Chapter 109
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Deal (4)
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"......"
"......"
A heavy silence hung over the Villain Alliance's secret hideout in Australia.
It was because of the news that the key members they'd sent to Korea had been completely wiped out right after their clash with the Geneva Cult.
"Fucking idiots. Dying in some podunk country like that."
Ronald, ranked 11th in the Villain Alliance, casually cursed the dead and asked what they were going to do about it.
"So? What now?"
With their forces effectively reduced just as they were about to enter open hostility with the Geneva Cult, no one had a sharp answer.
As silence persisted, someone spoke up.
"At least if Lorella had made it back alive..."
Joseph, ranked 13th, lamented the loss of Lorella.
Her ability to send monsters to attack without restraint was exceptionally useful in war.
"My guess is they might all still be alive."
At that, Ivy spoke up with her cool, piercing gaze, claiming they were all probably alive.
The villains gathered there all turned to her with expressions asking what the hell she meant.
"Alive? You showed us the photos of their corpses."
Not every villain who'd attacked the Hero Officer Academy had died.
One had hidden to observe and report back, even snapping photos.
"There was a reason for raiding Korea's Hero Officer Academy."
"A reason? Come to think of it, why'd we send anyone to that little shit country out of nowhere?"
"There's someone there called a healer. Apparently, they can even revive the dead."
With that, Ivy pulled out a hidden photo and showed it around.
It clearly showed people who'd died but come back perfectly fine.
"What the hell is this? Ivy, why didn't you show us this photo?"
"I planned to reveal it once everyone was gathered. If I'd told you separately, some of you might've bolted on the spot."
Ronald nodded in understanding at Ivy's words.
"Ah. Telling us not to wander off now that war with the Geneva Cult might be coming."
"Exactly. And it's not too late to discuss and act after."
"Do what you want. Anyway, a healer? Impressive. Reviving the dead, huh."
"We originally planned to recruit or kidnap that healer."
Villains like Ronald thought a healer like that was worth raiding for.
But the raid had failed miserably, so now they asked what the plan was.
"If we'd snagged that healer like you say, great. But we didn't. What's your idea?"
"I'll go negotiate. We need to bring back at least a few."
"Like hell they'll hand them over. Say the healer revived them like you claim. You think they'll just give 'em back if we ask nicely?"
"The Boss plans to go negotiate personally."
"......The Boss?"
At the mention of the Boss going himself, every villain there widened their eyes in shock.
The Boss rarely showed his face unless absolutely necessary, so this was unexpected.
"The Boss has been moving around more lately. He met with the Geneva Cult's high priest before to negotiate."
"It was that important. Seems he thinks this is similar."
No sooner had Ivy finished than someone spoke up urgently.
"W-wait. If the Boss is going, can I tag along?"
It was Brandon, who looked to be in his 60s or 70s.
Ranks 7th, he was one of the stronger ones present.
"No. You might ruin a negotiation the Boss is personally handling."
"If not, at least ask for them to hand over the healer. Otherwise, I'm sitting out the war with those Geneva bastards."
Ivy inwardly sighed at that.
Good thing she'd waited until everyone was gathered to bring it up.
"Hey, old man. What kinda selfish bullshit is that? Just saving your own skin?"
"Don't twist my words. So what're you gonna do about it?"
Brandon shot back at Ronald like he was nothing.
Ronald stood with a grin, mana surging.
"Fine by me. Been wanting to smash that wrinkly face for a while."
"Enough."
A low voice crushed Ronald's mana.
Ronald grimaced at the forced restraint and turned toward the source.
"You think we gathered here to fight among ourselves?"
A handsome man in his mid-30s, built like a model, sat there.
Recognizing Raymond Cole, rank 2, Ronald sat back down, irritation plain on his face.
"Anyway, the Boss is negotiating, so we wait here. Ivy, tell him to bring the healer if possible."
"Understood."
"That settles everything. Old man, trust the Boss and wait. We can move after if talks fail."
"Fine."
Raymond wrapped it up neatly and stood first.
"Looks like we're done talking. Meeting adjourned."
With that, the other villains filed out one by one, returning to their places.
Ivy watched them go until she was alone, then contacted the Boss.
"Yes, Boss. Meeting's over."
Hong Ju-a had been in a great mood right up until last weekend.
Her head felt clearer than ever, her body light as a feather.
'Feels like being reborn.'
Had she ever felt this good before?
Having endured harsh training since childhood, this was a first for her.
Obviously, she knew it was all thanks to the massage from Lee Seongmin in the clubroom.
The refreshment had hit immediately.
'He sneakily groped my chest during it, though.'
Combined with what she'd heard beforehand, she'd let it slide.
But that euphoria faded in days, headaches returning.
[6th: Hong Ju-a (64 points)]
"......"
She hadn't made her desired rank in the uninhabited island survival, which affected her grades.
The pressure crushed her, stress mounting, headaches plaguing her.
'Ah... My head hurts. So annoying.'
Her nerves grew sharp and frayed.
Separately, to boost her score even a little, she'd skimped on sleep, roaming the island.
'Hm? What's that smell?'
Then, delicious meat aroma wafted from somewhere.
Someone must've bought meat from the shop and was grilling it.
'Lucky bastards. Partying like it's a camping trip.'
Curious to see who, she headed over and spotted unexpected faces.
"Lee Seongmin...? And Cheon Seo-yun?"
Lee Seongmin was meticulously grilling a huge slab of meat from who-knows-where.
Cheon Seo-yun stared blankly at it before turning toward Hong Ju-a.
"You two together? Being together docks points."
"Points only drop if you're stuck together for an hour. Long time no see, anyway."
Lee Seongmin greeted the approaching Hong Ju-a casually.
She nodded, hesitating whether to join.
"Don't just stand there. Come eat."
"I-it's okay?"
"We're in the same club."
Lee Seongmin offered, saying clubmates share food.
Hong Ju-a had joined purely for points, but this care stirred something odd.
'Is this what belonging feels like?'
She'd never gotten why kids grouped up before.
Training solo beat hanging out, she'd thought—but now, a little, she got it.
"Here."
She took the meat from Lee Seongmin, bit in, and her eyes went wide.
"Whoa, why's this so good?"
It was like meat fresh off the grill by a master craftsman.
No gamey smell, just rich meat flavor and salty perfection.
"Glad you like it. Plenty more—eat up."
"Y-yeah."
Lee Seongmin said it plainly, then handed some to Cheon Seo-yun.
She snatched it instantly, tiny lips working fast to devour it.
"You two living together? What about points?"
"Only together for meals. We stay in our own houses back there."
Hong Ju-a glanced behind him and was shocked again.
Two proper wooden houses stood where none should be on this island.
"No way—you built those?"
"Yep. Houses don't just appear here."
"Wow... Everyone else is just hunkering under leaf shelters."
Hong Ju-a had roamed enough to see others, and no one matched this.
"Really? How're you holding up, Hong Ju-a?"
"Me? Hiding out somewhere, sleeping in my sleeping bag."
They chatted like that as she finished eating.
Delicious food, easy talk, campfire warmth—it was great.
'Ah.'
But before fully enjoying it, the headache hit, and she winced faintly.
The brief relief shattered; her mood plummeted against her will.
'Come to think of it...'
Right there was Lee Seongmin, who could fix it.
Recalling the past refreshment, she asked without hesitation.
"Hey, Lee Seongmin. If it's okay... could you give me a massage now?"