Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Villain Guide
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The two continued exploring every corner of the market. As they entered the street food section, a riot of tantalizing aromas assaulted their noses.
"This is the common folk's food supply depot! After I conquer the world, I'll build more places like this! Well-fed slaves work harder, after all!"
The food stalls overflowed with colorful treats. Spicy rice cakes, tornado potatoes, hot dogs, fish cakes on skewers... a mouthwatering array of vibrant dishes.
"What's that?"
Serena pointed at the long, spiraling potato.
"What? You don't know tornado potatoes?"
Serena hesitated.
"Ah... I've seen them before, but..."
"But what?"
"Is it... hygienic...?"
She asked cautiously.
"What are you scared of, you pampered princess...? Freaking out like a proper fan-girl?"
Before she could finish, Grimoire snatched up a towering tornado potato and shoved it into Serena's mouth.
It was so sudden she had no time to refuse.
"Mmmph?!"
Serena could barely speak in her surprise.
"Hey, mister! Two more of these! This body's subordinate is starving! Can't you see? She's skin and bones!"
'Skin and bones? Wait, is she talking about my figure? Am I that skinny? No way, I maintain exactly 18.3% body fat. My chest isn't... huge or anything... but as a fashion model, too big would ruin the fit! Balance is key—I've got the perfect golden ratio!'
Serena tried to protest, but her mouth was already stuffed with more food.
Hot dogs loaded with sausages, spicy rice cakes oozing melted cheese, fish cakes with crispy outsides and soft insides.
"Special service for our friend Grimoire!"
The vendors competed to offer the tastiest, biggest portions. Whenever Grimoire stopped at one stall, the others buzzed with excitement too. She was like the market's little mascot.
Of course, the food at the restaurants Serena usually visited was far superior. Perfect plating, intricate flavor harmonies, artistic dishes made from premium ingredients.
But dining there always came with tension. Straight-backed posture, forks and knives at precise angles, every bite calculated.
Compared to that, this was... sauce on her hands, fry crumbs on her chin, and no one batted an eye. She could exclaim in delight or chomp a hot dog in one massive bite.
The flavors were great, but laughing and chatting while eating made it even better. Grimoire recommending this and that, beaming proudly at her enjoyment—it was adorable.
"I had no idea it was this good!"
"Of course! Everything this body recommends is delicious by default!"
Next came fried ice cream, skewered rice cakes, fried dumplings. Serena was utterly enchanted by these street food delights. She realized just how much she'd been denying herself.
'When was the last time I let loose like this?'
Maybe since childhood, when Mom secretly bought her hotteok. That memory felt distant now.
"Next up, ice cream!"
Grimoire pointed to the Turkish ice cream stand.
Serena looked puzzled.
"Why's everyone laughing over there? How do they even sell ice cream like that?"
"You'll see."
Grimoire said with a mischievous grin.
At the stand, the vendor beamed at Serena and offered a cone.
"Ice cream for the hero girl."
"Yes, one please."
As Serena reached out, the vendor yanked it away, swapping it for an empty cone in her hand.
"Wha...?"
Serena blinked in confusion.
"Gotta catch it! Can't, can you?"
She tried again, but the vendor twirled his long scoop, dodging effortlessly.
A crowd gathered, all chuckling as they watched her struggle.
Serena's pride started to sting.
As an S-Rank Hero, she had incredible speed and reflexes, honed in countless monster battles. Her dynamic vision and reaction time were top-tier.
'No way an S-Rank Hero can't snag one ice cream!'
She focused and lunged—missed again.
Third, fourth... her face flushed red. After the fifth failure, her hands clutched five empty cones.
"Enough already!"
The laughter grew louder. For the first time, Serena faced public "failure" like this. Golden Princess never failed. She was always perfect. Yet here she was, toyed with by a street vendor.
Then Grimoire stepped up.
"Oh, little horn girl! Back again?"
"Hey! Mess with this body's subordinate, and see what happens! Behold! This is a villain's reflexes!"
She timed the twirl perfectly and snatched the ice cream in one go.
"Kekeke! Victory for this body again! Admit defeat and stack that ice cream four layers high! That's the price for challenging the queen!"
"Fine, fine. You always win."
Serena watched Grimoire with a mix of relief and envy. This kid had some seriously unexpected talents.
"How'd you grab it on the first try?"
Grimoire grinned triumphantly.
"Villain's instinct! Reading the opponent's pattern! Teasing people is this body's specialty!"
They wandered the market, munching ice cream. By now, trailing after Grimoire felt natural to Serena. Being around this quirky girl made the world feel more vibrant.
Grimoire patted her bulging belly contentedly.
Serena, freed from her strict diet, savored the lingering flavors and a strange sense of liberation.
"That was so good. I've never tried so many different foods at once."
"Naturally! This body handpicked only the best spots!"
Grimoire puffed up her chest proudly.
"But honestly, it doesn't compare to Everlin's cooking."
"Everlin? Who's that?"
"This body's first subordinate and maid! The steadfast ally of world conquest! Perfect at everything, especially cooking!"
"You have a maid?"
Grimoire boasted.
"Today's food was tasty, but compared to Everlin's, it's just junk! Her tomato pasta is fresh yet deep—you can't forget it after one bite. The risotto has that cheesy richness with chewy grains... and her special desserts have a charm even villains can't resist..."
Serena noticed Grimoire's eyes sparkle at the name 'Everlin'.
"What's that maid like...?"
"Perfect! Cleaning, cooking, everything. Super modest and elegant too! A true right-hand! But she only makes healthy stuff. 'Even villains need nutrition,' she says, stuffing in too many veggies."
She whispered conspiratorially.
"That's why this body sneaks out to the market for street food!"
Serena smiled, but a twinge of jealousy stirred inside.
She'd felt happy spending the day with Grimoire, yet to her, Serena was just a one-day subordinate. But Everlin seemed irreplaceable in Grimoire's life.
To change the subject, Serena scanned around.
Flashing lights and upbeat music caught her eye.
"What's that? Game center? Let's go! I've never been!"
"Never been to an arcade? What have you even been doing with your life...?"
"Just... really busy..."
Grimoire grabbed her wrist.
"Fine! Time to show off this body's skills!"
Inside the arcade, dazzling machines lined up amid blinking lights, chiptune beats, and laughter bombarding Serena's senses.
The counter clerk spotted Grimoire and shot up, pale-faced.
"Oh no, Miss Grimoire! Y-you're here again today!"
Serena glanced between them curiously.
"That's right! This body has arrived! Specially brought a subordinate today. For training!"
The clerk bowed 90 degrees.
"Uh... but today... um..."
Grimoire waved magnanimously.
"We'll go easy today. Won't sweep every prize like last time. This body is a merciful villain!"
The clerk's face relaxed in relief.
"Thank you so much, Lady Grimoire! We ran out of prizes last time—nearly got chewed out by the manager."
"Let's hit the claw machine!"
A crowd gathered around the claw machines. They parted welcomingly for Grimoire.
"Claw... machine? Never tried it..."
"First time? Give it a shot! It's a trial for villains! Pick your target doll, position the claw just right, then hit the button."
Serena focused intently. She inserted the coin, gingerly maneuvering the lever. Her fingers trembled slightly. The cool-headed monster slayer tense over a simple game.
"Hm? Too hard? Need this body to demonstrate?"
Grimoire smirked.
Serena's eyes narrowed.
'Think I can't do it?'
She concentrated harder than in any monster fight.
First try: claw grazed the doll but dropped it.
Second: lifted it, then lost grip midway.
Third: snagged the head, but it slipped.
"Th-this is rigged! It's cheating!"
"As expected of a pampered princess—can't handle commoner games! Still a long way to be this body's subordinate!"
"One more try!"
Grimoire stepped forward.
"Outta the way, amateur! Witness this body's ultimate bear claw technique!"
Whirr—clunk.
The claw perfectly nabbed a small dragon doll—complete with horns. Flawless.
"Here, a gift bestowed upon you. Every time you see those horns, remember this body's greatness!"
Grimoire handed it over. The cute red-horned dragon doll made Serena beam as she hugged it.
"I'll treasure it."
As the youngest daughter of IM Group, Serena could have anything. Yet this cheap arcade prize felt priceless. Maybe because she earned it through challenge?
"Thanks, Grimoire. For the doll... and today."
"Hmph, special treatment for this body's subordinate! But you're just a one-day hire—don't get ideas! To join the Grimoire Empire officially, you need hellish training and ideological screening via villain exam!"
As the market tour wound down, Serena felt reluctant for this free time to end.
'Time to head back soon.'
Back to reality. Dad's call or Secretary Kim's worried texts were due any minute.
As Serena moved to say goodbye, screams and chaos erupted from one side of the market. People fled in panic.
"Monster!"
"Run!"
"Someone call a hero!"
Through the crowd, a grotesque creature appeared. Fierce eyes, massive body, covered in razor-sharp spines.
'C-Rank Monster, Spiny Hedgehog?'
Serena instantly identified it from hero training manuals. It resembled a giant hedgehog, but its spines were tougher than steel. A single stab meant severe injury—a tricky foe for low-rank heroes.
Her body shifted to combat mode. Golden Princess, S-Rank Hero senses awakening.
'Vacation's over.'
As she reached into her crossbody bag for a golden shard—
"How dare you invade this body's territory! What nerve! All the market grub belongs to this body!"
Grimoire beat her to it, charging ahead.
'That kid's gonna fight that monster? A non-hero kid with a weird gimmick?'
"Pitiful creature! Trembling in fear? I'll pluck your spines one by one for toothpicks!"
Grimoire crooked a finger in a taunting "come at me" gesture.
Shrieeek—!
The monster bristled its spines larger and roared savagely.