Being a Villain is My True Calling

After that dramatic negotiation with the Queen, I returned to Eclipse’s headquarters.

“Big Bro’s back?”

“Yes, I’ve returned.”

As I entered the room, Gayeon greeted me with a curt wave, her expression flat as usual.
Lily was asleep on the sofa, hugging her tail.

“How did things go?”

“Smoothly. I secured the desired terms.”

Though it was more accurate to say I had granted her desires rather than securing my own.
I gently lifted the slumbering Lily and carried her to the bed.

‘She did regard me rather strangely.’

Understandably so.
From her perspective, I appeared to be assisting the Queen in obtaining her wishes without any apparent personal gain.

‘However, to achieve my objectives, the Queen’s power is necessary.’

In fact, the Queen’s power alone would be insufficient.
One more individual was needed.

For a fleeting moment, I considered attempting to recruit that person but quickly dismissed the notion with a shake of my head.

‘There’s no need to rush. After all, he’ll come for Alpha eventually.’

Now was the time to contemplate the first act, not the climax of this grand performance.

“…Ungnyannyan…Oppa…”

Lily’s sleepy mumbles called out to me.
Gently stroking her head, I exited the bedroom.

“Gayeon.”

“Hm?”

“Have there been any issues with Narin and Haru?”

“Umm…I don’t think so?”

Gayeon pondered for a moment before retrieving the notebook I had gifted her from her pocket.

“Same as my previous report. Aunty Haru did vent to me a bit…but that’s just irrelevant stuff.”

Flipping through the notebook, Gayeon briefly scanned several pages densely packed with writing, front and back, before closing it with a shake of her head.

…Just how much venting had that woman subjected her to?
The sight was rather bewildering.

“I see…Well, as long as there are no particular issues.”

Dismissing the undoubtedly frivolous venting, I was relieved there were no problems.

“What about Vigilante’s relationship with Alpha? Are they interacting well?”

“Those uncles there are totally respectful towards Grandpa Anchovy Head.”

‘Grandpa Anchovy Head’ was Gayeon’s nickname for Alpha.

‘……’

‘Woah…’

‘Welc-‘

‘He looks like a recently escaped ape…’

‘……’

‘Do you like bananas by any chance?’

‘……’

After enduring nicknames like ‘Anchovy’ and ‘Bony Old Man’, coupled with Gayeon’s final devastating remark, Alpha seemed quite shaken, promptly grooming his hair and beard from the following day onwards.

‘Hello, Grandpa Anchovy Head.’

‘……’

By then, Gayeon had already taken a liking to that moniker, so there was no changing it.

“It seems there are no issues on that front either.”

I nodded in response to her statement.

‘Proceeding smoothly.’

Everything was progressing smoothly as planned.
Patting Gayeon’s head, I took a seat beside her, lost in thought.

‘For now, things are unfolding according to the plan.’

Contrary to my concerns about Alpha’s frail condition, within these past few days, he had successfully regained his strength, putting on weight and transforming from a scrawny anchovy into a slim physique.

With a fresh shave and haircut, he had become a reasonably presentable middle-aged man.

That should suffice to project the charismatic image I had envisioned.

‘I’ve also successfully drawn in the Queen.’

I had personally reined her in, preventing any rash actions on her part.
This should eliminate unnecessary variables.

‘And the Hero Association side has also been successfully executed. Alpha has quite adeptly captured their attention.’

While the internal situation remained unclear due to security protocols, their outward disarray alone indicated they were adequately rattled.

That level of aggro seemed sufficient.

‘Then, all that remains is…’

Turning to Gayeon, I spoke.

“Gayeon.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you wish to see Ice Queen and Phantom Luna again?”

“I hadn’t given it much thought…Are we going to meet them?”

Rising from her seat, Gayeon began meticulously gathering her villain attire nearby, much like a dog being prepared for a walk with a leash.

Chuckling, I shook my head in negation.

“No, Gayeon. I have no plans for a meeting at present.”

“…I see. Understood.”

Now was not the time for Maker to make an appearance.
I intended for them to be deployed when Alpha was apprehended.

With the former S-rank hero Alpha on the loose, an incident the Association had kept under wraps even during his initial escape from Tartarus to avoid commotion, they would undoubtedly seek to recapture him with utmost discretion.

And even if complications arose, they would surely have countermeasures readily available.

‘The likelihood of a specialized team being formed to capture Alpha is high.’

A team comprised of top-tier heroes, no less.
In such a scenario, the Association would not simply leave idle the assigned heroes monitoring inactive villains.

Hence, there was a high probability that Ice Queen and Phantom Luna would be incorporated into the team tasked with apprehending Alpha.

‘Though I’m uncertain which hero was assigned to monitor me after Ice Queen’s surprise terror attack…’

Unless my designated hero had been reassigned to another villain, there was a strong possibility that Ice Queen would join the team if one was formed, provided she was not already assigned elsewhere.

Therefore, my direct involvement in this situation would only serve to disrupt the natural course leading to their deployment on site.
Maker’s inaction was the simplest path for them to be dispatched.

‘This experience will undoubtedly contribute to their growth.’

Battles against formidable foes, and the consequent defeat, would provide excellent catalysts for their development.
I intended to reap every possible benefit from utilizing Alpha in this manner.

“Oppa, you look ominous.”

I smiled.

Having assessed the situation, I contemplated my next agenda.

“Since things are proceeding well with Alpha, I should attend to another matter for now.”

Specifically, Z-Biotech.
More precisely, the former director of the Z-Biotech research facility I had spared during our previous encounter.

The very individual responsible for developing the biochemical weapon I had procured, self-proclaimed as Suiside in the future, staging a mass terror-induced suicide spectacle.

I had spared him due to his potential utility and ambition, deeming him an exploitable asset.
However, having received no further contact since then, I decided to reach out.

Tturururu…
Tturururururu…

‘If he harbors any intent of betrayal by misusing the serum I provided, I shall make him pay dearly.’

Tturururu- Dalchik.

As I contemplated retaliation while dialing, the call fortunately connected, and a voice answered.

-…Who is this?

A wary tone.
Contrasting his caution, I opened with a jovial response.

“It’s Maker. Surely you haven’t forgotten me already?”

-…Hah, who do you think you’re mocking?

Recognizing my voice, the former director promptly dropped his guard and continued speaking.
Thankfully, betrayal did not seem to be on his agenda.

“Have you been well, Director?”

-Just call me Roy. I’m no longer a director.

“Very well, Roy. How have you been faring?”

-I’ve been on standby since you facilitated my escape. Thanks to that, I’ve been able to live off my savings while resting.

Roy chuckled as he briefly summarized his circumstances since the escape.
Details like reporting his escape to his superiors and heeding my advice by withholding information about the serum from the senior researcher above him.

-Even though I didn’t mention it, the higher-ups already seem to know that Eclipse was behind this incident.

“Unavoidable. An intruder was detected at Eclipse, followed by retaliation the very next day. The trail was hardly subtle.”

As I had anticipated as much, I was not particularly troubled by this revelation.
And even if they were aware, it was unlikely they would foolishly provoke us further.

“By the way, I’m surprised you’re still on standby, Roy. With your former position as a director, I had assumed you would be immediately reassigned to another facility.”

-Even for a director, there are differences between facilities. And I’m hardly suited to join elsewhere as a newcomer at the bottom.

Well, transitioning overnight from giving orders to taking them would be unpalatable for anyone.
This comfortable position of authority was not easily relinquished.
Empathizing with his perspective, I naturally nodded in understanding.

“I suppose substantial initial funding would be required to resume your research. Very well, I shall provide financial support soon.”

-Whew…Finally.

The tremor in his voice betrayed his elation, which was easily discernible.

“Since you undoubtedly understand research better than I, I shall entrust that aspect to you. Then…”

-Ah, wait a moment.

Just as I was about to conclude our conversation, Roy urgently called out to me.

“Did you have something else to add?”

-…Well, you see.

Uncharacteristically hesitating, he eventually sighed before continuing.

-The Senior Researcher wishes to meet with you.

“Pardon?”

Your superior, you mean?

Roy’s statement left me puzzled.