Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Is this the agreed-upon location?”

The day after the Senior Researcher requested a meeting, I arrived at the designated rendezvous point and inspected my attire.

‘Hmm.’

It differed little from my usual appearance.
Today, instead of Eclipse’s uniform donned during terror attacks, I wore a tailored suit and black fedora.

Yet, if one thing was lacking…

“Oppa, are you sure it’s okay to go without your mask?”

As Gayeon had pointed out, I was indeed maskless today.

“Considering we’re meeting discreetly in the city, it’s appropriate.”

The rendezvous point was overseas.
While there may be many unfamiliar with Maker’s identity, having someone conspicuously sitting maskless in the city would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.

Hence, I had no choice but to forgo the mask today.

“Instead, the doctor has prepared a new device, has he not?”

However, that did not mean I arrived unprepared.
From my pocket, I retrieved a clock-shaped device with a blinking light.

“A portable identity obfuscator, was it?”

“Hmm.”

“Crafted by our organization’s capable doctor, we can only place our trust in this device.”

The portable identity obfuscator.
An invention the doctor had ambitiously developed.

‘If activated, it emits a subtle magnetic field that supposedly blurs facial recognition, did he say?’

A device designed for use in situations where our ability-user specializing in identity concealment was unavailable.

“And I have personally tested and verified its performance, so cease your doubts, Gayeon.”

“…Understood.”

From my own tests, the device’s capabilities were genuine.
At the very least, there should be no risk of revealing my identity to our meeting partner today.

Thus, there was no need for further concern.
Patting Gayeon’s head, I smiled faintly.

“By the way, aren’t you fatigued, Gayeon? Even traveling first-class, rushing our schedule and utilizing your ability…”

“I’m fine.”

Gayeon shook her head in negation.

‘Is she truly alright?’

Honestly, using her ability to teleport directly here would have been too strenuous.
Hence, we had traveled by airplane, only utilizing her ability to reach the precise rendezvous point.

Undoubtedly, the rapid relocation coupled with ability usage would have taken its toll.

“This could be considered a form of travel, in a way.”

Observing the rare sparkle in the usually inexpressive Gayeon’s eyes, I could discern her positive mood, if not her fatigue level.

Chuckling at her demeanor, I nodded in agreement.

“Once our discussion concludes, we should take some time to explore the city, since we’re abroad.”

“Okay.”

After making those brief plans with Gayeon, we surveyed our surroundings.
The exotic scenery differed noticeably from Korea.

‘…Still, Italy of all places.’

I had agreed to this meeting to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion from a refusal.
Truthfully, the distance was excessive.

Perhaps I should have insisted on a closer rendezvous…
Yet, such thoughts were fleeting.

‘No. When meeting an adversarial organization, a degree of pride must be maintained.’

It might seem stubborn, but after the recent humiliation, I could not afford to appear weak over mere distance.

Regardless of the circumstances, I had to maintain an air of nonchalance, as if everything was well within my grasp.
Donning a mask to confront others was my norm.

“Gayeon, once we enter, please take a seat nearby. I shall cover any food or beverages you order.”

“Understood. I’ll keep watch.”

After our exchange, I proceeded towards the cafe at an unhurried pace, the agreed-upon rendezvous point.

At a bustling Italian cafe.
While throngs of people hurriedly traversed the streets outside, a constant murmur filled the interior.

Seated alone, I slowly took a sip of tea.

“I hope I’m not late.”

A middle-aged gentleman slightly tipped his hat in a light greeting.
In response, I smiled faintly and nodded.

“You’ve arrived precisely on time, Senior Researcher.”

“Addressing me so directly, you must be the one called Maker.”

The Senior Researcher chuckled heartily before taking the seat opposite me.

Then, an espresso arrived.
The waiter briefly bowed towards the seated Senior Researcher before presenting the espresso and departing to attend to other duties.

“Hmm…This elegant aroma. A special fragrance and taste only found here, indeed.”

“Are you acquainted with the staff? I don’t recall making such a request.”

“Let’s just say I’m a regular patron.”

Unfazed by my inquiry, the Senior Researcher calmly smiled, betraying no further details.

“It’s fortunate our conversation seems to be flowing smoothly. I had worried about potential translation issues.”

“Flowing smoothly, you say, Maker? Whatever translator you’re using is quite remarkable…”

For a while, we engaged in perfunctory small talk, as if warming up.

‘As expected, this won’t be easy.’

Mirroring the Senior Researcher’s smile, I inwardly reflected.
Throughout our trivial exchanges, he refrained from divulging any information about his identity or the research facility.

As I pondered how to coax his true intentions, the Senior Researcher seemed to share my sentiments, broaching the main topic first.

“…I believe we’ve engaged in sufficient idle chatter. Shall we proceed to the main subject?”

“By all means, please continue.”

“Then, allow me to ask you directly, Maker. Why are you offering us your support? Is this Eclipse’s directive?”

The Senior Researcher’s question was laced with suspicion.
In response, I took a sip of tea before playfully replying.

“Would you believe me if I said it was simply a desire to foster amicable relations between our respective organizations…?”

“Hardly.”

As expected, wouldn’t he? Even I found that unconvincing.
Chuckling, I began swirling the remaining tea in my cup with a spoon.

‘How can I deceive him…’

The Senior Researcher currently harbored doubts about me.
The reason being, as a high-ranking member of the potentially adversarial Eclipse, I had offered them sponsorship.

Unless utterly naive, he likely assumed I had ulterior motives.
He would want to know what I sought to gain and whether it benefited or harmed their interests.

‘…My intention is to exploit and devour them.’

Therefore, my task was to present a plausible pretext that they would readily accept while delivering a convincing performance.

Clearing my throat, I began speaking.

“This is not Eclipse’s directive. It is my personal desire.”

“…Are you implying a betrayal of Eclipse?”

“How is this a betrayal? Unlike my professional duties, this merely allows me to realize my own values.”

“Your values, you say?”

Flinch.
The Senior Researcher momentarily flinched at my words.
And then, the slightest upward curl of his lips.

‘Bingo.’

The Senior Researcher’s expression and smirk seemed to convey a glimmer of hope.
I understood the reason behind his reaction all too well.

‘Z-Biotech, regardless of their rationale or methods, is a deranged collective driven by a singular value system.’

Having been dismissed as lunatics by many, they harbored an exceptional attachment to potential ‘comrades’ sharing their values.
This was a tentative probe, and he had taken the bait.

‘That should make him easier to sway.’

Clearing my throat once more, I paused briefly, as if contemplating, before continuing.

“Don’t you find this world to be truly unfortunate, Senior Researcher?”

“Unfortunate?”

Responding to his puzzled inquiry, I nodded solemnly.

“This world is indeed too much. It has only brought suffering upon humanity.”

In ancient times, to seize each other’s food.
In the medieval era, to seize each other’s lands.
In modern times, to seize each other’s resources.

Endlessly waging war to deprive one another, leaving all wounded.

“And for nearly a century and a half, another breed of humans called ability-users has emerged.”

Towards the Senior Researcher, I smiled wanly while slightly bowing my head, exuding a melancholic aura.

“Their existence has also brought immense suffering.”

“Ah…”

As if empathizing with my words, the Senior Researcher slightly inclined his head, fiddling with a small pendant around his neck.

“While some praised them as a new humanity, others denounced them as monsters.”

“The so-called anti-ability-user groups, yes.”

“And among the ability-users themselves, some conversely proclaimed their own superiority.”

Some non-ability-users ostracized ability-users as monsters, while certain ability-users deemed themselves superior and regarded non-ability-users as inferior.

“Men and women, blacks and whites, religious conflicts, and now ability-users and non-ability-users.”

Setting down the swirling teaspoon, I took a sip of tea.

“Is this world, constantly riddled with conflict and hatred, not utterly unfortunate?”

“…Indeed, it is.”

By now, the Senior Researcher was trembling slightly, his gaze fixated on me.
Observing his state, I smiled.

“Thus, I believe an absolute entity capable of eliminating this conflict, hatred, and strife is necessary. One could even call it a ‘God’.”

Having concluded my statement, I took another sip of tea.
Well, at this point, wasn’t there a particular question they were itching to ask?
The one they posed when seeking potential ‘comrades’?

“…And if such a ‘God’ does not exist in this world, what then?”

As expected, the Senior Researcher promptly asked, his eyes boring into mine.
While I could provide an immediate answer, I deliberately paused for effect.

Feigning deep contemplation and inner struggle, I eventually responded with unwavering certainty, my eyes slightly crazed, as if embracing madness.

“Then we shall have to create one. A God.”

“Ah, ahh…”

Overwhelmed by my conviction, the Senior Researcher shed a tear, his face breaking into a radiant smile.

‘Another successful deception.’

In contrast to the Senior Researcher’s meaning, my own smile was one of satisfaction.