Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Villain's Adoption
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"What do I do..."
All the residents' eyes were fixed on me. The cats were no exception. Dozens of bright, sparkling eyes gathered in a circle at my feet, gazing up at me.
This was unexpected! I thought I'd just beat up the Cat Mom Villain and chase her off! Dealing with the aftermath wasn't in my plan at all!
"What on earth am I supposed to do with all these cats...?"
Right! There are plenty of people gathered here, so if each one takes a cat home, problem solved!
Perfect solution!
"No need to agonize! You all just adopt one each! Cats, go pick your new owners!"
Coming up with this idea on the spot? Truly, I am a genius villain!
"Kakak! Problem solved!"
But why do the residents look like that? Their faces were filled not with joy or emotion, but discomfort and bewilderment.
Taxi driver Mr. Kim scratched his head with an unenthusiastic expression.
"Well... I drive all day. How could I take care of a cat?"
The bread lady shook her head.
"I have fur allergies... Plus, cat hair might get on the bread I give you, Grimoire."
The fish shop uncle glared and shouted.
"These are the ones who stole my fish! You want me to raise them? What about my shop?"
Similar excuses poured in from around.
"My apartment bans pets."
"I can barely afford my own food, let alone cat expenses."
"My wife likes dogs... Bringing home a cat means divorce."
I was dumbfounded. These people who had just been chanting "Long live the great Grimoire!" were dodging responsibility like this?
"Uuu... Humans truly are pathetic and irresponsible creatures!"
The residents looked sheepish and averted their eyes. I hadn't anticipated this reaction. I thought everyone would want these adorable cats!
Nyaah-
The cats seemed anxious, as if asking, "What now? Where do we go?"
Then, a brilliant idea flashed in my mind!
"In that case, Plan B!"
I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket and called Everlin.
"Everlin? Come to the warehouse right now! There's something I can't do without you! It's an emergency!"
In just 10 minutes, Everlin arrived. As always, perfect timing, perfect appearance.
But the moment she saw the dozens of cats inside the warehouse, her left eyebrow twitched faintly.
"Master..."
She glared at me with a blank expression.
"You don't mean I have to take care of these cats... do you?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
I waved my hand dismissively.
"You're my maid, not the cats' keeper! What do you take me for? I'm not that cruel a villain!"
Everlin's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Then what did you call me for?"
"Set up a broadcast right now! We're going live!"
Everlin immediately began setting up the broadcasting equipment. The residents watched us in confusion.
The camera was ready, the tripod set, the lights installed. Darkness and White King took their positions. Time to start.
"Make sure the camera's positioned high to capture my dignified presence! Hmm... Shooting from above looking down will make me seem more intimidating! Like I'm overlooking everyone!"
"Master, that might make you look smaller... no, cuter instead..."
"What? You were about to say small but changed it? Choose your words wisely! There's a scary word like 'condensed evil' or something!"
Everlin adjusted the camera to the perfect angle.
"3, 2, 1... Broadcast started, Master."
I cleared my throat, put on an arrogant expression, and stared into the camera.
"Kakak! I am the great villain Grimoire! Welcome to today's world conquest live stream!"
My eyes flashed at the word 'Cat Mom'.
"Cat Mom? You dare compare me to a Cat Mom? You all know nothing of my great achievements!"
I explained everything that happened today. Of course, with a bit of embellishment. An inevitable choice to elevate a villain's dignity.
"I faced off against the C-Rank Villain 'Cattler,' who turned dozens of cats into monsters! She was drugging them to terrorize the neighborhood! But I..."
Whoosh whoosh-
I swung my fist through the air for emphasis.
"Pow! Sent her flying with one hit! Kakak! Third-rate villains can only kneel before a first-rate one like me! This is the law of the jungle among villains! Naturally, I'm at the top of the food chain!"
"Not a hero! I'm a villain! I just punished that low-class third-rate villain for invading my turf!"
I took a deep breath to calm down. Steady, Grimoire! Getting mad at 'hero' comments will make me forget the broadcast's purpose!
"Now, I shall reveal today's broadcast theme! It's a special day, so I'll give you a chance to prove your loyalty! Today's villainy is..."
I made the most wicked face possible.
"Stray cat adoptions!"
Oh no! They don't get my villainy! I need to explain!
"This is definitely villainy! Raising these cats will... will make you dote on them! You'll spend money, time, and be responsible for life—super exhausting!"
Yeah, that sounds evil, right? Perfect!
Ignoring the chat's mockery, I lifted each cat in front of the camera one by one.
"This one's 'Knight'! Street-born but super affectionate! Her black fur has a glossy shine like a luxury bag!!"
I held Knight up to the camera, and she tilted her head as if posing.
"This striped one is 'Tiger'! Legs were injured but fully recovered now! Smart and energetic! Great at hiding toys!"
Tiger wagged her tail and meowed at the camera.
I introduced them one by one like that. Mimi, Coco, Cookie... Detailing each one's features, habits, and personality.
"Finally, this is 'Lucky'... Can't see from one eye, but sees the world's beauty with the other! Abused but still bravely trusts people."
The chat filled with sympathy, but hesitation lingered. Gradually, realistic concerns appeared.
Viewer count was skyrocketing in real-time. Started at a few hundred, now over a thousand.
Plenty of interest, but almost no adoption commitments. Just plausible excuses.
'This won't do. Time for the adult solution.'
Time for the ultimate hidden card. That is...
"Listen up, humans! Adopt a cat now, and I'll cover the cat food costs!"
Everlin's credit card! Amazing thing—spend all you want, balance never drops!
The locals exchanged confused glances too. What's this? Why the weird reactions?
"No, I give the money! Food, toys, even vaccinations—all covered! Right, Everlin?"
Everlin stepped forward and began explaining.
"As Master said, we'll provide monthly stipends for food and treats. First month includes a cat toy set, litter box, cat tree, carrier bag, and annual vaccinations covered."
Residents and chat shifted from suspicion to surprise.
"Tsk tsk, pathetic. Think again. If you truly care for cats, why charge for adoption? That Cat Mom Villain took money for 'adoption fees,' 'responsibility fees'—all excuses! Is that really for the cats?"
I wagged my finger as I explained.
"If you really care, the adopter shouldn't pay—the giver should pay and beg: 'Please make this cat happy. I'll cover everything!'"
"Master will do his utmost to ensure every cat grows up in a happy home."
Everlin smiled faintly. She seemed proud of something.
"Yes! This is an evil plan!"
I let out a wicked laugh.
"I give money and cats—you'll suffer under heavy responsibility! I'll adopt out as many as possible to disrupt lives!"
Had to frame it as villainy somehow.
"They'll scratch your sofas, torment dogs, race around at dawn waking you! Kakak!"
Not very convincing, as viewers remained skeptical. Then special messages popped up.
"Wha... what...?"
I stared at the chat in bewilderment. What was going on?
"Not a good deed! This is villainy!"
Chitter-
Even Darkness and White King were giggling now. No longer bothering to cover their mouths!
"Are you laughing?! Forgot subordinate rule #1? 'Never defy the villain's words'! You're undermining my authority!"
Adoption requests started trickling in, then pouring: from a few, to a dozen, to nearly all cats reserved in moments.
Everlin pulled out her tablet.
"Master, shall I check the adopters' info? Family makeup, living environment, work hours—all verified."
"Oho, my maid is perfect as always!"
Continuing the broadcast, we matched cats to suitable homes one by one.
"Knight likes quiet, so a peaceful home."
"Tiger needs space for her energy."
"Mimi gets along with other cats, so multi-cat homes okay."
I checked personalities; Everlin, conditions and environments. This is villain organization efficiency!
As adoptions wrapped up, I stared seriously into the camera.
"But adoption is responsibility! Abandon them, and I'll come punish you myself! Got it?"
"Total success—not a single cat left!"
Looking around after adoptions ended, huh? Lucky was missing.
"Hmm... Smart one, found her own way maybe...?"
Still, most found good homes. Satisfying.
As the broadcast ended, residents swarmed.
"Amazing! Solved the problem so coolly!"
"Chased off Cat Mom, fixed stray issue... Neighborhood's peaceful now!"
The bread lady held out a boxed package. Sweet aroma teased my nose.
"Grimoire, premium red bean bread for you. Double butter, top-grade beans. Posting on shop blog: 'Great Hero Grimoire's Red Bean Bread'!"
The clothing designer eyed my dress, jotted notes.
"Grimoire, your dress is ruined. I'll make a new one special. Reinforced frills, durable fabric. To highlight 'hero's dignity'!"
Premium red bean bread and new dress... Nice, but what's this vibe?
The fish uncle approached with an icebox.
"A promise is a promise! Chase off Cat Mom, get mackerel. Extra-large fresh one from dawn delivery!"
Residents expressed thanks their ways: cafe owner gave premium chocolate cake coupons, stationery shop a custom sketchbook, vet free rat checkups.
"Want my kid to grow up like Grimoire."
What? Me as a role model? For kids!? My gosh! Children's idol!?
"Ah... No... I am..."
What is this? This treatment... Feels like a hero!?
My fearsome villain image is ruined!
Can't tolerate this anymore!
"Right! Cat Mom infamous for cats—so I'll be infamous for rats!"
To turn it around: primal violence!
"Darkness! White King! Launch terror rat attack on residents!! Fatal Fangs authorized!"
Rats stared blankly.
"Defying my orders? Execute now!"
This won't do! Must reclaim villain image!
Rats hesitated, then reluctantly approached slowly. Finally! Obeying!
Residents backed away in surprise.
'At last! Time to spread my infamy...!'
Chit-!
But against expectations, Darkness and White King neatly bowed politely with front paws. Perfect manners!
"Wha... what are you doing?! That's not an attack!"
Darkness suddenly spun on one foot. White King picked a nearby wildflower for a little girl.
"This... what... what is..."
"Wow, rats can be this cute!"
"Such special rats!"
"Grimoire trained them? Amazing!"
Chitchit.
Rats, pleased by cheers, made heart tails and basked in popularity.
"You lot, you're in for it later!"
Subordinates' utter betrayal! Violation of villain code!
In the end, all residents left the warehouse smiling brightly. Last words: thanks to Grimoire.
Their faces full of happiness, eyes full of respect for me.
My dignity... my villain image... ashes.
"Nooooo! I am a villaaaaaain!"
Then Everlin approached.
"Master, splendid work. Villainy executed, aftermath handled perfectly... Special bonus allowance."
My ears perked. What was that?
"What? Allowance? For real?"
"Yes, special reward. Impressed by your bold villainy and flawless follow-up."
This... isn't this a perfect villain victory?
Everlin's praise plus bonus cash!
Thought of piggy bank at home. Combine with emergency savings...
'Might buy the new Nintendo? No way it's over 500,000 won, right?'
Heart raced just thinking.
Even after broadcast ended, chats kept coming: 'Cute', 'Great', 'Grimoire best'...
Well, occasional praise is fine. Reading the masses' hearts vital for world conquest!
Of course, all for even more terrifying villainy!
...So tonight, red bean bread while browsing game catalogs.