Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Villain's Hiding Spot
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Around the time faint dawn light seeped through the window, I woke up to a strange premonition.
It was much earlier than the usual time for Everlin to come wake me. The moment I sat up in bed, I checked underneath it.
"...Gone? It's gone? Gone?!"
The cozy little hideout I'd made for Malcang deep within the pile of junk last night was completely empty. The blanket was rumpled, and the water bowl had been knocked over.
Malcang... was gone!
"Malcang! Where are you?!"
No way, this slime! Was it already revealing its villainous nature? Had it escaped to attack and devour humans?!
No! Malcang! You're still too young and weak! Humans are far more cunning and cruel than you think!
Overwhelmed by anxiety, I started searching the room. I leaped out of bed in my pajamas and frantically rummaged through every corner.
"Malcang! My new pink minion! Come out right now! That's an order!"
I flung open the closet doors, checked under the desk, and scoured behind the curtains. But there was no sign of Malcang's pink body anywhere.
What if... Everlin had already found it? What if she'd discovered it while cleaning my room at night and burned it to ash with black flames... or flushed it down the toilet... Ugh! Just imagining it was horrifying!
"Please be safe! I promised I'd protect you!"
Hearing the commotion, the door creaked open cautiously.
"Master? What is the matter?"
It was Everlin. She stood there in her usual impeccable maid outfit. I froze at the sight.
"E-Everlin! O-Oh, the weather's great today, isn't it!"
Everlin glanced toward the window. The curtains were drawn, so the weather was completely hidden from view.
"You've woken up much earlier than usual."
This... this won't do! She can't find out what's going on! I had to act natural!
"Y-Yeah! Of course! The early bird gets the worm... no, the early villain conquers the world! Kakakat!"
I planted my hands on my hips and shouted as imposingly as possible.
"The lesson here is that worthless things like worms and heroes are useless no matter how early they wake up! Only a great villain like me deserves to rule the morning!"
"I see."
Everlin tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.
"Are you looking for something?"
Her question felt like a sharp arrow. If I seemed like I was hiding something, her suspicions would only grow. I stammered a response.
"Oh, that... My Villain Notebook! Yeah, I lost my Villain Notebook! It has all my grand world-conquest plans written in it!"
"Villain Notebook?"
Everlin pointed at the bed. Under the pillow was a notebook boldly labeled Grimoire's Super-Secret Evil Plot Plan.
"Ah, haha! As expected of my loyal maid—you know everything! Thanks, Everlin!"
Everlin didn't ask further, but her eyes still seemed to be scanning the room. I averted my gaze anxiously and nervously bit my nails.
That was when it happened.
Qiu-qiu-!
From the corner of the room, near a small potted plant by the window, came a faint but unmistakable sound! It was Malcang!
That little guy! Hiding there all along!
Relief washed over me, but at the same time, a chill ran down my spine. I had to cover it up before Everlin noticed!
Everlin's gaze shifted toward the plant. I hurriedly clutched my stomach.
"Gurgle! Th-That was my stomach! I'm just hungry! Gurgle! Qiu-qiu! Like this!"
I frantically wrapped my hands around my belly and patted it, trying to make it look natural as I pretended to be starving.
"Hmm..."
"It makes sounds like that sometimes! It's the special rumble of a growing villain! Kakakat!"
Everlin's eyebrow twitched slightly, but fortunately, she didn't press further.
"I've prepared breakfast. Please come before it gets cold."
"O-Oh! As expected of Everlin! Y-Yeah! Be right there!"
The moment Everlin closed the door, I rushed to the plant. Amid the soil, I spotted a glimpse of pink.
Malcang was curled up asleep, using the dirt like a blanket.
"Phew... So that's where you were hiding. We almost got caught!"
I poked Malcang's body gently with my finger. It slowly emerged from the soil, bounced lightly, and clung to my finger, conveying a sense of apology.
"It's okay, I know now, so you're forgiven. But next time, tell your master in advance!"
Hiding in the dirt? Pretty clever. As expected of someone worthy to be my minion. For now, I could relax.
Feeling relieved, I headed to the dining table.
Everlin's breakfast consisted of pancakes, rolled omelet, bacon, a fresh salad (the natural enemy of villains), and warm milk. A sweet aroma tickled my nose.
"Thanks for the food! ...No, I'll eat well!"
I grabbed a fork and knife and started shoveling sliced pancakes into my mouth. I needed to eat fast and get back to feed Malcang too. It must be starving since last night.
"Master, please eat slowly. You might get indigestion."
Everlin stood by my side, watching me with concern. But now wasn't the time to worry about appearances!
"I'm fine! My stomach is made of steel! Kakakat!"
I scooped the remaining pancakes and salad onto my plate and stood up.
"It was delicious! Now, the rest... I'll eat in my room while gaming! It's a crucial moment!"
"Meals should be eaten at the table, Master."
Everlin blocked my path with a firm expression. Damn, she wouldn't let it slide easily!
"No, it's not that I want to game—there are people inside the game!"
I put on my most serious and desperate face to persuade her.
"There's a super important raid going on! We're fighting a boss that could destroy the world! My party members are waiting for me right now! Without their tank—me—they might all wipe! This isn't just a game; it's life or death for my comrades! Their lives... are in my hands!"
Everlin doesn't monitor my online activity that closely, so she'd buy it! Probably.
She stared at me for a moment before letting out a small sigh.
"Very well. But don't spill any food. And please bring the dishes straight to the kitchen after."
A miracle! Everlin approved!
"Of course! My room is always spotless, so don't worry!"
Cheering inwardly, I grabbed the plate and hurried back to my room.
"Malcang! Time to eat!"
I carefully scooped Malcang onto the plate. Its eyes sparkled at the sight of the pancake pieces and salad, and it dove in hungrily.
Nom nom... Squuu...
"That good, huh? Eat up."
Watching Malcang eat was adorable. It was fascinating how its pink body wiggled and absorbed the food.
And as it ate, a sheen started to glisten on its body, and it seemed just a tiny bit bigger.
"Is this Malcang's evolution process? My minion is getting stronger!"
Qiu?
I was happily watching Malcang finish its meal when suddenly the door burst open.
"Master, would you like some fruit while gaming? I peeled an apple."
"Eek!"
Everlin's sudden appearance made me reflexively snatch Malcang and hurl it into the pile of stuffed animals by the bed!
Plop!
"N-No! It's nothing! Just... doll play! Yeah, playing with dolls!"
In a trembling voice, I grabbed a random doll and shook it. Everlin's gaze turned to the pile where I'd thrown Malcang.
"......"
Everlin silently alternated her gaze between me and the doll pile. Her blue eyes seemed to gleam coldly.
D-Did she notice? Am I done for this time?
I could feel Malcang wriggling in the pile.
Please, please stay still! Pretend to be a doll!
Everlin slowly approached the pile. My heart felt like it would explode. My palms were drenched in sweat.
She stopped in front of it and bent down. Then... she reached out and picked up one doll. It was my favorite bunny plush.
"This doll has a lot of dust. I'll need to wash it."
She dusted off the bunny and turned back to me.
"Master."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Are you... hiding something from me?"
"Hiding? Are you doubting your master? Have I ever hidden anything from you even once?!"
I countered as boldly and shamelessly as possible. Yeah, in times like this, going on the offensive works best!
"Well..."
Everlin seemed lost in thought for a moment, then opened her mouth with a faint smile.
"Do you remember last summer, when you stuffed a ton of Mentos into a Cola in the living room and made it explode?"
The carpet turned completely brown. Everlin had to wash it for two straight days.
"Th-That was...! A scientific experiment for a new weapon! It was all because we didn't have a genius scientist!"
"What about recently, when you secretly poured yogurt into the kimchi container in the kimchi fridge to grow mold? Darkness and White King ratted you out. They got you to confess with peanut butter as bait."
"Th-Those snitches...! That was, yeah! Mass destruction weapon using microorganisms... something like that!"
"How about the time you mass-sent those chain letters starting with 'This letter originated in England...' to random people? You claimed it was an 'advanced psychological warfare to spread chaos in the world.'"
"Y-Yeah! Pure evil! My perfect plan to fill people with anxiety and fear!"
"But don't those kinds of letters usually end with instructions to pass it on to others to break the curse? That way, it spreads further and affects more people."
"Th-That... Why would I teach them how to break the curse after cursing them? That's amateur villain stuff! Top-tier villains are different! I made it impossible to break forever! Kyakakat...!"
I was feeling more and more cornered.
"......"
Everlin stared at me silently.
That silence was even scarier. Maybe she already knew everything.
Perhaps she was testing me right now...
Should I confess and move to Operation Phase 3?
"...Understood, Master."
How much time had passed? Everlin finally spoke.
"It seems I failed to grasp the depth of your intentions. I'll go finish the housework now."
Everlin gave a light bow and left the room.
Bang!
As the door closed, the tension drained from me, and I collapsed onto the bed.
"Phewww......"
My whole body felt limp.
Dealing with Everlin is way harder and scarier than fighting any hero in the world.
Malcang cautiously poked its head out from the doll pile.
Qiu...?
"It's okay, Malcang. We got through it for now. My brilliant acting and intricate psychological warfare fooled Everlin!"
But this isn't over. Everlin will definitely keep watching me. I really need to be careful from now on.