Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Villain and Tteokbokki
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The moment the front door clicked shut, Serena's smile vanished from her face.
"Haa... finally."
The first words she breathed out with a sigh were laced with pure relief.
With a deep exhale, she kicked off her 12cm high heels, flinging them across the floor.
Earrings, necklace, bracelets—all tossed aside. One bracelet, two gold bangles, a white gold pendant. They scattered everywhere like trash.
She shrugged off her flashy blazer, draping it over the sofa. Then she undid the buttons of her silk blouse one by one.
She unzipped her tight skirt, letting it slide down to her ankles. Serena stepped right over it.
It was a chaotic mess in a penthouse that was usually impeccably tidy.
S Special City, West District Westwood 210, Emerald Sky. The luxury penthouse overlooked all of S City at a glance. It was the one sanctuary allowed to Serena.
Serena's shoulders began to slump little by little. The perfect posture she maintained in front of cameras—not a single degree of error allowed—was slowly crumbling.
She threw herself onto the bed. Her golden hair fanned out. As it hit the pillow, an exotic rose scent wafted through the air.
In this moment, she wasn't the Golden Princess of IM Group. She was just a weary 24-year-old woman.
Of course, even that wouldn't be allowed for long.
Endless, endless notifications kept coming.
"Please... stop..."
She replayed the day in her mind. From morning until now, a day lived as the Golden Princess.
Perfect posture in front of every camera, perfect smile, a flawless day that no one could criticize.
So why did it feel so empty?
"I'm an S-Rank Hero."
She murmured to herself like a whisper.
"Chaebol heiress, global celeb, fashion icon..."
She slowly rose and headed to the dressing room. She stood before the massive full-length mirror. A slender figure, shining golden eyes, beautifully exotic features blending Western and Eastern allure.
But the eyes staring back from the mirror were lifeless.
"Why does it have to be like this...?"
She couldn't finish the sentence. Since when had she been this exhausted?
Turning her head, her eyes fell on a family photo on the bedside table. A standard pose with Chairman Park at the center, surrounded by his children. Everyone wore perfect smiles, but Serena knew all too well the selfishness and rivalry hidden behind them.
"You're all hypocrites."
Serena picked up the photo.
"Dad, my brothers, my sister... and me too."
She quietly turned the photo face-down. She didn't want to see it anymore.
'I just want to rest. Just once, live as myself.'
In that instant, an unexpected face flashed through her mind.
A petite girl with silver hair and cute little horns. What was her name again... Grimoire.
"A villain out to conquer the world? A hero going with a villain concept? Is this industry a joke?"
The corner of her mouth curled up involuntarily. That arrogant voice calling herself "this body" and emphasizing her villainy—it was ridiculous.
Serena grabbed her phone and typed into the search bar.
[Great Grimoire]
Countless results popped up. Videos of her talking to pigeons in the park, street antics(?) failing hilariously, a live stream earnestly debating if tomatoes are fruit or vegetable, and today's clip of her in farmer's clothes tending a vegetable garden... and those horns.
'They really grow out of her head.'
It was hard to believe. Grimoire standing proudly in front of her garden. A confident posture, a genuine smile with no pretense.
Her finger absentmindedly saved one image.
"What am I doing?!"
She hurriedly set the phone down.
Pacing the room, Serena suddenly stopped.
"That cheeky brat, who does she think she is..."
She bit her lip. The little girl's words came rushing back.
Goldie.
Gold nugget.
Precious goldie.
"Who's the real precious goldie here?!"
Pent-up emotions exploded. Serena grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the wall. Then a cushion, then a decorative item...
"You little kid! I'm the Golden Princess! Serena Park!"
The room grew messier by the second.
"Didn't even ask for an autograph, didn't beg for a photo! And she didn't even recognize me!"
The once-tidy space absorbed her rage.
"In the world! Is growing up in a chaebol family some kind of sin? Success because of Dad? Do you have any idea how hard I've worked?"
Huff huff—
Suddenly, all strength drained from her. Serena collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
Exhausted from the sudden emotional outburst, but strangely, her heart felt lighter.
She smirked at the wrecked room. This was anything but Golden Princess behavior.
"If my fans saw me like this, they'd faint."
Serena buried her face in her hands. She hated this pathetic version of herself. An S-Rank Hero, the youngest daughter of IM Group, the Golden Princess—she couldn't be like this.
"Next time, no mistakes like that."
She slowly stood and began tidying the room. As she put everything back in place, her mind settled too.
She checked the digital clock. 23:38.
'Exactly 7 hours and 22 minutes of sleep.'
Her routine was snapping back to perfection. She headed to the bathroom for her nighttime ritual. Thorough skincare, supplements and sleeping pills in precise doses, silk sleep mask at the ready.
She lay in bed. Before putting on the mask, she stared at the ceiling one last time.
The image that surfaced was that confident little girl's face.
"Maybe she really is special."
Serena's voice echoed softly in the silence.
"I'm jealous."
Jealous? Me? Why? She murmured in confusion.
What was she jealous of? The little girl's freedom? Her pure passion? Her honesty? That bold attitude like nothing mattered?
"Next time we meet..."
Sleep overtook her.
As consciousness faded, her final mumble slipped out.
"I'm gonna touch those horns..."
Like the calm after a storm, a rare peaceful expression settled on her face.
A few days after resolving the monster wave in the park. Serena's penthouse.
Unlike usual, Serena was still deep in sleep, clutching her pillow tightly.
Today was a day she could wake without a dozen alarms or reciting her minute-by-minute schedule. A precious holiday once every three months—a day just for herself.
"Mm..."
Serena's eyelids fluttered faintly. Normally, she'd have been up two hours ago, finished her morning workout, and prepping for meetings. But not today. The clock read 9:30.
She rolled around on the bed before slowly opening her eyes. In this room with no prying eyes, she could move slowly, take deep breaths, yawn freely.
"My first holiday in months..."
She stretched as she murmured. Her eyes caught the digital calendar on the wall. 'MY DAY' glowed large in red for today. Unlike her packed schedule, it was completely empty. A perfectly free day.
Her feet carried her to a closet she rarely used. Not the main dressing room, but a small one tucked in the corner of the bedroom. She opened it to reveal simple clothes. No luxury brand logos—just ordinary ones.
"I need you today."
Serena pulled out a black wig and examined it against her hair. Worlds apart from her perfectly styled golden locks. She slipped on the dark black wig, then grabbed plain jeans and a hoodie.
"Dad would have a fit if he saw this."
Standing before the mirror, she looked nothing like the Golden Princess. Black straight hair instead of golden waves, streetwear jeans and white hoodie instead of designer outfits. Just a touch of BB cream instead of full glam makeup.
"No one will recognize me like this."
A smirk crossed her face at her reflection. 180 degrees from the Golden Princess the world knew. Maybe this was closer to the real her.
Her phone buzzed. A message notification.
It was obviously a surveillance check. Dad's orders, no doubt. Even holidays weren't total freedom.
After replying, she grabbed a plain crossbody bag instead of her luxury one. Checking her wallet: no cash, just VIP cards and premium credit cards.
"It's fine, I've got cards."
She finished getting ready and headed to the penthouse emergency stairs. Planning to slip out the emergency exit instead of the CCTV-monitored front door or parking lot. A small rebellion for freedom.
Out on the street, Serena felt like a heavy load had lifted. Passersby glanced but moved on—no one recognized her.
"No one knows. No one has any idea who I am..."
That simple fact felt like immense freedom. No need to bow her head, flash a perfect smile, or keep her back ramrod straight.
Blending into the crowd as just an ordinary citizen—it was thrilling.
Heading to the bus stop, she studied the sign, then checked the route on her phone.
'S City Traditional Market line, right?'
The rumble of a bus approached. It pulled up with a hiss. Serena boarded confidently.
Beep—
She tapped her transit card. The success chime brought a satisfied smile.
'What do K-dramas think chaebols are? Of course I know bus fare. This is easy.'
She took a window seat, gazing at the scenery. Riding the bus alone, sightseeing—she almost never had time for this. Always bulletproof limos, helicopters, or hero-special transports.
'Didn't know places like this existed. Same city, totally different world.'
S City's sights whizzed by the window. From skyscrapers and luxury shops to alleyways of everyday life. Faces, building colors, street vibes—all shifting fascinatingly.
About 30 minutes later, the bus arrived near the traditional market.
Serena took a deep breath and stepped off. The market exploded with sounds, smells, colors. Fishmongers' booming calls, aunties chatting over veggies, sizzling tteokbokki, kids laughing as they ran across the pavement...
Passing the entrance, she entered the narrow alleys. Crowds bustled between densely packed stalls. Serena blended in naturally, starting her market stroll.
As an S-Rank Hero who'd faced countless monster waves and gates, this lively market was a whole new challenge.
"Hey sis, come check this out! Fresh dresses in stock today! Super cheap!"
"Miss, try our fruit! Sweetest around!"
"Grab some tteokbokki here before you go! Extra tasty today!"
Amid the hawkers' calls, a delicious smell tickled her nose. Tteokbokki. Seeing it bubbling red on the griddle, she swallowed unconsciously.
'This is just... for the experience.'
Convincing herself, she stood before the tteokbokki stall. A 1,000-won fish cake skewer caught her eye. Used to gourmet restaurants and chef-made meals, street food was pure rebellion.
"Um..."
The stall auntie looked up.
"Yeah? What'll it be?"
"Tteokbokki one, and fish cake skewer one."
She stammered awkwardly. The tteokbokki came on a plate—bubbling red sauce, chewy rice cakes, fish cakes.
Serena took a cautious bite. Spicy-sweet flavor exploded in her mouth. It burned for a second, but the addictive taste pulled her in for another.
'Tastier than I thought.'
Simple, honest flavor. Blending with the crowd, eating street food—this moment felt oddly happy.
She polished off the tteokbokki, even slurping the last of the fish cake broth, then pulled out her card.
"How much?"
"Tteokbokki 4,000 won, fish cake 1,000—5,000 total."
Serena offered her black credit card.
"Here."
"Sorry, hon, no card reader. Cash only."
Serena's face stiffened. Cash? She rummaged frantically—only flashy cards and gold trinkets.
"Um... I don't have cash..."
The auntie's expression shifted subtly. A line was already forming behind her.
"Then bank transfer!"
The auntie pointed irritably to an account number scribbled on a box.
Serena fumbled for her phone. Opened the banking app—certificates, e-signatures, quick pay, OTP...
'Who designed this crap? Which villain?!'
Overwhelmed by security steps. Managers always handled payments; she wasn't used to this.
"Hey, hurry up..."
"What's taking so long?"
Impatient sighs from behind. Serena's cheeks burned.
She who dispatched ruthless villains effortlessly, struggling to pay for a bowl of tteokbokki.
Complaints grew. She wanted to bolt. No one—Dad, the Association—had taught her this.
That's when it happened.
"What, commoners can't even afford tteokbokki these days?"
A bold, oddly familiar voice rang from behind.
Serena turned. There stood the silver-haired girl with little horns.
The horned girl from the park. Grimoire.
"Prices rising, interest rates volatile, no jobs... Commoners are so pitiful! Wallets empty while greedy capitalists laugh! That's exactly why this body must conquer the world!"
Grimoire tilted her chin arrogantly, waving a hand like giving a speech. Grand words, but her face suggested she barely grasped them. Just mashing up phrases she'd heard somewhere.
"I'll cover it. Out of pity."
Serena's eyes widened.
'This kid pities me?'
Embarrassment and amusement bubbled up. An S-Rank Hero bailed out by a not-even-D-Rank kid.
Grimoire strode forward confidently. But no wallet in sight.
"Hey, tteokbokki auntie! I'll pay for hers too, so ring it up! On credit!"
Serena panicked, fearing escalation.
But amazingly, the auntie's face lit up.
"Credit? You think I'd charge our neighborhood hero?"
The glare she'd given Serena was gone, replaced by a grin.
"Should've said you were with Grimoire. Just eat and go."
Serena was baffled. Was Grimoire famous here? As a 'hero'?
"We're not friends! I just took pity and did a good deed!"
Grimoire protested, face flushing.
"And this body isn't a hero—I'm a villain! The great villain who'll conquer the world!"
Serena couldn't process it. Dreamlike. They didn't recognize S-Rank her, but welcomed the horned 'villain' girl.
'What is this... Is that kid that famous?'
Serena's gaze fixed on Grimoire's horns. Grateful for the tteokbokki save, but the situation felt off.