Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Secret of the Tattoo (1)
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"Ugh, fuck."
I seriously cursed up a storm.
Why the hell did she pick up the phone at that exact moment? At this point, I was starting to think Ji-na had timed it on purpose.
"At least you sound fine now that I'm hearing your voice."
Ji-na's voice coming through the phone sounded way too normal for someone who'd just survived an assassination attempt. Either it hadn't happened at all, or there had been an attempt but she'd handled it smoothly.
My bet was on the latter.
Still, just to be safe, I should swing by Sanctuary Corp and see for myself with my own two eyes that she was okay.
But seriously, how was she acting like nothing happened—heading into the office and working as usual after getting attacked? Ji-na really had nerves of steel.
"Just grab these..."
I pulled out a few stacks of cash from the assassin's safe. It more than covered the pointless 40 grand I'd blown because of that bastard. How much was all this even worth?
"Villains really are walking treasure troves."
If you asked me what a villain was, I'd say a treasure goblin—or a gold goblin. Like a goblin sack overflowing with loot.
Unlike heroes scraping by like the Bezzang guy, villains hustled like ants, piling up cash from their dirty deeds. Catch one, and all the money they'd hoarded for years—or decades—became mine.
So, to me, villains were goblin villains.
"But when the hell are these guys showing up?"
I'd told the clone to send the underlings, but no sign of them. Asking the clone in my head got the usual "They're already on their way" line from our go-to Chinese joint. Damn it, if they're on the way, why aren't they here? Should I tank their star rating?
"Boss, we're here."
Ten minutes later, the underlings arrived. The shiny skull baldies showed up.
"Yeah. Sweep up everything over there. Sweep it all? Hell yeah~! Clean sweep in the house! Kokokokokomon!"
"Pardon?"
"Shut it. Don't mind me."
"???"
The baldy who'd caught some flak looked all wronged. What? Pissed? Kill me and take over as boss then.
But the grievance was short-lived. The baldies grinned ear to ear as they started looting the place with the others. And why not? Half the spoils were theirs.
Sure, once they got back to the Skull Head Gang hideout, the organization would skim half again under "operational costs," and then they'd split the rest among themselves. But hey, that was still better than nothing.
Compared to other villain crews, they walked away with a fat stack. From the baldies' perspective, it was all upside.
Ah... At this rate, am I gonna win some "Best Boss in the City" award? Worth hoping for. Should I start prepping an acceptance speech?
Anyway, after ordering the underlings to loot, I stepped outside and ditched the mask.
Ta-da—!
Mask off, Steel Armor vanishes, and Bal Jeong-nam appears! Impressed? Hiding my identity is a breeze.
I took a cab to Sanctuary Corp and called Ji-na. It was noon, lunchtime. I'd skipped eating on purpose so we could grab a bite together.
-What!
A prickly, cat-like snap burst from the phone. She'd laid into me earlier, and she was still pissed.
"Come out."
-Huh?
"Come eat lunch with me."
-Where are you?
"Out front of the company."
-For real? Wait, just hold on a sec!
The call cut off abruptly. She'd be out soon, so I plopped down on the grass, checking out Sanctuary Corp's employees. Women only, of course.
'The average looks here are insane, huh?'
It was a feast for the eyes. Like a 19+ game—the beauty level blew Earth out of the water. They say plastic surgery's the least popular field among doctors? Makes sense; with everyone this gorgeous, who needs it?
'But why are the guys like that?'
One funny thing: the women's average hotness was sky-high, but the men's? Meh. Actually on the low side.
Sure, there were some handsome, ripped dudes, but more with beer guts and acne.
'Definitely a game made for guys.'
Otherwise, the men would've been hot too.
"Hey!"
I was happily ogling the ladies when a sharp voice rang out from afar. Ji-na.
She'd rushed over—face a bit flushed, light sweat. When I turned, she straightened her clothes and strode up all haughty.
"Hmph! What brings you here?"
Ji-na crossed her arms and snorted. Rushed over in a panic, now playing tsundere?
I brushed off my butt, stood, and scanned her from head to toe. Not a scratch anywhere. Good—she'd handled the assassin clean.
"What? Why are you eyeing me like that?"
"Just checking if you got hurt."
"Hurt? Why would I?"
"I heard."
"Heard what?"
This cheeky girl kept playing dumb?
"You almost died today."
"...Damn it, I said keep it secret. So you came to check if I actually kicked it?"
"That sassy mouth of yours needs a lesson."
"Mmph!"
I pinched her lips and shook. She flailed, smacking my hand.
"Ow! What the hell!"
"Enough. Let's eat. What's good around here?"
"Everything's good... Wait, changing the subject? Almost fell for it."
"Whatever. Let's go."
We bickered our way to lunch. Plenty to talk about, but that could wait till home.
Splash—!
"Snap out of it! You think this is your bedroom?!"
"....."
The splash woke the assassin, who grimaced and opened his eyes. He rolled them around, assessing his situation.
True to assassin form, his reaction differed from your average villain. Most would've yelled "Where am I?!" or "I'll kill you!"
This one stayed cool. Of course, it wouldn't save him from what was coming.
"What's your name, you mommy-fucker?"
"...What?"
He scowled, not getting it. This prick?
"Who you scowling at?!"
Crack—!
"Gahhh!"
I stomped the top of his foot, tied to the chair. It shattered instantly, shoe staining red.
"Listen up, mommy-fucker. You've gone to Aoji-land. Shape up or you'll croak quick. Got it?"
Fuck, North Korean dialect's a bitch.
I'd planned a North Korean interrogator bit, but the lingo was too hard. Ditching this concept.
"Name."
"...Raoul Shobat."
Realizing silence was pointless, the assassin spilled quick. But he was looking down on me.
"Name."
"Raoul Shobat."
"Say your name! Speak! Shout your name so the whole world hears!"
Bang bang bang—!
"Gaaaaah!"
Stomping the already crushed foot again, he screamed in agony. Fake name. How'd I know?
The status window hadn't updated his name. Simple: he was lying.
Finally, after crushing his other foot too, he gave the real one.
"Rihas Neville..."
I nodded, confirming the update.
"You punk. Should've just said it from the start. No need for cheap tricks—let's keep it civil, yeah? Age."
"....."
The assassin, Rihas Neville, stared up in confusion. He'd thrown out fake names before the real one, and I'd sniffed it out. He looked rattled.
"Spit it out. Next up's your shins. Age."
"...36."
This time, truth. Good boy, finally cooperating.
"Nice. Keep telling the truth, no pain. Lie... and you know what happens? Oh, I know torture arts too."
"Torture arts?"
"Buddha's secret technique. Reads the evil demons in your heart and smites 'em with divine power."
"....."
"Who sent you?"
"....."
He clammed up again. Not an idiot, so no need to explain.
Instead, I pressed my fist to his hand—the message clear: talk or crunch.
"Who?"
"If I say..."
"What?"
"I'll die."
"You?"
"Yeah. And you too."
"Ha!"
Naming the boss gets us both killed? I snorted.
This fool hadn't learned the universal truth—here or on Earth: fist over law.
Bang—!
"Grraaah!"
Smashed his hand flat.
"Listen, I don't know who your boss is, but I'm the guy right in front of you. Don't know fist beats law?"
"....."
"Clamming up again?! Ugh! Pissed! Furious! Temper MAX!!!!! One! Two! Three! DRX Whiiiiteeee—!!!!!"
Bang bang bang bang—!
"Grrrrraaah!"
I roared and pummeled whatever—his arms turned to mushy, bloody steamed buns. Red bean filling swapped for blood and bone.
He passed out from pain; I woke him. Rinse and repeat till he spilled.
"Hah... hah... Shadow... Killer... He ordered... you and your sister killed..."
"Shadow Killer? That psycho who eats human corpses instead of food?"
"Yes..."
"Ha!"
I laughed.
I'd researched this world plenty. Internet searches, mostly.
A few Googles, and you know enough to pass as a local. Surface-level works fine for living.
Of course I knew Shadow Killer.
Unknown identity, worst S-rank villain ever.
Confident in his powers, he offed civilians, heroes, villains—no discrimination.
But why target me and Ji-na?
"Why? What's he got against us?"
"He wanted... to divert... the Hero Association's eyes..."
"Divert Hero Association? Why? What's he planning?"
"I don't... know that... ugh..."
"Hm."
Didn't seem like a lie.
Shadow Killer wants Hero Association distracted? Why? Even if his hit succeeded, how's that a diversion...
"...Ah."
Clicked quick.
Me and Ji-na: kids of Sanctuary Corp's top-dog chairman Bal Ji-un and VP Stephanie Yu.
We get assassinated in the morning? They'd flip the city. Dark City's chaos incarnate—their influence was god-tier.
Chaos widens villains' playground.
So why distract Hero Association specifically? What was he scheming?
'No clue.'
No connection to Shadow Killer. Couldn't deduce his game.
Damn! Read every Sherlock Holmes as a kid, and I still can't crack it! Tarnished the master's honor. Mine's fine, though.
"Next question."
"....."
Fired more questions; he gave up and answered straight. Nothing juicy, though.
Shadow Killer was the big corp, Rihas the contractor. Big payout, kill order—he executed.
Rihas kept distance on purpose. Shadow Killer was too risky up close.
"Got it. Time to send you off."
"...Send me?"
"Yeah."
"Why..."
He figured death. My "send off" shocked him. Kid, hear me out fully.
"To hell."
No-Kill Rule OFF.
"...Fuck. Knew it."
Crack—!
Smashed his skull like a watermelon.
Worm form was too good for Rihas. Better to roll in shit than hell, right?
Plus, becoming my worm's clan honor. S-rank villain Steel Armor's worm? Elite selection—paperwork, interview.
Rihas flunked screening. Targeted me and Ji-na.
Shiiiine—
Light dust flowed from his burst head, absorbing into me. Clone Sorcerer tattoo incoming? Hope I don't turn into a canvas... Huh?
"...What?"