Chapter 145: The World’s Strongest and Fish Sausages.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 145: The World’s Strongest and Fish Sausages.
The red-haired maid was picking out frozen dumplings and beer, as if she had no intention of being hostile toward me.
…The world’s strongest person buying frozen dumplings and beer? That kind of ruins the image.
[I’m telling you this because you seem to be misunderstanding, but I am not buying these for myself.]
Ah, I see. That’s a relief.
Haha, well, now that we’ve cleared up the misunderstanding, shall we say our greetings?
“Well then, goodbye…!”
As in, I’m out of here!
[Hmm, are you perhaps afraid of me?]
The moment I tried to make a run for it, my wrist was caught.
…I mean, fuck, wouldn’t it be normal to be afraid? Huh?
The last time we met, I had just recovered my memories, so my emotions were a bit all over the place, and I didn’t want to look like a coward in front of Seo-ha.
[Ah, my apologies. It was somewhat disheartening to see you react that way when we aren’t even in combat. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.]
She readily let go of my wrist, but I was certain that if I tried to run again, she would just grab me somewhere else.
[I simply wish to have a conversation. I, too, am something of a stranger in this world.]
Her tone felt friendly in a way, but to be honest, I didn’t trust her one bit.
She was someone who hadn’t existed before my regression. She was clear evidence that something had intervened.
[You aren’t letting your guard down. I understand, but it is a pity. As I mentioned before, despite my position, I am more well-disposed toward you than you might think.]
I hear you, but just because a human is well-disposed toward a chick doesn’t mean the chick feels safe around the human.
[You are quite like a cat.]
“Excuse me…?”
[I have never been popular with cats.]
Leaving behind those cryptic words, she paid for her items, then bought a single fish sausage and pressed it into my hand.
What is this? Is she telling me to fight with this from now on?
[It is for you to eat. Your expression was so full of wariness. I hope our next meeting can be a bit more amicable. Until then.]
She really just said that and walked out of the convenience store, fading into the distance.
…If I told the others I met the world’s strongest person at a convenience store and got a fish sausage, would they believe me?
They’d probably tell me to stop talking out of my ass, right?
* * *
It was sudden, but I decided to re-examine my goals.
The ultimate goal went without saying, but since there were tasks looming in the near future, I felt the need to look back and organize things.
First, once the upcoming end-of-semester ranking tournament was over, I had to start recruiting comrades to join me in my villainous activities in earnest.
I’ve already sown the seeds for this, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
— Are you still planning to continue that villain roleplay?
Sun Wukong’s voice suddenly echoed in my head, sounding a bit fed up.
“Of course. Recovering my memories is one thing, but if anything, it’s made me more certain. What are you talking about?”
Yes, I became more certain after regaining my memories.
Not just Lilac, but all the kids need to get stronger.
Lilac wasn’t a protagonist who could accomplish anything or a perfect superhuman.
I know better than anyone that even he can die from the smallest mistake.
Of course, I no longer harbor the arrogant thought that I can handle everything alone.
In the end, it was essential to provide him with trials he could endure to help him grow, just as I had been doing.
That way, he would be able to face the first disaster that arrives after the second semester ends.
The disaster that drove Lilac to his death before my regression.
“Well, for now, there are more urgent matters.”
Specifically, I have to go to the sea during summer vacation.
No, I’m not just going there to play; something is scheduled to be born around then.
The being destined to become the boss of our villain organization will soon be born.
A being originally set to be the final boss of this world, raised as evil by the hands of the Twelve Zodiacs, and eventually released because even they couldn’t handle it.
I plan to retrieve it and raise it as our organization’s boss.
Is that about it for the immediate to-do list?
Well, there are still a few minor incidents left in the first semester, but they aren’t massive events, so I should be able to wrap them up quickly.
Now that I’ve reviewed my goals, shall I start tackling what I can do one by one?
“Haa…!”
“Good! Your movements are getting sharper!”
Specifically, starting with my sparring sessions with Professor Cathy.
I was gradually getting closer to my past movements, but I was still far from enough.
For now, I need to increase my personal martial prowess to make everything else easier, right?
Of course, I lost today’s spar as well.
I can hold my own against my sister, but Professor Cathy is still impossible.
Professor Cathy smiled brightly and wiped my sweat, mentioning there were only two days left until the week was up.
…But why is she tucking away the towel she used to wipe my sweat so preciously? It’s not what I think it is, right? I trust you, Professor.
* * *
The most popular guy in the first year is Cheon Yu-hak.
With his signature handsome face, skills that rivaled Lilac for the top spot, and his background as the legitimate heir of the Cheon family, he was already popular. But after his birthday party, his fame soared even higher.
Second place was a tie between Lilac and Ha-ni. In terms of pure popularity, Lilac had more than the feminine-looking Ha-ni, but because a sc~ary fierce dog was guarding Lilac’s side, many people found it hard to approach him despite his easygoing and kind atmosphere.
And surprisingly, next was me.
Wait, what?
I figured things were better than before since I cut my hair and people occasionally talked to me, but I didn’t realize it was to this extent.
Besides, because I had that weird loser image at the start of the semester, there were just as many jealous people as there were people who liked me, so it wasn’t very obvious.
So how did I find out all of a sudden?
It was because Lilac showed me something rather hideous after I finished my morning training—which I was finally getting used to—and headed to class after a refreshing shower.
Specifically, it was Lilac’s smartphone, and on the screen was a poster-like image made by splicing together photos of four people: Lilac, Cheon Yu-hak, Ha-ni, and me.
“Lilac. What kind of crazy joke is this? I had a great time hanging out with you guys yesterday, so what more do you want that you’re bullying me like this?”
“Um, honestly, I wish it were a joke too, but Yu-na was the one who found it.”
When I looked at Lee Yu-na, she just shrugged, indicating she didn’t know much either.
“I just found it while looking for final exam materials. It seems to be a membership-based cafe, and since there are a lot of girls from the Academy, there’s quite a bit of related material posted there.”
“…So what kind of site is it?”
“Nothing much. They just share photos of the four of you. Aside from the fact that they’re candid shots, it’s just everyday stuff like you guys eating or chatting. I think we could report it if it makes you uncomfortable, but if I can give you some advice, if you tighten the leash on things like this, they’ll just hide in places that are even harder to find next time.”
Ha-ni looked a bit displeased but seemed to think it wasn’t worth hunting down every single person. Lilac and Cheon Yu-hak, for different reasons, were of the mind to let it slide.
“Well, fine. It’s not like they’re embarrassing photos…”
“Oh, they have stuff like this for you, too.”
[Fancam of Main Vocal Kang So-hyun’s Solo Concert. Cheon Yu-hak’s Birthday Party. There’s some background noise. ㅠㅠ]
Should I kill them, Master? Yes, don’t hold back.
“What the… fuck.”
It’s so absurd that I’m having the strangest thoughts. I mean, why would anyone share a video of someone else singing for a talent show…? And who’s the main vocal?
“Well, honestly, I understand why they’d want to record it. You’re a good singer.”
I really don’t like the way the kids are snickering.
However, among those teasing me with grins, there was one person whose face was turning pale.
Kim Ga-eul.
She alone couldn’t keep her eyes still, looking like a child hiding a mistake.
…Is it you?
It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one who made that site.
Recalling how she secretly started a Cheon Yu-hak fan club in the original story, this was a very reasonable suspicion.
My eyes met Ga-eul’s.
As I stared at her intently, even though I didn’t say a word, Ga-eul began to tremble with a tearful face.
It really is you.
Seriously, just when I’m about to forget, you pull these bratty antics.
Well, since the others found out, she’ll probably handle it appropriately on her own now.
I’ll let it slide just this once, so behave yourself, Ga-eul. You’re really going to get it if you keep this up, okay?
Seeing her nod as if she understood my silent warning, I felt I could rest easy.
* * *
In any group, if there are those who stand out, there are also those who fall behind.
Leilan Academy, comprised of those aiming to be heroes, was no exception.
In fact, because they were superhumans aiming for heroism, most of them believed they were the best before enrolling. When they couldn’t accept the reality that they were falling behind others, they sought the cause elsewhere, accelerating their own distortion.
They were what people commonly called the Academy’s delinquent circles.
The strange thing was that such people rarely envied those who were overwhelmingly superior to them.
They always found comfort in looking at those below them and slandered those who managed to crawl up from a similar position.
“Hey, isn’t this guy annoying?”
And this time, the one who became their target simply for being ‘annoying’ was a freshman named Kang So-hyun.
“…Are you crazy? He’s the heir to the Yuseong Group, you idiot.”
“I heard he’s famous for being the black sheep of the family, though?”
The reason this boy harbored jealousy and anger toward Kang So-hyun was truly trivial, and there was no particular reason why he bashed him without any basis.
He didn’t like how a loser, who was surrounded by strange rumors at the start of the semester, was now hanging out with the Freshman Representatives just because he was close to them.
He hated how So-hyun seemed to be pampered by kindness that he himself had never received, and it grated on him that despite being nothing special without Cheon Yu-hak and Lilac, So-hyun was surrounded by pretty girls.
And what was with this fan cafe? Does he think he’s some kind of celebrity?
He hated how So-hyun seemed to act subtly superior just because he was lucky enough to be by their side.
It was for reasons like that.
“…So, we’re going to take him down?”
“Ah, fuck. We’ll get caught if we do it ourselves. Isn’t the end-of-semester ranking tournament coming up?”
“…Oh, you’re going to make the first-years who joined the circle do it?”
“Yeah. Can’t the juniors do a little favor for their seniors?”
“It’d be even better if they humiliated him in front of the girls, right?”
“I like how well we communicate.”
The other boy, who had initially been reluctant for fear of consequences, seemed to find it interesting once he heard they wouldn’t have to get their own hands dirty.
“Hey, but the freshmen might lose to him.”
“So what if they lose? As long as there’s no proof we ordered it, it’s fine. And who am I? Don’t worry, I have a plan, you bastard.”
He pulled a colorful pill out of his pocket.
“With this, even a freshman can go on a rampage as much as any decent hero.”
“Whoa, what? You’re giving them that? You must really hate him.”
They grinned as they looked at the pill that reeked of danger.
* * *
“Done!”
While Ha-ni prepared dinner—insisting on doing it alone even when I offered to help—the list I had been jotting down whenever I thought of it over the past few days was finally complete.
“What kind of names did you write down so densely?”
“Oh, just something~”
Honestly, I was worried my memory might be a bit fuzzy, but I managed to write down all the major players.
“Oh, you’re not going to tell me?”
“They’re just some punks in the Academy. They’re bad news, don’t worry about them.”
“Then why are you worrying about them? You gonna crush some delinquents?”
“I can’t say I’m not.”
The names written here weren’t just simple delinquents.
To be precise, it was a list of punks who would fall into villainy after graduation.
Whether in the original story or the 1st timeline, these bastards consistently and stubbornly became villains, so their behavior wouldn’t be any different this time.
Especially these idiots.
I wanted to thoroughly crush the main culprits of the ‘Ability Awakening Drug Incident’ before summer vacation was over if possible.
If I fail, the Academy will become a drug den for a while. I don’t have time to enjoy a youth drama as it is; drugs are out of the question.
It’s a good way to level up the kids in a minor way, and I’ll probably get a hefty amount of points for solving a drug case.
“It might be good to go crush them with the kids later.”
They aren’t exactly ‘large-scale trash,’ but I get points for clearing out ‘small-scale trash,’ right? It’s a total win.