Chapter 188 - Second Meeting

# The Demon King.

After that notorious villain from the original story received his baptism of light and bid a pathetic farewell to life, I—the one who personally sent him back to the afterlife—had been spending my days rather leisurely at home.

"...Da-in, didn't you say you wouldn't be taking any risks?"

"...Haha."

I did worry Lee Su-bin when I said there would be no danger but then ended up in a one-on-one confrontation with the Demon King, spear in hand... but in the end, I won without getting injured, so isn't that what matters?

"Big brother Da-in, you were so cool!"

Of course, Lee Cha-yoon said this with sparkling eyes. Despite being just a middle schooler studying as intensely as if preparing for entrance exams, she apparently witnessed my attack firsthand. Hearing that kids at school talked about me all day made me wonder what was happening. Kids who like villains... is Republic of Korea really going to be okay?

Anyway, to avoid the channels buzzing about me and Stardust, now spreading rumors about a Season 4 romance, I mostly kept my TV tuned to international news. At this point, I was considering contacting Lee Seol-ah to ask broadcasting stations to stop glorifying Egostic... but really, as long as only Stardust dislikes me, I figured I didn't need to go that far.

By the way, my current job is selecting ability users to recruit for our PMC. There are surprisingly many applicants, so it's taking some time to pick out the useful ones.

So these days, my main duties involve working while occasionally playing with the kids in the living room or in the garden cultivated by Death Knight. You could say we've entered an era where even villains have to work to make a living.

Of course, keeping up with international news is also part of the routine.

[We bring you news that the Three Alliance, Japan's largest villain organization, continues to suffer defeats in military operations by government forces and the Association.]

While working with the news playing as white noise in the background, something caught my attention.

News from our neighboring country. And it was about a member of the Kathedal villain conference.

I immediately turned up the volume to hear more details.

[The Three Alliance, a villain coalition that controls parts of Japan, has been consistently pushed back tactically and is struggling. Government forces have confidently stated that 'we will be able to capture their leader, Katana, that woman, within this year.']

[However, Japanese citizens apparently aren't pleased with this. A significantly high percentage of respondents say they would 'rather be under the yakuza than under a corrupt government.']

As the reporter finished speaking, I began to ponder this timely news.

"...As expected, they're getting wiped out just like in the original story."

Japan.

Unlike Korea, which remained relatively stable and unified thanks to two responsible heroes—Stardust and Shadow Walker—and Lee Seol-ah who had firmly grasped the government, Japan was somewhat unstable.

The Three Alliance, a coalition of villain yakuza groups, had taken over about half the country. This led to constant internal conflicts. On top of that, the government itself was corrupt, making the whole situation a mess.

Of course, according to the original story, this situation doesn't last long.

The Three Alliance, which had maintained a power balance with the government, suddenly started losing ground at some point.

In my memory, the Three Alliance was eventually annihilated by government forces in the original story. Even their leader, the S-class villain Katana, that woman, was captured.

"....."

But here's where the problem arises.

After reclaiming the country, the Japanese government and Association, with no competing forces left, became corrupt beyond imagination.

The reason that woman Katana formed the villain alliance in the first place was to change this rotten country. The government was so corrupt that after the Three Alliance disappeared, the country didn't return to peace—it just went straight to hell. Later, after the Moonlight Church Gate incident, rather than helping Korea, they asked Korea for help because their own country was falling apart.

"Tsk..."

So now, I'm conflicted.

Wouldn't it be better if this yakuza group, the Three Alliance, stayed alive to keep the government in check, rather than disappearing? Moreover, since their leader attends the Kathedal villain conference, they might even cooperate with our Ego-stream later. I heard that woman Katana is quite loyal.

In fact, there's one reason why the Three Alliance, which had been fighting well against the Association, suddenly lost.

"...There was a traitor."

Yes. Even worse, a core member who was called the left arm of the leader, Katana, betrayed them and sided with the government. That person spied and revealed all information to the Association. Without this betrayal, they wouldn't have lost ground.

...Right. When I meet that woman Katana at the next conference, I should share this information with her.

And just a few days after having that thought, an invitation arrived.

"Oh... is this that invitation or whatever?"

In the living room.

Everyone gathered, looking curiously at the white letter that had gently descended from thin air.

"Hmm... this brings back memories."

I also muttered while looking at the letter.

Celeste's letter. If you tear it on the promised date, you can teleport directly to where Kathedal is being held.

Last time, I didn't have my own invitation because I entered at the last minute through Atlas's connection, so I had to go to Atlas's underwater base and travel together. Now, the good thing is I can comfortably go straight from my home without that hassle.

Therefore, I arranged to meet Atlas separately at the conference venue.

'Haha, my daughter was hoping to see you, so this is unfortunate. Make sure to visit next time.'

There were some additional comments, but anyway, I'll see him when I get there.

After receiving the letter, the promised date finally arrived.

"I'm off."

"Bye bye."

"Oppa, be careful."

With that, I tore the letter.

And with the sensation of my body being transported, I was sucked into somewhere.

***

Kathedal.

A conference of villain leaders founded by Celeste, currently ranked as the number one S-class villain.

The characteristic of this conference, composed of leaders of villain alliances who exert considerable influence worldwide, is that they exchange information with each other.

Since they're all leaders with several S-class villains under them, each should have some valuable information. Celeste's purpose in founding this conference was for villains to share and exchange this information with everyone at each meeting. Well, the reality is a bit different, but that's roughly it.

Anyway, just having S-class villains from around the world gather in one place is meaningful as it serves as a check against the Association. ...Of course, I came through Atlas's connection, but that's not what's important.

'Ultimately, my goal is to exert influence here.'

To prevent strange individuals from invading Republic of Korea, which Stardust protects, I need to inflate my presence here. For example, by predicting a shocking future that no one knows about... making them think I caused it. Something like that.

And today will probably be the day I reveal important information for the first time.

"Please come this way."

"Hmm."

With that brief thought, I returned to reality.

A dark corridor stretched before me.

I followed behind Celeste's white priest, who was guiding me in a white robe, toward the round table conference hall.

After walking for a while and passing through a circular door, I entered an open space.

With stained glass covering the walls on both sides and a massive chandelier, I arrived at the main conference room of Kathedal.

"Hmm...."

I might have arrived early, as it wasn't fully occupied yet. I didn't see Atlas or Celeste, the host of the conference. Everyone else would probably arrive soon.

I might as well find a seat somewhere.

With that thought, I plopped down in any empty seat with vacant spots on both sides.

...It'll start soon.

Wait. But now that I'm here, I feel like I've forgotten something.

Sitting in the chair, I tried to recall what I might have missed. I wore my mask, prepared my information. What could I have forgotten?

Ah, right. Come to think of it, that red mohawk guy won't be coming today, will he?

I finally remembered him.

Highkin or whatever, that thuggish S-class villain from Germany. Last time, he picked a fight with me, calling me A-class, so I just told him during my information reveal to be careful because something would happen in Germany. I remember he was supposed to die before this conference in the original story.

...He's probably not of this world by now.

Poor guy. I hope he didn't think he was dying because of what I said when his time came. No, you're just a character who dies in the original story...

As I was thinking about this, sitting in my seat, a person in a white priest's robe approached and offered me a cup of tea. ...Is it safe to drink this? I hope Celeste hasn't put some kind of drug in it?

As I was looking suspiciously at the teacup, a circular door on one side opened, and a new villain leader entered. Is it Uncle Atlas?

I raised my head with that thought.

Huh?

Seeing that guy with the red mohawk, my mind went blank for a moment. ...Wait, why are you still alive?

And I wasn't the only one who noticed him. He also made eye contact with me, and his eyes widened slightly.

Then he immediately moved, approaching me.

Step, step.

He stood right in front of my chair.

Then, bowing at a perfect 90-degree angle, he greeted me.

"Hello, big brother!!!"

"..."

What's going on now?