Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Black Woman's Gambit
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Oh, this is something!
The Black Woman appeared before his eyes. Yushin knew her well.
Or more precisely, he'd thought he knew her well.
The Clan had been the largest villain organization before the Brigade of Evil emerged.
It didn't wield the same powerful influence over villains as the Union did.
But for villains, nothing mattered more than overwhelming strength.
And the Clan owed its existence to this Black Woman.
Not because of any great managerial skills or talent for gathering people.
Simply because she was so strong that there were almost no equals to compare her to.
That's right. She was strong. She didn't particularly have any leadership qualities.
She wouldn't abandon her subordinates, but she didn't cherish them like her own body either.
If they got caught, it was because they were weak. If they died, it was because they were weak.
"Without my permission. You dare?"
She wasn't the type to spout cringey lines like that!
He truly hadn't seen this coming! Boss! Ahaha!
"The Clan Boss...!"
Valkyrie bit her lip, caught off guard.
Who would've thought she'd run into this woman here of all places.
She wanted to request backup right away rather than prepare for battle.
Doesn't it hurt your pride to ask for help instead of fighting first?
Maybe, but handling this crisis took priority.
She wasn't alone. Hero Academy cadets were right beside her.
And plenty of civilians hadn't evacuated the area yet.
Clashing with the Black Woman here would trigger a massive disaster.
She had to pressure her into holding back first.
"Don't act rashly. Hero."
But the Black Woman was a step faster than Valkyrie.
"I already know other heroes are nearby. They're probably almost here by now. Tell them to fall back."
"What do you...?"
"If you want the cadets and civilians dead, then don't bother."
"...!!"
The Smiling Man had told them to suppress their presence as much as possible to avoid alerting him.
They were S-Rank. If they hid on purpose, even the Seven Evils would struggle to detect them.
Yet the Black Woman already knew they were there.
"Smiling Man. You didn't set this up like...?"
"Oh, absolutely not. Hero Valkyrie. So this is...?"
Valkyrie suspected a trap, while the Smiling Man tried to clear the misunderstanding.
But once again, the Black Woman moved first.
"Shut your mouth. Don't you have plenty to say to me?"
"Oh, Boss. Could you go easy on me just a bit...?"
"Shut that mouth."
Kwajik!-
The Black Woman grabbed the Smiling Man by the collar.
Then hurled him with all her might beyond the building onto the street.
Kwang!!-
The road caved in, dust scattering everywhere.
"Hahaha! Boss, please go easy. This is pretty expensive clothing, you know."
"A guy trying to run away has a lot to say."
"Run away? That's a harsh thing to say!"
"A guy who said he'd bring down the Union, and now he's surrendering."
"Aigoo, Boss. That's...?"
"I'll kill you right here."
The Black Woman raised her arm high and swung it down with full force.
A terrifying boom echoed as the entire road collapsed.
"Waaah!!"
This could collapse the whole ground at this rate.
Forget the Smiling Man—Valkyrie decided to prioritize the cadets.
"Everyone! Grab my hand!"
"B-But the Smiling Man...!"
"You worried about that guy right now?! Hurry!!"
At least it was fortunate that the area nearby had been evacuated.
Now he understood why the Smiling Man had tipped them off about the location in advance.
If they'd rushed in blindly and this had happened...
'At least a few hundred people would've been buried alive in a horrific disaster.'
Kwagwang!!- Kuwoooo!!-
Small craters formed from the Black Woman's power.
No one could tell what was happening down there.
She tried to check inside, but Mana Threads encircled the area.
As if declaring they'd prevent any further collapses.
"What are you doing! Evacuate now!"
"Y-Yes! Instructor Valkyrie!"
Kang Yuna grabbed Seo Ha-eun, who kept glancing toward the Smiling Man.
Louise sighed at Jin Seo-ah's tense expression, full of worry.
"Sunbae! Don't come this way! Ah, no questions! If you do, this place really could turn into 'Ground Zero'!"
This wasn't a hero fighting a villain.
It was villain versus villain(?).
Evacuating the area took priority.
'The Smiling Man is a bit worrying, but...!'
The Mana Threads fluttered as if warning them not to approach.
Villain business for villains. You're a hero—do hero work.
As if that's what the Smiling Man was saying, Valkyrie quickly withdrew.
Kwang! Kbang!!-
"...?"
He ignored the continuous explosions without a care.
Focusing solely on the one person. The Black Woman sitting beneath the collapsed ground.
'As expected.'
If she'd really meant to kill him, it wouldn't have ended like this.
At the same time, she wouldn't have needed to cause this much commotion.
Once she decided to kill, it was already the guillotine.
A whole mountain wouldn't just get slammed into the ground like this.
"Sit."
So, this was probably to create this space.
To show the heroes. And to signal him too.
She was angry. Irritated. But willing to hear him out.
"You didn't have to go this far."
Yushin waved his hand, directing the Mana Threads.
The Black Woman activated her ability in sync.
Threads and debris sealed off the sunken ground.
In an instant, a secret space for just the two of them was ready.
"When did you even bring this? My goodness!!"
A Go board was set up before the Black Woman.
"Shall we play?"
"Refusing after coming this far feels like it'd earn me a beating! Hahaha!"
The Black Woman had already made many concessions to him.
For that reason, Yushin obediently sat before the board.
And as always, he reached for the bowl of white stones...
"No."
"Boss?"
"This time, you're black."
Take black instead of white. Yushin smacked his lips.
Despite the clear skill gap, she was giving him black.
This wasn't just swapping stones.
It was the Black Woman's message to the Smiling Man.
Since she'd decided to yield, she'd yield completely.
Expressed as a Go enthusiast. Through Go itself.
"...Thank you, Boss."
Yushin took black without hesitation and began the game.
Tak- Tak-
At first, only the sound of stones echoed amid silence.
After a few minutes, the Black Woman spoke first.
"What the hell are you thinking."
A blatant misjudgment. Yushin could only give a wry smile.
The Black Woman wasn't the type to care much about those below her.
That's how she'd been portrayed. So he'd assumed it was true.
Foolishly. When he'd kept veering off course.
Like the protagonists changing, he should've realized she might too.
"I'm sorry, Boss."
Spilled water couldn't be gathered back.
But it could be cleaned up. Thoroughly.
And that was one of the Smiling Man's specialties.
"I didn't set up this game to hear an apology."
Tak!-
The Black Woman placed her stone a bit forcefully and looked up.
Her eyes were chillingly calm. A quiet storm brewed.
Meeting her gaze, Yushin quickly sorted his thoughts.
'Turning you into a full enemy is tricky. I have to admit that.'
An enemy-turned-ally like himself was impossible.
But what about a neutral position? Neither solid enemy nor ally?
Opposing sometimes, cooperating occasionally?
Not impossible. He'd seen the potential on Ulleungdo.
'This seems worth reeling in.'
Hostility or dialogue. Once decided, the next move was swift.
"You want to bring down the Union and the heroes, right, Boss?"
"Yes."
"Me too. Holding this wonderful power, only to be restrained by petty morals and duties. Aren't they just idiots?"
The Black Woman nodded at Yushin's words.
"But taking down both at once is impossible."
"Impossible? Why?"
"They've built walls with that morality and duty crap, and those walls are tougher than expected. Damn. Doesn't that mean there are tons of people propping them up?"
The Black Woman wasn't a psycho killer like the Seven Evils.
She simply favored a world ordered by strength alone.
"People call us villains and insult us."
"That's enjoyable."
"Oh, why do that, Boss? That's not enjoyment—it's just tolerance."
"...?"
Tak!-
The Black Woman placed a white stone and crossed her arms.
Go on, she seemed to say.
"Killing off the Union and heroes with our own hands? Sure, that'd be fun. But wouldn't it be better to drag them down to our level?"
Strip away their facades, shatter their authority and trust completely.
Blur the lines between Union and Clan, hero and villain.
Then the world would finally recognize strength as supreme.
"Is that why you shook them up like this?"
"They'll crash soon, Boss. The very citizens they love, the morals and duties they chased so hard—those fangs will tear them apart."
"...?"
The Black Woman still hadn't uncrossed her arms.
Not placing a stone. Lingering suspicion.
"The downfall of those built not on strength, but something else. Wouldn't that be amusing?"
"I agree. Yeah, it'd be fun. When Ulleungdo was saved by you and me, watching the Union writhe was a sight to behold."
"See, Boss."
"But I felt one thing in the process."
Instead of a stone, a pale finger pointed at Yushin.
"I think you're changing."
Oh. Your instincts aren't bad.
You've sensed me drifting away.
Smiling, Yushin continued the game.
"It's natural, Boss."
While keeping lines she could fit into.
"Dyeing those hypocrites black, doesn't some of our own water drain away too?"
The silent Black Woman finally took a stone.
And quietly continued the game with Yushin.