Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Efficient Resource Management-1
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My life had changed in many ways. But there were plenty of things that hadn't.
I played games on a computer far better than the one I'd used before. But the games I actually played hadn't changed.
I'd always had a machine good enough to run high-spec games with some option compromises, and my tastes hadn't shifted much either.
Internet surfing was the same. Opening browser tabs to dig through pointless memes was still my daily routine, unchanged.
Then, inevitably, I clicked on a post I couldn't resist.
[Insanely Hot Villain Arrest Compilation.]
Awakened individuals were basically more beautiful than average women. Not without exceptions, but they generally had flawless skin and toned bodies.
That didn't mean such people couldn't become villains. Everyone commits crimes for their own reasons. And they got caught through various means, ending up in prison.
Prison security was pretty solid overall. Sure, every now and then you'd hear news like, "Villain XX, known to be incarcerated at XX Prison, has escaped." But even that had its limits.
You didn't see stories like villains storming a prison to rescue captured comrades, like in comics or games. It was only natural.
Such scenarios could only happen if villains outnumbered and outpowered heroes. But this world had Lee Ha-seon.
No matter how strong the villains were, the moment they organized enough to catch her eye, they were as good as dead. Even the most heavily guarded secret bases couldn't win against her.
Their survival strategy was concealment and disguise. They hid the very existence of their crime syndicates as thoroughly as possible. When that wasn't feasible, they linked up with politicians or lawyers, cloaking themselves as legitimate organizations.
Securing low visibility mattered more than building bombs big enough to threaten nations.
They formed small, efficient organizations that stayed off Lee Ha-seon's radar as much as possible, using them to commit petty but profitable crimes that didn't demand her priority attention, steadily accumulating funds. That was how most crime groups operated.
Storming a prison was the polar opposite—a plan only a lunatic villain would attempt.
As a result, villains who ended up in prison were forgotten.
"Freckhood... This villain was terrifying before capture, but once she went in, everyone forgot about her."
It was the information age. Just as military ops got live-streamed worldwide, villain arrests and footage flooded the internet.
Villains resisted with their powers, heroes charged in and systematically beat them down.
Villains screamed in agony, writhing, before powerful restraints bound their bodies.
It was a bit erotic. The villain's mask torn away to reveal a stunning face, her skintight black outfit hugging feminine curves. The fight ripped it just enough to expose skin.
The restraints wrapping and pressing against breasts or hips added unintended emphasis. Not full-on adult video material, but it had its appeal.
Afterward, mugshots were taken. She still glared defiantly at the camera, but the public felt no fear or anxiety toward her anymore.
A stream of short clips and photos continued below.
Arrest footage and mugshots.
And promotional photos from the prison where they were held.
Fuck... this is so damn hot. Why are these bitches villaining around with bodies like that? They could've made a killing in porn.
Anyone who isn't a total retard doesn't become a villain lol. What do they even think they can do? Beat up some easy cops until Lee Ha-seon shows up and wipes them out.
Honestly, isn't it a national waste for hot girls like that to rot in prison, squandering their youth and lives?
So you want to let them go? Get real, dumbass. They look hot now, but out on the street, they'd slaughter dozens or hundreds without batting an eye.
No, they should pay their debt with their bodies. Just chain 'em to a wall and fuck 'em senseless. Would be so hot.
So damn trashy...
I'm not wrong, am I? These bitches wrecked buildings and killed people, costing a fortune in taxes. They should pay it back with their bodies.
Villains caught in America, so even if something like that actually happened, the commenter wouldn't see any benefits.
'Ha...'
At some point, I felt my pants straining against my hardening cock.
'This isn't easy.'
My libido had spiked compared to before. Sometimes it stood up without warning or reason. The discomfort when unsatisfied was way worse too.
'The effects are starting to show, huh.'
The "affects those around you" penalties from all those women. I was taking the full brunt of those changes.
Becoming more depraved. Self-control slipping bit by bit. Thoughts of "I want to fuck women" dominating my mind more and more.
Maybe it was inevitable since hugging Lee Ha-seon, but I was changing. Just like I was changing others.
'Don't think about it.'
I couldn't help but resent Nafre a little.
If I'd known I couldn't do anything to the women in those videos, I wouldn't be agonizing now.
I'm not crazy enough to think, "Since I can boss Lee Ha-seon around, I can have whatever I want, right? Those hot prison villains—should I tell her to offer them to me?"
But because Nafre had shown me what I could do, those thoughts crept in. I couldn't help it.
Celebrities, heroes, villains.
If Humanity's Shield could control or access them, maybe I could order Nafre to drag them to my bed.
"Haa..."
I shook my head.
I hadn't fallen that far yet.
"Why are you doing this, Meggie? Just give me a little more."
In the prison holding villains.
Villain Jenny Carter stared desperately at the prison staffer, tray in hand.
"It's been ages since we had proper chicken stew. I can't settle for just this."
"Sorry, Jenny. There's a line behind you."
"You messing with me? The guy in front got way more than this! At least double!"
"..."
"I've been locked up here for years, not a day or two. This many people? Plenty of stew left, right?"
"Sorry, really sorry, Jenny."
Meggie bowed her head, avoiding eye contact. Jenny let out a deep sigh.
"Fine, whatever."
She didn't say it aloud, but she grasped the situation instantly.
Orders from above. Whatever it was, treat Jenny like shit.
Even her friend Meggie couldn't defy that. Dragging it out would just draw glares from those behind her.
Jenny took her hard bread and cold, congealed jam to the table.
Another filthy, miserable prison day began.
Prisons were businesses. The inmates they held were valuable resources that drew tax funding just by existing, plus free labor.
They didn't let that money-making potential sit idle.
"This mock battle... it's different from what we were told beforehand?"
Jenny eyed the five villains lined up before her.
Unfair fight. She had solid powers herself, but not against this.
"Orders from above."
Mock battles. A staple prison business.
Pit inmates against each other, film it, sell as paid service.
For a $10 monthly sub, watch famous villains brawl in captivity. Indulge in dream matchups easily.
To civilians, Awakened fights were decent spectacle. But hero-vs-villain clashes were rare, and civilian casualties made them hard to enjoy carefree.
Villain-on-villain in a controlled prison? Different story. Pure, thrilling Awakened combat, no worries.
"Does this crap even sell? Aren't we all doing this for the money?"
But it was still a show. A business for profit. No point in unprofitable fights.
Even matchups sparking "Who'll win?" curiosity sold steadily.
When a socially reviled new villain arrived, rig her to lose—film her getting brutally beaten by others. "Righteous punishment videos" that raked in cash.
"Who's getting off on me getting beat?"
But Jenny had been inside two years. Beating on her lacked freshness for sales.
"What can we do? Orders from up top."
"At least give me a script or something... Damn it."
Jenny could feel it.
The prison was tormenting her.
'Why?'
Tormenting one inmate wasn't rare. But usually, there was reason.
Inmate stirring trouble with fights, defying orders.
Prison harassment relied on the inmate's "voluntary consent" when they couldn't force it officially. A common tactic.
But for it to work, the prison had to offer something. Give the torment meaning.
Jenny was dragged to the mock battle arena. Mercilessly pummeled, as expected.
No upload to the official channel. Pure, meaningless harassment.
A while later, Jenny learned why the prison was tormenting her.
"Nice to meet you. I have a proposal. I think you'll be thrilled."
Diana Collinsford.
A U.S. House of Representatives member stood before her.