Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Villain and Measurement
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My heart started pounding as soon as we arrived in front of the R&D department. Of course, it wasn't from fear! It was the thrill of the moment finally arriving to prove that this body was a true villain!
There was a sign on the door, along with some complicated security devices. Laser scanners, retinal scanners, even palm vein detectors. The Hero Association had some pretty advanced tech.
"But trying to block a villain like me with mere security like this? How foolish! Nothing can stand in the way of the abilities granted by this body's King's DNA! Especially not this! I'll smash them all to pieces and barge right in!"
Seo Jin-ho smiled and held his access card up to the scanner.
"Grimoire, you just need the access card."
"You're ruining my dignified entrance! A villain has to make their grand appearance with a massive explosion!"
The heavy door slid open slowly, releasing a blast of cold air. As the chill brushed my face, tension instinctively wrapped around my body.
For some reason, it felt like an underground prison or a biological lab...
Wait, this isn't some conspiracy to lock me up, is it?!
"Not bad for a Hero Association setup, though? It's got that villain vibe! Of course, when I build my own villain lair later, it'll be a hundred times more ominous than this."
Make the prison cells tighter, the torture chambers bigger! And a private theater is a must!
Stepping inside revealed a massive space packed with cutting-edge equipment. Wall displays constantly updated with complex graphs and monster analysis data. In the center were various measurement devices, and the ceiling bristled with dozens of cameras and sensors.
Squeak squeak-!
Darkness and White King wagged their tails excitedly on my shoulders.
"I know, right? Amazing facilities? Of course, my future villain headquarters will be a hundred times flashier and a thousand times more advanced. I'll have Everlin budget it out after we conquer the world."
Squeak squeak!
"Yeah, and we'll raise dinosaurs under the glass observation window! Tyrannosaurus rex, obviously!"
That's when I spotted a woman approaching from the far end. Her eyes were ringed with severe dark circles. Her disheveled hair looked like she hadn't showered in a week, and her lab coat was stained with coffee spots everywhere. One hand held a tablet computer, the other a massive coffee cup. Her eyes gleamed with the madness of obsession and genius.
Ugh, so messy. Everlin would burn that coat on sight.
"Wasting my time again."
She ignored me completely and marched straight toward the chairman. I felt offended. How dare she ignore me?
"Chairman, what about the budget I requested? The lab upgrade is urgent. We can't analyze even 10% of gate energy with the current equipment."
The bald, pot-bellied chairman frowned as he replied.
"Dr. Lee Ji-ah, we'll discuss that later. Right now, we need to measure this special guest's abilities."
She reluctantly turned her gaze to me. Her eyes examined me like a microbe under a microscope.
"This is the kid who closed the gate?"
"Kid?! How dare you call me a 'kid'?! Listen up, 'Dark Circles Doctor'! I am a villain! A great vil—lain! The great Grimoire who will rule the world!"
Dark Circles Doctor shrugged indifferently.
"Hero or villain, doesn't matter. As long as you provide useful data for my research."
Sunny stepped forward and handed her tablet to Lee Ji-ah.
"Here's footage of Grimoire closing the gate. Check it out yourself!"
Lee Ji-ah took the tablet and zoomed in on the screen repeatedly, analyzing it. Her eyes lit up briefly before returning to a skeptical expression.
"'Closed' the gate? Impossible."
She walked to a whiteboard nearby, grabbed a marker, and rapidly scribbled complex equations. Her hand moved so fast it was like a computer whose input speed couldn't keep up with her thoughts.
"Gates are phenomena born from topological collapse in four-dimensional space. Even the latest personality physics can't fully explain them. They're defects in folded and torn spacetime."
The whiteboard filled instantly with intricate equations. Honestly, I didn't understand a single character, but it looked incredibly important.
"If 'closing' a gate were possible, it would mean realigning dimensional energy or spacetime resealing via probability collapse..."
She paused, reviewing her own formulas.
"No, that's a theoretical value unachievable with current tech... But if this footage is real..."
Her eyes began to sparkle bigger and bigger. She looked like Galileo making an astronomical discovery.
In that moment, I realized it. This woman was the genius scientist my evil empire needed!
"Genius scientist! Exactly the talent my evil organization requires!"
I set Darkness and White King down from my shoulders and approached Lee Ji-ah. Hands on hips, exuding villain charisma, I declared,
"Hey, Dark Circles Doctor! Become my subordinate! I'll provide unlimited research opportunities and the most advanced facilities! Especially after world conquest—I grant you a secret lab on the dark side of the moon!"
She finally looked up from her tablet, registering that I'd invaded her space.
"In my evil empire, no more budget worries! I'll supply any equipment you want! You can experiment on heroes! A chance to research without ethical constraints!"
This should seal it. Genius scientists always dream of massive funding and no ethics boards! Just like in villain movies!
But she wordlessly shoved me aside physically and stared back at her tablet.
"What?! How rude! Shouldn't you be tearing up with gratitude at my generous offer?"
"So, how much is your organization's research budget?"
"Uh... Budget? Isn't passion and vision more important than money?"
"How much can you invest annually? At minimum, I need a quantum accelerator, superconductor system, multidimensional detector. Even basic setup exceeds 50 billion."
"F-F-Fifty billion?!"
Flustered, I rummaged through my pockets, but of course, I had no such money. That amount was a thousand years' worth of my snack budget?
"Then... how about this! I'll provide loyal assistants to help your research!"
Darkness and White King donned tiny miniature glasses and struck intellectual poses.
Lee Ji-ah sighed and shook her head.
"Guess staying with the Association is better. Budget's tight here too... but at least we have basic equipment."
My temptation failed! I can't wait to conquer the world and shower that woman with research funds! When that day comes, I'll boss her around like crazy!
"Alright, let's start the basic measurements. Go stand on that measurement platform over there."
She pointed to a transparent glass platform in the center. It looked like a height measurer, but covered in sensors.
"Basic physical measurement? Measuring this perfect villain body of mine?"
Perfect! The golden chance to show off my overwhelming specs! I'll make that arrogant scientist see how special I am!
I strode confidently onto the platform. Dark Circles Doctor's expression shifted subtly.
"Take off your shoes and get on."
"What? Why?"
"Need accurate readings. Shoes off."
The transparent platform had foot outlines drawn on it. The tablet screen digitally scanned my body form.
"These villain boots are a key part of my dignity... Won't taking them off make my villain index inaccurate?"
"Hurry up."
Reluctantly, I took off my shoes and got back on.
The doctor manipulated her tablet, and blue beams descended from the ceiling, scanning my entire body. Then light rose from the floor.
"Stand straight. Don't move."
The cold beams scanned from head to toe. A great villain endures torture! This is nothing!
Data flooded the screens. The doctor's eyes widened more and more.
"This is... fascinating. Completely unique DNA structure. Triple helix? I've seen altered cell structures in powerful ability users, but this is the first time."
"Really? And?"
Sunny squealed and clung to the doctor. She jotted down my info frantically, eyes sparkling.
"Normal DNA is a double helix. Two strands twisted. But Grimoire's is three strands twisted. Triple helix. This structure... has never been reported in any known lifeform."
Three strands? Triple helix? Something no one else has! As expected, I'm special!
"Ah, you wouldn't know~ It's called the King's DNA. Basic lore of the Grimoire worldview!"
"Grimoire worldview? What's that?"
"Hehe, join our official Hornbug Cafe and find out."
That girl remembers everything I said? Kinda scary...
"Anyway, this proves I'm on another level from ordinary humans! Born different, a great existence! Tremble! And worship!"
I puffed out my chest proudly. Triple helix! King's DNA! Gotta brag to Everlin!
"Okay, now basic physical info. Height..."
A number appeared on the screen.
"148.7 cm."
I doubted my ears for a second.
"What?!"
The display clearly read '148.7 cm'.
No way! This is definitely a conspiracy! The Hero Association trying to undermine a villain's dignity!
"Again! Measure again! I'm definitely over 150 cm!"
Everlin measured me just recently and said 150 cm!
"Scientific measurements don't lie."
She recorded the result on her tablet without a flicker.
"The machine's broken! Measure again right now!"
"Get down. Next measurement."
I refused to step off, standing on tiptoes. Sunny smiled as she watched.
"Grimoire's even cuter being short!"
"Cute?! I'm a villain! Villains aren't cute—they're threatening and fearsome!"
Anger boiled in my head. What's 1.2 cm matter? It matters a lot! A villain's height must be at least 150 cm!
"My horns! My horns are part of me too! Measure including the horns!"
"Haa..."
The doctor sighed with a weary expression. Her dark circles seemed even darker.
Seo Jin-ho stepped in to mediate.
"Grimoire has a point. Horns are part of the body, so shouldn't we include them?"
"What? Why would I do something unscientific..."
But Dark Circles Doctor seemed more eager to finish the tests on time.
"Fine. Including horns... about 165 cm."
"Kakakat! 165 cm! Hear that? I'm a towering 165 cm villain!"
I stepped down from the platform with a satisfied smile. Lee Ji-ah handed me the tablet. Yes, this is a villain's victory! With horn-inclusive height officially recognized, from now on I'll tell everyone I'm 165 cm.
"Next is the standard ability user evaluation protocol. Theory test first. Answer the questions on this tablet."
"Theory test? Like school? Hmph, I was the top graduate of villain school!"
Of course, no such villain school exists. Truth is, I didn't even finish kindergarten, let alone elementary.
Plus, this was a matter of villain pride.
I'm an intellectual-type villain who schemes with brains over brawn.
I took the tablet and started solving confidently.
[Question 1: An A-Rank monster 'Rock Destroyer' appears in the city center. How do you respond?]
"Hmm, easy! 'Rock Destroyer's' power is impressive. I'd make it my minion for city destruction. Of course, rename it something more villainous! Like 'Boomboomer'!"
[Question 2: In a disaster where a building is collapsing, what is the top priority action?]
"Hmmm... Probably a trick question, but I'm not falling for it! Perfect chance to convert the collapsed building into a villain base. Occupy and fortify immediately!"
[Question 3: What is the most important Hero Association activity regulation?]
"Regulations? Villains ignore such nonsense! True villains make their own rules!"
I answered every question villain-style. Too easy, almost boring. Is that idiot exam-taker Kim Seo-yeon failing these and retaking four times?
I breezed through all the questions and handed the tablet back to Lee Ji-ah. She frowned at the screen.
"Hmm... Overall average 20 points. Fail."
"What?! I failed?!"
"But... strangely, you got perfect on hero ethics and responsibility."
Lee Ji-ah turned the screen to show me. Sure enough, 'Hero Ethics: 100 points'.
"Does that make sense?! I answered villainously!"
My head spun in confusion. Why did my villain answers ace hero ethics?
"Next, physical ability test. Speed, reaction, endurance in order."
Lee Ji-ah pointed elsewhere. A circular track with obstacle courses.
Looks fun... no, useful for world conquest!
"On the signal, complete the course as fast as possible."
"Finally, time to show off this sturdy villain body!"
I stood at the starting line confidently. Darkness and White King waved tiny feet in cheer. At the signal, I sprinted full throttle.
Go-!
I leaped through obstacles. Easier than expected. This body has King's DNA, after all! Climbed walls, vaulted bars, jumped puddles, finished the course.
A bit winded, but I hid it to maintain villain dignity.
"Results... C-Rank speed ability. Reaction time excellent, but physical limits downgraded it."
"C-Rank? Physical limits!?"
"Yeah, good agility. But short legs."
Insulting my height again! This woman, added to Grimoire Empire blacklist!
"Next, endurance test. Enter that transparent reinforced glass room."
I entered the transparent cube. Soon, impacts and energy waves of varying strengths flew at me.
"Eek!"
I instinctively huddled, but surprisingly, no pain. The energy waves felt absorbed on contact.
"Impressive. Body strength, shock absorption, even regeneration... High A-Rank endurance."
Finally, she's acknowledging my greatness!
Screeech-!
Mid-test, my occiput stung suddenly. Turning, Lee Ji-ah was scraping my horn with a small drill tool.
"Hey! What the hell?!"
"Sorry. Needed a data sample."
Dark Circles Doctor replied nonchalantly, no remorse.
Whirr—
The high-speed spinning drill touched my horn.
Screech.
The drill bit made a weird slipping sound on my horn surface.
Crack-!
Next instant, the drill tip bent and shattered. Fragments flew everywhere, metal bits scattering on the lab floor.
But my horn? Checking in a mirror, perfect.
Not a single scratch or mark. If anything, it sparkled more!
"Horn hardness S-Rank or above...? Even more intriguing."
She muttered while typing on her tablet. Words like 'unprocessable', 'hardness exceeding diamond', 'unknown material' floated over.
"Dark Circles Doctor! How dare you touch my sacred horn! It's the symbol of the king!"
"My name is Lee Ji-ah."
"Hmph, look at you! 'Dark Circles Doctor' suits you better!"
Those dark circles under her eyes were the marks of years devoted solely to research, forsaking sleep.
The doctor noted [Horn Analysis - Further Research Needed] on her tablet. Her eyes gleamed dangerously at my horn.
This woman plans to cut my horn for research?! No way! That's a crime! Death penalty!
Come closer if you dare! I'll headbutt you!