Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Villain's Infiltration
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It was all a trap! I should have realized it when he offered to treat me to sweet and sour pork!
"Th-this is... well... a misunderstanding! Yeah, a misunderstanding! I-I just... happened to run into those guys on the street, purely by coincidence!"
My words were stumbling. I pretended to mix my jajangmyeon with my chopsticks to buy some time.
My voice is shaking! For the great Grimoire to be this flustered and pathetic!
"Y-yeah! That Mad Bear guy... I just chatted with him once, thinking he was a real bear at the zoo! And Venom Kiss... right! She just offered me dessert, so I ate with her once! Just once! I'm a merciful villain by nature! Ka... Kakakat...?"
Even my laugh is cracking! I'm done for!
"Red Tide? The grill smoke was so thick that day I couldn't see ahead! We just ended up at the same table by accident! Th-this great one would never fall for something like samgyeopsal!"
The more excuses I made, the more tangled it all felt.
...Huh? Wait a minute. Why am I desperately making excuses like this?
'This... is actually an opportunity! The perfect chance to etch this one's fearsomeness into that four-legged beast's mind!'
Yes! This is it! The time has come to show that I am a true villain!
"Kakakat!"
I leaned back arrogantly against the chair's backrest. I tilted my chin up and twitched one eyebrow as I looked down at the foolish four-legged beast. Yes, this evil vibe!
"That's right! Exactly! Finally figured it out, haven't you, foolish four-legged beast! They are all... my loy! al! sub! ordinates!"
I wonder what reaction he'll have now?
Will he tremble in terror and beg for his life at my feet? Or seethe with betrayal and curse me? Or maybe even dare to stand against me?
But...
Clap clap clap!
Seo Jin-ho suddenly started clapping and grinned brightly!
"As expected of Grimoire! I knew it! I knew you could pull it off!"
...Huh?
Did I just hear clapping? Did I mishear? Or has that guy finally lost it from work stress and overtime?
"W-wait... what did you just say...? Why are you so impressed?"
"You're amazing, Grimoire! A true role model for heroes! You risked your life infiltrating that dangerous villain group 'Black Dolphin'!"
He... hero role model? Infiltrate?
"Here, take a look."
He pulled out a tablet and thrust the screen in front of me.
"Black Dolphin... We've actually been keeping close tabs on them at the association for quite a while."
The screen showed a chart titled 'Black Dolphin Organization' with familiar faces listed below.
"Villains usually have egos too big to cooperate much. But for S-rank and A-rank villains this notorious to band together? That's unprecedented. Means they're plotting something huge."
Seo Jin-ho continued seriously.
"But Grimoire, you're not officially registered with the Hero Association yet, right? That's why the villains accepted you without suspicion. How about sticking with them and... digging into Black Dolphin's movements for us?"
The four-legged beast's eyes brimmed with utter trust in me. ...Of course, the direction of that trust was seriously misguided.
"Hmm... well... that might be... This one is a busy villain, you see..."
"This is a crucial undercover operation! Undercover Grimoire! Cool, right?"
Undercover... Grimoire...?
Suddenly, scenes from countless movies flashed through my mind!
Descending from the ceiling in a black leather suit armed with high-tech gear! Sipping a martini at a casino while extracting enemy intel! Walking away coolly with an exploding building in the background!
A double agent walking a tightrope between two organizations in secrecy! A lone secret agent operating in the shadows to save the world!
Yes! The path of a true villain is to deceive everyone, fool everyone, and ultimately seize it all!
"Kakakat! Excellent! Splendid! This one will graciously accept that offer—special exception!"
"Really? For real?"
"Of course! Nothing is impossible for Grimoire!"
"I'm counting on you. Thanks so much, Grimoire!"
Heh heh, fool. I look forward to your face when you're betrayed later.
No, not betrayal—I was never on the heroes' side to begin with! This one's ally is always only Everlin!
"The most important thing is, you absolutely cannot let your identity slip. If it feels even a little dangerous, abort the mission immediately and get out. And... report your progress to me regularly. At least once a week. I'll treat you to lunch each time, of course."
I nodded and finished off the rest of the jajangmyeon. Not a single noodle strand or drop of sauce left—I scraped it all clean. Even the half-filled sweet and sour pork, I dipped and poured sauce freely and devoured it heartily.
'Hohoho... Fooling both the Hero Association and Black Dolphin with one body! As expected, I'm a born genius villain! Kyakakat!'
Seo Jin-ho saw me off at his office door with words of encouragement.
"Thanks, Grimoire! I know you can do it! The peace of S-City rests in your little hands!"
"Hmph! S-City's peace means nothing to me! This one's goal is world conquest alone!"
As I left the Hero Association building, the sun was already setting.
"So... what's the current situation exactly?"
Give Hero Association intel to Eclipse, Black Dolphin intel to Seo Jin-ho...
"For now... leak just enough info to both sides and steer things to my advantage! The ultimate victor will be this great Grimoire! Kyakakat!"
I opened the door to room 301, and Everlin greeted me as usual.
"Master, you're back. Have you had dinner?"
"Yes, jajangmyeon. But Everlin, big trouble's brewing!"
I kicked off my shoes and flopped onto the living room sofa, declaring dramatically.
"Big trouble, you say...? Another park conquest plan? Or invading a museum instead of the library this time?"
"I became a double agent! Undercover Grimoire! Cool, huh?"
Everlin's expression turned subtle.
"...Master became an undercover agent?"
"Think about it! Get confidential info from both sides, make them fight each other, then conquer the world in the chaos! Pure genius villain plan, right?"
"Master."
"Yes?"
"Do you know exactly what a double agent is?"
"Of course! A spy that's twice as cool!"
Thud.
Everlin pressed her forehead.
Tsk, unable to grasp the profound ways of a villain. The limits of a goody-two-shoes maid, I suppose?
No matter how loyal, she can't keep up with this one's genius! Kakakat!
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. I bolted upright and dashed to the mirror.
"Today marks day three of Undercover Grimoire!"
The Hero Association idiots firmly believe I've perfectly infiltrated Black Dolphin and am tracking their movements. Meanwhile, Black Dolphin's pathetic lot are convinced I'll hand over all the association's secrets on a silver platter!
Not surprising—the Hero Association is infamous for ironclad security, and Black Dolphin is a secretive cabal of villains. For this one to waltz in and out freely must seem miraculous to them!
'Heh, as expected, I'm the ultimate villain spy!'
I struck a pose from a spy movie at my reflection. I formed a gun with my index and middle fingers.
"Bang! Bang bang!"
I rolled once, mimed shooting finger guns, then the essential finishing move.
"Phew—"
I pursed my lips and blew on my fingertip.
"Mission complete!"
Next, stealthy footwork practice. On tiptoes, I stepped carefully, moving silently.
"Kakakat! Perfect spy walk! Like a shadow, like the wind!"
"Master, that looks more like a ninja than a spy."
I jumped in shock, leaping in place.
"Eek! When did you get there?"
"From the beginning. Breakfast is ready."
Everlin replied expressionlessly. My cheeks burned.
I sat at the table, and Everlin set down plates. French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon today.
"Work hard again today... and eat up, Master."
...What was that? No, I misheard! Everlin wouldn't think I'm just playing! She must have meant to say 'good luck with your work' but bit her tongue!
"Hey! You two come with me!"
I shouted as Darkness and White King munched bacon bits.
Squeak squeak-! Squeak!
My loyal subordinates, Darkness and White King—Grimoire Empire's intelligence officers—would be helpful!
"Minions! Today we hit the Hero Association first! Time to mock the heroes' sloppy security!"
I strode confidently into the Hero Association lobby on the first floor.
"Back again... What chaos today...?"
The reception desk staff muttered in a soulless, weary tone.
"Hmph! Naturally! This one is an elite undercover agent!"
I took the elevator straight to Seo Jin-ho's office. Barged in without knocking and plopped into the deluxe office chair.
"Four-legged beast! This one has arrived!"
"Ah, Grimoire! Perfect timing. How'd it go yesterday?"
I spun the chair around arrogantly.
"Black Dolphin was quiet yesterday too! Perfectly under this one's control! Those puny villains are dancing in the palm of my hand!"
Seo Jin-ho nodded in admiration.
"As expected of Grimoire! Blending seamlessly among vigilant villains. Your talent is incredible!"
"Kakakat! Spare me the obvious— this one feels no joy!"
Feeling good from the praise, I spun faster. Got dizzy and stopped.
"Next, Dr. Dark Circle!"
I peeked through the slightly open lab door. The doctor was slumped asleep at his desk.
"Perfect! Minions, charge!"
Darkness, White King, and I sneaked in. A safe was visible in one corner of the lab.
"That's the doctor's secret chocolate vault! Let's go!"
I crouched in front of the safe. It had a complex puzzle lock.
Numeric pads, levers, weird symbols.
"Hmph! Child's play!"
Ten minutes passed.
"Uwaaak! It won't open!"
Right then, Darkness and White King leaped onto the safe. The rats deftly pressed buttons and pulled levers.
"Ooh! My minions are geniuses!"
Click!
The safe opened. But... instead of a mountain of chocolate, just a few lonely bars inside.
"Wha? That's it?"
Scribble scribble—
Turning around, Dr. Dark Circle was diligently noting in his notebook.
"Experiment Subject Type Black and White: Vault breach time 2 minutes 47 seconds... Reward-seeking behavior observed. Intelligence higher than expected... Especially spatial perception and problem-solving skills excellent..."
"Wait! This was all an experiment? You tricked me?"
"Not tricking you. I knew you couldn't solve that puzzle anyway."
"Wh-what?"
"Testing the rats. They're pretty smart. And there's a reward, see?"
"This is nowhere near enough!"
Munch munch—
Furious and wronged to the point of tears, I devoured the chocolate first anyway.
Darkness and White King happily gnawed bars beside me.
"Just you wait, Dr. Dark Circle! Someday I'll find your real secret chocolate stash!"
Afternoon, off to Black Dolphin.
"Now for counter-intel time!"
I burst through the bar door shouting.
"Bartender! One strawberry milk! Bill it to the organization's special fund! Or put it on Eclipse's tab!"
The bartender sighed and grabbed the shaker without a word.
Squeak squeak-!
Darkness and White King got nacho bits and milk too.
"You're here, Grimoire. Anything from the Hero Association...?"
I swung my legs at the counter when Eclipse approached.
"Kakakat! Naturally! Those idiot heroes fell completely for it! They have no clue I'm an atrocious villain plotting world conquest! They even think I'm one of them!"
Nearby villains murmured.
"Infiltrating HR chief Seo Jin-ho and top-secret Dr. IJ-a's lab...?"
"Incredible... Grimoire's totally toying with the Hero Association."
"Unbelievable acting at that age. Not your average kid."
Admiration erupted everywhere. Heh, naturally! They finally recognize this one's greatness!
"This is basic!"
Then Venom Kiss slithered up like a viper, offering a plate with cake.
White cream topped with a cute cherry—looked delicious.
"Good work. A little gift I prepared specially."
"Mmm! Tasty! But what's the fizzy tang in the cake?"
"Fizzy? That's all? No way..."
Well, not poisoned! Probably Shooting Star Cake or something!
Anyway, both Hero Association and Black Dolphin acknowledged me as a genius spy.
Everything's going according to this one's meticulous plan!
Evening, back at Crown Villa, I flopped straight onto my bed.
"Ugh... Am I doing this right...?"
I stared blankly at the ceiling. Everyone at both places praised me.
"Is this okay...?"
But I shook my head soon after.
"Bah, who cares! I'm fooling both sides perfectly, so it's definitely top-tier villainy! Double the evil deeds—twice as wicked!"
Knock knock.
"Master, warm milk before bed."
"Thanks, Everlin! Perfect for my weary body and soul after grueling intel work."
The warm milk relaxed me, drowsiness creeping in.
'Wait, one crucial mission left.'
Operation: Secret Potato Chips! Midnight snack hide-and-seek from Everlin!
Confirmed Everlin closing the door and footsteps fading.
'Now!'
I kicked off the covers and rushed to the closet. Opened the bottom drawer.
'Heh heh, the potato chips hidden here...'
Rustle—
I grabbed the bag and swiftly stashed it under my pillow. Slipped back under the covers, pretending to sleep.
'Perfect! Once Everlin's asleep, sneak—'
"Master."
"Eek!"
Everlin stood expressionless, hand outstretched—don't know when she returned.
"Snacks late at night are bad for health. They might disrupt your sleep."
"Th-this isn't just snacks! Energy source for tomorrow's villainy! Strategic supplies!"
"Then have them tomorrow daytime. I'll keep them safe."
Swish—
The chips vanished from my hand. Everlin left gracefully with the bag.
Click—
Door closed. I stared blankly at the ceiling.
'Fooling Hero Association and Black Dolphin, the ultimate spy...'
I hugged my pillow and rolled around.
'Can't hide a single bag of chips!'
Everlin's no pushover! Sneaking potato chips past her seems harder than world conquest!