THE VILAIN
: Strange Villains
W. Gpeum
- WARNING!The author thinks of and portrays the protagonist as a rather immoral person.
The female protagonist frowned, her face settling on a building. A bag, so light it could hardly be called luggage, dangled from her shoulder. The bag, which had been dangling with every tilt of her head, swayed violently as she turned her head.
“…A dorm?”
The mid- to low-level espers who formed teams on the fly for missions would be herded into the dorms for ease of management, but the upper-level espers assigned to areas where teamwork was paramount all had their own teams. Since teamwork was so crucial, they couldn't just be thrown into the dorms. Therefore, the fact that espers assigned to teams were assigned separate dormitories was something Yeoju, who had lived at the center until she was fourteen, knew. She also knew that the dormitories typically consisted of a single two-story house, and that such a grand building had never been used as a dormitory. Yeoju gently closed Taehyung's jaw as he gaped, counting the floors of the building one by one. Then, she turned to Jungkook. Jungkook, who had just announced, as if reciting a breakfast menu, that this entire building was Team BTS's dormitory, tilted his head as if to ask what was wrong.
"Isn't it nice to have a nice house?""You only say really bad things, for fear that someone will say you're not a young master."
Despite the heroine's seemingly sarcastic remarks, Jeongguk paid no attention. He simply recited, in a calm voice, the facilities located from the second basement level to the twelfth floor, one by one.
"The accommodations are on the 3rd and 12th floors. Normally, I recommend staying on the 3rd floor in case of an emergency."
"Can I just unpack my luggage anywhere? Well, it's not really luggage, really."
"We've stocked up on furniture and necessities. If you need anything, just let the management office on the first floor know and they'll be provided within two days. Access is by fingerprint, but please keep a key card with you in case of an emergency. Be sure to register your fingerprints as you go up."
A simple card key was handed to each of them. "Now, can we unpack?" Seokjin asked, taking the first step, followed quietly by Namjoon. "Let's go too!" Yeoju said, gently pushing Taehyung away as he clung to her.
"You go first."
"Um, yes! Sister, can you give me your luggage? I'll bring it over first."
"Would you mind? Thank you."
Since they both didn't have much luggage, Taehyung was able to easily grab Yeoju's bag. "Hyungs, let's go together!" Yeoju turned to Jungkook as Taehyung ran towards Seokjin and Namjoon. She noticed his expression, as if asking if he had something to say. "Hey, Master," Yeoju said, and Jungkook's eyebrows quirked.
"Leader, is there a reason you didn't decide in advance? Or is there someone else who thought of it differently?"
“I plan to decide when all the team members have joined. I can’t just decide it haphazardly, so I thought it would be better to decide when we’re all together.”
"Then you do it."
"…what?"
"You have to do it. Either notify or do something."
"Why?"
The heroine, standing awkwardly, looked at Jeong-guk. With a look of intense displeasure, she answered.
"The center's espers won't accept any runaways."
Jungkook unconsciously bit his lip. The woman raised her eyebrows, as if to ask if what she said was true. Indeed, she was right. Having already faced fierce opposition once, Jungkook couldn't refute her words. They were none other than the fugitives. Those who had offered Jungkook a team had long been loyal to the Center, and they didn't look kindly on the fugitives who had betrayed the Center and acted against its goals. Jungkook had made such an unreasonable request to them: to team up with the fugitives and work together. It was rude enough, but they ultimately accepted. It was a negotiation based on the personal trust they had in 'Jeon Jungkook.'
The reason he could resort to such stubbornness was because he possessed a strange conviction that as he continued his team activities and worked hand-in-hand with the fugitives, including Han Yeo-ju, his perception of the fugitives—or at least of Han Yeo-ju herself—would change. Strictly speaking, his perception of the team led by "Han Yeo-ju." Therefore, Jeong-guk naturally believed that Han Yeo-ju was the right person for the leadership position. If Han Yeo-ju didn't volunteer, he planned to recommend her.
"What Esper would want to be on a team of fugitives, with a leader led by a fugitive?"
"……."
"Even if one of the Center's Espers, not you or me, or any of the Runaways, were to take the leadership position, would the Runaways be able to easily integrate into the team?"
"……."
"I can melt. But only me."
"……."
"No one else, except me and you, can do that."
That wasn't wrong. In fact, if you can even remotely predict what's to come, it's right to follow Yeoju's advice. Jeon Jungkook's role was crucial in bringing the fugitives he brought in and the center espers he brought in together into one team.
"To be honest, I was going to recommend you for the leadership position."
Yeoju's expression seemed to suggest she'd expected this. Running away from the Center, living as a fugitive, experiencing life-or-death combat unlike anything the Center and Espers had experienced—everything she'd experienced would perfectly shape Yeoju as a leader. The talent Jungkook would bring in wasn't talented enough to contribute to the team, but none had the makings of a leader. Jeon Jungkook was one of them.
"I don't have much combat experience."
"I know, you're my lord."
"...A leader is someone who leads a team. Naturally, combat command skills are crucial. I'm not suited for the role."
"It's okay, I'll do that. But I really don't recommend putting me in the lead. You should do it."
“…Is there a reason it has to be me?”
"There's a reason I just mentioned, and appearances are actually more important than you think, Master. No matter how messy the inside is, if it looks good on the outside, people will perceive it as okay. Isn't that exactly the case with the center?"
Jeongguk's brow furrowed, but no rebuttal came out.
"Isn't the young master trying to use me to solidify his position at the center? The center's influence is just an excuse. It's just the center interfering with the team. There are probably dozens of ways to stop it without having to be a member of the team."
"……."
"You establish yourself by making your team the best in South Korea. Certainly, taking action is more appealing than just talking. This is especially true for Espers. It's far better than standing back. That's why you, Young Master, choose to take action yourself. Right?"
"…that's right."
"Yeah, but if you're going to do it, you have to do it right."
"……."
"The team under Jeon Jungkook's command has risen to the top. Huh? But the team leader is one of the runaways? So..."
"……."
"Jeon Jungkook lacks the power to control the fugitives! If this continues, won't the center be eaten by the fugitives?"
"Isn't that a leap?"
"But it's not entirely impossible. After all, words are easily exaggerated. Anyway, based on the reasons I've given, isn't it already clear who should be the leader?"
The female protagonist smiled brightly and spoke. Jungkook had already explained the reasons why he should be the leader, each and every one of them. He had no intention of forcing her into the role, so he nodded quietly. But questions still remained.
“…Why are you doing this?”
The way Yeoju offered me advice was not the kind of person Jungkook had expected. She would work as a team, faithfully fulfilling the terms of the contract, but she wouldn't give it her all. That was exactly what Jungkook had expected. But Yeoju showered me with advice. It was things she didn't need to offer, and it wasn't expected of her. That's why I was curious. However, it was Yeoju who seemed to have a puzzled expression. The answer that came out of her mouth was even more surprising.
"Because I'm on your side for now?"
"My side," Jungkook involuntarily held his breath at the words he thought he'd never hear from Han Yeo-ju. It felt strange. His face felt strangely flushed, so he covered his mouth with his hand. He didn't know how to react. But it felt good, so Jungkook's lips slightly lifted. "Yes, my side," he muttered. His stomach tingled.
"What else do you have to say?" Yeoju asked Jungkook, who was staring at her with a strange expression. Seeing Jungkook shake his head, Yeoju took a light step forward. "Ah," she said, and Jungkook opened his mouth again, but she was about to stop. But Jungkook, gently grasping Yeoju's arm, spoke.
"Rumors have already spread throughout the center about the fugitives, including you. So be careful."
"…what?"
"...This is the Esper Administration, and of course, since there are Espers gathered here, there will be quite a few Espers who will try to pick a fight with you. They will probably pick fights on purpose."
"iced coffee,"
The heroine stopped walking and frowned. She pondered something, and finally asked Jeongguk this question.
"So, you're saying we should avoid fighting as much as possible?"
"I would appreciate it if you could avoid direct combat if possible."
“…Even if I start a fight first?”
“…If you can bear with it for a little longer…, if you feel it has gone too far, just lightly suppress it…”
“…I’ll try.”
The female protagonist, tilting her head as if it were difficult, reluctantly answered. "If you have nothing more to say, I'll really go," she said as she entered the building. Jungkook watched her quietly. "I'll try," was a weak answer. Still, he'd be entering the building tomorrow, so Jungkook, hoping something might happen overnight, forced his unsteady steps to turn.
'Kwaang-'
- It was exactly twelve hours after Jeongguk left the building that a loud noise was heard.
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