Being a Villain is My True Calling

The Senior Researcher flashed a radiant smile, gazing at Maker with a sense of reverence.

‘Ah, how sublime.’

Even a mere thought from someone like him could only deem it sublime.
Truly, an ideal.

The most sublime of all in this world.
The most sacred in this world.
The greatest ideal in this world.

He was a man who embodied our ideal.

‘Someone who is not one of us from Z-Biotech, yet understands that sublimity…No, he embraces the very essence of that sublime philosophy!’

Overjoyed to have finally encountered a kindred spirit, he could not contain his elation.

“Maker, you seem more suited to our side than Eclipse.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Senior Researcher.”

“How about unfolding that vision within Z-Biotech?”

The Senior Researcher extended his hand towards Maker.
An understanding comrade who shared their philosophy.

If desired, he could even offer Maker a fellow Senior Researcher’s position, rather than serve under some money-obsessed subordinate.

“While I appreciate the offer…I’m afraid I must decl-”

“What?! Why!! Why not!! If you wish, I shall grant you a Senior Researcher’s position, equal to mine!! Have I perhaps caused you any discomfort, Maker?”

However, the Senior Researcher let out a loud wail in response to Maker’s subsequent words.
What could have unsettled him so?

“No, you see-”

“Ah yes! I must have come on too strongly initially! My apologies for that! If there is anything you desire as an apology, anything at all!!”

Rarely had they encountered one who truly resonated with their philosophy, a kindred spirit.
To sully such a beautiful ideal by subjecting him to the wicked company of villains was unthinkable.
Thus, he was willing to offer anything to sway Maker’s heart!

“…Then my li-”

“Anything at all!!!”

-Except demanding your life!

“Assisted suici-”

“Anything at all!!!!”

“No, I said your li-”

“Anytheeeeng!!!!!”

Aah…Why did he not simply speak?!
Could it be that he was so utterly disappointed in the Senior Researcher?!

“Your silence must indicate that I have deeply offended you!!!”

“…Or perhaps you’re just not listening to me?”

Maker regarded the raving, wide-eyed Senior Researcher with the same disdain one might view an insect.
Checking the translator device, it appeared to be functioning normally.

Evidently, the man was simply ignoring Maker’s remarks about taking his life while incessantly repeating his own spiel.

‘Why are they all like this whenever we meet?’

After pondering for a moment, Maker soon realized they were deranged criminals after all.
…Right, how could he expect rational discourse from such lunatics?

Heaving a small sigh, he observed the Senior Researcher.
Hissing and panting belligerently, as if daring Maker to issue a command he could defy.

‘His behavior is rather reminiscent of our organization’s doctor…’

Of course, their levels of loyalty differed vastly.
Were researchers simply prone to emotional outbursts by nature?

“If you desire! Anyt-”

“Please calm down for now. You’re hardly going to follow any instructions, are you?”

“……”

After quieting the ranting Senior Researcher, Maker glanced around their surroundings.

“”……””

An eerie silence had descended upon the cafe.
Even peripheral glances confirmed the onlookers’ scrutiny directed towards a certain individual.

Specifically…the madman before him.
Gone was the earlier guise of a respectable middle-aged gentleman, now replaced by a man alternating between tears, laughter, and shrieks, drawing the hushed attention of the entire cafe.

Even Gayeon, who had been enjoying a parfait, furrowed her brows warily.
Maker signaled for her to stand down before surveying their environment.

“…My apologies for the disturbance. Our conversation became rather heated.”

“Um…Is everything alright…?”

Mustering her courage, a woman tentatively approached, appearing to be the waitress who had served the Senior Researcher’s espresso earlier.

“Yes, there is no major issue, please do not worry. My apologies for disturbing the other patrons as well.”

“I…I see…! Please be mindful of causing a ruckus in this shared space! And to the rest of you…”

The waitress swiftly proceeded to defuse the situation.

‘She likely has some connection to the Senior Researcher.’

Perhaps she was even affiliated with Z-Biotech.
Once the situation had settled somewhat, Maker addressed the Senior Researcher once more.

“…First of all, my refusal to accept your offer has nothing to do with you personally, Senior Researcher.”

“Then!!”

“Lower your voice.”

“Th,Then why are you refusing?”

The Senior Researcher glanced around cautiously before continuing his inquiry.
From his perspective, Maker’s rejection was incomprehensible.

Despite the absolute prestige and honor of a Senior Researcher’s position at Z-Biotech, where one could pursue any desired research or experiments while receiving an allowance to maintain their dignity, what could possibly be unacceptable about such an offer?

“To begin with, I am not a researcher, so why propose that I become one?”

“…Ah.”

A remarkably simple reason, it seemed.

‘Ah…In my excitement, I had overlooked the most obvious fact.’

Finally deflated, the Senior Researcher leaned back against his seat.
As tranquility returned to his previously crazed eyes, Maker calmly addressed him.

“May I ask why you so vehemently insisted on recruiting me into your organization?”

While Maker had some understanding of the reasons, he felt slightly bewildered.
Regardless of carefully selecting words that aligned with their values, their excessively positive reaction seemed excessive.

“…You are the one who can most perfectly comprehend our ideals.”

“Pardon?”

However, to the Senior Researcher, it was more than a mere similarity of values.

A perfect understander.
Amid this malicious world, he sensed that Maker alone could perfectly comprehend them.

“Regrettably, we walk a path that few can comprehend.”

Neither heroes nor villains, they existed solely for themselves, understood by none.

“…Not even our subordinate researchers, it seems.”

Moreover, even among their fellow researchers, the motivations differed.
Some sought mere financial gain, others were coerced into joining, while some desired to create not a ‘God’, but a slightly superior ‘monster’.

‘That is not our purpose.’

Z-Biotech’s founding purpose had been vastly distorted, rendered unrecognizable.

“But you were different.”

Pristine.
The very purity they, the current Senior Researchers, had initially embraced when first conceiving their ideals.

That essence was fully embodied within Maker’s professed values.

“Where we had resigned ourselves to a lack of understanding, you provided empathy.”

Few could comprehend their philosophy, their ideology.

Some dismissed them as mentally unsound.
Others condemned them as murderers.
Some merely begged for mercy amidst their sacrifices.

‘How ignorant…!’

Their efforts aimed to create a supreme God.
A devotion, a sacrifice.

To have such noble endeavors so callously disparaged was infuriating.

‘For the sake of uplifting humanity, bringing true peace…Our sacrifices were so brazenly denigrated…’

It was utterly intolerable.
Lashing out at those who relentlessly branded them as deranged.
Lashing out at researchers who embraced differing values.

Gradually, they came to believe that none could empathize with them, save for each other.
Until finally, they encountered him.

“Only you, you alone, seemed to truly understand our purpose!”

With that awestruck gaze, the Senior Researcher regarded Maker, burdened by unrestrained fervor.

“Do you now comprehend the reasons behind my passion?”

“Um…Well, yes.”

Had he overdone the performance…?
Observing the Senior Researcher’s eyes once again glazed over, Maker could only nod solemnly.

Shortly after.

“…In any case, I believe I understand your intentions well, Senior Researcher. And I hope I have clearly conveyed my own thoughts and purposes.”

I began summarizing the situation to draw our conversation to a close.

“Shall we proceed as planned with the investment towards Roy?”

“Yes. Maker will be welcome at any time. Roy…He is somewhat serviceable, at the very least.”

The Senior Researcher took another sip of the espresso before regarding me with a benevolent smile.

“By any chance, do you have no interest in investing in our other research endeavors or Z-Biotech as a whole?”

“Not at present.”

“Not at present…I see. Then for now, you shall remain Roy’s personal sponsor.”

Muttering to himself, the Senior Researcher retrieved a business card from his pocket and offered it to me.

“This is…?”

“As you can see, my personal contact information. A number I only provide to important individuals.”

“I graciously accept it, Senior Researcher.”

Once I had pocketed the card, he donned his hat and rose from his seat.

“It has been a pleasure to meet someone so like-minded after so long. I hope we can meet again soon.”

“…I would like that as well, but my area of operations is in Korea.”

“Ah…Any chance you might consider relocating to Italy…?”

None whatsoever?
Smiling, I shook my head.

“…Hmph.”

The Senior Researcher briefly lamented my response.
Soon after, he nodded in understanding and bid me farewell.

“I see. Well, I’m sure there will be other opportunities to converse. Until then…”

“It was a pleasant conversation, Senior Researcher.”

With those parting words, the Senior Researcher turned and exited the cafe.

“Oppa. Is he gone now?”

“Yes, he has completely left.”

As I observed the Senior Researcher’s departure, Gayeon cautiously approached.
I gently patted her head.

“I don’t like that man. He’s strange.”

“Neither do I, truthfully.”

While I had not outwardly expressed it, I harbored a strong aversion towards him as well.

“Are we going to talk to him again?”

“Hard to say…”

Most likely, future interactions with him would be exceedingly rare.
Unless absolutely necessary on my end, I intended to avoid him altogether.

During our encounter today, the Senior Researcher remained oblivious to the fact that he and I were inadvertently bound by an ill-fated connection.

One of Z-Biotech’s main projects, codenamed the ‘Creature Series’.
The very project overseen by the Senior Researcher I had just met.

‘It was also the main project where Lily had been an experimental subject.’

In other words, I had essentially stolen away a near-successful specimen from his primary project, a child who could have been considered his crowning achievement.

“…I’d be in big trouble if he found out, huh?”

“Hmm?”

It seemed wisest to minimize any further encounters with the Senior Researcher.
We had established sufficient rapport for now.

So…

“Gayeon.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we explore the city instead?”

“Okay.”

A change of scenery might help alleviate some stress.

That day, Gayeon and I enjoyed sightseeing through the Italian streets, sampling local delicacies along the way.