Living as a Villain (2)
At that moment, in the Busan branch of the Republic of Korea Hero Headquarters.
"Ms. Baek Seolhui. Is the report unusual in any way?"
"No."
S-rank hero Snow White, Baek Seolhui, faced the people before her with a tense expression. A space devoid of any light. The only illumination came from the glow of electronic devices and the reflections off the screens mounted on the walls. This place, evoking an atmosphere even more oppressive than an interrogation room, was designed to extract information from Baek Seolhui—and to implant it into her.
"Understood. Then let me state it clearly once more."
—I tried to stop the villain executioner, Dokkaebi. But he used a delayed attack to make the soldier in charge of the execution's head explode...
Sigh. It's my fault for failing to stop him. I'm sorry.
"This is what will be known as your statement."
"......"
Baek Seolhui had never said such a thing. So who was it, wearing her face, uttering those words? Deepfake.
"You can say it yourself if you prefer, or we can use this footage. We'll handle the rest—twist it all into shape. Rest assured."
"What about the family of the soldier in charge?"
At Baek Seolhui's question, the agents exchanged glances.
"Just this morning, they were holding a one-person protest: 'Snow White failed to stop Dokkaebi; it wasn't Dokkaebi who killed my son, it was Snow White.'"
"We'll... handle that on our end."
"Are you going to kill them?"
"Kill them? Such inappropriate talk. We'll show you smart, righteous action. Persuasion, and more persuasion. Heh."
At the agent's words, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled in Baek Seolhui's mind, but she merely closed her eyes in response. Absurd and unreasonable as it was, as long as she was this country's hero, she had no choice. Unless she left the country—or turned against it.
"Thank you for your service, Ms. Baek Seolhui. Even on vacation, your dedication to the nation is truly appreciated. Not just our director, but many patriots are impressed by your actions."
"You want me to leave?"
"...We've said all we need to. From here, things might get 'deeper.' You could stick around to hear more, if you like. But."
The agent fiddled with his sunglasses and flashed a grin.
"Once you dip your toe in, you'll have to cooperate more thoroughly from then on. Ms. Baek Seolhui."
"...I understand."
"I'll escort you out."
Baek Seolhui feigned composure as she stepped outside. Following the agent's lead down a long corridor, she emerged into the lobby of an ordinary Busan hotel.
"We'll take you to your room first. There are crowds around your home right now; it’ll take time to clear them out."
"Those people..."
"Reporters. What did Dokkaebi and you talk about? Gossip fodder. Annoying pests. Linking a top Korean hero with a murderous villain. Tsk."
"......"
Linking them. Was it a setup of good versus evil, or man versus woman?
"No need to listen to the nonsense from those desperate for views. What matters is that you're a patriot for this country. That's all."
"...I want to rest a bit."
Baek Seolhui pressed her throbbing forehead.
"We'll guide you to your room shortly."
"No. Not that kind of rest. I mean a long break."
"......What do you mean by that?"
Ding.
The elevator stopped. Baek Seolhui stepped out with a hardened face and pulled out her smartphone.
"That proposal from three months ago—I'll consider it positively."
"Three months ago... you mean?"
"Yes."
Baek Seolhui pulled up an email on her weary face.
"Sejong Academy superpower combat practical instructor. ...Professor, I guess? Anyway, that. I'll accept."
"Thank you, Ms. Baek Seolhui! Your decision will greatly contribute to this country's peace!"
The agent, overjoyed, closed the elevator doors and descended.
An S-rank ability user serving as a practical instructor at Sejong Academy. It wasn't just about boosting the students studying there. It meant another S-rank guardian for the academy itself. That place was Korea's—and the world's—most vital stronghold. More strategically valuable than a nuclear power plant or the president's office. Why else name it Sejong Island, after the king himself?
Originally nonexistent landmass, born when a meteor crashed into the East Sea, creating the island. Korea claimed it as national territory and defended it against all foreign pressure. Even now, with countless foreign powers eyeing this strategic hub, Korea could only hope for more ability users to reside on Sejong Island.
"...Haa."
Baek Seolhui entered her hotel room and collapsed face-first onto the bed. She'd called it "resting," but in truth, she was returning to an even more intense battlefield. Not fighting villains on the mainland, but who knew when some weirdo villain might pop up. And above all, it was a hero training ground for ability-addicted "gamer kids."
As an S-rank, major issues wouldn't arise, but excessive attention on her could stir trouble. Still.
At least it wouldn't be like Red Scarf, with heads exploding.
"Dokkaebi..."
Baek Seolhui covered her face with her hands. No footage remained—except top-secret national archives—and all public copies had been erased or altered. But in her mind, the memory was crystal clear.
The moment the gunshot rang out. Dokkaebi had spun around, extending his hand to the side. As if instinctively trying to protect her. It was probably just Baek Seolhui's delusion.
But.
What if he'd truly meant to protect her?
"Hmph."
Baek Seolhui scowled, clutching the pillow tightly.
"I'll ask him later. What the hell he was thinking. ...Ah."
She remembered.
"The bike."
She needed to ask about that. The problem was, she was currently in a sort of "stand-down" status.
"...Now I owe him."
"New bike!"
I sprinkled soju near the freshly delivered bike after completing the official handover.
"Please let me ride you safely this time, without any accidents."
Performing a ritual might be superstition, but it was still better than skipping it.
I won't lend it to anyone else from now on.
Snow White had ghosted me with the bike. Of course, she was probably working on compensating me in her own way. She wasn't some thug who'd just shut up and pretend ignorance.
She just couldn't come to Seoul right now, with all the eyes on her. She didn't have my contact, and to find me, she'd need to head to Seoul.
Unless. If I hung around where she was, she might recognize me and make good on it.
No way she'd come to Seoul, so I came to Busan.
Squawk, squawk.
White seagulls flocked across the sky in Busan, Haeundae. Right by the sea, the salty ocean scent filled the air, but the city's vibe dwarfed Seoul's—grand and imposing.
This world's Seoul was the real world's Busan. This world's Busan was the real Seoul.
Seoul had stagnated since the 2000s. Busan, reborn as the new capital post-2000, had skyrocketed.
Take that 123-story skyscraper right in front of me.
A world where Hode Tower is in Busan.
Seeing Seoul's famed tower proudly standing in Haeundae felt surreal. And.
Driving here doesn't suck at all.
Riding the bike I'd picked up in Busan, the infrastructure was leagues beyond the real world's Busan—systematic and smooth.
Thanks to a year-long redevelopment push to become a global city, this world's Busan had grown to rival 2020s new cities.
Even prices reflected it.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for a one-room."
"Hello?"
No Busan dialect here. As the capital, tons of people had migrated from Seoul.
"From Seoul? Wow, long way. Where you thinking?"
"The safest spot around here. About... 10 pyeong one-room? Mini-two-room's fine too."
"Ah, this place then."
The realtor beamed, pointing to a poster on the wall.
"Deposit 200 million won, monthly rent 1.3 million won."