Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: How Am I Supposed to Believe That?
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How am I supposed to believe that?
Those who awaken an Ability also see improvements in their physical capabilities.
Stamina increases. Durability strengthens, and so does raw power.
The chances of surviving a knife stab or a gunshot go way up.
As long as you avoid instant-kill spots like the heart or brain.
But that doesn't make anyone invincible by a long shot.
There's a good reason why healing Abilities are so highly valued.
So, even for a Highest Danger Class villain.
If the bomb in their hand goes off, they should suffer the appropriate injuries.
Whether their body gets shredded or an arm flies off—even losing a hand would make sense.
"What the... what the hell..."
Yet the Smiling Man's body was just dusted with a bit of grime.
Not only his arm, but even the hand that took the blast head-on was perfectly fine.
A few blisters and some redness like a burn—that was it!
"How is that even possible...?"
"This? Nothing to it. Just need some strength! And a handle on Mana Threads!"
According to him, he'd wrapped his hand in Mana Threads right before the explosion.
Easy, he says. Anyone without Mana Threads could do it too.
Just use your Ability to offset the impact?
"You crazy bastard..."
Yeah. He's a lunatic. No normal person would even think like that.
Even unprecedented villains are still human at their core.
Pain hurts, and protecting your body is basic instinct.
Suppressing an explosion with sheer force like it's no big deal—how does that even make sense?!
"That was pretty dangerous, though. Nearly lost my hand! What an impressive blast!"
What the hell are you saying? If you're gonna talk like that, lose a hand first.
A guy who only got some blisters pulling that crap just sounds like a mocker!
"You little shit...! You mocking me right now?!"
"Mocking? I'm hurt! I'm in the middle of praising you!"
Bursting into laughter nonstop like it was the funniest thing.
The Smiling Man slowly approached the villain.
"W-Wait! Hold on, Smiling Man!"
"Yes! Got something to say!?"
"Yeah! I do! So just wait a sec!"
"Of course I'll listen! It's only right to hear the last words of a villain on the brink of death!"
What the hell is wrong with this guy's head?
At a glance, he's a monster even the Seven Evils don't mess with lightly.
But look again, and he's got the maturity of a child—some total weirdo.
No clue which beat to follow, even with his life on the line.
"I-I'm a villain!"
"Yes. Correct."
"And you, Smiling Man—you're a villain too!"
"Right again!"
"Th-Then, we don't have to do this, right?! Killing me means you'll split from our Evil Legion!"
Huh? The Smiling Man tilted his head at the villain's words.
It's okay if you kill, but not if I do?
"You can do it, but I can't? Isn't that some serious villain discrimination?"
"The Boss anyway—that woman—doesn't care if her secretary lives or dies! The previous one got killed by heroes on a mission, and she didn't bat an eye!"
"That's 'cause the Boss wasn't there. If she had been, you think she wouldn't have cared?"
And with that, the Smiling Man closed the distance bit by bit.
"Even if I split from your side. Would that be a problem?"
No matter how I think about it, there's nothing to regret.
If anything, she'd probably hate making an enemy of me because of you.
Ping!-
He slyly tugged at the Mana Threads piercing the villain's arm.
Removing his sunglasses, revealing those chilling eyes.
"So."
Then he threw back the question the villain had asked Yi Bora just moments ago.
"Is that the end of your last words?"
The villain desperately tried to shout that he had more!
But his mouth wouldn't open. He couldn't speak.
The Mana Threads had already sewn it shut.
The next day.
"...So."
The Black Woman wore an intrigued expression as she listened to Yushin's story.
Evil Legion, huh. Another group that split off from the Clan.
These fools are finally making enemies of both me and the Union.
"You took out a guy from this self-proclaimed Evil Legion."
"He went after the secretary first, so self-defense, right?"
"Between villains, does that even hold water?"
Whether they respond to this incident or not, she couldn't care less.
If they pick a fight, she'll hit back. If they shut up, she'll do the same.
She had no interest in some mutts that ran off because they hated home.
What she was curious about now wasn't the Evil Legion.
"Why did you help?"
The reason the Smiling Man, despite his strength, wasn't in the Seven Evils.
He only cared about his own business.
A man who pursued his interests ruthlessly.
He wouldn't follow even the Boss's orders if there was no value in it.
For such a man to suddenly help her secretary.
Revealing his true Go skills that he'd hidden so carefully.
Winning a bet against her, no less, just for a vacation request.
And sustaining a clear injury, even if it was just a burn.
"That's not like you at all. Come to think of it, you've been awfully capricious lately."
Letting that hero student go unharmed.
Helping take down a monster at the Academy.
And now saving her secretary, whom he used to ignore completely.
Was it just whimsy? It felt like he'd gone too far for that.
"The first one was a whim. Yes. I'll admit it. But I already told you about the Academy, didn't I?"
"Something about your pride..."
Fine. She could let that slide.
"Then what about today? Why today?"
The simple reason she pressed for an answer.
A villain's whims were rarely good news.
The Seven Evils she didn't mind losing, but not this man.
"Come on, Boss. Do you really have to ask?"
"I do. Why you did it. At least the reason."
"You know."
"I don't."
"You do, Boss."
"I don't. Answer me."
Are you harboring other thoughts too?
Those horny dogs calling themselves the Seven Evils? She could replace them anytime.
Plenty of skilled villains out there.
But a guy like you? One of a kind—irreplaceable.
Hard to read, always grinning enigmatically.
But at least behind that smile, there's a firm goal.
That's the kind of guy she wanted. A villain who wasn't just a villain.
Not some beast rampaging on instinct.
A true villain with a cool head and even cooler reason!
"She's someone you cherish, isn't she?"
"...Hm?"
Wait. What did he just say?
"The secretaries you've had before. You treated them all indifferently. But this one's different."
"...?"
Did I? No? Nothing changed?
I've treated secretaries the same as always?
"I figured you'd be secretly disappointed if you lost her. So I lent a hand."
"...So, yesterday's actions were all for my sake?"
"Ah. Does it come off that way? Haha!"
Just like always. Laughing vacantly today too.
Normally she'd click her tongue, but today the Black Woman was different.
Not bad. She found herself smiling along without realizing.
"Enough. Get going. Aren't you busy infiltrating the Academy again?"
"Creating new identities turned out more fun than expected."
"After that stunt, their security must be tighter. You sure you can pull it off?"
"If I want to, anything's possible."
The Smiling Man's face twisted grotesquely, morphing into a completely different one.
So different, no one would imagine it was the same person.
If not for the identical aura, even the Black Woman would doubt it.
"That face-changing technique of yours never ceases to amaze. Fine. Handle it yourself."
"I'll show you something fun this time too. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Parting from the Boss, he left the Clan and headed to the surface.
From Smiling Man to Yushin. Back to nobody special.
As he changed and opened the door, he ran into Yi Bora.
"Ah."
"Oh, Secretary. Perfect timing—you're heading in. Boss is in a good mood today. Thought you'd like to know."
He waved playfully as if to say good luck, then walked off.
But suddenly, a tug on his sleeve made him turn.
"Um."
"Something you need?"
"About yesterday. Thank you."
Truth be told, both Yi Bora and Yushin knew exactly what she meant.
It wasn't thanks for saving her life.
It was gratitude for protecting the orphanage.
"Yesterday? Ah, you mean dealing with that trash. No big deal. Of course."
With that, Yushin tilted his head and whispered into Yi Bora's ear.
"It was fun, in its own way. Playing with the kids. Consider this payment for that."
"Ah..."
"Still, be careful. Next time, I might not be around?"
"Yes. From now on..."
"That's enough. I've got infiltration stuff to handle. Later."
He waved and seemed to walk away, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
No trace of where he went—not even a hint of his presence.
Yi Bora stared blankly in the direction the Smiling Man had disappeared.
"...Ah."
She'd brought it on purpose. Planned to hand it over the moment they met.
Ointment good for burns, after seeing his injured hand.
But like an idiot. She'd just stared and forgotten all about it.
He was a villain, sure. But he'd saved the children's lives.
Would there ever come a day when she could repay his kindness?