Being a Villain is My True Calling

“I understand. I shall attend, then.”

Since it was the event I had originally intended to visit, there was no need to refuse.

“You’ll go, then?”

Astra visibly brightened at my words.

“You seem inordinately pleased?”
“One less task for me to handle, after all.”

Astra swept her gaze across the stacks of documents on her desk before regarding me once more.
Well, she was already overwhelmed processing that sheer volume – attending external events would only compound her burdens.

“In that case, why not delegate to the other executives?”

I wasn’t the sole executive present, surely they could manage this basic request?
Why had she not enlisted their aid?

She paused momentarily, carefully weighing her phrasing.

“…You may be unaware, but our executive cadre possesses rather pronounced…no, overpowering personalities.”

…It seemed she had initially intended to comment on their lack of restraint.
Regardless, I grasped her meaning.

“So you were unable to request their attendance, not unwilling.”
“Precisely. Well…”

Eclipse originally consisted of four executives in total.
Including myself, we were now five.

However, the issue was…

‘Excluding Astra, the others have certain…eccentricities.’

Not in terms of ability, necessarily.
To put it generously, they possessed distinctive personalities. Less charitably, eccentricities bordering on debilitating flaws.

‘A brutish hothead prone to indiscriminate rampages when enraged, a deranged swordswoman who attacks first and asks questions never, and finally, a complete shut-in burnout drill instructor.’

Entrusting such individuals with fraternizing among other villains?
I could foresee Eclipse’s Black Night invitations swiftly being rescinded.

“You must have endured considerable hardships.”
“…Well, I’ve grown accustomed to it, I suppose.”

With a resigned smile hinting at profound disillusionment, Astra’s expression resembled that of a world-weary elder.

“Speaking of the other executives, are they still engaged in their missions?”

Referring to the two besides Astra and the Drill Instructor – the brutish hothead and deranged swordswoman.

“It seems their missions have experienced some delays.”
“Just what sort of missions are these…”

Despite roughly a year having passed since my induction as an Eclipse executive, I had yet to personally encounter those two subordinates.

Moreover, they ostensibly oversaw combat operations among the executives – their prolonged struggles were rather concerning.

“Well, they had already departed on their missions by the time you joined, so I can understand your curiosity.”

Astra calmly sipped her tea, her expression serene once more.

“But don’t worry overmuch. They’re the sort who only harm themselves through their antics. They’ll undoubtedly return eventually.”
“If you say so?”
“If they had any intention of doing so, they would have returned long ago.”

Astra spoke with certainty.

‘If Astra seems unconcerned, I suppose there’s no need to dwell on it.’

Not that I had any plans to assist or investigate their circumstances, regardless.

“In any case, there are some points to bear in mind regarding the Black Night party…”

For now, I should focus on the matter at hand.

Tang!! Tangtang!!

Tang!!

Elsewhere, intense gunfire erupted from early morning within a certain Egyptian region.

“Haha! Looks like I caught one!!”
“Kuhung! And you find mirth in that?!!!”

Men ducked for cover amidst the hail of stray gunfire.
A burly figure concealed beneath a cloak bellowed furiously at his sword-wielding, middle-aged companion.

As the latter nonchalantly scratched his cheek in response to his comrade’s outburst…

“Well, I merely trusted their ‘friendly guidance’, never expecting such betrayal.”

“You incompetent fool!!”

The hulking man glared at the middle-aged one, clenching his fists tightly.

“I knew better than to trust a dimwit like you!!”

“…Well, when were you consulted about following their ‘accurate directions’?”

“Did you not claim this was the correct path?!”

“Ah! I merely assumed it was!”

The two men glared at each other intensely, momentarily forgetting the hail of gunfire directed their way as they bickered incessantly.

“Had we been on the right track, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“Well, if you’re so dissatisfied, you should have led the way!”
“Useless swordsman!”
“Bungling oaf!!”

The middle-aged man adopted a combat stance as if to draw his blade, while the burly figure clenched his massive fist, poised to strike.

Pwushuuuk- Kwaaaaaaang!!!

However, an incoming barrage forced them to hastily increase their distance.

Pwushiii-

A swirling sandstorm temporarily obscured their vision.

“…Let’s deal with those pests first and then deliberate.”
“Tch, seems they instigated this conflict from the outset.”
“Hey, you don’t seriously think I would?”

With a casual chuckle, the middle-aged man advanced towards their adversaries.

“Since you caused this mess, you clean it up, swordsman.”
“Our dimwit can stay put. I’ll handle this swiftly and cleanly.”
“Kuhung!”

Jjeobak jjeobak.

Casually strolling amidst the massed enemies, grasping only his blade…

“Greetings?”

“……”

Chelkeuk.

“Not very hospitable, are they?”

Hundreds of rifles simultaneously trained upon the middle-aged man in response to his greeting.

“Open fire!”

“Apologies, but we’re a tad preoccupied at the moment.”

Tang!! Tang! Tang!!!

As their commander issued the order and a volley erupted…

Seogeok.

“-Horizontal Slash.”

The rapid hail of projectiles was effortlessly deflected by a single swing of the man’s blade.
As if evading their earlier gunfire had been mere child’s play, he moved with casual demeanor.

“Shall I expedite your departure?”

With those parting words, the adversaries gradually fell before his sword’s onslaught.

Ttoktok.

“Maker, are your preparations complete?”

On the designated day of the Black Night invitation…

Kkiik-

“…Oh.”

As I opened the door in response to Astra’s voice, she appraised my attire with an impressed once-over.

“…Not bad, better than expected.”
“To be frank, I fail to discern much difference from my usual uniform.”

Regardless of it being formalwear for the party, the suit prioritized a sleek, refined aesthetic over ostentatiousness.
If anything, my combat attire seemed gaudier by comparison.

An inexplicable sense of plainness, almost.

“What nonsense! There’s a clear distinction between uniforms and formalwear. In any case, the fit is quite flattering.”
“I appreciate the compliment.”

Offering a brief thanks for her words, I experimentally moved around to test the suit’s flexibility.

“By the way, did this reflect your personal preferences, Astra?”
“Pardon?”
“The tightness around the chest and thighs seems rather snug…”

Not uncomfortably so, but distinctly more form-fitting compared to the other areas.
The movements emphasized those regions excessively.

“Wh,what are you implying, Maker?! How could I have inserted such input for a tailored suit?!”

Well, while minor design tweaks were plausible, arbitrarily altering the measurements seemed unlikely.

“Ah, come to think of it, perhaps the suit isn’t to blame.”

Momentarily contemplative, I regarded Astra with an enigmatic smile before tugging at the black harness adorning my attire.

“Could this be more indicative of your predilections?”
“…Of course not?”
“Suits with harnesses…I’ve encountered such combinations online. Typically among intimates indulging in certain…”
“Wuaaaaak!!Waaaaaak!!Wuaaaaaak!!!!”

Cutting me off with a strangled cry before I could finish, her face flushed crimson – the very picture of a flustered, inexperienced maiden.

“Pervert.”

Amused by Astra’s reaction, I concealed my body with my jacket, regarding her with a playful grin.
She trembled violently at my words.

“But to entertain such fantasies about a workplace colleague from the same organization…”
“I did not!”

With trembling fingers, she gestured towards a lone figure tidying the room.

“I,it must have been the one handling Maker’s outfitting for this occasion!!”
“You summoned me, Astra?”
“42, it has been a while.”
“Likewise, Maker.”

Although we had technically exchanged greetings upon my arrival, this was our re-introduction.
42 had indeed overseen my outfitting for this occasion.

“Given Maker’s preference for refined designs, I merely accentuated a few key areas without being overly excessive. If it fails to meet your approval, I can promptly provide an alternate ensemble.”
“No need, this will suffice.”

My probing had merely been to tease Astra – the attire was perfectly adequate for attending the party.

“By the way, your expertise in fashion is rather unexpected.”
“I studied it formally in university.”

For a fleeting moment, I pondered why someone with such credentials would pursue employment here.
However, I swiftly dismissed the thought – everyone likely had their reasons for joining the organization.

‘No need to pry into personal backgrounds. There are plenty of such cases among the ranks.’

Resigning myself to leaving it be, I turned towards Astra, who was fanning herself to dissipate her lingering flush.

“You mentioned someone would arrive at midnight, correct?”
“…Yes, a escort will come to retrieve you at midnight.”
“But isn’t our organization supposed to be covert? How will they locate us?”
“That’s a question you should have raised upon receiving the invitation.”

Fair point.

“Well, as long as they arrive, I have no objections.”
Whether they guided me to Seoul or elsewhere was immaterial.
Security matters fell under Astra’s purview, not mine.

I straightened my collar once more before checking the time.

[11:57]

Less than three minutes remained until my scheduled departure.

‘In that case…’

Perhaps I should depart and enjoy this celebratory soiree?
With an anticipatory smile, I donned my coat in preparation.