Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Reason I Hate You All
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The world's most enjoyable Saturday morning.
"Waaaah!"
"Kyaaah!!"
The children heading to Yeouido Hangang Park let out excited whoops.
Whenever kids their age grabbed their parents' hands and went out for a day trip anywhere...
These children had grown up too fast and had to accept that it was impossible for them.
Abandoned by their families. Or losing their entire families at once.
They had been convinced they could never go on outings like this.
On the way to Hangang Park, Lee Bora glanced slightly at the person sitting next to her.
Villain-level immersion in the news. This was surprising in its own way.
Meanwhile, the children's cheers grew louder as they arrived at their destination.
As they began to get off the bus, the commotion was about to peak.
"Okay, okay! Pay attention!"
Sure enough, the director quickly stepped in to calm things down.
"What did the director say?"
"There are a lot of other people here!"
"That's right. And what do we do when there are a lot of other people around?"
"We have to be careful!"
Just in case they got lost. Just in case something unexpected happened.
Even to avoid any finger-pointing among the orphanage kids.
After repeating the precautions several times, the director called over the volunteers.
"Please take good care of them today. During lunchtime, the staff and I will handle it somehow, so you can take a break then."
The few volunteers. Lee Bora, and even Yushin.
Once they nodded, the outing officially began.
There were many young kids, but they weren't as hard to control as expected.
As mentioned, these were children who had matured early, knowingly or not.
They instinctively knew what would happen if they caused trouble.
They knew how to read adults' expressions and suppress their own childish urges.
"Hmm. Everyone seems to be enjoying the picnic without any major worries, huh?"
"Yeah. The director was really anxious since it's their first outing."
While keeping an eye out to ensure no child strayed from the group...
Lee Bora subtly scanned the surroundings, assessing the situation.
She had emphasized that they absolutely must not give anything away.
If the Smiling Man decided to cause a scene, stopping him would be impossible.
Come alone or with a tiny group—no guards or anything.
Fortunately, her argument had worked; nothing suspicious was felt.
In two hours, it would be lunchtime. They could use that to head to the meeting spot.
A convenience store was perfect as an excuse. Just say they were grabbing coffee.
Maybe because of the Black Woman, the Smiling Man also loved Omega Coffee.
She knew there was even a new Omega Coffee product at convenience stores.
It couldn't be more perfect. They had to make this meeting happen.
'The Smiling Man is too... valuable to stay just a villain.'
Even though this was precious time with the children.
How long had it been since she started feeling like things were moving too slowly?
"Volunteers! Go get some food! Take an hour break and come back here!"
As everyone distributed the lunchboxes prepared since early morning...
The volunteers dispersed to enjoy their brief rest at the director's words.
They too had received handmade lunchboxes.
"Ooh. I have to eat the smelly orphanage kids' lunch too. This is really something to look forward to!"
"..."
What an odd villain, anyway.
Lee Bora checked the time slyly. 12:12 p.m. The appointment was at 12:30.
If the Smiling Man took his time eating, it could be a problem...
"Mm. As expected, orphanage lunch is nothing special. Hahaha!"
"..."
He finished every last grain in under five minutes.
Anyway, good. This secured some time buffer.
"Hey, Smiling Man."
"Post-meal coffee is the truth again. What do you say, Secretary? There's a convenience store nearby; let me buy you one."
"...Really?"
"The boss's favorite Omega Coffee even has products in convenience stores. Time to go leave my sharp review."
You'd probably say 'hahaha!' and love anything you eat.
As she moved with the Smiling Man, Lee Bora's heart pounded harder.
The promised meeting spot, notified in advance, came into view ahead.
ZU Hangang Yeouido Dock No. 1. A bench nearby.
A man who appeared to be the 7th Team Leader was drinking coffee there.
She glanced around, but no other agents were visible.
Good. As she insisted, really just the minimum personnel.
'Just a little more.'
The closer they got to the 7th Team Leader, the more her body hair stood on end.
As pre-arranged, the team leader would deliberately emit a suspicious aura.
The moment she sensed it, she and the Smiling Man had to react in unison.
"Hahaha."
"..."
"Oh dear."
Now!
"...Step back!"
The instant she saw the approaching 7th Team Leader, she showed intense wariness.
Her eyes burned with hostility. More villainous than any villain.
As if she yearned to kill the man standing before her right then.
"Calm down, Secretary. You're too tense!"
"Don't try any tricks. Unless you want all the civilians around here dead."
The Smiling Man trying to hold her back. Lee Bora threatening the 7th Team Leader.
The scene was perfect. Convincing enough.
"Smiling Man. I had a hunch, but I never thought we'd meet like this."
"Strange, isn't it? Too odd to call it coincidence, right, Secretary?"
"Yeah. Good luck. I happen to have an ability that's great at finding people."
"My goodness. The wannabe stalker was right here. I should call the police right now."
She worried the Smiling Man might explode in rage.
But as expected, he just glanced around mildly.
Seemingly mindful of the many civilians who could get caught in the crossfire.
"Since we've met like this, allow me a proper introduction. I'm Kim Sung-sik, in charge of the Union Korea Branch's 7th Team."
She nearly lost control of her expression at his words.
Revealing the existence of the 7th Team? Wasn't that top-top secret?
Disclosing something even hidden within the Union to a villain?
"I'm in charge of monitoring villains like you."
"A job befitting a seasoned stalker. Done with introductions? My turn?"
"Smiling Man. Any thoughts on surrendering now?"
Straight to surrender demands? Isn't that a bit much?!
But on second thought, it was actually better this way.
If they wanted to stress it was an unintended encounter...
Better to cut the fluff and get bluntly to the point.
"The Ulleungdo incident has greatly improved our Union's evaluation of you."
"My goodness. Should I say I'm honored? Hahaha! Ah, honor is dried persimmon! Hahaha!"
"...Honor belongs to our Union. Who could've imagined a villain—the Smiling Man—would help?"
Perhaps to create a relaxed atmosphere, the 7th Team Leader sat on the bench.
The Smiling Man, not to be outdone, emphasized his own nonchalance.
Other villains would suspect a trap and be on high alert.
But he wanted to show he was completely different from those guys.
"You're already not a villain, despite being one. Know what I mean?"
"No idea."
"Even villains might treat you as an enemy."
"Aha. I see. What shocking news; I don't know where to put myself."
It was mockery. Sneering at her intact self.
Why bother with threats or intimidation that wouldn't work?
Lee Bora hid her inner anxiety and growled deliberately.
"Smiling Man. Let's leave this place now. They won't dare move recklessly. The civilians around us are enough hostages."
"So she says."
"Hurry! If the boss finds out, she'll get suspicious!"
"And who are you? Not sure, but you're definitely an idiot. Didn't your boss pull that stunt saving people on Ulleungdo too?"
"Ants like you shouldn't try to understand human whims! Don't spout nonsense!"
"What a loyal retainer."
The hostile atmosphere was just right at this level.
The team leader casually played the news footage he had been watching.
"Think about it. By villain standards, you're a traitor. I guarantee you won't end up well. More importantly, you haven't harmed civilians, right? Why not come over and do some real good?"
"What about the heroes I killed?"
"I don't know. That's for the higher-ups to decide. Who knows—someone as big as you might get it downplayed somehow?"
If it were before, she'd have dismissed it as nonsense.
But now, even Lee Bora found herself nodding.
The Smiling Man's prowess was already renowned worldwide.
Ask any of the visible civilians; they'd know.
If they could recruit the Smiling Man as an ally, what would they do?
At least three in ten would say yes with just some convincing.
"Join the Union, huh. Hmm, quite the sudden proposal."
The Smiling Man crossed his arms while seated, smiling.
Then, a brief silence hung between them.
The only sound was from the news the team leader had on.
"Perhaps."
How much time had passed? The Smiling Man spoke.
"Someday, I might actually change my mind and surrender."
"Really?!"
"But."
He wagged his index finger side to side. As if telling them not to even dream.
"Not to you. Not to the Union."
The Smiling Man flashed a bright smile.
"The one I'd surrender to is 'heroes'."
What did that mean? Heroes, not the Union.
When Union and heroes were treated as the same these days.
Why separate them and choose only one?
"Ah! Of course, if the Union hands over what's coming soon, who knows! Hahaha!"
At the same time. Union Korea Branch building.
"Wh-what the hell is that?!"
"A person? Not a person?"
"C-call 119 now! N-no! Call the heroes!"
Two men beaten to a pulp, half-dead.
Stripped naked and bound with threads, dangling in midair.
Swaying limply, as if proudly displayed by someone.
In fact, signs hung around their necks.
"What is that? What happened?"
The Union valued its authority immensely.
That's why they built the branch in the busiest area.
To show off the Union's grandeur to everyone.
Thus, all passersby witnessed the scene.
Rescue efforts revealed them to be the missing Hero Academy cadets.
One was even the son of a Union branch high-ranking official.
The branch erupted in chaos upon realizing their identities.
At the same time, an email arrived at every broadcasting station.
The subject line was extremely concise.