Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Villain's Teachings
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Serena woke up ten minutes earlier than usual. It had been a while since she'd stirred awake on her own, before her alarm blared at exactly 7 a.m. every morning.
Rubbing her eyes as she sat up in bed, she spotted the little dragon plushie placed by her pillow, staring right back at her.
"Sent again."
With a small smile, she gently touched the plushie's horn with her fingertip. An image of the silver-haired villain girl flashed through her mind.
'Thanks to Grimoire? I feel so full of energy today. Like I could push even harder.'
Unlike her usual routine, Serena grabbed her phone right away, skipping yoga, stretching, and her morning rituals. She typed "Great Grimoire" into the search bar.
Dozens of videos filled the screen. Grimoire chatting(?) with pigeons in the park, tending to her vegetable garden, and... at the market, her face flushed red as she ate tteokbokki and grinned ear to ear.
Squeeze.
Serena hit the like button.
"I want to see her again..."
Just then, a knock sounded, and her manager stepped in.
"Lady Serena, here to confirm today's schedule. You're already up?"
Serena kept her eyes glued to her smartphone.
"Yeah, I woke up a bit early today."
Her manager studied her face closely.
"You look much brighter. Something good happen?"
"Just... felt like I needed a change. Doing the same routine over and over gets boring."
"Ah... yes. I've got your morning training ready in thirty minutes. Before that, the nutritionist's protein smoothie and breakfast are..."
"I want toast and fried eggs today. Possible?"
"Of course... but the nutritionist's meal plan..."
"It's fine to switch it up once in a while, right? Because I want to."
"Understood. I'll prepare it."
After breakfast, Serena entered the training room and, unlike usual, shaped her golden ability into various forms.
"Today, maybe... just do whatever I feel like?"
Instead of rigid swords and shields or standardized armor, golden particles flowed freely like water, filling the space. With a flick of her finger, they scattered like dancing sparks before gathering again.
"Like this..."
A golden butterfly fluttered through the room.
"This works too."
A tiny horned dragon wriggled into existence amid the particles. A smile spread across Serena's lips. The golden particles moved with her mood—vibrant at times, elegant at others.
Training over, Serena stood before the full-length wall mirror.
'What if I had horns like Grimoire?'
Her ability activated slightly, golden particles gathering above her head to form small horns.
"Pfft."
Laughter burst out at her reflection in the mirror.
Spotting the breaking news, Serena immediately changed into her hero costume and mobilized.
Golden energy started at her toes and enveloped her body. The penthouse window flew open, and Serena's form shot into the sky. A golden trail cut through the S City skyline.
Arriving on site, she found the five-headed monster rampaging through the square.
Hydra-type monsters were ranked by head count. One or two heads made C-rank, three or four B-rank, five or more A-rank.
As citizens screamed and fled, several B- and C-rank heroes lay defeated.
Then Serena's gaze locked on one man. A hero in a blue functional jacket was carrying an injured civilian to safety.
'He looks familiar...'
The man set the civilian down and charged back into danger. His Hero Association armband clearly read 'D-Rank'.
'A D-rank holding out like that. Not bad.'
Normally, Serena would strategize for publicity here—calculate camera angles, position for her golden costume to shine, deliver the finishing blow at the perfect shot.
But not today.
"What would Grimoire do?"
Serena muttered. The little villain's bold image burned clear in her mind.
'Don't overthink. Just take down the monster.'
Foregoing a flashy entrance, she charged straight at the beast. Golden particles swirled around her, forming a protective barrier.
"Penta Hydra, your threat to the citizens ends here!"
Kieeeek!
As the monster's third head spat acidic liquid, Serena dodged with a swift spin instead of deploying a golden shield.
"Not a Grimoire Punch... but my way!"
Golden particles condensed in the air into hundreds of razor-sharp spears—smaller, more numerous, sharper than usual.
Whish!
The spears pierced the monster's skin, disintegrating into fine particles that infiltrated its body.
"Golden Rush!"
Serena clenched her fist, and the particles inside exploded outward.
Kiiiiiek!
With the Penta Hydra's final scream, golden light burst from within. Its body warped, then shattered into pieces.
Serena descended slowly to the ground. Breathing hard, her face glowed with satisfaction.
"This is the miracle of gold, Golden Princess."
She struck her trademark 'Golden Turn' pose—spinning gracefully, golden hair whipping around. Today's turn held genuine emotion, not calculation.
"Whoa... so that's Golden Princess's true power!"
"A technique I've never seen! Was she holding back?"
"Look at that expression—so beautiful!"
Citizens and reporters swarmed, cheering wildly.
"Lady Serena! Your fighting style changed completely today. Any special reason?"
Serena paused at the reporter's question. She had standard responses prepped: 'Citizen safety always comes first.'
But today, she wanted honesty.
"I just realized anew how strong and beautiful my power is. The gold feels extra dazzling today. Makes me feel good."
"Pardon?"
Reporters exchanged stunned glances. Serena boasting about her power and beauty was a first.
Woooaaah!
Yet her bold display of natural superiority ignited even wilder enthusiasm.
'Speaking honestly like Grimoire feels liberating. I'm the best anyway—why pretend humility? Even villains revel in their style...'
Her father's media training words echoed.
'Serena, flaunting superiority is tasteless. True elites don't boast.'
But Grimoire was different. The little horned girl hid nothing, proudly calling herself 'this body.' And people loved her more for it.
"As Golden Princess, I'm thrilled to show my true strength. I'll grow even stronger to protect S City."
Serena spread her arms to the cameras, summoning dozens of golden butterflies that fluttered around.
IM Group headquarters, top-floor conference room.
Serena took a deep breath exiting the elevator. The gleaming gold nameplate read 'Executive Conference Room.' Beyond that door were the people called her 'family.'
'They never once saw me as a little sister.'
Entering, silence fell instantly. All eyes turned to her—four siblings armed in luxury brands, their gazes sharp with wariness.
"Our baby sis looks extra chipper today. Had a good holiday?"
First brother Park Do-hun (A-rank hero Mr. Opal) sneered.
Serena pretended to listen as she took her seat. Normally, she'd tremble or force a smile, but today she just sat calmly.
"You were complaining about being stressed lately, but you look relaxed. Get too cocky, and a slip-up tarnishes the group."
Second brother Park Jun-hyuk (B-rank hero Silver Reaper) piled on.
Third sister Park Seo-hyun scanned Serena's outfit and scoffed.
"What's with that suit? Out of fashion ages ago. Guess the gold digger's still a gold digger. Can't help her bumpkin mom."
A suffocating silence blanketed the table. Her fingers twitched slightly at the venom.
In the past, she'd swallow burning rage and bow her head.
But not today. Her golden eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Sister."
Serena turned to third sister.
"I don't get what someone with no hero talent thinks she's saying. Better stay quiet fiddling with jewels—for everyone's sake."
"W-what...?"
Park Seo-hyun paled. Failing hero selection and landing in IM's jewelry line was her deepest wound.
"Fourth brother."
"I-I haven't said anything yet!"
Serena continued, shifting gaze.
"Forgot how you got that cushy R&D director spot? One wrong word from me, and you're jobless tomorrow."
"S-sorry..."
Fourth brother Park Jin-ho adjusted his glasses with an awkward smile. Quick-witted, he sensed the shift.
Asserting herself like this in a family meeting was new. She'd always lurked in shadows—bowing to Father, silent under siblings' insults.
But not today. She claimed her presence boldly.
"Pushing to A-rank? Easy with agency backing and media plugs. IM Group's top ten in S City for a reason."
Serena eyed first and second brothers alternately.
"But S-rank... requires proving true strength."
A sneer curled her lips.
"Mr. Opal, Silver Reaper... flashy names. If you two could've hit S-rank, no need for an illegitimate like me. Thanks for letting me into the family—thanks to your incompetence."
First brother Park Do-hun's face flushed crimson. His fist slammed the table.
"How dare you!"
Prism colors erupted violently from him, filling the room with seven hues.
"Ungrateful bastard!"
Second brother Park Jun-hyuk leaped up. Silver particles gathered from air into sharp weapons at his fingers.
Serena sighed.
"Sigh, forgot who I am?"
Her fingers twitched lightly, bathing the room in gold. Fine gold dust filled the space like mist.
"What the...!"
Opal's energy clashed harmlessly against golden shields. Silver weapons disintegrated on contact.
"Told you. S-rank's a different league. Your glares always bugged me."
Golden chains shot out, binding the two brothers tight.
Shick!
Golden thorns surged toward their eyes.
"N-no...!"
"Eek!"
The brothers screamed.
The thorns halted precisely 1mm from their pupils.
Silence gripped the room. Serena's cold smile dominated.
"Brothers, chill."
She snapped her fingers, releasing the bonds. Structures dissolved back to particles.
"Just kidding. Like you used to do to me."
The siblings stared, frozen. Their meek little sister was gone.
"Second brother, watch those fangs. This is a warning."
With a flick, Park Jun-hyuk's front teeth gleamed gold-coated. Shiny gold caps covered them fully.
"Mmph... mmrrgh!"
He gaped and yelled, but his tongue was gold too—speech garbled.
"Don't worry. Just 'gold teeth.' Suits a gold digger."
A golden duck necklace clasped around Park Seo-hyun's neck.
"W-what's this!"
"Oh, sister, a gift. You quack so arrogantly—like a duck."
Serena didn't spare fourth brother. A golden padlock sealed his glasses.
"Pfft, suits you."
"W-why me..."
"Fourth brother always 'played dumb.' Drop the good-boy act."
"S-Serena? Why the sudden change? You on something?"
"Just got inspired by a great little villain."
Yeah, Grimoire would've done exactly this.
No worries about cleanup in Serena's mind—just exhilaration and regret for not doing it sooner.