Designated as an R-Rank Villain

"...Is this really okay?"

"Of course it is, Director."

In the pitch-black darkness behind the stage, a young woman's voice and that of an older man filled the silence.

"What if it fails?"

"That's accounted for too."

This was a massive convention hall right in the heart of Seoul.

Beyond the slightly parted curtain, the swarm of reporters was overwhelming enough to make anyone freeze.

Today marked the largest press conference in history.

From this moment on, I had to face the barrage of flashes alone.

I rubbed my slightly tense hands and swallowed a sigh.

I'm the Hunter Association President.

Every word I say from now on determines the fate of my staff.

For their sake, I couldn't show even a hint of weakness.

Squaring my shoulders, I faced forward and prepared to step out.

One step, two steps—and just before emerging from behind the curtain.

"Director."

I turned to the man standing behind me one last time.

"...Yes."

"Trust me."

"..."

Ignoring the silence, I stepped forward.

Flashes exploded wildly in response.

Good thing I always walk with my eyes closed, I thought as I made my way to the microphone.

"...Ah. Ah. Hello, citizens of the nation. This is Hunter Association President Lee So-yul."

I quickly tested the mic and voice levels, then offered a light greeting.

"Regarding the recent controversial incident..."

I addressed the Baldojang controversy and issued an apology.

Stepping aside from the mic to bow, flashes erupted on cue.

After rattling off the direction of responsibility and future measures, the main topic arrived.

"Now, I will share the information you're most curious about."

A brief pause followed my words, and the flashes began to die down.

With every reporter's full attention locked on me.

"After careful measurement and discussion of Baldojang's awakening level by the Hunter Association, we have designated her awakening rank as R-rank."

"..."

The moment Lee So-yul's voice rang out, the entire convention hall fell into stunned silence.

Radiant.

Abbreviated as R-rank.

That letter, etched onto only four awakeners in history, signified the power to challenge a nation single-handedly.

Amid the frozen reporters at the announcement of such a being emerging in Korea.

Clack—

The sound of a small ballpoint pen hitting the floor broke the ice.

"Is that true, President?!"

"Does that mean an R-rank awakener has been buried as C-rank for seven years?!"

"Is this certified by the International Awakener Association!?"

Questions tangled into chaos, and I savored the pandemonium without intervening.

"Furthermore, the Hunter Association designates awakener Baldojang..."

And as the disorder peaked.

Villain.

An awakener with criminal suspicions.

Attaching that title—categorized as evil by default—to Baldojang swept through the nation like a storm.

The first explosion came from the live broadcast chat of the press conference stream.

A massive tsunami of frantic messages surged in confusion.

"Furthermore, Baldojang's identity and other information will be strictly classified..."

News outlets piled on with Lee So-yul's successive statements, amplifying the tsunami.

But the chaos soon shifted direction.

It started in the blazing Awakener Gallery.

A single voice sparked and spread like wildfire.

As that voice permeated society at large.

"So now I'm an anonymous R-rank Villain?"

"R-rank needs international recognition to be official, but this should be etched in the public's mind. Satisfied, milady?"

"What should we name the kid?"

"Oh my."

The controversy's star was sparkling at the sudden concept hook.

"Hehe. I get the excitement, but I'm not done yet."

"What's left?"

"From now on, the Association and Korea bear no responsibility for Villain Baldojang's actions. So..."

"No one gets wrongly held accountable because of me?"

"Hehe."

She handled my requests perfectly, sweeping away every potential snag.

Textbook execution.

But one thing still nagged.

"Why go this far?"

"Because you're worth it, milady."

"...Not gonna tell me, huh?"

"Hehe."

These Yongin folk never spill straight.

"Alright, gotta go. See you someday, milady."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"No problem."

With that, I tossed the phone on the desk, checked the time.

Computer screen: 8:55 AM.

Perfect timing, I thought, heading to the capsule.

Sat down as usual, powered on, launched Libion Arc.

When my vision cleared, a rickety table greeted me first.

"...Baldojang?"

And Chaerin, staring wide-eyed.

"Hey."

"Not 'hey'! Did you see the press conference!?"

"Yeah."

"And you're this chill...? I'd be panicking, hands shaking..."

"No big deal."

Villain tag or not, no bounty or anything.

"Let's watch the prelims."

I hit the stream start button and stood.

"...You turned on the stream?"

"Yeah."

"Why...?"

Chaerin trailed off, flustered.

Why? Because...

"I'm a streamer."

The chat surged, viewer count skyrocketing alongside.

Chaerin frantically fiddled with the stream panel as numbers climbed.

"Should I... slow the chat or not?"

"Chaerin, you didn't turn on your stream?"

"Yeah, somehow..."

"Why...?"

"..."

I eyed her in bewilderment, and her gaze sharpened coldly.

Then her hands lunged, yanking my cheeks.

"Ahhaeur." (Ow.)

"I know it doesn't hurt! I'm just... worried for nothing..."

"Gyeonhyeonghaeyo?" (Worried?)

"...Shut up."

She yanked silently for a while after.

"Phew... Anyway, slow chat or nah?"

"It's fine."

"...Got it."

With Chaerin's permission confirmed, chat exploded joyfully.

Viewers hit near 50k as messages flew.

"...You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Just lower the chat window."

My words triggered a flood of question marks.

"Is this right...?"

"C'mon, Chaerin. Prelims are starting."

As I headed to the restaurant door, Chaerin's voice trailed behind once more.

"Is this really the right call...?"