Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Villain Response Training (2)
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Before heading to the training ground.
Kang Cheol-su gave the students an explanation about villains.
"Villains live up to their name—they possess an evil disposition."
"However, unlike Fallen who must be eliminated on sight, even when you spot a villain, you engage but do not kill them."
"Does anyone know why?"
One student who looked sharp raised their hand and answered.
"Because reformation is possible."
"Right, that's also correct. But it's not the answer I was looking for."
The student who had answered lowered their hand with a dejected look.
"No one else?"
...
It was quiet.
No one raised their hand.
Kang Cheol-su let out a "hmph" as he scanned the students.
The students averted their eyes whenever their gazes met his.
I sighed at the sight of my classmates.
'Well, yeah. To aspiring heroes, villains are no different from Fallen.'
Honestly, villains just hadn't fallen—they committed every evil deed imaginable: murder, assault, extortion, you name it.
So even if my classmates knew the answer to Kang Cheol-su's question, they hesitated to speak up.
The moment they voiced it, they'd be admitting it.
But my classmates needed to understand.
Villains were the same as us—humans, not paragons of justice just because they were heroes.
Hell, heroes could be even more vicious than villains.
A bitter taste filled my mouth at that cold reality, and I raised my hand on behalf of my classmates.
"Because they still fall under the category of 'humans'."
Kang Cheol-su nodded, as if he'd finally heard the answer he wanted.
"Exactly. As Lee Yoo-jin said, villains are 'humans' just like us, so unconditional killing is forbidden."
One student raised their hand with a confused expression.
"So, even if a villain is rampaging, we can't do anything about it?"
"No. Only 'unconditional killing' is prohibited—use of force is allowed. In fact, it's recommended to use force immediately upon encountering a villain."
"What if the villain harms people or commits terrorism?"
"Then you kill them without hesitation."
The student who asked slowly lowered their raised hand in shock at the chilling words—not "you can," but "you must."
Ignoring the reaction, Kang Cheol-su explained why killing was necessary.
"Even if reformation is possible and they count as 'humans,' harming people or committing terrorism means they've forsaken their humanity."
Another student raised their hand.
But when it came time to speak, they hesitated, fumbling their words.
Kang Cheol-su nodded encouragingly, as if to say it was fine.
Finally, the words came out.
"Instructor, what if the villain had no choice? Like, if the person they killed had hurt the villain's family first...?"
"Sure, that could happen, as you say."
But, Kang Cheol-su added, scanning not just the questioner but all the students.
"We are heroes. Regardless of whether a villain was born that way or forced into it, if they harm people, we execute them without exception."
"They never wanted to be a villain but had no choice? Tragic, sure."
"But as heroes, we have a duty to protect people. And that duty is absolute."
"So remember this: a hero's honor is earned by shouldering that duty."
The classroom fell solemnly silent at Kang Cheol-su's weighty advice.
The student who had suggested a villain might have a backstory stared blankly at the instructor, as if struck by realization.
Kang Cheol-su clapped as an alarm rang from his Smart Watch.
Clap, clap.
"Alright, enough somber mood. Time to head to the training ground."
The students rose from their seats in a bustle.
And as everyone packed their things...
"U-um, I-Instructor. I-I have a q-question."
Park Ga-ram, who had been dead silent the whole time, suddenly raised her hand.
"Oh? Y-yeah, sure. What is it, Park Ga-ram?"
Park Ga-ram hadn't shown any interest in class since enrollment, let alone asked questions.
Kang Cheol-su was momentarily flustered by her sudden participation but quickly allowed it with pride.
"E-earlier, y-you said if a v-villain commits t-terrorism or s-something, y-you must k-kill them unconditionally...?"
"That's right."
"Th-then why wasn't m-my m-master k-killed?"
"Your master? Oh... You mean the Gray Witch, Circe?"
"Y-yes."
Park Ga-ram's master.
Once a villain, reformed into a hero by the Martial God—a transcendent being.
The topic of the Gray Witch, Circe, made the students packing for the training ground stop and turn with eager curiosity.
Kang Cheol-su gave Park Ga-ram an exasperated look.
"...Isn't it a bit off for a disciple to ask why her master wasn't killed?"
"I-is it? I-I was j-just curious..."
Park Ga-ram scratched her head with a creepy "hehe..." chuckle.
Kang Cheol-su sighed briefly and answered.
"As I said earlier, villains can be reformed. And the condition for reformation is no killing."
Park Ga-ram looked puzzled.
"B-but Master t-turned the whole c-city's p-people into a-animals...?"
"Yes, that's terrorism, as you say. The kind even heroes could kill her for without backlash."
"B-but how...?"
"How did she reform without dying?"
Park Ga-ram nodded.
Kang Cheol-su continued.
"Because not a single person died."
"Eh?"
Park Ga-ram widened her eyes in surprise.
The other students did too.
"H-how?"
Park Ga-ram asked, unable to comprehend.
The entire city's population had been turned into herbivores and carnivores alike.
Carnivores could've eaten herbivores, yet zero deaths?
How was that possible?
"...Park Ga-ram, you're Circe's disciple, not me."
Kang Cheol-su scratched his forehead scar awkwardly.
Park Ga-ram fidgeted with her fingers at his words, as if he should know.
"M-Master called it her b-black history and n-never t-told me..."
...It was black history.
Turning a city's people into animals, only to be forcibly reformed by the Martial God.
"Hmm..."
Kang Cheol-su scratched his scar again and checked his Smart Watch.
He grabbed the attendance sheet and files from the podium.
"We're really due at the training ground now, so I'll keep it brief."
"Y-yes..."
"The reason Circe survived turning a city's population into animals—despite it being terrorism."
"Th-the reason?"
Park Ga-ram swallowed nervously.
Kang Cheol-su went on.
"The Martial God personally vouched for her."
"...Eh?"
"I don't know the details. Why the Martial God didn't kill her and vouched instead."
Wonder why.
Why didn't Baek Yu-hwa kill Circe and reform her instead?
Even using the absolute contract scroll 'Gaias'.
'I'll ask her next time we meet.'
As I thought that, Kang Cheol-su declared the question answered and ordered everyone to the training ground.
Park Ga-ram nodded, not fully satisfied but curiosity eased, joining the group under Kang Cheol-su's lead.
I followed, leaving the classroom for the training ground.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "As you can see, the theme of this Villain Response Training is urban warfare."
True to Kang Cheol-su's words, the training ground looked like a real terrorist attack: buildings crumbled, ground cratered, a total mess of a cityscape.
My classmates marveled at the realistic setup.
But that awe was short-lived.
"Ah... right. The top ranker's the villain."
"...Can we even beat our top ranker?"
"Probably impossible..."
Remembering I was playing the villain, everyone except the leads and a few supporting roles slumped, morale tanking.
I smirked at their demotivation and opened my inventory.
'If they're unmotivated, I'll give them a reason to get fired up.'
I pulled out an Ability Elixir and a Physique Elixir.
Holding them up for my classmates to see, I said,
"I'll give these elixirs to anyone who catches me—or helps catch me."
"......"
My classmates stared blankly.
One snapped out of it, pointing at the elixirs with a trembling hand.
"R-really? If we catch you, we get those?"
"Yeah, for real."
"But you only have two."
"Don't worry, I have plenty."
"......"
The classmate shut their mouth.
They exchanged glances with the others, then nodded.
Now their eyes burned with motivation unlike before.
"Keep that promise."
"I swear on my honor as top ranker."
Only then did the doubt vanish from their eyes, replaced by trust.
I wondered if it was too much, but what could I do?
To boost their response skills, this was necessary.
Instead...
'I'll show them the spicy side of being a villain.'
And urban warfare's spice too.
"Now, the training objectives. Listen up."
Once we were all ready, Kang Cheol-su briefed us.
⚙ TRAINING BRIEFING ⚙ [Hero Team] • Members: 99 • Win: Rescue hostages (3) & Capture villain (Lee Yoo-jin) • Loss: Total wipeout or 1 hour passes [Villain Team] • Members: 1 • Win: Hero Team total wipeout or 1 hour passes • Loss: Hostages rescued (3) & Captured [Training Rules] • Weapons: Training-only • No lethal wounds (knockouts allowed) • Items prohibited In summary, that's it.
But wasn't it overkill making me the sole villain?
'Well... shouldn't be a problem.'
Might even be easier alone.
Teams mean commands and complications.
Thinking that, I approached Kang Cheol-su.
I asked if I could use my sub-space (inventory).
He nodded.
"You're the only villain, so that much advantage is fair."
He operated his Smart Watch.
The rule "Items prohibited" gained an addendum:
'Lee Yoo-jin may use items (solo participant.'
I felt the difficulty plummet—like from 'Easy' to 'Very Easy'.
'That's more than just an advantage.'
But he didn't know about my inventory or infinite items.
I gladly accepted with glee.
'Oh, right—that too.'
I asked about special ammo.
"Special ammo? Live rounds?"
"Sort of, but I have rubber bullets too. Can I use those?"
"Rubber's fine. Go ahead."
"Thank you."
Rubber special rounds approved.
'They're doomed.'
I grinned villainously.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ten students banded together to capture Villain (Lee Yoo-jin).
At first, they believed sheer numbers would suffice against any villain.
But soon, they realized it was wishful thinking.
"Hey, where'd that one go?"
"...Huh? Where'd they go?"
"What? They were right behind us..."
There had been ten just moments ago.
Now, the one at the rear was gone—nine left.
Student A, who rallied them, felt a chill but played it cool.
"...Must've taken another route."
He knew it sounded off.
They'd agreed to stick together.
It didn't make sense.
Yet the group accepted it despite the unease.
Student A exhaled shakily and resumed walking.
One minute later, another uproar.
"G-guys... another one's gone."
Same reason—the rearmost classmate vanished.
"This isn't someone splitting off."
"...Yeah, it's an ambush."
"Villain's close!"
Realizing the villain was near, they raised weapons and went on alert.
Student A activated their talent 'Space Sense,' weapon raised.
But...
"Nothing...?"
No villain nearby.
They expanded the range.
10m.
50m.
100m.
Max 300m.
Still nothing.
Fear crept in on Student A.
They tried to warn the others.
Then—
Thud.
One on watch collapsed.
"Kyaaak!"
"W-what?!"
Student A checked the fallen classmate.
"...Knocked out."
Forehead swollen red.
Student A realized:
The villain was sniping from beyond their sense range.
"Guys, sniper!"
The shout barely left—
Rat-tat-tat-tat—!
Bam-bam-bam-bam—!
Gunfire echoed from somewhere.
Classmates dropped like flies.
"Wh-what?"
Student A stared, trembling.
All foreheads red and swollen, eyes rolled back, out cold.
Clang.
Student A's weapon fell.
Will to fight gone.
Then—
Beep.
Space Sense pinged.
300m.
Villain.
200m.
Approaching...
100m.
50m.
30m.
10m.
Fast.
Terror surged; Student A turned toward the ping, shaking.
There—
Sip... whoo.
Sip... whoo.
A villain in a black coat and plague doctor raven mask from old times, breathing through the mask.
"P-please... spare me."
Student A begged in terror.
But the villain showed no mercy.
Slowly raised a pistol.
"You're unfit to be a hero." Bang—!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thud.
My classmate hit the ground from a rubber bullet to the head.
I frowned at the sprawled bodies.
'Did they forget it's training? Why do they all beg for their lives?'
Tsking, I kicked off the ground and left the scene.