Being a Villain is My True Calling

The original work featured three hackers.

‘One on the heroes’ side, another belonging to Eclipse as the Instructor, and finally an independently operating villain.’

One might wonder why there were only three.

‘It was all because of a single hero.’

The C-rank hero, Cyber Ghost.
The aforementioned hero-affiliated hacker, while possessing no combat abilities to justify a higher rank, exerted an influence exceeding even A-rank.

‘Single-handedly handling all major cyber crimes within the virtual realm.’

He could infiltrate the internet, extract information, disable entire sites, and even wiretap individual communications.

Omnipresent within cyberspace, yet leaving no traceable footprints – a true cyber phantom.

Of course, being human, he refrained from indiscriminately monitoring personal calls or text messages.

He was far too preoccupied dealing with cyber crimes occurring worldwide.

‘Simple gambling sites, drug trafficking, illegal trading, data breaches of major villain organizations, and more…’

Dozens of villain organizations had been dismantled thanks to his efforts.
Five years since becoming a hero, no one currently could rival his prowess.

Consequently, hackers naturally gravitated away from villainy.

Villain organizations further fortified isolated databases, handling critical information exclusively through hard copies as a precaution.

He was their top priority target – the tyrannical ruler of the internet, unstoppable.

‘At least, until a certain villain emerged.’

“Brother. Not here either?”

“Hmm… it doesn’t seem so.”

“Then let’s just get some ice cream and go.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Glitch.

Beginning as a C-rank villain,
She would eventually paralyze all electronic systems across Korea and neighboring countries, hijacking military combat machines to orchestrate terrorism, ultimately ascending to S-rank.

While her combat abilities were comparable to Cyber Ghost’s, her overall threat level warranted the prestigious S-rank villain classification.

“Brother, catch.”

“Thank you.”

An eccentric, unaffiliated villain even in the original work.
While uncertain why she had become my fan, her favoritism was certainly welcome.

‘Ideally, I’d like to recruit her as my subordinate.’

After enjoying ice cream with Ga-yeon on a bench, we spatial translated to another arcade.

‘Hopefully, she’ll be here.’

“Hehehe! Awesome! Awesome!!”

And shortly after, I located a particular girl.
Her adorable appearance, coupled with a cat-eared hoodie, made her stand out.

‘Found her.’

Upon seeing her, I instantly recognized the future S-rank villain, Glitch.

“Oraoraoraoraoraoraora!!”

Tap tap! Whirlclick! Tap!!

The girl deftly maneuvered the dated arcade machine with flair.

‘A high school student’s appearance, with short hair and cat-eared hoodie.’

While currently exuding a carefree, boisterous aura, there was no doubt – she was the future S-rank villain, Glitch.

“Ah~, maybe it’s because it’s just a bot. A little dull.”

She spoke while sipping a drink beside her.
Chuckling lightly, I approached her from the front.

[NEW CHALLENGER!!]

Without a word, I shoved her aside and inserted a coin into the opposing machine.

“Hmm?”

Her interest piqued, she flashed a sly smile.

Tap! Tap whirlclick!

Tap! Taptaptap! Taptap!!

After casually selecting our characters, we commenced our fierce button-mashing and joystick-wrangling battle.

Tap! Taptaptap! Taptap!!

Whirlick! Tap! Tuptup! Taptap!!

Shortly after…

“Well, well…”

[YOU WIN!!]

“You’re quite skilled!!”

She sprang to her feet, eyes sparkling as she regarded me.

“Haha, it’s nothing, really.”

“Don’t sell yourself short! I’ve been playing this game for years, and you’re the first person I’ve met who surpasses me!!”

13 years after arriving in this world…

‘Hey, Yi-an! Stop studying and come hang out with us!’

‘You know how crucial advanced learning is these days, guys. And I…’

‘No excuses, just come already!’

As an orphaned elementary student, my peers from the orphanage would drag me to arcades to play.

‘Back then, I thought it was a waste of time, but now it’s proving useful, isn’t it?’

The ways of the world are truly unpredictable.

“How long have you been playing? It doesn’t seem like you started recently.”

“Just a brief stint long ago, really.”

“Well, I suppose it’s unlikely for someone to enjoy these ancient fighting games nowadays…”

She mumbled contemplatively to herself.
As you can see, she was a die-hard fan of this outdated, niche fighting game.

“I wouldn’t say I enjoy it, but revisiting it occasionally feels nostalgic.”

Thus, even casually indulging her like this…

“Gah! This inexplicable addictiveness, I tell you?!”

“Yes, no matter how mobile or PC gaming evolves with new fighting games, the tactile feel of these classics remains unmatched, at least for my tastes…”

“Gugh-! You really know your stuff, bro!!”

…elicited such enthusiastic reactions.

Laughing heartily, she repeatedly patted my back in a friendly manner.

“Oh, bro, do you like candy? All I’ve got on me are these sweets and this pretty face.”

“…Perhaps refrain from making such remarks to others.”

Where did that body comment come from?

“Pffft! Just kidding, just kidding!”

She soon chuckled and offered me a piece of candy.
As I accepted it, she flashed a satisfied smile and propped one leg up on her chair.

‘…Was she always this casual?’

While I recall her eccentric demeanor in the original work, the specifics elude me.
It has been quite some time since I last revisited it.

In any case, she and I soon engaged in lively conversation.

“I’m Narin, by the way! Just Narin, no surname!”

“I am Kang Yi-an.”

We exchanged full names.

“For those combos, incorporating kicks would be better.”

“Oh, really? I’ve been sticking to punches so far…”

Playing a few more rounds, we shared gaming insights.

“Hfftt…! Ahh… that was fun for a change!”

“It has indeed been an enjoyable experience after such a long time.”

After spending hours engaged in our pastime, Narin suddenly turned to me with a sly smile.

“So, where are you from, bro?”

“…You were already aware?”

“I’m being sought out left and right, you see!”

She smirked smugly, lightly tousling her hair.

‘Quite surprising, I must admit.’

I had assumed she remained oblivious.

“I would have fled under different circumstances… but well, your face happens to be my type, and you seemed genuinely invested in the game, so I decided to humor you!”

“Haha! Could it be that you simply lacked a gaming partner?”

“…Shut up!”

Narin chided me with flushed cheeks.

“So, where are you from? Another association? Or are you a villain organization’s scout? If it’s a personal request, I might be open to considering it.”

“Unfortunately, it is indeed a recruitment offer.”

“Haah…”

Sighing at my words, she hung her head dejectedly.

‘Given her solitary activities in the original work, it seems she dislikes group affiliations.’

Still, I had to make my case.
I manifested Maker’s half-mask and donned it.

“…I don’t know where you’re from, but I’ll have to refuse. As I mentioned before, I prefer operating alone, so… eh?”

“Narin, please allow me to apologize for the deception.”

“……”

“As you’ve surmised, I am an executive from the villain organization Eclipse, tasked with recruiting you…”

“Ma, Mak…”

“An executive…”

“Mak, Maker?!!!!!”

“…Indeed, that’s correct.”

“Kyaaaaaaaahh!!!!”

Initially regarding my masked appearance with a dumbfounded stare, Narin’s face gradually flushed crimson before she shrieked upon my confirmation.

“You, you’re really the Maker, sir…?”

“…I’m uncertain about the ‘sir’ part, but I am indeed Maker.”

I created a simple flower before her eyes and offered it to her.

“It, it really is you!”

Narin alternated between gazing at the flower I had manifested and me.
Then…

Grabgrab

“I’m, I’m your faaaan!!!!”

She enthusiastically grabbed and shook my hand.

…I should have donned the mask from the start.

“The real Maker, coming to meet little old me! This can’t be a dream, can it?”

“Shall I pinch your cheek to confirm?”

“Eek! Pl, please do!!”

Speaking those words, Narin tightly shut her eyes and trembled.
When I lightly pinched her cheek, she joyfully leaped about.

“It hurts! Oh my! It’s really real!!”

‘…Your demeanor is drastically different from just moments ago, you know.’

Regardless, if she admired me, all the better…

“But how did you manage to find me, big brother Maker?”

“……”

Wordlessly, I retrieved my phone and showed her the Maker Gallery site.

“Eek! So you knew I was the Master of the Maker Gallery!”

“That would be an accurate assessment.”

“Eclipse’s intelligence capabilities are quite formidable…!”

I had simply deduced her identity from the original work, but no need to clarify that.

“Then you must also know that I was the one spreading videos of you hunting villains each time?!”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I had been uncertain about that detail, so thank you for confirming it.

“And that I’m the leader of your fan club, the ‘Maffia’?!!”

“Yes…?”

“Eclipse is… a terrifying organization…!”

That part was news to me.
Seemingly oblivious to my perplexed tone, she had become lost in her own thoughts.

Beeeep-

My phone rang at that moment.

[Ga-yeon] : Brother. Shall I come get you soon?

Since my conversation with Narin seemed to be prolonging, I had instructed Ga-yeon to rest at the organization’s base.

‘…Got it.’

While she had initially puffed her cheeks defiantly, she ultimately acquiesced to my request.
It seemed she was checking in as evening approached, having asked me to fetch her later.

[Me] : Give me about 30 more minutes, then come get me, please.

[Ga-yeon] : Okie. (Cat emoji glancing sideways)

After concluding our exchange, I pocketed my phone and regarded Narin once more.

“…In any case, the reason I sought you out was this.”

“Because my skills are just too amazing? Hehe.”

“While that’s certainly a factor, it’s primarily because you created my fan cafe.”

Upon hearing my words, her expression abruptly shifted, and she eyed me apprehensively.

“…I’m sorry. Were you offended by my presumptuous creation of a fan cafe…?”

“No, not at all. I was simply curious about your motivations and wished to inquire.”

I corrected her assumption and elaborated on my thoughts.

‘Initially, I had assumed some ulterior motive, but now it seems you created it out of genuine admiration.’

This piqued my curiosity.
Why would she go to such illegal lengths to establish a fan club?

“…My reasons?”

“Yes. Creating an organization that endorses villains is undoubtedly illegal, so I was curious about your motivations.”

“……”

My words prompted Narin to ponder briefly.
After a momentary silence, having gathered her thoughts, she began to speak.