Transformation! That's Not How You Do It (2)
Dokkaebi's outward appearance was, for starters, just plain ordinary. The original Dokkaebi from the novel was described in detail, but the author got so obsessed with historical accuracy that he came off as some guy in tattered black hanbok with wild hair. But I showed up to the world in a black suit, mask on, golden light gleaming from my eyes. The original Dokkaebi was too tacky a villain, so I reinvented my own concept as the "Gentleman Dokkaebi."
Did that mean I couldn't take on other forms? Hell no. Like right now, I could transform into something completely different. The kind of form where, after the transformation sequence, you hear that dramatic sound effect—like hopping on a bike as a rider tearing through the streets.
Whoa....
The lump of golden armor—Yumir—stared at me, completely entranced. The moment she laid eyes on Dokkaebi's battle form, my second transformation, she just froze.
"Whoa, shit! What the hell is that?!"
"Wasn't that Dokkaebi?! Dokkaebi just transformed like that?!"
"Hey, start streaming! We can't miss this!!"
The growing crowd—whether they'd come to gawk or heard the commotion—was pointing Taeguk Watches and smartphones at me, filming away. An S-rank villain like Dokkaebi brazenly revealing himself on Sejong Island was shocking enough, but showing up in a totally new form? That had to blow minds too.
"W-what are you...!"
The girl turned devil, Lilith, pointed at me with a face twisted like a vengeful ghost.
"Why the hell are you stealing the spotlight that should've been mine!!"
Is she throwing this tantrum because she never gets any attention?
I extended one hand to the side.
Then you're evil. And evil must be destroyed. That's my ironclad rule.
To outsiders, it might look like pure posturing, but pair it with overwhelming power, and it turns into pure style—cool as hell. The kind where I'd later watch the footage and think, Damn, that was charismatic as fuck, like replaying my own pentakill highlight reel and getting chills all over again.
Villains... must be executed.
I struck a sharp pose and drew my weapon.
Pzzt!
A flash like golden lightning crackled, and new weapons materialized in both hands. Ordinary batons. But not just any batons. They resembled police batons or maybe axe handles without the blades. No fancy name for them. These were Dokkaebi Bats too.
If Dokkaebi wields it, it's a Dokkaebi Bat.
All standards are mine. What I use becomes the standard. And this baton...
Die, villain.
No need for fancy abilities—it just smashes villains flat.
"Eek...!!"
Lilith started firing magic bullets wildly at me. Clang!
I casually swung my baton and knocked them away.
"Fall, Dokkaebi!!"
The bullets kept coming, but I didn't dodge. Instead...
Tat-tat-tat!
I charged forward, swinging the batons in both hands to swat the projectiles left and right.
Boom!
The bullets slammed into the parking lot ground by my baton strikes, exploding in clouds of dirt. I burst through the dust.
Weak.
I emerged swinging the batons in an X-slash.
"You bastard...! Why show up in front of me and get in my way? You're a villain too!!!"
Yeah. A villain.
The moment I closed in on Lilith, I whipped my leg out in a massive roundhouse, kicking her square in the waist.
"Kyaaak!!"
Lilith screamed as she flew sideways, tumbling across the ground. Her wings crumpled, mana leaking from her like she was vomiting blood, struggling to rise.
"Kuhk, heuk, h-heuk...!"
Those who stir chaos with superpowers. Society calls scum like you villains. And I'm the same.
I gripped the batons loosely at my sides and advanced slowly.
I just take down villains. So...
I pointed one baton forward.
Step aside, nameless Golden Mirror.
Sorry, but I can't do that.
Before I knew it...
No matter how vicious the villain, they must face justice. The judgment of the law.
A golden female knight—sure, she was just a full-platemail goldie, but I'd decided to call her that out of my own respect—wedged herself between us, blocking my path.
Outdated logic. Boring. Do you know how many heroes I've faced spouting that crap?
I know. And none of them could stop you. But I'll be different.
Vmmm.
Because I'm strong.
As the knight extended her hand sideways, a massive golden greatsword materialized in the air.
All those people who failed to stop you before? They were just weaker than you.
And you're different?
Of course.
Hummm.
The golden aura pouring from the knight's body was no joke. Just eyeballing the mana particles drifting from her toes put her at S-rank or higher, easy.
Are you a heroine candidate too?
The author only serialized up to first-year academy life, so she might've been one of those who could've debuted in second year. No golden knight from Canada appeared in the original. Sure, there was vague foreshadowing like "maybe each country has their own S-rank beauties," but that was just bait—nothing more.
Still, I couldn't back down here. This woman hadn't just raided that restaurant on a whim; she'd killed people herself.
Protecting even a woman who murdered people and sold her soul to a devil by going berserk? Yeah, that's what makes a hero.
Golden Knight, what is your name?
Solar Platina.
Platinum Sun?
...Never heard that name before.
Because I'm debuting it to the world today. Just like you. But...
Clank.
The knight gripped her greatsword with both hands and aimed it at me.
I'll take that Golden Mirror title from you—fair and square.
Knock yourself out.
I spun my hand lightly and dropped into a low stance.
If you can take it!
When A-rankers clash, a friendly match ticket in the VIP seats costs over ten million won. No joke.
-Superpower battles are like blockbuster movies!
Fans of soccer, movies, anime, novels—they all go nuts for superpower users' "real fights."
-Why watch movies? Superpower fights are the movies!
Superpower battles drive every human wild. Even if people die and property gets wrecked. Top-tier superpower fights drive even other superpower users insane.
Especially if it's a golden-armored knight no one's ever seen before.
Especially if it's the S-rank villain "Dokkaebi."
This golden knight was strong enough to easily subdue the rampaging girl student.
And Dokkaebi was showing his never-before-seen "second form" with batons in both hands?
Snow White! Secure the area! Keep students out of the crossfire as much as possible!
"Understood, Director!"
Baek Seolhui surged her mana in one go, erecting ice walls to shield bystanders from stray shots in the hero-villain standoff.
No, no! What are you doing?! Stop that! An ice wall? Are you in your right mind?!
"Pardon?"
Hiding this glorious battle from everyone?! No! Sejong Island is a place of education! Watching this is education too!
"Director!!"
A mysterious knight who might be a hero—unregistered anywhere—and Dokkaebi about to fight, and he wanted her to just watch?
"That's ridiculous!"
You haven't been here long, so you might not know, but look around! Everyone's focused on their fight!
"......!"
A chill ran up Baek Seolhui's spine. It was true.
Smartphones tracked the duo's battle on video. Cheers for the golden knight blocking Dokkaebi's flurry with one greatsword. Awe at Dokkaebi casually sidestepping the blade on the spot, planting a foot on it mid-air like standing on solid ground.
"Shit, that's badass...."
Those who'd rushed over at the commotion could only gape at the two S-ranks' ultra-close-quarters brawl.
"Nngh...!"
Baek Seolhui's head started throbbing. What about saving lives? Capturing the villain? Handling the bodies?
No—watching, recording, and appreciating this sudden S-rank showdown was more important?
"This is insane...!"
Baek Seolhui stepped forward. Or tried to.
"Kyahaha!!"
Somehow recovered, Lilith spread her wings and soared into the sky. Baek Seolhui reflexively aimed an ice spike at the ascending devil, but Dokkaebi was faster.
I'll get her! Ultimate—
ONE TWO THREE!!
Fiddling with some belt, a heavier sound effect—presumably—boomed alongside Dokkaebi's voice.
Secret technique.
Dokkaebi crossed his batons like a plus sign.
Grand Cross.
A radiant golden cross of light blasted toward the fleeing devil Lilith.
This is how you catch villains.