Being a Villain is My True Calling

“…There’s no particularly grand reason.”

She simply enjoyed following his trail, so she created a fan cafe to share that sentiment.
For her, there was no deeper motive beyond that.

“Even so, if you possessed the capabilities to construct such robust security programs, couldn’t you have pursued more lucrative endeavors, legally, as a hero? Why resort to illegalities?”

“Tch, I got sick of those stuffy old farts constantly nagging about what’s allowed and what’s not.”

Narin scoffed dismissively at Maker’s inquiry, waving her arms in exasperation.

“Besides, I’ve been abandoned by my biological parents for ages, so I stopped caring about petty laws like that a long time ago.”

Maker glanced briefly at Narin’s expression.

Her nonchalant demeanor.
It didn’t seem like a forced attempt to conceal her pain, but rather a genuine absence of any emotion regarding the matter.

“What use are laws that even someone like me can’t follow?”

Then, removing the candy from her mouth, Narin gestured towards the sky.

“And the very people who created those laws are the association and those high-and-mighty superiors, so I don’t particularly care for them.”

“A sort of rebellious spirit, then?”

“Pfft, I suppose you could interpret it that way?”

The very humans who had shunned her when she was powerless now approached her, perceiving newfound utility.

Perhaps it had seemed laughable to her, prompting her solitary activities and disregard for legalities.

“And I thought your acts of terrorism looked really cool.”

“Me, you say?”

“Despite being a villain, you always carried yourself with such poise. Capable of slaughtering citizens and heroes on a whim, yet deliberately tormenting the heroes just enough to inconvenience them – I found that admirable.”

Her relaxed, almost condescending attitude, as if granting them mercy.

“And that audacity to defy the current system, doing terrorism your own fucking way – that swag!”

Narin gazed at Maker with sparkling eyes.

“That’s what really resonated with me as a fan!”

“…I see.”

For some inexplicable reason, Maker felt a tinge of melancholy.

He soon chuckled wryly, took a few steps back, and turned to regard Narin once more.

“So, would you like to continue witnessing my exploits up close?”

“Of course I would!”

“In that case, how about observing from right by my side?”

Narin’s eyes widened at Maker’s words, her face gradually flushing as she stared at him.

“A… proposal…”

“I’m asking you to become my subordinate.”

“I wouldn’t mind if it was a confession.”

“Being my subordinate will suffice.”

“Tch.”

Clicking her tongue at Maker’s resolute demeanor.

‘This girl is really something else.’

“In any case.”

Maker extended his hand, as if offering a handshake, and looked at Narin.

“Would you do me the honor of joining my organization?”

“……”

Similarly, after regarding Maker for a momentary silence, she spoke.

“Haah… I usually don’t accept these kinds of offers, you know…”

Before long, Narin flashed a sly smile and grasped Maker’s hand.

“But for you, big brother, I’ll make a special exception!”

“Welcome aboard.”

And thus, Maker acquired his second subordinate.

Within the Korean Heroes Association Headquarters.

“Look, look, here she comes.”

“Kek. A celebrity has arrived.”

“……”

As Ice Queen walked down the corridor, the surrounding heroes began whispering.

“But who is she, really?”

At that moment, a woman with an unpleasant expression blocked Ice Queen’s path.

“Aren’t you our famous celebrity? Where might you be headed?”

“…I’m on my way to meet Executive Director Baek Kang-ho, as summoned. If you’ll excuse me, I’m in a hurry.”

“Ah… Baek Kang-ho? But what business could an AV actress have with him?”

Snrkt!
Gahahahahaha!!!

The unpleasant woman’s remark prompted laughter from the surrounding heroes.

“…Haah. Please step aside.”

“Huh? Did you enjoy it? You were moaning quite enthusiastically while being violated by that villain.”

“……”

Deeming her unworthy of a response, Ice Queen brushed past her.

Twich

Her dismissive attitude irked the woman.

Ice Queen.
This girl, who had initially been beneath her upon joining, had now surpassed her own B-rank to become an A-rank hero.

‘Sure, she’s not S-rank, but for someone who only recently attained A-rank to act as the leader while the other top heroes are deployed…’

And the aloof gaze Ice Queen had directed at her.
That look alone infuriated and disgusted the woman to no end.

“…I suppose I should step aside for someone as busy as you. Go on and spread your legs for Baek Kang-ho like the whore you are…”

“You.”

“……”

For a moment, Ice Queen’s voice chilled the surrounding atmosphere.

“Watch your mouth.”

Crackcrackcrack…

“…Wha, what did I…? I was just telling the tru…”

Swhoosh- kwaaaahh!!

“Kuheck…”

In an instant, Ice Queen seized the woman by the collar and slammed her against the wall.

“Don’t you dare insult my mentor with that filthy mouth of yours.”

Ice Queen had manifested a slender ice rapier, aiming it at the woman’s throat.

“Ughck!…Aaaahhhh!!!!”

And when Ice Queen lightly pricked her, the woman experienced excruciating agony.
No blood was drawn.

Instead, a biting chill gradually spread from the wound inward.

“Aaaaahhhh!! Help… help me!!!”

“…Anyone tries to intervene!”

Crackcrackcrack!

“…You’re next.”

Sharp icicles erupted from the floor, reflecting Ice Queen’s resolve.

“……”

Gulping nervously, the heroes promptly backed down.

“Haah.”

“Aaaahhhh!! Aaahhhh!!!”

And with a disdainful chuckle, she mocked the situation.

“I’m, I’m sorry… ughk… pl, please spare me…”

The woman’s complexion had already paled considerably.
After regarding her for a moment, Ice Queen dispelled the rapier and released her grip.

“You lack discipline, senior.”

“Huhk… huhk… huhk…”

Collapsed and trembling violently.
Ice Queen disregarded the woman and continued on her way.

“Ice… Queen…!!”

The woman shot a murderous glare at Ice Queen’s retreating figure.

“You really went all out.”

“My apologies.”

Within an elegantly furnished room.
A middle-aged man was seated inside.

His imposing stature and sharp gaze made him appear larger than most adult males.
A nameplate on his desk read ‘Executive Director Baek Kang-ho.’

For a moment, Baek Kang-ho scrutinized Ice Queen intently.

“So, others continue to stumble over my name?”

“……”

“It would seem so.”

Relaxing his expression, he addressed Ice Queen with a gentle demeanor.

“Ice Queen… no, Yun-hee. You have a tendency to prioritize only your own.”

“…Isn’t that acceptable, my mentor?”

She had merely lashed out because her family had been insulted.

Not because she had abandoned civilians to rescue her family during a crisis, nor because she had shielded a family member’s wrongdoings.

She had reacted to senseless slander directed at her family.

“I’m not criticizing that, Yun-hee.”

Chuckling, Baek Kang-ho approached Ice Queen.
Familiarly, he stroked her head.

“It’s because you exclude yourself from that circle of ‘your own.'”

“……”

“Despite your profound depths, you became enraged, which undoubtedly means they crossed the line first. However…”

Before resorting to insults about her family…

“Didn’t they utter words that hurt you first?”

“…I’m fine with that.”

“Haven’t I always told you? If such minor wounds accumulate in your heart, you’ll eventually crumble.”

Baek Kang-ho regarded her with a somewhat somber expression.
He understood why she neglected herself.

“Any conflict you engage in, any harm you inflict, is a situation you alone must take responsibility for.”

She must take accountability for her own choices and actions.

An understandable sentiment, as Ice Queen was an adult and a hero.

“However, I wish those conflicts would occasionally arise from protecting yourself, rather than others.”

Baek Kang-ho withdrew his hand from her head and smiled awkwardly.

“Cherish yourself more. That’s all I wish to convey as your mentor.”

“……”

Beeeeep-

‘Sister! Sisterrr!!’

‘……’

‘…Sister! Next time, you have to try harder and definitely save kids like me, okay?’

Beeeeeeep-

In response to her mentor’s plea, she could only nod silently.

“So, to address the main matter.”

Having returned to his seat, Baek Kang-ho regarded Ice Queen.

“Is it true that your abilities have grown?”

“Yes.”

In response to his inquiry, she extended her arm and gestured towards a water bottle on the desk.

Crackcrackcrack…

Instantly, the water inside froze solid.

“Ohoho! Then have you finally ‘awakened’?”

“…Hmm. It doesn’t seem to be an ‘awakening’ yet.”

An ability user’s abilities could be cultivated.

From simply mastering their abilities through repetitive use, to deliberately inflicting wounds and regenerating to harden their bodies akin to strengthening muscles, even pushing their abilities to the limits.

Among these methods, the most rapid path to growth involved ability usage fueled by intense emotions.

And beyond this growth, the pinnacle where one’s ability essentially transformed into something entirely new was known as ‘awakening.’

“Hmm… well, any growth is a positive sign, I suppose.”

“Isn’t such rapid strengthening alone satisfactory enough?”

The conditions for awakening remained a mystery to all.
It had been less than 30 years since ability users first emerged, and the methods for growth, let alone awakening, had only recently been established.

“Although, growth through intense emotions requires the ability to be utilized in situations where truly powerful emotions are evoked… now, wait a moment.”

“…What is it?”

Deep in contemplation, Baek Kang-ho suddenly regarded Ice Queen with a mischievous grin.

“I wonder what sort of emotions our esteemed hero, Ice Queen, must have experienced to facilitate such growth~?”

“…Anger. I was angry. Angry at being unable to do anything in that situation except be toyed with.”

“Ah, is that all, perhaps?”

“My mentor!!!”

“Ah, you’re a full-grown adult now, why are you so embarrassed?”

Ice Queen’s face flushed crimson as she let out an indignant shout.
Baek Kang-ho chuckled amusedly at her reaction.

It resembled an overprotective father playfully teasing his adolescent daughter.

“Yun-hee, be honest with me, are you interested in Maker? This mentor won’t oppose your romantic endeavors, at least not until some dust gets in my eye!”

“Oh, come on!! Enough with the jokes! That’s crossing the line, you know?!”

“Uhahaha!”

She had already been perplexed by her sudden growth spurt!

Moreover, her own research had revealed explicit tentacle videos inspired by her ordeal during the previous terrorism were proliferating across adult sites.

The entire world seemed fixated on associating her with Maker and tentacles.
Coupled with Baek Kang-ho’s well-intentioned but utterly mortifying teasing, it was infuriating.

“Oh, come on!”

For a while, Ice Queen vented her frustration at Baek Kang-ho, their banter escalating.

After an extended period of back-and-forth…

“…In any case, have you resolved the reason for summoning me?”

Having calmed down, she inquired if she could take her leave.

“Ah, there’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned.”

As if suddenly recalling, Baek Kang-ho retrieved a document and placed it on his desk.

“Hero Exchange Program?”

Ice Queen’s expression conveyed her understanding upon seeing the document’s title.