Chapter 68
Chapter 68
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Villain and B-Rank
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Dark Circles linked her tablet to the hologram. While the slides were loading, my heart pounded like it was about to explode.
Of course, on the outside, I played it cool, inspecting my nails without betraying a hint of emotion.
A poker face is basic training for a top-tier villain!
"After a comprehensive evaluation, your provisional rank is..."
How long had I waited for this moment! Now the Hero Association would finally recognize my true worth!
As the world's greatest villain, my rank would naturally be...
[B-Rank Hero - Great Grimoire]
[However, upgrade possible based on Gray Matter research results]
Wh-what...?
Time seemed to freeze. I doubted my eyes. My ears. Every sense I had.
"B... Rank...?"
Silence filled the room.
"B-Rank?!"
I exploded. Truly, emotionally, completely exploded. No, this wasn't just an explosion—it was a supernova!
"This makes no sense! It's utterly ridiculous!!"
I kicked my chair and shot to my feet.
"This body, the villain of villains! This body with the King's DNA! B-Rank?!"
I slammed my foot into the conference table. Things clattered to the floor, but I didn't care.
My rage was only just beginning.
"This body deserves at least SSS-Rank! No, beyond that! Z-Rank! A rank made just for me! Grimoire Z! The supreme being no one can touch!"
Chirp chirp-!
Darkness and White King seemed to empathize, rolling across the table in protest.
"This body is destined to conquer the world! I closed a gate! I smashed the punch machine!"
I kicked the chair, sending it rolling into the wall. Suddenly, everyone in the room froze, staring at me with tense expressions.
"I can't forgive this... Such an insult... I absolutely can't forgive it!"
I collapsed to the floor.
In the end, I sprawled out on the ground, thrashing like a child. I was so furious and wronged I thought I'd go mad!
"This body! This body deserves at least S-Rank... No, even A-Rank!"
Flail flail—
I twisted my whole body in a tantrum. Everlin always gave in when I did this!
"G-Grimoire, calm down..."
Scaredy-cat Seo Jin-ho approached cautiously, but my fury wouldn't stop.
"B-Rank... B-Rank... This makes no sense... How could this body be B-Rank..."
Tears of rage welled in my eyes. My dream of world conquest crumbling like this...
Thud thud!
I pounded the floor with my feet, unleashing the storm of my emotions.
Maybe world conquest was impossible now. How could a mere B-Rank dominate the world?
"Ah, seriously... What a racket."
Dr. Dark Circles let out a deep sigh. Her dark circles looked darker than ever.
"Calm down. I'll review it again..."
She tapped her tablet, and the screen changed.
[B+ Rank Hero - Grimoire]
"I added a plus considering your potential for explosive energy manifestation. Happy now?"
B... Plus?
I paused my floor tantrum and stared at the screen. Still the worst. No, it felt even more insulting.
"B-Plus? What is this, a school report card?!"
Why couldn't people—no, the world—see my true value?
"Whoa, B+ is super rare! It's practically special treatment!"
Seo Jin-ho said hurriedly.
"Hmph, not buying it! Do you think this body is some college kid scraping for grades? This body only accepts number one!"
That's when the high school samurai girl smirked slyly.
"Ehh? Since when do hero ranks have pluses? They just tacked it on because you're throwing a fit, right? In Cool Japan's Hero Association, ranks are clear-cut! Dragon-Rank is Dragon-Rank, Ghost-Rank is Ghost-Rank! Wishy-washy pluses disrespect the format! No wonder the Korean Association is..."
Zzap-!
Sharp glares from everyone stabbed into her.
"Ah, I mean... Japan doesn't have those ranks... Cultural differences must be respected! Sorry!"
She clasped her hands and bowed her head. My anger subsided a bit, but I was still fuming.
"Grimoire, it's okay! This has to be a mistake!"
Golden Princess jumped up, rushed over, and grabbed my hand tightly.
"What's okay about it! B+! This body's villain rank is just B+? And let go of my hand! Don't touch this body's hand so casually!"
But she ignored me and kept going, her eyes sparkling with golden hearts.
"Grimoire, listen! B stands for BAD! No, BADDEST!"
"Wh-what...?"
"BADDEST means 'the worst of the worst'! And with the plus, it's even more special! The Association's admitting how dangerous a villain our Grimoire is!"
"Really...? B for BADDEST?"
Ah...! How did I miss such a crucial fact!
BADDEST, the worst of the worst... Isn't that exactly what this body wanted!
Thinking of it that way... It all made sense!
I slowly stood up. Everyone watched me with tense faces.
"So... They've officially recognized this body as a true villain!"
B-Rank villain... Not bad at all? The worst of the worst, plus!
Confidence surged back. Rage turned to pride. I puffed out my chest.
"B-Rank villain... BADDEST... This body is the ultimate villain!"
I planted one foot on the table and struck a true villain pose.
"Did you all hear that? This body is now officially recognized as a villain! Everyone tremble in fear! From now on, address me as 'Great Grimoire, BADDEST-Rank Villain'!"
The heroes and staff nodded with awkward smiles. Relief washed over their faces. They must have realized my true worth too.
"Finally... Finally, this body is officially a villain!"
How hard had I worked for villain recognition? At the mart, the library, the park... Always mistaken for a hero, but now truly acknowledged as a villain!
"Now I can proudly say, 'Great Grimoire is the worst villain recognized by the Hero Association'!"
Chirp chirp-!
Darkness and White King seemed thrilled too, striking a little 'ta-da' pose with their tiny paws!
"From today, this body launches a full-scale world conquest! No one can stop me now!"
A victorious grin wouldn't leave my lips. This day would go down in villain history. The day Great Grimoire was officially recognized as a villain!
Kya-kat! Fear me, puny humans! The B-Rank villain approaches!
"Now, it's time to go. As a recognized villain, I have no more business in this boring Hero Association!"
My grand victory declaration echoed through the conference room.
I quickly got up to leave when a urgent beep-beep-beep blared.
It came from Dr. Dark Circles' tablet. Everyone fell silent.
"Hold on... This is..."
The doctor's face twisted. She swiped her fingers across the tablet, and the hologram shifted.
"Fresh data just came in. Gate formation signs detected nationwide."
A 3D map of Korea appeared on the hologram. Red dots began speckling everywhere.
No... There were fewer safe spots.
"Busan, Daegu, Gangwon Province, Jeju Island... All showing gate precursors..."
Lee Ji-ah zoomed in. One red dot blinked especially large and intense.
"Strongest energy surge detected at Blue Dragon Mountain in northern S City. This is bad."
A 3D topographic map of the Blue Dragon Mountain area displayed. Red energy waves enveloped the entire peak.
The mountain spewing intense red light... Not bad? Pretty villainous scenery.
"At this rate, 89.76% chance of an S-Rank or higher super gate opening within 72 hours. Other areas are A to C-Rank, but Blue Dragon Mountain can't even be measured."
The bald chairman's eyes sharpened. He looked deadly serious.
"Why Blue Dragon Mountain of all places..."
"Likely the natural energy in the underground veins beneath the mountain accelerating gate formation. The problem is it's S City's main water source. A massive gate there would..."
The old scholar slowly stood, stroking his goatee.
"Blue Dragon Mountain is also the sacred site of our ancient sky-cleansing rituals. This nationwide gate outbreak resembles the 'Sky with Holes' catastrophe prophesied in ancient texts..."
I didn't understand a word, but I caught "catastrophe."
All catastrophes must be led by this body! How dare another one happen without permission!
The conference room grew heavy. Every hero's face hardened. It felt like war was breaking out.
Park Cheol-gon stood.
"All heroes, emergency mobilization. S-Ranks to Blue Dragon Mountain, others to gates nationwide. Enter city defense posture. Request national emergency declaration."
National emergency? This was serious. But... not really my problem. Right?
I tried to slip out quietly. This was hero business, not for a villain like me. Just sneak away and resume world conquest plans...
"Wait, Grimoire."
The bald potbelly chairman's voice stopped me. I turned slowly. All eyes were on me.
"We need your help for the Blue Dragon Mountain gate defense operation."
What? Me?
"This body? Why? This body is a villain."
They just classified me as one! B-Rank at that! Now they need this villain's help?
"If your Gray Matter energy interacts with the gate and you can really close it, you'd be a huge asset."
Golden Princess shot to her feet. Golden light flared brighter in her eyes.
"Grimoire! Join us! We need your power!"
Not bad at all? Heroes begging the freshly recognized villain for help. True power reversal.
"Hmm... On second thought, conquering an S City trampled by monsters would be pointless."
I tapped my chin, pretending to mull it over. Of course, my mind was made up. How could I abandon Blue Dragon Mountain spring water!
"Plus, Blue Dragon Mountain water is this body's favorite! The villain empire needs clean water! For boiling ramen too!"
Darkness and White King chirped in agreement. They loved ramen made with it too.
"Kya-kat! I graciously permit it! This body will lend its strength to defend Blue Dragon Mountain!"
Darkness and White King chirped again. My minions had refined tastes!
"Thank you. We'll share all intel and plans within 72 hours. Grimoire, you're now part of the Blue Dragon Mountain Gate Defense Special Task Force."
Kya kya kat...! Fools, letting a villain join your operation!
Of course, I'd pretend to cooperate... But villains betray at the end!
Once the heroes exhaust themselves in this crisis, this body cleans up? Then S City is mine! First step to world conquest complete!
"This body will be your top asset—expect great things!"
Trojan horse infiltration of the heroes' plan!
Dr. Dark Circles raised an eyebrow and muttered.
"Not sure you'll be that helpful, but..."
"What? Doubting this body! Insolent Dark Circles Doctor! When you're my subordinate, I'll cut your pizza budget!"