Chapter 63

Chapter 63

-If I was too harsh, I apologize.

Does this guy have mind reading too?

Meanwhile, he kept talking.

-But I believe you know better than anyone that you're infinitely closer to a villain than a Hunter.

"Not really."

Being a Hunter actually suited my tastes surprisingly well.

-That's only your perspective. Do you really think the people who've been hurt by your hand would feel the same?

"If they don't like it, what are they going to do about it?"

-They'll come into conflict with you.

"Then they'll all die."

The light in those blue eyes intensified.

-The more you do that, the more enemies you'll make. And if they can't stand against you directly, they'll go after the people around you.

"I'll have to keep a tight leash on my surroundings, then."

But despite my words, something struck a chord. And it connected to the thread of everything I'd done so far.

That for every enemy I made, I needed to gain just as many allies.

-Choi Junho, doesn't it seem strange to you? You've only ever acted for the sake of justice, so why does the world keep trying to paint you as evil?

"......"

Perhaps taking my silence as agreement, Argos's voice grew more impassioned.

-It's because the world is broken. The arrogance of politicians who try to force everything into their own mold, regardless of whether it fits, has created this imbalance! This world needs to be overturned! And we are the only ones who can set it right!

"Sounds like League ideology."

-Right now, you're forcing yourself to fit into the world. You've convinced yourself that this is for the best. But the world won't try to understand you—it will demand more and more concessions. Everything must be give and take. Restrict, suppress, crush—the world's politicians oppress the Awakened to maintain their own power. And you, Choi Junho, are one of their victims.

I've never really been oppressed, though.

I killed everyone who needed killing, and saved everyone who needed saving.

"So attacking me with Blackhound was a persuasion tactic?"

-I apologize for that. Heinz had also been curious about your abilities for some time.

Normally, this would be the point where someone's patience would wear thin.

But I could tell Argos's heart was sincere.

-The League aspires to a horizontal structure. If you wish, you could take the leader's seat at the top of the League. You could engage in blood-soaked duels with the strong. With your power, you could take anything you want. Because you have the strength to do so. Power is qualification.

"That's a shame. A few words from you and everyone would've come running."

Argos is a villain now spoken of as a legend. And to villains, the League is an object of admiration—a few words from him and they'd all have come running.

But me? I was worse than you.

-So you think we're evil.

"Was I supposed to think otherwise?"

-That evil isn't limited to villains. It's the politicians who exploit others to hold onto their positions—they are the true evil. Choi Junho, join us.

"Forget it. And since that mutt hasn't shown himself, you must've pulled some kind of trick."

I'd expected Blackhound to surface over the sea by now, but there was no sign of him.

Must've done something—spatial translocation, an underwater hideout, something.

No reason to keep listening to this bullshit.

-Choi Junho, please, let's change the world together......

"You must've thought you were safe because you're far away."

I grabbed the eye with my hand. This eye probably worked on a principle similar to how the Puppeteer controlled his puppets.

I memorized the wavelength emanating from the eye and began tracing it backward. I memorized the shape of the wavelength, expanded my senses, and followed the direction the wavelength extended.

Then I detected another eye connected to this one, and another eye connected to that one. How many eyes are there? This was how Argos transcended the limits of distance. Judging by how the trail extended to Russia and then across the Pacific......

"These aren't even stepping stones."

It was so faint it was barely detectable—no, its existence itself was undetectable—but I could guess that Argos was in the United States.

I unleashed Arc Mines at the eye. Unable to withstand the force, the eye burst, and the eyes connected by wavelength burst in succession.

Puk! Peobeok! Puk! Puk!

More than ten eyes exploded before the flow of power suddenly cut off. Argos had artificially severed the connection.

Unlike the Puppeteer, the distance was too great to deal a blow to the main body.

But that meant he couldn't pull anything on me either.

Born to be a villain, my ass. Anyone can blend into society with enough effort.

"If you catch my eye, consider yourself dead."

* * *

In a spacious room furnished with only a few pieces of furniture, there were two men. One sat in a chair, while the other stood beside him like a guard.

The blond Western man in the chair wore a mysterious light in his eyes and a faint smile. His appearance was noble, beautiful, and sacred—like something out of a myth.

He was the founder of the League, known as the one who sees the world—Argos.

Puk!

The moment the dull impact resounded, blood streamed from both of Argos's eyes. Shortly after, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and unable to hold back the blood surging up from within, he began to vomit it out.

"Ugh!"

Blackhound, who had been watching from beside him, rushed over in alarm to support Argos.

"Are you all right, Al?"

"No, I'm not. This body won't hold out much longer. Heinz, could I ask a favor?"

"...Understood."

Blackhound nodded with a grim expression and reached his hand over his chest, and Argos closed his eyes.

A moment later, a pure white light enveloped Argos's entire body, and as the color drained from him completely, he collapsed like a corpse.

Above the rapidly cooling body, a pure white sphere formed and moved out of the room. Soon the door opened, and a man who looked exactly like the Argos who had just collapsed walked in.

"Wow, I heard you were impressive, but Head Breaker is no joke."

"Sorry. I got carried away for no reason."

"I was genuinely curious about your skills. You did well. I'm fine now."

"You were the one who told me to call you Messenger, you bastard."

"Haha, the fact that the great Heinz is cursing out loud just goes to show how impressive Head Breaker is. Ugh!"

At that moment, blood streamed from Argos's eyes.

"Al!"

"I'm fine. It's an aftereffect. Even after transferring bodies, it's like this. Seems similar to what Franz had, but it's incredibly potent."

Argos said, wiping the blood from around his eyes.

"So, how was Head Breaker?"

"Ferociously strong."

"That strong?"

"Don't act smug when you used Summon because you were worried about me."

"That was because I was afraid you'd get even more fired up. Did you really think our Heinz would lose? You're Blackhound, of all people."

Once Blackhound Roy Heinz catches fire, he doesn't let go until he sees it through to the end.

Because of that, countless Hunters lost their lives, and his fighting spirit toward the martial was never acknowledged, and he was branded a villain instead.

Argos had pulled him away before he could burn even hotter.

Blackhound clicked his tongue.

"He's not someone you gain anything from facing directly."

"Seems that way. He was truly born to be a villain, but he's the only one who doesn't know it."

Argos showed a hint of regret, but Blackhound spoke firmly.

"Even at full power, I can't guarantee the outcome, and his gift is well-suited to creating more casualties. Korea is high-risk for what we'd gain. Better to shelve it in our plans until his mind changes."

"......"

Argos sank into thought. His bloodless, pallid appearance was reminiscent of a wax figure rather than a person.

"What about the Twelve Zodiac?"

"Difficult."

"Is that so."

"What are you thinking?"

Argos, smiling white, looked utterly wicked.

"Just that it might be time for the Twelve Zodiac to get a fresh change of members."

"If you're going to do a half-baked job of it, better to leave it alone."

"Do you have a better idea?"

"If Choi Junho is the troublemaker you say he is, then just watching him will stir up chaos. Leave him be, and the world will brand him a villain on its own."

The world would never let Choi Junho remain a Hunter.

His forcefulness, his temperament, his bloodlust.

Everything about him was perfect for being mistaken as a villain.

Having experienced a world that dismissed pure fighting spirit as a villain's bloodlust, Blackhound believed he understood Choi Junho better than anyone.

'The world will make you a villain.'

As he recalled the past that suddenly surfaced and predicted Choi Junho's fate, Argos asked with a playful expression.

"Wasn't it that you wanted to fight him?"

"We can fight after he joins."

"All right. Korea is a place where it's hard for us to put down roots right now anyway, so let's do it your way, Heinz. But let's add a little seasoning."

"Fine. You rest now. I'll help you."

"I told you I'm fine. Don't worry so much."

"It's for the League, not for you."

"I suppose I have no choice."

Argos moved with Blackhound's support.

'To be able to land a hit on me all the way from Korea to America—what an interesting guy.'

* * *

I'd set out to chase Heartworker, but the League had shown up instead, so I contacted the National Guard Bureau. Before long, the Villain Task Force was dispatched.

Jung Dahyun, leading the Villain Task Force, squeezed her eyes shut at the sight of the scattered corpse fragments, then began searching the surroundings. They were looking for any remaining League members.

"......"

Jung Dahyun, who had been directing the scene and issuing orders, couldn't take her eyes off the completely devastated area.

It was where Blackhound and I had clashed. Was she reading the traces and flows around her? I could feel her Intuition gift growing stronger by the day.

"Haa!"

She was probably imagining the battle between me and Blackhound in her own way by now.

It's important to absorb that stimulus and let your imagination run wild. Force manipulation is based on imagination—the freer it becomes, the more it provides a stepping stone to reach higher levels.

After standing there blankly for a long while, Jung Dahyun barely pulled herself out of her reverie and looked at me.

"Who was it?"

"Blackhound."

"One of the League's Three Evils."

That's what they call the worst villains in the world who founded the League.

Jung Dahyun's expression was one of shock.

"Why would he be here......"

"It means he valued the Big Bang Series that much."

I didn't bother revealing the whole truth. I'd rejected Argos's offer, but what he'd said lingered in my mind.

He said I had no choice but to become a villain. But I'd struggled desperately to defy that fate. To fight against the madness that could visit me at any time, I'd restrained myself again and again.

If fate tries to swallow me whole—

Then I'll just kill fate too.

I will never go mad.

"...Yes."

She probably knew from Intuition that I wasn't telling her everything. Even though there must have been things she was curious about, Jung Dahyun didn't pry further.

Perhaps she thought the topic was too heavy, because she changed the subject.

"Anyway, that person betrayed the goodwill you showed him."

"He couldn't hold back his own greed."

"Please don't blame yourself too much."

...I don't feel anything about it, though.

Heartworker was someone I'd called upon because of a connection from my past life, and that was all. It was his processing method, so I gave him a chance and showed goodwill, but he betrayed me and I eliminated him. That was the end of it.

She seemed to be under some strange misunderstanding, but I didn't bother to correct it.

"Um, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"When I read the flow of your battle with Blackhound, there were a few places where it cut off."

"That's a bit difficult right now."

"Is it?"

I couldn't just ignore Jung Dahyun's disappointed expression.

"I mean not right now. I have to go straight to the Blue House. Let's set up a time soon."

"Yes!"

Jung Dahyun answered with a bright expression.

* * *

"......"

After returning to the Blue House, I repeated the explanation I'd given Jung Dahyun to Cheon Myeongguk, who had come in at dawn and been waiting.

"So there's no chance the League will make another move?"

"We'll have to wait and see."

"Right. I asked a foolish question. Anyway, Blackhound—how was it, facing the worst villain?"

"Strong."

"Could you tell me specifically how strong?"

I thought of the Level 8s I'd exchanged blows with and spoke.

"Stronger than Zhang Zidong and Berserker. Overwhelmingly stronger than Kim Younghwan."

The fun part is that among the three, only Berserker—the villain—is still alive. That tenacious bastard survived even after I smashed his heart twice.

I hope he opens up his Immunity to All Poisons soon.

"Heh, you've truly accomplished something tremendous. I'm relieved you're safe."

"Thank you for your concern."

Once I finished the report on the League, Cheon Myeongguk changed the subject.

"So, you're thinking of donating the Big Bang Series to the National Guard Bureau."

"That's right."

While the Big Bang Series kept selling out, Lee Sehee had set aside a portion for me.

I'd already donated the first batch to the Awakened Security Office. That was why Cheon Myeongguk had thanked me. I planned to donate the next batch to the National Guard Bureau.

Apparently I'd made his hair fall out, so I figured I owed him at least some compensation.

"Have you told Director Jung Juho yet?"

"I'm about to."

"Then how about calling him to the Blue House to discuss it?"

Why call him to the Blue House all of a sudden? Was there a reason to?

"Wouldn't a phone call be simpler?"

"Since it's the Transcendent Choi Junho making the donation, wouldn't it make a better picture if we dressed it up a bit?"

"I suppose so."

It might be excessive, but spreading word of a good deed helps improve one's image. I tend to forget things like that, so having someone remind me is a good thing.

Cheon Myeongguk wasn't finished.

"And there's one favor I'd like to ask. We're planning to promote Director Jung Juho to head of the newly established Administration. It's a high post at vice-ministerial rank."

"That's something to celebrate."

"But Director Jung Juho is refusing adamantly."

Well, Jung Juho isn't particularly ambitious. He's cautious, too.

Cheon Myeongguk spoke with a careful expression.

"So, I was wondering—when he comes to the Blue House this time, would you help persuade him?"

"Me?"

Would he even listen to me?

“Yes.”

“Would it help?”

“Of course. If the Transcendent Choi Junho speaks, Director Jung Juho will change his mind.”

“Understood.”

Cheon Myeongguk’s expression lit up. Was that really something to be so happy about?

Anyway, Jung Juho getting promoted. I’d be seeing him often from now on.

He’d be happy about it too, right?