Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

As the signal for the auction to begin rang out, the chattering voices in the viewing area gradually quieted down.

Jin Yeon-hwa and Seol Rok-jin also turned their gazes towards where the auction would take place.

“We’ll start with the first item up for auction today. This candlestick was discovered within the palace during the conquest of the AAA-rank gate ‘Village of Vampires.’ Its artistic beauty seems to transcend even this dimensional realm! The starting bid is 5 million won, with increments of 200,000 won allowed.”

Listening to those words, Jin Yeon-hwa opened her mouth to speak.

“Apparently, right in the center of the Village of Vampires conquered this time, there stood an ancient castle reminiscent of a medieval noble’s estate.”

The castle was said to be so breathtakingly beautiful that even the conquering forces had momentarily paused to gaze upon it in awe.

Unable to awaken any combat-oriented talents herself, Jin Yeon-hwa hadn’t witnessed that sight directly. But she had received a firsthand account from someone who had been there.

That castle was truly a sight sculpted from pure fantasy, they said.

“Since it was a high-rank gate beyond stabilization through conventional gate-maintenance devices, it immediately collapsed after the conquest ended. Isn’t it remarkable that they managed to salvage all of this?”

Her languid tone contrasted with the auctioneer’s impassioned delivery.

“Behold this exquisite form!”

The auctioneer was vigorously promoting the candlestick. Undoubtedly, it was a beautiful piece. But that was about it.

“To be honest, I question whether they really needed to include such trivial items in the auction. Isn’t it just a waste of time?”

Jin Yeon-hwa’s bluntness bordered on rudeness. But there was no one present who could call her out on such impoliteness.

With a faint smile, Jin Yeon-hwa asked:

“Representative Seol Rok-jin, is there perhaps an item you have your eye on?”

“Compared to the Vice Guild Leader, the items here seem utterly worthless.”

“Oh my, are you trying to tease me by saying that? Don’t be like that. Isn’t there anything you desire?”

Her tone suggested that she would purchase whatever he wanted, as if indulging a child’s whim. But Seol Rok-jin didn’t fall for her bait.

“For a non-awakener like myself, they would merely be worthless trinkets.”

“Huh, but you have many awakener friends, don’t you? I’m sure they would appreciate receiving one as a gift.”

Despite Jin Yeon-hwa’s insinuation, Seol Rok-jin maintained his defenses.

“We’re not close enough for such gift exchanges.”

Looking sideways at Jin Yeon-hwa’s companion, Seol Rok-jin remarked:

“Yet the Vice Guild Leader didn’t bring any other friends along either, I see.”

Aside from the ever-present Lee Hye-won, no one else accompanied Jin Yeon-hwa. Normally at such auctions, guild leaders would bring their most promising rookie as a means of networking and promotion.

Like how Kim Myeong-cheol of the Crimson Hound Guild had brought along Jeong Ho-san, the rookie he was grooming.

Seol Rok-jin slyly commented:

“Didn’t an exceptional rookie recently join Sirius as well?”

“Ah, Seon-je?”

A smile bloomed on Jin Yeon-hwa’s face, her eyes glittering.

“A true gem. We were so fortunate.”

Yoo Seon-je, a potential S-rank talent wielding psychic abilities. Elemental talents were highly valued – if the A-rank pyromancer Kim Myeong-cheol was treated as a near 8-Circle, how powerful must Yoo Seon-je be? No, how powerful would he become?

For now, he was still just a fledgling, but he held immense potential to eventually become an untouchable titan.

“So why didn’t you bring that friend along? It would have been a good opportunity to introduce him.”

“Ay, that friend is still too young to be brought to a place like this. He’s an innocent child, you see.”

It seemed Jin Yeon-hwa intended to shelter him in a safe haven for now. Considering how precious such a talent was, it was understandable.

‘What a pity.’

Seol Rok-jin had an instinctive premonition that he wouldn’t have a chance to directly observe Yoo Seon-je for quite some time.

Sirius growing any stronger than this was an undesirable scenario for Seol Rok-jin. He had intended to nip that bud early.

Since that wasn’t possible, he would have no choice but to proceed to Plan B.

“Excuse me, I’ll be using the restroom for a moment.”

“Oh my, I didn’t think the Representative would need restroom breaks.”

Ignoring Jin Yeon-hwa’s inane remark, Seol Rok-jin rose from his seat. As he shifted positions, his gaze briefly met Lee Hye-won’s, who always trailed behind Jin Yeon-hwa.

And in that instant, Seol Rok-jin’s pupils turned yellow. So fleeting that no one else in the viewing area noticed their momentary eye contact, but that brief exchange was enough.

Lee Hye-won, was it?

Not a bad choice.

As a piece to be used and discarded over the next six months.

* * *

As the auction commenced and Do Chae-hee patrolled the area, a familiar face caught her eye.

“Oh, Jeong Ho-san.”

“Inspector?”

Jeong Ho-san seemed surprised to encounter Do Chae-hee here, as if he hadn’t expected her presence.

“What brings you to this place?”

The one who answered that question was Kim Myeong-cheol, standing behind Jeong Ho-san.

“Haha, why else would anyone come to an auction? To buy items, of course. But you, Inspector, what business do you have here?”

It seemed the incident where she had evaded surveillance to meet Jeong Ho-san had greatly irked him, judging by how sharply he drew the line.

But did he really need to try hiding Jeong Ho-san behind himself like that? It gave off the unseemly impression of a lecherous old man trying to seduce a wealthy young lady.

Suppressing an inexplicable sense of dissatisfaction, Do Chae-hee slowly opened her mouth:

“I’m providing security, just in case any incidents occur.”

Inwardly, she clicked her tongue at the unnecessary caution, but seeing Jeong Ho-san’s innocent face, she found herself understanding.

He was someone so guileless that he might be completely taken advantage of by ill-intentioned individuals.

Countless people had gathered at this auction, and wherever people congregated, politics were bound to unfold – a world completely unsuited for Jeong Ho-san.

“I see. You must be working hard.”

Despite Kim Myeong-cheol’s overt disdain, Jeong Ho-san greeted Do Chae-hee kindly. His friendly demeanor inadvertently brought a smile to her face as well.

In contrast, Kim Myeong-cheol clicked his tongue as if displeased by this entire exchange.

“What kind of criminal riffraff would even dare to show up where so many hunters are present?”

Well, Do Chae-hee had thought the same.

Over five hundred people had flocked to today’s auction venue. More than half of them were hunters specialized in gate conquests.

Particularly due to the ‘Vampiric Lord’s Ring’ appearing towards the end, numerous A-rank and higher hunters were also in attendance – the very Kim Myeong-cheol and Jeong Ho-san before her were A-rank hunters themselves.

To attempt robbing a place like this?

“Unless they’ve lost their minds, no one would even think of attempting a heist here.”

But if she was being provoked, she had no choice but to respond. Do Chae-hee had already spent the past two nights guarding this place without rest.

Not that she had noticed any suspicious individuals so far.

“Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Do Chae-hee sighed. While she would have to resume her patrol soon, she really didn’t want to return to that mind-numbingly dull routine. She was so exhausted that she would have welcomed any conversation, even one as uncomfortable as this.

“So, Master, have you spotted anything interesting on offer?”

Do Chae-hee had casually dropped that bait, which Kim Myeong-cheol readily took.

“Ah! This time, the Vampiric Lord’s Ring is a real treasure! It would be perfect for our Ho-san here.”

“Th-that expensive of an item! I couldn’t possibly…”

“But wouldn’t it be great to have?”

Listening to their exchange, Do Chae-hee shook her head. Leaving the pair absorbed in their own little world, she resumed her patrol duty.

[This is the first floor. Any issues over there?]

At Park Cheol-wan’s words, Do Chae-hee vented her rising irritation.

“None whatsoever. In fact, what sane thief would even think of targeting this place? Just look at the people I can see – Kim Myeong-cheol of the Crimson Hounds, Park Yeon-su of the Peach Blossom, goodness. Even Jenica from Haorovi is here!”

They were all renowned hunters who had made their names across Korea. Only a complete lunatic or someone devoid of a brain would attempt infiltrating here.

And yet, she couldn’t completely let her guard down – because if by some astronomically slim chance a thief did appear, that individual would undoubtedly be extraordinarily formidable.

To have the audacity to attempt a heist amidst all these experts implied staggering capabilities.

‘No, that won’t happen. It can’t happen.’

Do Chae-hee had only one wish:

‘Just let me get off work early and sleep tonight.’

Just this once, she wanted to leave at the scheduled end of her shift.

* * *

After pulling Han Seo-hyeon through the door into the interior, I immediately began stripping off his waiter disguise.

“Uwah! What are you doing?”

“Put this on.”

“Uh.”

“Endure any discomfort.”

Donning the outfit I had given him, Han Seo-hyeon asked with a terrified expression:

“Are you really sure about this? The people gathered here didn’t seem like casual participants.”

“Yeah, all the famous hunters across Korea have come.”

“Y-You mean we’re going to face those people, just the two of us?”

I shrugged at Han Seo-hyeon’s words.

“We don’t need to face them all. Remember what I told you? All you need to do is summon the skeleton at the right moment.”

Han Seo-hyeon nodded.

“Well, yes, but still. If we make a mistake…”

“Nothing will go wrong. And even if it does, you’ll be fine.”

Even if we were caught, at worst it would be me – Han Seo-hyeon wouldn’t be in any real danger. And if I were caught… Well, I’d think about that if it happened.

—You reckless fool!

‘I’m confident I won’t get caught, that’s why I’m saying this.’

But despite my reassurances, Han Seo-hyeon’s unease didn’t seem to dissipate. While time was short, I should probably try alleviating that anxiety somewhat.

“The bigger issue is actually having too many people here.”

“Huh?”

“It will make everyone hesitate over who should step forward.”

Countless vested interests were intertwined here. If there were clearly designated individuals in charge, it might be different. But when it came to a ‘someone else’s problem’ mentality, few would eagerly volunteer themselves.

Especially in such a confined space.

The total number currently occupying this area, including security personnel, exceeded six hundred individuals. Over three hundred of them were hunters.

Of course, there were security staff guarding the auction venue as well. But amidst this dense crowd, it wouldn’t be easy for them to pinpoint and focus on me specifically.

Because I would ensure it was that way.

There was really only one individual I needed to be wary of.

“Just be cautious of that woman Do Chae-hee.”

Do Chae-hee’s talent was ‘marksmanship’ – an utterly ridiculous cheat ability where anything she imbued with her mana and fired would unerringly strike its target.

But if properly prepared, I could nullify her talent a couple of times at least.

And a couple of opportunities would be sufficient for me to obtain what I desired.

Well, I had prepared a few measures to prevent Do Chae-hee from being able to fire her gun, so I shouldn’t need to worry too much.

“Just remember what I told you. Wait for my signal, then…”

“Summon the skeleton.”

“Exactly. And immediately after that, you leave this place.”

“Understood.”

The auction was now nearing its climax. I patted Han Seo-hyeon’s shoulder.

“Go wait below, then.”

“Boss.”

Han Seo-hyeon looked at me and said:

“You must return safely.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry about me.”

I sat perched on the railing, awaiting the signal.

That signal being…

“Now, the item many of you have been eagerly awaiting at this auction! Discovered within the castle of the Vampire Lord, the Red Flame Mana Stone!”

The crimson-stained magic stone radiated an immense aura of mana, visible even at a glance. As that magic stone appeared, everyone’s attention became riveted on the auction stage. The auctioneer’s lively voice continued, and just as he was about to announce the opening price for the Red Flame Mana Stone, a tremendous explosion rocked the auction hall.

Excellent, showtime had arrived.