Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Villain and the Library
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The king knows no defeat. More precisely, this body refuses to acknowledge defeat!
Lounging obliquely on the sofa, she stared at the TV. Her legs draped over one armrest, her head hanging limply off the other side. An aura of utter defeat radiated from her entire form.
"Haaaah..."
A deep sigh escaped her lips unbidden. Who knew world conquest would be this tough?
The TV screen blared the S City news.
Footage showed people happily shopping inside the department store.
Her heart plummeted. She couldn't believe her ears. Lotus Mall? That department store where she'd committed her villainy?
"Fun?!"
It was supposed to plunge people into chaos and terror! Not fun—confusion! Destruction! Despair!
Creative... concept? Girl hero?
Adorable?!
"Gyaaaah!!"
Cheers of "Grimoire! Grimoire!" erupted from the store on screen, as if she were truly a hero.
"This... is insane!!"
Fueled by exploding rage, she grabbed a sofa cushion and hurled it at the TV. It didn't reach, of course.
"This body's villainy has turned into hero antics yet again! Again! Again and again!!"
Everlin entered the living room quietly, carrying a tray with strawberry milk and handmade chocolate chip cookies.
"I rigged every escalator in that department store to go only up, to trap people wandering forever! But they all just took elevators and stairs down!"
Everlin analyzed coolly.
"It seems visitors stayed longer searching for exits, boosting sales, Master."
"So what?! This body's villainy contributed to department store profits?! Why do my plans always fail?!"
Her eye caught an unfamiliar item on the TV stand—a thank-you gift from Lotus Mall.
It contained a gold-plated trophy, premium gift certificates, and a VIP shopping invite.
Atop the packaging: "Thank you for your heroic innovation - To Grimoire."
"Ughhh! What is this?! This body is a villain! Insolent humans...! Thanking me for my villainy?!"
Everlin calmly set down the tray and offered the strawberry milk, as always.
"Master, something sweet might lift your spirits."
"What this body needs isn't milk—it's successful villainy!"
Gulp gulp—
Still, she snatched the strawberry milk and downed it in one go.
The sweet liquid slid down her throat, offering faint comfort. She hated to admit it, but her mood improved. Just a little. A tiny bit!
The TV switched to a public service ad. A serene library scene showed citizens of all ages reading peacefully.
[Reading is the power of knowledge. The library is the cradle of intellect. S City Central Library—your space for intellectual growth.]
Then, inspiration flashed through her mind.
Gray light slowly emanated from her horns.
This was... a villainous epiphany!
"Yes! This is it!!"
"Has a good plan come to you?"
"The problem was the citizens being too smart!"
She struck a victory pose.
A genius idea from her brilliant brain! Perfect!
"If I dumb down S City's citizens, no one will mistake my villainy for good deeds! Then, city conquest will be a straight path!"
She leaped triumphantly on the sofa, but on landing, her foot snagged the cushion edge, throwing her off balance.
"Whoa—!"
She tumbled off the sofa, but such a minor mishap couldn't derail her genius inspiration!
"Kakakat! Kakakat!"
Sprawled on the floor, she still burst into victorious laughter.
"Master, do you have a specific plan for the library? Is there anything I should prepare?"
"Of course! Everlin, let's start the strategy meeting now! Successful villainy demands meticulous planning and flawless preparation!"
*
Ten minutes later, they'd set up headquarters (the living room) with an easel and whiteboard.
A perfect villain holds perfect strategy meetings. Everlin sat with notepad ready, awaiting orders.
"Now! Today's operation name is..."
Whoosh! She scrawled bold letters on the whiteboard.
"OPERATION: S City Idiotization Project!"
She double-underlined it with marker. Stylish. If she weren't a villain, she'd have gone to art school!
"Behold this body's perfect plan!"
She smacked the whiteboard with a pointer, explaining passionately.
"First! Library infiltration: This body sneaks into enemy territory personally!"
"Second! Knowledge destruction: Scramble all useful info!"
"Third! Sow chaos: Make citizens absorb false knowledge, plunging all of S City into disorder!"
She filled the board with dastardly details. Her genius shone. Everlin just nodded, jotting everything down.
"So, required supplies..."
She listed carefully. No room for error. Supplies were like spare lives for a villain!
1. Highlighters (assorted colors)
2. Stickers (villain theme)
3. Orca-shaped Post-its
4. Horn-shaped stamp
She starred the orca Post-its five times.
"Orcas are the ocean's mighty predators—perfect villain symbols! Clever and ruthless! Just like this body!"
A creature worthy of the 'sea villain' title.
"Plus, it's 'beom'orca? A crime-committing whale! Perfect synergy with this body!"
"Master, 'beom' refers to tiger—meaning a large, fierce whale like a tiger. In English, it's Killer Whale or Orca..."
She waved it off.
"Doesn't matter! This body redefines it as 'crime whale'—so that's canon!"
Everlin raised no further objections. Wise choice.
Without delay, Everlin presented a neat black box with exactly the supplies.
How so fast...? And she anticipated this request?
Inside: Everything perfectly arranged, orca Post-its included!
"Preparations for Master's villainy are always ready."
"Wow, Everlin! As expected of this body's maid—perfection!"
Everlin's flawlessness was astounding. Having such a subordinate proved her greatness as a villain.
Next: Picking today's villain outfit!
Standing before the dressing room, she pondered. Choosing the perfect costume for the mission was as crucial as world conquest. A villain's dignity started with appearance!
"Hmm... What to wear..."
One side held proud villain attire.
Gothic lolita dresses with lace and frills, purple-black cape dresses, crown hairpins... Outfits embodying villain elegance.
"Covert op, so normal clothes?"
Balancing great villain dignity and practicality was tough.
"I'll wear you next mission."
She whispered promises to the dresses, carefully hanging them back.
The other side: 'Normal' clothes. Of course, on this body, they became special.
She pulled out a pink hoodie with "World is Mine" on the back and a checkered skirt.
This combo subtly hinted at her world-conquering ambition while disguising as a normal student.
"This body's fashion sense is the pinnacle of villainy!"
Self-praise as she changed. Glasses? Tempting, but no need to hide her beautiful ruby eyes.
Dressed, she checked the mirror. Perfect.
She looked like any student, but who could guess the world-conquering ambition and king's DNA hid within this ordinary facade!
"Master, all prepared?"
"Naturally! Has this body ever been anything less than perfect?"
Everlin pointed out the window.
"It's March, yet feels like summer. Korea's climate has changed a lot."
Peering out: Intense sunlight blazed. Even the weather aided her villainy! Seasons in chaos, disorienting citizens!
"So hot! Korea's doomed! I miss four seasons! This is all humanity's folly! When this body rules the world, only spring and fall will remain!"
Plus, the sky was hazy with fine dust.
Everlin handed a sky-blue fine dust mask.
"For your health, please wear it."
"Mask? Too stuffy! Besides, know this? Fine dust comes from grilled mackerel."
"...Grilled mackerel?"
"Yep! People grill too much mackerel, that's why! So breathing it is fine! Mackerel's healthy oily fish!"
Everlin's expression mixed blankness and complexity.
Clearly awed by her astonishing knowledge.
"Master... That's just from kitchen..."
"Anyway! This body's lungs are tough! Amazon-level!"
Everlin sighed, seeing her off.
"Operation start time. Good luck, Master."
"Obviously! This time, citizens will kneel properly to this body's villainy!"
She fiddled with an orca Post-it. With this, she'd wreck the sea of knowledge.
"Alright! To S City Central Library—depart!"
S City Central District, Sejong-ro 50, S City Central Library.
Grand marble stairs, massive pillars, even the Tree of Wisdom...
"At last, I've arrived. Citadel of knowledge, your downfall begins!"
Students and citizens passed by normally.
Innocent fools. None suspected this body would flip this intellectual haven upside down.
'Good, time to start infiltration!'
She tiptoed to the main entrance, hands clasped behind, ninja-style.
"Grimoire Stealth Mode—activate!"
Step left, step right. Precise stealth moves drew stares one by one.
Ha, even ninja steps couldn't hide this body's presence! These horns and silver hair were too eye-catching!
"What's that kid doing?"
"Low-rank ninja cosplay?"
"Too cute. Gotta kidnap her."
Students giggled and whispered. Their gazes stung, but a great villain focuses on the mission. She continued stealth-walking.
Finally, the library's automatic doors parted. Cool AC air brushed her face. Deep breath.
"Alright, it begins now. Kakak!"
The interior was vast and majestic.
Tall bookshelves lined up; people read quietly or used computers. Soon, this silence would shatter under this body's hand! Thrilling just thinking about it!
'First, check the map, identify strategic points. Villains are always planned!'
Scanning for op start while swiveling her head, a warm voice came from behind.
"What are you looking for?"
"Eek!"
The sudden voice made her jump in fright.
A kind-faced librarian in her forties smiled.
"Student, here for library volunteering?"
Volunteering? Her? Absurd! This body came for villainy!
"N-no! This body came to ruin the libr—"
Mid-sentence, she felt surrounding eyes. Crowded.
Whoops, nearly spilled the truth! Can't let the plan leak—lower voice, trail off.
"Hm? What was that?"
"...Um, well..."
"Right? Volunteer student! Perfect timing!"
She pulled out a clipboard, checking the list. No, no! This body is a villain!
"Name?"
"Gr-Grimoire."
"Grimoire? Unique name. Foreigner?"
"This body... er, sure."
"Not on the list... Must be an add-on volunteer."
She wrote Grimoire's name and handed a red 'Volunteer' badge.
"Pin this on. Have a great day!"
Staring at the badge, she pondered. Unexpected... but...
'Disguised as volunteer, I can villain freely...'
She pinned the red volunteer badge firmly.
Perfect cover. No suspicions now! Free access everywhere.
Surveying the library, she mapped strategic spots mentally.
Children's section, reference area, self-improvement... All ripe for ruin in unique ways!
A wicked grin spread. It was like...
"Trojan horse inside the walls... You'll regret this... Kakak!"
Glancing around once more, she chuckled lowly and evilly. Unnoticed.
Now, launch the op. First target?
Humanities corner? Science? Or...
"Alright! First step to topple human knowledge begins. Enjoy laughing while you can! Once this body's perfect plan unfolds, all S City drowns in ignorance and chaos!"