Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Villain and Knowledge
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"So, what are you gonna smash next?"
I walked alongside Stonehead down the neon-lit streets of S City at night. Looking at his rock-hard head suddenly sparked a fresh idea for some villainy.
"How about using that stone head of yours to punch a hole in a bank vault? Or maybe smash a hole in the amusement park floor so people tumble down with a thud! Oh, or you could wreck a bakery display case and devour every last pastry! For the record, this body loves chocolate cloud buns!"
"Haa... I told you not to call me Rockhead. It's Stonehead."
"Hmph! Rejecting the glorious name this body bestowed upon you!"
Stonehead—no, from now on, this guy's my new minion, 'Rockhead Number One'!
No matter how dim-witted he is with that pebble for a brain, under this body's brilliant strategy and charisma, I can mold him into a fine soldier!
Bank vaults go boom with his head! Hero Association building goes thud! Or launch him like a cannonball to take down a plane! The possibilities are endless!
We'd been walking for a while when we arrived at a grand, old-fashioned building lit up brightly even at night. It was the S City Central Library.
The very place where I'd attempted my Proletarianization Project not long ago!
"This is... this body's library, isn't it? What villainy are you planning here? Don't tell me you're gonna steal books or something? That's petty thief stuff, not this body's style."
Such trivial villainy is beneath this body!
Stonehead looked up at the library building and flashed a cold smile.
"I built this place too. Back when I worked for Dream Construction. Those damn bastards... Two of my buddies got seriously hurt in their hazardous work conditions, but the company played dumb. No workers' comp, no medical bills. Hell, they fired them for 'negligence on the job.'"
His voice was low and calm, but the rage simmering inside burned like a volcano.
"Tonight, I'm smashing this building to pieces."
...What?
"W-Wait! You're smashing the library?!"
No way is this rockhead serious? This beautiful, majestic place packed with this body's precious books? I just requested a ton of comics and they're all stocked now!!
"Yeah. A true villain wouldn't hesitate at something like this. Consider it your test too. To see if you're a real villain or just a loudmouthed brat."
Stonehead tossed his hardhat to the ground and strode toward the library's front entrance.
"Wait! No! This is... this is this body's territory!"
I shouted desperately and chased after Stonehead. He turned back with a confused look at my cry.
"What? Your territory?"
"Yes! This body already conquered this library! I committed heinous villainy here... and shattered the order of all the books! No one touches this library without this body's permission!"
Not long ago, I'd mixed up all the books here in total chaos and even swapped the culprits in the mystery novels!
Sure, people misunderstood it as genius ideas or meta interpretations, but still—this library bears the mark of this body's villainy!
We entered the library. It was late, but plenty of people were still quietly reading or studying. Stonehead scanned the interior, then pointed to a massive pillar in the central hall.
"You call that 'shattering'? The 'shattering' I'll show you tonight is on another level. Smash that pillar, and the whole building becomes unstable. One clean hit to end it all."
Is this rockhead really planning to headbutt that pillar?
"Why not make a spectacular domino setup with those books over there instead and let them all crash down? That'd be way more villainous and artistic!"
Stonehead sneered at me like I was pathetic.
"Forget that kiddie prank. Let this old man show you real revenge."
What? Did he just call this body's villainy plan a 'kiddie prank'?
"A villain pursues domination, not mindless destruction! Anyone can destroy—it's worthless! But domination! Domination is the noble art reserved for the chosen few! Plus, destroy the library, and where will this body display the Grimoire Biographies after conquering the world? Smashing a library is the act of a shortsighted, third-rate villain!"
This proves this body is greater than Caesar! If this body had managed it, the Library of Alexandria would still stand today!
But Rockhead didn't budge at my tirade. He shoved me aside with an even firmer expression.
"Out of the way, brat. Watch how a real villain works."
"No! This body won't allow it!"
I can't let this happen. Defiling this body's precious territory, the holy site for vitamin-D-deficient hikikomori!
I yelled at the top of my lungs and grabbed Stonehead's leg.
"Let go, brat! Don't interfere! Damn, you really don't get it."
Yes, this body is a villain, but also an intellectual who loves books! Well, comics, light novels, and the occasional ones Everlin reads aloud! Books are precious anyway!
"Weren't you just praising my understanding of your grudge?"
"Th-This body loves revenge too! Loves it a lot! But... but books! Books are special! Treasures packed with knowledge and stories!"
Stonehead let out a incredulous chuckle.
"Brats will be brats. Villains don't get hung up on sentimental crap like that. You'll learn when you're older."
"No, the opposite! A true villain understands the power of knowledge! Villain and idiot are different!"
"You stubborn little...!"
His rock-like hand seized my small body.
"Eek!"
In an instant, my body floated into the air. Stonehead had lifted me like a doll.
He flung me toward a bookshelf.
Thud!
My vision spun wildly. Books and papers scattered everywhere.
"Ugh... ow..."
Rockhead ignored me and headed back to the pillar.
"I built this damn building with my hands, so I'll tear it down with them too!"
Stonehead tilted his head back toward the pillar. His stone head gleamed menacingly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Like a human woodpecker, he kept slamming his head into the pillar. The whole library shook, dust raining from the ceiling.
At this rate, the library might really collapse! I have to protect this body's territory!
I scrambled back up.
"Emergency! Everyone evacuate the library! That's an order!"
My shout silenced the library for a moment, then murmurs erupted.
"Is it a real fire? Earthquake? What's with the thuds?"
"Oh, it's that brat from before. Ignore him. He caused a scene last time too."
"This time the vibe's off... Is he really smashing that pillar?"
Ugh, these safety-numb idiots!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Rockhead's assault continued. Cracks spiderwebbed across the pillar. Concrete dust poured from the ceiling.
No choice! These fools can't even save themselves!
When the situation's extreme, you need an extreme solution!
I dashed to the fire alarm on the wall.
"This body will save the library and those foolish citizens! Cackle!"
I jumped and slammed the button!
Weee-ooo-weee!
A blaring alarm echoed through the library. Sprinklers activated from the ceiling, spraying cool water everywhere.
"Kyaaah! Water! It's water!"
"What the hell! My brand-new laptop!"
"Evacuate, quick!"
Good, the idiot citizens are evacuating... Now just that violent rockhead left!
No helping it. Time to stop him with force!
"Stop, Rockhead!"
Thud-!
I charged like a bullet and tackled him away from the pillar!
"Kek! You... you little brat!!"
"What do you really want? Just toppling one measly building? Or that massive Dream Corporation system itself?!"
Stonehead finally halted and stared me down piercingly.
"You think smashing this one building will bankrupt Dream Corporation? Fat chance! They'll pocket the fat insurance payout and build something bigger and better! The real victims? The citizens who'll someday be this body's loyal slaves!"
This body isn't just any villain—I'm a genius villain with strategy and charisma! Taming a low-tier punk like this is a piece of cake!
Stonehead furrowed his brow, seemingly pondering my words. Yes! It's working!
"A true villain doesn't destroy blindly—they cunningly manipulate and exploit the system! Just like this body! Your petty grudge could become far more villainous under this body's great command! So drop that dumb headbutt and swear loyalty to this body!!"
Soon, that rockhead will kneel in tears of gratitude! Heh heh heh, another minion gained!
But Stonehead's reaction differed from my expectations. He suddenly burst out laughing—puh-ha!—and fixed me with a chilling glare.
"Shut up, brat! Systems and all that crap don't matter anymore! I'm smashing everything! Every last bit! And if you keep interfering, I'll crush you with that pillar!"
He yelled and bowed his head into headbutt position! His solid stone head locked onto me.
Eek! H-He's serious! His eyes are crazy!
"Bring it! This body's horn is tougher than your stone head!"
I thrust my horn forward, ready to clash.
Yeah, this horn isn't just decoration! It's the ultimate weapon infused with the King's DNA!
Stonehead kicked off the ground and charged like a runaway locomotive!
"You think a puny brat can stand against Stonehead? Come on, try it!"
I squeezed my eyes shut and rammed my horn at his head with all my might!
KABOOOM──!
A dull, powerful crash vibrated the air around us.
"Ow ow ow!"
Stars exploded in my vision, everything spinning!
Ugh... his head really is stone...! It hurts so much! I wanna bury my face in a bunny doll and bawl.
But the pain faded quick. I cautiously touched my head. Just a small bump!
"...Tougher than I thought?"
I looked up. Stonehead's eyes were rolled back white, staggering in place.
"Grk... urk..."
Thud. Crash!
He toppled flat on the floor!
"...Huh?"
I stared blankly for a sec.
"...I-I won! This body won!"
I struck a victory pose, hands on hips, chin up!
"Cackle! No matter how tough, everything kneels before this body's wisdom! This is the dignity of a true brainiac genius villain!"
Murmurs rose around me, but who cares! The point is this body scored another great victory!
But I couldn't bask forever. Library-goers, startled by the alarm and commotion, were gathering.
Time to bail!
I grabbed the unconscious Stonehead's ankle and dragged him. He was huge and heavy, but no time to complain! Back to Black Dolphin to show off this body's greatness!
By the time I dragged Stonehead to Black Dolphin's rusty iron door, I was drenched in sweat.
Dragging this guy was way harder than the headbutt!
"Huff... huff... haa... finally here..."
I panted raggedly and kicked the door—bang!
Bam—!
"This body has returned! Open the door, you worthless lot!"
Creeeak—
The heavy door swung open. As I entered, every villain in the bar turned to stare.
I dumped the dragged Stonehead carelessly on the floor.
"Behold, you fools! This is what happens when a mere B-Rank Villain crosses this body! You've learned your lesson for doubting this body's greatness! Now all kneel and swear loyalty! Cackle!"
My shout silenced the bar like I'd doused it with water.
Everyone gaped, eyes flicking between me and Stonehead.
The guys who'd treated me like a kid looked shocked and stunned.
Yes! Exactly the reaction this body wanted!
Then Eclipse, sitting at a corner table, slowly stood and approached.
"Heh heh heh! You've seen that your pathetic test was nothing to this body!"
The stoic bartender came from the counter, checked Stonehead's nose, and nodded.
"...He's alive."
Eclipse stared at me in total shock, mouth agape in disbelief.
"How... how the hell did you do it? Stonehead shrugs off most physical hits..."
Hmph! Finally recognizing this body's true value!
"Cackle! It was a fierce, intense head-on battle of wits! But in the end, this wise and valiant genius villain, Grimoire, emerged victorious!"
I hopped proudly onto a barstool.
"Hey, bartender! Another of that tasty orange juice from before! On the tab, of course! Put it on that rockhead!"
The villains' gazes shifted. Contempt and dismissal faded, replaced by awe, curiosity, and a hint of fear.
"That brat... tougher skull than Stonehead, huh? Headbutting him barehanded and winning..."
"Scary little monster. Where's he hiding that power in that tiny body? Body mods maybe?"
"Maybe his whole body's made of special abilities. That horn too—could be armed to the teeth..."
Keek, power proves everything!
Eclipse stared silently for a bit, then sighed deeply.
"...A promise is a promise. You win, little villain. But don't think it's over. Plenty more tests ahead."
A clear challenge. Hmph! Challenging this body? Laughable!
"Bring it anytime! This body passes any test without blinking! Worry if you can even keep up! Cackle!"
Perfect atmosphere! Soon Black Dolphin will overflow with this body's loyal minions!
"Ugh... where am I... head's splitting..."
Right then, Rockhead Number One groaned and opened his eyes. He looked around, then wore a defeated expression as it sank in.
"Hmph! Feeling better, Rockhead? Next time, let's smash something else—not the library! Like... your hated Dream Corporation HQ! Or the Hero Association building! Cackle!"
Stonehead blanked for a sec, then chuckled. Small laughs spread among the villains.
I sipped the fresh, cool orange juice the bartender brought and settled among the villains. Some edged closer, starting chats.
Hmph, finally seeing this body's greatness and coming to flatter!
From now on, Black Dolphin is this body's new hideout! The grand launchpad for world conquest! Cackle!