Being a Villain is My True Calling

The man had distinctly Korean black hair, and likely due to lack of sunlight exposure, an unusually pale complexion. Despite being bound in chains across his entire body, he calmly kept his eyes closed.

Just from his appearance alone, I could tell with certainty that this was the individual I had been searching for.

“The former S-rank hero, Alpha.”

The man once hailed as the ultimate hero, but later disgraced and reduced to a mark of shame for heroes. A living legend stood before my eyes.

“Huh? That person…?”

However, Narin voiced her confusion at my statement. Understandably so.

“He looks so young?”

Indeed, the man who should have easily been in his sixties or older appeared youthful instead.

“Well, his disheveled appearance does make him look rather rough…”

Of course, having spent a prolonged period in this place had left his unkempt hair and beard adding significantly to his apparent age. But one could still discern that he appeared far younger than sixty.

‘Admittedly, it is quite startling at first glance.’

Even I, despite being somewhat forewarned, found it mildly surprising.

In any case, his age was hardly the paramount concern here. Dismissing any irrelevant musings, I took a step closer towards him.

“Alpha.”

“……”

“I know you’re awake, so quit pretending to sleep.”

At my words, Alpha began twitching his brows. He seemed to briefly furrow his brow before slowly opening his eyes, reverting to an impassive expression.

“…So you knew I was awake?”

“Whether I knew or not.”

Who did he think he was fooling by feigning sleep? As the former pinnacle S-rank hero, his senses were heightened far beyond ordinary individuals.

Akin to the mystical martial artists sensing one’s aura, or some such notion – at the very least, he must have sensed my approaching footsteps.

‘Moreover, the original work stated he suffered from insomnia, unable to obtain proper sleep for 40 years.’

Hence, he had already regained consciousness upon hearing my footsteps, the only difference being how swiftly he had done so.

“…Who might you be?”

“Does it matter who I am?”

I deflected Alpha’s query with another question, offering an amused smile.

Despite my flippant demeanor, Alpha maintained his gruff expression as he parted his dry, cracked lips.

As he began speaking haltingly, a raspy tone tinged his voice.

“…Based on your attire, you are clearly not a guard. Unless I’ve gone mad, the Association would have no reason to send a hero to me. In that case…you must be…”

“I must be…?”

“One of those who were deranged from the very start.”

“Correct~ Though you sure have a roundabout way of saying ‘villain’. Old-timer.”

Perhaps due to his age, or potentially a consequence of his prolonged isolation, his diction seemed rather archaic.
Regardless, since he had arrived at the correct answer, I indulged him with a smattering of mock applause.

“…How did you come to this place? Surely Tartarus above could not have inexplicably relocated?”

“Tartarus? That place was dismantled in a villain coup over a decade ago, no?”

“…Is that truly so?”

“Nah, just kidding.”

“……”

Alpha stared at me wordlessly, his expression utterly blank.
While I could not discern if he was angered, he certainly seemed bemused at the very least.

“What, not funny? That’s premium villain humor right there.”

“…Is that so?”

Despite my quip, Alpha maintained his taciturn demeanor.
Outwardly, his advanced age might have dulled his sense of humor, among other proclivities.

“Pfft! Kkahahahah!”

In actuality, Narin, who had been eavesdropping on our exchange, burst into raucous laughter – evidently validating Alpha’s lacking sense of humor.

“In any case, just a joke. Tartarus remains intact above. I simply found a way to infiltrate it adeptly.”

“You speak rather brazenly about committing unlawful acts.”

Alpha’s stern rebuke elicited a chuckle from me.

“So? Are you planning to apprehend me or something, old-timer?”

I deliberately adopted an exaggerated stance, goading him further.

“Even if I am a villain, what does it matter to you? You’re not even a hero anymore, are you?”

“……”

I scrutinized his expression, sneaking a glance.

“For a fellow criminal to chide another – isn’t that just the pot calling the kettle black?”

So far, so good. Let me push a bit further.

“Ah, and I’d wager the charges levied against you far exceed those of any ordinary villain, old-timer.”

To bare his innermost emotions further.

“What were your charges again? Conspiring with villains, tax evasion, serial murder, terrorism – oh, and wasn’t there even familicide thrown in?”

“…Is that how the Association publicly portrayed it?”

“There might have been more, it’s been a while since I studied that history.”

The statuesque visage he had initially borne began subtly shifting.
He gazed vacantly into the distance for a moment, as if recalling bygone eras.

“These days, Koreans tend to avoid mentioning it, but back then, it was a heated topic of discussion. They called me an insane piece of trash who conspired with villains to murder my own friends and family.”

His face contorted into an unsettling grimace.
An expression that seemed caught between the verge of tears, yet simultaneously consumed by fury.

“…Hah.”

Resignation and hollowness.
And the undercurrent of rage concealed within.

‘Bingo~’

So he had not truly attained utter detachment after all, despite his facade of indifference.
He had simply incompletely combusted his roiling emotions to avoid descending into madness.
The ashen remnants still smoldered within.

‘A minor concern alleviated, at least.’

In that case, my role was merely to reignite those banked embers once more.

“So what is it you seek from me?”

His eyes, previously devoid of ardor, now bored into me with a rekindled intensity.

“You wouldn’t have dredged up my past without an ulterior motive, surely.”

“You would be correct in that assumption.”

I offered a slight grin as I began pacing about in a leisurely manner.

“I’ve come here today to propose a deal.”

Step. Step.
Not quite graceful, but hardly inelegant either.

“The former S-rank hero Alpha. A foolish hero who sought to save humanity, yet was forsaken by it in turn.”

And as I drew nearer, extending my hand towards him,

“I propose an offer you cannot refuse.”

“To tear asunder those who once abandoned you – how about it?”

“…I-”

“And-”

I also disclosed the true desire he harbored.

“……”

“…!”

“Well? With those terms, you can hardly refuse, can you?”

Despite my proposition, Alpha remained silent, his gaze cast emptily towards me.
Observing his demeanor, I could not resist allowing the corners of my mouth to curl upwards.

“…Are you a demon?”

“A demon? That’s a bit much, I’m just an ordinary villain.”

After spacing out for quite a while, that was the response he offered.
Slightly perplexing, but I chose to interpret it as a testament to the allure of my proposal.

“So? Are you in, or are you out?”

“…Whether you are a demon or a villain or whatnot, it matters not to me now. This no longer concerns me.”

The man muttered contemplatively as he studied me.
The two previously hollow eyes now blazed with reignited emotion, their depths burning vividly once more.

“Very well. I shall indulge your puppet show. But in return, honor your promise.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Let’s shake on it.”

I gestured impatiently, urging him to promptly rise and seal our accord.

“…Hah. From the very start, you compel me to exert my power.”

“Well, if you want to break free, you’ll need to shatter those chains first, won’t you? And quit acting frail when you’ve had ample time to recharge your strength.”

Letting out a brief sigh at my remark, Alpha paused momentarily.

Wooooong–!!

Kkkkkkkiiiiiiiiick!!!

As Alpha activated his ability, an eerie sound simultaneously emanated from the steel chains binding him.

“Aaah! My ears! What is that ungodly noise!”

“The sound of heating metal.”

“Heating metal…?”

Addressing Narin’s pained outcry, I clarified the source of the unsettling noise.

“But why is that happening over there…”

“It’s Alpha’s ability, you see.”

Within mere moments, the steel chains had visibly reddened to a scorching degree undetectable to the naked eye.
Yet despite their rapidly escalating temperature, the specialized chains designed to contain Alpha retained their durability.

Wheeeeeeeeeee—!!!

Furthermore, as if triggered by Alpha’s ability, an intense chill began concentrating within the confines of his cell, reminiscent of Arctic frigidity.

‘But such measures are hardly sufficient.’

Kkkkkkkkkkkkiiiiiiiiick!!!!!!

Undeterred by the chilling aura encasing him, the chains only continued intensifying their incandescence.
Until, at last…

Kakakakakakakak!!!!

Unable to withstand the conflicting extremes of heat and cold any further, the steel chains explosively shattered into countless fragments.
And as the shackles binding his form disintegrated, my objective was unveiled.

“…It has been an age since I could move freely.”

Alpha’s crimson coat immediately caught my eye.

Despite over 40 years of elapsed time, it remained impeccably pristine – no signs of wear, dirt or discoloration marring its sleek sophistication.

That coat was the artifact I had targeted from Alpha.

Just you wait a bit longer, coat…!
Your master will soon come to retrieve you!!

Barely suppressing the urge to verbalize those thoughts, I extended my hand to Alpha, sealing our compact with a handshake.

“Alright, let’s raise some hell, shall we?”

“…As you wish.”

“Shall we depart, then?”

Wheeeeeeeeee–!
Wheeeeeeeeee–!

[WARNING! WARNING!]

[S-rank escapee detected! S-rank escapee detected! All guards, be on high alert! S-rank escapee detected! S-rank escapee…!!]

From this moment forth, our joyous escape had commenced.