Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Do you understand now?”

“Just how corrupt this nation has become?”

While smiling, there was no genuine feeling behind that expression.
That look, perhaps tinged with a hint of disdain, momentarily gave Phantom Luna pause.

Bang-!

He didn’t flinch in the slightest at taking a life.
With a cold, impassive expression, he simply observed the man’s dying throes.

“Wooooaaahhhh!!!!”

He seemed utterly devoid of the instinctive revulsion one would expect from committing murder.
Witnessing death is never a pleasant experience.

“…Ah.”

And for Phantom Luna, who had borne witness to innumerable such scenes, seeing someone die right before her eyes never became easier.

‘Yet how can you remain so unfazed?’

The cheering masses over the dead body.
And Maker’s utterly blank gaze.

She felt an eerie dissonance from those reactions.
But more than any sense of dread from that disconnect, she was overwhelmed by sheer incomprehension.

“I trust you understand now who was right, and who was wrong.”

Maker’s tender tone.
Yet the words he uttered felt disturbingly askew.

Who was wrong? Who was right, you claim?
Are you truly saying you were correct, and I was mistaken? Sincerely?

“From what I’ve heard, you’re an exchange hero from Japan, correct? Then you must have come through the association’s exchange program.”

The association does conduct a secret exchange program for a certain period.

Not for any particularly significant or serious reasons, mind you.
Simply to prevent any undue fuss from those who might panic over a hero’s temporary absence, or make preparations to receive incoming foreign heroes.

As such, ordinary citizens and even villains would typically remain unaware of this exchange program’s existence.

So how did this villain come to know about it?

“It would be advisable not to make my acquaintance again for the remainder of your stay. Simply continue your hero activities quietly before returning to your homeland.”

Objectively speaking, Maker had no reason to spare Phantom Luna’s life.

The increasingly nonsensical situation and chaotic surroundings had left her utterly distracted.

Rendering her vulnerable enough that he could have killed her right then and there with ease, if he so desired.

So why let her live? There was no conceivable benefit to him in doing so.

“……”

She couldn’t make sense of any of it.
She couldn’t comprehend him at all.

“Would that not be better for your mental wellbeing?”

Maker spoke with a warm, seemingly concerned tone toward Phantom Luna.
In response, Chise glanced warily at him.
And by chance, their eyes met.

‘Ah.’

Adept at meticulously studying others’ emotional cues, Phantom Luna instantly recognized it.
While his voice, expression, everything appeared perfectly normal on the surface, it was an immaculately crafted facade.

“……”

The truth within remained unfathomable.
But one thing was certain – he was not sane.

“You’re telling me to run away? Don’t spout such nonsense!!”

He was wrong.
Harboring twisted ideologies, he carried them out without the slightest hesitation.

“Who’s right or wrong, you ask? I know all too well!”

Extrajudicial punishment is perilous.
If one simply disregards the law out of frustration, abolishing it, who knows what further chaos might ensue?

As an entity undermining those laws and sowing disorder among the citizens…

“From start to finish, you were utterly wrong!!”

Maker was in the wrong.
Hence, Phantom Luna had to stop him, no matter what.

She was the hero, he the villain.

Perhaps there was no need to understand him at all.
It was enough to thwart the villain causing chaos among the citizens.

“You want me to slink back to Japan like a coward?”

She likely could not.

“I will never give up.”

She could not simply return to her homeland after witnessing a villain harm the citizens so brazenly.

A sense of justice.
That emotion ignited a fire within Phantom Luna’s heart, fueling her defiant glare toward Maker.

“Luna! Are you alright?”

Shortly after Maker’s departure, amidst the frenzied evacuation of citizens, Elexstorm approached her.

“…Elexstorm, could you handle the scene cleanup for me?”
“Huh? Where are you going?”

Woooong-

“To the Heroes Association headquarters.”
“…Sheesh, alright then.”

Though puzzled by her response, Elexstorm readily acquiesced upon seeing Phantom Luna’s resolute gaze.

-Beeeep!!

Boarding the summoned Gryphon, she immediately set course for the Heroes Association.

“Optimus.”
“Ah, Phantom Luna. Come in. So have you made your decision?”
“I’d like to add some conditions.”

Regarding Phantom Luna with an sly smile, Optimus seemed to realize her time in Korea was about to be extended.

Swooosh-

“Phew.”

Inside the cafe restroom, after returning from downtown with Ga-yeon, I immediately removed the colored contact lenses I had been wearing.

The lenses dissipated in streaks of light.

“My ability is great and all, but these are kind of a hassle.”

Casually brushing off the vanished lenses, I gazed at my now golden-glowing eyes in the mirror.
The signature of my Creation ability.

Whenever I used my powers, my eyes would temporarily turn this golden hue afterwards.

“Seriously, what kind of chuunibyou ability is this…”

While visually striking on the surface, it was more of a drawback than a benefit.

‘The true strength of my ability lies in its unpredictable manifestations and capacity for deception.’

However, such an overt visual cue instantly nullified that advantage.

Hence, ever since that first terrorist incident, I had taken to wearing these lenses whenever operating as Maker.

The mild eye strain was a small price to pay for concealing this inherent weakness of mine.

Swooosh-

After lightly washing my face, I exited the restroom.

“Oppa.”

As I emerged, Ga-yeon came scampering over, and I gently patted her head.

“It’s almost lunchtime, aren’t you getting hungry?”

“Hungry.”

“Then let’s head downstairs. I’ll make you something.”

Nodding obediently, Ga-yeon led me to the lower floor.

A short while later.
Having finished my meal, I pondered idly while washing the dishes.

‘I wonder if Phantom Luna and Optimus will act according to my plans?’

From my perspective, I hoped Chise would remain in Korea.
And Optimus’ agenda, while I didn’t know the exact reason, seemed aligned with my own intentions.

Within that scenario, I contemplated how to ensure Chise stayed in Korea.
Amidst various unnecessary random thoughts, one idea surfaced.

‘Maker’s designated hero.’

Perhaps I could utilize that arrangement?
Fundamentally, designated heroes receive additional subsidies and bonus compensation.

Moreover, as a villain engaging in relatively frequent nefarious activities, the designated hero assigned to me would likely receive even higher remuneration than normal.

‘That could initially pique her interest, given her financial need.’

But that wasn’t all.
Today’s terrorist incident.

Through it, I had demonstrated my ability to effortlessly sway the public mindset.
Not to mention flaunting my skewed ideological convictions as if they were self-evident truths.

In such a situation, to simply return to Japan after failing to apprehend me?

‘The righteous and headstrong Phantom Luna would find that utterly intolerable.’

I was presenting a solution to simultaneously address her sense of justice and financial concerns.
By capturing the villainous Maker, she could earn considerably more money while also fulfilling her need.

An opportunity with nothing but upsides.

‘Of course, the minor complication is that Ice Queen already occupies one of my designated hero slots.’

However, she was merely a temporary assignee.
It wasn’t uncommon for multiple temporary heroes to handle a single villain, so adding another wouldn’t be an issue.

With all the pieces now in place.

Tap tap.

Having finished cleaning and drying the dishes, I dusted off my hands.

‘Even that dimwit Optimus should easily swallow this bait.’

Jingle-

“Mr. Owner! I’m back again!”

Her expression seemed even brighter than before.
Free from the pensive demeanor she had worn for weeks, her radiant smile effortlessly conveyed the obvious.

‘Just as planned.’

My scheme had succeeded.

Swooosh-

“[Hey, is that for real?]”
“[Insane…]”

At that very moment, in Russia.
The Russian heroes were slack-jawed in awe, gazing upon a certain individual.

“[Is this truly the level of power a hero from that tiny nation can exert…?]”
“[No wonder she’s A-ranked.]”

Amidst a torrential downpour, an immense ice crystal had manifested.

“Haah…”

“[Th,this is unreal…!!]”

Exhaling a frosty breath before it stood a woman.

“[Ice Queen.]”

The same woman who had encased an entire villain organization and countless bombs within impenetrable ice.
She regarded the villains before her with a nonchalant expression.

“[A beauty as sharp and radiant as a precious gem.]”
“[The Snow Princess…no, the Snow Queen would be more apt.]”

The heroes’ awed murmurs as she surveyed the villains with an icy glare.
Some even eyed her with a peculiar look.

“[Ice Queen is truly a strong yet stunningly beautiful woman…]”

An alluring woman who commanded the attention of countless men.

“Haah…this is why I hate these exchange programs.”

Yet the object of such admiring gazes found it more irksome than flattering.