you up with the War God constellation. Deal?"
"O-Okay."
She gave in with a pout, cheeks flushing bonus.
Han Su-ji's a rare true warrior these days.
Can't disrespect the War God as one. My offer would tempt her.
And surprisingly, she's not some paragon of justice.
If Choi Si-woo's the absolute hero, she's conditional justice.
Loyal to her master, gives her all in love, does his bidding herself.
Original story has her extra devoted to Si-woo.
Late-game, before fighting the Sins, she tells him:
Whether you're good or evil, anyone blocking your path—villain or innocent civilian—I'll wipe them all out.
Unconditional love and loyalty. She slaughtered a guild that joined the Sins, no survivors.
Her warrior image overshadows it, but it's there from the start.
I want that desperate love.
But thinking that makes me wanna do her now.
What to do? Do her? Nah, hold off. Just had Reina; even I've got a conscience.
With the Sins out, future's uncertain.
Academy's suspended—time to set the board.
No need to rush Han Su-ji.
"Kate."
I called Kate, who was raiding Han Su-ji's fridge for ice cream.
"Yes, Dahaka-nim."
"Take Han Su-ji to where Reina is. Ice cream later."
"Wait, who's this kid? Wait—how'd you even get in? My door was locked."
Too late now.
"Yes, Dahaka-nim."
Sent Han Su-ji to the Songdo penthouse. Next, Lee Yoo-jeong's place.
"Senior Lee Yoo-jeong."
"Huh? Oh, yeah?"
She was staring at stock charts. Fitting for a rich housewife type.
"Come with me, Senior. We're doing villain stuff from now on."
No need for her to go separately. Straight pitch.
She already knows I'm Dahaka.
"Uh, really? You're going through with it?"
"Yep. Don't worry—even if caught, I'll protect you forever. Just follow along."
Sounds like a love confession. But she's got big roles ahead, so a twinge of guilt.
"For real?"
"Totally. After sleeping together, you weren't planning to ditch, right? I need you for the future I'm building."
Villains are bad, sure, but not just criminals like the stereotype. Gotta show that.
"Fine."
"Pardon?"
This easy?
"Not like you'd stop without me. What's your angle?"
"Yes."
"I hate overthinking. I'm in."
How's there such a great creature?
I softly kissed Lee Yoo-jeong's lips.
She kissed back, then smiled.
"Academy's already branded villain academy. Might as well go real villain."
'Hansung Academy is a villain academy.'
That treatment wasn't in the original. New event. Goryeo and Seoul's media play, for sure. Especially Viola—she lost to Kim Young-hee skill-wise, so she'll trash Hansung hard now.
Choice time.
Save Hansung? Quit and go full villain? Since it's villain-branded, lean in.
Not sure yet. Priority's Choi Si-woo for now.
"Kate. Move Senior Lee Yoo-jeong too. Mincho six-pack from Bella later."
"Yup!"
Kate loves Mincho. Lately, stocking the penthouse via Lee Yoo-jin.
Eating it cuts gate-open time by 10 seconds.
Sent Lee Yoo-jeong over, then opened a gate to Choi Si-woo's.
Choi Si-woo's Divine Sword perks mean the Association hooks her up.
Nearby luxury villas for Association staff only—she's in one, state-sponsored.
"Lucky bitch."
Not my place as Yoo Jin-seok's sis, but compared to my office drone days, yeah, jealous.
Anyway, she's a girl now, not guy—treat her like a bitch from here.
Searching the mansion, I found her in the backyard training ground.
A gray-haired girl in dolphin pants and a tank top, sweating as she swung her sword furiously.
What. The. Fuck. Can't help but rage.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Huh? Oh? Yoo Eun-ha?"
"Dolphin pants and tank top? Holy shit."
Already deep in female corruption?